Written Answers of 7 May 1996

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Criminals (Damages Claims)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions since 1990 persons convicted of crime have subsequently been successful in claiming damages from the victim of that crime for the offender's loss and personal injury; and if he will make a statement about eligibility for legal aid in bringing such claims. [27389]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Figures about such claims are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Civil legal aid may be available to an individual wishing to bring such a claim through the courts of England and Wales, subject to the standard tests on the merits of the case and financial eligibility.

  Asylum and Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what budgetary allocation was made in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; what allocation has been set aside for 1996–97 for the immigration appellate authority; and is the allocation within that budget in each of those years, for special adjudicators hearing asylum appeals. [27173]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The table shows the overall budgetary allocation for the years requested. The immigration appellate authorities do not keep a record of the allocation made specifically to special adjudicators hearing asylum appeals, and the table shows the amount allocated to all judicial costs in all areas of the appellate authorities' work.

  Year

  Overall budgetary allocation (£)

  Judicial allocation (£)

  1994–95

  3,755,603

  2,386,000

  1995–96

  4,793,057

  2,648,762

  1996–97

  7,931,512

  4,122,604

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the actual or protected outturn of(a) immigration appeals in total, (b) substantive asylum appeals and (c) fast track asylum appeals in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97. [27174]

  Mr. Evans
  It is not possible to provide separate figures for(b) and (c) as the immigration appellate authorities do not distinguish between these categories when recording determined appeals. I am able to provide the following information:
  2

  Adjudicators

  Year

  Total

  Asylum

  1994–95

  23,587

  3,196

  1995–96

  21,282

  8,354

  1996–97 (projected)

  33,630

  19,970

  Immigration Appeal Tribunal

  Year

  Total

  Asylum

  1994–95

  1,859

  388

  1995–96

  1,230

  510

  1996–97 (projected)

  1,900

  1,430

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contract, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27584]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27585]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for four executive agencies. For the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information is set out in the table. I have asked the chief executives of the Land Registry and of the Public Record Office to reply separately.

  Scheme

  Provision available

  Criteria used to judge eligibility

  (a) Maternity leave

  (i) 14 weeks statutory maternity leave, retaining right to return to same job;

  (i) available to all staff, regardless of status, subject to proper notification and the provision of a maternity certificate;

  (ii) 18 weeks, combination of statutory maternity leave and unpaid special leave, with right to return to work on no less favourable terms and conditions of employment than held before absence;

  (ii) must qualify for statutory maternity pay (see below);

  3

  Scheme

  Provision available

  Criteria used to judge eligibility

  (iii) 14 weeks paid maternity leave plus unpaid maternity leave up to total maximum absence of 52 weeks from the date maternity leave begins, with right to return to work on no less favourable terms and conditions than held before absence.

  (iii) must be in paid service at the time the leave begins and have rendered at least one year's such service overall; must not be employed on a casual, standby or short notice basis or on a fixed term contract of less than two years; must give a written undertaking of intention to return to work after maternity leave and produce a maternity certificate;

  (iv) additional paid or unpaid special leave may be granted.

  (iv) on written application, at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (b) Maternity Pay

  (i) 18 weeks statutory maternity pay; first 6 weeks at 90 per cent, of average weekly earnings in the eight weeks prior, 12 weeks at the set rate, currently £54.55;

  (i) must have 40 weeks service by the expected date of childbirth; have average weekly earnings of not less than the lower earnings limit for the payment of National Insurance contributions; still be pregnant by the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth, or have given birth by this time; must provide proper notification and produce a maternity certificate.

  (ii) 14 weeks at full pay, and notional statutory maternity pay where appropriate.

  (ii) as for paid maternity leave above.

  (c) Paternity leave

  Two days paid special leave, either at the time of birth or in the following weeks.

  Available on written application

  An additional five days paid special leave if exceptional or unforeseen domestic difficulties arise at the time of birth or immediately afterwards, (see also parental leave below)

  Available at local management discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (d) Parental leave

  for adoptive mothers, up to 20 days special leave with pay plus unpaid leave up to a maximum absence of 52 weeks;

  Available on written application

  if a woman does not exhaust her entitlement to unpaid maternity leave, the balance of leave is taken into account when considering a later application for unpaid special leave for childcare purposes, either from the woman

  Available at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  4

  Scheme

  Provision available

  Criteria used to judge eligibility

  or her spouse if he is also employed by the Department civil service.

  (e) Flexible working hours

  Flexible working hours arrangements may be introduced or revised in any office.

  Dependant upon discussion between staff and line-management and their trade union representative at local level.

  (f) Part time work (g) Job sharing

  Anyone can apply to work part-time or to job-share.

  Available at local management and personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  Up to five days special leave with pay in any one year may be granted locally;

  Available on written application at local management discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  Additional paid and/or unpaid special leave and/or career break may be made available if this appears justified in the particular circumstances.

  Available at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances.

  (i) Home working

  The Department does not specifically recruit staff to work at home on a permanent basis. Available as a temporary measure.

  Available at local management and personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (j) Term-time contracts (k) Annual hours contracts

  Contracts are not offered although existing staff may apply for annual hours and term-time contracts

  Available at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (l) Workplace nurseries

  44 nursery day care places are available for children under five; and approximately 75 playscheme places for children five to 12 years old which are used during the main school holidays.

  Waiting lists are maintained where the Department cannot meet the demand for places at a new or existing nursery venture. In allocating places, the Department observes the Equal Opportunities Commission's "Good Practice Guide", as recommended by the Cabinet Office in January 1992.

  Generally, playscheme places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis but occasionally preference is given to "essential" staff whose skills and experience are particularly needed by the Department.

  (m) Childcare None allowances

  N/A

  5

  Scheme

  Provision available

  Criteria used to judge eligibility

  (n) Carer's leave

  Up to five days special leave with pay in any one year may be granted; Additional paid and/or unpaid special leave

  Available on written application at local management discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  and/or career break may be made available if this appears justified in the particular circumstances.

  Available at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  (o) Career

  Staff who have successfully completed their probationary period.

  Must have a good record of attendance and performance. Available at personnel officer's discretion, dependant upon individual circumstances

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question on the provision and eligibility criteria of a number of conditions of service. I can supply the following information:

  Employees of HM Land Registry may benefit from the following provisions under the agency's conditions of service. Eligibility criteria, where applicable, are shown in the text:—

  (a) Maternity Leave:

  (i) Irrespective of an individual's length of service, a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave is allowed.

  (ii) Paid maternity leave of 3 months and 1 week is allowed where the individual:—

  —states their intention to return to work for a minimum period of 4 weeks;

  — undertakes to repay maternity pay, less statutory Maternity Pay, if she fails to return;

  — is in paid service with the agency when she starts maternity leave, and has given at least one year's such service;

  — is not employed on a casual basis, and

  — is not employed on a fixed term contract of less than 2 years.

  (iii) The earliest date from which the period of paid maternity leave can commence is the beginning of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement.

  (iv) Unpaid maternity leave may be granted up to a further 41 weeks starting with the week in which the baby is born, to a maximum possible absence of 52 weeks (11 weeks prior to the expected date of confinement plus 41 weeks maximum unpaid leave).

  (b) Maternity Pay:

  Staff who qualify for paid maternity leave under item (a) (ii) above receive their normal rate of pay for the period concerned. In other circumstances statutory maternity pay is payable.

  (c) Paternity Leave:

  Fathers are entitled to two days paid paternity leave, which may be taken at the time of the birth or during the weeks following (eg when the mother leaves hospital.) Paternity leave cannot, however, be paid during periods of unpaid absence.

  (d) Parental Leave:

  Paid special leave of up to one week may be granted to assist staff in coping with unforeseen short term domestic problems, including the care of a child. Unpaid special leave for longer periods may also be granted. All applications for special leave are considered sympathetically in light of the circumstances.

  6

  (e) Flexible Working Hours:

  Staff have the option to work flexible working hours subject only to very limited shift-working requirements. There are no specific criteria, save that a small minority of staff may be excluded for disciplinary reasons.

  (f) Part-time Work:

  The agency allows part-time working wherever possible. a minimum of 16 hours per week is encouraged. No specific criteria apply other than the need to have regard to the existing working patterns in order to avoid operational difficulties. Staff are able to opt for a wide range of working patterns, such as whole or part days, or combination of whole or part days.

  (g) Job Sharing:

  The agency provides opportunities for full-time posts to be shared by two employees. There are no specific criteria and no posts are automatically excluded. The agency will require to be satisfied that the arrangements in each case will meet operational requirements, and part-time working might offer a suitable alternative in the event of difficulty.

  (h) leave to Care for Sick Children:

  Paid special leave of up to one week may be granted for short term care of sick children, in order to provide initial assistance in relation to unforeseen circumstances. Unpaid nursing leave may be granted for longer periods. All applications for special leave are considered sympathetically in light of the circumstances.

  (l) Home Working:

  The agency does not operate home working except on an occasional, short term basis, to assist individual staff as part of their recuperation from injury or ailment.

  (j) Term-time Contracts:

  The agency considers requests for term-time working under its part-time working arrangements. Requests are accommodated by the granting of unpaid leave of absence during school holidays. Such requests are met wherever operational circumstances allow.

  (k) Annual Hours Contracts:

  The agency has no current provisions for annual hours contracts.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries:

  Two offices have workplace nurseries, each of which caters for up to 40 children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years. Staff at a third office have access to an interdepartmental nursery led by the Home Office, catering for a similar age range. All staff employed by the Agency at these locations are eligible to play for a nursery place for their child(ren). The agency also has holiday playschemes at 18 offices.

  (m) Childcare Allowances:

  The agency does not operate a system of childcare allowances. The running costs of nursery places are subsidised and the user parents pay a reduced fee.

  (n) Carer's Leave:

  Unpaid special leave may be granted to care for elderly or infirm relatives, dependants or partners, or where heavy domestic responsibilities have been borne for a long time. All applications for special leave are considered sympathetically in light of the circumstances.

  (o) Career Breaks:

  The agency operates a career break scheme, offering unpaid special leave for up to 5 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years in appropriate circumstances. The scheme is intended to help staff deal with caring responsibilities or where an individual's health has suffered as a result of past responsibilities. In order to take a career break under the scheme staff must:

  —be a permanent member of staff;

  —have one year's paid service of 16 or more hours per week, and—

  —have a satisfactory work performance and a satisfactory attendance, conduct and health record.

  A 'keeping-in-touch' scheme operates in tandem with the career break scheme for those who wish to participate.

  7
  Letter from Duncan Simpson to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  In the absence of the Chief Executive, who is away from the Office on official business, I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Pubic Record Office to your question about the provision available to employees in the agencies for which he is responsible.

  The provision available to employees of the Public Record Office, with the criteria used to judge eligibility, is:

  (a) Maternity leave

  Established staff and fixed term appointees are entitled to three months and one week paid maternity leave providing they

  1. intend to return to work

  2. have worked one year (in the past three) and

  3. are currently working.

  A further period of unpaid leave up to a combined total of 52 weeks is available.

  Limited period appointees are not eligible.

  (b) Maternity pay

  Established staff and fixed term appointees are entitled to normal salary for three months and one week and to 18 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay.

  Limited period appointees who have worked continuously for at least 26 weeks and continue into the 15th week prior to the expected week of confinement may be eligible for 18 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay, at the discretion of management.

  (c) Paternity leave

  Established staff and fixed term appointees are entitled to 2 days paid paternity leave.

  (d) Parental leave

  Available to established staff and fixed term appointees, at the discretion of management.

  (e) Flexible working hours

  Available to established staff and fixed term appointees in appropriate posts.

  (f) Part-time work

  Available to all employees, subject to operational needs. It is also allowed to members of staff who return to work after a period of sick absence.

  (g) Job sharing

  Available to all employees, subject to operational needs.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  As for (d) above.

  (i) Home working

  Available at the discretion of management.

  (j) Term-time contracts

  Not used.

  (k) Annual hours contracts

  Not used.

  Workplace nurseries

  Not available.

  Childcare allowances

  Planned for introduction in 1996/97, subject to the availability of resources.

  (n) Carer's leave

  As for (d) above.

  (o) Career break scheme

  Unpaid leave up to 5 years is available for established employees at the discretion of management.

TREASURY

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96. [26144]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 24 April 1996]: In 1995–96 the Treasury paid 9 per cent. of legitimate private sector invoices more than 30 days after their receipt and 91 per cent. on time. This figure reflects the clearing up of outstanding and disputed invoices and improvements to the Treasury's payment performance. In most cases the Department would have discussed the reason for the delay with the supplier, for instance to resolve disputes concerning the invoice or the delivery.

  VAT (Errors and Fraud)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the consultants' report drawn up for Customs and Excise on errors and fraud in VAT repayments will be completed; if he will place a copy in the Library; what was the percentage of payments incorrectly made; and how much revenue is involved. [27331]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The customs internal consultants' review covers the more complex areas of the VAT repayments credibility system. Work is proceeding to the timetable advised to the Public Accounts Committee by the chairman of Customs and Excise. The consultants' study of percentages of repayments incorrectly made, and the amount of revenue involved, is expected to be finalised in August 1996 when the PAC will be updated on the findings.

  The full report will contain details about checks on repayment claims, that would be of great advantage to potential fraudsters. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate to place a copy in the Library.

  Earnings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of employees in(a) each region and (b) nationally earned (i) less than £1.50 per hour, (ii) between £1.50 and £2.50 per hour, (iii) between £2.50 and £3.50 per hour, (iv) between £3.50 and £5 per hour, (v) between £5 and £10 per hour, (vi) between £10 and £20 per hour and (vii) in excess of £20 per hour in 1995 prices for each year since 1986. [27133]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The information is contained in several tables which I will arrange to have placed in the Library.

  Public Sector Pension Funds
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the annual cost of lump sum payments paid by each public sector pension fund in (i) 1974, (ii) 1979 and (iii) the most recent year available; [27333]

  (2) what was the annual cost of pensions paid in each public sector pension fund in (i) 1974, (ii) 1979 and (iii) the most recent year available. [27334]
  9
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Comprehensive figures are not available in the form requested. Information is available only for some of the centrally administered public service schemes and, for the earlier years in question, cannot always be disaggregated.

  The schemes shown are all unfunded and expenditure comes from moneys voted by Parliament in estimates.

  Information that is available is as follows:

  1974–75

  1979–80

  1994–95

  £ million

  Civil Service

  1141.5

  1421.9

  11,859.6

  —

  261.2

  2151.6

  1399.0

  —

  Armed Forces

  11,218.9

  —

  n/a

  n/a

  2329.8

  —

  NHS

  82.6

  299.3

  11,334.2

  —

  2321.0

  —

  NHS (Scotland)

  9.2

  36.4

  1181.7

  —

  250.1

  —

  Teachers

  150.9

  430.5

  12,106.9

  —

  2499.5

  —

  Teachers (Scotland)

  22.5

  58.1

  1219.5

  —

  151.8

  —

  1 Pension.

  2 Lump sum.

  n/a not available.

  Adjusted for 1994–95 prices using GDP deflator

  1974–75

  1979–80

  1994–95

  £ million

  Civil Service

  1741.7

  11,053.6

  11,859.6

  —

  2320.8

  2378.6

  2399.0

  —

  Armed Forces

  n/a

  n/a

  11,218.9

  —

  2329.8

  —

  NHS

  433.0

  747.5

  11,334.2

  —

  2321.0

  —

  NHS (Scotland)

  48.2

  91.0

  1181.7

  —

  250.1

  —

  Teachers

  791.0

  1,075.1

  12,106.9

  —

  2499.5

  —

  Teachers (Scotland)

  117.9

  145.1

  1219.5

  —

  251.8

  —

  1 Pension.

  2 Lump sum.

  n/a not available.

  Figures relate to retirement pensions and related lump sums including ill-health, death gratuities, family benefits and pensions increase payments. Where one figure is shown this represents the combined expenditure on pensions and lump sums.

  Post-war Credits
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total sum of post-war credits paid out since 1 January 1979; and what is his estimate of the amount left unclaimed. [27781]

  Mr. Jack
  The total sum of post war credits paid out in the period 1 January 1979 to 31 March 1996 is £3,640,938.82. This includes interest which amounts to £1,002,577.36. It is estimated that £33 million remains unclaimed.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27595]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executives of the Royal Mint, the Office for National Statistics, the Valuation Office and Paymaster agencies. I have asked each of them to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Langford to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  In your question to the Chancellor (ref 27595) you asked a number of questions relating to conditions of service within the Agency. The following address the questions in the order posed:

  a) Maternity leave: Women are entitled to three months and one week paid maternity leave if they:

  have one year's cumulative employment (continuous or broken, casual or permanent)

  are not employed on a casual basis or on a fixed term appointment of less than two years at the time the leave begins.

  are not on unpaid leave at the time

  can confirm in writing that they intend to return to work for the Agency after their baby has been born.

  A further period of unpaid maternity leave may be taken subject to the total leave not exceeding fifty two weeks.

  If the employee does not qualify for maternity leave the Agency allows up six months' unpaid leave to be taken during or following pregnancy.

  b) Maternity pay: The entitlement is three months and one week on full pay. Any further leave taken is unpaid.

  c) Paternity leave: Men are entitled to two days paid leave which may be taken before or after the baby is born.

  d) Parental leave: The Agency provides up to five days paid special leave in cases of urgent domestic distress, at any one occasion. This is based on management discretion. Unpaid leave may be granted for longer periods.

  e) Flexible working hours: The Agency operates a flexible working hours system which allows the employee to arrange their working days to meet their domestic (at the discretion of management).

  f) Part-time work: The Agency operates a part-time system with a minimum of fifteen working hours and a maximum of thirty hours per week. The Agency, at the discretion of management, endeavours to meet the employees requests for their preferred hours of work.

  g) Job-sharing: The Agency, at management's discretion, provides Job-sharing opportunities for staff wishing to work for only part of the day.

  h) Leave to care for sick children: The Agency may allow up to 5 days paid special leave in cases of care for sick children at any one time. This is based on management discretion.

  i) Home working: The Agency does not have this scheme.

  j) Terms time contracts: The Agency does not have this scheme.

  k) Annual hours contracts: The Agency does not have this scheme.

  l) Workplace nurseries: The Agency does not have this scheme.

  11

  m) Child care allowances: If the employee is sent on a course by the Agency and has to pay additional monies for child care, the Agency will pay up to £40 per week to help meet the costs.

  n) Carers leave: The Agency does not grant paid leave to the employee when their carer is on holiday. The employee may be granted special leave without pay. This is based on management discretion.

  o) Career break schemes: The Agency allows up to five years unpaid leave for career breaks. This time is not pensionable however any days that are worked for the Agency during this time are:

  All criteria are set out in the VOA's Staff Handbook. Management's discretion applied in the circumstances identified above.

  Please let me know if I can assist further.

  Letter from Keith Sullens to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your question about special leave etc arrangements.

  The following provisions are available to PAYMASTER staff;

  (a) Maternity leave.

  Leave to attend ante-natal care and up to 52 weeks paid and unpaid maternity leave.

  (b) Maternity pay.

  Three month's and one week's paid maternity leave providing the expectant woman has been working for one year at the start of the maternity leave and intends to return to work. Statutory Maternity Pay is payable subject to the normal rules.

  (c) Paternity leave.

  Two days paternity leave is allowed either at the time of the baby's birth or when the mother leaves hospital if this is more beneficial for the family.

  (d) Parental leave.

  Special leave may be granted to parents as necessary including for adoptive purposes.

  (e) Flexible working hours.

  Flexible working hours are available to all staff at PAYMASTER including part-time staff. Staff may work their contractual hours between 7.00am and 7.00pm.

  (f) Part-time work.

  We are prepared to consider any part-time working arrangement providing it is acceptable to the individual's line management. Currently 130 people work part-time representing 20% of all staff at PAYMASTER.

  (g) Job sharing.

  Many of the part-time posts are held on a job share basis but this is not always a requirement for working part-time.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children.

  Parents may be allowed up to 5 days leave with pay to care for sick children. The amount of leave granted depends upon individual circumstances.

  (i) Home-working.

  We do not employ anyone on home working contracts.

  (j) Term time contracts.

  We do not employ anyone on term time contracts. Several staff are employed on short notice contracts and one member of staff is employed on a part-year basis.

  (k) Annual hours contract.

  We do not employ anyone on annual hours contract.

  (l) Workplace nurseries.

  PAYMASTER has a workplace nursery with 27 places.

  (m) Child care allowances.

  We do not have any plans to introduce child care allowances.

  (n) Carers leave.

  12

  Short term care may be provided by short periods of special leave with and without pay. For long term care a career break of up to five years may be allowed.

  (o) Career break.

  PAYMASTER career break schemes are available to either men or women who have domestic responsibilities which are difficult to combine with work. To qualify for a career break staff must be employed on a permanent basis, have completed probation and have satisfactory performance and attendance records.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your Question on the provisions made available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department as far as it relates to the Office for National Statistics.

  On 1 April 1996 the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) merged with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) to form a new executive agency—the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Prior to the merger, both departments operated flexible working practices and made provision for special leave for their employees for the purposes of maternity, paternity and other domestic responsibilities.

  Like its predecessors, ONS is committed to being an equal opportunities employer which aims to provide working environment where no-one is unfairly discriminated against and where staff feel valued. To this end ONS has made provision for: alternative working practices; special leave of absence; and special childcare arrangements for its staff. Some of the details of these provisions are still the subject of discussion with our departmental trades union side, but the broad outline is detailed below:

  Alternative Working Practices

  A wide range of alternative working patterns are supported throughout the agency, including part-time working, job sharing, home-working (both formal and informal), and nil-hours contracts. In addition a flexible working hours system is in operation on each site. Other alternative working practices, such as term-time working and annual hours contracts, are also possible, though they are not in use in ONS at present. Alternative working practices are available for all ONS staff where the nature of the work allows.

  Special Leave of Absence

  ONS operates statutory rules on maternity leave and pay for all pregnant employees regardless of length of service or hours of work. In addition, more generous levels of pay and leave are available for staff depending on their length of service. For example, permanent employees with one year's service or more are entitled to 14 weeks full pay and up to 52 weeks maternity absence. Two days paid paternity leave is available for permanent employees.

  Special leave, both paid and unpaid, is granted to staff in order to care for sick children or elderly dependents and is also granted for adoption purposes and a wide range of other domestic responsibilities. In addition, ONS operates a Career Break Scheme of one to five years for staff with significant domestic responsibilities. All permanent staff are eligible to apply for special leave. Special leave for some domestic circumstances is also made available for casual staff with a minimum of three months service. Each case is considered on its own merits.

  Special Childcare Arrangements

  ONS provides, or buys into, a subsidised holiday placement scheme at all locations, opens to the children of all ONS employees. At the Newport site it has also been possible to make provision for a subsidised nursery. ONS staff are reimbursed for the cost of additional child care expenses where these are incurred as a result of official business outside of normal working hours.

  ONS strives to give all employees the opportunity to develop their full potential and will continue to make provisions, wherever practicable, to facilitate individual members of staff who have particular responsibilities for dependents and require alternative working patterns or special arrangements.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  13
  Letter from Roger Holmes to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your Question about provisions available to Royal Mint employees.

  The details as applicable to the Royal Mint are as follows:

  (a) Maternity leave: See Annex A.

  (b) Maternity pay: 14 weeks paid leave, plus up to a further 37 weeks unpaid leave.

  (c) Paternity leave: 2 days paid leave.

  (d) Parental leave: Nil.

  (e) Flexible working hours: Available to all employees not directly involved in continuous production work, which involves 24 hour cover, 365 days per year. A regular feature in other areas.

  (f) Part-time working: Available to all employees. All requests to date have been accommodated.

  (g) Job Sharing: As (f) above.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children: Each case judged separately on its merits. Up to 5 days paid leave available for domestic emergencies.

  (i) Home-working: Nil

  Currently under consideration by an in-house working party on alternative working patterns.

  (j) Term-time contracts: Nil

  (k) Annual hours contracts: Nil

  (l) Workplace nurseries: Survey recently undertaken. Not a requirement by staff.

  (m) Child care allowances: Nil.

  (n) Carers leave: Each case decided on its merits. All requests to date have been accommodated—both male and female.

  I trust my reply is helpful.

  Royal Mint Maternity Leave

  The EC Pregnant Workers Directive 92/85 and the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 provides the right to all pregnant women, regardless of length of service, to 14 weeks paid maternity leave.

  If taken ill during pregnancy paid sick absence may be authorised in the normal way. However, sick pay is not issuable once paid or unpaid maternity leave has commenced.

  The entitlement of maternity leave covers 14 weeks paid leave plus a further 37 weeks unpaid leave. Depending on the timing of the leave, there may be an entitlement to a further 4 weeks Statutory

  Maternity Pay

  When employees give notice of their impending absence on maternity leave they must state in writing their intention of returning to work not less than 37 weeks from the week in which the baby is born.

  Employees must give at least 7 days notice, in writing, of their intended date of return.

  Whether an employee decides to return to work or not an employee may change her mind at later date.

  (i) If an employee changes her mind and decides to return to work, provided she returns not later than 41 weeks after the week of confinement, her resignation may be cancelled and her service may be treated as maternity leave.

  (ii) If an employee decides not to return she will have to repay the difference between what she was paid and what she was entitled to (currently 6 weeks pay).

  (iii) An employee who wishes to change to part-time duties following maternity leave, cannot demand this of right. Departments will, however, endeavour to assist as work priorities dictate.

  It is a requirement of law that a certificate stating the 'expected date of confinement' is supplied to the employers, before maternity pay/leave be granted.

  Inland Revenue Office, Salisbury
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff, by grade, are employed at the Salisbury tax office of the Inland Revenue; how many members of the public visited the office in person; and how many telephone calls were received by the office in the last 12 month period for which figures are conveniently available. [27847]

  Mr. Jack
  Details of the staff currently employed at the Salisbury tax office are as follows:

  Number

  Grade

  Technical staff (Inspectors)

  9

  (2 in Pay bands A&B, 7 in Pay band C)

  Clerical staff

  46

  (13 in Pay band D, 33 in Pay band E)

  Secretarial

  2

  Permanent staff (+ casual assistance as required)

  During the year to March 1996 the Salisbury tax office and tax inquiry centre received 10,126 visits from members of the public and answered 48,626 telephone calls.

  Inland Revenue (Mobile Advice Centres)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mobile advice centres are operated by the Inland Revenue; where they are based; what destinations each has visited in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many staff are normally attached to each mobile advice centre; and how many cases were handled at each destination. [27848]

  Mr. Jack
  During the year to March 1996 the Inland Revenue operated six mobile advice centres. Two of these were based in Cardiff and the others in Telford, Stourbridge, Exeter and Andover. Each employed between two and four members of staff depending on the location visited. Visits were made to some 300 locations throughout Britain and more than 67,000 inquiries from members of the public were dealt with. No detailed breakdown of these figures is available to show the number of inquiries dealt with at each location.

  From April 1996 a further mobile advice centre is operating from Middlesbrough.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27603]
  15
  (2) what provision is available to employees of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27602]

  The Solicitor-General
  The following are available in the Departments and agencies for which my right hon. and learned Friend is responsible:

  Crown Prosecution Service: all except (i) and (l)

  Treasury Solicitor's Department: all except (l) and (m)

  Serious Fraud Office: all except (l) and (m)

  Government Property Lawyers: all except (e), (l) and (m).

  Details of entitlement are set out in the civil service management code or other staff manuals and/or are determined according to the merits of each individual case.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 7 May. [27190]

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

  Hospitality
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if the rules for holding fundraising and party political events at No. 10 Downing street are applied to Chequers, No. 11 Downing street, No. 12 Downing street, Dorneywood and Chevening; [27517]

  (2) if he will list the date, host and purpose of all non-official party receptions or functions held at No. 10 Downing street and Chequers since November 1990. [27516]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 May 1996]:Ministers under this and previous Administrations have been allowed-at their own or party expense—to host non-official or party receptions or functions in Downing street. All catering, staff and other direct costs must be met by the organisers of the event. Appropriate arrangements are required for security clearance.

  The same rules are applied at Chequers, Chevening and Dorneywood within the overall arrangements made by the trustees with each occupant.

  The details of individual functions are not a matter for the Government.

DEFENCE

  Peacekeeping Operations
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in peacekeeping operations around the world with particular reference to mine clearing. [26933]

  Mr. Soames
  We are making significant contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world. In the specialised area of mine clearance, the United Kingdom has made a major contribution to training trainers and providing advice in developing an indigenous capability that will continue after peacekeeping forces have withdrawn.

  Defence Industry
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of employment in the defence industry in the United Kingdom is supported by Ministry of Defence contracts. [26934]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer that I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway).

  Joint Rapid Deployment Force
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the benefits of establishing a joint rapid deployment force. [26936]

  Mr. Soames
  The joint rapid deployment force will strengthen the UK's capability to project effective military forces rapidly worldwide in support of our interests. It will be capable of contributing to a wide range of operations, whether mounted nationally or as part of the UK's contribution to those mounted by NATO, the Western European Union or the UN.

  Forces in Europe (Deployment)
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the extent of deployment of British forces in Europe; and if he will make a statement. [26937]

  Mr. Soames
  British forces are currently deployed in Germany, Cyprus, Italy, Gibraltar, the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, and make a significant contribution to the peace implementation force in Bosnia. Details can be found in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1996", presented to the House on 1 May 1996.

  Operations Southern Watch and Provide Comfort
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on RAF deployment to Operations Southern Watch and Provide Comfort. [26938]

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF contributes six Tornado GR1 and one VC 10 tanker aircraft to each operation. The Tornados operate in the tactical reconnaissance role.

  Both operations monitor Iraqi activity on the ground in support of UN Security Council resolution 688, which calls on Iraq to cease the repression of its civilian population.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for the low flying by a fast jet over Barnoldswick on 18 April at about 10.15 am. [26939]

  Mr. Soames
  A Harrier aircraft from No. 20 Sqn., RAF Wittering, on a routine training sortie, carried out a simulated level pass attack on a target some three nautical miles north of Barnoldswick on 18 April at about 10.15 am.

  Ministerial Visit (Middle East)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the middle east. [26940]

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. Friend's visit to Israel was made in response to a long-standing invitation. The visit provided the opportunity for discussions on a range of issues, including bilateral defence relations. My right hon. Friend was also able to stress the Government's determination to see a diplomatic solution to the Lebanon crisis and a speedy return to the peace process.

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about the viability of the nuclear deterrent. [26941]

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from individuals and organisations on aspects of our deterrent forces. The entry into service of Trident ensures that we will have a credible and effective deterrent well into the next century.

  Training Areas (Warsaw Pact Countries)
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he can report on the use of training areas by British and allied forces in the former Warsaw pact countries. [26942]

  Mr. Soames
  We plan that the Army will exercise in both Poland and Ukraine in September of this year, subject to final confirmation by the Governments of those two countries. Discussions over other possible training opportunities in central and eastern Europe are continuing. The arrangements under which other allies train in central and eastern Europe are a matter for the countries concerned.

  Horseshoe Barracks, Shoeburyness
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Horseshoe barracks in Shoeburyness. [26943]

  Mr. Soames
  Studies are currently under way to identify whether any parts of Horseshoe barracks are surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements and therefore suitable for disposal. The views of the local authorities and local community will be taken into account before any decisions are reached.

  Ministerial Visit (Israel)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Israel. [26944]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs).

  RAF Aircraft Crashes
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF aircraft have crashed this year; and if he will make a statement. [26945]

  Mr. Soames
  A total of seven RAF aircraft have crashed in six accidents. Separate boards of inquiry are carrying out thorough investigations in order to determine the causes of each accident and to consider what action may be necessary to minimise the risk of recurrence. In line with normal policy, a summary of the findings of each inquiry will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses in due course.

  European Defence Co-operation
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent initiatives on European defence co-operation he has instigated; and if he will make a statement. [26946]

  Mr. Soames
  We have pursued a number of initiatives in support of the Government's policy on European defence announced in our memorandum of 1 March last year. In NATO, we have actively pursued implementation of measures designed to support development of a European defence identity within the alliance, consistent with the NATO summit agreement of January 1994. In the Western European Union, and in particular during the United Kingdom's six-month presidency of WEU, which began on 1 January this year, we have pursued a number of initiatives, including the establishment of a situation centre and introduction of a progressive exercise programme with the aim of strengthening the WEU's capability to mount and control certain humanitarian and rescue, peacekeeping and other crisis management tasks.

  Departmental Performance (Value for Money)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria his Department uses to judge whether it provides value for money; and what assessment he has made of its performance. [26947]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon.member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 2 April,Official Report, column 146.

  Service Personnel
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently stationed in the United Kingdom and how many overseas; at what cost in each case; and if he will make a statement. [26948]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of deployments by geographical area are published annually in my Department's "UK Defence Statistics" booklet. At 1 January 1996, 178,412 service personnel were deployed in the UK, and were
  19
  deployed 52,631 overseas. Information on the associated costs is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many nuclear-submarine Z-berths there are currently in Scottish coastal waters; which ones have been used in the last 10 years, and when; and if he will make a statement. [28076]

  Mr. Soames
  The table sets out the usage of Z-berths in Scotland during the period 1992 to 1994. Figures prior to 1992 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Scottish Z-berth usage in days 1992 to 1994

  Z-berth

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Broadford bay

  0

  0

  0

  Brodick bay

  0

  0

  0

  Campbeltown

  0

  0

  1

  Coulport

  51

  94

  66

  Dales Voe

  0

  0

  0

  Dalgety bay

  0

  0

  0

  Firth of Forth

  0

  0

  0

  Glen Mallan

  0

  0

  0

  Holy loch

  0

  0

  0

  Lerwick

  0

  0

  0

  Loch Ewe

  0

  0

  0

  Loch Goil

  3

  14

  14

  Loch Striven

  0

  0

  0

  Portree

  0

  1

  0

  Raasay

  0

  0

  0

  Rothesay

  0

  3

  0

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what monitoring he undertakes of the potential environmental impact of nuclear submarine Z-berths in Scottish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement; [28075]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the potential environmental impact of nuclear submarine Z-berths in Scottish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement. [28074]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Defence Radiological Protection Service—DRPS—regularly monitors areas around UK establishments that support submarine operations to demonstrate that nuclear powered warship operation is neither harming the environment nor resulting in unacceptable levels of public radiation exposure.

  DRPS surveys are complemented by the marine radioactivity monitoring programme undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which publishes its findings independently.

  Unidentified Objects, (Rendlesham Forest)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current security classification on the documents his Department holds on the unidentified objects seen by members of the United States Armed Forces in Rendlesham forest, Suffolk in 1980; and if he will make a statement. [27644]
  20
  Mr. Soames
  The papers held by my Department relating to the alleged events at Rendlesham forest, Suffolk in 1980 are unclassified.

  British Service Personnel (Cyprus)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official complaints as to the behaviour of British service personnel stationed in Cyprus have been reported to the Ministry of Defence in London since 1 January 1996; and if he will make a statement. [27622]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has received a number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public condemning the actions of the three soldiers convicted of the manslaughter of Louise Jensen. While many of them have also included general criticism of the behaviour of some UK military personnel, I am not aware of any separate complaints relating to specific incidents involving service personnel in Cyprus since 1 January 1996.

  We will not tolerate behaviour that brings the Armed Forces into disrepute. The vast majority of service personnel based in Cyprus are very well behaved.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with the Italian company Valsella regarding the upgrading of the Ranger land mines delivery system; and if he will make a statement. [27631]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A representative of Valsella attended a presentation given to officials of my Department in September 1995 by the manufacturer of the Ranger land mine delivery system about the potential for upgrading that system.

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the square footage and cost of office space rented by his Department and its agencies and the number of his Department or agencies' buildings partly, or fully unoccupied together with the square footage of that unoccupied office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27730]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27609]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity

  21
  leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27610]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.s

  British Service Men's Graves
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department has evaluated about the recent plundering of graves of British service men killed on the Somme and at Ypres in the first world war; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [27931]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department deplores the desecration of previously unidentified war graves, wherever they may be discovered throughout the world. Individuals are expected to respect all past battlefields, which may be the last resting place of so many, and not to disturb them.

  Where human remains are found, it is the responsibility of the individual to inform the local authorities who, in the case of remains dating back to either of the two world wars, will collaborate with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The commission, in turn, will arrange for a suitable military funeral in one of its military cemeteries, as close to the original burial site as possible. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is aware of the content of the article published in the Sunday Times for 28 April and has confirmed that appropriate action has been taken.

  Rotary Wing Support Helicopters
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department first permitted women in the RAF to serve on rotary wing support helicopters. [28167]

  Mr. Soames
  The Department first permitted women in the RAF to serve on rotary wing support helicopters in 1991.

  Business Subsidies
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28185]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It is not the policy of the Ministry of Defence to provide financial subsidies to industry.

  Phoenix
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce a decision of the future of Phoenix; and if he will make a statement. [28396]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I hope to make an announcement before the summer recess.

  Works of Art
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's works of art are classified as missing. [26935]
  22
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  One hundred and seven works of art belonging to my Department's collection are classified as missing.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Servants (Forum)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if public servants are eligible to serve as delegates in the forum; under what conditions civil servants will be permitted to be candidates; and which social security benefit payments will be affected by delegates' allowances. [26730]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Under the provision of the legislation public servants are eligible to serve as delegates in the forum. Pursuant, however, to the Northern Ireland civil service non-industrial pay and conditions of service code civil servants to whom the code applies will not be permitted to serve as delegates in the forum or to put themselves forward as candidates. Similar conditions apply to home civil servants.

  The extent to which any social security benefit is affected will depend on the amount of the allowance and the individual's circumstances. Benefits which could be affected by delegates' allowances are: income support, unemployment benefit, invalid care allowance, disability working allowance, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, retirement pension—if the member is a dependant on a spouse's claim—and family credit, for fresh and renewal claims.

  "Making Belfast Work"
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many team leaders of the "Making Belfast Work" south and east team there have been in the past two years; how long the present acting team leader has been in position; when a permanent team leader will be appointed; and for what reasons there was no full-time replacement when the acting team leader was recently on leave. [27153]

  Mr. Moss
  "Making Belfast Work", south and east team has had two team leaders in the past two years. An acting team leader has been in post since February 1996.

  A Northern Ireland civil service trawl competition is under way at present to appoint a permanent team leader to the team.

  Another team leader has been covering the south and east area until the acting team leader returns from leave. In accordance with normal practice, a full-time replacement is not provided to cover periods of leave.

  Dental Caries (Children)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of five-year-old children in Northern Ireland had dental decay in(a) 1990, (b) 1992 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27438]

  Mr. Moss
  Every two years the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry conducts a survey of dental caries prevalence in children aged five throughout the United Kingdom. However, the survey did not extend
  23
  to Northern Ireland until 1994 and figures are not therefore available for 1989–90 or 1991–92. Figures for 1995–96 will not be available until March 1997. The latest available information, for 1993–94, shows that the mean percentage of five-year-old children in Northern Ireland for whom there is evidence of caries experience is 59 per cent.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27586]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27587]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  Subject

  Provision

  Main eligibility criteria

  a. maternity leave b. maternity pay

  3 months and 1 week paid leave for monthly paid staff and 14 weeks for weekly paid staff

  Available to permanent staff who intend to return to work after childbirth, are in paid service at the time maternity leave begins and have rendered at least one year's such service.

  c. paternity leave

  2 days' paid leave

  Available to all male officers.

  d. parental leave

  No specific provision. However in cases of urgent domestic distress, at Departmental or Agency discretion: (i) paid leave to a maximum of 5 days(ii) unpaid leave

  All staff are eligible to apply. Each application is considered sympathetically and a decision taken on the circumstances of the individual case, having regard to the effect of such leave on the business needs of Departments and Agencies.

  e. flexible working hours

  Flexible systems for the attendance of staff are widely available providing scope for individuals to vary times of arrival and departure, length and timing of lunch break and to take time off if they work additional hours.

  Available to all staff unless, exceptionally, such provision would have an adverse effect on overall efficiency.

  24

  Subject

  Provision

  Main eligibility criteria

  f. part-time work

  Available at Departmental or Agency discretion.

  All staff are eligible to apply. Each application is considered on the basis of the ability of Departments and Agencies to provide the facility requested and its effect on their business needs, but no request is refused unless there is appropriate objective justification.

  g. job-sharing

  Available at Departmental or Agency discretion.

  As for part-time work (f) above.

  h. leave to care for sick children

  Paid and unpaid leave available at Departmental or Agency discretion.

  As for parental leave (d) above.

  i. home-working j. term-time contracts

  Available at Departmental or Agency discretion in a limited number of areas at present, with consideration being given to wider application.

  Where appropriate, applications are considered taking account of the circumstances of the individual case and having regard to the effect on the business needs of the Department or Agency.

  k. annual hours contracts

  Not available.

  —

  l. workplace nurseries

  Available on a limited basis, for the children of staff working in the Northern Ireland Office, London (See also Note 1)

  Places allocated in order of application.

  m. childcare allowances

  At Departmental or Agency discretion where this can be justified on value for money grounds. At present the Child Support Agency and the Department of the Environment provide assistance towards the cost of an employee placing a child in a nursery of the parent's choice.

  (i) one of the parents/guardians must be an employee of the Department or Agency; (ii) the nursery must be registered with the relevant Health and Social Services Board; (iii) the allowance is payable only until the child begins primary school.

  n. carers' leave

  At Department of Agency discretion (i) paid leave to a maximum of 5 days; (ii) unpaid leave.

  As for parental leave (d) above.

  o. career break schemes

  At Departmental or Agency discretion unpaid leave may be granted for any period from one year up to a maximum of 5 years.

  All staff are eligible to apply. Career Breaks are available for most purposes including further education, domestic responsibilities, starting a business, maintaining a family business or a stay abroad.

  Currently eight holiday play schemes, which are open to the children of all staff are assited financially by the Department Finance and Personnel.

WALES

  Gwent Health Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Gwent health authority concerning the co-opting of his assessor onto the inquiry panel investigating the internal appointment of an external candidate to a senior management position in January; when he expects the panel to report; what arrangements he has made for reporting back to him; and if he will make a statement. [28096]

  Mr. Hague
  None. I have not appointed an assessor. An external adviser has been co-opted by the health authority to provide the committee of inquiry with independent and expert advice. The committee is expected to report back to the authority in early June and I shall be consulted on the outcome.

  Dental Caries (Children)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of five-year-old children in Wales had dental caries in(a) 1990, (b) 1992 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27419]

  Mr. Richards
  Every two years the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry conducts a sample survey of dental caries prevalence in children aged five throughout Great Britain. From the results of these surveys it is estimated that the mean percentage of five-year-old children in Wales for whom there was evidence of caries experience in 1989–90 was 57 per cent. in 1991–92 it was 59 per cent. and in 1993–94, the latest year for which information is available, it was 54 per cent. Information for 1995–96 is not yet available.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the population in Wales were registered with dentists for continuing care in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1993, (d) 1994 and (e) 1995 in the age groups (i) 18 to 64 years, (ii) 65 to 74 years and (iii) 75 years and more; and if he will make a statement. [27437]

  Mr. Richards
  New arrangements for the registration of patients with general dental practitioners were introduced at the end of 1990. However, as it took some time for patients to register, meaningful data were not available until 1991. The available data, collected by the Dental Practice Board, are given in the following table:

  Percentage of people registered at the end of September

  Year

  Age groups

  18–64

  65–74

  75+

  1991

  44.4

  29.6

  18.8

  1992

  62.7

  42.1

  30.0

  1993

  62.3

  42.2

  29.7

  1994

  61.4

  42.2

  30.1

  19951

  58.6

  39.6

  29.8

  1 1994 population data (the latest available) have been used to calculate these figures.

  Schools (Road Safety Programmes)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each education authority in Wales and 26
  for Wales as a whole, the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools operating road safety programmes in each of the last three years; and what is the proportion represented by such schools of the total number of (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools. [27429]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  University Colleges
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to visit Welsh university colleges in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [27939]

  Mr. Hague
  I will be visiting University College of North Wales Bangor on 8 May and University of Wales Aberystwyth on 31 May 1996. I hope to visit other higher education institutions during the course of the next year.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27607]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27606]

  Mr. Hague
  All staff of the Welsh Office and its executive agency Cadw are entitled to statutory provision. In addition maternity leave exceeds statutory provision by two weeks and there is an entitlement for paternity leave of two days. Staff are also eligible to apply for special leave with pay and without pay for a number of specified reasons including caring responsibilities. Places at a work place nursery are available to staff. Requests from staff wishing to work patterns other than full-time conditioned hours are considered sympathetically with regard to the operational requirements of the Department.

  Special Protection Areas
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to complete the designation of the Ramsey Island, St. David's Coast, Strumble Head proposed special protection area and the Carmarthen Bay candidate special protection area. [27839]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Consultation is taking place regarding the proposed classification of Ramsey and St. David's coast as a special protection area. Strumble head is not being proposed for such classification and our
  27
  additional bird counts are needed to assess whether Carmarthen bay qualifies for consideration as a special protection area.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for research into ME; what statistics he has collected on the incidence of ME; what guidelines he has issued to health authorities on the coding and classification of ME; and if he will make a statement. [28399]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh Office does not at present have any specific proposals for research into ME. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC is always willing to consider and fund soundly based research proposals in competition with other applications.

  There are no centrally held statistics on the incidence of ME in Wales nor has the Welsh Office issued specific guidelines to health authorities on its coding and classification.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he collates on the level of financial balances on the books of each of the training and enterprise councils at their financial year-end 1995–96; and what consultations he has had with each TEC concerning the levels of those balances. [28397]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department receives copies of each Welsh TEC's published annual report and accounts supplemented by more detailed financial returns required under the TEC operating agreement. Information for 1995–96 is due by the end of July 1996. From 1995–96 the returns will be collated into an All-Wales account which will be audited by the National Audit Office and published. The Department discuss TEC balances on a regular basis.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list to the nearest £1 million each category of his Department budget which was(a) overspent and (b) underspent at the end of the financial year 1995–96; and what assessment he has made of the extent of the underspend that arises from delays in capital expenditure approval. [28400]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Friday 22 March 1996,Official Report columns 357–58. Details of the outturn for 1995–96 will be provided in the public expenditure provisional outturn White Paper which will be published in due course.

HEALTH

  Health Service Dentists
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people aged 15 to 24 years were 28
  registered with NHS dentists in (a) 1984, (b) 1989, (c) 1992 and (d) 1994 and (e) 1995; and if he will make a statement; [27020]

  (2) how many people were registered with NHS dentists in (a) 1985, (b) 1989, (c) 1993 and (d) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [26960]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Number of patients registered with General Dental Service dentists: registrations at 31 December, 1992 to 1995; all patients and patients age 15 to 24

  England

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  All patients

  28,847,520

  29,547,398

  28,911,403

  27,776,901

  Patients aged 15 to 17

  1,245,617

  1,288,420

  1,311,236

  1,345,928

  Patients aged 18 to 24

  2,820,031

  2,793,830

  2,639,862

  2,419,082

  Patients aged 15 to 24

  4,065,648

  4,082,250

  3,951,098

  3,765,010

  Notes:

  These data are taken from the Dental Practice Board's quarterly counts of registrations qualifying for payment. This is the only source of registration data which is broken down by age. Children's registrations have been recorded before the effect of the lapses in registrations which occur at the end of each year.

  Central formal registration was introduced in October 1990; figures for December 1984, 1985, and 1989 are not available.

  The Dental Practice Board improved its systems for detecting duplicate registrations in 1994 and some 3.5 million duplicate registrations have been removed since then. This has had a significant effect on the number registered.

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board—quarterly count of active registrations.

  GP Commissioning Groups
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps health authority managers are taking to encourage general practitioner commissioning groups. [26793]

  Mr. Malone
  Health authorities are well aware of the need to involve all general practitioners in purchasing decisions for their patients. This was clearly set out in EL(94)79. It is restated as a medium-term priority in the priorities and planning guidance (EL(95)68), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Dental Treatment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients received free dental treatment in(a) 1990, (b) 1992 and (c) 1994; and if he will make a statement; [26978]

  (2) how many people were entitled to receive free dental treatment in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [26980]

  Mr. Malone
  All children are eligible for free dental treatment. Information is not available about the number of adults eligible to receive free dental treatment.

  The information available about treatment provided to adults is shown in the table.
  29

  Number of courses of dental treatment administered to adults eligible for free treatment: 1990; 1992–93; 1994–95

  England

  Thousands

  Adults

  Six months September 1990

  1992–93

  1994–95

  Courses administered to adult patients eligible for free treatment

  2,029

  5,653

  5,621

  Information is collected in terms of courses of treatment rather than patients. This table excludes courses for which there is no patient charge, including arrest of haemorrhage, and repairs and replacements under guarantee, administered to charge payers.

  Information is not available for the whole of 1990. The introduction of the new contract in October 1990 affected information flows. Data have been provided for the six months, April to September.

  Since October 1990 and the introduction of the new contract, children's dental treatment has largely been paid for by capitation payments. Records of individual treatments are not collected centrally. All treatment for children is free.

  Drugs Campaign
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research was undertaken during the preparation of the current Health Education Authority drugs campaign; and what measurement is being made of the campaign's efficiency; [27422]

  (2) how the subject drugs were chosen for inclusion in the Health Education Authority's current drug campaign. [27423]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Health Education Authority commissioned a survey of young people between 11 and 35 years old, which addressed prevalence, settings and attitudes to drug misuse to inform the content and tone of publicity campaigns, including what specific drugs or groups might be targeted. The summary research findings was published on 3 May. The effectiveness of the publicity campaigns will be evaluated and monitored by pre and post testing of each stage of the campaign and by further annual surveys of young people.

  The drugs chosen for the Health Education Authority's current publicity campaign—ecstasy, LSD and speed—were those most commonly associated with young people and the "dance scene". The publicity campaign aims to inform both young people and parents about the health effects and risks of the drugs and is being promoted on the radio, in the youth press, and women's magazines.

  Nursing Homes, Doncaster
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many privately run and owned nursing homes are currently registered with the Doncaster health authority; and how many were registered in December 1979. [27432]

  Mr. Bowis
  There were 34 nursing homes registered with Doncaster district health authority in 1994–95. Information is not available centrally for years before 1993–94. All nursing homes are in the independent sector.
  30
  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds in privately run and owned nursing homes registered with the Doncaster health authority there are currently in the Doncaster metropolitan borough; and how many there were in December 1979. [27431]

  Mr. Bowis
  There were 966 nursing home beds registered with Doncaster district health authority within the boundaries of Doncaster metropolitan district in 1994–95. This information is not available centrally for years before 1993–94. All nursing homes are in the independent sector.

  Drugs (Schools)
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve distribution of up to date information about drugs to those involved in drugs misuse work in schools, social services, the Probation Service, the criminal justice system and elsewhere. [27421]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Health has commissioned a report into the information needs of drug action teams, which will enable them to identify up-to-date information. It will also inform Department of Health work in developing an information strategy.

  Drugs Helpline
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many callers have made use of the national drugs helpline since its launch in 1995; how the calls have been classified; what information has been supplied to callers; and what measurements have been made of the success of the helpline. [27425]

  Mr. Bowis
  Between 1 April 1995 and 31 March 1996, the national drugs helpline answered 192,755 calls. They are classified by whether they are interactive or non-interactive— whether advice or counselling is given—and by the profile of callers, which includes gender, age, location, ethnicity, language, misuser/non-misuser and the reason for the call.

  The helpline operates a free 24 hours-a-day confidential service staffed by trained counsellors who provide callers with advice and counselling, information on drugs and solvents, and on local drug services. The helpline also distributes leaflets and literature about drugs and solvent misuse to callers on request.

  The national drugs helpline is currently being evaluated by independent consultants. Their report on the Department is expected at the end of May.

  The helpline number is 0800 77 66 00.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will collate centrally information for ambulance costs per mile for each ambulance authority; and if he will make a statement. [27615]

  Mr. Horam
  I have no plans to do so.

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the square footage and cost of office space rented by his Department and its agencies and the number of his Department or agencies; buildings partly or fully unoccupied together with the square footage of that unoccupied office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27727]

  Mr. Horam
  From 1 April 1996, the Department of Health took on responsibility for its buildings from Property Holdings, including vacant space and the payment of rents. For 1996–97, this Department and its agencies will pay an estimated £9 million in rents on leased buildings totalling 775,000 sq ft for which it has now become responsible. Of this, 18,200 sq ft in two buildings is currently vacant at an annual rental cost of £325,000.

  Prior to April 1996, the payment of rentals on leased buildings and for any vacant space were the responsibility of Property Holdings.

  Blood Products
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department had evaluated(a) before and (b) since 1978 in respect of possible contamination of factor VIII with particular reference to non-hepatitis A and B. [27713]

  Mr. Horam
  In 1978, it was known that there was a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus, but it had not yet been identified as the hepatitis C virus. At the time, there was no test for it or any way of eliminating it from blood products. However, people known to be at risk carrying non-A, non-B hepatitis were not accepted as blood donors. In 1985, heat treatment was introduced with a view to inactivating viruses that were known to be transmitted by factor VIII. In 1989, hepatitis C was identified. Clinical monitoring has not shown evidence of transmission of hepatitis C by factor VIII since this time. Currently used manufacturing procedures are effective in preventing transmission of hepatitis C. Since 1991, when reliable tests first became available, all blood donations in the United Kingdom have been tested for hepatitis C. In addition, since 1993 only batches of factor VIII derived from donations, whatever their sources, which have been screened and found negative for antibody to hepatitis C virus have been allowed to be placed on the market.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial help is or is planned to be available for those who suffer from hepatitis C. [27714]

  Mr. Horam
  A number of people have been infected with hepatitis C through blood or blood products. The Government have great sympathy with those infected with hepatitis C in this way, but, as no fault or negligence on the part of the national health service has been established, we have no plans to make special payments.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the 32
  advantage of voluntary sector participation in Government-funded targeted HIV and AIDS health promotion work. [27873]

  Mr. Horam
  The Government's HIV/AIDS health promotion strategy', published in November 1995, recognises that targeted HIV health promotion work for vulnerable groups, such as gay men, may often he better undertaken by community-based and self help voluntary groups than by the Government or their agencies. We are therefore exploring the scope for greater voluntary sector involvement with targeted campaigns.

  1"HIV & AIDS Health Promotion: An Evolving Strategy", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Emergency Ambulance Calls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency ambulance calls have been made within the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in each of the last three years. [27945]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a matter for Northumbria ambulance service national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Mrs. Beryl Balls, for details.

  Spinal Injuries (Research)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study his Department has made of the progress of research(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad into the use of implants to activate the muscles of people with spinal injuries; what action he will be taking to expedite such research in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [28696]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Medical Research Council is funding two linked projects into the use of implants to stimulate the muscles of people with spinal injuries:

  (i) Development of a multi-channel lumbo-sacral motor root stimulator implant—October 1992 to September 1995;

  (ii) To explore the use of lumbar anterior root stimulator implants. Funding of £212,000 has been allocated for this two-year project, which began in October 1995.

  Pressure Sores
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent statistics his Department has collated of the incidence of pressure sores among NHS hospital patients; and if he will list them for each region at the latest date for which figures are available. [26897]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Sick Children
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to local health authorities in respect of their obligations to sick children under the UN convention on the rights of the child. [26898]
  33
  Mr. Bowis
  In 1991, a copy of the convention was sent to every health authority and national health service trust in England and Wales.

  The principles of the convention were highlighted in recent guidance on children's services planning and in the draft guidance "Child Health in the Community: A Guide to Good Practice" which was issued for consultation in March 1995 and which is expected to be published shortly.

  Doctors (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into the number of doctors taking early retirement from the NHS and the reasons for which they do so. [26899]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department supports cohort studies of doctors' careers by the medical careers research group at the Oxford unit of health-care epidemiology. These examine career patterns and wastage in the medical profession and the reasons why doctors leave the national health service.

  The future programme of work will include a survey of the earliest cohort of doctors, who graduated in 1974. Most of these doctors are now in their mid to late 40s—some are older—so that, over the next few years, the studies will provide information on early retirements as well as a picture of the doctors' retirement intentions.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27580]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27581]

  Mr. Horam
  Provisions on all the above are made available for staff in the Department and its executive agencies. Eligibility criteria rate set out in the conditions of service manual. Line managers are encouraged to deal with individual cases sympathetically, where criteria include discretion and business need.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the long-term effects of the use of ECT, with particular reference to children. [28050]
  34
  Mr. Bowis
  The main agency through which the Government support bio-medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. There has been a considerable volume of research of the efficacy of electro-convulsive therapy for different patient groups and this research has confirmed that ECT is a very effective treatment of some clinical conditions, and has made it clear which conditions are best treated by ECT. An unpublished survey in 1992 by the child and adolescent section of the Royal College of Psychiatrists recorded that ECT was used very rarely on those under the age of 18 and only where patients were very ill indeed. Such a low rate of treatment means that conducting any controlled trials would be impossible.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) information and (b) statistics his Department compiles on the use of ECT (i) in psychiatric hospitals and (ii) on children. [28049]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the number of administrations of electro-convulsive therapy is not available centrally.

  Blood Giving
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been introduced in the last year to ensure potential blood donors can be informed of blood giving sessions in their area. [27974]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a matter for the National Blood Authority, which is working towards the implementation of the targets for improved services to blood donors outlined in the interim donor's charter issued last November. Regular donors are notified of their local donor sessions some two weeks in advance. A range of measures is used to publicise donor sessions, including local posters and media advertising.

  Mental Health. (Re-admissions)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate(a) the number of people re-admitted to hospital and (b) the expenditure on such hospital re-admissions due to mental illness each year since 1990–91. [28070]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not available centrally.

  Health Service (Devon and Cornwall)
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the membership of the regional health authority and all district health authorities and NHS trusts that provide health services in Devon and Cornwall indicating when the existing periods of appointment of members and non-executive directors expire. [28051]

  Mr. Bowis
  Regional health authorities were dissolved with effect from 31 March 1996. District health authorities and family health services authorities were replaced by new health authorities on 1 April. Details of the membership of health authorities and national health service trusts in Devon and Cornwall are given in the table.
  35

  Cornwall

  Appointed to

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority

  Chairman:

  Dr. Stan Dennison

  31 March 1998

  Non-Executives:

  Mrs. Catherine Blight

  31 March 1999

  Lady Holborow

  31 March 1999

  Dr. Edward Ferrett

  31 March 1999

  Mrs. Margaret Horrell

  31 March 1998

  Mr. Peter Sandry

  31 March 1998

  Cornwall Healthcare NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mr. John Askham

  31 October 1996

  Non-Executives:

  Lady Banham

  31 October 1996

  Mr. Michael Eldred

  31 October 1996

  Mr. Ian Hope

  31 October 1997

  Mrs. Suzie Ladbroke

  31 October 1997

  Mrs. Sheila Taylor

  30 November 1997

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Learning

  Disabilities NHS trust

  Chairman:

  The Rev'd Trevor McCabe

  30 November 1996

  Non-Executives:

  Mr. Andrew Bell

  30 November 1996

  Mrs. Katherine Hardie

  30 November 1996

  Mrs. Fay Hunt

  30 November 1996

  Mr. Robert Stephens

  30 November 1997

  Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mr. John Williams

  30 November 1997

  Non-Executives:

  Mr. Edward Latham

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Gilbert McCabe

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Colin

  30 November 1997

  Micklewright

  Mrs. Doreen Henderson

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Anthony Hill

  30 November 1997

  Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mr. James Pease-Watkin

  31 October 1996

  Non-Executives:

  Mrs. Hilary Bucklar

  31 October 1996

  Mr. Patrick Egan

  31 October 1996

  Lt. Col. Robert Perkins

  31 October 1996

  Mr. Julian Luttrell

  31 October 1997

  Devon

  Appointed to

  South and West Devon health authority

  Chairman:

  Mrs. Judy Leverton

  31 March 1998

  Non Executives:

  Mr. Peter Cliff

  31 March 1999

  Mrs. Jean Jarvis

  31 March 1998

  The Reverend Peter Jones

  31 March 1998

  Mrs. Agnes Gwen MacPherson

  31 March 1999

  Mr. John Turner

  31 March 1999

  North and East Devon health authority

  Chairman:

  Mrs. Ro Day

  31 March 1999

  Non Executives:

  Mr. Colin Bennett

  31 March 1999

  Mrs. Mary Hollingworth

  31 March 1999

  Mr. Ronald Hughes

  31 March 1998

  Mrs. Jane Moore

  31 March 1998

  Mr. Michael Walker

  31 March 1999

  Exeter and District Community Health

  Services NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mrs. Sylvia Russell

  30 November 1997

  Non Executives:

  Mr. Adrian Acton

  30 November 1997

  Mrs. Ann Halse

  30 November 1996

  Professor Arthur Roy

  30 November 1997

  Miss Margaret Stokes

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Michael J. Dommaille

  30 November 1997

  36

  Devon

  Appointed to

  Northern Devon

  Healthcare NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mr. Alan Eastwood

  30 November 1997

  Non Executives:

  Mrs. Elizabeth Burton

  30 November 1996

  Dr. Alun Edwards

  30 November 1996

  Mrs. Jill Farwell

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Brian Greenslade

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Stephen Pearce

  30 November 1996

  Plymouth Community

  Services NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Vacancy

  Non Executives:

  Mrs. Gloria Beeching

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Eric Distin

  30 November 1997

  Mrs. Ida Miles

  30 November 1997

  Mr. John Nicholas

  30 November 1997

  Miss Candy Rai

  31 May 1996

  Plymouth Hospitals

  NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Sir Vernon Seccombe

  31 October 1997

  Non Executives:

  Mrs. Sally Greenhalgh

  31 October 1998

  Mr. Jeremy Ramsden

  31 October 1996

  Mr. Peter Seldon

  31 October 1997

  Mrs. Sylvia Ackerley

  31 October 1997

  Professor Roger Bull

  31 October 1997

  Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare

  NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Dr. Ruth Hawker

  31 October 1997

  Non Executives:

  Mr. Henry Ball

  31 October 1997

  Mr. Derek Lamb

  31 October 1996

  Mrs. Anne Mayes

  31 October 1996

  Ms Eleanor Tranah

  31 October 1997

  Mr. James Wendover

  31 October 1998

  South Devon

  Healthcare NHS trust

  Chairman:

  Mr. Anthony Boyce

  30 November 1996

  Non Executives:

  Mr. Michael Dobson

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Michael Hawkins

  30 November 1997

  Mr. Kenneth Holmes

  30 November 1996

  Mrs. Patricia Wootten

  31 October 1997

  Mr. Mark Galley

  30 November 1997

  National Register for Carers, Assessors and Verifiers
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what help his Department is giving to the national register for carers, assessors and verifiers. [28171]

  Mr. Bowis
  None. We shall, however, be publishing a consultation paper on ensuring adequate standards of competence for social services personnel.

  Licensing Authority
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 186, if he will list all legal actions taken against the Licensing Authority in 1995. [28433]

  Mr. Malone
  Judicial review proceedings were instigated against the licensing authority by Generics (UK) Limited in 1995 on two occasions.

  Medicines Commission and Committees Regulations
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what occasions the Medicines Commission and Committees Regulations 1970 have been revised; and which regulations are still in force. [28434]
  37
  Mr. Malone
  These regulations have not been revised and are still in force.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which chairmen of the Medicines Commission have been appointed for a period in excess of that provided in the Medicines Commission and Committees Regulations 1970; and what effect breaches of the regulations have on the validity of the commission's advice. [28435]

  Mr. Malone
  There have been no appointments for a period in excess of that provided in the regulations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Colliery Tips
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by county the colliery tips still remaining in the ownership of British Coal; and what is his policy for(a) disposing of them and (b) their environmental restoration. [27641]

  Mr. Page
  These are matters for British Coal.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what summary of responses he has received from the Office of Gas Regulation to its recent consultation exercise regarding the continuation of the E factor criteria to encourage investment in energy efficiency; and if he will list those organisation which responded(a) positively and (b) negatively to the continuation of the E factor with the new price control mechanism. [27943]

  Mr. Eggar
  The gas supply price control review, which includes the future of E factor funding beyond March 1997, is a matter for Ofgas.

  British Energy
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to provide a dividend dowry for British Energy after privatisation. [28131]

  Mr. Lang
  I have no plans to provide a dividend dowry for British Energy post privatisation.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to structure the finances of British Energy to create a special dividend reserve. [28141]

  Mr. Lang
  I have no plans to create a special dividend reserve for British Energy. Like any other company British Energy will pay dividends out of its distributable reserves using its own cash resources.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the liabilities that will follow the assets upon privatisation of the nuclear industry; and if he will make a statement. [28130]

  Mr. Lang
  The details of the liabilities that will be taken by British Energy into the private sector at flotation will be given in the prospectus.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27599]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The chief executives of DTI executive agencies will respond direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnock to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question on various aspects of the terms and conditions of employment for Patent Office employees.

  The answers to the points you raise are set out below:-

  (a)&(b) Maternity Leave/Pay - The Patent Office offers its permanent staff, who have more than one year's service and who intend to return to work after their maternity leave, the right to apply to take up to 52 weeks maternity leave. This comprises 14 weeks paid maternity leave at full rate of pay and up to 38 weeks unpaid maternity leave. Casual staff and staff with less than one year's service are entitled to the usual statutory provision.

  (c) Paternity Leave - Fathers may take up to 2 days paid paternity leave at the time of the birth of their child or during the weeks following the birth. The Patent Office line managers are allowed to give up to five days special leave to fathers, where there are difficulties at the confinement or to care for other young children in the family.

  (d) Parental Leave - The Patent Office has no formal parental leave. Line managers are encouraged to understand the problems facing staff who are balancing their work and child care commitments.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours - The Patent Office offers a Flexible Working Hours scheme to all staff at Senior Examiner level and below, whether employed on a full time or part time basis.

  (f) & (g) Part-time Work/Job Sharing - Any member of the Patent Office may apply to work part-time or to job share.

  (h) Leave to Care for Sick Children - Parents may apply for up to 5 days special paid leave to nurse a sick child.

  (i) Homeworking - The Patent Office currently has one member of staff on a pilot scheme to examine the feasibility of homeworking.

  (j)&(k) Term-Time Contracts/Annual Hours Contracts - The Patent Office does not use such contracts but staff may apply to take unpaid special leave during school holidays.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries - The Patent Office offers a limited number of nursery places to staff in an on site nursery, which is run by another Government Agency. The Office also runs school holiday playschemes.

  (m) Child care Allowances - The Patent Office will reimburse staff for any additional child care costs as a result of a temporary change to their working routine.

  (n) Carers Leave - The Patent Office allows staff to apply for up to 5 days paid special leave to nurse a sick relative or dependent. Carers may also apply for a career break.

  (o) Career Break Scheme - The Patent Office offers permanent staff, who have a satisfactory performance marking and attendance record, the right to apply for a career break of up to 5 years to assume homecare responsibilities for a dependent.
  39
  Maternity leave/pay and paternity leave are entitlements. Apart from the nursery and playscheme places, which are available on a first come first served basis, the other provisions are discretionary and subject on a case by case basis to the agreements of line managers.

  Letter from Seton Bennett to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to provide additional information on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory in reply to your question about the availability fo various schemes and facilities to staff in DTI.

  The provisions here at the National Weights and Measures Laboratory are for the most part the same as for employees in the rest of DTI. Where practical staff can work flexible working hours and this Agency operates a nursery jointly with the two other Laboratories here on the Teddington site.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about the provisions available to employees in The Insolvency Service Executive Agency for maternity leave and pay and other parental/carer responsibilities.

  Mr. Taylor, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, has replied to you, on behalf of the President of the Board of Trade, with regard to employees within the DTI. Provisions within The Insolvency Service are the same as the DTI's for the following parts of your question: (a)-(d); (f)-(h); (m)-(o). The answers to the remaining parts of your question are:

  (e) Flexible Working Hours—The Service operates a flexible working hours scheme.

  (i), (j) and (k) Homeworking/Term-Time Contracts/Annual Hours Contracts—Several employees within the Service are homeworkers. Staff may apply to use a number of the alternative working patterns. Staff may apply to take unpaid special leave during school holidays.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries—The Service does not operate any workplace nurseries.

  Maternity leave/pay and paternity leave are entitlements. The other provisions are discretionary within the operational requirements of The Service, and subject on a case by case basis to the agreement of line managers and personnel management.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) childcare allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case.

  I have been asked to answer the questions you raise on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.

  (a) and (b) maternity leave/pay—Permanent staff with more than one year's service and who intend to return to work after their maternity leave are entitled to apply to take up to 52 weeks maternity leave comprising 14 weeks paid maternity leave at full rate of pay and up to 38 weeks unpaid maternity leave. Casual staff and staff with less than one year's service are entitled to the usual statutory provision.

  (c) Paternity leave—Fathers may take up to 2 days paid paternity leave at the time of the birth of their child or during the weeks following the birth. Line Mangers may allow up to five days paid special leave to fathers where there are difficulties at the confinement or to care for other young children in the family.

  (d) Parental leave—The Agency has no formal parental leave. Line Managers are encouraged to understand the problems facing staff who are balancing their work and child care commitments.
  40
  (e) Flexible working hours—There is a flexible working hours scheme which applies to staff in the Agency's Headquarters.

  (f) and (g) Part-time work, job sharing—Any member of staff may apply to work part-time or to job share. This is subject on a case by case basis to the agreement of line managers.

  (h) Need to care for sick children—Parents may apply for up to five days special paid leave to nurse a sick child.

  (i) Homeworking—There are arrangements for staff within the Radio Investigation Service to work from home. Applications are judged against three criteria, a) that the Officer lives within his or her defined area of work and b) that the officer's average travelling time to the nearest Agency office from his or her home is greater than one hour and c) more than half of the offices normal work is within 15 miles of his or her home address.

  (j) and (k) Term-time contracts, Annual Hours contracts—There are no staff on such contracts within the Agency.

  (l) Workplace nursery—The Agency does not operate a workplace nursery. Staff can apply for places at a school holiday playscheme run by DTI in Central London.

  (m) Childcare allowances—Staff may apply for reimbursement of additional childcare costs incurred as a result of a temporary change to their working routine.

  (n) Carer's leave—Staff may apply for up to five days paid special leave to nurse a sick relative or dependant. Carers may also apply for a career break.

  (o) Career break scheme—Permanent staff who have a satisfactory performance marking and attendance record may apply for a career break of up to five years to resume home care responsibilities for a dependant.

  Maternity leave pay and Paternity leave are an entitlement. The other provisions are discretionary and subject, on a case by case basis, to the agreement of Agency line management.

  Letter from John S. Holden to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  You recently asked the President of the Board of Trade for information about various aspects of the personnel provisions for his department. I am replying as Chief Executive of Companies House, and give this Agency's details below. The sub-paragraphs reflect the labelling in your PQ.

  (a) & (b) Maternity Leave/Pay: Permanent staff with more than 1 year's service and who intend to return to work after their maternity leave, are entitled to apply to take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. This comprises 14 weeks paid maternity leave at full rate of pay and up to 38 weeks unpaid maternity leave. Casual staff and staff with less than 1 year's service are entitled to the usual statutory provision.

  (c) Paternity Leave: Fathers may take up to 2 days paid paternity leave at the time of the birth of their child or during the weeks following the birth. Line managers may allow up to five days paid special leave to fathers where there are difficulties at the confinement or to care for other young children in the family.

  (d) Parental Leave: Companies House has no formal parental leave. Line managers are encouraged to understand the problems facing staff who are balancing their work and child care commitments.

  (e) Flexible Workings Hours: Companies House offers a flexible working hours scheme to all full-time staff. Depending on the operational needs of the section, some part-time staff may also participate in the scheme.

  (f) & (g) Part-time Work/Job Sharing: Any member of staff may apply to work part-time or to job share.

  (h) Leave to Care for Sick Children: Parents may apply for up to 5 days special paid leave to nurse a sick child.

  (i), (j) & (k) Home Working/Term Time Contracts/Annual Hours Contracts: Companies House does not operate home working/term time contracts/ annual contracts on a formal basis. However, managers use their discretion to allow staff to work from home during a domestic crises situation where operationally possible. Staff may apply to take unpaid special leave during school holidays.

  41

  (l) Workplace Nurseries: Companies House does not operate any workplace nurseries. However, it buys into a school holiday playscheme in Cardiff and is considering offering financial support to staff where they live outside Cardiff and use a registered playscheme.

  (m) Child Care Allowances: Staff may apply for reimbursement of additional child care costs incurred as a result of temporary change to their working routine.

  (n) Carers Leave: Staff may apply for up to 5 days paid special leave to nurse a sick relative or dependent. Carers may also apply for a career break.

  (o) Career Break Schemes: Permanent staff who have a satisfactory marking and attendance record may apply for a career break of up to five years to assume home care responsibilities for a dependent.

  Maternity leave/pay and paternity leave are entitlements. The other provisions are discretionary and subject, on a case by case basis, to the agreement of line managers and any other local arrangements that may be in place.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job-sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27598]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The answers to the questions raised are as follows:

  (a) and (b) Maternity Leave/Pay—Permanent staff with more than one year's service and who intend to return to work after their maternity leave are entitled to apply to take up to 52 weeks maternity leave, comprising 14 weeks paid maternity leave at full rate of pay and up to 38 weeks unpaid maternity leave. Casual staff with less than one year's service are entitled to the usual statutory provision.

  (c) Paternity Leave—Fathers may take up to two days paid paternity leave at the time of the birth of their child or during the weeks following the birth. Line managers may allow up to five days special leave to fathers, where there are difficulties at the confinement or to care for other young children in the family.

  (d) Parental Leave—The Department has no formal parental leave. Line managers are encouraged to understand the problems facing staff who are balancing their work and childcare commitments.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours—Some parts of the Department operate flexible working hours schemes. Arrangements are made locally.

  (f) and (g) Part time Work/Job Sharing—Any member of staff may apply to work part-time or to job share.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children—Parents may apply for up to five days special paid leave to nurse a sick child.

  (i), (j) and (k) —Homeworking/Term-Time Contracts/Annual Hours Contracts—A number of such working patterns are operating in the Department. Staff may apply to take unpaid special leave during school holidays.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries—The Department does not operate any work place nurseries. However it runs a school holiday play scheme in central London, and supports a number of local schemes at Government office locations.

  (m) Childcare Allowances—Staff may apply for reimbursement of additional child care costs incurred as a result of a temporary change to their working routine.

  (n) Carers' Leave— Staff may apply for up to five days paid special leave to nurse a sick relative or dependent. Carers may also apply for a career break.

  42

  (o) Career Break Scheme—Permanent staff who have a satisfactory performance marking and attendance record may apply for a career break of up to five years to assume homecare responsibilities for a dependent.

  Maternity leave/pay and paternity leave are entitlements. Apart from the play schemes for which places are available on a first come first served basis, the other provisions are discretionary and subject on a case-by-case basis to the agreement of line managers and any other local arrangements that may be in place.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria are used to define a small business; how many people(a) in number and (b) as a percentage of the total workforce, are currently employed by small businesses in the United Kingdom so defined; how many small businesses are currently operating in the United Kingdom at the latest estimate; and what were the numbers in 1987, 1990 and 1992. [28218]

  Mr. Page
  There is no single definition of what constitutes a small firm. A range of definitions is used in practice according to the context in which they will apply, for example in setting boundaries for schemes targeted at small firms. For statistical purposes, a small firm is often defined as having fewer than 100 employees.

  The latest estimates show 10.4 million people, 50 per cent. of the private sector work force, employed in such small firms at the end of 1993. Estimates of the numbers of small firms operating in the United Kingdom are given in the table.

  Numbers of small1 firms in the United Kingdom

  Year

  Number (millions)

  1986

  3.22

  1988

  3.66

  1990

  3.77

  1992

  3.50

  1993

  3.56

  Note:

  1 Firms with fewer than 100 employees.

  Source:

  Department of Trade and Industry.

  Orimulsion
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which regulatory authorities he is consulting about the proposed use of orimulsion fuel for electricity generation in Pembrokeshire; and when he expects to receive their views. [27920]

  Mr. Page
  The Pembrokeshire county council, the Environment Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Welsh Office and the Department of Transport are being consulted. It is too early to give an indication when my right. hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will receive their considered views as they are currently considering other associated matters.

  Gas (Complaints)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President to the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to improve the
  43
  performance of British Gas as a result of complaints registered in the north-west region by the Gas Consumers Council. [28101]

  Mr. Eggar
  The performance of British Gas is a matter for the company. It has said in response to the Gas Consumers Council's annual report of performance in 1995 that it is working very hard to restore high levels of service.

  The Government are ensuring, through the phased introduction of competition in domestic gas supply, that consumers have a choice, as they have at present in gas servicing.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his department's policy regarding bulk buying for business links. [28152]

  Mr. Page
  Business links, as independent companies, are fully responsible for their own purchasing arrangements including securing best value for money, taking account of all factors.

  My Department is keen to encourage business links to develop collaborative bulk-buying which will secure greater value for money in their purchase of equipment and services. I therefore welcome the establishment of the business link network company which, when fully operational, will provide a range of support services to the business links including the development of purchasing arrangements of this type.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which business links have achieved the Investor in People standard. [28153]

  Mr. Page
  Business Link, Teesside achieved recognition as an Investor in People on the 22 April 1996. Other business links, such as Lincolnshire, operate as divisions of training and enterprise councils and are therefore part of the existing recognition of the TEC. As a requirement of the business links accreditation process, all business links must become recognised Investors in People within three years of opening.

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many catering firms(a) in total and (b) in each parliamentary constituency will be excluded from applying for a loan under the loan guarantee scheme as of 1 September. [28177]

  Mr. Page
  Given that eligibility for the loan guarantee scheme depends on factors other than the business sector it is not possible to determine how many catering firms will be excluded.

  British Coal Enterprises
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he had with the chairman of British Coal Enterprises, prior to privatisation, with regard to maintaining the services provided by British Coal Enterprises, to small local businesses, with particular reference to loans at advantageous interest rates; and if he will make a statement. [27947]
  44
  Mr. Page
  My Department has had regular contact with British Coal about the privatisation of its British Coal Enterprises subsidiary. Throughout the sales process, British Coal has made clear that it would be considering proposals for BCE in the light of its statutory duties and the importance of ensuring the continuation of effective assistance to coalfield communities. I understand that the purchasers of BCE's business funding activities are committed to a programme of continued investment in the coalfields.

  Medicines
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the effects of ending resale price maintenance on non-prescription medicines, and the effect this will have on small pharmacy businesses; and if he will make a statement. [27949]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Secretary of State has no statutory role or discretion in relation to the review being undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading. Representations sent to me have been forwarded to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Mining
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many deep mines were in production in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) the United Kingdom as a whole, in each year since 1982; and if he will make a statement. [27440]

  Mr. Page
  The number of British Coal deep mines was as follows:

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  End March 1983

  143

  35

  13

  191

  End March 1984

  131

  30

  9

  170

  End March 1985

  n/a

  n/a

  9

  169

  End March 1986

  105

  19

  9

  133

  End March 1987

  89

  15

  6

  110

  End March 1988

  78

  12

  4

  94

  End March 1989

  74

  10

  2

  86

  End March 1990

  66

  6

  1

  73

  End March 1991

  59

  5

  1

  65

  End March 1992

  45

  4

  1

  50

  End March 1993

  45

  4

  1

  50

  End March 1994

  n/a

  2

  n/a

  17

  End December 1994

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16

  Note:

  n/a = not available.

  Source:

  British Coal and Digest of Welsh Statistics.

  At the end of 1995 there were a total of 32 large deep mines in operation in the private sector.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons Her Majesty's Government placed on the market in separate tranches shares in BT and BP. [27335]
  45
  Mr. Lang
  Decisions on privatisation offer structures, including the amount of particular shareholdings offered for sale at particular times, take account of issues such as the size of the company being sold and market conditions at the time of each sale.

  Asylum and Immigration Bill
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department made to the Home Department regarding the extra work imposed on small firms by the Asylum and Immigration Bill. [28151]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Officials from my Department have been in touch with those from the Home Office about various aspects of the Bill during the normal course of business.

  Particle Physicists and Astronomers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from Sir Arnold Wolfendale about the provision of money for particle physicists and astronomers; and if he will make a statement. [27560]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]:I have received a letter from Sir Arnold Wolfendale arguing for extra funds to support particle physics. In the current financial year the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has been allocated an additional £10 million, over and above the £8 million allocated last year, to protect its budget from the increase in the sterling cost of its CERN and ESA subscriptions arising from exchange rate and national income movements. Funding priorities between particular areas of research within its remit are quite rightly for the PPARC.

  Coal Mining (Safety)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase the powers of the mines inspectorate so that owners who fail to produce a valid certificate of insurance will have their licence to work a mine withdrawn. [27295]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no such plans. However, failure to produce a valid certificate of insurance can lead to prosecution.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest figures for the major injury rate per 100,000 manshifts in the United Kingdom coal mining industry for the year beginning 1 April 1996. [27298]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not available.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many notices have been served on private mine owners by the mines inspectorate because of their failure to produce a valid certificate of insurance. [27296]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  None.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Trade Unions
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what financial or other assistance the Overseas Development Agency provides to trade unions in developing countries in Africa; [27960]

  (2) what financial or other assistance the Overseas Development Agency provides to trade unions in developing countries in Latin America; [27961]

  (3) what financial or other assistance she provides to trade unions in developing countries in Asia. [28026]

  Mr. Hanley
  Under the British aid programme, over £1 million has been committed since 1987 through the joint funding scheme for the development of trade unions. Of this £434,000 was spent in Africa, £263,000 in Asia and £355,000 in the Caribbean. In addition, £200,000 a year has been available since 1995 through the workers' development scheme for projects to promote employee working conditions in developing countries. None of these funds have been committed in Latin America.

  Aid
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the level of overseas development aid given by each member state of the European Union as a percentage of the gross domestic product for each of the last three years; and what is the European Union average. [27956]

  Mr. Hanley
  Figures for the percentage of GDP spent on official development assistance by EU member states on a financial year basis are not available. Figures for net ODA expenditure as a percentage of gross national product for these countries in 1992–94 are as follows:

  Percentage of GNP

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Austria

  0.30

  0.30

  0.33

  Belgium

  0.39

  0.39

  0.32

  Denmark

  1.02

  1.03

  1.03

  Finland

  0.64

  0.45

  0.31

  France

  0.63

  0.63

  0.64

  Germany

  0.38

  0.36

  0.34

  Greece

  0.07

  0.07

  0.11

  Ireland

  0.16

  0.20

  0.25

  Italy

  0.34

  0.31

  0.27

  Luxembourg

  0.26

  0.35

  0.40

  Netherlands

  0.86

  0.82

  0.76

  Portugal

  0.36

  0.29

  0.35

  Spain

  0.27

  0.28

  0.28

  Sweden

  1.03

  0.99

  0.96

  United Kingdom

  0.31

  0.31

  0.31

  European Union Average

  0.45

  0.44

  0.42

  Notes:

  1 Usual measure is ODA as percentage of GNP, not GDP.

  2 1994 is the most recent year for which data is available.

  3 Greece is not a member of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee but has a small aid programme US$82 million in 1994).

  Source:

  OECD/DAC chairman's report 1995.

TRANSPORT

  Aviation Standards, Jamaica
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority has made of Jamaica's adherence to aviation standards set down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. [26750]

  Mr. Norris
  None. However, the Civil Aviation Authority has a contract to advise the Jamaican Civil Aviation Department on matters relating to airworthiness and flight operations standards.

  Aircraft Inspections
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many inspections have been undertaken by(a) the Civil Aviation Authority and (b) his Department into aircraft leased by aircraft operators in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [26908]

  Mr. Norris
  The Civil Aviation Authority does not believe that additional safety checks are necessary on aircraft leased between UK operators. Wet leases of non-UK registered aircraft by UK operators are permitted only in order to meet temporary needs. If necessary, and requested by the UK operator, the CAA may carry out an audit of the lessor airline to confirm its safety standards.

  Merchant Navy Uniform
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to amend the law on the wearing of Merchant Navy uniform; and if he will make a statement. [27114]

  Mr. Norris
  There are no plans to amend the law on the wearing of Merchant Navy uniform.

  British Rail Route Structure
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of the backlog on the British Rail route structure. [27817]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack's asset maintenance plan for track and route structures, developed with the assistance of independent consultants W. S. Atkins, forecasts the expenditure required over the 10-year period from 1 April 1994 for sustaining the operating capacity of the assets in accordance with Railtrack's operational policies and standards and to comply with its statutory obligations. The plan also takes into account the longer-term maintenance requirements of the assets.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what part British Rail maintenance experts played in estimating the costs of maintenance of the route structure for the Railtrack Pathfinder prospectus. [27813]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack developed its asset maintenance plan for track and route structures with the assistance of independent consultants W. S. Atkins. I understand that the preparation of the plan included making extensive inquiries of experts in the rail industry, and that this included a number of past and present employees of British Rail.
  48
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the forward projections of maintenance costs made over the last 10 years by British Rail. [27814]

  Mr. Watts
  This information could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the maintenance figure for the Railtrack route structure for the 10 years after flotation given in the Pathfinder prospectus is the same as expenditure by British Rail in its last 10 years. [27790]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]: It is to be expected that the costs of maintenance of railway structures will be similar over time, given the long asset lives of the categories of asset concerned, which are preserved by ongoing maintenance and partial renewal and are rarely replaced in their entirety. Railtrack's asset maintenance plan for track and route structures, prepared with the assistance of W. S. Atkins, forecasts the expenditure considered to be necessary to sustain the operating capability of the relevant assets in accordance with Railtrack's operational policies and standards.

  Fuel Rebate Duty
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sums paid by his Department in each of the past five years in fuel rebate duty to(a) British Bus plc, (b) First Bus plc and (c) Stagecoach Holdings plc and its subsidiaries. [27612]

  Mr. Norris
  It would not be appropriate for the Government to disclose this information, which is regarded as commercially confidential, about private sector bus operators.

  UK Fleet (Aid)
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the advantages of giving financial aid to the United Kingdom fleet to encourage the employment of British ratings. [27613]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 1 April,Official Report, column 32 to the hon. Member for South Antrim (Mr. Forsythe).

  London Underground (Power Cut)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what were the conclusions of the quantified risk assessment undertaken in respect of the power failure on London underground on 6 April in respect of potential loss of life; [27811]

  (2) what analysis had been conducted of the local power cables shortly before the power failure on London underground on 6 April; what was the estimated residual working life on those cables at that date; and what actions he plans to prevent a recurrence of the incident. [27812]

  Mr. Norris
  A report into the electrical failure on the London underground on 6 April will be placed in the Library once the investigation has been completed and a report for publication has been approved by London Underground Ltd.

  Railtrack (Loans)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what purpose the loans of(a) £75 million on 5 March 1993, reference 2343E, (b) £100 million on 19 March 1993, reference 2344E, (c) £75 million on 25 March 1993, reference 2345E, (d) £100 million on 2 April 1993, reference 2346E, (e) £75 million on 19 April 1993, reference 2347E, (f) £75 million on 30 April 1993, reference 2348E, (g) £50 million on 2 July 1993, reference 2349E, (h) £50 million on 8 January 1993, reference 2342E and (i) £100 million on 29 May 1992, reference 2336E were made to the British Railways Board and then transferred to Railtrack; and for what reasons they are now to be written off under the Railways Act 1993 (Extinguishment of Loans) (Railtrack plc) Order 1996. [28106]

  Mr. Watts
  The loans listed were made for the purposes of section 19(2) of the Transport Act 1962 and transferred by a transfer scheme made for the purposes of section 85(3) of the Railways Act 1993. Liability for the loans was extinguished so that, in the private sector, Railtrack will have a capital structure—debt and equity—appropriate to give the best overall value to the Government and the taxpayer, and to enable Railtrack to finance the programme of expenditure outlined in its network management statement.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what value of loans was incurred by the British Railways Board and transferred to Railtrack and written off by the Railways Act 1993 (Extinguishment of Relevant Loans) (Railtrack plc) Order 1996; what value of Government stock Railtrack has been or will be obliged to buy to offset these loans; and if he will make a statement. [28105]

  Mr. Watts
  The sum of the liabilities extinguished by the Railways Act 1993 (Extinguishment of Relevant Loans) (Railtrack plc) Order 1996 is £1,229,418,952.18. The loans in question were all made to the British Railways Board and transferred to Railtrack. On 29 March 1996, Railtrack issued three debentures to Her Majesty's Government acknowledging indebtedness in the principal amount of £589 million.

  Rail Bridges and Tunnels
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the life expectancy of existing rail bridges and tunnels. [27936]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack's route structures are preserved by ongoing maintenance and are rarely replaced in their entirety. Railtrack inspects its bridges and tunnels on a cyclical basis and maintains them as long as can be economically justified. Maintenance includes the replacement of component parts of the structure so that the life span of the entire structure is extended. Many bridges and tunnels dating from the very earliest days of railways in this country and abroad continue to give satisfactory service.

  Railway Maintenance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what allowance was made in calculation of the costs of maintenance of the rail structure by W. S. Atkins for the backlog of inspections on maintenance left undone by British Rail. [27918]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack's asset maintenance plan for track and route structures, prepared with the assistance of W. S. Atkins, forecasts the expenditure considered to be necessary to sustain the operating capability of the relevant assets in accordance with Railtrack's operational policies and standards.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the relevance of Bayesian probability theory to the maintenance costs of the rail structures, with particular reference to the allowance made in such analyses for the age of the asset and its condition; and what assessment he has made of the comparative value of(a) Bayesian analysis of cost estimates and (b) estimates based on inspection of the assets; [27935]

  (2) what the estimated costs of maintenance of the rail structure were in the W. S. Atkin's report before and after refining by Bayesian probability theory. [27934]

  Mr. Watts
  Bayesian probability theory is an established modelling technique relevant to determining estimates of maintenance expenditure for rail and other structures. Independent expert consultants, W. S. Atkins, employed by railtrack to assist in the development of its asset maintenance plan—AMP—for track and route structures, used Bayesian statistical techniques in its analysis of data on the condition of certain assets, gained from sample surveys. The estimates in the Atkins report were derived from Bayesian analysis throughout for those assets to which it was applied.

  Second Severn Crossing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what reasons the opening of the second Severn crossing will not take place until after the official opening ceremony; [27951]

  (2) if he will arrange for the second Severn crossing to be open to traffic before the official opening ceremony. [27952]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the opening of the Second Severn Crossing.

  The bridge cannot be opened to traffic until construction has been completed and the permit to use has been issued. This will be issued shortly before the official opening ceremony.

  We intend to open the road to traffic as soon as is safely possible after the ceremony.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he will make for traffic diversions to circumnavigate the M49 pending its completion when the second Severn crossing opens. [228401]
  51
  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what arrangements are being made for traffic pending the completion of the new M49.

  Traffic will continue to use the existing M5 to Junction 18 (Almondsbury) and the M4 until the M49, which will join the M5 (Junction 18) to the Second Severn Crossing at Pilning, is opened.

  Northern Line
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London Transport underground services, regarding the developments that are to take place on the Northern line, to ensure that there will be adequate alternative means of transport pending completion of the work; and if he will make a statement. [27962]

  Mr. Norris
  I have discussed with London Transport on several occasions the temporary closures on the Northern line to facilitate essential engineering works, including the alternative transport arrangements it is making.

  Road Development (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the present approved and funded major road developments for the Greater London area. [27959]

  Mr. Norris
  The national trunk road schemes currently under construction in London area listed in table 2 of "Managing the trunk road programme", published by HMSO in November 1995. A copy of this publication can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  The major local authority schemes currently under construction in London area are as follows:

  Thamesmead Spine road (phase 4)

  A110 Nags Head road/ High street

  A206 Woolwich road improvement

  Wealdston by-pass

  A409 Sheepcot road

  A402D Uxbridge town centre

  Hounslow town centre

  East Ham town centre by-pass

  Strateford Gyratory modifications.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present waiting time for driving tests in(a) Greater Manchester and (b) London; how many examiners have been moved on a temporary basis from Manchester to London; and for what reasons. [27958]

  Mr. Norris
  The average waiting time for a car test in Greater Manchester is currently 12 weeks. In Greater London, it is 16 weeks. During the period from 1 January to 28 June, 10 examiners have been, or are to be, transferred temporarily from Manchester to London for a total of 64 man weeks. The Driving Standards Agency regularly monitors waiting times to ensure that they do not vary radically between major conurbations in Great 52
  Britain. For example, if all examiners currently attached to London returned to their home centres, it is estimated that the waiting time in the capital would rise to 20 weeks.

  MV Derbyshire
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department has declined to form a formal partnership with the technical advisers to the Derbyshire Families Association. [28161]

  Mr. Norris
  We are considering the Derbyshire Family Association's—DFA—written request, received on 30 April, that the Department should form a formal partnership with the technical advisers to the DFA. When considering the DFA's request, we will have regard to a number of issues, including the reasons for mounting the return expedition and the position of other parties with a legitimate interest in the return.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of engaging technical experts to take part in the second survey of the MV Derbyshire wreckage field. [28162]

  Mr. Norris
  The independent technical assessors appointed to oversee the return expedition have to undertake a range of tasks including the planning and supervision of the return, assessment of the data obtained on site and completion of their report for submission to Ministers and the European Commission. The cost of engaging the assessors will depend on the amount of work they will have to do, including the time needed to assess and report on the data collected. No accurate assessment of the likely costs can yet be made.

  "Transport: The Way Ahead"
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to his Department of the consultation of "Transport: The Way Ahead." [28027]

  Sir George Young
  For the costs of compiling, publishing and distributing "Transport: The Way Ahead", I refer the hon. Lady to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 22 June 1995,Official Report, column 360.

  The further costs of Ministers and officials attending seminars and discussions, and analysing responses, cannot be separated from the running costs of the Department.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27597]
  53
  Mr. Norris
  Each of the Department's executive agencies has delegated authority in all areas cited.

  I have asked the chief executives of the agencies to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  I am responding on behalf of the Marine Safety Agency to your question to the Secretary of State for Transport about provision for maternity leave etc:

  (a) Maternity Leave: There is provision for a total of 52 weeks paid and unpaid maternity leave provided that no more than 41 weeks are taken after the date of birth.

  (b) Maternity Pay: There is provision for 18 weeks paid maternity leave—3 months 1 week at full pay and 4 weeks at the lower rate of statutory maternity pay.

  (c) Paternity Leave: 2 days automatically—but up to 5 days if individual circumstances merit.

  (d) Parental Leave: No specific provision—but up to 5 days may be granted to cover "urgent domestic distress".

  (e) Flexible Working Hours: Available in all MSA offices.

  (f) Part-Time Work: Requests are considered on an individual basis. There have been very few so far, and we have been able to meet the requests.

  (g) Job Sharing: We have received no requests to date. If any are received, they will be considered on an individual basis and will be met if it is possible to do so.

  (h) Leave Care for Sick Children: No specific provision—but see (d) above.

  (i) Home-working: No provision.

  (j) Term-Time Contracts: No provision.

  (k) Annual Hours Contracts: No provision.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries: No provision.

  (m) Childcare Allowances: No provision.

  (n) Carers' Leave: No provision.

  (m) Career Breaks: Up to 5 years. To date, requests have been few, and all have been met.

  All cases are treated individually and are assessed according to their own merits.

  Letter from Derek Harvey to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  A copy of your question to the Secretary of State for Transport about certain conditions applicable to staff in the executive agencies within the Department of Transport has been passed to me so that I may answer you directly about the situation in VCA.

  The VCA Framework Document does allow VCA delegated authority in all of the areas mentioned, however, the current position is as follows.

  The provisions available to employees in VCA for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (g) job sharing, (h) leave care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (1) workplace nurseries, (m) childcare allowances, (n) carer's leave and (o) career break schemes and the criteria used to judge eligibility in each case are the same as those applied in the Central Transport Group (CTG) of the Department, with one exception. In the case of (e) flexible working hours VCA have retained the old level of the maximum hours to be carried forward, whereas CTG now allow an additional 4 hours and 12 minutes to be carried forward.

  I hope this is helpful.
  54
  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to reply directly to your Parliamentary Question, number PQ1905/95/96, which is for answer on 7 May 1996.

  The Driving Standards Agency's delegated authority is to determine its policies in all the areas cited in your question, although in practice it currently follows the appropriate principles as set out in the Department of Transport's Staff Handbook.

  There are fixed criteria for maternity leave and pay and flexible working hours arrangements.

  Those other circumstances mentioned which involve types of leave, whether paid or unpaid, are not considered as automatic entitlements but as discretionary concessions. Applications are treated sympathetically, with consideration given to the needs of the Agency and whether the application is necessary and justified.

  In relation to the provision of variable working patterns, namely part-time work, job sharing, home-working, term-time contracts and annual hours contracts, the Agency either already makes them available to, or is prepared to consider adopting them for, its employees.

  Although the Agency does not at present provide workplace nurseries it will consider requests for financial assistance to operate them, or the granting of an allowance towards the funding of an individual employees proposed childcare arrangements during school holidays.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to respond to your question on what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) childcare allowances, (n) carers' leave, and (o) career break schemes, and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case.

  Further to Mr. Norris's Written Answer today, the information for the Vehicle Inspectorate is as follows:

  (a) Maternity leave—minimum 18 weeks, maximum 52 weeks, dependent on length of service.

  (b) Maternity pay—staff with at least one year's service may receive 3 months and one week's (or 14 weeks, if greater) full pay, followed by up to a further 4 weeks' Statutory Maternity Pay. Other staff will receive any statutory payments as appropriate.

  (c) Paternity leave—2 days entitlement, with up to a further 3 days at the discretion of line managers.

  (d) Parental leave—paid and unpaid special leave is available to staff who have adoption and fostering responsibilities, the number of days allowed by management depending on the circumstances of each case.

  (e) Flexible working hours—the Inspectorate operates schemes for this, available to all staff employed in its Headquarters offices in Bristol and Swansea, and in its Legal and Prosecution Services Office in Cambridge. Customer service requirements preclude this, however, at Heavy Goods Vehicle Testing Stations and Road Transport Enforcement offices, where flexible working patterns are more prevalent (see below).

  (f) Part-time work and (g) Job sharing—the Inspectorate encourages flexible working patterns wherever possible. About 13% of our workforce are either part-time, or job share.

  (g) Leave to care for sick children—line managers may approve up to 5 days paid special leave for this. Beyond this, unpaid special leave can also be granted.

  55

  (h) Homeworking, Term-time contracts and Annual hours contracts—these arrangements are all available to Inspectorate staff, and requests are considered sympathetically against the exigencies of our business needs.

  (i) Workplace nurseries—the Inspectorate makes no provision for these.

  (j) Childcare allowances—the Inspectorate re-imburses staff for any additional childcare costs they might incur as a result of official business, attending training courses, etc.

  (k) Carers' leave—staff may apply for up to 5 days special leave, with pay, to care for a sick relative. Unpaid leave can also be granted for longer term care and domestic responsibilities.

  (l) Career breaks—up to 5 years special leave, without pay, can be granted for child-rearing, and full-time study. Requests are considered sympathetically, but approval is subject to the business needs of the Inspectorate, and the practicability of holding a post open for the intended period of absence.

  Subject

  Available yes/no

  Current provision

  Eligibility criteria

  (a) Maternity leave

  Yes

  18 weeks maternity leave.

  Available to all pregnant employees regardless of length of service or weekly hours of work. 3 weeks notice required.

  Unpaid leave available after paid leave ends up to 52 weeks in total.

  Available to staff who qualify for the 14 weeks paid maternity leave (see (b) below).

  (b) Maternity pay

  Yes

  14 weeks maternity pay plus 4 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay where appropriate.

  Completion of 1 years paid service immediately prior to start of maternity leave.

  (c) Paternity leave

  Yes

  2–5 days paid leave.

  Available to all fathers of new born children. Length of leave dependent on circumstances surrounding the birth, number of children in family and availability of after care support.

  (d) Parental leave

  Yes

  Special leave without pay available for staff who are unable to arrange for the care of their children during school holidays.Subject to individual circumstances, the demands of the work and holiday arrangements.

  (e) Flexible working hours [FWH]

  Yes

  FWH system allows staff considerable flexibility in attendance. Staff must attend work at certain (core) times of the day but can start and finish work each day within flexible bands.

  Most staff with a few exceptions e.g. Security Officers. Scheme operates to fit in with business needs.

  (f) Part time working

  Yes

  Since 1976 a wide range of working patterns have been on offer e.g. mid-day working to suite school hours, 2–5 days a week etc. Current 891 individuals are working part time, including staff working a job share pattern (See (g) below).

  Available to all staff subject to operational requirements.

  (g) Job sharing

  Yes

  Available since 1983.

  Available to all staff subject to operational requirements.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  Yes

  Up to 3 days special leave available for staff to cope with a short term crisis. Further unpaid leave may also be approved after initial period of paid leave.Available to all parents/guardians. Amount of time allowed dependent upon individual circumstances of each application.

  (i) Homeworking

  No

  Not applicable

  Not applicable

  (j) Term time contracts

  No

  Not Applicable

  Not Applicable

  (k) Annual hours contracts

  No

  In 1991 DVLA introduced Permanent Part year Appointments [PPYA]. Staff work first 2 weeks of month for 9 peak months of the year and at other times when required.Subject to operational requirements.

  56
  Letter from Dr. S. J. Ford to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  As DVLA's Chief Executive I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to write to you directly with the details in answer to your Parliamentary Question on a range of employee provisions.

  For ease of reference I have set out the details in the attached table.

  By way of background, you may wish to know that DVLA currently employs some 4,460 staff. Retention of trained, experienced staff helps to ensure that the Agency delivers a professional and efficient service to our customers. Initiatives and conditions which enable staff to combine their work and domestic responsibilities help to reduce loss of expertise. The Agency was named Employer of the Year by the Working Parents Association in 1994 in recognition of its development of family friendly initiatives and provision of support facilities.

  I hope that this is helpful.
  57

  Subject

  Available yes/no

  Current provision

  Eligibility criteria

  (l) Workplace nursery

  Yes

  Opened June 1990 at Agency's Swansea HQ. Caters for children from 3 months–5 years. A holiday playscheme for children aged 4–12 years is also available at the Swansea site during the main school holidays.

  Child places are offered on a first come first served bases. Current fees are £65–68 per week.

  (m) Child care allowances

  Yes

  Since 1994 DVLA staff can apply for reimbursement for reasonable and unavoidable additional child care expenses.To cover expenses incurred because of official duties in excess of normal working week.

  (n) Carers leave

  Yes

  3 days paid special leave available to help staff cope with a short term domestic crisis. It may be supplemented with a period of unpaid special leave.A working carers group which meets monthly was established at Swansea in 1993 to support staff who have additional responsibilities caring for elderly or disabled dependants.All staff are eligible to apply and managers are expected to exercise discretion in deciding the merits of individual cases.

  (o) Career breaks

  No

  Between 1988 and 1994 the Agency offered a Career Break Scheme. This had to be suspended because of difficulty in finding jobs for those who wanted to return at a time of staff surpluses. Reintroduction of the scheme is currently under consideration.

  Dependent on satisfactory attendance, work performance and conduct.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question concerning the flexible working arrangements for employees of Department of Transport executive agencies. The table at Annex A shows the provisions available for Highways Agency employees. We are currently carrying out a survey which includes questions on flexible working patterns so that we can ascertain demand in the Agency and shape our response accordingly.

  Provisions for HA staff are as follows:

  Provisions

  (a) Maternity leave

  Statutory paid and non-paid leave are available together with up to 5 years unpaid child rearing leave.

  (b) Maternity pay

  Statutory Maternity Pay is available.

  (c) Paternity leave

  Fathers may take up to 5 days paternity leave.

  (d) Parental leave

  Line management have discretion to allow staff up to 5 days continuous paid leave to care for children should domestic arrangements break down. Up to 20 days leave is available for an adoptive mother or father.

  (e) Flexible working hours

  Staff may opt to work flexible working hours.

  (f) Part-time work1

  Staff may opt to work part-time. In practice it may take a while to find a part-time post to suit the individual.

  (g) Job sharing1

  Staff may opt to job share. In practice it may take a while to find a job share partner to suit the post.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  Line management have discretion to allow staff up to 5 days continuous paid leave to are for sick children. This may be repeated at line management discretion. We would also allow long-term unpaid leave if requested although we could not guarantee a job at the time they wished to return to work.

  58

  Provisions for HA staff are as follows:

  Provisions

  (i) Home working1

  We currently have one person who works from home and we will consider other cases on their merits. We are also considering whether to run a pilot scheme.

  (j) Term-time contracts1

  We are in the process of assessing the demand for this type of flexible working pattern.

  (k) Annual hours contracts

  We do not offer this flexible working pattern but would consider it on request.

  (l) Workplace nurseries

  We do not have workplace nurseries.

  (m) Childcare allowances

  Some funding is available for holiday playschemes and we expect to be able to meet about 50 per cent, of the costs for the Agency (either via the individual or direct to a playscheme) this year.

  (n) Carers' leave1

  Line management have discretion to allow staff up to 5 days continuous paid leave to care for children or elderly or sick relatives should domestic arrangements break down. Staff may also take unpaid leave. In practice, we could not guarantee that a job would be available after a long absence, at the time they wish to return to work.

  (o) Career break schemes1

  Staff may take up to 1 year's career break eg to travel or improve their education. In practice, we cannot guarantee that a job would be available at the time they wish to return to work.

  1 We are currently building up a database of staff interested in part-time, job sharing and other flexible working patterns so that we can assess the need and respond appropriately.

  59
  Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Maternity leave.

  The Coastguard Agency has not varied the terms and conditions of employment set out in the Department of Transport Staff Handbook. Copies of which are available to all staff.

  Details on specific areas are covered in the annex attached.

  Maternity Leave

  The rules with regards Maternity leave vary depending on the contract the member of staff has with the Agency and the length of their reckonable service.

  A member of staff with over a years service is entitled to a maximum of 18 weeks paid Maternity leave and a maximum of 34 weeks unpaid leave. However an employee may only take a maximum of 41 weeks leave, paid and unpaid, after the date of birth.

  For staff with over 26 weeks reckonable service but under a year the maximum length of time changes to 18 weeks paid Maternity leave and 22 weeks unpaid leave of which a maximum of 29 weeks can be taken after the birth.

  Staff with less than 26 weeks service 15 weeks before the expected week of birth are entitled to 18 weeks maternity leave, unpaid except for Maternity allowance paid for by Social Security, and a further 11 weeks unpaid.

  Maternity Pay

  An employee is entitled to 18 weeks paid Maternity leave, of which a maximum of 11 can be taken before the birth. This is available if the employee concerned is in paid service at the time the Maternity leave begins, they are not employed on a casual basis, they are not on a fixed term appointment of less than 2 years (unless the contract specifically allows it) and that the employee intends to return to work after the childs birth.

  Paternity Leave

  Fathers of a new born child are entitled to 2 days leave with pay which can be taken at the time of the birth or during the following weeks. A further 3 days leave are allowed in exceptional circumstances.

  Parental Leave

  A break of up to five years unpaid special leave for child rearing is available under the Agency's Career break scheme.

  Flexible Working Hours

  Where it is possible for flexible hours to be worked employees are given the option of working flexible or fixed hours. The scheme is open to both part and full time workers.

  Part-time Working

  The Agency has a number of part time workers and would consider requests from employees to convert to part time hours on a case by case basis. All new posts are advertised as being open to applicants wanting to work full, part time or job share.

  Job-Sharing

  The Agency does not currently employ anyone on a job share but would consider requests on their individual merits. All new posts are advertised as being open to applicants wishing to job share.

  Leave Care for Sick Children

  Special Leave with pay for 1–3 days (5 days in exceptional circumstances) is available for caring for a sick child.

  Home-Working

  The Agency does not have any officers who work on a regular basis from Home but would consider requests from staff on an individual basis.

  Term Time Contracts

  The Agency does not currently employee anyone on a Term Time Contract but would consider any requests on an individual basis.
  60
  Annual Hours Contracts

  The Agency does not currently employee anyone on an Annual Hours Contract but would consider any requests on an individual basis.

  Workplace Nurseries

  The Agency does not have a workplace nursery.

  Childcare Allowances

  The Agency does not pay employees and Childcare allowances.

  Carers' Leave

  1 to 3 days special leave with pay is allowed (up to 5 days in exceptional circumstances) which is intended to enable alternative arrangements to be made. If these cannot be made in this time, special leave without pay may be applied for.

  The Agency will consider every case on its merits and where felt necessary additional special leave with or without pay may be granted.

  Career Break Schemes

  The Agency does not operate a career break scheme, considering each application on its individual merits. The break can be for a maximum of 5 years Special unpaid leave and may be awarded for Child Rearing, Further/Higher Education etc.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27596]

  Mr. Norris
  The following provisions are available to staff in the central transport group of the Department of Transport:

  (a) Maternity leave—minimum of 18 weeks, maximum of 52 weeks—dependent on length of service;

  (b) Maternity pay—staff with at least one years' service staff may receive three months and one weeks' full pay followed by up to a further four weeks statutory maternity pay. Other staff will receive any statutory payments as appropriate;

  (c) Paternity leave—fathers are entitled to two to five days at the discretion of line managers;

  (d) Parental leave—in addition to maternity and paternity leave, the central transport group also offers staff up to one years' leave (mixture of paid and unpaid) for adopting a child and up to 20 days, per year, special leave to enable foster parents to attend meetings etc;

  (e) Flexible working hours—central transport group operates a flexible working hours scheme which is available to staff in most areas of CTG. Staff who work part-time or who may be casual employees are not exempt from working flexible working hours;

  (f) Part-time work—the central transport group aims to agree applications for part-time working where ever possible as a matter of departmental equal opportunities policy;

  (g) Job sharing—where ever possible CTG will aim to agree applications from job shares;

  (h) Leave to care for sick children—line managers may approve up to a maximum of five days' paid special leave may be granted to look after a sick child;

  (i) Home working—the central transport group looks at each application for home working and treats as appropriate;

  (j) Term time contracts—as per (i);

  (k) Annual hours contract—as per (i);

  (l) Workplace nurseries—the central transport group offers places to staff in its Hastings office;

  61

  (m) Child care allowance—where staff incur extra child care costs as a result of departmental business, training courses etc., the central transport group meets such costs;

  (n) Carers' leave—Staff may apply for up to five days' special leave with pay to care for a sick relative. Special leave without pay may be approved when it is necessary for a member of staff to care for elderly or infirm relatives. Special leave without pay for up to 12 months may be granted to a member of staff who has borne heavy domestic responsibilities over a long period.

  (o) Career break—long term special leave without pay, for a period not exceeding five years, is available to staff for reasons including: raising children, accompanying partners abroad, full time study.

  London Underground
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the report of the inquiry into the power failure which occurred on the London underground on 6 April; and if he will make a statement. [27972]

  Mr. Norris
  A report about the electrical failure on the London underground on 6 April will be placed in the Library once the investigation has been completed and a report for publication has been approved by London Underground Ltd. I expect that this will be by the end of this month.

  Contracts
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all contracts awarded by his Department to(a) Trafalgar House plc, (b) BICC plc, (c) HSBC Holdings plc and (d) the General Electric Company plc indicating the date the contract was awarded, its duration, its purpose and the total value of the contracts for each year since 1980. [27970]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Transport in London
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to his Department of(a) organising and (b) publishing the results of his consultation on transport in London. [27971]

  Mr. Norris
  The production of the document "A Transport Strategy for London" cost the Government office for London a total of £18,748. An estimate of the costs of staff time of the officials in the Government office and the Department of Transport who worked on the document would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  Pedestrians and Cyclists
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proportion of all journeys under two miles were made(a) by bicycle and (b) by foot, in the UK in each year since 1979; [28215]

  (2) what proportion of all journeys were made by (a) bicycle and (b) foot in the UK in each year from 1979. [28214]

  Mr. Norris
  Figures for journeys are available only for Great Britain and for particular years. They are given in the table.
  62

  Percentage of journeys under 2 miles by bicycle

  Percentage of journeys under 2 miles by foot

  Percentage of all journeys by bicycle

  Percentage of all journeys by foot

  1975–76

  4.5

  67.3

  3.3

  35.3

  1985–86

  3.3

  64.4

  2.4

  34.2

  1989–91

  2.7

  61.1

  1.9

  30.1

  1992–94

  2.3

  60.6

  1.7

  29.1

SCOTLAND

  Serco Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contracts his Department and his agencies have with Serco Ltd.; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [26685]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has the following contracts with Serco Ltd.:

  (i) the provision of facilities management services at Victoria quay, Edinburgh at a cost of approximately £1.6 million over five years. The contract will expire on 18 September 2000 but it contains provision for up to two one-year extensions, making the latest possible contract end date 18 September 2002. The Department is entitled to terminate the contract at any time without penalty upon giving six months' notice in writing.

  (ii) the installation and maintenance of traffic information and control systems across the monitoring network in the central belt of Scotland at a total cost of £18 million. The contract was awarded in October 1993, the contract length being two years six months and a three-year maintenance period thereafter which will end in April 1999. Should the department decide to halt the installation there would be no penalties; merely an obligation to meet any costs outstanding or imputed.

  (iii) the maintenance of the Scottish Office electrical and electronic equipment throughout the road network at a cost of £180,000 per annum. The contract will expire in April 1997. The department is entitled to terminate the contract at any time without penalty upon giving 12 months' notice in writing.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets were born in Scotland in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [27415]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Type of birth

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  11995

  Twins

  2 live

  711

  682

  790

  751

  762

  780

  1 live, 1 stillbirth

  15

  22

  11

  25

  13

  30

  2 stillbirth

  5

  5

  6

  4

  3

  5

  Triplets

  3 live

  14

  18

  15

  10

  16

  27

  2 live, 1 stillbirth

  2

  4

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1 live, 2 stillbirth

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  63

  Type of birth

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  11995

  Quadruplets

  4 live

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3 live, 1 stillbirth

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Quintuplets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sextuplets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1provisional.

  Dental Caries (Children)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the five-year-old children in Scotland had dental caries in(a) 1990, (b) 1992 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27403]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A standardised survey on randomly selected samples of children aged five across Scotland found that the mean percentage of five-year-old children for whom there is evidence of caries experience was 59.2 per cent. in 1989–90 and 58.2 per cent. in 1991–92. Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the basis for his statements of 22 April,Scottish Grand Committee, Official Report, column 10, and Official Report, column 36; and what response he has had from the European Commission in respect of this matter. [27661]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]: Since the onset of BSE, we have followed the best available scientific advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee and introduced strict controls for the protection of public health. The World Health Organisation has endorsed our actions. All of this is on record. However, despite this independent scientific endorsement of the safety of British beef, the European Commission placed a complete ban on all beef-related exports to any part of the world. It has not offered any scientific justification for this and Commissioner Fischler has publicly stated:
  "I would not hesitate to eat beef in England. I see no medical reason not to."
  There is therefore no alternative valid interpretation to that offered by my right hon. Friend on 22 April.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what written objections he has received to proposals to develop wind farms at West Garty and Gartymore, Sutherland; and if he will make a statement. [27893]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has received a total of 355 letters about proposals to develop wind farms at West Garty and Gartymore, Sutherland. Of these, 10 support the proposal, with 345 opposed to the development. Those in favour cite the positive aspects of green energy whereas those against argue on grounds of environmental impact, noise, visual intrusion and concerns about restoration.

ENVIRONMENT

  EU Directives
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the directives which have affected his Department in each of the past three years and(a) the United Kingdom legislation introduced as a result of the directives, (b) the United Kingdom legislation which goes beyond the minimum standards set out in the directives, and (c) the clauses within each piece of United Kingdom legislation which amplify the minimum standards set out in the directives. [27084]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The directives which have affected my Department in each of the past three years and the main UK legislation or measures introduced by my Department as a result are shown in the following table. (b) and (c) cannot be answered without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Directive

  Main UK legislation or measure

  1993–94

  87/217/EEC—Prevention of Environmental Pollution by Asbestos

  Direction to the National Rivers Authority (NRA) 1993

  88/379/EEC—Dangerous Preparations— Classification, Packaging and Labelling (CPL)

  The Chemical (Hazard Information and Packaging Regulations) 1993

  89/178/EEC—Dangerous Preparations—CPL— 1 st Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  90/492/EEC—Dangerous Preparations—CPL—2nd Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  90/517/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—11th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  90/641/Euratom—Ionizing Radiation

  The Ionizing Radiations (Outside Workers) Regulations 1993

  91/l55/EEC—Dangerous Preparation—Safety Data Sheets

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  91/325/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—12th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  91/326/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—13th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  91/632/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—15th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993

  91/322/EEC—Indicative Limit Values

  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (as amended)

  92/3/Euratom—Shipment of Radioactive Waste

  The Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993

  92/32/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—7th Amendment

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993; The Notification of New Substances Regulations 1993; The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  92/42/EEC—Energy Efficiency of Hot Water Boilers

  The Boiler (Efficiency) Regulations 1993

  92/57/EEC—Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites

  Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994

  92/69/EEC—Annex V Test Methods

  Adopted as an Approved Code of Practice

  92/72/EEC Ozone

  The Ozone Monitoring and Information Regulations 1994

  65

  Directive

  Main UK legislation or measure

  92/72/EEC—Titanium Dioxide Waste

  Direction to the NRA 1994

  93/15/EEC—Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfer of Explosives for Civil Use (POMSTER)

  The Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfer of Explosives Regulations 1993

  93/67/EEC—Risk Assessment of New Substances

  The Notification of New Substances Regulations 1993

  93/90/EEC—Dangerous Substances—Exemptions, List of Legislation

  The Notification of New Substances Regulations 1993

  93/105/EEC—Dangerous Substances— TestRequirements for Polymers

  The Notification of New Substances Regulations 1993

  1994–95

  87/101/EEC—amending Directive 75/439/EEC on Waste Oils

  The Waste Management Licencing Regulations 1994

  90/679/EEC—Biological Agents

  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1994

  91/156/EEC—amending Directive 75/442/EEC on Waste

  The Waste Management Licencing Regulations 1994; The Waste Management Licencing (amendment etc.) Regulations 1995; The Waste Management Regulations 1996

  91/271/EEC—Urban Waste Water Treatment

  The Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994

  91/689/EEC—Hazardous Waste (as amended by 94/31/EC)

  The Special Waste Regulations 1996

  92/43/EEC—Habitats

  The Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc.) Regulations 1994

  92/37/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL— 16th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  92/91/EEC-Extractive Industries, Boreholes

  The Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations 1995; Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations 1995; Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works Regulations 1995; Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction) Regulations 1996

  93/18/EEC—Dangerous Preparations—CPL—3rd Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  93/21/EEC Dangerous Substances—CPL—18th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  93/68/EEC—amending inter alia Directive 89/106 on Construction Products

  The Construction Products (amendment) Regulations 1994

  93/72/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—19th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  93/101/EEC—Dangerous Substances—CPL—20th Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  93/112/EEC—Dangerous Preparations—Safety Data Sheets Amendment

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994

  94/2/EC—Energy Labelling of Fridges, Freezers and their Combinations

  The Energy Labelling (Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulations 1994

  94/15/EC—amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the Deliberate Release of GMOs

  GMO Deliberate Release Regulations 1995

  94/51/EC—amending Directive 90/219/EEC on the Contained Use of GMOs

  GMO Contained Use (Amendment) Regulations 1995 Amendment Regulations 1995

  94/66/EEC—amending Directive 88/609/EEC on Large Combustion Plants

  Direction to HMIP 1995

  66

  Directive

  Main UK legislation or measure

  94/69/EEC-Dangerous Substances—CPL—21 st Adaptation

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Amendment Regulations 1994

  1995–96

  91/676/EEC—Nitrates

  The Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (England and Wales) Regulations 1996

  92/104/EEC—Extractive Industries, Mines and Quarries

  The Quarries Miscellaneous Health and Safety Provisions Regulations 1995

  92/58/EEC—Safety Signs

  Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

  95/12/EC—Energy Labelling of Washing Machines

  The Energy Information (Washing Machines) Regulations 1996

  92/13/EC—Energy Labelling of Tumble Driers

  The Energy Information (Tumble Driers) Regulations 1996

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of England in(a) area and (b) population is currently covered by unitary local authorities; and what the figures will be when the changes arising from the proposals of the local government commission have been implemented. [27434]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  At present 11 per cent. of the area and 43 per cent. of the population of England are covered by unitary local authorities, including London boroughs and metropolitan districts. Once all the structural changes which the Government have accepted have been implemented the percentages will be 16 per cent. and 54 per cent. respectively.

  Battersea Power Station
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions are taking place, and with whom, on the future development of Battersea power station; and if he will make a statement. [27621]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Discussions are continuing between Wandsworth council, English Heritage and consultants appointed by the owners on a master plan for the whole Battersea power station site. The Government would like to see the future development of this important site on the River Thames resolved as soon as possible.

  Local Authorities (Out-of-court Payments)
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of out-of-court payments made by local authorities with special reference to the payment by Northumberland county council to a former employee, on the ground of stress in the performance of his job; what assessment he has made of whether such payments are a proper use of public funds; and if he will freeze this payment until it has been examined by the district auditor. [27645]

  Mr. Curry
  Following an award of damages by the courts against Northumberland county council, and prior to an appeal, the county council reached an out-of-court settlement with a former employee which was met by its insurers. The district auditor has no locus as regards payments met by insurers.

  Refuse Tip (Attlebridge)
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the leaking of toxic and infected material from the refuse tip at Attlebridge in Norfolk. [27411]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]: Responsibility for ensuring that the site at Attlebridge in Norfolk does not harm human health nor cause pollution of the environment now rests with the Environment Agency. The site is subject to a recent planning application and in view of the appellate role of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, I cannot comment on the merits of the application.

  Housing (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households were on the Coventry city council housing waiting list for each year since 1990; and how many are currently on the waiting list. [27906]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list at 1 April each year in their annual housing investment programme—HIP—returns.

  The data reported by Coventry city council for each year since 1990 are as follows:

  Number of households on the waiting list

  April 1990

  6,984

  April 1991

  6,851

  April 1992

  8,664

  April 1993

  8,917

  April 1994

  7,690

  April 1995

  6,857

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new(a) social dwellings and (b) specialised social dwellings he estimates Coventry will need in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [27908]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department does not prepare local estimates of the need for new social housing or specialised social homes. It is for local authorities to assess local housing needs and to identify these in their housing strategies.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carer's leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27576]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has a range of policies designed to help staff combine their career and domestic responsibilities. Full details are included in the terms and conditions of staff and set out in the 68
  Department's "Staff Handbook" or other published guidance. In some cases eligibility is statutory or automatic and in others an element of local management discretion is involved. I will write further to the hon. Member with full details and enclose the relevant extracts from the Department's guidance.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27577]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department's three executive agencies, the Planning Inspectorate, the Building Research Establishment and the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, all provide a range of policies designed to help staff combine their career and domestic responsibilities. In most cases the initiatives follow the terms and conditions adopted for my Department's employees as set out in the Department's "Staff Handbook" and other published guidance. However, there are variations to take account of local circumstances in the individual agencies. I will write further to the hon. Member with the full details of the eligibility criteria and these variations.

  Advertisements (Special Control)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many orders for areas of special control of advertisements have been approved since 1966; [27833]

  (2) how many proposed orders for areas of special control of advertisements have been rejected since 1996, and on what grounds; [27834]

  (3) if he will list the (a) district, (b) borough and (c) national park authority areas where approved areas of special control of advertisements exist, and specify those which are (i) district, (ii) borough and (iii) park-wide in extent. [27835]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. I am writing to the hon. Member with such information as we have.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the area of land covered by approved orders for areas of special control of advertisements, given(a) in total and (b) by district. [27836]

  Mr. Jones
  It is estimated that approximately 50 per cent. of the land area of England and Wales is subject to area of special control of advertisements designation. The area by district is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment if he will list the proposals for new orders for areas of special control of advertisements that he is currently considering. [27837]
  69
  Mr. Jones
  No new orders for areas of special control of advertisements are currently before my right hon. Friend. He is currently considering modifications to existing orders in South Shropshire district council, Enfield London borough council and Vale Royal borough council.

  North Sea (Protection)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the Government's proposals on the implementation of the ministerial declaration of the fourth international conference on the protection of the North sea. [27838]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are preparing a comprehensive United Kingdom guidance note on the implementation of the fourth North sea conference declaration, as has been the practice after previous North sea conferences. It will be published shortly.

  Rural Development Areas
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list rural development areas, indicating when their boundaries last changed. [28155]

  Mr. Clappison
  A map of the Rural Development Commission's priority rural development areas can be found in the commission's 1995 corporate plan, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. The current areas are as follows:

  Cambridgeshire

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

  Cumbria

  Devon

  Doncaster

  Dorset

  Durham

  East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire (ex Humberside)

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hereford and Worcester

  Isle of Wight

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  North East Derbyshire

  North Yorkshire

  Northumberland

  Nottinghamshire

  North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire

  Redcar and Cleveland (ex Cleveland)

  Rotherham

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  West Derbyshire

  West Yorkshire

  Wiltshire.

  70
  The commission carried out a comprehensive review of its rural development areas during 1992–93. The current boundaries became effective on 1 April 1994.

  Cetaceans (Protection)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the Government plan to take to protect cetaceans from pollution and other environmental damage; and if he will make a statement. [28126]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are committed to the protection of the marine environment, and play an active role in international fora aimed of conserving cetacean numbers.

  Although direct evidence of adverse effects from chemical pollution and climate change is scarce, the UK is participating in discussions, initiated by the International Whaling Commission, to consider the effects of both of these processes.

  The Government have also recently played a major role in developing protocols aimed at tackling persistent air borne and land sourced organic pollutants in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the UN environment programme.

  Rural Development Commission
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of the Rural Development Commission's business advisers in each year since it began. [28148]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Rural Development Commission regionalised its operations and set up dedicated teams of business advisers, working primarily within the commission's priority rural development areas, in 1990. Since 1995 business advisers have operated exclusively in these areas. The cost of business advisers prior to 1990 is contained within the general running costs of the commission and cannot be disaggregated. The commission's expenditure on business advisers in the years 1990–91 to 1995–96 are as follows:

  £ million

  1990–91

  2.80

  1991–92

  2.31

  1992–93

  2.13

  1993–94

  2.35

  1994–95

  1.82

  1995–96

  0.87

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current value of the Rural Development Commission's small firms loan fund. [28149]

  Mr. Clappison
  The net book value of the commission's loan fund, after allowing for provision of unrecoverable loans, is as follows:

  £ million

  At 31 March 1994

  15.261

  At 31 March 1995

  15.306

  At 31 March 1996

  14.814

  Estimated 31 March 1997

  14.104

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make an announcement on challenge funding of local authority capital. [27975]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  An announcement will be made shortly.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new rented homes housing associations will be able to start in 1996; and what were the figures for each of the past three years. [28071]

  Mr. Clappison
  Figures covering the last three years showing the number of project approvals made for new housing association rented accommodation in England areas follows:

  Project approvals for rented housing: self contained and shared accommodation

  Housing Corporation HAG funded units

  Local authority HAG funded units

  Total HAG funded units

  1993–94

  43,857

  19,226

  63,083

  1994–95

  39,992

  17,076

  57,068

  1995–96

  23,792

  11,394

  35,186

  These figures cover new rented accommodation provided through a new build and the purchase and rehabilitation of existing properties. In addition, over this period, the Housing Corporation has also approved home ownership incentive schemes which release existing social rented homes for reletting.

  The Housing Corporation's approved development programme for 1996–97, which excludes local authority HAG, provides for between 21,300 and 26,100 project approvals for new rented housing in England. In addition, the Housing Corporation estimates that there will be a further 18,500 to 21,700 ADP approvals in 1996–97 including home ownership incentive schemes. Additional lettings will result from local authority support for housing associations.

  Marine Pollution
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government have taken to date to implement the United Nations environment programme's programme of action on land-based sources of marine pollution; and what further action is planned. [28122]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to my written reply of 25 March 1996 to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis),Official Report, column 535.

  Persistent Organic Pollutants
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's policy in respect of a global ban on persistent organic pollutants. [28125]
  72
  Mr. Clappison
  The United Kingdom has played a major role in developing a proposed protocol on persistent organic pollutants under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe convention on long range transboundary air pollution. Furthermore, the Government support the United Nations environment programme initiative to build on this work to achieve a global, legally binding treaty and will play an active role.

  The development of such protocols, involves the careful identification of potential persistent organic pollutants, their assessment and a consideration of the most appropriate action to take to control the identified risk. This will not always result in a total ban. In some cases, there may be an essential use of a substance which should be preserved, where safer and effective substitutes may not be available. Each substance identified as a persistent organic pollutant will have to be judged on its own merit.

  Business Subsidies
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28182]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department provides grants directly to businesses under the following schemes:

  Single regeneration budget challenge fund

  City challenge

  Regional enterprise grant

  Environmental technology innovation scheme (now closed to new applications)

  Small company environmental and energy management assistance scheme

  Grants under the Water Industry Act 1991 towards national security measures in the water industry

  Grants under the Industrial Development Act 1982 towards water and sewerage infrastructure in assisted areas

  Grants under the Water Industry Act 1991 towards rural water and sewerage projects.

  The Department does not provide any loans directly to businesses.

  There are no overarching criteria for the above grant schemes; the criteria for each scheme are dependent on it's individual aims and objectives. However, all recipients have to satisfy the Department that their application offers value for money and that there will be satisfactory controls over the funds received. Any business which would wish to apply for a grant or a loan under one of the above schemes can find out the specific criteria it would need to satisfy by contacting my Department.

  The grants listed are paid directly by the Department of the Environment to businesses. In addition, the Department also funds other bodies, including local authorities and non-departmental public bodies, who will themselves support businesses through grants and loans.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the meeting of the United Kingdom round table on sustainable development held on 25 April; and if he will make a statement. [28295]
  73
  Mr. Gummer
  At its 25 April meeting, the round table approved a report on defining a sustainable transport sector, which will be published shortly. It also had a preliminary discussion with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport about the Green Paper "Transport—The Way Forward" published that day. The meeting agreed to begin work on four new projects:

  intermodal transport, both passenger and freight;

  land use planning controls over energy developments;

  water resources; and

  housing and sustainability.

  On 19 April, the round table published its first annual report. This describes all the work that is completed or under way.

  Packaging
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the European Community directive on packaging and packaging waste will be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [28443]

  Mr. Gummer
  As part of its commitment to achieve sustainable development, it is Government policy to encourage the recovery of value from waste wherever that is practicable. To this end it is desirable that more of the real environmental costs of waste production and disposal should be borne by the producers of that waste directly. This creates a stronger market incentive for companies both to reduce waste in the first place, and then to find cost effective ways of recycling or otherwise recovering unavoidable waste. The Government's objective should be to establish a policy framework within which the efficiency and innovativeness of the market can be harnessed to solve environmental problems. Producer responsibility does that; it makes the market work to the benefit of the environment.

  Industries concerned with packaging—those who manufacture and use the packaging which ends up as waste, including retailers—have been particularly resourceful in their response to the challenge of producer responsibility. Eight million tonnes of packaging waste are produced each year, and in response to the Government's invitation the industry's producer responsibility group put forward its own proposals to recover and recycle 58 per cent. of United Kingdom's packaging waste by 2001. It proposed that this should be achieved through the creation of one or more industry financed and managed organisations which would invest in a variety of waste recovery projects. The prototype recovery organisation is now being established as VALPAK. However the industry made clear that these schemes would be established only if there were effective legislation to deter free riders. The Government accepted this industry view and invited comments on a range of possible legal obligations which could achieve a framework in which competing companies could operate and which would enable the Government to implement the EC directive on packaging and packaging waste.

  In responding to the different options for a legal obligation, the great majority of business organisations indicated a strong belief that the primary objective of meeting the UK's recovery and recycling targets could be secured only if all the major players had an incentive to
  74
  co-operate through a shared legal obligation. This would also create the most favourable conditions for formation of cross-sectoral collective industry schemes, which many businesses have indicated is their preferred approach to meeting these targets.

  Further work took place to develop a form of shared approach which could both provide assurance to Government that the necessary targets would be met while also providing an acceptable basis for apportioning the obligation between the different stages of the packaging chain. Final agreement on such a basis and its supporting principles was achieved on 15 December 1995 at a meeting chaired by Sir Peter Parker and attended by 30 of the leading businesses involved.

  This has not been the approach in some other EU member states. Some have proposed a packaging tax and others have legislated for a "take back" requirement upon shops and business premises to receive back from consumers all of the sales packaging around products sold. These approaches provide less flexibility for affected businesses and do little to create the new markets for recycled materials which is essential in the long term. Indeed some schemes in some other states have had a damaging impact on reprocessing and manufacturing activity in the UK and the rest of the Union and it was for that reason that industry pressed for a single market framework which we then successfully negotiated in the form of the directive.

  By contrast with some of these other approaches, the UK Government place a high priority on implementing producer responsibility in a way which the UK industry itself feels can be operated effectively. This will help to minimise the burden upon individual companies, maximise their freedom to choose how to meet their targets, and thereby make our environmental objectives more readily attainable.

  I am therefore announcing today that the Government have accepted the industry view that a shared legal obligation is the right way forward. I am now satisfied that this approach will enable us to meet the environmental standards which people increasingly expect industry to adopt, which our national commitment to sustainable development requires of us, and which would achieve the flexible targets which we successfully negotiated within the EU' s packaging directive. In the near future I propose to publish draft regulations under the Environment Act 1995 that will give effect to 15 December agreement and to guide this process I recently asked Sir Peter Parker to chair an advisory committee comprising some of the senior business representatives most closely involved in developing producer responsibility for packaging. I am announcing separately the terms of reference, membership and initial tasks of the advisory committee and its future role in monitoring and reviewing the operation of the regulations.

  In the light of the work already undertaken by the committee on implementation of the 15 December agreement, I propose to include in the draft regulations the following elements:

  (i) A method of calculation of individual business or scheme obligations. Any business covered by the regulations will need to be able to work out what its recycling and recovery obligation would be, so as to decide whether to perform that

  75
  on its own or join a collective scheme. The business would need to measure the tonnage of packaging which it manufactures or fills or sells or supplies. It would then apply the following percentages which, on current data and assumptions, are consistent with the 15 December agreement.

  Per cent.

  Packaging raw material manufacture

  6

  Conversion

  11

  Packing and filling

  36

  Retailing/supplying

  47

  Importers would be treated on a comparable basis.

  (ii) A phased approach to meeting the targets:

  an initial requirement, from 1996, for businesses or collective schemes to provide data and information to the Environment Agency;

  a second stage requirement, from 1998, to provide evidence that recycling and recovery is being achieved, initially to 1998 targets and then the full directive targets in 2001.

  (iii) A cut off by which businesses using less than 50 tonnes packaging a year would be exempt from the quantified legal obligation (it is estimated that 90 per cent. of businesses—which account for less than 10 per cent. of total packaging—would be below this threshold). Further consideration is being given to other means by which such businesses could help to contribute to higher levels of recycling and recovery.

  This approach is intended to give businesses as much flexibility as possible, particularly in the early years, and create confidence that the targets will be achieved. In consulting on the regulations we will be seeking further business views on costs and practicality of the systems proposed so as to minimise compliance costs and limit the regulatory framework to the minimum.

  The industry now needs to turn its attention to developing more detailed plans for the formation of industry-led collective exemption schemes, such as VALPAK. Such schemes will need to satisfy UK and EC competition criteria. Many, if not most, businesses will no doubt continue to feel that participation in such schemes provides the simplest and cheapest means of meeting their obligations.

  The producer responsibility initiative marks important new ground in environmental policy-making and provides a remarkable example of effective Government-industry collaboration. A shared approach to our national war on waste will boost recycling across the country, foster many new ways of putting waste to work and maximise our recovery of scarce resources. A new market will be created, and the environment will be a chief beneficiary. I pay tribute to the many individuals and companies from all sectors of the packaging chain who by rising to this demanding challenge have played an important part in putting the nation on the path to sustainable development.

  Housing
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much expenditure was incurred by(a) the Housing Corporation and (b) the local authority in relation to each of the proposals for a transfer of tenanted council housing in Torquay to another landlord since 1988; and what were the numbers and percentages of tenants voting (i) for and (ii) against each proposal. [11714]
  76
  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 January, Official Report columns 578–79]: The figure for the Housing Corporation's total grant spend on the Torbay Tenants' housing association should have been £1,869,306, less repayments of £49,074, giving a net figure of £1,820,232.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost to public funds to date of the tenants' advice scheme set up under part IV of the Housing Act 1988 with particular reference to(a) setting up costs incurred by his Department and the Housing Corporation, (b) publicity and promotional expenditure, (c) annual revenue expenditure incurred by the Housing Corporation in each year since 1988, (d) grants to tenants organisations and others and (e) any other expenditure. [11715]

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply 29 January, Official Report column 579]: The figure for the Housing Corporation's total grant spend in support of tenants' choice cases should have been £4,203,574, less repayments of £76,381, given a net total of £4,127,193.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27582]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-timework, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27583]

  Mr. Howard
  These provisions are set out in the departmental staff handbook—a copy of which is in the Library—which details conditions of service for all Home Office employees, apart from those in the Prison Service. A staff handbook will be issued shortly for Prison Service employees. There is no written guidance on term-time or annual hours contracts, but these would be considered, subject to operational requirements, as the need arose.

  Immigration Service
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid to consultants Touche Ross to evaluate the immigration services staff rotas; and if he will make a statement. [27924]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Fees payable to private sector consultants by the public services are treated as commercial confidential and are not normally disclosed.

  Prison Staff (Convictions)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (i) prison governors and (ii) prison officers have convictions for(a) indecent assault, (b) other crimes against the person and (c) other offences; and if he will make a statement. [27448]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 30 April 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Roger Berry dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to your recent Question about prison governors and prison officers convicted of criminal offences.

  Centrally held figures relate to the period since 1990. The figures set out in the table below relate to convictions over the period March 1990 to March 1996.

  Staff currently serving

  Indecent assault

  Other crimes against the person

  Other offences

  Prison governors

  1

  0

  1

  Prison officers

  0

  14

  108

  The Prison Service takes the conviction of any of its staff for any criminal offence very seriously and can take action under its own code of conduct and discipline. Where a member of staff is found guilty of a serious offence, the normal outcome would be dismissal from the Service. Lesser offences may also, depending on the circumstances, result in dismissal or may result in other penalties such as written warnings, loss of promotion opportunities or pay.

  In the cases listed, the 'other crimes against the person' are all cases of actual bodily harm. These offences largely relate to domestic disputes. 'Other offences' include first time drink/driving convictions, speeding, fishing without a licence, letting a dog worry sheep etc.

  Departmental Posts (Losses)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many posts he estimates will be lost at the Home Office during the next three financial years; from which units they will come; and if he will make a statement. [27929]

  Mr. Howard
  Planned staff numbers in the Home Office and its agencies are set out in annex 4 of my Department's annual report CM 3208 published in March, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Permanent staff numbers are projected to fall by 1,045 between 1995–96 and 1998–99, of which 705 are in the Prison Service.

  Proxy Votes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has assessed on the abuse of proxy votes; and if he will make a statement. [27862]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no recent evidence to suggest that abuse of the proxy voting system is either systematic or widespread. Application forms relating to absent votes were amended in 1994; electors now have to indicate 78
  clearly whether they are applying to vote by post or by proxy, and all appointments of a proxy must be signed by the elector.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the areas where Doncaster prison has performed to a higher standard than other private prisons since it opened. [27614]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 7 May 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 areas where Doncaster prison has performed to a higher standard in relation to the other contracted-out prisons.

  There is no proposal to make a qualitative evaluation of Doncaster prison's performance against that of any of the other contractually-managed prisons. This is because the factors that influence performance, which include size, function and population mix, are such as to make direct comparison difficult.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the key performance indicators for the running of Doncaster prison; and if he will list the statistics in respect of which performance indicators have been met since the prison opened. [27617]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General, to reply to your recent Question about key performance indicators for the running of Doncaster prison.

  Key performance indicators are specified in the contract, relating to the following areas of operation:

  (1) Escapes from the prison. The contract requires that there should be no more than two by the end of the first year of operation, and no more than one in each subsequent year. There was one escape from Doncaster prison in the first year of operation, and there has been none since.

  (2) Escapes from escort. The contract requires that there should be no more than eight escapes from escort in any of the first three years of the contract. There have been no escapes.

  (3) Time out of cell. The requirement of a minimum 12 hours per day for prisoners on normal location has been met.

  (4) Positive regimes. The contract requires the availability of at least 12 hours of regime activities, including education, for prisoners on normal location, and also the availability of at least 6 hours per week of education and training for adult prisoners, and 15 for young prisoners under 17. These targets have been achieved.

  (5) Visits. The contract requirement is for the statutory minimum for visits as set out in Prison Rules. This requirement has been exceeded at Doncaster prison.

  (6) Grievances. The contract requires that 90 per cent of grievances capable of resolution at prison level, be resolved within seven working days. The level achieved for the first contractual year was 95 per cent, and the level for the current contractual year is running at 100 per cent.

  79

  (7) Assaults. The contract required no more than 148 assaults on prisoners, and no more than 77 assaults on staff by the end of the first year of operation. For the second year, a level of 215 assaults has been set. The total number of assaults for the first contractual year was 221, and is projected to be 154 for the current year.

  In addition to the contractual requirements, the performance of Doncaster prison is measured against the Service-wide key performance indicators. These figures are provided in the Prison Service Annual Reports.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the security cameras currently operating at Doncaster prison are constantly monitored; how many officers are on duty per shift monitoring the security camera; how many security cameras are in operation at any one time; and for how long the videotape recordings made by the cameras are stored. [27618]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about whether the security cameras currently operating at Doncaster prison are constantly monitored; how many officers are on duty per shift monitoring the security cameras; how many security cameras are in operation at any one time; and for how long the videotape recordings made by the camera are stored.

  The security cameras are constantly monitored and have videotape facilities. Doncaster prison holds high risk prisoners and I am sure that you will understand that to provide the remaining information which you have requested might prejudice security at the prison.

  Prison Service Health Research
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature of all(a) medical and (b) health care research currently being undertaken within the Prison Service for each United Kingdom prison. [27616]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Martin Redmond dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about (a) medical and (b) health care research currently being undertaken within the Prison Service for each United Kingdom prison.

  The Directorate of Health Care for the Prison Service in England and Wales holds a central register of medical and health care research receiving central support and approved by the independent Prison Service Health Research Ethics Committee. The attached list sets out the centrally approved and supported projects recorded on the central database as currently in progress.

  Information on local studies, approved by the governor of an establishment and a recognised Research Ethics Committee, is not notified to the Directorate of Health Care in all cases and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  The situation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the respective Departments.
  80
  Prison Service Health Research Ethics Committee approved Medical and Health Care Research Projects receiving central funding

  Assessment of the needs and best management of severely behaviourially disturbed young offenders at Aylesbury young offenders institution;

  Evaluation of a pilot scheme for the contracting-our of Genito-Urinary Medicine services to the NHS by Wormwood Scrubs, Brixton and Wandsworth prisons;

  Evaluation of the drugs rehabilitation programmes implemented in 22 prisons under phase 1 of the Prison Service Strategy for Drugs;

  Analysis of the doctor patient relationship in the prison setting. Four sample prisons are in the process of selection;

  Assessment of throughcare arrangements and needs for prisoners with a history of mental illness discharged from prison direct to the community—Yorkshire prisons;

  Evaluation of a project jointly funded by the Department of Health and the MACA for development of care plans prior to release of mentally disordered prisoners—Leicestershire prisons;

  A study into the effect of the application of section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This involves central records without the direct involvement of establishments.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons in England and Wales that have been rendered free of illegal drugs following the implementation of Government policy; and if he will make a statement. [27620]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Torn Cox, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about prisons in England and Wales that have been rendered free of illegal drugs following the implementation of Government policy.

  Mandatory drug testing has been implemented in all prisons, on schedule, by 31 March. The data it will yield will provide, over time, a good indicator of the level and patterns of drug misuse in prisons. But, because the random testing programme involves the testing of only 10 per cent. of a prison's population each month, even when all these tests prove negative it will not be safe to claim that a prison is free of drug misuse.

  Prison Service Budget
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the chief inspector of prisons about the planned reductions in the prison service budget; and what action he has taken in response. [27858]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about representations from the Chief Inspector of Prisons about the planned reductions in the Prison Service budget; and what action has been taken in response.
  81
  There are regular contacts between the Chief Inspector, Home Office Ministers and the Prison Service on a wide range of issues, including cost reduction, which affect the Service as a whole and individual prison establishments. The Director General has told Sir David Ramsbotham that he has advised governors of the importance of maintaining the balance between essential security and control measures, constructive and effective regimes for prisoners and providing support for staff. The emphasis is on reducing costs and not reducing the amount of purposeful activity for prisoners; and resources should continue to be given to those programmes which help prisoners to address their offending behaviour.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time served by prisoners who have received mandatory life sentences before release on licence. [27717]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information is published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales",—table 8.5 of the 1994 edition, (Cm 3087). A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the square footage and cost of office space rented by his Department and its agencies and the number of his Department or agencies' buildings partly, or fully unoccupied together with the square footage of that unoccupied office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27726]

  Mr. Howard
  The Home Office assumed accountability for all the offices in which it had occupations, including any vacant space therein from 1 April 1996. Prior to this date, the whole of the Government common user (office) estate—CUE—in which Government Departments were housed was owned by Property Holdings. The part of the question requesting figures for the last five financial years is, therefore, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  As at 1 April 1996, the Home Office had no totally unoccupied office buildings, and only 10 with some vacant space. This vacant space amounted to 92,429 sq ft which comprised less than 1 per cent. of the total Home Office non-prison estate. The estimated annual rental cost of this vacant space is £205,000.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money his Department spent on advertising campaigns to recruit special constables in each year from 1991–92 to 1995–96. [28204]

  Mr. Howard
  Expenditure by the Home Office on advertising to recruit special constables in each year from 1991–92 to 1995–96 was as follows:

  Financial year

  £000

  1991–92

  875

  1992–93

  1,060

  1993–94

  1,460

  1994–95

  2,800

  1995–96

  2,300

  Prisoners (Education and Training)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of education and training for prisoners have been budgeted for in the Prison Service in the current financial year. [27924]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of hours of education and training budgeted for in the current financial year.

  Each prison governor has a single budget for the running of the establishment. The allocation of funds will be determined by local circumstances, reflected in the business plan agreed with the area manager. Governors have been asked to report their initial spending plans for 1996–97 to the Prison Service Financial Support Section, and a preliminary forecast of the anticipated expenditure on education and training should be available towards the end of May or in early June.

  Governors purchase teacher contact hours from their education provider at an agreed price per teacher contact hour. Contract prices are unique to each establishment, and the price per contract hour depends on the number of teacher contact hours ordered. There are also discount arrangements in some circumstances. It is, therefore, not possible to forecast the number of teaching hours to be ordered from the preliminary forecast of expenditure.

  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were on remand at the latest available date categorised by their alleged offences. [28109]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Ian Pearson, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many prisoners were on remand at the latest available date, categorised by their alleged offences.

  Provisional information on the number of remand prisoners held in Prison Service establishments on 31 March 1996, by offence, is given in the attached table.

  Population of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners in Prison Service establishments on 31 March 19961; by offence

  Number

  Violence against the person

  2,105

  Sexual offences

  514

  Burglary

  2,118

  Robbery

  1,086

  Theft and handling

  1,636

  Fraud and forgery

  188

  Drugs offences

  1,109

  Other offences

  1,578

  Offence not recorded

  678

  All offences

  11,012

  1 Figures are provisional.

  Grants and Loans
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28190]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department does not make grants and loans to businesses in the private sector.

  Asylum and Immigration Bill (Small Firms)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the extra work that will be imposed on small firms by measures in the Asylum and Immigration Bill. [28150]

  Miss Widdecombe
  We do not expect that our proposals on the prevention of illegal working will affect small businesses disproportionately. We intend to keep the burden on all employers to a minimum, and will have this in mind in the preparation of guidance. The responses to our consultation document and compliance cost assessment lead us to think that the compliance costs for small business will, in the main, be minimal.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish further details of his proposals for the sentencing and supervision of mentally disordered offenders as set out in chapter 8 of the White Paper, "Protecting the Public: the Government's Strategy on Crime in England and Wales." [28462]

  Mr. Howard
  I have today placed in the Library copies of a consultation document, "Mentally Disordered Offenders: Sentencing and Discharge Arrangements". The consultation period on the document lasts until 30 June 1996.

  Terrorism (Video Cameras)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received recommendations from the City of London police to site video cameras at Stranraer, Holyhead and Fishguard, as part of security operations to counter the Provisional IRA; and what plans he has to commission video cameras at these points. [27240]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 1 May 1996]: Advice on the introduction of closed circuit television cameras at ports across the country has been provided by the Association of Chief Police Officers, not the city of London police. Funding and guidance on the installation of CCTV has been provided by the ACPO advisory group since June 1994, and cameras were operational at Stranraer, Holyhead and Fishguard by March 1995.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 184, from whom the Licencing Authority received a manuscript of the transnational study before the meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines of 13 October 1995. [28436]

  Mr. Malone
  I have been asked to reply.
  84
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 December 1995, columns 1149 and 1153.

  Raffle Tickets
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of commercial companies that print and sell tickets and otherwise administer draws and raffles on behalf of registered charities. [27336]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have been asked to reply.

  None.

  Responsibility for charities and the voluntary sector was passed from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage on 1 May 1996.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iran
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the response of the United Kingdom and the EU to the report of the UN rapporteur on religious intolerance, Mr. Abdel Fattah Amor, on the execution of Protestant leaders in Iran; what has been the outcome to this response; and if he will make a statement. [27856]

  Mr. Hanley
  We welcome Mr. Amor's report. Our views on the trial of those accused of killing the three Christian pastors in Iran were set out in my reply of 4 December 1995. In the light of Mr. Amor's report and the reports of the UN special rapporteur, Mr. Hussain, and the UN special representative, Mr. Copithorne, the European Union co-sponsored a resolution critical of Iran at the UN Commission on Human Rights. The resolution, adopted on 24 April 1996, expressed concern at Iran's failure to meet international standards on the administration of justice and the lack of adequate protection for Christian minorities. We will continue to maintain pressure on Iran to do more to protect the rights of religious minorities.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had, and with which bodies, on the Council of Europe Cuco report on the Turkish settlers living in occupied northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [27619]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have had no discussions on this report since exchanging views at the Council of Europe Ministers' Deputies meetings in December 1992 and March 1993.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had, and with whom, regarding the military airfield in Turkish-occupied Cyprus at Lefkoniko; and what use is made of this airfield. [27635]
  85
  Mr. Davis
  None. Lefkoniko is not a military airfield. It is a small civil airport used for one month each year when the main airport in northern Cyprus is closed for repair and renovation, or when flights are diverted.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what replies he has received from the high commissioner in Cyprus on the establishment of an Islamic fundamentalist party in the Turkish Cypriot-occupied area of northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [27897]

  Mr. Davis
  In early December 1995, there were reports in the Turkish Cypriot press of plans to found an Islamic party. We have seen no evidence that such a party has been established.

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the square footage and cost of office space rented by his Department and its agencies and the number of his Department or agencies' buildings partly, or fully occupied together with the square footage of that unoccupied office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27728]

  Mr. Hanley
  The square footage and cost, including VAT, of rented space, by both wings of the FCO and its agencies in the United Kingdom over the last five financial year are as follows:

  Square footage

  Cost £

  1991–92

  357774

  9,759,695.90

  1992–93

  357774

  9,759,695.90

  1993–94

  357774

  10,137,292.12

  1994–95

  362924

  9,729,174.43

  1995–96

  355327

  9,161,664.81

  The FCO also occupies Crown freehold properties. None of the leased buildings were partially or totally unoccupied during the period.

  Russia
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Russian Government about the use of the death penalty in that country. [28120]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made no representation to the Russian Government about the use of the death penalty. It is an issue we continue to monitor closely.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had and with whom on elections in the Indian-occupied area of Kashmir, with particular reference to(a) the involvement of the military forces now stationed in this area and (b) the quality of the candidates; and if he will make a statement. [28024]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have had discussions with a wide range of people, including officials, Members of 86
  Parliament and others on the various aspects of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The need to develop a genuine political process remains an important part our long-standing policy on Kashmir. Elections can contribute to that process.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the British high commissioners for India and Pakistan regarding the proposed elections to take place in Indian-controlled Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [27946]

  Mr. Hanley
  Our high commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad report regularly on developments concerning Kashmir, including the forthcoming parliamentary election. I discussed Kashmir with them during my recent visits to India and Pakistan.

  British Council
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy concerning the British Council; and if he will make a statement. [28073]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to my closing statement in the Adjournment debate on the British Council in 1 May,Official Report, columns 1097–1102.

  Ambassadorial Posts (Women)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of women in ambassadorial posts in(a) 1986, (b) 1991 and (c) on the latest available figures. [27375]

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of women in ambassadorial posts is as follows:

  (a) 1986: 1

  (b) 1991: 2

  (c) 1996: 8.

  Senior Departmental Posts (Women)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policies adopted by his Department in order to encourage more women into senior positions within his Department. [27376]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have an action programme in place to ensure equality of access to recruitment, training, career development and promotion for all women. Graduate recruitment into the fast stream is particularly targeted to help redress the under-representation of women at senior grade level, and 57 per cent. of the 1995 fast stream intake were women. We encourage the retention of women through a number of initiatives including flexible/part-time work, job sharing, career breaks of up to five years, subsidised nursery facilities and holiday play schemes for school children. The FCO has been a member of the national opportunity 2000 campaign since 1992.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision is available
  87
  to employees of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27578]

  Mr. Hanley
  Provisions of employees of the FCO and its executive agencies are as follows.

  (a) Maternity leave and (b) Maternity pay

  There are three elements:

  Paid maternity leave (MATL)

  Statutory maternity pay (SMP)

  Unpaid maternity leave (MUPL)

  Three months plus one week on full salary, in one continuous period to include the date of confinement, the criteria being that the officer:

  is not employed on a casual, standby or short notice appointment, or on a fixed-term appointment of less than two years

  has been employed by the civil service for at least one year and is not on extended unpaid leave immediately before maternity leave would start

  intends to return to work after the confinement agrees in writing to repay payments for maternity leave if she does not return to work.

  SMP

  Paid for 18 weeks, although for those eligible for MATL 14 weeks of this would be offset by full pay, providing the officer is serving in the United Kingdom.

  MUPL

  An officer may take unpaid maternity leave subject to the total period of MATL, SMP and MUPL not exceeding 52 weeks. In addition employees can apply for further special unpaid leave up to a maximum of five years.

  (c) Paternity leave

  Two days to be taken at the time of confinement, or during the weeks immediately afterwards.

  (d) Parental leave

  Special leave with pay may be authorised to arrange an adoption and care for a newly adopted child.

  (e) Flexible working hours

  A flexible working hours—FWH—scheme is in operation, though not in overseas posts.

  In the FCO heads of Department have discretion to operate the scheme in their Department or in sections of it. Any established or casual—minimum three months' contract—non-industrial member of staff can opt to join an operating FWH scheme.

  In the Overseas Development Administration, a FWH scheme is available to all permanent UK staff.

  (f) Part-time work and (g) Job sharing

  Both are available to all staff serving in the UK and any requests are considered within the constraints of operational requirements.

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  Up to one week's leave may be granted for the short-term care at home of sick children. For longer-term care staff can apply for up to 5 years' special unpaid leave.

  88

  (i) Home working

  Home working is permitted; each application is considered individually, taking account of the reasons for the request, security implications and operational requirements.

  (j) Term time contracts and (k) Annual hours contracts

  No such contracts are in operation.

  (l) Workplace nurseries

  The FCO subsidises 10 places at a nursery run by the Westminster Children's Society for children from 6 months to 5 years. There is an on-site nursery at the FCO's Hanslope park site. The FCO and ODA use the Westminster holiday playscheme for children from five to 12 years. The ODA provides one of the sites for the holiday playscheme but does not offer nursery provision. The ODA's Scottish headquarters operates a playscheme for children aged five to 14 years.

  (m) Child care allowances

  In the FCO child care allowances are not paid to staff serving in the UK. For staff serving overseas there is an element in the cost of living and representational allowances to compensate for any increased childcare costs. The level of provision is calculated by an allowances inspector on the basis of local costs and the needs of the job.

  In the ODA officers can claim reimbursement of additional child care expenses necessarily incurred as a result of their: attending a residential training courses; travelling for the office on a short-term visit; or attending a training course on a day on which they do not usually work.

  (n) Carers' leave

  Up to one week's leave may be granted for the serious illness of a relative or dependent, or for the short-term care at home of a close relative or dependent. For longer-term care staff can apply for up to five years' special unpaid leave.

  (o) Career break schemes

  Special unpaid leave for a maximum of five years in aggregate. Each application is considered on its merits.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27579]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer.

  Turkey (Human Rights)
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the steps that he thinks the UN Commission on Human Rights should be taking to address the continuing instance of human rights violations in Turkey. [27694]

  Mr. David Davis
  The presidency statement at the UN Commission on Human Rights, to which we contributed, including a number of steps which we hope the Turkish Government will take to improve the human rights situation in Turkey. Agreement to fix a date for the visits by the special rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights is among these.

  Yugoslavia (Diplomatic Relations)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the recent appointment of a British ambassador in Belgrade; and when he expects a Yugoslav ambassador to the UK to be in post. [27969]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The United Kingdom recognised the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—FRY—on 9 April 1996. We have now appointed our chargé d'affaires in Belgrade as ambassador. We expect the FRY to appoint an ambassador to the UK shortly.

  Grants and Loans
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28188]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have provided no grants or loans to businesses.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Foulridge Wharf Bridge
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the canal bridge at Foulridge wharf as forming part of a heritage museum site. [27170]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend has decided to accept the advice of English Heritage, her statutory advisers on listing matters, that this bridge is not of special architectural or historic interest and she will not therefore be adding it to the statutory list.

  Lottery Funding (Southwark)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the projects within the London borough of Southwark that have received funding from each of the national lottery funds. [27426]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, 19 awards totalling £63.6 million have been made to projects within the London borough of Southwark. The information is contained in the following table:

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Amount

  Arts

  21 September 1995

  William Penn Steel Band

  29,357.00

  Arts

  16 October 1995

  Shakespeare's Globe Trust

  12,400,000.00

  Arts

  23 November 1995

  Opera Factory

  41,470.00

  Arts

  6 February 1996

  Bankside Gallery Ltd.

  17,000.00

  Arts

  6 February 1996

  Strathcona Theatre Company

  44,059.00

  Arts

  11 April 1996

  Method and Madness

  411,375.00

  MC

  30 October 1995

  Tate Gallery of Modern Art

  50,000,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  12th Camberwell Scouts

  27,406.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Amott Road Pre-School Nursery

  800.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Bird in the Bush Community Centre

  21,414.00

  90

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Amount

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Dachwyng Supplementary School

  12,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Downtown Community Project

  30,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Edward Henry Housing Co-op

  4,500.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Elephant Jobs Charity

  57,850.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Pelican Estate Tenants and Residents Association

  5,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Southwark Victim Support scheme

  25,500.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  The Lorrimore

  172,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  The Southwark Branch of Arthritis Care

  3,000.00

  Sports

  6 December 1995

  London Borough of Southwark

  350,000.00

  Totals

  (19 awards)

  63,652,731.00

  Greenwich Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much national lottery funding has been allocated to the Greenwich millennium exhibition project by each of the funds. [27428]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Millennium Commission has announced, in principle, a commitment of up to £200 million in lottery grant to the exhibition; the remaining capital and operating cost will be raised from other sources.

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the space footage and cost of office space rented by her Department and its agencies and the number of her Department or agencies' buildings partly, or fully unoccupied together with the square footage of that unoccupied office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27733]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department and its agencies fully occupy 97,670 sq ft. of office square on which we will pay £520,857 in respect of service charges for the year 1996–97. The rents paid for Government offices are a commercial in confidence matter between the Government and their landlords

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has evaluated of(a) BSE being hereditary and (b) BSE infecting land; and if he will make a statement. [23562]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 3 April 1996]: MAFF has funded research into the possible heritability of BSE. Details of this study have been published as "A study of the inheritance of susceptibility to bovine spongiform encephalopathy" by Wijeratne W. V. S. and Curnow R. N., in The Veterinary Record in 1990, vol. 126, p5–8, and "The incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the progeny of affected sires and dams" by R. N. Curnow

  91
  and C. M. Hau, in The Veterinary Record on 27 April 1996, p407–408. Investigation of any association between bulls used in artificial insemination and incidence of BSE in offspring has also been carried out. This work is an ongoing part of the epidemiological monitoring, and has not identified any evidence of heritability. It has been published in part in "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Related Diseases—An Epidemiological Overview" by J. Wilesmith, in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 1994, vol. 42, p1–8. No heritable mutations that result in spontaneous or heritable BSE have been identified in bovines.

  There is no evidence of any link between BSE transmission and possibly contaminated land. Were this to occur, it would be seen as horizontal transmission of the disease from cattle to cattle. This is not seen. Details of this work was published in The Veterinary Record on 1 April 1995, p312 Hoinville et al. A copy of the paper was also annexed to the May 1995 progress report to Parliament, which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce the Narang test to identify cattle infected with BSE before they are destroyed. [25909]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Members for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) and for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 26 April 1996, Official Report, column 325.

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many BSE-infected cow carcases have been dumped in the Attlebridge tip in Norfolk. [27410]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]: Approximately 360 carcases of BSE suspect animals were disposed of at the Attlebridge tip between September 1988 and December 1990. No carcases have been disposed there since 1990. Only three BSE carcases have been disposed of by burial since the end of 1991; these were all on remote sites where the preferred option—incineration in specialist plant—was not practicable.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost of the slaughter of cattle of five years old and above in herds in Scotland which have had an incidence of BSE. [23364]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I have been asked to reply. It is estimated that there are just over 149,000 animals aged five years or above in Scotland in herds which have an incidence of BSE. Slaughtering animals alone at a cost of about £50 per head would cost around £7.5 million. More substantial would be the economic costs to the meat and dairy industries and compensation to farmers for losses of stock and replacement.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the directives which have affected his Department in each of the past three years and(a) the United Kingdom legislation introduced as a result of the directive, (b) the United Kingdom legislation which goes beyond the minimum standards set out in the
  92
  directive and (c) the clauses within each piece of United Kingdom legislation which amplify the minimum standards set out in the directive. [27081]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The directives made in the years 1993 to 1995 and involving the Ministry's policy responsibilities are as follows:

  1993

  93/1/EEC, 93/5/EEC, 93/8/EEC, 93/9/EEC, 93/10, EEC, 93/17/EEC, 93/19/EEC, 93/23/EEC, 93/24/EEC, 93/25/EEC, 93/26/EEC, 93/27/EEC, 93/28/EEC, 93/35/EEC, 93/40/EEC, 93/43/EEC, 93/45, EEC, 93/48/EEC, 93/49/EEC, 93/50/EEC, 93/51/EEC, 93/52/EEC, 93/53/EEC, 93/54/EEC, 93/55/EEC, 93/56/EEC, 93/57/EEC, 93/58/EEC, 93/60/EEC, 93/61/EEC, 93/62/EEC, 93/64/EEC, 93/66/EEC, 93/69/EEC, 93/70/EEC, 93/71/EEC, 93/74/EEC, 93/77/EEC, 93/78/EEC, 93/79/EEC, 93/85/EEC, 93/99/EEC, 93/102/EEC, 93/106/EEC, 93/107/EEC, 93/110/EEC, 93/111/EEC, 93/113, EEC, 93/114, EEC, 93/117/EEC, 93/118/EEC, 93/119/EEC, 93/120/EEC, 93/121/EEC.

  1994

  94/13/EC, 94/I4/EC, 94/15/EC, 94/16/EC, 94/17/EC, 94/28/EC, 94/29/EC, 94/30/EC, 94/34/EC, 94/35/EC, 94/36/EC, 94/37/EC, 94/39/EC, 94/40/EC, 94/41/EC, 94/42/EC, 94/43/EC, 94/50/EC, 94/51/EC, 94/52/EC, 94/54/EC, 94/59/EC, 94/64/EC, 94/65/EC, 94/70/EC, 94/77/EC.

  1995

  95/2/EC, 95/4/EC, 95/5/EC, 95/6/EC, 95/8/EC, 95/9/EC, 95/10/EC, 95/11/EC, 95/29/EC, 95/31/EC, 95/33/EC, 95/35/EC, 95/36/EC, 95/37/EC, 95/38/EC, 95/39/EC, 95/40/EC, 95/4 I/EC, 95/42/EC, 95/44/EC, 95/45/EC, 95/52/EC, 95/53/EC, 95/61/EC, 95/65/EC, 95/66/EC, 95/68/EC, 95/69/EC, 95/70/EC, 95/71/EC, 95/212/EC, 95/498/EC.

  The cost of providing the other information sought would be disproportionate.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations the Government have made to the intergovernmental conference about reforming the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy. [27499]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government's approach to the 1996 intergovernmental conference was set out in the White Paper, "A Partnership of Nations". This explained that efforts to secure further reforms of the common agricultural policy would continue in parallel with the intergovernmental conference since such reforms do not require treaty change. The White Paper also made clear the Government's determination to achieve improvements in the operation of the common fisheries policy, including addressing the problem of quota hoppers. If necessary, proposals for amending the treaty to deal with this problem will be submitted to the conference in due course.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost of work required to be done by slaughterhouses operating under temporary derogations from the Fresh Meat (Hygiene Inspection) Regulations 1992 to enable them to meet the standards designated by the regulations. [27857]

  Mrs. Browning
  This information is not available. The cost of bringing slaughterhouses up to the structural standards laid down in the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and
  93
  Inspection) Regulations 1995, which replaced the 1992 regulations, is a matter for the individual plant operator. It will depend on the nature and extent of the structural work required at each premises and the way in which each operator whose premises is operating at present under a temporarily derogated licence decides to meet the required standards.

  General information on the likely costs of meeting the standards laid down is however, contained in the compliance cost assessment on the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations. This was placed in the Library of the House when these regulations were laid before the Parliament on 9 March 1995.

  Grants and Loans
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28184]

  Mr. Boswell
  There is a range of grant and loan schemes provided by the Ministry for businesses and individuals. These are summarised, with guidance to applicants, in the Department's publication, "At the Farmers' Service", a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member. This booklet sets out also the main common agricultural policy support schemes and their eligibility criteria.

  Hares
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to(a) protect the brown hare and (b) ban hare coursing. [27503]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  £ million

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (a) Total Social Security benefit expenditure

  66,382

  75,336

  82,427

  84,866

  88,787

  (b) Total means tested benefit expenditure

  20,328

  25,518

  28,707

  30,308

  31,625

  "b" expressed as a percentage of "a"

  31 per cent.

  34 per cent.

  35 per cent.

  36 per cent.

  36 per cent.

  Note:

  1. Estimated outturn figures are given for 1995–96.

  Source:

  Departmental Report March 1996 (Tables 1 and 3).

  War Pensioners
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many war pensioners have had their allowance for lowered standard of occupation cancelled as a result of his recent changed of practice. [27543]

  Mr. Heald
  To date, a total of 1,285 awards have been withdrawn.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of setting up an EDS computer system for the Child Support Agency; and what have been its monthly running costs since April 1993. [27406]
  94
  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Government's statutory scientific conservation advisors, commissioned a survey of brown hares between 1991 and 1993. The survey found that while there had been a decline in hare numbers since the 1960s it was not clear if numbers were continuing to decline. The survey concluded that hare coursing had affected only a small proportion of populations and did not pose a threat to national populations.

  The biodiversity steering group, chaired by my Department, was set up to advise Government on costed targets for the UK's most threatened and declining species and habitats. The group published its findings on 13 December 1995. "Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report" includes a costed action plan for the brown hare. The plan proposes a number of actions to maintain and expand existing populations, with the aim of doubling spring numbers in Britain by 2010.

  The Government will publish their response to the report shortly.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the upper earnings limit was last increased for claimants of invalid care allowance. [27384]

  Mr. Burt
  The earnings limit increased from £40 to £50 with effect from 12 April 1993.

  Means Testing
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the cash value of all benefits paid out were means tested, in each of the last five years. [27443]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is set out in the table.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, the contracts and agreements currently held with EDS for the Child Support Agency computer system are as follows:

  Start date

  End date

  CSA Operational Accounting System

  7 March 1992

  31 March 2002

  CSA Maintenance Assessment

  8 July 1992

  31 March 2002

  CSA Software Support Services

  7 March 1992

  31 March 2002

  CSA Technical Services

  1 May 1997

  31 March 1997

  The monthly running costs, and the value of individual contracts and agreements is commercial in confidence.

  95
  The total value of the above projects is estimated as £23 million.

  On 1 June 1995, EDS was awarded a 10-year contract for the provision of Data Centre Services for the whole of the DSS—including CSA. This contract is volume/output based. The value depends on future levels of business.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27601]

  (2) what provision is available to employees of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27600]

  Mr. Burt
  A woman employed on a permanent appointment, or a fixed-term appointment of two years or more, with at least one year's paid service and who contracts to return to work after her childbirth is entitled to three months and one week paid maternity leave and a maximum of 52 weeks continuous paid and unpaid maternity leave. Fathers are allowed a minimum of two days paternity leave, except in the Contributions Agency, where a minimum of five days is allowed.

  In all parts of the Department, staff may apply for career breaks to care for children under 16 or elderly relatives, for special leave to (among other things) care for sick children, to work part time, either on a term-time basis or any other pattern, to job share or to work from home. For all these provisions staff apply to their line managers who deal with applications sympathetically, having regards to the needs of the member of staff, the merits of each case and the needs of the business. In addition, flexible working hours are available to most staff in the Department. Business units are free to appoint staff on annual hours contracts or to work part time or to work from home if that meets their business needs.

  Workplace nurseries are provided at various locations throughout the Department where an acceptable business case has been made, funds exist and the facilities provide value for money. Staff may claim family care expenses for any reasonable and unavoidable extra family care expenses where they are required to be away from home on official business outside their normal working hours.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) internal and (b) external research projects funded or part-funded by his Department which assess the impact of claimants representation at (a) social security appeal tribunals and (b) medical appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [27778]

  Mr. Burt
  We are not funding or part-funding any such research projects. Details of the research programme are published annually in the research yearbook a copy of which is in the Library.

  Outreach Workers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people working as dedicated customer service staff, on an outreach basis, under Benefits Agency officers in Wales have recently been, or are to be, redeployed; and if he will make a statement on the provision of information to potential beneficiaries under the disability living allowance scheme in rural areas. [27149]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 1 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people working as dedicated customer service staff, on an outreach basis, under Benefit Agency (BA) officers in Wales have recently been, or are to be, redeployed; and if he will make a statement on the provision of information to potential beneficiaries under the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Scheme in rural areas.

  Customer service staff are located in all BA Districts in Wales, where outreach work forms an integral part of their duties. Staff are not dedicated solely to outreach work, however there are currently 317.47 fulltime equivalent posts employed in customer services in Wales. No decisions have been made as yet to the possible redeployment of any customer service staff.

  There are seventy-five Benefits Agency outlets in Wales. Customers may obtain benefit advice, including advice on the DLA Scheme, by telephone, face-to-face interview or by post. Benefit information in the form of leaflets, is available in Post Offices and the option of a home visit by a Benefits Agency officer is available if required.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mental Illness
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list(a) the number of claimants and (b) the expenditure on invalidity benefit and incapacity benefit resulting from mental illness for each year since 1990–91; [27973]

  (2) if he will list (a) the number of claimants and (b) the expenditure on invalidity and incapacity benefit due to disability, excluding mental illness, for each year since 1990–91. [27966]

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure data for invalidity benefit and incapacity benefit cannot be broken down by medical condition. Some information on the numbers of claimants
  97
  with mental disorders is available for invalidity benefit and is set out in the table. Comparable information for incapacity benefit is not yet available.

  Claimants incapacitated on the last day of the statistical period in connection with a claim for invalidity benefit

  Date

  Mental disorder

  Other incapacities excluding mental disorder

  30 March 1991

  207,000

  1,099,000

  4 April 1992

  228,000

  1,211,000

  3 April 1993

  258,000

  1,322,000

  2 April 1994

  278,000

  1,403,000

  1. Figures are taken form a 1 per cent. sample of all invalidity benefit claims in Great Britain, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was(a)the number of claimants and (b) the expenditure on income support due to disability, excluding mental illness, for each year since 1990–91; [27965]

  (2) if he will list (a) the number of claimants and (b) the expenditure on income support due to mental illness in each year since 1990–91. [27967]

  Mr. Evans
  The information to identify how many income support claimants suffer from a mental illness is not available.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make changes to the Benefits Agency out-of-hours emergency payments service. [27831]

  In-work expenditure from 1980–81 to 1987–88

  £ million

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  FIS/family credit

  42

  66

  94

  123

  126

  130

  161

  180

  Disability working allowance

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Housing benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Community charge benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Council tax benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  42

  66

  94

  123

  126

  130

  161

  180

  In-work expenditure from 1988–89 to 1994–95

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  FIS/Family credit

  394

  425

  494

  626

  929

  1,208

  1,441

  Disability working allowance

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  7

  11

  Housing benefit

  0

  0

  340

  395

  525

  600

  700

  Community charge benefit

  0

  0

  170

  80

  95

  0

  0

  Council tax benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  130

  140

  Total

  394

  425

  1,004

  1,101

  1,552

  1,945

  2,292

  Notes:

  1. Amounts expressed in cash prices.

  2. Amounts for housing benefit, community charge benefit and council tax benefit include expenditure on recipients who work, but who also get income support.

  Source:

  1. Social Security Department report 1995–96 and its predecessors.

  2. Housing benefit management system annual inquiry (sample 1 per cent.).
  98
  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter form Peter Mathison to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 2 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what plans he has to make changes to the Benefits Agency (BA) out-of-hours emergency payments service.

  As you will be aware I recently outlined the BA's plans for the future delivery of social security benefits based on the BA vision of "right money to the right person at the right time, every time".

  It is against this background that the Agency decided to review the need for the out of hours service and the London Emergency Office which provides a service to customers at night and weekends. A decision on its viability is expected later this year.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Grants and Loans
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria that they have to meet to obtain the subsidy. [28192]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department of Social Security does not provide grants or loans to businesses.

  In-work Benefits
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total annual expenditure on in-work benefits for each of the last 15 years. [27930]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the tables.
  99
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a breakdown of the expenditure on in-work benefits for each year since 1980 in net present values. [28083]

  In-work benefit expenditure from 1980–81 to 1987–88

  £ million

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  FIS/Family credit

  91

  131

  174

  217

  212

  207

  249

  264

  Disability working allowance

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Housing benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Community charge benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Council tax benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  91

  131

  174

  217

  212

  207

  249

  264

  In-work benefit expenditure from 1988–89 to 1994–95

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  FIS/Family credit

  543

  547

  589

  702

  1,000

  1,264

  1,480

  Disability working allowance

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  8

  12

  Housing benefit

  0

  0

  405

  443

  566

  628

  719

  Community charge benefit

  0

  0

  202

  90

  102

  0

  0

  Council tax benefit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  136

  144

  Total

  543

  547

  1,196

  1,235

  1,672

  2,036

  2,355

  Notes:

  1. Real terms figures calculated using the GDP deflator published in the November 1995 FSBR.

  2. Amounts for housing benefit, community charge benefit and council tax benefit include expenditure on recipients who work, but who also get income support.

  Source:

  1. Social Security departmental report 1995–96 and its predecessors.

  2. Housing benefit management system annual inquiry (sample I per cent.)

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Sport
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of secondary schools which play regularly organised(a) cricket, (b) football and (c) rugby football. [27267]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 26 April 1996]: This information is not collected centrally. The national curriculum requires that all pupils aged 11 to 16 should pursue games as part of their physical education. Precisely which games are taught is a matter for schools themselves to decide.

  Evidence from the Office for Standards in Education inspections shows that the overwhelming majority of secondary schools offer traditional team games to their pupils, both within curriculum time and as extra-curricular activity.

  Left-handed Children
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the number of left-handed children of school age; [27864]

  (2) if she will make it her policy to provide equal opportunity at schools for left-handed pupils; [27867]

  (3) if she will conduct a study of the special educational needs of left-handed pupils. [27868]
  100
  Mr. burt
  The information is in the table.

  Mrs. Gillan
  Left-handedness is not recognised as a special educational need within the meaning of the Education Acts. Provisions relating to pupils with special educational needs apply equally to left-handed and right-handed pupils. The Department does not collect information on the number of left-handed pupils, and has no plans to conduct a study on the special educational needs of such pupils. If my hon. Friend wishes to write to me with details of any case causing him concern, I shall gladly look into it.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans she has to help teachers respond appropriately to the special requirements of left-handed pupils, with particular reference to assisting them in avoiding discomfort in writing; [27866]

  (2) for what reasons dealing with left-handedness is not among the criteria she specifies for teacher training; [27869]

  (3) what assessment she has made of the relative advantage of teaching strategies for coping with left-handedness in pupils during (a) initial training, (b) induction and (c) service. [27865]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Teaching methods and arrangements for the induction and inservice training of teachers are not centrally prescribed. It is for schools and teachers to determine the most effective way to ensure they meet the needs of all their pupils, using the resources available to them. The Secretary of State specifies broad criteria for courses of initial teacher training, including the need for new teachers to be able to respond to relevant
  101
  individual differences between pupils. Institutions accredited to provide such courses are responsible for meeting these criteria. All schools and courses of initial teacher training are subject to independent inspection followed by published reports.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to harmonise the rates and rules governing TEC-funded training programmes with Further Education Funding Council funding for colleges; when she expects the research funded by her Department from the Further Education Funding Council on the inequalities in the funding mechanism to be finalised and published; and if she will make a statement. [27776]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government are committed to raising participation and attainment by young people in education and training and promoting fair competition between providers. In support of this agenda, they are investigating whether there is a case for encouraging a more consistent approach to funding methodologies across school sixth forms, further education sector colleges and work-based training for young people, and to funding levels for similar qualifications in the different sectors.

  We have already published for discussion an initial analysis of the comparative public funding cost per qualification achieved by 16 to 19-year-olds in each of the three sectors and placed a copy in the Library.

  We are refining this initial analysis and considering the scope for convergence of funding methodologies across 16 to 19 provision in consultation with the Further Education Funding Council, the Training and Enterprise Council national council, local authority associations and others.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums have been provided in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 to fund the range of advice and information centres and other schemes run directly or indirectly by Barnsley and Doncaster TEC; and what assessment she has made of the cost-effectiveness of transferring these funds in future years to careers services. [27634]

  Mr. Paice
  In 1995–96, training and enterprise councils had flexibility to use up to 2.7 per cent. of the training for work budget provided by the Department to fund local adult advice and guidance services. Barnsley and Doncaster TEC exercised this flexibility to devote £336,280 towards the funding of the advice and information centre—"Skillshops"—run directly by the TEC. The TEC also received £41,000 for an access to assessment project and £28,331 for a gateway to learning project.

  In 1996–97, TECs have flexibility to use up to 1 per cent. of their training for work budget to fund local adult advice and guidance services. It will be for Barnsley and Doncaster TEC to decide whether to exercise this flexibility and, if so, how the services might be delivered.

  In 1996–96, Barnsley and Doncaster TEC also received funding in respect of advice and information services for young people, comprising £377,044 for careers guidance delivered by careers services to pupils in years 9 and 10;
  102
  and £14,748 to enhance careers libraries in schools and colleges. For 1996–97, all funding for careers advice and guidance for young people in Barnsley and Doncaster is being routed through Lifetime Careers (Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham) Ltd., the company which is contracted to provide careers services in Barnsley and Doncaster.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements she intends to introduce to restore the eligibility of self-employed disabled people to apply for support under the access to work scheme. [27623]

  Mr. Paice
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in her announcement on 26 March,Official Report, columns 489–91, we are considering this issue further.

  Office for Standards in Education
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what mechanisms of accountability are available to measure performance and ensure value for money for Ofsted. [27632]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  These are matters for the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead, Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, to write to the hon. Member.

  Standard Spending Assessment Calculations
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent, and for what reasons, standard spending assessment calculations for local authority education budgets differentiate between spending per pupil in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [27630]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The main determinant of the differential between the primary and secondary allowances per pupil in the education standard spending assessment calculations is the differential in the national pattern of local education authorities—LEA—reported spending between the sectors. The standard spending assessment allocations are not hypothecated: LEAs can and do deploy the resources available to them on a different basis.

  Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is(a) the total number and (b) the number in each LEA of (i) head teachers, (ii) deputy head teachers and (iii) teachers who have taken early retirement on the ground of ill health in each year since 1991; and if she will make a statement. [27832]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 2 May 1996]: The table shows the retirements on ill health grounds for England and each local education authority—LEA—area, from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special education sector, including grant-maintained schools, for the financial years 1991–92 to 1994–95, the most recent year for which this information is available.
  103
  Separate figures are provided for head teachers, deputy head teachers and classroom teachers. The table is restricted to members of the teachers' superannuation

  Ill health retirements from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special education sector

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Financial year of award

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Corporation of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  2

  0

  7

  3

  0

  7

  1

  0

  10

  3

  1

  16

  Greenwich

  0

  0

  10

  0

  3

  10

  2

  0

  9

  2

  0

  15

  Hackney

  1

  1

  7

  1

  1

  5

  0

  1

  6

  0

  0

  14

  Hammersmith

  0

  2

  5

  0

  3

  5

  2

  0

  9

  2

  1

  20

  Islington

  1

  1

  7

  0

  0

  12

  1

  0

  4

  2

  0

  13

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  4

  Lambeth

  1

  5

  7

  0

  0

  8

  1

  1

  18

  1

  1

  10

  Lewisham

  0

  2

  15

  2

  0

  10

  0

  0

  14

  0

  1

  13

  Southwark

  0

  1

  11

  0

  1

  13

  3

  1

  16

  1

  1

  11

  Tower Hamlets

  0

  0

  7

  1

  1

  8

  2

  0

  12

  1

  0

  14

  Wandsworth

  0

  1

  8

  0

  3

  10

  1

  1

  14

  2

  4

  14

  Westminster

  0

  0

  10

  0

  2

  10

  0

  0

  6

  1

  1

  10

  Barking

  2

  1

  6

  0

  0

  8

  2

  0

  15

  0

  0

  12

  Bamet

  2

  1

  7

  2

  1

  11

  2

  0

  8

  1

  2

  19

  Bexley

  0

  0

  7

  0

  2

  14

  3

  3

  9

  2

  2

  11

  Brent

  0

  0

  9

  1

  0

  6

  0

  0

  7

  0

  1

  9

  Bromley

  3

  1

  7

  1

  1

  7

  3

  1

  11

  1

  0

  11

  Croydon

  2

  1

  13

  0

  1

  15

  1

  1

  21

  0

  3

  21

  Ealing

  0

  0

  15

  0

  0

  13

  2

  1

  6

  0

  0

  8

  Enfield

  1

  0

  11

  1

  0

  6

  0

  2

  5

  1

  1

  14

  Haringey

  0

  0

  5

  0

  1

  5

  1

  0

  4

  1

  1

  12

  Harrow

  1

  0

  8

  1

  2

  8

  2

  1

  10

  3

  2

  18

  Havering

  0

  1

  16

  0

  1

  19

  3

  2

  13

  1

  2

  14

  Hillingdon

  2

  2

  18

  0

  1

  13

  0

  0

  5

  0

  1

  7

  Hounslow

  2

  1

  8

  1

  0

  12

  0

  0

  13

  5

  0

  16

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  6

  1

  0

  6

  Merton

  1

  0

  3

  1

  0

  4

  0

  1

  10

  1

  0

  6

  Newham

  0

  0

  5

  1

  0

  8

  1

  0

  8

  1

  1

  14

  Redbridge

  2

  1

  8

  1

  0

  4

  1

  0

  7

  1

  2

  9

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  1

  4

  1

  0

  3

  2

  0

  8

  0

  1

  7

  Sutton

  2

  0

  3

  0

  1

  3

  0

  1

  4

  0

  0

  10

  Waltham Forest

  1

  0

  8

  2

  2

  7

  3

  2

  18

  2

  0

  12

  Birmingham

  9

  10

  67

  5

  6

  78

  5

  8

  81

  5

  7

  89

  Coventry

  1

  3

  33

  1

  2

  23

  0

  4

  34

  1

  1

  35

  Dudley

  0

  1

  12

  2

  3

  16

  2

  2

  12

  1

  2

  17

  Sandwell

  3

  2

  18

  0

  3

  20

  2

  2

  33

  3

  5

  35

  Solihull

  0

  2

  13

  2

  1

  16

  0

  1

  13

  5

  2

  17

  Walsall

  0

  0

  18

  2

  5

  21

  0

  2

  21

  4

  4

  23

  Wolverhampton

  5

  3

  15

  6

  2

  41

  3

  6

  22

  6

  6

  21

  Knowsley

  3

  1

  17

  0

  1

  13

  2

  2

  17

  0

  1

  15

  Liverpool

  2

  4

  44

  4

  4

  38

  8

  3

  51

  6

  3

  36

  St. Helens

  1

  0

  14

  3

  2

  28

  1

  1

  30

  3

  2

  25

  Sefton

  1

  4

  22

  4

  2

  28

  7

  3

  33

  7

  0

  24

  Wirral

  3

  4

  26

  3

  1

  15

  3

  4

  22

  4

  0

  24

  Bolton

  2

  3

  21

  4

  2

  24

  2

  3

  28

  3

  3

  31

  Bury

  0

  1

  8

  1

  1

  11

  2

  1

  15

  2

  2

  18

  Manchester

  4

  6

  28

  5

  3

  43

  5

  4

  43

  3

  1

  43

  Oldham

  0

  1

  14

  0

  1

  16

  1

  0

  27

  0

  3

  18

  Rochdale

  4

  3

  17

  3

  0

  13

  4

  4

  24

  4

  3

  21

  Salford

  0

  1

  18

  0

  3

  16

  2

  8

  20

  1

  2

  18

  Stockport

  2

  1

  31

  1

  4

  28

  5

  2

  37

  0

  5

  38

  Tameside

  4

  1

  10

  1

  5

  12

  1

  1

  19

  5

  4

  21

  Trafford

  1

  2

  9

  0

  3

  16

  4

  1

  23

  0

  4

  19

  Wigan

  4

  0

  17

  0

  3

  13

  6

  1

  33

  3

  3

  18

  Barnsley

  4

  2

  14

  3

  1

  16

  0

  2

  24

  5

  3

  24

  Doncaster

  3

  3

  15

  3

  0

  18

  3

  1

  26

  2

  4

  22

  Rotherham

  0

  3

  16

  0

  0

  18

  3

  0

  21

  0

  3

  22

  Sheffield

  3

  3

  28

  3

  4

  25

  5

  4

  38

  4

  3

  26

  Bradford

  7

  4

  42

  4

  3

  36

  5

  8

  45

  3

  4

  39

  Calderdale

  4

  2

  14

  2

  1

  15

  6

  0

  17

  3

  2

  26

  Kirklees

  2

  3

  25

  2

  2

  40

  8

  6

  51

  5

  4

  42

  Leeds

  2

  4

  39

  4

  2

  41

  4

  7

  69

  3

  4

  67

  Wakefield

  7

  2

  37

  3

  3

  37

  2

  4

  41

  2

  4

  33

  Gateshead

  0

  1

  10

  0

  2

  18

  1

  0

  18

  1

  1

  19

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5

  2

  35

  0

  3

  16

  3

  4

  14

  5

  0

  16

  North Tyneside

  0

  2

  15

  2

  0

  15

  2

  1

  15

  3

  0

  13

  South Tyneside

  1

  1

  12

  2

  4

  14

  2

  3

  14

  2

  3

  12

  Sunderland

  2

  3

  26

  3

  7

  30

  6

  3

  32

  2

  4

  36

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  104
  scheme in full-time, part-time or occasional service at 31 March immediately before the financial year in which they retired.
  105

  Ill health retirements from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special education sector

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Financial year of award

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Heads

  Deputy heads

  Other

  Avon

  5

  5

  49

  7

  5

  39

  8

  7

  62

  15

  8

  55

  Bedfordshire

  5

  4

  28

  6

  1

  30

  6

  3

  28

  8

  5

  31

  Berkshire

  8

  6

  39

  6

  5

  31

  3

  7

  48

  10

  4

  43

  Buckinghamshire

  8

  7

  21

  4

  3

  22

  8

  3

  34

  9

  2

  46

  Cambridgeshire

  8

  5

  22

  4

  6

  27

  6

  3

  22

  4

  5

  49

  Cheshire

  7

  3

  58

  9

  5

  49

  12

  7

  64

  11

  15

  74

  Cleveland

  3

  3

  55

  4

  7

  74

  6

  13

  68

  9

  6

  67

  Cornwall

  8

  6

  31

  5

  2

  37

  8

  2

  26

  4

  3

  32

  Cumbria

  5

  4

  36

  5

  4

  22

  5

  4

  34

  7

  1

  31

  Derbyshire

  10

  6

  59

  3

  1

  54

  9

  3

  52

  16

  9

  47

  Devon

  8

  5

  64

  6

  8

  67

  14

  11

  70

  15

  11

  88

  Dorset

  5

  5

  30

  6

  5

  43

  3

  3

  31

  4

  6

  45

  Durham

  5

  9

  38

  1

  8

  53

  6

  5

  51

  13

  9

  60

  East Sussex

  4

  7

  31

  4

  5

  41

  5

  6

  46

  11

  4

  54

  Essex

  4

  11

  81

  6

  12

  79

  12

  16

  103

  16

  9

  121

  Gloucestershire

  3

  1

  24

  5

  4

  20

  5

  5

  31

  5

  3

  28

  Hampshire

  10

  11

  97

  15

  9

  110

  10

  13

  140

  16

  8

  151

  Hereford and Worcester

  8

  10

  47

  12

  7

  50

  11

  11

  58

  14

  10

  78

  Hertfordshire

  4

  6

  63

  12

  3

  45

  5

  5

  52

  14

  9

  73

  Humberside

  2

  6

  51

  5

  5

  62

  3

  3

  46

  15

  7

  88

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  7

  0

  1

  3

  2

  3

  3

  2

  2

  7

  Kent

  15

  15

  92

  19

  17

  107

  17

  8

  111

  16

  7

  143

  Lancashire

  14

  18

  112

  16

  12

  109

  24

  13

  156

  24

  19

  146

  Leicestershire

  8

  4

  57

  5

  2

  45

  7

  6

  51

  10

  7

  58

  Lincolnshire

  11

  9

  49

  10

  6

  29

  12

  6

  46

  4

  6

  58

  Norfolk

  9

  10

  52

  9

  7

  43

  13

  8

  56

  15

  7

  42

  North Yorkshire

  6

  3

  44

  6

  4

  26

  9

  9

  40

  14

  8

  56

  Northamptonshire

  4

  2

  35

  5

  4

  34

  8

  4

  61

  14

  4

  51

  Northumberland

  4

  2

  18

  4

  6

  15

  6

  4

  24

  6

  4

  18

  Nottinghamshire

  12

  5

  74

  13

  9

  79

  5

  12

  73

  13

  3

  82

  Oxfordshire

  5

  2

  25

  4

  6

  29

  6

  2

  28

  10

  4

  36

  Shropshire

  5

  2

  28

  3

  1

  31

  6

  3

  44

  6

  5

  30

  Somerset

  9

  5

  41

  11

  2

  39

  8

  2

  43

  9

  8

  38

  Staffordshire

  12

  6

  79

  12

  14

  73

  15

  9

  81

  19

  9

  95

  Suffolk

  2

  4

  23

  6

  1

  33

  6

  5

  42

  11

  5

  48

  Surrey

  11

  10

  45

  6

  3

  53

  7

  11

  58

  10

  8

  52

  Warwickshire

  1

  3

  28

  3

  8

  20

  3

  4

  30

  4

  5

  41

  West Sussex

  1

  3

  34

  5

  3

  36

  5

  3

  33

  7

  5

  37

  Wiltshire

  13

  5

  32

  8

  4

  28

  13

  10

  35

  7

  3

  51

  England

  377

  339

  2,859

  368

  331

  2,927

  471

  377

  3,455

  559

  384

  3,743

  Social Charter
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which paragraphs of article 7 of the European social charter the Government have(a) accepted and (b) rejected; and, in each case, for what reason. [28102]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government have accepted paragraphs 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10 of article 7 as the UK legislation on the protection of children and young persons is in conformity with those provisions of the charter. They have not accepted paragraphs 1, 4, 7 and 8 because those provisions do not accord with UK legislation or practice and would reduce employment opportunities for young persons and increase business costs.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial assistance the Government have given to each of the authorities that have introduced nursery voucher schemes; and if she will make a statement. [28025]
  106
  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Monday 29 April 1996,Official Report, column 348.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current level of Government funding for higher education; and what was the figure in 1979 and 1989 in constant prices. [28091]

  Mr. Forth
  The current level of Government funding for higher education institutions in England is around £4,600 million. In 1989–90, at constant prices, it was just under £4,000 million. Comparable figures for 1979–80 are not readily available.

  Training (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) men and (b) women, aged from 16 to 21 years, were involved in a Government-sponsored training scheme in the Greater London area as of 31 March. [27954]
  107
  Mr. Paice
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, the total number of individuals involved in youth training programmes in London as at 31 March 1996 was 18,424. This includes youth training, youth credits and modern apprenticeships.

  Data for adults in training are not collected by age or gender.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effects of the Children Act 1994 Special Educational Needs Regulation 4 (14) (Special Needs) on the ability to statement the special educational needs of Ben Simpson in the Meriden constituency. [28069]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Education Act 1993 and the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations 1994 make provision for local education authorities in appropriate cases to assess a child's special educational needs. Regulation 14(4) relieves LEAs of the duty to comply with the statutory time limit for making a statement in certain circumstances, including the child's absence from the LEA's area. If parents are dissatisfied with an LEA's decision in respect of statutory assessment they may appeal to the independent special educational needs tribunal. If parents believe an LEA is failing to comply with a statutory duty, they may complain to the Secretary of State. The Department has received no correspondence about Ben Simpson.

  Disabled People (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number of registered disabled people living in the Greater London area as of 30 March. [27955]

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

  Letter from Robert Home to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about registered disabled people living in the Greater London area.

  I regret that it is not possible to supply the information in the form requested. However, as at 15 April 1996, the latest figures available show that there were 48,685 people registered as disabled in the Greater London area. Of this total 34,229 are male and 14,556 female.

  I hope that this information is helpful.

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision is available to employees of her Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27590]
  108
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following arrangements apply within the Department:

  (A) MATERNITY LEAVE

  To qualify for departmental unpaid maternity leave an employee must:

  Be employed on a permanent basis, as a part-year appointee, or as a recurring temporary appointee.

  Produce a maternity statement from a registered medical practitioner or certified midwife, giving the expected week of confinement.

  State that they intend to return to work after the baby is born.

  Maternity leave—paid and/or unpaid—is allowed for an overall period of 52 weeks from the start of the maternity absence.

  Casual employees have a statutory right to take a period of 14 weeks' unpaid maternity leave.

  (B) MATERNITY PAY

  In addition, meeting the qualifying criteria for unpaid maternity leave, to qualify for paid maternity leave an employee must also:

  Be in paid service at the time their maternity leave begins and have at least one year's reckonable service.

  Agree to repay any salary received, less any entitlement to statutory maternity pay for the period of maternity leave, if they fail to return to work and complete the equivalent of one month's reckonable service.

  Employees will not qualify for paid maternity leave if, immediately before beginning their maternity leave, they are on special unpaid leave, unauthorised absence, or sick leave at no pay or pension rate.

  Maternity pay is allowed for a continuous period of three calender months and one week.

  Different provisions exist for employees on recurring temporary appointments and for part-year appointees.

  Casual employees are not eligible for paid maternity leave under the civil service scheme. If the appointment is subsequently made permanent, casual service will count towards the qualifying period for paid maternity leave.

  (C) PATERNITY LEAVE

  Two day's paid paternity leave may be taken at the time of the birth, or

  during the weeks following the birth when mother and baby leave hospital.

  (D) PARENTAL LEAVE

  Adoption Leave

  Special leave may be granted to the adoptive parent(s):

  up to 20 days' paid leave may be taken either before or after the child comes into full-time care

  up to 52 weeks' unpaid leave, less any paid leave taken as above

  the leave can be taken by either parent, or shared between them

  Birth of a second or subsequent child

  Special paid leave, up to a maximum of five days may be given:

  at the birth of a baby. when alternative arrangements cannot be made to look after other small children

  Care for children

  Special paid leave up to a maximum of five days may be given when normal child minding arrangements break down unexpectedly.

  Up to three weeks' special unpaid leave may be allowed, on line manager's recommendation, to care for school-age children during school holidays, providing the leave is taken in addition to at least two weeks annual leave charted in one or more of the school holiday periods.

  109

  (E) FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS (FWH)

  The Department operates a FWH system to provide a more flexible system of attendance for all staff.

  All staff may work FWH at line management's discretion.

  (F) PART-TIME WORK

  The Department operates an equal opportunities policy whereby all posts are considered to be available on a part-time basis.

  Staff can apply to change from full-time to part-time employment to suit changing circumstances for a short period or an indefinite period.

  Entitlement to annual leave, special leave etc. is on a pro rata basis to the hours worked. Part-time staff are regarded as non-mobile.

  (G) JOB SHARING

  All posts are considered to be available on a job-sharing basis. This is a voluntary arrangement whereby a full-time post is divided into two part-time jobs. The two job holders work together and share the overall duties and responsibilities of the original full-time post.

  (H) LEAVE TO CARE FOR SICK CHILDREN

  Special leave with pay may be allowed to a member of staff to care for sick children. Medical evidence is requested to support the application if the absence is over five days.

  Line managers consider the circumstances, the operational need and discuss alternatives ie. part-time hours, working from home.

  Where longer-term nursing is required, special leave with pay may be allowed to enable staff to make suitable arrangements. Sympathetic consideration is given to requests for special leave without pay if more time is needed to make such arrangements.

  (I) HOMEWORKING

  There are three main categories of homeworking:

  1. Working part-time at home, based in an office with agreed amounts of time homeworking.

  2. Home as a base.

  3. Working at home on a permanent basis.

  Consideration is given to costs, security, communications, management of staff, health and safety, environment and facilities when a manager decides when to transfer work from a normal office environment to a home-based office.

  Staff can not be moved into a post without their agreement.

  (J) TERM-TIME WORKING

  There is provision for term-time working, providing the non-working period is not less than two weeks or more than three months.

  Dates of attendance must be agreed in writing in advance.

  Pay can be averaged out over the year or be received at the end of each month for periods actually worked. Tern-time appointments are non-mobile. Non-working periods do not count for sick absence pay, qualifying service for higher annual leave, qualifying service for maternity leave, or reckonable service for pension purposes.

  (K) ANNUAL HOURS CONTRACTS

  There is no standard arrangement for annual hours contracts although consideration would be given to all requests for alternative working patterns.

  (L) WORKPLACE NURSERIES

  The Department provides a nursery at its head quarters in Runcorn and Sheffield. Both nurseries offer 50 places and the cost to parents ranges from £5.50 per half day to £57.50 for a week. Opening hours are 8 am to 6 pm.

  There are also school holiday playschemes, which operate in Darlington, London, Runcorn and Sheffield.

  110

  (M) CHILD CARE ALLOWANCES

  Staff who have young children can apply for additional child care costs when attending a residential training course or being required to work outside their normal pattern of hours.

  (N) CARERS' LEAVE

  Special leave with pay can be allowed to help staff cope with serious illness of a partner, close relative or dependant, in order to deal with the initial emergency or care on discharge from hospital, where there is no one else available to provide the care required.

  In exceptional circumstances, special leave can be allowed to look after close relatives with minor illnesses.

  Special leave without pay can be allowed up to a maximum of six months to care for an aged/infirm relative. Periods in excess of six months may qualify for a career break.

  (O) CAREER BREAKS

  Career breaks may last for a minimum of six months to a maximum of five years. The period of unpaid leave may be extended for a further 52 weeks if a woman has a second child during the career break.

  Staff should have a good attendance record and have achieved a satisfactory performance.

  Adult Training Schemes
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was(a) the number of people and (b) the expenditure on adult training schemes as a result of unemployment caused by mental illness in each year since 1990–91; [27963]

  (2) what was (a) the number of people and (b) the expenditure on adult training schemes as a result of disability, excluding mental illness, in each year since 1990–91. [27964]

  Mr. Paice
  This information is not available.

  Thamesmead Job Club
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations her Department held, and with whom, before the decision to close the Thamesmead job club. [28333]

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

  Letter from Robert Horne to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, in the absence of the Chief Executive, about what consultations took place, and with whom, prior to the decision to close the Thamesmead Job Club.

  Unemployment levels in the District have fallen and there has, as a result, been a corresponding reduction in resources available for Job Clubs.

  The District Manager did not take the decision to close Thamesmead Job Club lightly. The decision was made on the basis of a review of all Job provision across South East London, taking into account.

  (a) the numbers of eligible unemployed people from local Jobcentres;

  (b) cost of Job Club provision;

  (c) the performance of local Job Club in helping people find jobs;

  (d) geographical location of Job Club and travel patterns.

  111
  The District Manager, his Business Managers and the Programme Providers across the District, taking full account of the demand for Job Club, took the decision to close Thamesmead to ensure an even distribution of available provision.

  All eligible clients in the District will continue to have access to a Job Club, and fares will be reimbursed.

  I hope this is helpful

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will visit Thamesmead to discuss the proposed closure of the Thamesmead job club with unemployed people in the Thamesmead area. [28330]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the closure of Thamesmead Jobclub as the issues raised fall within the operational responsibilities delegated to the Employment Service as an Executive Agency.

  The decision to close Thamesmead Jobclub was not taken lightly and was arrived at after a review of all the Jobclub provision within the District.

  In reaching the decision to close the Thamesmead Jobclub, we took into account the total number of unemployed people within the Thamesmead catchment area, the cost of the Jobclub provision, it's current performance and referral rates and the overall geographical location of the Jobclub in relation to travel to work patterns.

  My District Manager considers that there will be sufficient places available in the existing Jobclubs to meet the local need. Indeed, those attending the Thamesmead Jobclub have been offered alternative placements for which the Employment Service will reimburse their fares in full.

  In respect of your request that the Secretary of State visits the clients involved, perhaps the most appropriate course of action would be for the District Manager, Ray Nash, to meet with you and the existing Jobclub members to explain the position. Should you wish to contact him, his telephone number is 0181 308 1618.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of job clubs; [28331]

  (2) how many job clubs are currently in existence; and how many she proposes to (a) close and (b) open in the next 12 months. [28332]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  112
  Letter from Robert Home at Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 7 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your questions about Jobclubs.

  The performance of Jobclubs is assessed on a regular basis to provide information which will improve the effectiveness of the Employment Service in helping unemployed people back into work.

  Management information is collected monthly and is used to monitor the operation of the programme. The latest management information shows that in 1995/96 just over 95,500 people were placed into jobs following participation in a Jobclub and a further 24,300 took up other opportunities such as training places or starting their own business.

  Periodic evaluations of the programme are also carried out. These examine, in more detail, various aspects of the operation and impact of the programme. Details of these studies copies can be obtained through the House of Commons library.

  The Employment Service currently maintains a network of 1,338 Jobclubs throughout the country. This will provide places for around 204,000 unemployed people during 1996/97. This includes a number of specialist Jobclubs for people facing particular difficulties returning to the labour market.

  With reductions in unemployment the number of Jobclub places will reduce. Decisions about where Jobclubs are located are made by the 154 District Managers who are responsible for the delivery of the full range of Employment Service programmes within their Districts. Wherever possible they will seek to maintain a network of Jobclubs which will be accessible to the vast majority of people of our clients. In some locations particularly in rural areas it may be difficult to operate a full time Jobclub. In these cases we are able to provide jobseekers with a Distance Learning Pack which contains advice and information to help with job search techniques.

  Given changes in local labour market conditions it is difficult to be precise about how many Jobclubs will close and how many will be open during the next 12 months. However, I anticipate that the network will reduce by no more than 10 per cent during the year.

  I hope this is helpful.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Joint Intelligence Committee
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in reviewing and releasing the records of the Joint Intelligence Committee under the initiative announced on 25 June 1992; what are the locations within the Public Record Office of records which have been released; which years are covered by records which have been released; what records are now planned to be reviewed for release; and if he will make a statement. [28038]

  Mr. Freeman
  Good progress has been made with reviewing and releasing the records of the Joint Intelligence Committee—JIC—since my right hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), then the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced on 25 June 1992 that JIC papers would in future not be covered by a blanket ban on release, but treated like all other Government records and released after 30 years unless the contents remained sensitive.

  JIC minutes and memorandums for the years 1936 to 1950 have been reviewed. Those found to be no longer sensitive have been released in the Public Record Office—PRO—, Kew with the following class references—CAB 56/1–7, CAB 81/87–138, CAB 159/1–8, CAB 158/1–11.
  113
  Post-1950 records are currently under review. Releasable records for the years 1951 to 1953 will be transferred to the PRO in early 1997. It is expected that the JIC records will continue to be released in three-year tranches every year until the review has been completed.

  Grants and Loans
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the grants and loans provided by his Department to businesses, together with the criteria they have to meet in order to obtain the subsidy. [28186]

  Mr. Willetts
  The Cabinet Office does not make grants or loans to businesses.

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to publish a skills audit as part of the current year's competitiveness White Paper. [28128]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The results of the Government's skills audit will be reported in the competitiveness White Paper. The skills audit itself will be published on the same day as the White Paper.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to publish the current year's competitive White Paper. [28129]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The third competitive White Paper will be published in the summer.

  Year

  Grant £

  Departmental candidate fees £

  Company subscriptions £

  Other income £

  Total turnover £

  1993–94

  20,000

  34,350

  61,690

  8,960

  125,000

  1994–95

  20,000

  47,325

  98,375

  27,300

  193,000

  1995–96

  35,000

  70,000

  147,150

  51,850

  304,000

  1996–97

  35,000

  81,500

  175,500

  54,500

  346,500

  The Government's financial contribution is represented by the grant and departmental candidate fees.

  Cabinet Office Report
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by name, department and organisation the outward and inward secondments, non-executive appointments and attachments referred to in table 40 of the Cabinet Office report 1996, Cm 3220. [27379]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Office of Public Service does not collect centrally comprehensive information on inward and outward secondments and attachments. The full detailed information requested in addition to the aggregate data already published can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, when information was last collected centrally, in 1995, we received details of 57 civil servants who, at that time, held, or were due to take up, non-executive appointments within private sector companies either for developmental reasons or on an ex officio basis. Although some details may have changed, the names of the Departments, civil servants and organisation involved are as listed.

  Whitehall and Industry Group
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the members of the board of the Whitehall and Industry Group; and what was the Government's financial contribution to it in 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and what is proposed for 1996–97. [27346]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Whitehall and Industry Group has a board of trustees comprising:

  John Sacher, CBE, chairman of the Whitehall and Industry Group; director of IT, Marks and Spencer plc;

  Brian Fox, head of senior civil service group, Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service;

  Geoff Keeys, formerly director of personnel, the Prudential Corporation;

  Alice Perkins, deputy director—public spending, HM Treasury; and,

  Richard Power, formerly communications director, Forte.

  It also has a number of patrons. They are:

  Sir Robin Butler, GCB CVO, secretary of the cabinet and head of the home civil service;

  Sir Terry Burns, GCB, permanent secretary, HM Treasury;

  Sir John Coles, KCMG, permanent secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office;

  Bob Ayling, chief executive, British Airways;

  Howard Davies, deputy governor, Bank of England; and Christopher Haskins, chairman, Northern Foods.

  The groups funding is made up as follows:

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  A. R. Burne: Albert Fisher

  R. W. Hathaway: RHM

  G. A. Hollis: Dalgety

  M. M. Parker: Cadbury

  R. G. Purnell: H. R. Wallingford

  HM Customs and Excise

  A. Sawyer: Royal Bank of Scotland

  Ministry of Defence

  C. V. Balmer: Marks and Spencer

  R. P. Crane: Thorn Security

  A. C. H. Mace: Avery

  D. R. Morris: Rank Organisation

  B. A. E. Taylor: Stirling Fibre Ltd.

  Employment Service

  G. Kennedy: Three Town Initiative

  P. McCabe: Great Easterhouse Development Co., Ltd.

  Department of the Environment

  R. G. Courtney: Woods of Colchester Ltd. (GEC)

  N. Glass: CV Apparel Ltd. (Coates Viyella)

  J. Hobson: Tarmac

  D. A. Nichols: Anglian Water

  115

  W. P. S. Rickett: Redland Roof Tiles

  J. F. Stoker: Hanson plc

  A. G. Watson: AMEC

  Home Office

  J. Thompson: KPMG

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  A. Green: Vickers Defence Systems

  C. Humfrey: J. C. Bamford

  J. Ling: RTZ Borax

  V. Sutherland: Save and Prosper

  K. Tebbit: Mott Macdonald

  D. Wright: AEA Technology

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  C. Everett: IBM

  N. Oppenheimer: Marks and Spencer

  Royal Mint

  David Snell: OGWR Partnership Trust plc

  Scottish Office

  A. W. Denham: The Wise Group

  D. Hart: Westerhailes Partnership Co., Ltd.

  I. McCall: Scottish Design

  D. Y. A. McFaden: United Distillers

  W. A. MacGregor: Strathclyde Green Belt Company

  E. Mackay: Moray Firth Maltings

  G. Rooney: Local Investing Networking Co., Ltd.

  E. Weeple: Westerhailes Partnership Co., Ltd.

  Department of Social Security

  R. Allen: Marks and Spencer

  Department of Trade and Industry

  B. Bender: BTR Industries Ltd

  P. Bunn: Glynwood Plastics Ltd

  S. Charik: European Transonic Wind Tunnel

  G. S. Dart: Laing Engineering Ltd

  R. C. Dobbie: Vickers

  A. Eggington: BOC UK Gases Ltd

  I. Jones: Glynwed Consumer Products

  M. K. O'Shea: Seven Seas Ltd

  M. Mayer: British Approvals Board for Telecoms

  W. Paton: Optimat Ltd

  J. Phillips: Forward Trust Group Ltd

  M. Stanley: IBM

  A. J. Wallard: Rank Cintel

  Department of Transport

  R. Balme: P&O European Transport Services Ltd

  J. Denning: Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd

  D. McMillan: P&O European Transport Services Ltd

  HM Treasury

  P. Gray: Laing Management

  Ministerial Car Fleet
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the size of the ministerial car fleet in each year since 1979. [28028]

  Mr. Freeman
  As this is a purely operational matter I have asked the chief executive of the Security Facilities Executive to reply to the hon. Member.
  116
  Letter from John King to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 7 May 1996:

  I have been asked by Mr Freeman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (who has Ministerial responsibility for the Government Car Service (GCS)), to provide you with a response to your Parliamentary Question concerning the size of the Ministerial car fleet. I am the Chief Executive of the Agency with operational responsibility for the GCS.

  Full records showing the size of the GCS Ministerial fleet are only available for the last four years and are as set out below:

  Year

  Number of cars

  1992/3

  90

  1993/4

  90

  1994/5

  90

  1995/6

  86

  Employees' Rights
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27588]

  Mr. Willetts
  The provision for the Cabinet Office including the Office of Public Service is as follows:

  Available

  Comment

  Criteria

  (a) Maternity leave

  Yes

  3 months, 1 week

  After one year's service otherwise statutory terms

  (b) Maternity pay

  Yes

  3 months, 1 week

  After one year's service otherwise statutory terms

  (c) Paternity leave

  Yes

  2 days

  —

  (d) Parental leave

  Yes

  Paid or unpaid Special available

  Case decided on merits

  (e) Flexible working hours

  Yes

  —

  —

  (f) Part-time working

  Yes

  —

  —

  (g) Job sharing

  Yes

  —

  —

  (h) Leave to care for sick children

  Yes

  Up to five days paid special leave per year, unpaid leave available

  Case decided on merits

  (i) Home working

  Yes

  —

  —

  (j) Term-time contracts

  Yes

  —

  —

  (k) Annual hours contracts

  No

  Would consider proposals

  —

  (l) Work place nursery

  No

  Westminster Holiday Playscheme. Access to a place in an emergency

  (m) Child care allowances

  No

  Able to meet extra costs incurred at the Department's insistence

  —

  117

  Available

  Comment

  Criteria

  (n) Carer's leave

  Yes

  Paid or; unpaid Special Leave available

  Case decided on merits

  (o) Career breaks

  Yes

  Up to five years

  One year of satisfactory service

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27589]

  Mr. Willetts
  The implementation of policies on all of these matters is delegated to the chief executives of my agencies. I have, therefore, asked the chief executives of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, Central Office of Information, Chessington Computer Centre, Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, Civil Service College, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Occupational Health and Safety Agency, Recruitment and Assessment Services, The Security Facilities Executive and the Buying Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from N. E. Borrett to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 3 May 1996:

  Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your Question relating to conditions of service and workplace facilities.

  The answer to each section in respect of PACE is as follows:

  (a) Maximum of 52 weeks paid and unpaid.

  (b) Full pay for three months and one week, or fourteen weeks, whichever is the longer.

  The above are automatic for permanent Civil Servants with one year's service.

  (c) Two days: this is automatic.

  (d) Up to five days paid leave—may be followed by unpaid leave.

  (e) A flexible working hours scheme operates.

  (f) Staff of any grade or sex may apply to be considered for part-time working.

  (g) Job sharing is available.

  (h) As at (d) above.

  (i) May be offered as part of an alternative flexible working pattern. The above are subject to approval by management.

  (j) Not available.

  (k) Not available.

  (l) None.

  (m) Not available.

  (n) As at (d) above.

  (o) A career break of up to five years (unpaid) may be granted for child rearing/elder care. To qualify, staff must be permanent employees who have satisfactorily completed an initial probation period. In addition, they must have a satisfactory record of attendance and conduct, and performance that fully meets the requirement of the grade.

  I trust that the above gives all the information.
  118
  Letter from Mike Devereau to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 1 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minster has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Office of Information, to your question about the provision of facilities for employees.

  COI operates the following schemes for all of its permanent staff:

  Maternity Leave

  Maternity Pay

  Paternity Leave

  Flexible Working Hours

  Part-time Work

  Job Sharing and through its special paid, or unpaid, leave arrangements:

  Parental Leave

  Leave to care for sick children

  Carer's Leave

  Career Breaks

  Details of all these schemes and, where appropriate, the criteria used to judge eligibility are set out in the Staff Handbook, a copy of which is held by each staff member.

  There is considerable flexibility for staff employed on a part-time basis to agree contracts which suit their personal circumstances. For example COI currently employs people whose contracts allow them to: work from home, work three weeks in four, return to their homes in other countries for regular periods.

  COI does not provide in house child care or nursery facilities. However staff in London can use the Westminster holiday playscheme and free information and advice on childcare facilities is available to all staff from the private sector and the COI Welfare Officer.

  There is no provision for childcare allowances although COI offers a subsidy of 50£of the cost of the holiday playscheme.

  Letter from R. N. Edwards to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 1 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your Question about employee conditions and workplace facilities.

  The answer to each section in respect of Chessington is as follows:

  (a) 14 weeks paid. Maximum of 52 weeks paid and unpaid;

  (b) full pay for 14 weeks;

  (c) 2 days;

  (d) up to 5 days special paid leave in any one leave year may be granted when serious personal or domestic problems arise which require the personal attention of a staff member;

  (e) a flexible working hours scheme operates;

  (f) over 50 staff work part-time hours;

  (g) job sharing is available;

  (h) allowed as at d. above;

  (i) practised as the need arises;

  (j) not available;

  (k) not available;

  (l) a nursery on site for up to 24 children between 3 months and 5 years;

  (m) not available;

  (n) allowed as at d. above;

  (o) a Keep in Touch (KIT) operates, which allows for a period of up to 5 years special unpaid leave for staff who have to give up work because of unavoidable commitments.

  The criteria for eligibility where appropriate are as follows:

  a., b, and c. Automatic.

  d., h., i., n. and o. Subject to approval by line management and personnel.

  119

  e. All staff, except computer shift workers and support staff, can work flexible hours.

  f. and g. We accommodate part-time working in most parts of Chessington and try to suit the needs of staff subject to business needs. With regard to job sharing this is agreed where there are 2 members of staff who can provide continuous cover between them;

  1. To date all requests for places have been met, but should demand exceed the number of places available, then priority is given to parents to whom a high level of training has already been given; or parents from grades where Chessington is experiencing a shortage of staff; or where particular skills are required.

  I trust the above gives all the information required. If not please do not hesitate to get in touch.

  Letter from Robin Guenier to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 1 May 1996:

  As Chief Executive of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), I am responding to your recent question raised about certain aspects of working conditions for employees of departments under the control of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  In general CCTA's policies do not differ from those of the Cabinet Office. Maternity leave and maternity pay, paternity leave and parental leave are granted by CCTA in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.

  We offer all staff the opportunity to participate in flexible working hours and part time working. We also have people on career breaks.

  We have had staff job sharing and have staff involved in home-working schemes.

  We do not have a workplace nursery but do offer an assisted holiday playscheme facility.

  While we have never been asked for term time contracts, annual hours contracts or carers leave we would consider any application sympathetically, within the guidelines of the Management code.

  Childcare allowance is not offered as a matter of course although we pay the additional cost of childcare if a member of staff is away on business or attending a residential training course.

  Letter from Dr. S. H. Hickey to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 3 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your Question about various provisions available to employees of the Civil Service College.

  (a) (b) Maternity Leave and Pay

  Paid maternity leave is available to all staff for a period of three months and one week provided that the employee makes a statement of their intention to return to work after confinement and is in paid service at the time the period of maternity leave begins and has rendered one year's service.

  Maternity leave can be extended to include unpaid leave for a further period provided that the total of paid and unpaid leave does not exceed 52 weeks.

  (c) Paternity Leave

  Two days paid paternity leave is available to all staff irrespective of grade or length of service.

  (d) Parental Leave

  No specific provision for parental leave but unpaid leave is available to all staff to cover need.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours

  A flexible working hours scheme is available to all staff up to and including SEO level subject to the business and operational needs of the organisation.
  120
  (f) Part-Time Work

  Part-time working is available to all staff subject to the business needs of the organisation.

  (f) Job-Sharing

  Job-sharing is available to all staff subject to the business and operational needs of the organisation.

  (g) Leave to Care for Sick Children

  Two days special paid leave is available to all staff to provide for emergency care of sick children.

  Special unpaid leave is also available to all staff for an unspecified period determined by need and management agreement.

  (h) Homeworking

  There is no current provision for contracted home-working but the facility to work from home is available to all staff subject to management agreement.

  (i) Term-Time Contracts

  There is no current provision for term-time contracts.

  (j) Annual Hours Contracts

  There is provision for a limited number of annual hours contracts. Availability is determined by the business needs of the organisation.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries

  A workplace nursery is available to all staff.

  (m) Childcare Allowances

  There is no current provision for specific childcare allowances.

  (n) Carer's Leave

  Two days special paid leave is available to all staff to provide emergency care for infirm relatives.

  Special unpaid leave is also available to all staff for an unspecified period which is determined by need and agreement.

  (o) Career Break Schemes

  A career break scheme is available to all staff for a period not exceeding five years. Eligibility for career breaks is centred around domestic need such as childcare, care of elderly or infirm relatives, or relocation of partner's work to distant locations. All staff must state their intention to return to work before a career break is granted.

  Letter from Mike Lynn to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 2 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply, so far as HMSO is concerned, to your Parliamentary question about various employment provisions. The information is as follows:

  (a) Maternity Leave

  All pregnant employees qualify for 14 weeks leave regardless of their length of service or hours worked. Those with 1 or more year's service are entitled to 14 weeks paid leave, and up to 52 weeks unpaid leave.

  (b) Maternity Pay

  Employees with a minimum of 26 weeks service and up to 1 year's service receive statutory maternity pay (SMP). After 1 year's service they receive the first 14 weeks at full pay and 4 weeks at statutory maternity pay (SMP).

  (c) Paternity Leave

  2 days paid leave may be taken either before, during or after the birth.

  (d) Parental Leave

  Where there is no immediate viable alternative, e.g. assistance from relatives, Urgent Domestic Leave of up to one week with pay may be taken. In exceptional circumstances this may be extended as unpaid leave. Adoptive leave, involving longer periods, is also available.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours

  Flexible working hours are arranged between managers and staff within each area. The determining factor is the need to staff the office for the duration of the working day, ensuring adequate cover at peak times.
  121
  (f) Part Time Working

  HMSO encourages part time working and currently has 103 staff working part time between 15 and 35 hours per week.

  (g) Job Sharing

  Currently 8 jobs are shared, involving 16 members of staff.

  (h) Leave to Care for Sick Children

  Up to 1 week's paid leave, followed by agreed extended unpaid leave.

  (i) Home Working

  There are currently 5 people formally regarded as home working. In addition, many of our sales staff are based at home, with most of their work on the road.

  (j) Term Time Contracts

  There are currently no contracts of this nature.

  (k) Annual Hours Contracts

  HMSO has two units in London that work annual hours contracts, presently covering 116 staff. A further 75 will join the scheme later this year.

  (l) Workplace Nurseries and Childcare Facilities

  HMSO provides 20 places at a nursery at Norwich, in partnership with a local college, and 50 places per day at play schemes for the 6 school holiday periods.

  (m) Childcare Allowances

  The nursery and play schemes are subsidised by HMSO.

  (n) Carers Leave (Sick Nursing)

  Up to I week paid leave, followed by agreed extended unpaid leave, alternatively temporary adjustments to working hours may be granted.

  (o) Career Break Scheme

  Staff who have completed 2 years permanent service may be granted a Career Break for a maximum of 5 years. There are a total of 7 staff currently taking career breaks, and 3 have successfully returned.

  Letter from J. L. Gordon to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 1 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your questions. The information relating to the Occupational Health & Safety Agency is as follows:

  (a)

  Maternity Leave

  Provision in accordance with Civil Service arrangements generally.

  (b)

  Maternity Pay

  (c)

  Paternity Leave

  OHSA allows 2 days special leave with pay.

  (d)

  Parental Leave

  Special leave with pay depending on particular circumstances, amount of annual leave etc. Each case decided on merit.

  (e)

  Flexible Working Hours

  Certain more junior grades at HQ participate in a scheme. Not appropriate in some areas because of the need to respond to customer requirements.

  (f)

  Part-Time Work

  OHSA has number of staff on part-time work/job share. Approval to some extent governed by needs of customers and whether it is possible to arrange hours around requirements.

  (g)

  Job Share

  (h)

  Leave to Care for Sick Children

  No circumstances have arisen, other than odd days when special leave with pay has been given. Any case would be dealt with on its merits.

  122

  (i)

  Home Working

  No formal arrangements exist but where appropriate line manages have authority to authorise on a case by case basis.

  (j)

  Term-Time Contracts

  None currently in place but possible within constraints of customer requirements.

  (k)

  Annual Hours Contracts

  None in place.

  (l)

  Workplace Nurseries

  The Agency is small and staff too widely scattered to make this a viable proposition.

  (m)

  Childcare Allowances

  No provision.

  (n)

  Carers Leave

  No requests have been received to date but would most possibly be dealt with as special leave and each case dealt with on its merits.

  (o)

  Career Break Schemes

  Because of the size of the Agency it is difficult to operate a full career break scheme. There has been one case in recent years where a break of 2 years was approved.

  I trust this information is sufficient for your needs.

  I trust this information is sufficient for your needs.

  Letter from Craig Muir to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 3 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question. Recruitment and Assessment Services are happy to provide the enclosed information.

  Recruitment and Assessment Services (RAS) follows the guidelines of the Civil Service Management Code in all issues.

  1 Maternity leave/pay—Departments and Agencies must provide 3 months and 1 week's paid maternity leave (if paid monthly) and 14 weeks paid maternity leave (if paid weekly) to a woman civil servant for a period of continuous absence during confinement providing that she:

  A. state that she intends to return to work in the Civil Service after her confinement, and that she agrees to repay any payment made during that period if she fails to return (such payment will exclude any Statutory Maternity Pay to which there is entitlement);

  B. is in paid service with her department/agency at the time her maternity leave begins and has rendered at least one year's such service;

  C. is not employed on a casual, standby or short notice appointment; and

  D. is not employed on a Fixed Term Appointment of less than two years.

  2 Paternity leave—male civil servants whose appointment is permanent or for two or more years are entitled to 2 days' paid paternity leave. Departments and agencies may allow paternity leave to any other appointment, at their discretion. Paternity leave cannot be paid during periods of unpaid absence.

  3 Parental leave—RAS has not had any staff that have applied for parental leave, however each case would be assessed at the time of application.

  4 RAS operates a system of flexible working hours for all permanent, fixed term and staff on loan. It is the responsibility of the line managers to ensure the system is not abused. RAS does not have anyone who is on a annual hours contract.

  5 RAS has part time/and job sharing posts within its organisation, and is very mindful of staff needs.

  123

  6 Leave to care for sick children/term time contracts/carers' leave/career break—Departments/agencies have discretion to grant special leave with or without pay where they consider this to be necessary or justified. In determining whether special leave should be granted, departments and agencies should mainly have regard to the effect of such leave on the discharge of public business. In determining whether special leave with pay should be granted, departments and agencies will in addition need to be satisfied that the circumstances of the particular case justify such a concession. An example of special leave with pay would be for a bereavement of a close family member, 5 days with pay would be granted.

  7 RAS does not provide workplace nurseries, or childcare allowances.

  8 Home working—RAS allows staff to work from home providing they do not work in a supervisory role. They must be contactable by telephone and respond to queries within 1 hour.

  Letter from John Smith to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 3 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question:

  "To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case."

  The answer to each section in respect of SAFE is as follows:

  (a) Maximum of 52 weeks paid and unpaid.

  (b) Full pay for three months and one week, or fourteen weeks, whichever is the longer. The above are automatic for permanent Civil Servants with one year's service.

  (c) Two days; this is automatic.

  (d) Up to five days paid leave—may be followed by unpaid leave.

  (e) A flexible working hours scheme operates.

  (f) Staff of any grade or sex may apply to be considered for part-time working.

  (g) Job sharing is available.

  (h) As at (d) above.

  (i) May be offered as part of an alternative flexible working pattern. The above are subject to approval by management.

  (j) Not available.

  (k) Not available.

  (l) None.

  (m) Not available.

  (n) As at (d) above.

  (o) A career break of up to five years (unpaid) may be granted for child rearing/elder care. To qualify, staff must be permanent employees who have satisfactorily completed an initial probation period. In addition, they must have a satisfactory record of attendance and conduct, and performance that fully meets the requirement of the grade.

  I trust that the above gives all the information required.
  124
  Letter from S. P. Sage to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 2 May 1996:

  The Deputy Prime Minister has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question.

  The provisions made available to employees within The Buying Agency in relation to questions A-O of your fax dated 29 April 1996 are largely determined by the policies currently laid down in the Staff Hand Book, as follows:

  (a) Maternity Leave

  A woman will be allowed paid maternity leave for a period of continuous absence before and after confinement of 3 months and 1 week or 14 weeks (whichever is the greater) provided that she satisfies the necessary criteria. "Confinement" is the date of birth of a child, whether living or not, after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

  (b) Maternity Pay

  This is covered by the Statutory Regulations within the EP(C)A 1973 and subsequent amendments TURER 1993. Statutory Maternity Pay is a statutory requirement which applies to the Civil Service as an employer in the same way as any other employer.

  (c) Paternity Leave

  Male staff are entitled to 2 days paid paternity leave.

  (d) Parental Leave

  No such category as yet for TBA.

  (e) Flexible Working Hours

  All staff are permitted to participate in a flexible working hours system unless there is a particular reason for them not being included.

  Flexible Working Hours are: (7.24 standard day)

  Core Times

  7.30–10.00 am

  12.00–14.00 pm

  16.00–18.00 pm (15.30 pm on Fridays)

  Allowance to carry over from one period to the next

  Credit: 22.12 hours

  Debit: 11.06 hours

  (f) Part-time Work

  The Agency considers all requests. There are currently 8 members of TBA staff engaged on a part-time basis.

  (g) Job Sharing

  Job share has been arranged on 5 or 6 occasions in the past but there are no job share arrangements at present. As with (f) requests are considered and approval will be given to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.

  (h) Leave to Care for Sick Children

  Unpaid leave is granted for a limited period until more permanent arrangements can be made.

  (i) Home Working

  15 TBA staff currently work from home.

  (j) Term-time Contracts

  Not applicable at present.

  (k) Annual Hours Contracts

  Not applicable at present.

  (l) Work Place Nurseries

  This has previously been investigated, however no scheme is presently in place. There is as yet no demand from staff.

  (m) Childcare Allowances

  Not applicable at present.

  (o) Career Break Schemes and What Criteria Are Used to Judge Eligibility

  Several TBA staff have availed themselves of the Career Break Scheme in the past.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Hon. Members' Employees
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members have not lodged contracts of employment at the Fees Office 126
  for employees paid by the Fees Office from the office costs allowance; and how many employees are affected. [27553]

  Mr. Newton
  There are 21 right hon. and hon. Members who have not lodged contracts of employment with the Fees Office for employees paid from the office costs allowance, and 53 current employees are affected.

  India: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal
  India: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal
  Home Helps: Housework
  Home Helps: Housework
  DSS Out-of-hours Service
  DSS Out-of-hours Service
  Iranian Nuclear Plant
  Iranian Nuclear Plant
  Pedlars Acts
  Pedlars Acts
  Genital Mutilation
  Genital Mutilation
  Sexual Exploitation of Children: World Congress
  Sexual Exploitation of Children: World Congress
  Prisoners: In-cell Television
  Prisoners: In-cell Television
  Prison Service Expenditure
  Prison Service Expenditure
  Prisons: Access to Television
  Prisons: Access to Television
  Prisoners: Access to Education Facilities
  Prisoners: Access to Education Facilities
  Gardian Family
  Gardian Family
  Burglary: Sentences
  Burglary: Sentences