Written Answers of 9 May 1996

TRANSPORT

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [27719]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department occupies 3,893,000sq ft of office space with an annual rental cost of £22,117,000.

  This includes 109,000sq ft of fully or partly unoccupied office space in eight buildings with an annual rental cost of £420,000.

  My Department does not hold reliable information for past years.

  Railway Bridges
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of Railtrack's structures are subject to overstress above levels acceptable by his Department. [28268]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack has weight capacity obligations under the Transport Act 1968 in respect of bridges carrying highways over the railway. Railtrack has estimated that around 10 per cent. of such bridges owned by it do not meet the weight capacity obligations and estimates the total cost of strengthening these bridges to meet it to be £200 million, of which £150 million is likely to be spent during the period ending 31 March 2004. Railtrack will review this estimate in the light of an assessment of highway overbridges that it is presently carrying out on behalf of local authorities, in consequence of an EU directive which requires the United Kingdom to admit 40 tonne vehicles from 1 January 1999.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of Railtrack's bridges have a structural assessment indicating a life of(a) up to one year, (b) one to three years, (c) three to five years and (d) over five years. [28270]

  Mr. Watts
  Structural assessment is the process by which the safe load of a structure is established and does not itself indicate residual life. Railtrack's rigorous inspection process is designed to discover incipient defects in structures before their integrity is threatened so that preventive action can be taken in good time.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many bridges are owned by Railtrack; and how many of these have a valid up to date structural assessment; [28224]
  192
  (2) what estimate has been made of how long it would take to obtain up to date structural assessments for all of Railtrack's bridges, and of the cost involved. [28226]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack owns around 40,000 bridges, viaducts and tunnels. These structures currently have assessments in compliance with long-standing policies. Railtrack has published more stringent standards covering bridge assessments and is assessing bridges to calculate their strength on a priority basis over an 18-year cycle.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bridge reconstructions Railtrack plans to carry out over the next 10 years. [28222]

  Mr. Watts
  In the period to 2004 Railtrack plans to renew 913 bridge spans, excluding those that are part of stations and depots.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if Railtrack has up to date scour assessments for each of its bridges and other structures which could be affected by flooding. [28554]

  Mr. Watts
  I understand that Railtrack does have such assessments.

  British Rail Property Sales
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the total proceeds from British Rail property sales in each of the last five years. [28552]

  Mr. Watts
  The total proceeds from property sales after deduction of sale expenses are as follows:

  £ million

  1991–92

  43.7

  1992–93

  33.8

  1993–94

  107.7

  1994–95

  39.9

  1995–96

  142.5

  Total

  267.6

  1 Subject to audit.

  Port of Tyne Authority
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written representations have been received by him in respect of the Port of Tyne Authority scheme 1996; and of these how many expressed(a) opposition to and (b) support for the proposed privatisation of the port of Tyne; and if he will place copies of the representations in the Library. [28310]

  Mr. Norris
  A total of 134 written representations have been received in respect of the proposed privatisation of the Port of Tyne Authority. Three were in favour, one was purely technical and did not express a view, and 130 were opposed.

  The Port of Tyne Authority's notice concerning representations did not suggest that they would be made available other than to the Secretary of State, the authority, and its parliamentary agents, and they are therefore not being otherwise released.
  193

  Traffic Director for London
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided on the appointment of the Traffic Director for London; and if he will make a statement. [29182]

  Mr. Norris
  I am pleased to confirm that Derek Turner has been reappointed as Traffic Director for London from 9 May 1996 at a salary of £75,000. His primary objective remains to have the red route network substantially operational by 2000.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28564]

  Mr. Norris
  The table represents the expenditure on official hospitality by the Department, central transport group, and its associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. The figure for the central transport group may include some non-entertainment costs which cannot readily be disaggregated.

  £

  Central Transport Group

  170,704

  Driving Standards Agency

  3,009

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  10,546

  Marine Safety Agency

  17,740

  The Coastguard Agency

  7,906

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  1,280

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  46,000

  The Highways Agency

  4,097

  The total amount spent by the Department and its agencies for the financial year 1995–96 was £261,282.64.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries who volunteered equipment, personnel and supplies and other aid for Milford Haven during the Sea Empress disaster; and if he will make a statement. [27554]

  Mr. Norris
  A number of specific offers of assistance were received by the marine pollution control unit from a number of companies and organisations, some of them foreign based. In addition the MPCU received direct offers of assistance from the Governments of the Netherlands, France and Germany.

  Highway Bridges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been committed by his Department for the carrying out of assessments required to plan for the strengthening of bridges required under European Union regulations(a) for each local authority in England and (b) for England indicating the sum committed for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 and showing the totals as a percentage of overall local authority budgets; and if he will make a statement. [28157]
  194
  Mr. Norris
  Local authorities receive a single allocation for both the assessment and the strengthening of their highway bridges. In 1996–97, for the first time, an element within this allocation was separately identified for assessment, but it remains open to local authorities to determine their own priorities within the total allocation. The first three columns of the following table show total bridge allocations for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 respectively. The final column shows the indicative assessment allocations made in 1996–97. The information required to express these as a percentage of overall local authority budgets is not readily available.

  Allocations for Assessment and Strengthening of Bridges

  11994–95

  11995–96

  11996–97

  21996–97

  Total allocations for England

  England

  137,000

  122,438

  103,096

  28,176

  Allocations by local authority

  City of London

  610

  496

  622

  207

  Barking

  139

  125

  146

  46

  Barnet

  485

  200

  140

  40

  Bexley

  852

  742

  458

  50

  Brent

  830

  200

  220

  120

  Bromley

  183

  360

  180

  80

  Camden

  1,945

  1,372

  320

  160

  Croydon

  77

  172

  225

  125

  Ealing

  158

  126

  123

  23

  Enfield

  1,059

  1,436

  1,070

  370

  Greenwich

  569

  660

  284

  110

  Hackney

  891

  555

  245

  145

  Hammersmith

  2,153

  1,164

  530

  230

  Haringey

  424

  720

  416

  22

  Harrow

  571

  1,245

  395

  170

  Havering

  239

  340

  277

  228

  Hillingdon

  939

  1,046

  1,030

  130

  Hounslow

  701

  1,045

  790

  50

  Islington

  471

  1,490

  907

  100

  Kensington

  30

  122

  300

  0

  Kingston

  330

  2,500

  2,560

  10

  Lambeth

  465

  831

  585

  185

  Lewisham

  114

  179

  410

  60

  Merton

  64

  117

  120

  60

  Newham

  5,960

  2,437

  1,600

  100

  Redbridge

  557

  200

  150

  50

  Richmond

  462

  400

  185

  85

  Southwark

  361

  1,088

  747

  40

  Sutton

  285

  376

  244

  144

  Tower Hamlets

  414

  943

  734

  27

  Waltham Forest

  235

  178

  382

  227

  Wandsworth

  3,600

  764

  765

  325

  Westminister

  2,165

  3,301

  2,786

  136

  Bath and North-East Somerset

  n/a

  n/a

  735

  64

  Bristol

  n/a

  n/a

  934

  245

  North Somerset

  n/a

  n/a

  304

  66

  South Gloucestshire

  n/a

  n/a

  162

  82

  Hartlepool

  n/a

  n/a

  18

  18

  Middlesbrough

  n/a

  n/a

  702

  37

  Redcar and Cleveland

  n/a

  n/a

  237

  47

  Stockton

  n/a

  n/a

  200

  57

  East Riding

  n/a

  n/a

  518

  185

  Hull

  n/a

  n/a

  538

  110

  North-East Lincolnshire

  n/a

  n/a

  176

  70

  North Lincolnshire

  n/a

  n/a

  402

  70

  North Yorkshire

  n/a

  n/a

  1,744

  888

  York

  n/a

  n/a

  206

  82

  Bolton

  1,223

  2,264

  990

  180

  Bury

  1,032

  425

  484

  56

  Manchester

  2,150

  1,620

  1,266

  367

  Oldham

  2,060

  1,346

  1,190

  207

  Rochdale

  1,062

  1,866

  2,392

  150

  Salford

  768

  892

  910

  189

  Stockport

  2,350

  1,284

  1,378

  222

  Tameside

  492

  363

  584

  80

  Trafford

  214

  804

  1,134

  121

  Wigan

  385

  547

  510

  120

  Knowsley

  283

  157

  322

  84

  195

  Allocations for Assessment and Strengthening of Bridges

  11994–95

  11995–96

  11996–97

  21996–97

  Liverpool

  616

  508

  726

  202

  St. Helens

  176

  90

  715

  97

  Sefton

  363

  328

  510

  176

  Wirral

  319

  596

  583

  60

  Barnsley

  823

  546

  562

  158

  Doncaster

  1,558

  2,169

  1,162

  280

  Rotherham

  966

  966

  984

  80

  Sheffield

  3,071

  3,608

  1,945

  479

  Gateshead

  224

  422

  308

  118

  Newcastle

  211

  1,251

  1,514

  88

  North Tyneside

  408

  288

  557

  55

  South Tyneside

  318

  318

  496

  68

  Sunderland

  493

  342

  582

  201

  Birmingham

  2,163

  1,500

  1,084

  180

  Coventry

  828

  743

  741

  129

  Dudley

  501

  432

  454

  50

  Sandwell

  2,932

  2,516

  1,105

  162

  Solihull

  240

  214

  271

  75

  Walsall

  2,228

  1,073

  986

  58

  Wolverhampton

  3,538

  2,788

  1,100

  149

  Bradford

  3,247

  2,177

  1,106

  477

  Calderdale

  622

  622

  494

  160

  Kirklees

  1,078

  890

  556

  124

  Leeds

  2,006

  1,311

  1,020

  402

  Wakefield

  1,188

  939

  680

  129

  Avon

  2,211

  1,789

  n/a

  n/a

  Bedfordshire

  1,530

  2,137

  986

  277

  Berkshire

  850

  823

  1,114

  305

  Buckinghamshire

  478

  818

  758

  282

  Cambridgeshire

  1,462

  1,462

  1,433

  266

  Cheshire

  3,358

  3,283

  2,341

  700

  Cleveland

  1,338

  382

  n/a

  n/a

  Cornwall

  1,970

  1,870

  1,340

  675

  Cumbria

  1,342

  910

  1,256

  400

  Derbyshire

  1,126

  976

  1,294

  629

  Devon

  1,432

  1,382

  1,290

  625

  Dorset

  784

  1,067

  1,160

  495

  Durham

  1,727

  1,103

  1,727

  205

  East Sussex

  1,277

  1,085

  1,144

  250

  Essex

  2,207

  1,655

  1,540

  684

  Gloucestershire

  996

  656

  1,030

  365

  Hampshire

  1,111

  1,112

  1,331

  666

  Herefordshire/ Worcestershire

  779

  661

  759

  283

  Hertfordshire

  1,800

  1,513

  1,286

  430

  Humberside

  1,183

  1,084

  n/a

  n/a

  Isle of Wight

  132

  97

  197

  7

  Kent

  2,344

  2,334

  1,456

  600

  Lancashire

  5,990

  4,866

  2,356

  1,500

  Leicestershire

  1,124

  1,008

  922

  257

  Lincolnshire

  1,752

  1,080

  1,261

  452

  Norfolk

  3,413

  2,457

  2,021

  828

  Northamptonshire

  1,059

  999

  890

  225

  Northumbria

  3,745

  2,684

  1,548

  216

  North Yorkshire

  2,588

  2,186

  1,744

  888

  Nottinghamshire

  1,403

  1,451

  1,580

  578

  Oxon

  1,133

  1,088

  1,071

  406

  Shropshire

  1,264

  1,215

  1,055

  342

  Somerset

  1,690

  1,893

  1,487

  536

  Staffordshire

  1,630

  1,300

  964

  300

  Suffolk

  2,166

  1,768

  1,249

  250

  Surrey

  4,291

  3,686

  1,641

  690

  Warwickshire

  1,380

  994

  1,270

  414

  West Sussex

  354

  312

  951

  540

  Wiltshire

  117

  117

  1,165

  689

  1 Assessment and strengthening.

  2 Assessment only.

  Public Transport Fares (London)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what percentage of(a) London underground fares and (b) London bus fares will be capped as a result of his consultation on transport in London; [28417]
  196
  (2) what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue to London Transport resulting from the proposed capping of fares in transport in London; [28416]

  (3) what are the implications of his consultation on transport in London for the price of London Transport travel cards; [28415]

  (4) what additional funding he plans to provide for London Transport following his decision to cap transport fares in London. [28418]

  Mr. Norris
  The London travelcard, excluding one-day tickets, is included in the range of fares subject to the franchising director's policy on passenger rail fares. There is no capping regime for other London Transport fares. However, as its document "A Transport Strategy for London" indicates, the Government believe that in future LT fares are likely to rise more in line with inflation than with earnings, implying average fares increases lower than in recent years. LT's revenue forecasts will continue to be taken into account in considering LT's funding requirements.

  Vessels
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to issue his Department's consultation document on sub-standard and uninsured vessels; and if he will make a statement. [28472]

  Mr. Norris
  In the near future.

  Salvage Tugs
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to enter into contracts for salvage tugs to be stationed at Stornoway and Dover during the winter months of 1996–97. [28474]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 18 March,Official Report, column 40.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation he has made of the stationing of salvage tugs at Stornoway and Dover during the winter months of 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [28473]

  Mr. Norris
  The two tugs completed their 1995–96 trial on 30 April. The results are currently being analysed.

ENVIRONMENT

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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 together with the square footage of that office space and its estimated rental value where available in each of the past five financial years. [27729]
  197
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Prior to 1 April 1996, office accommodation on the civil estate was managed centrally by Property Holdings not by individual Departments. The information for the years requested is therefore not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  On 1 April my Department inherited from Property Holdings responsibility for the management of 1.4 million sq. ft. of rented office space in 100 buildings at a total cost of some £25 million in rents and rates of 1995–96 levels. Vacant office space totalled some 150,000 sq ft in 10 buildings at an estimated cost of £2.2 million for 1996–97, if none is occupied.

  My Department also sponsors two crown bodies—the Buildings Research Establishment and the Health and Safety Executive—whose properties were not managed by Property Holdings. The information requested in respect of these bodies is as follows:

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  BRE

  Square footage

  19,786

  19,786

  19,786

  19,786

  19,786

  Cost (£000s)

  74

  80

  80

  94

  94

  HSE

  Square footage

  1,042,487

  1,042,487

  1,098,223

  1,098,223

  1,033,455

  Cost (£000s)

  6,603

  7,729

  8,155

  9,173

  8,836

  The buildings used by these bodies have been fully occupied throughout the relevant period.

  Air Pollution
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the costs to public funds of(a) health care and (b) clean-up measures from pollution from diesel vehicles. [28178]

  Mr. Clappison
  Diesel vehicles emit a number of pollutants. Of these the pollutant most strongly linked with health effects is particulate matter less than 10 microns across—PM10. During winter episodes in most major United Kingdom cities the dominant contribution of primary PM10 comes from road traffic, notably from diesel-powered vehicles, increasing from about a quarter to in excess of 70 per cent. It is difficult to estimate precisely the effects on health of particles from diesel vehicles. Healthy individuals are unlikely to be affected by levels of PM10 found in ambient air in the United Kingdom. However, there is growing evidence of a link between PM10 and premature mortality, hospital admissions and ill-health in those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

  Pollutants from road traffic, including diesel vehicles, have other environmental impacts, for instance soiling of buildings caused mainly by particulate elemental carbon. It has been estimated' that in the financial year 1990–91 the UK stone cleaning market had a value of £79 million. 1 Mansfield T (1992) Sources of Building Soiling and a Review of the Stone Cleaning Industry 1991, International Conference on Stone Cleaning, Edinburgh.
  198
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers local authorities have to set pollution limits for vehicles used to undertake local authority services. [28179]

  Mr. Clappison
  Statutory emission limits for new vehicles and for those in service are set by the Secretary of State for Transport and approved by Parliament. Local authorities have no special powers to impose different limits. It would be a matter for a local authority should it wish to set separate conditions for vehicles undertaking a local service, provided these did not breach compulsory competitive tendering requirements.

  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many airborne particulates monitoring sites there are in the United Kingdom; [28180]

  (2) what are the current levels of airborne particulates as measured in the United Kingdom. [28181]

  Mr. Clappison
  There are currently 22 sites in the Department of the Environment's national automatic monitoring network which measure fine particulate matter—PMlO. A further 26 PM10 monitors will be added to the network by the end of 1996, bringing the total number of PM10 sites to 48. The Department also, in co-operation with local authorities, monitors particles in the form of smoke at 225 sites throughout the UK.

  In 1995, the annual average mean concentration of PM10, measured at the 16 national automatic urban monitoring sites in operation, ranged from 20 to 28 microgrammes per metre cubed. The maximum 24 hour running average concentration at the same sites ranged from 68 to 395 microgrammes per metre cubed. The average annual average concentration of smoke at 225 sites between April 1994 and March 1995 was 9 microgrammes per cubic metre. The maximum daily average smoke concentration during this period ranged from 9 to 263 microgrammes per cubic metre.

  Current concentrations of PM10 from the national automatic monitoring network are updated hourly on the Internet (http://www.open.gov.uk/doe/doehome.htm).

  Fire Service Pension Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to place the funding of the fire service pension scheme outside the capping criteria; and if he will make a statement. [28248]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have no plans to place the funding of the fire service pension scheme outside the capping criteria. Any decisions on capping criteria for 1997–98 will be considered in the context of the local government finance settlement.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28570]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Total expenditure by my Department and its agencies, including the residual
  199
  functions of Property Services Agency services, in 1995–96 is expected to be £107,000. This does not include the agencies which transferred to the Office of Public Service on 1 January 1996. I also refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service today.

  Purchase Grant Scheme
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to consult on detailed proposals covering the remaining counties of England to exempt small rural settlements from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement; [28956]

  (2) when he intends to consult on detailed proposals covering the remaining counties of England to exempt small rural settlements from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement. [29183]

  Mr. Curry
  In March we issued a consultation paper on how we propose to exempt small rural settlements in England from the new purchase grant scheme. The paper set out the way we propose to implement the designation in England, and invited comments on our general approach, and on the detailed proposals for the first 15 counties and areas. Comments were sought from local authorities, housing associations, rural groups and other interested parties.

  Today we issued a supplement to that paper, which gives detailed proposals for a further 15 counties or areas, covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; Cumbria; Devon; Durham; Gloucestershire; Greater Manchester; Hampshire; Hereford and Worcester; Hertfordshire; Humberside; Isle of Wight; Kent; Shropshire; Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

  We will also consult on the remaining areas of England shortly.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of papers for each individual county or area providing copies of any maps needed have also been placed in both Libraries.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Environment Agency has now prepared its code on enforcement practice. [29042]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Environment Agency's code on enforcement practice was adopted on 23 April and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. It takes the form of a statement of enforcement policy which sets out how the agency will operate, and detailed guidance for warranted officers, setting out their responsibilities. The documents will be revised over time in the light of experience and comments from all the agency's customers.

  Animal Feedstuffs
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations govern the inclusion of cement dust in animal feedstuffs. [27342]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have been asked to reply.
  200
  There are no regulations controlling the specific use of cement dust in animal feedingstuffs. However, under the Agriculture Act 1970, it is an offence to sell, or have in possession with a view to sale, any material which is deleterious to animals or, through the consumption of animal products, deleterious to human beings. The Feeding Stuffs Regulations 1995, made under part IV of the 1970 Act, contain detailed provisions including controls on contaminants to feedingstuffs.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Solicitors' Indemnity Fund
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the solicitors' indemnity fund. [27564]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The solicitors indemnity fund, which provides compulsory insurance cover for all solicitors, was established under section 37 of the Solicitors Act 1974. The Act empowers the Law Society to make rules concerning indemnity against loss arising from any kind of civil liability, although most claims arise from allegations of negligence. The most recent rules are the Solicitors Indemnity Rules 1992.

  Personal Injury Insurance Compensation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the maximum time after which personal injury insurance compensation may no longer be pursued; and what plans he has to alter this period. [27904]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The limitation period in respect of claims between an insurer and an insured person arising out of their contract is six years, subject to any stipulation in the contract to the contrary. The normal period in respect of claims for compensation for personal injury against the person causing the injury is three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued or the date of the plaintiffs knowledge. The Law Commission is at present reviewing limitation periods generally.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the present number of(a) men and (b) women from ethnic minority communities who are justices of the peace, serving courts in the Greater London area. [27953]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Information is only available in respect of three of the six Greater London commissions of the peace.

  Male

  Female

  Total

  City of London

  1

  3

  4

  Inner London

  67

  45

  112

  Middlesex

  Not available

  —

  144

  No information is currently available in respect of the North-East, South-East and South-West London commissions.
  201

TREASURY

  Privatisation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many privatisations Bayesian probability theory was used in the analysis of maintenance costs of the capital equipment being privatised; and if he will make a statement on the value of the theory in assessing investment needs of(a) public and (b) private industries. [27938]

  Mr. Jack
  Information required to determine the number of privatisations in which Bayesian probability theory was used could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Bayesian probability theory is an established modelling technique relevant to determining estimates of maintenance expenditure for companies with a large capital base. It is not for HM Government to express a view of the value attributable to the use of Bayesian probability theory by private industries.

  Suicides in the United Kingdom involving the use of firearm and a shotgun in 1980, 1985, 1992, 1993 and 1994

  1980

  1985

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Suicides and self-inflicted injury by firearm including shotgun

  255

  257

  206

  205

  193

  Suicides and self-inflicted injury by shotgun only

  85

  107

  98

  101

  96

  Injury by firearm including shotgun undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted

  25

  38

  24

  20

  24

  Injury by shotgun only undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted

  10

  13

  9

  9

  12

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

  Codes E995.0-E955.4 refer to deaths where suicide is the underlying cause of death, whereas codes E985.0-E985.4 relate to deaths where it is undetermined whether the injury was accidentally or purposely inflicted. The majority of these, however, are generally regarded to be suicide.

  Deaths in England and Wales for 1992 and earlier years represent the number of deaths registered in each year, while deaths from 1993 are deaths which occurred in each year.

  Deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland represent the number of deaths registered in every year.

  Hourly Earnings
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in (i) England and (ii) Great Britain earned(a) less than £1.50 per hour, (b) between £1.50 and £2.50 per hour, (c) between £2.50 and £3.50 per hour, (d) between £100,000 and per £250,000 per annum and (e) more than £250,000 per annum in 1995; and if he will list his projections for 1996. [28584]

  Mrs Angela Knight
  Information from the New Earnings Survey, April 1995 is shown in the table. Projections for April are not available.
  202

  European Parliament (New Buildings)
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the United Kingdom of the European Parliament's new buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg in the next year. [28315]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I assume my hon. Friend is referring to 1997. The cost of the European Parliament's new buildings for the forthcoming year are established only following the annual budget negotiations. We will not know the cost of these buildings until the 1997 EC budget is adopted in December.

  Suicides
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides in the United Kingdom involved the use of(a) a firearm and (b) a shotgun in (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1992, (iv) 1993, (v) 1994 and (vi) 1995. [28260]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The number of suicides—ICD1E955.0–E955.4 and E985.0-E985.4—in the United Kingdom involving the use of (a) a firearm and (b) a shotgun in 1980, 1985, 1992, 1993 and 1994 are shown in the table. Data for 1995–96 are not yet available.

  New Earnings Survey, April 1995 Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence

  England

  Great Britain

  Percentage of employees earning less than £1.50 per hour (excluding overtime)

  0.6

  0.6

  Percentage of employees earning between £1.50 and £2.50 per hour (excluding overtime)

  1.0

  1.0

  Percentage of employees earning between £2.50 and £3.50 per hour (excluding overtime)

  7.2

  7.3

  Percentage of employees earnings between £100,000 and £250,000 per annum

  0.1

  0.1

  Percentage of employees earning more than £250,000 per annum

  <0.1

  <0.1

  Profit-related Pay
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the average marginal rate of tax used in calculating the cost of tax relief on profit-related pay; [28541]

  (2) what is his most recent estimate of the cost of tax relief for profit-related pay for the tax year 1996–97. [28540]
  203
  Mr. Jack
  The cost of income tax relief for profit-related pay schemes is approximately estimated on the assumption that the distribution of participants by marginal rate of tax is similar to that for employees generally. The average marginal rate of tax for employees in 1996–97 will be about 27 per cent.

  Estimates of the cost of income tax relief for PRP tax relief for PRP schemes are published annually in table 1.6 of "Inland Revenue Statistics", copies of which are in the Library. An estimate of the cost in 1996–97 is not yet available.

  Paracetamol Poisoning
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths relating to paracetamol poisoning have been reported to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in each of the last five years. [27761]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The number of deaths from paracetamol poisoning reported to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys—the Office for National Statistics from 1 April 1996 following the merger with the Central Statistical Office—in 1993 and 1994 is shown in the table.

  The data for 1990–1992 are published, for each year separately, in table 10 of "Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning, England and Wales", Series DH4, nos 16–18, copies of which may be accessed in the House of Commons Library.

  Deaths from Paracetamol in England and Wales 1993 and 1994

  1993

  1994

  Deaths by poisoning—accident

  60 (14)

  56 (14)

  Paracetamol only

  42(8)

  36(9)

  Paracetamol and other drugs

  18(6)

  20(5)

  Deaths by poisoning—suicide

  155 (22)

  119(12)

  Paracetamol only

  65(6)

  61(4)

  Paracetamol and other drugs

  90 (16)

  58(8)

  Deaths by poisoning—undetermined

  89 (13)

  79(8)

  Paracetamol only

  59(3)

  49(5)

  Paracetamol and other drugs

  30(10)

  30(3)

  The figures in brackets indicate the number of paracetamol deaths with a mention of alcohol.

  Custody Services
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986 to cover regulation of custody services following the consultation carried out by the Securities and Investments Board. [28959]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have accepted the recommendation of the Securities and Investments Board that the scope of the Act should be extended to those custody services covering the safekeeping and administration of investments. I believe that this will extend investor protection but am also concerned that it should not impose disproportionate burdens on authorised firms. I shall accordingly be seeking views on the terms in which the Act should be extended in a consultation paper which I hope will be issued shortly.
  204

  Stamp Duty (Unit Trusts)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what stamp duty treatment he proposes for conversions of authorised unit trusts into open-ended investment companies. [28957]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  In response to the consultative document which the Treasury published last year with draft regulations to permit the creation of open-ended investment companies—OEICs—the Treasury has received a number of representations that conversions of authorised unit trusts into OEICs should be exempted from stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax—SDRT—including conversions of two or more trusts into a single OEIC.

  When regulations are made to deal with the stamp duty and SDRT treatment of OEICs, I intend to include in them an exemption for conversions of an authorised unit trust into an OEIC or a single sub-fund of an umbrella OEIC. The regulations will also contain an exemption from stamp duty and SDRT, for a period of some two years, for conversions which involve a merger, such as the conversion of two or more authorised unit trusts into a single OEIC or sub-fund, or the merger of an authorised unit trust with an OEIC.

  We also intend to introduce legislation in the next Finance Bill to exempt mergers between authorised unit trusts from stamp duty and SDRT if the merger is carried out after the Bill becomes law and within a period of some two years thereafter.

  These measures will give unit trust groups a unique opportunity to rationalise their range of authorised unit trusts, and to convert some or all of them into OEICs if they wish. At the same time, the introduction of OEICs will continue to widen the opportunities for share ownership for the investing public.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28574]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Expenditure on official hospitality by HM Treasury and associated agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1995–96 is included in the published running costs.

SCOTLAND

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which towns in Scotland currently have closed circuit television to assist with crime prevention; which will have schemes installed during 1996; what is his policy regarding further expansion of such schemes; if he will make further financial assistance available; and if he will make a statement. [27914]
  205
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The towns which currently have CCTV installations are:

  Aberdeen

  Airdrie

  Alloa

  Ayr

  Bathgate

  Bearsden

  Carnoustie

  Coatbridge

  Dalkeith

  Dumfries

  Falkirk

  Galashiels

  Glasgow

  Glenrothes

  Grangemouth

  Hamilton

  Inverness

  Kilmarnock

  Kirkcaldy

  Kirkintilloch

  Levenmouth

  Milngavie

  Motherwell

  Paisley

  Stirling

  Wishaw

  Towns which will have CCTV installed in 1996 are Nairn, Perth and Dundee. Towns planning to install CCTV, or to expand existing schemes, will shortly be submitting applications for funding from the Scottish Office closed circuit television challenge competition, which I announced on 13 December 1995. Some £4 million has been made available for the competition over the next three years—£1 million in 1996–97 and £1.5 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99. This will make a significant contribution to making further reductions in crime and the fear of crime in Scotland.

  Residential care homes

  Local authority

  Private

  Voluntary

  Nursing homes

  New council area

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Aberdeen City

  364

  10.4

  22

  0.0

  378

  7.4

  715

  6.0

  Aberdeenshire

  376

  8.8

  89

  15.7

  168

  13.1

  985

  10.5

  Angus

  197

  11.2

  346

  13.3

  72

  0.0

  541

  8.5

  Argyll and Bute

  173

  10.4

  433

  10.9

  72

  15.3

  303

  9.6

  Clackmannanshire

  32

  0.0

  0

  —

  12

  0.0

  100

  6.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  274

  5.1

  271

  23.0

  99

  13.1

  519

  7.5

  Dundee City

  401

  4.2

  152

  8.6

  184

  15.8

  650

  26.2

  East Ayrshire

  127

  0.8

  71

  9.9

  79

  2.5

  775

  17.4

  East Dunbartonshire

  40

  0.0

  15

  0.0

  31

  0.0

  195

  8.7

  East Lothian

  169

  7.7

  80

  3.7

  100

  10.0

  396

  8.2

  East Renfrewshire

  43

  27.9

  57

  6.4

  105

  3.8

  620

  6.1

  Edinburgh, City of

  618

  7.4

  233

  5.0

  612

  11.8

  1,755

  12.9

  Falkirk

  214

  9.3

  63

  7.9

  50

  8.0

  446

  6.3

  Fife

  432

  8.6

  420

  4.9

  166

  7.8

  1,088

  21.2

  Glasgow, City of

  1,202

  4.3

  289

  8.6

  570

  5.5

  2,213

  13.9

  Highland

  370

  7.8

  495

  15.8

  222

  7.7

  1,137

  9.0

  Inverclyde

  64

  10.9

  69

  2.9

  103

  3.5

  245

  1.6

  Midlothian

  160

  11.9

  42

  7.1

  68

  7.4

  383

  43.9

  206

  Health Boards
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what allocations he has made of bridging finance for health care to each of the health boards in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [27915]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total amount of bridging finance allocations issued to each of the health boards in Scotland in the financial years 1991–92 to 1995–96 are as shown:

  Health Board

  Allocation (£ million)

  Argyll and Clyde

  3.023

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2.051

  Borders

  0.791

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0.332

  Fife

  2.846

  Forth Valley

  1.791

  Grampian

  7.542

  Greater Glasgow

  18.083

  Highland

  3.936

  Lanarkshire

  3.616

  Lothian

  9.641

  Orkney

  0.210

  Shetland

  0.047

  Tayside

  2.182

  Western Isles

  0.497

  Total

  56.588

  Bridging finance continues to be an effective way of facilitating the Government's care in the community policies.

  Old People's Homes
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of places in(a) old people's homes and (b) nursing homes in the private, public and voluntary sectors for each of the new council areas in Scotland as at 1 April, indicating for each the vacancies. [27916]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest available information is for 30 September 1995 and is set out in the table:
  207

  Residential care homes

  Local authority

  Private

  Voluntary

  Nursing homes

  New council area

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Number of beds

  Percentage vacant

  Moray

  171

  11.1

  58

  5.2

  46

  0.0

  189

  4.8

  North Ayrshire

  128

  6.2

  186

  11.0

  71

  0.0

  846

  15.3

  North Lanarkshire

  437

  5.9

  146

  4.4

  45

  11.1

  996

  11.5

  Orkney Islands

  71

  5.6

  28

  21.4

  0.0

  —

  0.0

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  240

  5.4

  328

  16.0

  192

  13.5

  787

  14.7

  Renfrewshire

  266

  4.9

  197

  3.0

  88

  3.4

  525

  8.6

  Scottish Borders

  270

  10.4

  113

  8.8

  110

  10.0

  688

  19.9

  Shetland Islands

  61

  8.2

  0

  —

  36

  5.6

  0

  —

  South Ayrshire

  160

  5.0

  65

  4.3

  105

  1.9

  878

  6.8

  South Lanarkshire

  396

  9.3

  78

  5.7

  151

  10.6

  1,734

  15.8

  Stirling

  153

  2.6

  103

  5.8

  199

  11.1

  373

  6.7

  West Dunbartonshire

  257

  12.5

  30

  6.7

  38

  2.6

  63

  3.2

  West Lothian

  215

  8.8

  22

  9.1

  8

  0.0

  514

  30.4

  Western Isles

  182

  17.0

  6

  0.0

  14

  0.0

  65

  1.5

  Scotland

  8,263

  7.6

  4,507

  10.1

  4,194

  8.4

  20,724

  13.6

  Pre-school Education
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct a survey of day care and pre-school education(a) to show how many in each category have (i) outdoor play space for their sole use and (ii) furnishings and fittings of a suitable size for pre-fives and (b) to establish whether they have to stow away equipment every day so that others can use the same premises. [27903]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The results of the first survey of provision for day care and pre-school education for young children in Scotland are included in a statistical bulletin published in March by the Scottish Office. Copies were placed in the Library. In deciding whether to register facilities under the Children Act 1989 local authorities have to satisfy themselves on the suitability of place spaces and equipment provided. There are no plans to conduct an additional survey to collect information about such detailed aspects of provision.

  Chernobyl (Farms)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which farms in Scotland are subject to restrictions because of fall-out from Chernobyl; what was the total compensation paid to all affected farms in each of the past 10 years; how long it is estimated restrictions will continue in force; what is his estimate of the total future cost involved; and if he will make a statement. [27917]
  208
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Following the de-restrictions which took effect from 17 January 1996, 36 farms in Scotland remain affected by post-Chernobyl controls on the movement and slaughter of sheep. These farms are located in the following council areas: Stirling, 11 farms; East Ayrshire, 16 farms; East Renfrewshire, three farms; and Dumfries and Galloway, six farms.

  The sheep compensation scheme was introduced in July 1986 to compensate farmers whose enterprises had been disrupted as a result of statutory movement and slaughter restrictions. The total paid to date is detailed in the table.

  Financial year

  Expenditure £

  1986–87

  1,388,135

  1987–88

  160,987

  1988–89

  151,937

  1989–90

  178,206

  1990–91

  164,820

  1991–92

  141,307

  1992–93

  107,769

  1993–94

  98,044

  1994–95

  100,637

  1995–96

  80,827

  Restrictions are reviewed on a regular basis and are removed wherever the monitoring of sheep has revealed residual radioactivity to have declined to within acceptable levels. The downward trend in radiocaesium activity levels is welcome. However, it is not possible to indicate at this time when all restrictions may be removed or to estimate total future costs involved.
  209

  Forestry
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to improve forestry consultation procedures. [29130]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In our response to the Environment Committee's report on "Forestry and the Environment" we said that we would ask the Forestry Commission to review its procedures for consulting on planting and felling proposals. The Forestry Commission has now completed this review following consultation with the relevant statutory bodies and a wide range of environmental, land use and forestry organisations.

  The review revealed that the Forestry Commission consults on the vast majority of schemes but that consultation results in no substantive comment in most cases. Woodland owners and landowners said that the present procedures are time consuming and expensive and that the application of the procedures to small and non-contentious cases results in unnecessary delays; they said that the Forestry Commission should be able to determine applications in a wider range of circumstances than at present. On the other hand, local authorities, statutory nature conservation, countryside and environment protection bodies and environmental organisations were concerned that any changes to the procedures should not preclude consultation on sensitive cases and that the Forestry Commission should agree the circumstances in which consultation will take place. They were also concerned that the procedures should apply to all types of woodland planting including short rotation coppice and planting on set-aside land.

  Since the present arrangements were introduced in 1984 the background against which grant and felling applications are considered has changed considerably. We now have a grant scheme designed to deliver multiple purpose forestry and a series of detailed environmental guidelines. We operate a general presumption against the felling and conversion of woodland to other land uses. Large or very sensitive new planting proposals are subject to statutory environmental assessment. In addition, indicative forestry strategies give local authorities the opportunity to indicate in broad terms those areas which they regard as environmentally sensitive and those where they would like to see forestry positively encouraged. We have also introduced a public register of new planting proposals which enables interested parties to know what is proposed and to submit comments. As we announced in the 1996 sustainable development White Paper—"This Common Inheritance: 1996 UK Annual Report", Cm 3188—the Forestry Commission is preparing a set of forestry standards that we will use as a basis for monitoring and reporting on environmental standards in managed woodland.

  Against this background and in the light of the review we have decided to make a number of changes to the procedures.

  We believe that the public should be given a greater opportunity to comment on new planning and felling and restocking proposals. We have therefore decided to include felling proposals in the Forestry Commission's public register of applications and to make the register more readily accessible. As well as making the register available for inspection by the public in local authority planning
  210
  offices the commission will, in due course, arrange for the register to be accessed via the Internet. The commission will also send copies of the register to the relevant statutory bodies. Anyone with an interest in a woodland planting or felling and restocking proposal will be able to comment to the Forestry Commission, which will take account of all the comments it receives in determining an application.

  In addition, the Forestry Commission will consult relevant statutory bodies before deciding on new planting proposals in the following circumstances:

  planting proposals that affect a national nature reserve, site of special scientific interest, special protection area designated under the EC wild birds directive or special area for conservation designated under the EC habitats directive; with Scottish Natural Heritage, English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales;

  planting proposals that affect a scheduled ancient monument; with Historic Scotland, English Heritage or Cadw;

  planting proposals of five hectares or more inside a national park; with the national park authority;

  planting proposals of five hectares or more in a national scenic area, area of outstanding natural beauty or heritage coast; with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Countryside Commission or the Countryside Council for Wales;

  in addition, planting proposals of 10 hectares or more; with the local authority.

  These arrangements for consulting on new planting proposals will apply to all types of woodland planting including short rotation coppice and planting on set-aside land.

  The Forestry Commission will continue to operate the present arrangements for notifying archaeological authorities of new planting proposals.

  Whereas new planting involves a change of land use, felling is part of the on-going business of woodland management and we believe it should be handled with a lighter touch. The Forestry Commission will consult local authorities and the relevant statutory bodies on felling proposals in the following circumstances:

  felling proposals that affect a national nature reserve, site of special scientific interest, special protection area or special area for conservation; with Scottish Natural Heritage, English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales;

  felling proposals that affect a scheduled ancient monument; with Historic Scotland, English Heritage or Cadw;

  felling proposals that affect trees that are subject to a tree preservation order, with the local authority.

  Environmental sensitivity does not depend on size and location alone and there may be circumstances in addition to those I have set out when it will be appropriate for the Forestry Commission to consult local authorities or statutory bodies before determining applications for new planting or felling. The Forestry Commission may therefore agree other, special circumstances when it will consult local authorities or relevant statutory bodies where a local authority or statutory body identifies clear and objective grounds for doing so.

  In all those cases where the Forestry Commission consults a local authority or statutory body on a new planting or felling proposal the present arrangements for resolving objections will continue to be applied. In all other cases, the Forestry Commission will determine

  211
  applications in the light of any comments it receives, including any views it may decide to solicit from any organisation or individual.

  Concern was expressed during the review that the 1984 ministerial direction does not give the Forestry Commission sufficient powers to require new planting and felling proposals to comply with its environmental guidelines before consultation. This has resulted in the Forestry Commission consulting on proposals that do not meet the necessary standard. This wastes time and reduces confidence in the procedures. We have therefore decided that the commission should be able to reject an application at any stage if it does not meet the environmental guidelines or if, in the opinion of the commission, it would be likely to cause significant harm to the environment.

  The arrangements that we have announced today will remove unnecessary and unproductive consultation which is wasteful of everyone's time and off-putting to those wishing to plant or manage woodlands. The greater openness we are introducing, together with the Forestry Commission's existing environmental guidelines, statutory environmental assessment for large or very sensitive woodland planting proposals and the forestry standards which the Commission is currently preparing, will allow consultation to be focused on genuinely sensitive cases.

  I am confident that the new arrangements will eliminate much of the unnecessary bureaucracy inherent in the present system while, at the same time, maintaining the present high standards of environmental protection. The arrangements will come into effect on 1 August 1996.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
  Sir Jim Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent meeting of the Commonwealth ministerial action group. [28304]

  Mr. Hanley
  I have sent a copy of the concluding statement of the second meeting of the Commonwealth ministerial action group held in London on 23 April to the Library of the House. The group welcomed the transition to an elected civilian government in Sierra Leone in March. It appealed to the international community to assist the Gambia to complete its transition programme to civilian democratic rule. On Nigeria, the group regretted that the Nigerian Government had declined to pursue a dialogue with the Commonwealth since its first meeting and that the human rights situation had continued to deteriorate. Pending further discussion with the Nigerian Government over the next month, the group recommended to Commonwealth member Governments the adoption of a number of measures in order to register continuing disapproval of developments in Nigeria and agreed to consult the European Union, the United States and other members of the international community on possible other additional economic measures.
  212

  Government Communications Headquarters
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what services are currently being considered for outsourcing in GCHQ. [28531]

  Mr. Rifkind
  On 10 April 1996 the director of GCHQ announced that GCHQ's logistics and engineering support services would, from later this year, be contracted out to Vosper-Manteck. There are no current plans for further outsourcing.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for national security of outsourcing at GCHQ; and if he will make a statement. [28532]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The need to continue to protect the security of GCHQ's sensitive work remains of paramount importance. The arrangements for the outsourcing of GCHQ's logistics and engineering support services will preserve its ability to meet that need. As with all commercial contractors whose service GCHQ employs, the staff of the new contractor will be subject to the same stringent level of security checking as GCHQ's own staff.

  Israel-Lebanon Peace Settlement
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that European Union countries play a part in the negotiation and implementation of a lasting peace settlement between Israel and Lebanon. [28561]

  Mr. Hanley
  We and our EU partners are making a significant contribution to the efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region. The EU provides economic assistance to Lebanon and is involved in the political process. For instance, it will participate in the consultative group on reconstruction in Lebanon.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter to the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) of 2 April—Foreign Office reference: GV100/31101—about his constituent. [28546]

  Mr. Hanley
  Replies were sent on 3 and 7 May.

  Armed Conflict
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he intends to put forward at the Council of Foreign Ministers on 13 May to make the European Union more effective in preventing armed conflict(a) between and (b) within states. [28451]

  Mr. David Davis
  I shall not be putting forward any proposals about the EU's role in conflict prevention at the 13 May Foreign Affairs Council. The EU's role in conflict prevention in Africa was considered at the 25 March Foreign Affairs Council. Officials are currently examining detailed proposals. The UK plays a leading role in conflict prevention—through national action, through the EU's common foreign and security policy, and through other international organisations, in particular the UN.
  213

  Cyprus
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Cyprus. [28411]

  Mr. David Davis
  The last visit by a Foreign Secretary to Cyprus was in October 1993 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October 1993.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department issues to hon. Members proposing to visit Cyprus. [28414]

  Mr. Davis
  We welcome the many visits hon. Members make to Cyprus. We encourage them to have contact, where possible, with both Cypriot communities. We advise hon. Members to give us good advance notice of their visits, so that we can offer appropriate assistance.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [28410]

  Mr. Davis
  The Government remain committed to an active and leading role in the search for settlement in Cyprus within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Royal Fine Art Commission (Report)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield's report on the Royal Fine Art Commission will be made available to the House. [28960]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have today placed in the Library copies of Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield's report and my conclusions. Sir Geoffrey has recognised the valuable work done by the Royal Fine Art Commission to improve the quality of design in the major developments which it reviews. He has considered ways in which this work might be done more effectively and has recommended closer links with the statutory planning system. We are discussing with the Department of the Environment how this may best be done and we shall jointly be consulting the local authority associations.

  The report also makes various recommendations for the more efficient running of the commission and its secretariat. We have considered these and implemented them where appropriate.

  The commission has a high rate of success in persuading developers to adopt suggested improvements, and it has over the years produced a series of influential seminars and publications. I am grateful for the large amount of time which the chairman and 17 commissioners give to this important work.

  Broad-band Communications
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the future use of broad-band communications networks by libraries, museums and galleries. [29162]
  214
  Mr. Sproat
  The Government are determined to ensure that the latest information technology will be available to public libraries, museums and galleries to give greater access, by the general public, to information and our cultural heritage. With this in mind I held a series of meetings earlier this year with representatives of the cable industry. I am glad therefore to be able to welcome the Cable Communications Association's decision to contribute £50,000 to fund a feasibility study into the use of broad-band networks to ensure that libraries, galleries and museums are used to their full potential. The study will be managed by the Library and Information Commission, and will draw on expertise from the libraries, museums and education sectors.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electricity Supply
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the supply of electricity from Scotland to customers in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [27841]

  Mr. Page
  Subject to the conditions of their licences, this is a commercial matter for the parties involved.

  Political Donations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will prosecute under the Companies Acts the company whose name has been supplied to him for failure to declare political donations made by its subsidiary in the year ending April 1995. [28469]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  If allegations of non-compliance with statutory disclosure requirements are drawn to my Department's attention, my Department will look into them, and if there has been a failure to comply with those requirements, it will take appropriate action.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will amend the Companies Act 1985 to require Companies House to maintain a register of companies making political donations together with the sum donated and the recipient; and if he will make that register open to public inspection. [28309]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Companies Act 1985 already requires companies to disclose, in their annual directors' reports, political donations exceeding £200.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the date by which gross domestic product in manufacturing will be at least 3 per cent. higher than in 1990. [28402.]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out his latest estimate of manufacturing output in the "Summer Economic Forecast" which will be published in July.

  Common Cold Unit
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the common cold unit at Harnham, Salisbury, closed; what were the duties and aims of the unit; for what
  215
  years since 1966 it published an annual report which was available to the public; and what means it used to advertise for volunteers. [28265]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The common cold unit, which opened in 1946, closed upon the retirement of its director, Dr. D. A. J. Tyrell, in 1990.

  In the earlier years, the work of the unit was directed at finding the viruses that caused colds. Late studies looked at how influenza viruses might be attenuated to produce a vaccine strain, and whether it would be possible to prevent or treat colds by giving antiviral drugs. In the last years of the unit, molecular techniques were applied to detect and analyse viruses and the response of the body to them.

  As far as I have been able to ascertain, the unit did not publish any annual reports.

  Up until the early 1960s, volunteers were recruited largely as a result of favourable press coverage and talks and lectures in colleges and voluntary groups, as well as through word of mouth. The publicity effort became more systematic from the late 1960s, first with the publication of leaflets for use in library and workplace noticeboards, then with advertisements in selected publications. A significant number of volunteers over the years came forward as a result of return visits.

  Balance of Trade
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the net balance of trade between the United Kingdom and the rest of the EU for each year since accession [28175]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The net visible trade balance between the UK and the current 15 EU members for each year since 1973 is published by the Office for National Statistics in table A3 of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. It is also available on the central shared database, which can be accessed from the Library of the House.

  Chemical Metrology
  Mr. Day
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the Laboratory of the Government Chemist's work for his Department regarding chemical metrology [28844]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Hargreaves) on 2 April 1996,Official Report, columns 149–50, regarding the sale of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, I stated that LGC will continue to meet the Department's needs as the centre of excellence in chemical metrology. To ensure this, the Department will be guaranteeing work to LGC. The principal element in this will be the major programme in supporting valid analytical measurement—VAM—one of the programmes making up the national measurement system. LGC has acted as main contractor and co-ordinator for VAM since 1988. The Department has committed itself to support this work for a further five years. LGC will also be undertaking other projects, particularly in analytical innovation, biotehnology, and consumer safety, under the DTI's innovation and technology support budget. The
  216
  total of the guaranteed work to be placed at LGC is £33.5 million over five years. In addition, if the contract referred to in my answer of 2 April is not awarded to the purchaser, the guaranteed workload at LGC will be increased by £750,000 over the five-year period.

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the KPMG study on outward investment commissioned in the first competitiveness White Paper; and what were its main findings [29129]

  Mr. Nelson
  The KPMG study on outwards investment was published by HMSO on Thursday 9 May. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses. The study's main findings were that outward investment is becoming increasingly important for UK firms of all sizes, in both services and manufacturing sectors; that the main factor influencing outward investment is the need to increase sales and develop markets; and that the effect of overseas investment on UK firms' employment levels is neutral to positive for all but a small minority of projects.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the review of the scope for agency status for the industrial tribunals mentioned in chapter 7 of the Green Paper, "Resolving Employment Rights Disputes: Options for Reform." [29131]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government have decided to create a new executive agency within the Department of Trade and Industry to provide the administrative support to the industrial tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal with effect from 1 April 1997. The change to agency status will not affect the tribunal judiciary, who will remain independent of the Executive.

  Creating an executive agency will help the tribunals to build on the improvements they have been making over recent years and allow a stronger focus on performance. This will be important in order to deal with an increasing caseload and to improve the quality of service to tribunal users.

  South West Leisure Products Ltd.
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 February,Official Report, column 676, what checks were made at the time of the granting of regional development grant in 1989 to South West Leisure Products Ltd. (a) into the background of the directors and (b) as to whether the company had been placed in the hands of the administrative receivers; and if he will make a statement [24712]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: The only payments of regional development grant to the company were made in 1985 and then eight months before the appointment of administrative receivers in October 1988. Firms meeting the criteria for regional development grants would receive payment of grant automatically on the basis of providing assets or jobs in a development area relating to qualifying activities which would result in new or increased productivity, or would effect a change in the product or process. It was unusual for checks to be made

  217
  into the background of directors. In accordance with normal practice under the scheme the case file was destroyed—six years after the last action was taken.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 April,Official Report, column 363, what was the value of the money paid on demand from the creditors of South West Leisure Products Ltd. under the provision of the two loans guaranteed by his Department [28297]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: The loans guaranteed under the small firms loan guarantee scheme resulted in payments of £27,179.63 and £14,278.82 being made to the lender in November 1988.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the sums of money paid by each business link for information technology systems and licences. [28147]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the information technology system that is used in each operating business link [28146]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: All business links are required to have effective IT systems for office services, common client database, client management, and electronic mail. The systems used vary depending on the particular requirements of each business link and details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  ROM-Data Corporation Ltd.
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his letters to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport dated 15 February, 24 March and 2 April, if his Department is currently conducting disciplinary proceedings following the collapse of ROM-Data Corporation Ltd.; and when he expects the process to be concluded. [28269]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: An inquiry under the Department's disciplinary procedures is presently in hand. It is not possible to say when this will be completed, but it is in everybody's interest that it should be concluded as quickly as possible, consistent with the principles of fair treatment for those members of staff involved and employment law.

  Meat Industry (Job Losses)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the meat manufacturing/processing industry in respect of compensation for losses related to BSE; and if he will make a statement. [24102]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend and I have had extensive discussions with all sectors of the meat industry about the difficulties they are currently facing.
  218
  It is not the Government's policy to offer compensation to businesses for losses associated with the BSE scare. The assistance which has been made available is intended to keep open the essential links in the beef supply chain while businesses adapt to the new circumstances.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Adventure Activity Facilities
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources are available to Tourism Quality Services Ltd. to enable it to carry out its functions adequately as licensing authority for persons providing facilities for adventure activities; and how many people it employs. [28097]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Tourism Quality Services Ltd. will receive income from licence and inspection fees. It is expected to become self-financing on a non-profit-making basis within two to three years. There is a provision in the Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995 for the Secretary of State to make grants to TQS in respect of expenses which are not met by fees. Provision has been made in the supply estimates for 1996–97 for a grant of up to £238,000 if required. TQS expects eventually to employ between 30 and 40 people to meet the expected demand for licences.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent on official hospitality by her Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28571]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The expected spend for 1995–96, rounded to the nearest £000, is:

  DfEE: £98,000

  Agencies (Teachers' Pensions Agency and Employment Service): £6,000

  Higher Education
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students there are from ethnic minority groups in higher education; and what was the figure in 1979 and 1989. [28090]

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the ethnicity of higher education students in 1979–80 and 1989–90 was not collected centrally. Information for 1995–96 is as follows:

  Home entrants to higher education in higher education institutions in the UK 1995–96 (provisional)

  Ethnic group

  Number (thousands)

  White

  472.2

  Black Caribbean

  7.0

  Black African

  9.3

  Black other

  3.0

  Indian

  14.8

  Pakistani

  7.7

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total number of students in higher education; and what was the figure in 1979 and 1989 [28088]
  219
  Mr. Forth
  The information is given in the following table:

  Total higher education students

  Academic year

  Number (thousands)

  1979–801

  708.2

  1989–901

  977.7

  1995–962

  1,650.6

  1 Great Britain, excluding the Open university.2 Provisional. United Kingdom, excluding the Open university.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many mature students there are in higher education; and what was the number in 1979 and 1989. [28089]

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

  Mature1 students in higher education

  Academic year

  Number (thousands)

  1979–802

  350.0

  1989–902

  532.1

  1995–963

  987.4

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

  2 Great Britain, excluding the Open university.

  3 Provisional. United Kingdom, excluding the Open university.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many women are now in higher education; and what was the figure for 1979 and 1989. [28225]

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

  Female students in higher education

  Academic year

  Number (thousands)

  1979–801

  253.4

  1989–901

  433.0

  1995–962

  828.9

  1 Great Britain, excluding the Open university.

  2 Provisional. United Kingdom, excluding the Open university.

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what criteria Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools is appraised; and what criteria determine the payment to him of a bonus. [28276]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The performance of Her Majesty's chief inspector is appraised each year by the permanent secretary for education and employment. This appraisal takes account of the published job description, a copy of which is in the Library, and the priority objectives for that year agreed between the permanent secretary and HMCI at the beginning of the year. HMCI can each year receive a non-consolidated bonus in recognition of his performance against these objectives.
  220

  Grant-maintained Status (Promotion Costs)
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department(a) spent in 1995–96 and (b) plans to spend in 1996–97 on promoting grant-maintained status for schools [28211]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department provides factual information about grant-maintained status to schools and parents to help them look at the option in a balanced and objective way.

  We provide this information primarily through publications, "Going GM" conferences, GM open days, and other support. Expenditure on all these activities in 1995–96 was some £0.6 million. The budget for GM schools' information for 1996–97 allows for spending up to a maximum of £0.9 million.

  Conduct of Schools (Ministerial Powers)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she next proposes to use her powers under section 220 of the Education Act 1993. [28958]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I am today launching consultation on a proposal to transfer Langham school, Haringey, to the control of an education association.

  After an inspection in November 1994, Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools decided that this 900-pupil secondary school in Tottenham was failing to provide and acceptable standard of education to its pupils. The school's governors and Haringey local education authority prepared an action plan for the school's recovery. However, subsequent monitoring visits by Her Majesty's inspectors have found very limited progress at the school. The most recent visit in March recorded that GCSE entries and results declined between 1994 and 1995. The expectations of teachers and the achievements of pupils remain low. The standard of teaching has not improved. Indeed, while the 1994 Ofsted report found that "the majority of the teaching is generally satisfactory", the March 1996 Ofsted report, based on a smaller but still significant sample of lessons, found that "the quality of teaching was satisfactory in less than half the lessons".

  I have considered carefully the findings of Ofsted. I have also read carefully a joint response to Ofsted's findings submitted by the school's governors and Haringey LEA. In their response they point to a fall in exclusions and to improvements in behaviour but they accept the findings of Ofsted on the quality of teaching and pupils' achievements.

  Having considered all the circumstances of the school, I now propose to place Langham school under the control of an education association. However, before taking a decision on this, I am inviting comments from all interested parties by 14 June 1996.

  If the school is transferred to an education association, I have it in mind to place it under the control of the North East London Education Association, which was previously responsible for Hackney Downs school. I am therefore consulting the NELEA on this proposal on a contingency basis.
  221
  Although Langham school presents serious challenges, I very much hope that the action that I am proposing will result in its improvement to the point where it offers a good education to all its pupils.

PRIME MINISTER

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister 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's 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. [27731]

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

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 9 May. [27569]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 9 May. [27570]

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

  European Union Flag
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government offices displayed the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [28592]

  The Prime Minister
  So far as I am aware, none.

DEFENCE

  Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions are placed on staff at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in respect of testing chemical agents on themselves; when this policy was introduced; and if staff who break this policy are subject to disciplinary action. [28037]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about staff at the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment testing substances on themselves since this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which includes CBD Sector in one of its divisions.
  222
  Staff in what is now called the Protection and Life Sciences Division, Porton Down are not permitted to test chemical agents on themselves. This has been a long standing policy of the establishment at Porton Down but we have been unable to find a date on which this policy was formally introduced. We are aware that some experiments were conducted involving staff and the incapacitating drug LSD in the early 1960s but we are unaware of any other formal studies since that time having been undertaken involving members of staff. If any member of staff was found to have deviated from the policy on self testing they would be subject to the same disciplinary action expected for any other infringement of workplace regulations.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the three-year review of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment as an agency of his Department finished. [28041]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about the three year review of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which now includes the former CBDE in one of its divisions.

  The three year review of the Chemical and Biological Defence Agency consisted of three elements: the evaluation of performance, reconsideration of Prior Options, and revision of the Framework Document. The evaluation of performance was carried out by Coopers and Lybrand in 1993 and their report was received in early 1994. The second phase involving reconsideration of the Prior Options coincided with the Defence Cost Studies being carried out by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Front Line First review. The Defence Cost Studies exercise recommended that CBDE should become an element of a new science and technology agency which became known as the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and was launched as a trading fund on 1 April 1995. The move into the DERA therefore superseded the Prior Options reconsideration and the revision of the Framework Document.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if service personnel who take part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment are subject to(a) positive and (b) negative vetting; [28035]

  (2) if service personnel who take part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment are required to sign the Official Secrets Act 1911 during their stay. [28034]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your questions about whether service volunteers attending the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down are security vetted and sign the Official Secrets Act. This falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and I am answering both questions in this reply.
  223
  All those who take part in the volunteer programme at what is now known as the Protection and Life Sciences Division, Porton Down are serving members of the Armed Forces and as such will have signed the Official Secrets Act. The volunteers are not required to sign the Official Secrets Act again during their stay at Porton Down

  Since 1990 service personnel have had routine security clearances conducted as part of the recruitment process. No further levels of security clearances are required in order to take part in the studies conducted at Porton Down.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what details of experiments, when requested, are given to relatives of service personnel who took part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in cases where the service personnel are no longer living. [28043]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about providing information to relatives of volunteers at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment Porton Down since the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency now includes CBD Sector in one of its divisions.

  To date we have not received any enquiries from the relatives of deceased former volunteers. If we were to be approached by the close relatives of a former volunteer we would provide them with the same information we would have given the volunteer himself regarding their parent, child or spouse's experiences at Porton Down.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for which civilian organisations the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has carried out work since 1966; and if it has been the objective of the establishment to increase its work for civilian bodies since 1966. [28042]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about work done for civilian organisations by the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

  In common with the rest of DERA, CBD undertakes work for other government departments and the commercial sector. It does this primarily to maintain its scientific capability against a background of continuing budgetary pressures on the MOD. Without such work the scientific support essential for the defence of the realm in the face of an increasingly complex spectrum of chemical and biological threats would be compromised.

  A secondary motivation for CBD's involvement in non-MOD work is to facilitate technology transfer in line with UK Government policy. This aims to maximise the benefit of MOD expenditure on defence research through its application in other areas. Working with the civil sector on a commercial basis allows the MOD's technology to be valued as an investment and properly exploited to the good of the UK economy.

  I regret it would involve disproportionate costs to try and identify all the civilian organisations for which the establishment at Porton Down has conducted research since 1966.
  224
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the responsibilities and objectives of the medical division of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment; when this division was set up; who have been the superintendents or heads of this division since 1966; and in which years they were superintendent or head of this division. [28036]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about the medical division of the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down which is now part of the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

  As part of the organisational changes which occurred when the former Cl3DE joined DERA the medical division was amalgamated with the former biology and microbiology divisions to form the Medical Countermeasures business centre. This department has the responsibility of carrying out research to increase the body's capability to withstand attack from chemical or biological warfare agents and to provide treatments should personnel be exposed to such materials. The research interests include biochemistry and toxicology, drug evaluation, vaccine research, physiology and human factors, and surgical and materials specialisations.

  The Medical division was first formally identified by that title in 1954 and had its roots in the physiology section which had existed at Porton Down since World War 1. Since 1966 it has had 5 superintendents who have held the posts for varying periods of time from one to thirteen years. Apart from acknowledging the head of the establishment I regret it is not our practice to name individuals who hold specific posts within the organisation.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Defence Research Information Centre
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the responsibilities of the defence research information centre; what are the titles of the publications or bulletins which are published by the defence research information centre(a) regularly and (b) occasionally; and what is the function and nature of each of these publications or bulletins. [28044]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your question about the Defence Research Information Centre which is now part of the Defence Support Services division of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency of which I am Chief Executive.

  The role of the Defence Research Information Centre, DRIC, based in Glasgow, is to act as a repository and source of information for all technical and scientific reports produced by or sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and its agencies. Some information is also held under international exchange agreements. Approved customers are entitled to draw on this information.
  225
  DRIC produces a number of bulletins for customers listing the information that is held. These and their functions are summarised in the table below.

  Item

  Title

  Frequency

  Nature (content)

  Function

  A

  DRIC Abstracts

  Monthly and Quarterly

  Citations to classified reports of a scientific or technical nature which have been received from UK or overseas sources

  Dissemination within, or on behalf of MoD, of classified results of MoD

  B

  DRIC Standard Profiles

  Monthly

  Subject specific subset of DRIC Abstracts

  Selected subject categories of above

  C

  Overseas Citations Lists

  Monthly

  Lists of bibliographic details of overseas defence research publications

  Similar to item A but based solely on citation lists received from overseas. Raises awareness of their defence research activities

  D

  DRIC Newsletter

  Quarterly

  Customer information

  Keeping customers aware of relevant development in DRIC's capabilities and indicating how they can obtain maximum benefit

  I hope this information helps.

  HMS Dasher
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for all papers relating to the loss of HMS Dasher on 27 March 1943 on the River Clyde, including the findings resulting from subsequent dives by the wrecks section of the Hydrographic Office, to be made available to interested parties. [28169]

  Mr. Soames
  HMS Dasher, an escort carrier based on a mercantile hull and built in the USA, blew up and sank on 27 March 1943, due to an explosion in her aviation fuel system. All papers relating to her loss have been available at the Public Record Office since 1972. A deep dive on this wreck was conducted in January 1982, on behalf of the Royal Navy Hydrographic Office. The purpose of the dive was positively to identify Dasher, which is lying close to another wreck, and to obtain an accurate fix of her position for charting purposes. The information now appears on Admiralty chart No. 2491.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward proposals for official recognition by the Royal Navy of the loss of HMS Dasher and the loss of human life. [28170]

  Mr. Soames
  The names of all those who died as a result of the loss of HMS Dasher, and whose bodies were not recovered, are commemorated on various official war memorials. The graves of those whose bodies were recovered are the responsibility either of their families or, if the bodies were not claimed at the time, of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In line with the 226
  general practice, my Deaprtment has no plans for further recognition of the loss of HMS Dasher.

  War Crime Sites
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British troops deployed with the United Nations implementation force—IFOR—in respect of their role in protecting suspected war crime sites at the request of the international tribunal of The Hague. [28273]

  Mr. Soames
  IFOR's primary mission in Bosnia is to ensure compliance with the military aspects of the peace agreement. It does not have the resources to guard suspected mass grave sites on a continuous basis without detriment to this mission. IFOR provides, however, a secure environment for the tribunal's work and logistic support and protection for its investigators on a case-by-case basis. In addition, IFOR conducts aerial reconnaissance and patrols in the area of suspected mass grave sites to monitor and report on any tampering or suspicious activity.

  The United Kingdom fully supports the work of the tribunal and British troops are closely involved in assisting their investigations. The tribunal's chief prosecutor has expressed full satisfaction with the level of support provided by IFOR.

  Defence Analytical Services Agency
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 1996–97. [28961]

  Mr. Soames
  Key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for financial year 1996–97. The targets build on the progress already made by the agency since it formed in July 1992 and are as follows:

  Delivery of customer service and quality

  About three quarters of the agency's business is covered by service level agreements with customers, which set out the targets and standards for the level of service, timeliness and quality of work. For the remaining parts of the business, for which service level agreements are not appropriate, project agreements are in place. Key targets are:

  (a) To meet at least 95 per cent. of the timeliness and quality targets set in the service level agreements and project agreements.

  (b) To have at least 90 per cent. of customers saying they are at least satisfied with the timeliness, quality of work and helpfulness of staff in the annual customer satisfaction survey covering all aspects of the business.

  (c) To engage customers in a fundamental review of service level agreements to ensure they fully reflect current and expected needs.

  (d) To demonstrate a further, independently assessed, improvement in the quality of published output.

  227
  Efficiency and use of resources

  The agency plans to make significant savings in 1996–97 as well as meeting the demands arising from a number of important studies and initiatives. Key targets are:

  (e) To bring forward £136,000 "Competing for Quality" savings scheduled for 1997–98 to 1996–97.

  (f) To support the MOD's work on the Gulf health research programme, implementation of the Bett study, and civilian pay and grading from within existing resources.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28568]

  Mr. Soames
  During financial year 1995–96 my Department spent £5.105 million on official hospitality. These figures include expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence itself, by formations and establishments of the armed forces at home and abroad, and by individual officers occupying command and international appointments for which entertainment allowances are payable. Where responsibility for such expenditure falls to the chief executives of my Department's agencies I have asked the chief executives to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. R. Drew to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how much was spent on official hospitality in his Department and associated agencies in 1995/96 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO).

  During the financial year 1995/96 ABRO spent £5,886 on official hospitality.

  Letter from K. J W. Goad to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. As Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA), I reply with the Agency's details.

  The total spend on official hospitality for my Agency as a whole (i.e. across all 10 main Depot locations and 24 smaller locations in Great Britain and Germany) in the financial year 1995/96 was £16,389.77.

  Thank you very much for your enquiry. I hope this is sufficient detail to meet your requirements. Should you require any further information please contact me.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about official hospitality as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA).

  DASA spent £769.24 on official hospitality in financial year 1995/96.
  228
  Letter from A. H. Roache to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  As Chief Executive of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995/96.

  The DAC did not expend Agency funds on official hospitality in the period indicated.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about expenditure on official entertainment, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing & Textile Agency.

  Expenditure on official entertainment for the financial year 1995/96 was £2943.
  I hope this information answers your question, if I can be of further assistance to you please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) to your question about expenditure on official hospitality in 1995/96.

  In the financial year 1995/96 DERA spent a total of £47787 on official hospitality.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Letter from T McG. Browne to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 8 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Michael Portillo MP, regarding the cost of official hospitality within the MoD and all associated agencies during financial year 1995/96.

  This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Postal & Courier Services Agency. The official hospitality expenditure by my agency during 1995/96 was £2,100. This figure is provisional and, subject to audit, will be included in my Agency's Annual Report which will be laid before Parliament later this summer.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Letter from M. G. R. Hodson to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, about official hospitality, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive Agency.

  In the last financial year, the cost of hospitality, which is included in the running cost budget for my agency, was £2,120. This was somewhat higher than usual because I was honoured to host both the Chief Executives' and Agency Administrators' Conferences during 1995.

  Letter from Keith Ellender to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how much was spent on official hospitality in the financial year 1995–96, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency.

  The amount spent by my Agency on official hospitality in the financial year 1995–96 was £5,502

  Letter from W. E. Spreadbury to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  In the absence on duty of the Chief Executive, I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning expenditure on official hospitality.
  229
  This Agency spent £3207 on official hospitality in the financial year 1995–96.

  Letter from M. R. Pack to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  1. You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question relating to the costs incurred by the Department and associated agencies in providing official hospitality during the financial year 1995–96. As your question relates, in part, to the Hydrographic Office it has been referred to us for a reply.

  2. In the normal course of events my Chief Executive, Rear Admiral Clarke would have replied to you personally but I am afraid he is presently absent from the Office on official duty so I have been asked to reply to you on his behalf.

  3. During the financial year 1995–96 a total of £22,387 was expended by the Hydrographic Office on official entertainment.

  4. I hope this information has been helpful.

  Letter from A. W. Pollard to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the expenditure on official hospitality by executive agencies. As Chief Executive, this falls within my area of responsibility for the Logistic Information Systems Agency (LISA).

  This agency has incurred no expenses in regard to hospitality.

  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  As Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office I am replying to your recent question which asked how much was spent on official hospitality in the financial year 1995–96.

  The hospitality expenditure in 1995–96 was £24,524. It was spent in the course of winning some £20M worth of commercial business and maintaining in international fora the standing of the Office as a world class science-based organisation.

  Letter from M. J. Sands to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about expenditure on official hospitality as this matter falls within the area of responsibility of the Chief Executive as far as the Military Survey Defence Agency is concerned. I regret that the Chief Executive is not available to reply personally due to absence on duty.

  The sum spent on official hospitality in this Agency in Financial Year 1995–96 was £6,354. This expenditure was primarily in support of the maintenance and extension of highly cost-effective arrangements for the international exchange of geographic material.

  Letter form W. S. Graham to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, that asked how much was spent on official hospitality by the 'Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO)' in the financial year 1995–96 as the matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the NARO.

  2. The sum of £1,299 (One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Pounds) was spent on official hospitality in financial year 1995–96.

  Letter from I. P. Somervaille to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked the Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the expenditure on official hospitality in the NRTA in the financial year 1995–96. I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive.

  The total expenditure on official hospitality in the NRTA in the financial year 1995–96 is £67,731.45.
  230
  Letter from Brian Raine to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 8 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence on how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96.

  Queen Victoria School total for 1995–96 was £4,766.82.

  If you have any further questions about this please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Letter from P. C. Ayee to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how much was spent on official hospitality by his department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96, as this matter falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment.

  In 1995–96 the cost of hospitality, which is included in the running cost budget for my agency, was £975.

  Letter from A. A. Nicholson to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about expenditure on official hospitality insofar as this bears on my responsibilities for the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency.

  In the financial year 1995/96, the Training Group Defence Agency spent £1964 from its budget on official hospitality. Details of Hospitality Grants made from central funds direct in individual units are not included, but will be incorporated in the figures to be provided for the Department.

  I am sending a copy of this letter to the Agency's owner, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command.

  Letter from T. S. Mitchelson to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of Defence about official hospitality as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Service Children's Education Agency. The information that I supply below for Financial Year 1995/96 relates to the Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) Agency which was subsumed by SCE on 1 April 1996.

  2. During 1995/96 £296.58 was spent on official hospitality.

  Letter from S. B. J. Wilks to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the provision of hospitality in the financial year 1995/96, in the absence of the Chief Executive Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA), as this matter falls within his area of responsibility.

  ATSA launched in October 1995 but formed as a Directorate on 1 April 1995. During 1995/96 £11,300 was spent on official hospitality.

  Letter from M. A. Rowe to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about spending on official hospitality where it relates to my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Pay Personnel Agency. I am also replying on behalf of the Defence Accounts Agency which ceased to exist on 1 February 1996, following the creation of the Defence Bills Agency on 1 January 1996 and the return of the Directorate of Financial Management Accounting Services to MOD HQ on 1 December 1995.

  The figures you sought, for the two Agencies, are as follows:

  Defence Accounts Agency: £608

  Pay and Personnel Agency: £137

  231
  Letter from T. R. Thurgate to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 9 May 1996:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about expenditure on official hospitality during the financial year 1995–96 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Defence Bills Agency. I can confirm that for the three months from the launch of the Defence Bills Agency on 1 January 1996 until the end of the financial year the total expenditure on hospitality was £46.00.

  I trust that this reply meets your requirements.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of lone parents in(a) 1984 and (b) 1995 who are (i) divorced and (ii) widowed; and if he will make a statement. [27896]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The latest available estimates are for 1994–95.

  The estimates are:

  Percentage

  1984

  1994–95

  Divorced/separated

  68

  58

  Widowed

  12

  5

  Single never married

  20

  37

  Note:

  The estimates are based on sample survey data.

  Source:

  Department of Social Security data.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for(a) disregarding disability living allowance for assessment purposes under the Child Support Acts and (b) taking it into account in the severe disability allowance. [28033]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Disability living allowance is paid in recognition of the additional needs of a disabled person. It is disregarded in the assessment of child support maintenance liability since it would be inappropriate to treat it as income available for that purpose.

  For this reason the allowance is disregarded in calculating entitlement to severe disablement allowance and the severe disability premium in income support. Severe disability allowance does not exist.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to the Benefits Agency of carrying out a trawl of its industrial injuries benefit cases to identify the retirement allowance and reduced earnings claimants who have attained pension age since April 1989 before the introduction of the changes to the reduced earnings allowance on 24 March. [28029]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of industrial injuries benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  232
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 8 May 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary Question asking what was the cost to the Benefits Agency (BA) of carrying out a trawl of their Industrial Injuries Benefit cases to identify the Retirement Allowance and Reduced Earnings claimants who have attainted pension age since April 1989 before the introduction of the changes to the Reduced Earnings Allowance on 24th March.

  £2,287,000 was allocated to BA Districts for this identification exercise. This figure is provisional and may be subject to change.

  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Motability
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what access Motability has to the funds of Motability Finance Ltd; [27540]

  (2) who is responsible for the financial reserves of Motability Finance Ltd. [27232]

  Mr. Burt
  Financial reserves are maintained by Motability Finance Ltd. as a normal business measure to safeguard the operation of its lease and hire purchase schemes. Those reserves are legally owned by MFL. Reserves held in excess of requirements have been transferred by way of gift into the Motability 10th Anniversary trust, which provides charitable support to the Motability scheme.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentage of Child Support Agency assessments cleared(a) within 13 weeks, (b) within 26 weeks and (c) in more than 26 weeks in each month since the Child Support Agency started to operate. [28055]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average value of(a) social fund loans and (b) social fund grants to pensioners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [28339]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out below. AVERAGE VALUE OF SOCIAL FUND DISCRETIONARY AWARDS TO PENSIONERS: 1995–96

  Community care grants: £264.82

  Budgeting loans: £236.40

  Crisis loans: £66.45

  Note:

  The definition of the pensioner client group includes applicant or partner aged:

  60 or over with income support—IS—pensioner premium

  80 or over with IS higher pensioner premium

  60 to 70, disabled with IS higher pensioner premium.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the expenditure on(a) social fund grants and (b) social fund loans to pensioners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [28338]
  233
  Mr. Evans
  The information is set out in the table.

  Social fund grants and loans pensioner expenditure: 1995–96

  Community care grants: £13.5 million

  Budgeting loans: £6.5 million

  Crisis loans: £0.4 million

  Note:

  The definition of the Pensioner client group includes applicant or partner aged:

  60 or over with income support—IS—pensioner premium

  80 or over with IS higher pensioner premium

  60 to 70, disabled with IS higher pensioner premium.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average pay back period for social fund loans to pensioners; and what is the average weekly deduction from benefit. [28340]

  Mr. Evans
  The average pay back period for social fund loans to pensioners is not immediately available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The repayment terms for social fund loans are designed to be affordable to the applicant. The rate of repayment depends upon the applicant's individual circumstances. Although most loans are repaid within 78 weeks, the period of repayment may be extended up to 104 weeks.

  The average weekly deduction from pensioners' benefit is £6.25. This figure is calculated from statistics published in the income support statistics quarterly inquiry, May 1995 and is the latest information available.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners currently have more than one social fund loan; what is the current average value of(a) the loans outstanding and (b) the original sum borrowed. [28341]

  Mr. Evans
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28566]

  Mr. Burt
  Expenditure information for the 1995–96 financial year has not yet been finalised but provisional figures indicate the total amount spent in that year on official hospitality by the Department of Social Security and all associated agencies was £105,541.

  Mortgage Interest Direct
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if adjudicating officers are implementing the R v. Secretary of State ex parte Golding judgment. [26510]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 24 April 1996]: The Department has taken further advice regarding the implications of the judgment. Contrary to what we thought at the time of the judgment we now understand that, pending the Department's appeal against the decision, paragraph 11 of schedule 9A to the claims and payments regulations is not an appropriate vehicle for recovering overpayments of mortgage interest direct
  234
  directly from lenders where the overpayment occurred prior to the new adjudication decision. The Benefits Agency has instructed local offices accordingly.

  Severe Hardship Payments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people are claiming severe hardship payments currently(a) nationally, (b) in London, (c) in Waltham Forest, (d) in Redbridge and (e) in Leyton. [24137]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [Pursuant to his reply 3 April, Official Report, column 419]: Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency is writing again to clarify his reply of 3 April 1996.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 8 May 1996:

  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the number of young people claiming severe hardship payments currently (a) nationally, (b) in London, (c) in Waltham Forest, (d) in Redbridge and (e) in Leyton. I am writing to clarify the information provided in my letter of 3 April 1996.

  I regret that the figure I quoted for the number of young people claiming severe hardship in the BA Districts which include the London postal area was incorrect. The figure should have been 617. This figure is provisional and subject to change.

  I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cultural Traditions Conferences
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the cultural traditions group's(a) varieties of Irishness conference, (b) varieties of Britishness conference and (c) varieties of Scottishness conference. [27887]

  Mr. Ancram
  The costs incurred by the cultural traditions group in organising each conference were:

  (a) Varieties of Irishness, March 1989, Portrush—£10,998, with an additional contribution from the American Ireland Fund;

  (b) Varieties of Britishness, March 1990, Enniskillen—£15,280, with an additional contribution from the American Ireland Fund;

  (c) Varieties of Scottishness, March 1996, Belfast—£7,966, with an additional contribution to travel costs from a private sector sponsor.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the budget allocated for the cultural traditions group's cultural diversity in contemporary Europe conference. [27888]

  Mr. Ancram
  The cultural traditions group's conference on cultural diversity in contemporary Europe, originally planned for 23–24 June 1996, has been postponed and will not now take place during the current financial year.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the cultural balance in the choice of speakers for the cultural diversity in contemporary Europe conference; and if he will make a statement. [27890]
  235
  Mr. Ancram
  The cultural traditions group's proposed conference on cultural diversity in contemporary Europe has been postponed. The organisers will choose speakers for a re-arranged conference at a later stage.

  Orange and GAA Halls
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Orange and Gaelic Athletic Association halls will receive equality of treatment with regard to funding by Government agencies. [27889]

  Mr. Ancram
  Every application for funding will be treated on its merits and in accordance with the criteria which apply in the relevant schemes regardless of the source of the application.

  Irish Language
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary(a) have a knowledge of the Irish language and (b) are studying the Irish language. [28047]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Classified as linguists: five

  Ordinary educational qualifications: 64

  Irish language familiarisation:132

  (b) Currently studying: 27

  Police (Sporting Ventures)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the joint sporting ventures between the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the individual constabularies of Scotland in the past year. [28308]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The following list includes also events in which the RUC participated and which were staged in Scotland.

  Angling

  Police Athletic Association fly fishing championships, Loch Leven, Edinburgh, 19 September 1995

  Boating/sailing

  Police Athletic Association shore sailing championship, the Clyde, 2 June 1995

  Badminton

  Police Athletic Association championships at Aberdeen, 19 April 1996

  Clay pigeon

  RUC -v.- Strathclyde police at Strathclyde, 5 July 1995

  Football (soccer)

  RUC -v.- Strathclyde police at Belfast, 21 February 1996

  Golf

  Dumfries and Galloway police -v.- RUC at Portpatrick, 5 July 1995

  Rugby

  Lothian and Borders police seven-a-side tournament in Edinburgh, 24 April 1996

  Shooting

  Scottish practical pistol championships at Galashiels, 30 June 1995

  Police Athletic Association long-range rifle championships at Lauder, 28 June 1995

  Graded practical pistol match at Galashiels, 8 March 1996

  Sea angling
  236
  Police Athletic Association championships at Portpatrick, 22 August 1995

  Skiing

  Police Athletic Association championships at Aviemore, 19 March 1996

  Swimming

  Police Athletic Association championships at Edinburgh, 23 April 1996

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28567]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments and their agencies spent £679,512 on official hospitality in 1995–96.

  Deaf-blind People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaf-blind people were resident in the area of each local authority at the latest date for which figures are available; how many local authorities do not currently offer basic rehabilitation and social work support services for deaf-blind people; what action he is taking to improve local provision for them; and if he will make a statement. [27143]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: In Northern Ireland responsibility for rehabilitation and social work services lies with the health and social services boards and trusts. The number of deaf-blind people known to each board is as follows:

  Eastern: 189

  Northern: 25

  Southern: 127

  Western: 129

  A key objective of the regional strategy for Northern Ireland health and personal social services 1992 to 1997 was that each board should ascertain the number and needs of sensorily impaired people in its population and ensure access to specialist teams of staff to provide support for people with a hearing and/or visual impairment. Boards have identified services for sensorily impaired people as a priority in their purchasing plans in accordance with their regional strategy and rehabilitation and social work services are provided for deaf-blind people within each board area.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Office Space
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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's 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. [27723]
  237
  Mr. Willetts
  The Cabinet Office and its agencies occupy both freehold and leasehold property. The

  Cabinet Office including Office of Public Service

  Square footage of rented accommodation

  Cost (£)

  Number of partly, or wholly vacant buildings

  Square footage

  Cost

  1993–94

  34,498

  222,740

  Nil

  —

  —

  1994–95

  30,804

  398,429

  Nil

  —

  —

  1995–96

  49,542

  595,588

  Nil

  —

  —

  OPS agencies excluding Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

  Square footage of rented accommodation

  Cost (£)

  Number of partly, or wholly vacant buildings

  Square footage

  Cost

  1993–94

  207,600

  3,765,759

  nil

  —

  —

  April-August 19941

  203,804

  3,009,325

  nil

  September 1994–March 1995

  183,031

  3,009,325

  nil

  —

  —

  1995–96

  182,733

  2,174,325

  nil

  —

  —

  1 The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency relocated to Norwich in September 1994 and gave up space as a result of the move.

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

  PACE came into existence on 1 April 1996. Property Holdings, the predecessor to PACE, was responsible for the Government civil office estate. The cost of occupied space was recharged to

  Costs of vacant buildings on the Civil Estate (£)

  Square footage of vacant space at end of year

  Vacant space as a percentage of the Civil Estate

  1993–94

  86,500,000

  8,180,000

  10.1

  1994–95

  90,900,000

  10,086,000

  12.5

  1995–96

  133,600,000

  10,947,000

  13.6

  Property Holdings also had its own accommodation, a headquarters building and seven regional offices. The information

  Square footage of rented accommodation

  Cost (£)

  Number of partly, or wholly vacant buildings

  Square footage

  Cost

  1993–94

  97,240

  2,455,000

  Nil

  —

  —

  1994–95

  88,200

  2,261,000

  Nil

  —

  —

  1995–96

  88,510

  2,066,000

  Nil

  —

  —

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office

  1993–94

  168,983

  512,239

  2

  16,838

  39,906

  1994–95

  168,983

  508,202

  2

  28,520

  49,196

  1995–96

  170,631

  478,733

  1

  42,867

  72,144

  Central Office of Information

  1993–94

  204,481

  1,532,461

  1

  4,094

  66,527

  1994–95

  148,938

  2,024,971

  1

  10,700

  173,875

  1995–96

  148,938

  2,050,065

  1

  15,363

  249,649

WALES

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) deputations and (b) representations he has received concerning BSE; and if he will make a statement. [28067]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office has received numerous representations about BSE and we have met many individuals and organisations on this subject.
  238
  information requested on leasehold properties is available only from 1993–94 and is as follows:

  occupying Departments with the cost of vacant space filling to Property holdings. The cost of vacant space on the civil estate, both leasehold, which cannot be split, is as follows:

  in respect of Property Holdings own accommodation is as follows:

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further steps he will take to tackle BSE in Wales. [28404]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government are considering the possibility of selective culling to accelerate the decline in the number of BSE cases occurring in the future. Any such cull would have to lead to a genuine reduction in the future incidence of BSE if it was to be worth doing. The aim would be to target cattle most at risk of developing
  239
  BSE. A final decision on whether to take this approach will be made in the context of negotiations on lifting the current European Union ban on the export of British beef.

  South-East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the South-East Wales ambulance trust about management redundancies; what provision will be made in the accounts for the year 1996–97 for the costs of the redundancies; and what assessment he has made of that impact on the delivery of services. [28081]

  Mr. Hague
  None; these are operational matters for the board of the trust. My officials will be discussing with the trust its plans for 1996–97 on receipt of its annual operational plan by the end of May 1996.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the South-East Wales ambulance trust concerning plans to reduce the number of ambulance stations in(a) Powys, (b) Gwent and (c) South Glamorgan. [28082]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Staff in post (whole-time equivalent numbers) at 30 September

  Speech and language therapists

  Physiotherapists

  Chiropodists

  Old health authority area

  1991

  1995

  1991

  1995

  1991

  1995

  Clwyd1

  27

  35

  94

  93

  19

  17

  East Dyfed

  14

  16

  44

  49

  18

  17

  Gwent

  21

  23

  85

  111

  23

  27

  Gwynedd

  11

  16

  54

  65

  14

  15

  Mid Glamorgan

  22

  37

  86

  87

  37

  40

  Pembrokeshire

  5

  3—

  21

  3—

  8

  3—

  Powys1

  8

  9

  30

  30

  13

  16

  South Glamorgan1

  31

  30

  155

  142

  31

  27

  West Glamorgan

  14

  30

  81

  87

  33

  36

  WHCSA2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1 The 1995 data may exclude a small number of staff paid on local pay scales for whom no details of occupation are available centrally.

  2 Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  3 As most staff in the relevant pay groups are paid on local pay scales and details of occupation are not available centrally, no reliable information can be given.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff he employs in(a) Wales and (b) London; and what were the equivalent figures since 1980. [28064]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of full-time equivalent staff employed in my Department in(a) Wales and (b) London is:

  Wales

  London

  1 April 1996

  2,266

  29

  30 June 1980

  2,406

  24

  Bridges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the amount of money committed by his Department for carrying out assessments required to
  240

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to meet the leaders of each of the unitary councils in Wales to discuss the consequences of his local government reorganisation; and if he will make a statement. [28065]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have no plans to meet leaders of the unitary councils in Wales to discuss the consequences of local government reorganisation.

  Therapists
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each health board area in Wales the number of fully-trained specialists in the NHS in(a) speech and language therapy, (b) physiotherapy and (c) chiropody for (i) 1990 and (ii) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27895]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is given in the following table. Reliable data are not available for 1990 so 1991 data have been given. Staff employed by NHS trusts are shown in the health authority area in which the trust is situated.

  plan for the strengthening of bridges required under European Union regulations (a) for each local authority in Wales and (b) for Wales; and how much is committed for 1995–96 and for 1996–97 showing the totals as a percentage of overall local authority budgets; and if he will make a statement. [28156]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is estimated that some £4.5 million will be spent on the trunk road—including M4 motorway—assessment programme. Within this total, £706,000 was expended in 1995–96 and £473,000 is estimated for 1996–97.

  Local authorities are responsible for bridges on non-trunk roads. The bulk of local authority resources are not attributed to particular activities and it is for individual authorities to determine the level of resources to allocate to bridges, and other programmes, taking into account statutory responsibilities and local priorities.
  241

  River Pollution
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has evaluated about the danger of acidification of the head waters of Welsh rivers as a result of emissions from power stations in(a) Pembrokeshire and (b) elsewhere. [27919]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A report commissioned by the Welsh Office entitled "A Review of the Impact of Current and Future Acid Deposition in Wales" was completed in February 1993. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. This review has led to a survey of acidification in rivers and lakes which is under way: it is planned to publish the results in 1997.

  Penyclipe Tunnel
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what maintenance costs have been incurred on the Penyclipe tunnel for each year of its operation. [28453]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The cost of maintenance for each full year of operation has been £240,000.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the overseas visits made by him and each of his Ministers since they were appointed to the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement. [27900]

  Mr. Hague
  Ministerial colleagues and I make overseas visits from time to time to promote inward investment into Wales, to assist our businesses in the promotion of their international trade and in relation to European and other issues. A full list of such visits was placed in the Library of the House on Friday I March this year. I have subsequently led a short inward investment mission to the USA, and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State visited Luxembourg to attend an Agriculture Council meeting.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the rail links between(a) north Wales and London Euston, (b) north-east Wales and the channel tunnel and (c) Holyhead and Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [28408]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision of rail links in North Wales is a commercial matter for the railway operators.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake discussions with the rail regulator with regard to the future levels of service between north and south Wales. [28272]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The franchising director has completed consultation on the south Wales and west draft passenger service requirement. He is assessing the representations he has received and will publish the final requirement in due course.

  Services to be provided in addition to the requirement will be a matter for the commercial judgment of the franchisee.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28565]

  Mr. Hague
  The amounts spent on official hospitality in 1995–96 were:

  Welsh Office: £22,090

  Cadw: £417

HEALTH

  Comptroller and Auditor General's Report
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the name and address of the general practitioner fundholding practice mentioned in paragraph 43 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the "NHS (England) Summarised Accounts 1994–95;" and if he will list the health authority and the job titles of the three members of staff who received relocation payments mentioned in paragraph 48 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the "NHS (England) Summarised Accounts 1994–95". [22988]

  Mr. Malone
  No. It is not normal practice for Ministers to identify individuals mentioned but not named in such reports.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 April,Official Report, column 502, what was the grade of the ex-civil servant who carried out the independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the failure to enact the secondary legislation in respect of the payment of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders; which branch of his Department that person worked in when last a civil servant; what was the cost of the inquiry; and if the work carried out was tendered for in open competition. [28118]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 April at columns 282–83. Mr. Strachan Heppell, a deputy secretary, was previously the head of the health and social services group in the Department before his retirement from full-time work in 1995. Mr. Heppell was asked to undertake the inquiry because of his prior knowledge of departmental and wider civil service standards and procedures and at no additional cost to the Department.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 April,Official Report, column 502, when the implementation team was set up; what grades of civil servant and how many in each grade have been assigned to it; and how long he expects the team will require to complete the action plan. [28119]

  Mr. Malone
  A small project team of senior managers has been set up, led by Department's principal establishments and finance officer, to take forward implementation of the inquiry's recommendations. Changes already in hand will address some of the problems identified. Others will require work over several months.
  243

  Breast Implants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on silicone breast implants in the last year. [28318]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received 33 representations from hon. Members, members of the public and manufacturers.

  Terminally Ill Patients (Prescription Charges)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the rules with regard to exemption from prescription charges for terminally ill patients. [28557]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Many people who are terminally ill benefit from our extensive exemption arrangements, which are among the most generous in Europe. In 1996–97 we expect 85 per cent. of prescriptions to be dispensed free.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 March,Official Report, columns 321–22, (1) if the data on myocardial infarction from the Spitzer and Jick studies was made available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 13 October 1995; [27751]

  (2) if the interim data from the transnational study was made available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines at its meeting on 13 October 1995. [27752]

  Mr. Malone
  Limited data on myocardial infarction from the Jick study were made available to the committee. The committee considered the data on venous thromboembolism from the transnational study at its meeting on 13 October 1995, but no data on myocardial infarction from this study were available to the Medicines Control Agency or the Committee on Safety of Medicines at that time.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 428, if his officials assisted the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines in drafting the letter of 18 October relating to oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene. [27753]

  Mr. Malone
  The letter was drafted by the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on the basis of the committee's recommendations. Officials were involved in making minor amendments to the letter. The final version was agreed by the chairman.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons he is unable to make available the advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines of 13 October 1995 on oral contraceptives. [27756]

  Mr. Malone
  The advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines is considered to be a confidential communication between the committee and the licensing authority. Such communications are not normally published because they may contain information which is sensitive for commercial reasons or because their disclosure would undermine the policy-making process.

  However, on this occasion, in the interests of public health, the advice given by the CSM at the meeting on 13 October 1995 was sent out in a letter from the
  244
  chairman dated 18 October 1995 to all doctors and pharmacists. Copies of this letter are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those members of the transnational study team which his officials met on the afternoon of 9 October 1995. [27759]

  Mr. Malone
  Professor W. Spitzer and Dr. K. MacRae.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Committee on Safety of Medicines has made an assessment of the safety of desogestrel and gestodene since the publication of January 1996. [27760]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 April at column 281.

  Mianserin
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 427, if he will list the dates between 1981 and 1990 when the Committee on Safety of Medicines considered safety issues relating to the antidepressant mianserin. [27754]

  Mr. Malone
  Matters relating to the safety of mianserin were discussed at meetings of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on the following occasions:

  December 1981

  February 1982

  September 1982

  April 1983

  July 1985

  January 1986

  April 1986

  September 1987

  October 1987

  March 1988

  November 1988

  December 1988

  February 1989

  September 1990

  October 1990

  November 1990

  December 1990.

  Committee on Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the "Dear Doctor" letters sent since 1980 by chairmen of the Committee on Safety of Medicines to the medical profession, indicating for each the dates they were sent, the product concerned and the dates of any accompanying licensing action; and if he will make a statement. [27755]

  Mr. Malone
  The "Dear Doctor" letters sent by the Committee on Safety of Medicines to the medical profession since 1980 are shown in the table. Information regarding any licensing action taken in respect of some of the products listed in the letters is confidential. The relevant information for the others could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  245

  Title

  Date of letter

  Products containing the following drug substance(s)

  Combined oral contraceptives and thromboembolism

  18 October 1995

  Combined oral contraceptives containing gestodene or desogestrel

  High-lipase pancreatins—reports of colonic strictures

  21 December 1993

  High strength pancreatic enzyme preparations

  Withdrawal of triazolam

  1 October 1991

  Triazolam

  Terodiline (Micturin) and adverse cardiac reactions

  25 July 1991

  Terodiline

  Withdrawal of Pacitron and Optimex

  12 April 1990

  L-tryptophan

  Desensitising vaccines (Allergen extracts) and anaphylaxis

  8 October 1986

  Desensitising vaccines containing allergen extracts

  Reye's syndrome and aspirin use by children

  10 June 1986

  Paediatric aspirin products

  Phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone

  7 March 1984

  Phenylbutezone and oxyphenbutazone

  Use of combined oral contraceptive pills and cancer

  20 October 1983

  Combined oral contraceptives

  Etomidate (Hypnomidate injection and infusion)—PL 0242/0019,0082

  20 June 1983

  Etomidate

  Etomidate (Hypnomidate for infusion)—PL 0242/0082

  1 June 1983

  Etomidate

  Opren suspension of product licences

  3 August 1982

  Benoxaprofen

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which current or past members or chairmen of the Committee on Safety of Medicines have been appointed for longer than the period prescribed in paragraph 4 of the Medicines Commission and Committees Regulations 1970; and if he will make a statement. [27757]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what occasions members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines have made representations(a) to him and (b) to the chairman of the committee indicating that the advice emanating from a subset of the committee which met on 13 October 1995 should be withdrawn. [27758]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Adoption
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation based on Her Majesty's Government's consultation document on adoption published in March of this year; and if he will make a statement. [28244]

  Mr. Bowis
  We hope to introduce new legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
  246

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) confirmed and (b) suspected cases of the new strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease there have been to date. [28521]

  Mr. Horam
  One further case of the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has been confirmed since the announcement on 20 March that 10 cases had been identified.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 106, (1) if he will provide a list of (a) properties sold in each of the last three years and (b) properties that are currently for sale indicating their location, former use and market value; [27287]

  (2) if he will provide a list of properties that have definitely been identified as being for sale, indicating their location and market value. [27288]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 30 April 1996]: Information on properties sold in the last three years is not available centrally.

  A list of non-trust national health service properties which are currently for sale will be placed in the Library.

  It would be inappropriate to quote market values for individual properties as this could prejudice negotiations with prospective purchasers.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Firearms Amnesty
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what happened to the weapons collected under the 1989 firearms amnesty; and how many were destroyed. [28115]

  Mr. Maclean
  Of the 47,902 firearms surrendered to police forces during the September 1988 amnesty, approximately 3,000 were allocated to suitably authorised, publicly funded museums and other public bodies with a legitimate interest in the historical or scientific development of weapons. The remainder were destroyed.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many weapons were collected under the 1989 firearms amnesty; and how many were self-loading rifles. [28114]

  Mr. Maclean
  The last firearms amnesty was held in September 1988. A total of 47,902 firearms were surrendered to police forces in Great Britain. Of these, a total of 342 were self-loading rifles.

  Prevention of Terrorism Act (Arrests)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests there have been under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Temporary Provisions) 1989
  247
  in each year; how many of those arrested have been charged; and how many have been convicted of an offence. [28113]

  Mr. Howard

  Great Britain

  Year

  Detained

  Charged

  Excluded, deported or removed

  19891

  181

  21

  12

  1990

  193

  28

  16

  1991

  153

  7

  11

  1992

  160

  38

  1

  1993

  152

  32

  4

  1994

  61

  9

  4

  1995

  34

  13

  0

  The table also shows figures for those who may not have been charged with an offence but were excluded, deported, or removed.

  Figures for convictions are not readily available on a year-to-year basis. From January 1989 to December 1995, 22 people detained under the prevention of terrorism legislation were convicted of offences under the Act(s)*, and 75 people were convicted of offences under other legislation.

  In addition, since 1989 nine people have been removed to Northern Ireland, charged and subsequently convicted of offences.

  Northern Ireland

  Year

  Detained

  Charged

  19891

  1,583

  360

  1990

  1,549

  370

  1991

  1,680

  386

  1992

  1,795

  460

  1993

  1,641

  382

  1994

  1,503

  367

  1995

  443

  108

  Figures on convictions in Northern Ireland are not readily available and would be collected in the time available only at disproportionate cost.

  1 The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 came into effect on 22 March 1989. These figures may include some people who were detained and/or convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 from 1 January 1989 to 22 March.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average time a prisoner spends on remand; and what was the figure in 1979. [28108]

  Miss Ann 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. Butler to Mr. Ian Pearson, dated 9 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 current average time a prisoner spends on remand; and what was the figure in 1979.
  248
  Information for 1995 is given in the attached table. Information for 1979 is published in table 2.1 of the 1989 edition of 'Prison statistics, England and Wales', a copy of which is in the Library.

  Estimated average time spent in custody for untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners, in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in 1995(1) by sex.

  Type of custody

  Estimated average number of days in custody4 Male

  Female

  Untried2

  56

  43

  Convicted Unsentenced1

  34

  30

  1Provisional figures.

  2Time spent in custody before conviction.

  3Time spent in custody after conviction before sentence.

  4Estimated from number of receptions and average population in 1995.

  Notifiable Offences
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notifiable offences were recorded by the police: how many persons were(a) cautioned by the police and (b) found guilty at (i) magistrates courts, (ii) Crown courts, (iii) both courts and (c) found guilty or cautioned in (1) 1980 and (2) 1995 in the Metropolitan police area. [28022]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1980, 1994 and 1995 is given in the table below.

  Summary of criminal justice statistics 1980, 1994 and 1995

  Metropolitan Police Area

  1980

  1994

  19951

  Notifiable offences recorded

  584,137

  849,976

  840,478

  Indictable offences

  Cautions

  8,464

  37,167

  —

  Convictions—magistrates' courts

  68,659

  39,603

  —

  Crown court

  15,140

  13,156

  —

  All courts

  83,799

  52,759

  —

  Total cautioned and convicted

  92,263

  89,926

  —

  1 1995 cautioning and convictions data will not be available until the autumn 1996.

  Rifle and Pistol Clubs
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many approved rifle and pistol clubs there were in the United Kingdom during(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1992, (d) 1993, (e) 1994 and (f) 1995. [28264]

  Mr. Maclean
  There are currently 2,160 approved clubs in the United Kingdom. Information about the number of clubs in previous years is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Pursuant to my reply of 21 March to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr Corbyn), column 295, I should like to correct the figure quoted at that time for approved rifle and pistol clubs in England and Wales which is now known to be incorrect. The correct figure is 1,871.
  249

  Abusive Telephone Calls
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been in each of the past 15 years related to abusive and threatening telephone calls; and if he will make a statement. [27565]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is not possible, from the information held centrally to identify offences relating to "the sending, by means of public telecommunicating system, a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" from other summary offences pertaining to the appropriate Acts.

  Police and Fire Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish police and fire service funds to meet future pension liabilities for new entrants to which both employers and employees would pay contributions; and if he will make a statement. [28247]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have no plans to make the police and fire service pension schemes funded ones. Like most other public service pension schemes, they are financed on a "pay-as-you-go" basis.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department and all associated agencies in the financial year 1995–96. [28572]

  Mr. Howard
  The provisional figure for expenditure on official hospitality by my Department and its executive agencies in the financial year 1995–96 is £32,331. This differs from the projected budget of £60,570 given in my reply of 18 December,Official Report, column 969, principally because of a significant reduction in forecast expenditure on hospitality by the Forensic Science Service executive agency.

  Table 1: Clear-up rates for violent crime1 by police force area 1991–95

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Avon and Somerset

  70

  65

  65

  71

  75

  Bedfordshire

  62

  62

  60

  61

  57

  Cambridgeshire

  80

  77

  77

  77

  73

  Cheshire

  89

  84

  84

  86

  86

  Cleveland

  74

  71

  71

  64

  68

  Cumbria

  86

  85

  90

  85

  88

  Derbyshire

  82

  82

  81

  81

  76

  Devon and Cornwall

  82

  57

  77

  77

  77

  Dorset

  83

  77

  85

  78

  85

  Durham

  83

  85

  83

  86

  83

  Essex

  75

  75

  76

  77

  74

  Gloucestershire

  81

  74

  69

  77

  75

  Greater Manchester

  65

  63

  58

  59

  53

  Hampshire

  78

  78

  78

  76

  78

  Hertfordshire

  87

  73

  71

  75

  77

  Humberside

  74

  67

  62

  63

  66

  Kent

  73

  76

  75

  79

  80

  Lancashire

  80

  75

  76

  74

  72

  Leicestershire

  74

  73

  71

  74

  75

  250

  "Wheelclamping on Private Land"
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he published "Wheelclamping on Private Land"; when the consultation period ended; and when he intends to bring forward proposals to deal with the issue. [28413]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: The consultation paper "Wheelclamping on Private Land" was published on 23 February 1993, with a request for response by 31 May 1993. The consultation exercise produced a great deal of useful information but no consensus about a solution. We are considering what action, if any, should be taken to regulate this activity.

  Clear-up and Conviction Rates
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the conviction rates in cases involving a plea of not guilty for each police authority in each of the last five years in (i) violent crime, (ii) car crime, and (iii) other serious crime; and if he will make a statement. [28228]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: Information regarding plea data is not available.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on conviction rates across England and Wales. [28234]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: Information is published annually in the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" on the number of prosecutions and convictions, from which the conviction rate can be calculated. Copies of the Command Paper are in the Library.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the(a) crime clear-up and (b) conviction rates for each police authority area in each of the last five years in (i) violent crime, (ii) car crime, and (iii) other serious crime; and if he will make a statement. [28229]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: The available information is given in the following tables. Information on conviction rates for 1995 will not be available until the autumn.
  251

  Table 1: Clear-up rates for violent crime1 by police force area 1991–95

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Lincolnshire

  93

  83

  84

  83

  City of London

  66

  43

  38

  66

  Merseyside

  58

  56

  56

  55

  Metropolitan Police

  46

  44

  47

  50

  48

  Norfolk

  83

  82

  79

  83

  74

  Northamptonshire

  75

  79

  81

  88

  79

  Northumbria

  71

  65

  68

  67

  64

  North Yorkshire

  88

  91

  86

  79

  80

  Nottinghamshire

  71

  68

  68

  67

  72

  South Yorkshire

  79

  79

  69

  74

  71

  Staffordshire

  83

  83

  79

  84

  83

  Suffolk

  83

  87

  80

  88

  86

  Surrey

  77

  72

  75

  83

  80

  Sussex

  65

  70

  65

  62

  73

  Thames Valley

  69

  68

  73

  69

  72

  Warwickshire

  77

  80

  78

  82

  81

  West Mercia

  87

  85

  84

  82

  79

  West Midlands

  65

  60

  55

  51

  45

  West Yorkshire

  74

  77

  68

  70

  68

  Wiltshire

  2104

  94

  94

  94

  91

  Dyfed-Powys

  91

  94

  96

  96

  94

  Gwent

  90

  91

  91

  91

  92

  North Wales

  90

  89

  90

  90

  89

  South Wales

  83

  82

  81

  73

  74

  England and Wales

  68

  66

  65

  66

  65

  1 Includes the notifiable offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  2 Offences cleared up in current year may have been initially recorded in an earlier year.

  Table 2: Clear-up rates for vehicle crime1 by police force area 1991–95

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Avon and Somerset

  14

  7

  7

  10

  9

  Bedfordshire

  10

  10

  10

  13

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  32

  14

  13

  13

  7

  Cheshire

  27

  15

  12

  13

  12

  Cleveland

  32

  27

  24

  12

  14

  Cumbria

  27

  21

  22

  26

  28

  Derbyshire

  16

  12

  10

  11

  8

  Devon and Cornwall

  16

  8

  12

  14

  13

  Dorset

  39

  16

  15

  14

  10

  Durham

  18

  19

  17

  18

  19

  Essex

  25

  16

  20

  26

  21

  Gloucestershire

  16

  12

  8

  9

  13

  Greater Manchester

  31

  29

  29

  27

  17

  Hampshire

  16

  14

  12

  13

  13

  Hertfordshire

  23

  17

  14

  13

  20

  Humberside

  23

  16

  9

  8

  9

  Kent

  10

  13

  13

  14

  10

  Lancashire

  36

  25

  26

  22

  23

  Leicestershire

  22

  24

  22

  23

  18

  Lincolnshire

  34

  26

  26

  22

  28

  City of London

  11

  7

  13

  21

  9

  Merseyside

  42

  43

  34

  25

  15

  Metropolitan Police

  6

  6

  5

  8

  10

  Norfolk

  34

  26

  17

  22

  19

  Northamptonshire

  30

  28

  19

  21

  19

  Northumbria

  34

  8

  11

  16

  16

  North Yorkshire

  24

  19

  17

  13

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  17

  16

  21

  22

  12

  South Yorkshire

  31

  18

  11

  14

  14

  Staffordshire

  31

  24

  23

  23

  22

  Suffolk

  24

  20

  15

  17

  15

  Surrey

  14

  15

  10

  16

  23

  Sussex

  9

  9

  10

  10

  17

  Thames Valley

  12

  11

  12

  13

  15

  Warwickshire

  15

  15

  13

  13

  16

  West Mercia

  26

  25

  18

  19

  13

  West Midlands

  26

  22

  21

  19

  18

  West Yorkshire

  22

  18

  9

  10

  11

  Wiltshire

  23

  19

  16

  18

  14

  Dyfed-Powys

  45

  37

  35

  38

  42

  252

  253

  Table 2: Clear-up rates for vehicle crime1 by police force area 1991–95

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Gwent

  33

  23

  29

  29

  29

  North Wales

  25

  21

  25

  24

  18

  South Wales

  26

  26

  24

  18

  26

  England and Wales

  21

  17

  15

  16

  15

  1 Includes the notifiable offences of theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and aggravated vehicle taking.

  Table 3: Clear-up rates for other serious crime1 by police force area 1991–95

  Police force area

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Avon and Somerset

  25

  19

  19

  22

  25

  Bedfordshire

  22

  22

  23

  23

  25

  Cambridgeshire

  34

  28

  26

  24

  20

  Cheshire

  43

  31

  28

  32

  34

  Cleveland

  31

  31

  26

  20

  26

  Cumbria

  42

  39

  40

  36

  39

  Derbyshire

  28

  22

  20

  21

  21

  Devon and Cornwall

  30

  19

  27

  28

  29

  Dorset

  40

  35

  36

  33

  30

  Durham

  32

  31

  32

  33

  31

  Essex

  31

  31

  34

  37

  34

  Gloucestershire

  41

  27

  23

  27

  28

  Greater Manchester

  37

  37

  35

  35

  25

  Hampshire

  30

  27

  27

  28

  29

  Hertfordshire

  35

  26

  22

  26

  28

  Humberside

  31

  22

  16

  17

  19

  Kent

  26

  29

  27

  30

  29

  Lancashire

  40

  40

  38

  36

  37

  Leicestershire

  28

  29

  27

  28

  29

  Lincolnshire

  45

  39

  36

  31

  37

  City of London

  20

  21

  22

  26

  24

  Merseyside

  44

  41

  39

  34

  28

  Metropolitan Police

  18

  17

  18

  24

  24

  Norfolk

  35

  34

  29

  35

  32

  Northamptonshire

  28

  27

  27

  30

  28

  Northumbria

  34

  18

  20

  22

  23

  North Yorkshire

  37

  34

  32

  26

  25

  Nottinghamshire

  27

  26

  29

  26

  22

  South Yorkshire

  35

  27

  21

  25

  25

  Staffordshire

  35

  28

  27

  28

  30

  Suffolk

  38

  40

  39

  35

  35

  Surrey

  23

  21

  20

  30

  29

  Sussex

  25

  26

  27

  27

  28

  Thames Valley

  24

  21

  23

  24

  24

  Warwickshire

  26

  24

  22

  26

  25

  West Mercia

  35

  34

  29

  29

  30

  West Midlands

  30

  26

  27

  25

  25

  West Yorkshire

  27

  25

  19

  21

  22

  Wiltshire

  40

  37

  36

  36

  32

  Dyfed-Powys

  46

  51

  48

  49

  54

  Gwent

  48

  47

  46

  49

  52

  North Wales

  35

  32

  34

  38

  32

  South Wales

  27

  28

  26

  23

  26

  England and Wales

  30

  27

  26

  27

  27

  1 All notifiable offences excluding violent crime, vehicle crime and criminal damage under £20.

  Table 4: Conviction rates for indictable violent crime1 offences by police force area 1990–94

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Avon and Somerset

  52

  47

  40

  38

  40

  Bedfordshire

  51

  45

  41

  38

  44

  Cambridgeshire

  58

  54

  54

  52

  45

  Cheshire

  71

  67

  62

  63

  63

  Cleveland

  63

  55

  49

  45

  45

  Cumbria

  71

  69

  65

  62

  60

  Derbyshire

  68

  61

  57

  52

  44

  Devon and Cornwall

  77

  65

  67

  57

  52

  Dorset

  63

  54

  55

  60

  51

  Durham

  53

  54

  52

  54

  54

  254

  255

  Table 4: Conviction rates for indictable violent crime1 offences by police force area 1990–94

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Essex

  60

  52

  47

  49

  42

  Gloucestershire

  66

  53

  54

  48

  48

  Greater Manchester

  64

  60

  54

  54

  49

  Hampshire

  66

  60

  56

  55

  54

  Hertfordshire

  66

  52

  41

  41

  38

  Humberside

  68

  67

  67

  61

  61

  Kent

  79

  75

  68

  59

  56

  Lancashire

  69

  64

  66

  54

  56

  Leicestershire

  66

  62

  56

  50

  43

  Lincolnshire

  69

  58

  63

  56

  61

  City of London

  57

  57

  50

  56

  51

  Merseyside

  48

  42

  38

  39

  35

  Metropolitan Police

  62

  55

  49

  38

  40

  Norfolk

  68

  72

  75

  66

  71

  Northamptonshire

  57

  49

  49

  43

  36

  Northumbria

  58

  56

  52

  51

  51

  North Yorkshire

  69

  59

  59

  57

  55

  Nottinghamshire

  59

  51

  49

  44

  36

  South Yorkshire

  64

  59

  56

  54

  51

  Staffordshire

  53

  53

  47

  45

  46

  Suffolk

  65

  65

  58

  61

  55

  Surrey

  62

  55

  49

  46

  45

  Sussex

  61

  57

  50

  51

  47

  Thames Valley

  62

  53

  55

  51

  45

  Warwickshire

  75

  74

  68

  64

  60

  West Mercia

  69

  67

  58

  59

  55

  West Midlands

  62

  56

  51

  51

  51

  West Yorkshire

  68

  60

  54

  54

  48

  Wiltshire

  66

  63

  57

  51

  49

  Dyfed-Powys

  56

  54

  52

  44

  40

  Gwent

  56

  54

  56

  47

  53

  North Wales

  71

  68

  57

  57

  54

  South Wales

  56

  54

  46

  48

  44

  England and Wales

  62

  57

  53

  49

  47

  1 Includes the indictable offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  Indictable offences only have been used as nearest equivalent to notifiable offences.

  Table 5: Conviction rates for indictable vehicle crime1 offences by police force area 1990–94

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Avon and Somerset

  57

  54

  50

  50

  62

  Bedfordshire

  65

  50

  62

  39

  54

  Cambridgeshire

  58

  62

  53

  53

  39

  Cheshire

  73

  63

  53

  69

  66

  Cleveland

  61

  57

  50

  58

  50

  Cumbria

  77

  61

  60

  73

  70

  Derbyshire

  56

  59

  57

  56

  60

  Devon and Cornwall

  82

  67

  63

  65

  62

  Dorset

  65

  68

  59

  55

  70

  Durham

  63

  49

  51

  52

  50

  Essex

  64

  59

  54

  47

  54

  Gloucestershire

  66

  64

  51

  53

  57

  Greater Manchester

  80

  69

  62

  74

  57

  Hampshire

  71

  66

  63

  63

  65

  Hertfordshire

  67

  65

  53

  50

  48

  Humberside

  77

  73

  64

  67

  72

  Kent

  79

  74

  75

  71

  67

  Lancashire

  76

  72

  74

  67

  64

  Leicestershire

  72

  60

  58

  55

  53

  Lincolnshire

  81

  81

  69

  68

  71

  City of London

  67

  2106

  35

  100

  62

  Merseyside

  36

  41

  42

  59

  56

  Metropolitan Police

  69

  63

  58

  61

  64

  Norfolk

  83

  82

  80

  68

  89

  Northamptonshire

  62

  58

  50

  57

  62

  Northumbria

  61

  54

  54

  62

  57

  North Yorkshire

  75

  58

  64

  58

  67

  Nottinghamshire

  62

  53

  52

  55

  60

  South Yorkshire

  68

  72

  64

  65

  63

  Staffordshire

  49

  52

  41

  57

  64

  Suffolk

  78

  69

  57

  74

  71

  256

  257

  Table 5: Conviction rates for indictable vehicle crime1 offences by police force area 1990–94

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Surrey

  57

  55

  50

  60

  51

  Sussex

  74

  63

  61

  56

  62

  Thames Valley

  67

  51

  55

  58

  63

  Warwickshire

  82

  60

  54

  47

  53

  West Mercia

  61

  57

  56

  52

  58

  West Midlands

  53

  47

  44

  53

  52

  West Yorkshire

  64

  62

  55

  57

  54

  Wiltshire

  81

  66

  76

  82

  74

  Dyfed-Powys

  78

  62

  47

  61

  54

  Gwent

  65

  55

  54

  54

  50

  North Wales

  82

  79

  62

  64

  66

  South Wales

  57

  59

  49

  63

  60

  England and Wales

  66

  61

  56

  60

  59

  1 Includes the indictable offences of theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and aggravated vehicle taking.

  2 Will include persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

  Table 6: Conviction rates for indictable other serious crime1 offences by police force area 1990–94

  Police force area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Avon and Somerset

  69

  68

  67

  60

  60

  Bedfordshire

  67

  66

  64

  61

  64

  Cambridgeshire

  77

  72

  73

  69

  64

  Cheshire

  81

  75

  75

  76

  76

  Cleveland

  74

  67

  64

  63

  67

  Cumbria

  82

  78

  76

  75

  75

  Derbyshire

  77

  70

  70

  67

  68

  Devon and Cornwall

  83

  74

  74

  72

  68

  Dorset

  76

  70

  69

  73

  68

  Durham

  69

  65

  66

  67

  66

  Essex

  72

  65

  67

  66

  65

  Gloucestershire

  68

  71

  67

  66

  67

  Greater Manchester

  82

  82

  79

  81

  71

  Hampshire

  75

  71

  72

  69

  71

  Hertfordshire

  78

  67

  64

  65

  63

  Humberside

  80

  78

  76

  75

  75

  Kent

  86

  90

  85

  81

  82

  Lancashire

  76

  77

  79

  71

  71

  Leicestershire

  72

  69

  68

  63

  61

  Lincolnshire

  80

  71

  77

  75

  78

  City of London

  69

  68

  61

  66

  65

  Merseyside

  71

  69

  65

  68

  64

  Metropolitan Police

  84

  78

  75

  68

  68

  Norfolk

  88

  83

  86

  87

  88

  Northamptonshire

  71

  69

  63

  65

  62

  Northumbria

  74

  68

  67

  67

  63

  North Yorkshire

  76

  71

  68

  71

  71

  Nottinghamshire

  73

  67

  67

  66

  66

  South Yorkshire

  77

  74

  70

  70

  68

  Staffordshire

  71

  70

  68

  66

  65

  Suffolk

  78

  74

  72

  71

  71

  Surrey

  72

  70

  67

  67

  66

  Sussex

  76

  72

  73

  70

  69

  Thames Valley

  74

  68

  66

  65

  62

  Warwickshire

  84

  79

  69

  69

  68

  West Mercia

  77

  77

  73

  71

  69

  West Midlands

  74

  68

  63

  63

  63

  West Yorkshire

  75

  72

  66

  63

  63

  Wiltshire

  77

  74

  74

  75

  74

  Dyfed-Powys

  70

  68

  66

  67

  60

  Gwent

  70

  68

  72

  66

  69

  North Wales

  81

  83

  70

  70

  72

  South Wales

  70

  69

  66

  66

  66

  England and Wales

  77

  73

  71

  69

  68

  1 Includes the indictable offences excluding violent and car crime offences as in tables above.

  Indictable offences only have been used as nearest equivalent to notifiable offences.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his definitions of(a) crime clear-up rates and (b) conviction rates. [28230]
  258
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: The clear-up rate is the number of offences cleared up as a percentage of the number of offences recorded, excluding

  259
  offences of criminal damage value £20 and under. The conviction rate is the number of convictions at all courts as a percentage of prosecutions.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the changes made to the crime clear-up rates statistical methodology over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [28238]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: There have ben no changes to the statistical methodology for clear-up rates. Since 1994, the Home Office has adopted the Audit Commission definitions of primary and secondary clear-ups, but this has no effect on the number of offences cleared up or on the overall clear-up rate. The definitions are given in note 4 of Home Office statistical bulletin 3/96, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been successfully prosecuted in each of the last six years for smuggling illegal drugs into prisons; and if he will make a statement. [28232]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: The location of an offence committed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is not recorded centrally.

  Ministerial Group on Juveniles
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Ministerial group on juveniles met; and what(a) reports and (b) initiatives have been published as a result of the meeting. [28239]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: The ministerial group on juveniles met on 18 January and 13 March. A press notice published after the group's inaugural meeting announced a programme of work, which is now being taken forward, to strengthen measures for intervening effectively with those children who are most at risk of offending. This work will include the publication of practical guidance to help local agencies ensure a co-ordinated approach to identifying and dealing with these children.

  Child Abuse (North Wales)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he has had with the chief constable of North Wales concerning compensation payments to alleged victims of child abuse at North Wales children's homes in circumstances where no proceedings have been taken against those allegedly guilty of the abuse; [27624]

  (2) how many alleged victims of child abuse in North Wales children's homes have been paid compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and how many such payments involved victims allegedly abused by persons against whom no police proceedings have taken place. [27627]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answers 8 May 1996]: I have not had any consultations with the chief constable of the North Wales police on this matter.

  I understand that to date the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board has made 27 awards of compensation and refused 14 applications. The number of
  260
  payments made where no prosecution resulted is not readily available. However, the standard of proof required under the compensation scheme is that obtaining in the civil courts, namely "the balance of probabilities", not the stricter standard of "beyond reasonable doubt" required in the criminal courts. It is accordingly within the board's discretion to make awards in cases where no prosecution is brought.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef Exports
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of United Kingdom beef exports is represented by beef exported from Northern Ireland. [27466]

  Mr. Baldry
  Beef exports from Northern Ireland accounted for approximately 28 per cent. of total UK beef exports in 1995.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in promoting the full resumption of the international beef trade; and if he will make a statement. [27471]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made on 1 May,Official Report, columns 1147–48.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on developments in European Union beef markets. [27472]

  Mr. Baldry
  EU beef markets are, to say the least, extremely turbulent at the present time.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made on the implications of the EU ban for the future of the beef industry. [27476]

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom's long and distinguished history as a trading nation has benefited considerably in recent years from a significant export trade in beef and beef products. The cessation of that trade directly threatens thousands of British jobs, severe financial hardship for those involved and possibly irreparable damage to the structure and profitability of the British beef industry.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has made to his German counterpart about the European Community ban on British beef. [27477]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been in contact with my German counterpart, Joachim Borchert, on numerous occasions over the last few weeks during which time I have consistently and forcefully impressed upon him the fact that the export ban is unjustified and should be lifted forthwith.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the penalties for a breach of the EC ban on the export of British beef and beef products by a British exporter, and about how such penalties would be enforced. [27350]
  261
  Mrs. Browning
  It would be an offence under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No 3298), as amended, to export or to consign for export to another member state, British beef or beef products without the necessary export health certification. These export certificates have been withdrawn by the Government following the EC ban. A copy of the regulations is available in the Library of the House. The penalties applying are set out in regulation 28. Enforcement of the regulations is shared between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the local authority concerned. In practice local authorities generally take prosecutions under the regulations. Under regulation 3 the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and in some circumstances the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Health, have powers to act where a local authority has failed to enforce.

  All export certificates required by third countries to accompany consignments of British beef and beef products have also been withdrawn. Operational staff at all Customs export stations have been informed of the terms of the EC ban and have been instructed to refuse to release for export to third countries any goods covered by the ban. Customs' legal powers in respect of properly declared goods of the descriptions covered by the Commission decision extend no further than refusing permission to export. Failure to present goods for such export, however, is an offence under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

  In the case of wilful breach of Customs controls, for example by misdescription of banned beef and beef products, powers in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 provide for the prosecution of offenders and in some circumstances the forfeiture of goods. The commissioners of Customs and Excise will consider prosecution of such offences in individual cases using the criteria that they apply in all prosecutions.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met consumers' representatives to discuss measures to control bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [27467]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Yesterday.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met with consumers' representatives to discuss measures to control bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [27475]

  Mr. Hogg
  Yesterday afternoon.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met farmers' representatives to discuss bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [27480]

  Mrs. Browning
  My ministerial colleagues and I are in frequent contact with farmers' representatives. We are always willing to discuss the current difficulties and to listen to their views.

  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has given to knackers' yards and the rendering industry in relation to implementation of new BSE regulations. [27484]
  262
  Mrs. Browning
  The rendering industry and knackers' yards have been kept fully informed of the requirements of the new BSE regulations as they affect these sectors.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the duration of the problems in respect of BSE. [27473]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The ruminant feed ban introduced in 1988 has been instrumental in reducing the number of confirmed cases by 75 per cent. since the peak in 1993. It is clear that the ban was not completely watertight and it has been progressively tightened, most recently to prevent mammalian meat and bone meal being fed to any farm animals. But the benefits of the more recent measures will take some time to see, as the disease has a long incubation period.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of the culling proposals agreed at the Council of Ministers at Luxembourg on 29 and 30 April on the incidence of BSE in Untied Kingdom beef and dairy herds. [28305]

  Mrs. Browning
  No agreement was reached at the Agriculture Council on 29 and 30 April on culling cattle. The impact of the proposals we put forward cannot be estimated with precision but could in theory reduce the number of cases in 1996 by up to a third and should in practice achieve a reduction of between 15 and 30 per cent.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has carried out into BSE in each of the last 10 years; and how much of this research has been to identify the BSE infective agent. [24420]

  Mrs. Browning
  Details of BSE research funded by MAFF since 1991–92 will be placed in the Library today. The projects which involve work to identify the BSE infective agent are listed separately.

  Research records prior to 1991 are not held on computer; to provide the information for the period requested could only be done at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of suspected BSE cases per year since 1988 as a percentage of the national herd in that year. [24240]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of suspected BSE cases per year since 1988 as a percentage of the national herd in that year are detailed in the following table:

  Year

  Percentage

  1988

  0.066

  1989

  0.220

  1990

  0.442

  1991

  0.770

  1992

  1.140

  1993

  1.112

  1994

  0.751

  1995

  0.445

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what scientific evidence the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee decided that
  263
  masseter and temporal muscles in cattle heads over six months of age should be treated as specified bovine offal; and if he will make a statement. [24215]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government sought advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee on this point. The committee recommended that the removal of bovine head meat from bovine heads should be prohibited because they were concerned at the possibility of such meat being contaminated with brain material following stunning and pithing, rather than because of concerns about the safety of meat itself.

  Animal Slaughter
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support his Department is offering to the abattoir sector; and if he will make a statement. [27469]

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 16 April a £110 million package of support for the slaughtering sector. Following consultation, we have revised the operation of the stock purchase element of this scheme, in particular to maximise the help it gives to companies involved in the export trade. I am placing details in the Library.

  Farm Animal Welfare
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the welfare of farm animals. [27470]

  Mrs. Browning
  We continue to receive a high volume of comment on animal welfare issues.

  Set-aside
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the benefits to wildlife of the set-aside procedure. [27474]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Ministry is funding an evaluation of set-aside which examines its impact on plants, insects and birds. Research has shown that set-aside land can support significantly more wildlife than nearby cropped fields.

  Dairy Imports
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of(a) milk and (b) dairy products in the United Kingdom is imported from other EU nations. [27478]

  Mr. Baldry
  The figures are as follows:

  Imports from EU

  Percentage of total UK availability (domestic production plus total imports)

  Milk

  1

  Butter

  22

  Cheese

  33

  Skimmed milk powder

  11

  Full cream powder

  8

  Condensed milk

  6

  264

  Dairy Sector
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the fall in domestic consumption of beef and the European Union world-wide ban on British beef exports on the United Kingdom dairy farming sector. [27479]

  Mr. Baldry
  The crisis of confidence in British beef and the EU ban on UK beef exports will have affected the dairy sector in several ways. Continental markets for surplus dairy calves have been lost completely and markets at home for beef calves and store cattle knocked back. As a result of the export ban, and national measures to keep out of the human food chain meat from animals aged more than 30 months, there is no longer any market outlet for dairy cows which have reached the end of their productive lives. Measures which provide alternative outlets for male pure-bred dairy calves and cattle aged over 30 months have announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on the 28 March and 16 April respectively.

  Cattle Slaughter (Costs)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the average cost of the slaughter and destruction of a cow. [27481]

  Mrs. Browning
  Meat and Livestock Commission estimates suggest that the average cost is between £55 and £60 per animal.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the fishing industry to discuss the common fisheries policy; and if he will make a statement. [27482]

  Mr. Baldry
  I met representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations at its annual general meeting on 3 May when we discussed the common fisheries policy and other current issues.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value of payments made under the arable area payments scheme in 1995. [27483]

  Mr. Baldry
  Payments under the arable area payments scheme in the United Kingdom in the 1995–96 financial year are estimated to total £1,304.9 million.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research(a) he has commissioned and (b) evaluated which has been carried out into the effect of organophosphates upon (i) humans and (ii) animals. [28095]

  Mrs. Browning
  Between 1991 and 1994 the national poisons unit, London, was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to conduct studies into the effects on human health from acute exposure to organophosphorus sheep dips. Jointly with the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive, MAFF has also awarded a contract worth £500,000 to the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh to carry out an epidemiological study designed
  265
  to detect well-defined, predetermined chronic effects in humans of dipping sheep with OP sheep dips. This study is expected to be competed in April 1999.

  No current research into the effects of organophosphates on animals is being undertaken by MAFF. Every veterinary medicine must satisfy statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy, and responsibility for undertaking or providing information on the necessary research to meet these criteria rests with applicants for marketing authorisations. That research is evaluated as part of the authorisation process. We have, however, agreed two major research projects, worth £1.2 million over three years, on alternatives to organophosphorus sheep dips.

  There is also a very large quantity of published scientific literature on organophosphates, including papers on the effects in animals and humans, which is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as part of the continuing review of the use of OP sheep dips by the Veterinary Products Committee. References to these are widely available from commercial databases.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses have closed since 1 January 1993 on the grounds that they did not meet the structural requirements of directive 91/497/EEC. [27863]

  Mrs. Browning
  No figures are available to show how many slaughterhouses have closed since 1 January 1993 on the ground that they did not meet the structural requirements of directive 91/497/EEC. Slaughterhouses can close for a number of reasons, including commercial pressures arising from the significant overcapacity in the red meat slaughtering industry. In addition, if one operator decides to close, the premises may be taken over by another.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many customers are currently disputing the bills submitted to them by the Meat Hygiene Service; [28335]

  (2) how many customers to date have refused to pay some or all bills submitted to them by the Meat Hygiene Service since the inception of the service. [28334]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 May 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service to reply.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Edward O'Hara, dated 9 May 1996:

  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning the number of customers currently disputing and refusing to pay the bills submitted to them by the MHS has been passed to me for reply. (28335 + 28334)

  124 customers are currently disputing the bills submitted to them by the MHS. 125 customers have refused to pay some or all bills since the launch of the MHS on 1 April 1995.

  As you may be aware the majority of these outstanding debts relate to payment strikes by some plants in support of the Woodspring Case, a civil action brought by Woodspring District Council against Bakers of Nailsea to recover unpaid meat inspection
  266
  charges. The Association of District Councils calculated that by the end of the 1994–5 financial year, local authorities would be owed some £2.5 million in unpaid charges. The High Court found in favour of Woodspring Council in 1994, but the case is under appeal and also being considered by the European Court of Justice. A judgement is expected in the autumn of 1996. However, I would like to stress that the MHS continues to provide a 100% inspection service to all customers regardless of whether there is a dispute over the charge for the services. The MHS also allowed for debt arising from the Woodspring Case in its 1995–96 Business Plan. Costs arising as a result of Specified Bovine Material enforcement action by the MHS are paid for by central Government.

  The Agency does operate rigorous debt recovery procedures. Invoices which remain unpaid after 21 days and which are not subject to query are passed to the Legal Department of MAFF who issue a warning "letter" before action. The intention is that a summons will be issued 14 days later unless payment has been received in the meantime.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the United Kingdom of membership of the common agricultural policy. [28403]

  Mr. Baldry
  Exchequer expenditure on the common agricultural policy reflects payments in the Untied Kingdom and contributions to expenditure in other member states through our net contribution to the EC budget. Our theoretical share of the cost of the CAP budget for 1996 would be around £3.6 billion after the Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account and assuming receipts estimated at £2.8 billion.

  In addition the CAP imposes costs on consumers estimated for 1993 at some £3 per week per person. A note setting out the calculations of the costs to UK taxpayers and consumers has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the area of set-aside in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) France in each year since set-aside began; and if he will state the percentage of agricultural land which this represents in each year and the total payment in each country in each year. [28563]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 8 May 1996]: I list the information requested which relates to set-aside under the arable area payments scheme.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Set-aside area (thousands)

  UK

  573

  662

  597

  France

  1,590

  1,934

  1,727

  Set-aside as a percentage of land on which AAPS claimed

  UK

  113.7

  115.4

  114.0

  France

  112.3

  114.6

  113.1

  Total set-aside payments (mecu)

  UK

  189

  254

  233

  France

  517

  792

  722

  1per cent.

  267

  Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision he has made to decommission fishing vessels in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [29215]

  Mr. Baldry
  I have laid before the House the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme 1996 which comes into force today. We want decommissioning to provide real long-term benefits to the fishing industry. By reducing pressure on fish stocks, the scheme can help conservation and improve fishing prospects for the future. To this end, we must ensure that expenditure is effective and provides good value for money.

  We have determined the criteria to be used in the 1996 decommissioning scheme in the light of comments from the industry on our recent consultation paper and the cumulative value for public money obtained from the schemes so far and changes in the structure fo the fleet. The 1996 scheme will be opened up to more vessels on improved terms which take account of the comments made by the industry itself.

  Key changes being made are:

  a reduction to 75 qualifying days fishing in each of the two previous years;

  the removal of the current restriction on licence type;

  the extension of eligibility to the nephrops and distant water segments.

  the possibility of allowing historic decommissioned vessels to remain afloat if donated to a registered museum.

  268
  Some £13 million is now available for decommissioning this year and, as in the 1995 scheme, provision is made to cover the possibility of more than one round of decommissioning during the year. Decisions on the amount to be spent and the number of tenders will take account of value for money represented by the bids received.

  Other criteria for the 1996 scheme are similar to the 1995 scheme. The deadline for receipt of grant applications is 25 June 1996.

  Small Food Businesses
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's policies to promote small businesses on United Kingdom farmers and small food businesses. [27464]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government are taking a significant number of steps to help small firms—and this includes farming and food businesses—though the Ministry has not made a sectoral study of the impact of this support.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Government policy on food safety. [27468]

  Mrs. Browning
  Our objective is that food sold in the United Kingdom should be safe for consumption. We have systems for identifying food safety risks, taking prompt action and announcing results. They are described in the 1996 departmental report (Cmnd. 3204) which was published recently.

  NATO: Defence Capabilities Provided by US
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will list the defence capabilities that European members of NATO currently obtain from the US which they would have to "spend double their defence budgets to obtain" for themselves as stated by the Foreign Secretary on 21st March 1996 (HC Deb., col. 521).

  Lord Chesham
  For any European member of NATO to achieve a defence capability comparable to that of the US would require more than a doubling of their defence expenditure. A list of the most important specific capabilities which currently only the US can provide to the Alliance would include satellite intelligence and strategic Heavy Lift.

  European Commission for Democracy through Law: Conference
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will list the states whose representatives participated, as members or observers, in the conference organised from Strasbourg in June 1995 by the European Commission for Democracy through Law, on the theme "Constitutional Justice and Democracy by Referendum"; and whether they will give the reasons for the lack of participation by the United Kingdom.

  Lord Chesham
  The following states were represented, as either members, associate members or observers, at the seminar on "Constitutional Justice and Democracy by Referendum", organised by the European Commission for Democracy through Law:

  Belgium

  Bulgaria

  Canada

  Croatia

  Czech Republic

  Finland

  France

  Hungary

  Italy

  Japan

  Lithuania

  Moldova

  Netherlands

  Poland

  Romania

  WA 20

  Russia

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Spain

  Switzerland

  Turkey

  Ukraine

  United States

  The United Kingdom is not a member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law. It was not invited to send participants to the seminar.

  Local Authorities: Assistance with Software Modification Costs
  Lord Methuen
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  In cases where local authority finance has been capped, whether any allowance has been made to enable local authorities to cover the costs of modifying their software systems to address the problems caused by the year 2000.

  Lord Lucas
  No. But we would consider representations where authorities consider that modification of their software represents a significant and unpredicted new burden.

  Habitats Directive
  Lord Pearson of Rannoch
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which European Union countries have so far failed (a) to transpose the provisions of the Habitats Directive into their national laws; and (b) to deposit with the Commission their lists of special areas of conservation which the directive requested them to do by June 1995, and what effect these delays will have on the future operation of the directive.

  Lord Lucas
  There is no official information available to the Government on member states' implementation of the Habitats Directive.

  The directive required member states to transpose its provisions by June 1994. Member states may choose the means of transposition into their national laws. It is for the European Commission to judge the extent to which such transposition in respect of the Habitats Directive has taken place.

  As far as the Government are aware, although all member states are actively engaged in site selection and consultation, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have not so far submitted any part of their national lists of sites.
  WA 21
  Transposition and communication of the national lists of sites are essential to ensure that the Habitats Directive is implemented coherently across the Union. The Commission may take infraction proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty against those member states which are considered to have failed to comply with their obligations.

  Food Safety
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should adopt the precautionary principle in cases where clear-cut evidence about the safety of food products is not available and cannot be obtained.

  Lord Lucas
  The Government already follow the precautionary principle in relation to the safety of food products. They require evidence of safety when a novel food is produced or when a new substance is added in the course of food production. If prima facie evidence is found of a new risk in established foods, the Government take action which leaves a significant margin of safety.

  Environment Agency Code on Enforcement Practice
  Lord Lyell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Environment Agency has now prepared its Code on Enforcement Practice.

  Lord Lucas
  The Environment Agency's Code on Enforcement Practice was adopted on 23rd April and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. It takes the form of a statement of enforcement policy which sets out how the agency will operate, and detailed guidance for warranted officers, setting out their responsibilities. The documents will be revised over time in the light of experience and comments from all the agency's customers.

  Tug Deployment Trials
  Lord Murray of Epping
  Forest asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have completed their review of the results of trials of tugs in the Dover Strait and at Stornoway; and when they will publish those results and their intentions for the future.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)
  The 1995–96 trial period for the two tugs finished on 30th April 1996. The results of the trials are currently being analysed and will be published in due course. We will make public our intentions for future tug deployment on completion of our consideration.

  British Coal Recreational Land
  Lord Gisborough
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the future use for sport and recreation of British Coal recreational land is now safeguarded from conversion to other uses, and, if not, whether any other deadline for the transfer of such sites to new owners and occupiers has been set; and

  Given that British Coal has refused to transfer any sites to the National Playing Fields Association, what alternative arrangements are being made for this land.

  Baroness Miller of Hendon
  The Government's objective remains that British Coal land in active use for sport and recreation will be retained for those purposes. Discussions continue with British Coal and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation as to how this can best be achieved. Those discussions will be concluded as soon as possible.

  Lord Gisborough
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will provide a full listing of sites in the British Coal recreational package giving names, locations, current occupiers and current uses.

  Baroness Miller of Hendon
  This is a matter for British Coal.

  Benefit Changes: Second Order Effects
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Answer given by Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish on 30th April (H.L. Deb., col. 1472), whether they will place in the Library a list of research papers dealing with the second order effects of benefit changes, stating to which benefit change each paper relates.

  The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)
  It is not possible to identify all those research papers which may prove useful for assessing the public expenditure consequences of benefit changes, including second order effects. An example of how research informs these assessments can be found in Options for Equality in State Pension Age (CM 1723, December 1991). Paragraphs 18 and 19 of Appendix 3 describe how the available research was used to estimate the indirect effects on public finances of changing state pension age. All the publications in the department's research report series are placed in the Library and the Research Yearbook provides details of individual projects commissioned by the department.

  Unemployment Comparisons
  Lord Acton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the rate of unemployment in the United Kingdom in May 1979, and what is the current rate of unemployment in: (a) the United Kingdom; (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan.
  WA 23
  Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publishes figures based on the internationally standard definition of unemployment recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It is the ILO definition of unemployment that provides the best basis for international comparisons. According to the available figures published by the OECD, the United Kingdom's ILO unemployment rate stood at 5.0 per cent. in the second quarter of 1979. In January 1996 (the latest available date for the comparison requested) the UK rate stood at 8.4 per cent., compared with 5.7 per cent. in the USA and 3.4 per cent. in Japan.

  Social Charter: Additional Protocol
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to ratify the additional protocol to the European social charter providing for a system of collective complaints; and, if not, why not.

  The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)
  The Government do not intend to ratify the additional protocol to the European social charter providing for a system of collective complaints. The Government do not consider that the protocol would improve the charter's supervisory system.

  Literacy Centres and Books and Teaching Materials for Schools
  Baroness David
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, following the establishment of literacy centres, they have any specific plans to improve the availability of books and teaching materials in schools.

  Lord Henley
  The specification against which local education authorities bid for GEST funds to host literacy centres included funding for the purchase of books and any IT or other equipment related to the school's strategy for raising standards in literacy.

  Education for 16 to 19 Year-Olds: Books and Teaching Materials
  Baroness David
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether following the review of education at 16 to 19, they have specific plans to ensure that the necessary new books and teaching materials are provided for students and libraries.

  Lord Henley
  It is for schools and colleges to prioritise their spending depending on local needs and the overall resources available to them. We have asked for advice from the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority and the National Council for Vocational WA 24
  Qualifications on the implementation of the Dearing proposals for 16–19 qualifications. Detailed plans for following up the Dearing Review will take account of that advice.

  Law Commission Recommendations: Implementation
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to take steps to rectify the continuing failure, referred to in the Law Commission's Thirtieth Annual Report 1995 (Law Com. No. 239), to implement the Law Commission's reports on criminal law; and, if not why not; and

  Whether they intend to implement the Law Commission's report on Conspiracy to Defraud 1994 (Law Com. No. 228); and if not, why not.

  The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)
  The Government value the work of the Law Commission, which has led to many valuable reforms of the criminal law. One measure currently before Parliament is the proposal to abolish the year and a day rule in homicide, which I hope will become law this session.

  Final decisions have yet to be taken on four other Law Commission reports relating to the criminal law, and these are currently under consideration. In particular, we are undertaking further work to assess the Law Commission's proposals for reform of the law on offences against the person.

  The Government are committed to introducing a Bill to combat loan fraud, as recommended by the Law Commission in their report, Conspiracy to Defraud, as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Singh and Hussain: European Court of Human Rights Judgments
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to respond to the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of Singh and Hussain by introducing legislation to comply with those rulings; and if not, why not.

  Baroness Blatch
  The Government have already announced that they are considering the implications of the judgments and will announce what changes will be made to take account of them as soon as possible.

  Northern Ireland: Wheelchair Service
  Lord Holme of Cheltenham
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the wheelchair voucher scheme announced by Mr. John Bowis on 23rd February 1996 will be available to people in Northern Ireland; and if not, why not.
  WA 25
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)
  The announcement on 23rd February referred only to England. In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Services is currently exploring with the four health and social services boards how the wheelchair service might be improved. In this context they will be considering the implications for Northern Ireland of the proposals for a voucher scheme.

  Anti-personnel Landmines
  Lord Hylton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many non-self-destructive anti-personnel land-mines they hold in stock at the most recent known date.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)
  It is our established policy for security reasons not to reveal information relating to stock levels of munitions held or planned. However, as stated by my noble friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 23rd April 1996,Official Report, col. WA 89, we intend to reduce quantities by almost half as soon as is practicable.

  If agreement is reached for an international ban on all anti-personnel mines, or if viable alternatives to anti-personnel mines emerge, we will commence destruction of our remaining anti-personnel mines (none of which has a self-destruct capability).

  Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether any further cases of PrPCJ Disease have been identified since January 1996 and whether there is any reason to suppose the incubation period for this form of CJ Disease does not exceed 10 years [Lancet, Vol. 347, 1996, p. 924].

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)
  One further case of the new variant of Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease has been confirmed since the announcement on 20th March that 10 cases had been identified.

  The incubation period for CJD is thought to range from five to 20 years.

  Organophosphates and Neuropathy
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, they regard the "hen test" as a reliable predictor of irreversible neuropathy caused by organophosphates.
  WA 26
  Baroness Cumberlege
  The test in hens, as done according to modern protocols (e.g. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines) is the most satisfactory test generally availablefor the prediction of ability to produce organophosphate-induced delayed peripheral neuropathy. Hens are more sensitive to the development of the syndrome than laboratory rodents.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they are satisfied that studies of long-term exposure to organophosphates in animals may confidently be extrapolated to humans.

  Baroness Cumberlege
  Some caution is necessary in extrapolating animal studies to humans. It is important to consider factors such as metabolism and pharmacokinetics when making such extrapolations. The expert members of the Government's advisory committees and the department's professional staff are aware of these constraints when considering data from studies before advising the Government.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether it is necessary for organophosphates to age before neuropathies result.

  Baroness Cumberlege
  The term aging refers to the enzyme neuropathy target esterase (NTE) not to organophosphates. The production of organophosphates-induced delayed peripheral neuropathy (OPIDN) appears to be associated with but not necessarily caused by phosphorylation, with consequent inhibition of NTE. OPIDN appears to occur only when inhibition of NTE is greater than 70 per cent. and this is followed by monodealkylation (aging). There is some evidence that the underlying mechanism may be different with some phosphoramidates—for example, the phosphorothioamidate pesticide methamidophos; with this substance, at high doses, aging does not seem to be obligatory for the development of OPIDN.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is known about the effects of exposure to organophosphates in humans upon enzymes other than neuropathy target esterase (NTE).

  Baroness Cumberlege
  The acute effects of the organophosphates are caused by the ability of these compounds to inhibit various esterases, in particular acetylcholionesterase. Some, if not all, organophosphates have non-anticholinesterase effects; diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) influences dopaminergic and somatostatinergic pathways in the rat and leptophos affects Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) regulated chloride channels, as may sarin. Furthermore, parathion, parathion-methyl and malathion affect camodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase activity.

  Pesticides: Use in Combination
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, in view of the findings of scientists at Duke University Medical Centre and University of Texas Medical Centres that the action of carbonates is heightened when used in combination with other pesticides, they will require manufacturers to ensure that formulations of pesticides are safe for humans who may be exposed to them, and that these formulations are not used in combination with other pesticides.
  WA 28
  Baroness Cumberlege
  I understand that the work referred to has not been fully published as yet. When publication has taken place the Government will consider whether the findings have implications for the regulation of pesticides. In approving pesticides the possibility of additive or synergistic effects in mixes are considered. The safety margins are such that any risks of adverse effects are small. It is not possible to test for synergistic effects using all possible combinations but such effects are very unlikely at very low doses and where observed in animal experiments they are generally due to metabolic causes.