Written Answers of 20 May 1996

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Vessel Decommissioning
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the fishing vessels St. Benedict, St. Jerome and St. Jasper were decommissioned; how much was paid by his Department for each; to what(a) company and (b) liquidator; and who owned the vessels at the time they were decommissioned. [29568]

  Mr. Baldry
  The fishing vessels (financial assistance) scheme 1983 provided for the payment of decommissioning grant in respect of vessels which were either scrapped, exported for fishing outside Community waters or assigned permanently to another use.

  In the case of the St. Benedict, the St. Jerome and the St. Jasper, the applicant was Thomas Hamling and Co. Ltd. The St. Benedict was sold for the purpose of fishing outside Community waters. The St. Jerome and the St. Jasper were permanently assigned to other uses. Once the conditions had been met in respect of the three vessels, payment was made to Mr. W. F. Ratford, joint receiver of Thomas Hamling and Co. Ltd. The table sets out the other information required.

  Vessels

  Amount £

  Date of decommissioning

  Owner at the time of decommissioning

  St. Benedict

  581,504

  17 February 1984

  Thomas Hamling and Co. Ltd. (in receivership)

  St. Jerome

  515,280

  2 October 19841

  Thomas Hamling and Co. Ltd. (in receivership)

  St. Jasper

  51,484

  6 August 1984

  Thomas Hamling and Co. Ltd. (in receivership)

  1 Vessel sold for alternative use on 2 October 1984, but not removed from the fishing vessel register until 19 November 1984. It is not now possible to determine the reasons for this discrepancy.

  Sugar Beet
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is undertaking to find a means of sterilising soil in which sugar been has been grown, to avoid the necessity for its disposal in landfill. [29766]

  Mr. Baldry
  Maximising potential uses for soil such as landscaping is more likely to be cost effective than sterilisation.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to relieve sugar beet growers of the landfill tax on soil. [29767]
  2
  Mr. Baldry
  MAFF officials stand ready to explore with the sugar beet industry ways in which the volume of waste soil returned to farmland, and therefore not subject to the landfill tax, can be increased.

  Beef and Suckler Cow Premiums
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Council of Ministers for increases in payments under(a) the beef special premium scheme and (b) the suckler cow premium; and if he will make a statement. [30140]

  Mr. Baldry
  The 29 to 30 April Agriculture Council asked the Commission to suggest measures at this week's Agriculture Council to assist beef producers affected by recent market turbulence and seek guidance on how and where the additional support should be targeted. This may include proposals to supplement the 1995 suckler cow and beef special premiums. I am determined to explore all possible ways of assisting producers and will be pressing for the implementation of such measures as soon as possible.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has fixed the 1996–97 Meat Hygiene Service inspection charges; and if he will make a statement. [30458]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The industry was notified by the Meat Hygiene Service in a letter from the MHS chief executive dated 15 March, of proposed increases to inspection charges for 1996–97. Bearing in mind the current crisis in the abattoir industry however, I have decided to defer the application of increased rates until 1 August 1996. In the light of BSE developments, we will be reviewing the proposed charges over the next few months against the aim of achieving full cost recovery for the Meat Hygiene Service in 1996–97. Should any change to the already notified charges prove to be necessary to meet that aim, they will be subject to further notification in accordance with statutory requirements. In the interim, the current charges will continue to apply.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29430]

  Mr. Boswell
  No records are held centrally of how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20, and (d) 10 employees were used by the Department in each of the last five years. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the legality of(a) the original Fischler ban on United Kingdom beef, (b) the ban by individual EU countries on United Kingdom beef and (c) the Commission ban on United Kingdom beef (i) within the EU and (ii) internationally indicating how, whether and when the

  3
  Government may seek to challenge any of the above; and under what circumstances and to whom compensation may be payable. [23997]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The EU ban on the export of British beef is not justified on the basis of science as a measure necessary to protect public health, and it is totally disproportionate. We are pressing at every opportunity in the Council of Ministers for this ban on the export of British beef to be lifted. We are also intending to challenge the legality of the ban before the European Court of Justice.

  Compensation is a matter to be pursued by the private parties affected either before the domestic courts or the European Court.

  Sandeels
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to call for a precautionary total allowable catch for sandeels at the forthcoming meeting of EU Ministers in Bergen; and if he will make a statement. [29883]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: I called for the introduction of precautionary total allowable catches for sandeels at the last meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers on 22 April.

  Industrial Fishing
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the scale of industrial fishing in the North sea; and what is the Government's policy in respect of industrial fishing in sensitive areas. [29886]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: The fisheries scientists of the International Council for the Exploration of Sea advised last year that annual landings from the industrial fisheries of the North Sea increased to approximately 1.8 million tonnes in the early 1970s but have fluctuated around 1 million tonnes in recent years.

  The UK applies a precautionary total allowable catch for sandeels in the Shetland territorial waters, taking account of the sensitivity of the area. The Government have also called for the introduction of TACs under the common fisheries policy for sandeels throughout the North sea, in the Skagerrak and west of Scotland. We have asked ICES to provide advice on the appropriate level of precautionary TACS and have urged that account be taken of the need to protect local aggregations of sandeels in sensitive areas by consideration of seasonal and localised catch regulations.

  EU Ministers Meeting
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who will represent the United Kingdom at the meeting of EU Ministers scheduled for 10 June to discuss agriculture and fisheries; and what is the agenda of the meeting. [29887]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: I plan to represent the United Kingdom at the meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers on 10 June, along with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.
  4
  The draft agenda of the Council currently includes multi-annual guidance programmes 1997–99, technical conservation measures, fisheries research, redfish quotas in the north-east and north-west Atlantic, the sprat fishery in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, preparations for a conference on Mediterranean fisheries and a communication from the Commission on small-scale coastal fishing. Other items are likely to be added.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on industrial fishing in the North sea; and what proposals his officials plan to present at the meeting in Bergen on 13 and 14 June on steps to address industrial fishing in sensitive areas. [29888]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: I have recently received representations from Greenpeace on industrial fishing in the North Sea.

  The officials attending the Committee of North Sea Senior Officials in Bergen in June will report on the United Kingdom's initiatives on sandeels and my call for a greater collaborative research effort to increase understanding of the impact of industrial fishing on other species.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Unfilled Teacher Posts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unfilled teacher posts there are currently in(a) the primary sector, (b) the secondary sector and (c) total, giving the numbers per subject in the secondary sector; and what are these figures as percentages of (i) the primary sector as a whole and (ii) secondary teachers grouped according to subject. [29636]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on teacher vacancies as at January 1995, the latest currently available, were published in press notice 110/95 on 24 May 1995. A copy has been placed in the Library. The figures were published as provisional but they have since been finalised without any amendments being necessary.

  Provisional figures for January 1996 will be published in a press notice on 23 May 1996. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of teachers sought early retirement in each of the last five years in(a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary sector and (c) overall, broken down by the grounds on which early retirement was sought and given in total. [29635]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on teachers seeking early retirement is not collected centrally. The following table shows the latest information on members of the teachers' superannuation scheme obtaining early retirement.
  5

  Number of percentage of nursery, primary and secondary school teachers1 obtaining early retirement. Retirements in each financial year

  Numbers2

  Percentages3

  Nursery and primary schools

  Secondary schools4

  Total

  Nursery and primary schools Per cent.

  Secondary schools4 Per cent.

  Total Per cent.

  1990–91

  Efficiency

  3,450

  2,710

  6,160

  1.7

  1.3

  1.5

  Redundancy

  300

  1,230

  1,530

  0.2

  0.6

  0.4

  Ill health

  2,360

  1,550

  3,900

  1.2

  0.7

  1.0

  Total

  6,110

  5,490

  11,590

  3.1

  2.6

  2.8

  1991–92

  Efficiency

  2,760

  2,060

  4,820

  1.4

  1.0

  1.2

  Redundancy

  360

  1,150

  1,510

  0.2

  0.6

  0.4

  Ill health

  2,120

  1,460

  3,580

  1.1

  0.7

  0.9

  Total

  5,240

  4,670

  9,910

  2.6

  2.3

  2.5

  1992–93

  Efficiency

  2,540

  2,200

  4,740

  1.3

  1.1

  1.2

  Redundancy

  700

  1,310

  2,010

  0.3

  0.6

  0.5

  Ill health

  2,080

  1,560

  3,650

  1.0

  0.8

  0.9

  Total

  5,320

  5,070

  10,400

  2.6

  2.5

  2.6

  1993–94

  Efficiency

  2,410

  2,380

  4,790

  1.2

  1.2

  1.2

  Redundancy

  920

  1,710

  2,630

  0.5

  0.8

  0.6

  Ill health

  2,280

  2,000

  4,290

  1.1

  1.0

  1.1

  Total

  5,610

  6,090

  11,710

  2.8

  3.0

  2.9

  1994–95

  Efficiency

  2,560

  2,260

  4,820

  1.3

  1.1

  1.2

  Redundancy

  780

  1,240

  2,020

  0.4

  0.6

  0.5

  Ill health

  2,630

  2,110

  4,740

  1.3

  1.0

  1.2

  Total

  5,970

  5,610

  11,580

  2.9

  2.8

  2.8

  1 Excludes peripatetic teachers, supply teachers and teachers providing nursery, primary or secondary education other than in school.

  2 Includes only members of the teachers' superannuation scheme some of whom were not working as teachers immediately prior to retirement.

  3 The numbers of early retirements from the TSS shown as a percentage of teachers in service in schools at 31 March, prior to each financial year. The number of teachers in service includes some who may not have been members of the teachers' superannuation scheme.

  4 Excludes sixth-form colleges throughout.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in January of (i) 1980, (ii) 1991, (iii) 1992, (iv) 1994, (v) 1995 and (vi) 1996 were being taught in classes of (1) 30 and (2) 40 or more in each local education authority in England and in total. [29641]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is contained in a number of tables which have been placed in the Library.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  B Ed Non-completers1

  Number of Students

  1,539

  1,924

  2,316

  2,588

  2,500

  Percentage of intake

  19 per cent.

  22 per cent.

  24 per cent.

  24 per cent.

  21 per cent.

  PGCE Non-completers1

  Number of students

  1,191

  1,391

  1,493

  1,451

  2,445

  Percentage of intake

  11 per cent.

  12 per cent.

  10 per cent.

  9 per cent.

  13 per cent.

  1 These figures include students who failed, as well as those who dropped out. The calculations are based on the assumption of all PGCE courses lasting one year, and all B Ed courses four years. Figures are for England and Wales.

  6
  percentage of those enrolled on teacher training courses in each of the last five years failed to complete the course; and what estimate she has made of the cost of the training which they received. [29638]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The only information centrally available is calculated from the difference between the numbers embarking on bachelor of education and postgraduate certificate of education courses and those successfully completing them four years or one year later. The numbers and percentages of entrants failing successfully to complete initial teacher training courses in the last five years for which such calculations can be made are as follows. The table includes those failing examinations as well as those dropping out voluntarily. We do not know how much of the course was completed in each case, and cannot therefore calculate the costs of training.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the average pupil-teacher ratio(a) for each LEA and (b) for England (i) in the primary sector, (ii) in the secondary sector and (iii) overall as of January in each year since 1980. [29634]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is contained in a number of tables which will be placed in the Library.

  Funding Agency for Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost of running the Funding Agency for Schools in 1995–96, and what is the provisional cost for 1996–97. [29637]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Grant for the agency's running costs was £11.5 million in 1995–96. Budget provision for 1996–97 is £12.5 million.

  New Technology
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to increase the resources available to universities for investment in new technology for teaching. [29852]

  Mr. Forth
  Higher education institutions receive their funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England as a block grant. It is for institutions themselves to decide their priorities for investment.

  The funding council is investing more than £16 million over three years in a programme of metropolitan area networks to improve institutions' access to the higher education and research broadband network SuperJANET. The higher education funding bodies are contributing around £33 million over four years to the UK teaching and learning technology programme which develops innovative approaches to teaching and learning using modern technology.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library the guidance issued to local education authorities in respect of the proper use of exclusions; and what plans she has to update it. [29683]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A copy of the Department's circular 10/94 on exclusions from school is already in the Library. That guidance will be updated as necessary in the light of policy developments, including possible legislation, which are presently under consideration.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what procedures are in place to monitor whether any school exclusion was used(a) as a last resort and (b) prior to a last resort; what action can be taken if the latter applies; and if she will make a statement; [29681]

  (2) what action her Department can take if it finds a school exclusion is unjustified; and in how many cases in the last two years it has taken such action. [29682]
  8
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Only the headteacher has the power to exclude a pupil from school. In all cases of exclusion, parents have the right to make representations to the school's governors and, in the case of local education authority maintained schools, to the LEA. In the case of a permanent exclusion which is confirmed, as applicable, by governors or the LEA, the parents may appeal to an independent appeal committee. The decision of such a committee, which must consider all relevant circumstances in each case, is final and binding. My right hon. Friend has no power to overturn its decision.

  Secondary School Governors
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she last met governors of state secondary schools in the Greater London area. [29720]

  Mr., Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend and other Ministers frequently meet governors of secondary schools, including Greater London schools, in a variety of contexts.

  School Spending, Wandsworth
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the spending, per child in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools, in the London borough of Wandsworth in 1995. [29723]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Expenditure per pupil in Wandsworth in local education authority maintained(a) pre-primary/primary and (b) secondary schools was £2,268 and £3,053 respectively in 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Ethnic Minority Pupils
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the review of recent research on achievement by ethnic minority pupils commissioned by the Office for Standards in Education will be published. [29754]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Students (Study Abroad)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to increase the number of United Kingdom students studying abroad. [29822]

  Mr. Forth
  Information about the opportunities for studying in Europe have been published in the Department for Education and Employment booklet, "The European Choice", over the last the last three years. The UK is a keen participant in programmes run by the European Commission which promote student mobility. In particular, the Government is a strong supporter of the Socrates-ERASMUS programme which provides UK students with additional support to study for three to 12 months in another country within the European Economic Area.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29459]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department. The Department does not maintain this information in the form requested.

  Modern Apprenticeship Programme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how she plans to ensure that more young black people participate in the modern apprenticeship programme; [29412]

  (2) what percentage of places on the modern apprenticeship programme are currently held by young black people. [29414]

  Mr. Paice
  Young black people currently account for about 1 per cent. of starts in modern apprenticeships. The results of work to identify good practice in recruitment and selection have been made available and further

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  19941

  University of Warwick:

  Numbers

  8,262

  8,828

  9,701

  12,471

  13,836

  15,851

  Percentage change

  5

  7

  10

  29

  11

  n/a

  Coventry University:

  Numbers

  8,484

  10,158

  12,233

  12,550

  16,086

  14,646

  Percentage change

  3

  20

  20

  3

  28

  n/a

  n/a = not applicable

  1 Due to changes in data collection, 1994 figures are not directly comparable to those in earlier years. Percentage changes between 1993 and 1994 are therefore not calculated.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the undergraduate student to staff ratio in(a) the university of Warwick and (b) Coventry university for each year since 1989. [29624]

  Mr. Forth
  Information on student-staff ratios for the university of Warwick has been published by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principles in its volume "Universities' Management Statistics and Performance Indicators". Similar data for Coventry university have been published by the Polytechnic and College Funding Council in its volume "Student Staff Ratios in Former Polytechnics and Colleges". Copies of these volumes giving data up to 1993–94 are held in the Library.

  Mr. Cunnigham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the capital allocation to(a) the university of Warwick and (b) Coventry university in (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96; and what it will be in 1996–97 and 1997–98 in (1) cash terms, (2) real terms and (3) as a percentage change on the previous year. [29625]

  Mr.Forth
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England formula capital funds allocations for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 are set out in the table, and the 1996–97 figures is given in cash terms, real terms at 1995–96 prices and as a percentage change on the previous year.
  10
  guidance for employers will be available shortly. The Department is currently exploring with the Commission for Racial Equality and others how best to ensure these new opportunities are drawn to the attention of young black people.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by her Department in each of the last five years. [29444]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Warwick and Coventry Universities
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students were at(a) the university of Warwick and (b) Coventry university in each year since 1989, (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage change on the previous year. [29623]

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

  For 1996–97,the council allocated a single block grant to institutions for recurrent and capital purposes; the figure shown is that element of the grant derived from the council's equipment and estates funding formula.

  £000s

  University

  Coventry

  Warwick

  1994–95 cash

  2,246

  2,667

  1995–96 cash

  2,575

  2,962

  Cash

  1,725

  2,225

  1997–98 real terms

  1,678

  2,166

  Percentage change

  -35

  -27

  Figures for 1997–98 have not yet been decided

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the level of DFEE funding per undergraduate student at(a) at the university of Warwick and (b) Coventry university in each year since 1990; and what it will be in 1996–97 in (i) cash terms, (ii) real terms and (iii) as a percentage change on the previous year. [29626]

  Mr. Forth
  The information is not readily available for individual institutions.
  11
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been given by her Department to(a) the university of Warwick and (b) Coventry university in each year since 1990 for the construction of new buildings. [29627]

  Mr. Forth
  Since 1992, the university of Warwick and Coventry university have both received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England towards the cost of specific capital projects. In both cases only a minority of the project cost has been funded by HEFCE. Details are as follows:

  Projects

  Total HEFCE funds approved £

  Financial year in which awarded

  Coventry

  Extension and refurbishment of 90–94 Gosford Street

  1,750,000

  1992–93

  Warwick

  Library extension

  313,000

  1995–96

  Information for 1991 and earlier years is not readily available.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if her Department required bonds from businesses with under(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29418]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Advice on the use of performance bonds is set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48, "Bonds and Guarantees", copies of which are available in the Library. This guidance makes it clear that bonds are not always necessary and are no substitute for considered judgments about the risks of a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources of the available contractor. These factors will vary for each contract independent of the size of the contractor.

  Schools (Serious Measures)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the schools which have required serious measures under the provisions of the Education Act 1993 to be taken against them; in respect of each school, how long the serious measures have been in force; and into which schools the Education Association has been sent. [29965]

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

  School1

  LEA area

  Date special measures applied

  Date special measures ceased

  Crook

  Durham

  December 1993

  July 1995

  Brookside

  Derbyshire

  December 1993

  March 1995

  Northicote

  Wolverhampton

  January 1994

  May 1995

  12

  School1

  LEA area

  Date special measures applied

  Date special measures ceased

  Stratford

  GM (Newham)

  February 1994

  December 1995

  Battersea Technology College

  Wandsworth

  February 1994

  The Drive

  Gateshead

  March 1994

  The Phoenix

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  April 1994

  Lilian Baylis

  Lambeth

  April 1994

  St. Richard of Chichester

  Camden

  June 1994

  Cross Green

  Leeds

  July 1994

  Dick Sheppard

  Lambeth

  August 1994

  Closed July 1995

  St. Mark's

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  August 1994

  Closed July 1995

  Fairfax

  Bradford

  August 1994

  Hackney Downs

  Hackney

  August 1994

  Closed December 1995

  Rough Hay

  Walsall

  November 1994

  Fryerns School

  Essex

  June 1995

  Brough

  Cumbria

  June 1995

  Little Ilford

  Newham

  June 1995

  Rearsby

  Leicestershire

  July 1995

  Gainsborough

  Newham

  July 1995

  Park Lane

  Brent

  July 1995

  Kingshurst

  Solihull

  July 1995

  St. Malachy's

  Liverpool

  July 1995

  Ingram High

  Croydon

  July 1995

  Malory

  Lewisham

  August 1995

  The Forest

  Nottinghamshire

  August 1995

  Earl Marshal

  Sheffield

  August 1995

  Holyhead

  Sandwell

  September 1995

  Woodstock

  Leicestershire

  September 1995

  Green Acres

  Wolverhampton

  September 1995

  Mostyn Gardens

  Lambeth

  September 1995

  Deeside

  Cheshire

  September 1995

  Edna G Olds

  Nottinghamshire

  September 1995

  Sts. Barnabus and Paul

  Lancashire

  September 1995

  Northways

  Leeds

  September 1995

  Christchurch

  Wandsworth

  September 1995

  Edinburgh

  Waltham Forest

  September 1995

  Brancaster CE

  Norfolk

  September 1995

  St. Joseph's RC Primary

  Brent

  September 1995

  Garston

  Liverpool

  September 1995

  Newport

  Waltham Forest

  September 1995

  Ashburton High

  Croydon

  October 1995

  Rodmell

  East Sussex

  November 1995

  St. James CE Primary

  Cumbria

  November 1995

  Staveley

  Derbyshire

  December 1995

  St. George's Primary

  Wandsworth

  December 1996

  Ashton St. Peter's

  GM (Bedfordshire)

  January 1996

  St. Patrick's RC Primary

  Shropshire

  January 1996

  The Sneyd

  Staffordshire

  December 1995

  St. Matthias

  Hackney

  December 1995

  Whitebridge

  Leeds

  December 1995

  13

  School1

  LEA area

  Date special measures applied

  Date special measures ceased

  Victoria

  Leeds

  December 1995

  Bollin Cross

  Manchester

  January 1996

  Highview

  Sutton

  December 1995

  St. Mary of the Angels

  Westminster

  December 1995

  Munella Community Colllege

  Leicestershire

  February 1995

  Isaac Newton

  Hull

  January 1996

  Foxearth

  Essex

  December 1995

  Lostock Park

  Bolton

  February 1996

  Brookfield

  Gloucester

  December 1995

  Dalton

  Kirklees

  January 1996

  Corby and Kettering Pupil Referral Unit

  Northampton

  January 1996

  St. Stephen's

  Lambeth

  November 1994

  St. John the Divine

  Lambeth

  November 1994

  Roundthorn

  Oldham

  November 1994

  March 1996

  Tamarside

  Devon

  December 1994

  Francis Askew

  Hull

  December 1994

  February 1996

  Norbridge

  Nottinghamshire

  December 1994

  Fred Nicholson

  Norfolk

  January 1995

  Earlsmead

  Haringey

  January 1995

  Abbey Farm

  Norfolk

  January 1995

  Hockwold

  Norfolk

  January 1995

  Morningside

  Hackney

  January 1995

  South Park Infants

  Redbridge

  January 1995

  Kilworthy House

  Devon

  February 1995

  Closed June 1995

  Welsh House Farm

  Birmingham

  February 1995

  Breeze Hill

  Oldham

  February 1995

  Urchfont

  Wiltshire

  February 1995

  Lea

  Berkshire

  February 1995

  Broomwood

  Bradford

  February 1995

  St. George's

  Southwark

  February 1995

  Northmoor Green

  Somerset

  February 1995

  Langham

  Haringey

  February 1995

  Geoffrey Chaucer

  Southwark

  February 1995

  Erpingham

  Norfolk

  March 1995

  February 1996

  All Saints

  Rochdale

  March 1995

  Pinewood

  Staffordshire

  March 1995

  St. Ann's

  GM (Sheffield)

  April 1995

  St. Joseph's Academy

  Lewisham

  January 1995

  South Benwell

  Newcastle

  April 1995

  Handsworth Wood Boys

  Birmingham

  April 1995

  Weavers Field

  Tower Hamlets

  April 1995

  Rams Episcopal

  Hackney

  April 1995

  William Penn

  Southwark

  April 1995

  Shaw Park

  Hull

  April 1995

  Mayville

  Waltham Forest

  April 1995

  14

  School1

  LEA area

  Date special measures applied

  Date special measures ceased

  UpOttery

  Devon

  May 1995

  Deerlands

  Sheffield

  May 1995

  Southfields

  GM (Kent)

  May 1995

  Mary Linwood

  Leicestershire

  May 1995

  St. Hugh's

  GM (Lincolnshire)

  May 1995

  Tyldesley Highfield

  Wigan

  May 1995

  West Gate Community

  Newcastle

  May 1995

  The Haig

  Wiltshire

  June 1995

  Waterfield

  Greenwich

  June 1995

  Upbury Manor

  GM (Kent)

  April 1995

  Brent Pupil Referral Unit

  Brent

  May 1995

  St. Joseph's Primary

  Waltham Forest

  May 1995

  Linwood

  Dorset

  June 1995

  St. Monica's

  Hackney

  January 1996

  St. Anselm's

  Essex

  February 1996

  Finmere

  Oxfordshire

  February 1996

  John Stainer

  Lewisham

  February 1996

  Ravenscroft

  Somerset

  February 1996

  Hickling

  Norfolk

  February 1996

  Southern Road

  Newham

  March 1996

  Summerseat

  Bury

  March 1996

  Lowry

  Salford

  February 1996

  Our Lady of Fatima

  GM (Liverpool)

  March 1996

  Kelsey Park

  GM (Bromley)

  March 1996

  Goddington

  Bromley

  March 1996

  St. Mary's CE Primary

  Gloucestershire

  March 1996

  John Busch

  Hounslow

  March 1996

  Brindale

  Stockport

  April 1996

  Lea Green

  Waltham Forest

  April 1996

  Millbrook Community

  Hampshire

  April 1996

  Roe Lee

  Lancashire

  April 1996

  Cawston

  Norfolk

  March 1996

  Beechwood

  Berkshire

  April 1996

  Jubilee Park

  Sandwell

  April 1996

  Watergate

  Lewisham

  March 1996

  Griffin Manor

  Greenwich

  April 1996

  St. Bernards RC

  Bolton

  March 1996

  Hillcrest

  Leeds

  April 1996

  Melbourne

  Kent

  April 1996

  Rowdown

  Croydon

  April 1996

  St. Margaret's

  GM (Bedfordshire)

  May 1996

  Slated Row

  Buckinghamshire

  April 1996

  Folkwood

  Sheffield

  April 1996

  Blakelaw

  Newcastle

  April 1996

  Westmoor

  Kirklees

  May 1996

  Rowdeford

  Wiltshire

  May 1996

  1 Excludes schools where inspection report is not yet in the public domain.

  One school, Hackney Downs, Hackney, was transferred on 1 September 1995 to the conduct of an education association, and subsequently closed. On 9 May 1966 the Secretary of State announced that she was minded to transfer Langham school, Haringey, to the conduct of an education association, subject to responses to consultation.

  Engineers and Scientists
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 11 March Official Report, column 431, how many professional engineers and technology officers of each category were employed at each grade in each of the Department of Education and Employment agencies in each year since 1991. [29826]
  15
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The DFEE agencies employed one higher professional technology officer in the Employment Service in each year from 1 January 1991 to 1 January 1995. There are no practising professional engineers.

  There may be professionally qualified engineers and technology officers working in mainstream grades. However, this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Company Grants
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants were given by her Department to company V, whose identity has been supplied to her, between 1989 and 1991; and which grants covered training in welding and lamination. [30035]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My Department has paid no grants directly to company V between 1989 and 1991.

  Departmental Employees (Unfair Treatment)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many cases of unfair treatment have been taken to industrial tribunals by employees of the Department of Employment in each year since 1988; and in how many of these the industrial tribunal found in favour of the employee. [28661]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 13 May 1996]: Prior to its break-up on 5 July 1995, the Department of Employment Group held no central records of the number of cases of alleged unfair treatment taken to industrial tribunals by employees. The best information available is as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases taken

  Number of cases found in employee's favour

  1988

  4

  1

  1989

  3

  1

  1990

  5

  2

  1991

  3

  0

  1992

  8

  0

  1993

  35

  2

  1994

  53

  0

  1995

  40

  5

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from Sir Richard Scott on communications between the secretary to his inquiry into military exports to Iraq and his civil service superiors in the course of that inquiry; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement. [29501]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  None.

  One-stop Government Shop
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce a one-stop Government shop; and if they require the introduction of a combined smartcard/ID card. [29695]
  16
  The Deputy Prime Minister
  There are no present plans to introduce a one-stop Government shop beyond the networks of Government offices in the regions and the business links nation-wide. A prototype of a computerised business start-up system is being demonstrated at selected business links around the UK at present. No decisions have been made on its future.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29417]

  Mr. Willetts
  The Office of Public Service and its agencies, HMSO and the Central Office of Information, follow the Treasury's central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 on "Bonds and Guarantees" which states that bonds are not always necessary and are no substitute for considered judgments about the risks of a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources of the available contractor. These factors will vary for each contract independent of the size of the contractor. There have been no payments made by bond to the Department in any of the last five years.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29445]

  Mr. Willetts
  The information is not held in the form requested.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29460]

  Mr. Willetts
  The information is not held in the form requested.

  Civil Service Pensions
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer from the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) of 14 May,Official Report, column 384, what other groups of civil service pensions will not be (a) market tested and (b) privatised as regards their administration. [30160]

  Mr. Willetts
  The intention is to open up the administration of the principal civil service pension scheme and associated schemes to competition. Decisions on the timing of individual market tests will be for employing Departments and agencies to take.

  Millennium Exhibition
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times the ministerial group to co-ordinate the Government's participation in the millennium exhibition has met; what were its conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [30052]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" makes it clear that information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet or Cabinet committees is not normally made public. The committee meets whenever necessary to oversee the Government's role in relation to the millennium festival and to take forward any necessary planning of the Government's involvement in this event.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans in respect of the United Kingdom derogations from Council of Europe recommendation No. R(87)15; and which other signatories to the convention have adopted the same derogations. [29692]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The United Kingdom has reserved its rights to comply or not with principles 2.2 and 2.4 of the Council of Europe recommendation. There are no plans to lift these reservations.

  The Republic of Ireland entered a general reservation to comply or not with the recommendation as a whole and Switzerland abstained.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce secondary legislation to implement the data protection directive in the next Session of Parliament. [29700]

  Mr. Sackville
  We shall decide how to implement the data protection directive in the light of responses to the Government's consultation paper. This was issued on 22 March and responses have been invited by 19 July.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name each member of the Data Protection Tribunal and indicate the relevant professional qualification or experience which qualify him or her for appointment to the tribunal. [29698]

  Mr. Sackville
  A list of the current members of the Data Protection Tribunal, together with some brief biographical information, has been placed in the Library. The biographical information relates to the reason for appointment to the tribunal, and is not necessarily the current position of the person concerned.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Data Protection Registrar in respect of the benefits and risks of ID cards. [29690]

  Mr. Sackville
  We have received the Data Protection Registrar's booklet "Identity Cards—Putting you in the Picture" and also her formal response to the Government's Green Paper on identity cards.

  Prisoners (Life Sentences)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his timetable for informing all prisoners serving life sentences of the minimum sentence they will serve; and by when he expects that all such prisoners who have already served five years of their sentence will have been so informed. [28796]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Arrangements have been made, following the House of Lords judgment in Doody and others in June 1993, for newly sentenced murderers to be informed of their tariff within nine weeks of receipt of any representations they make to my right hon. and learned Friend about the tariff recommendations made by the judiciary. The judicial recommendations are disclosed to these prisoners as soon as possible after conviction.

  A special exercise was completed in December 1994 to disclose previously undisclosed tariff information to some 2,400 convicted murderers still in prison in England and Wales. Representations have been received in about 390 of these cases and 127 have been reconsidered and tariffs set afresh. The rest will be reconsidered as quickly as possible, priority being given to those whose existing tariffs are nearest to expiry.

  The disclosure exercise included about 80 prisoners for whom no exact tariff had been set but who were told that their tariffs would be at least 20 years. Subject to receipt of representations, we expect to complete the setting of tariffs in these cases within the next six months.

  Coroners Court Service
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has had concerning the effectiveness of the coroners court service. [28800]

  Mr. Sackville
  Complaints about the conduct of coroners and suggestions concerning the inquest system are received from time to time from individuals and organisations.

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what questions relating to the death of WPC Yvonne Fletcher were asked of people taken from the Libyan bureau to Sunningdale; and if he will make a statement on the answers received; [29292]

  (2) pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May, Official Report, column 212, if the bullets from the spent cartridge case coincided with the bullet found in the body of WPC Fletcher; [29298]

  (3) pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May, Official Report, column 212, how many shots were fired from the first floor window of the building. [29299]

  Mr. Howard
  The continuing investigation into the murder of WPC Fletcher is a matter for the police. The police could not give details which may form part of the evidence in future criminal proceedings without running the risk of prejudicing those proceedings.
  19
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 214, at what angle was the body of WPC Fletcher at the time of shooting. [29293]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 8 May,Official Report, column 214, and to the pathologist's evidence which was put before a jury.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 213, what meetings or correspondence he has had with the parents of WPC Fletcher since the memorial service in Salisbury cathedral. [29294]

  Mr. Howard
  I have had no meetings or correspondence with the parents of WPC Fletcher.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 211, what report he has had from the Metropolitan police about why the video was not presented in evidence at the inquest. [29295]

  Mr. Howard
  The police are reviewing the contents of the Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme of 10 April, including giving specific consideration to this question. I have not yet had a report of their conclusions.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 211, what factors led him to describe Professor Bernard Knight, Surgeon Hugh Thomas and Lieutenant-Colonel George Styles as so-called experts. [29301]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the explanation given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 8 May,Official Report, column 211.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 211, what factors have made it impossible to charge anyone with the murder of WPC Fletcher. [29300]

  Mr. Howard
  The investigation of crime is a matter for the police. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State made clear to the House on 8 May, the police were unable to obtain enough evidence to sustain a prosecution without the full co-operation of those concerned in the Libyan people's bureau. Such co-operation was not forthcoming. None the less, the police were of the view that it was likely that the murder was committed by one of two people who were in the bureau. Both of them possessed diplomatic immunity and could not be prosecuted under English law even if the necessary evidence had been available.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 209, if he will put in the Library the exchange of reports between the Libyan people's bureau and Tripoli, indicating the date on which this information was passed to the police. [29291]
  20
  Mr. Howard
  It is not Government policy to comment on matters which relate to operations carried out by the Security and Intelligence Services or to confirm or deny that such operations have been carried out.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29440]

  Mr. Howard
  The information required to answer this question is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with under(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29422]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department follows advice on the use of performance bonds which is set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48, "Bonds and guarantees", copies of which are available in the Library. This guidance makes clear that bonds are no substitute for considered judgments about the risks of a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources of the available contractor.

  My Department has not received any payments from performance bonds in the last five years.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29455]

  Mr. Howard
  Information for 1995–96 in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. A new accounting system, introduced from 1 April, should provide a means to answer such questions in the future.

  European Year Against Racism
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the European Commission's proposal for a Council decision designating 1997 as European Year Against Racism. [29943]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The United Kingdom has expressed its support in principle for a European Year Against Racism. We are now discussing with other member states of the European Union how this can best be taken forward.

  Ballot Papers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discretionary powers are available to those responsible for the local administration of(a) local government, (b) general and (c) European elections to (i) issue copies of appropriate ballot papers to

  21
  electors together with poll cards and (ii) arrange for the symbols of the main political parties to be displayed on ballot papers; and if he will make a statement. [29748]

  Mr. Sackville
  Under current electoral legislation

  (i) there is nothing to prevent a returning officer from issuing a poll card together with a postal ballot paper for local, parliamentary or European parliamentary elections to an elector who is an absent voter and entitled to vote by post as proxy at the election; we understand, however, that because of different timing requirements this is not normal practice;

  (ii) there are no discretionary powers available to returning officers to add party political symbols to the ballot paper.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 442, how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each grade in each of his Department's agencies in each year since 1991. [29837]

  Mr. Howard
  No professional scientists or engineers have been employed by the UK Passport Agency or the Fire Service College in the period in question. The numbers of staff in these categories in the Prison Service and the Forensic Science Service are set out in the following tables. Figures are not available in the form requested for 1991 and 1992, nor in the case of the Prison Service for 1993.

  Forensic Science Service

  Grade

  Discipline

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  3

  Forensic science

  1

  1

  1

  1

  5

  2

  2

  2

  0

  6

  3

  7

  7

  7

  7

  60

  —

  —

  —

  Senior scientific officer

  139

  —

  —

  —

  Higher scientific officer

  154

  —

  —

  —

  Scientific officer

  104

  —

  —

  —

  Assistant scientific officier

  85

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior forensic scientist

  —

  196

  196

  187

  —

  Forensic scientist

  —

  141

  155

  154

  —

  Assistant forensic scientist

  —

  206

  177

  269

  Total

  —

  548

  553

  538

  618

  Prison service

  Grade

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Engineer Grade 7

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer senior professional and technology officer

  5

  5

  5

  Engineer higher professional and technology officer

  4

  6

  7

  Engineer professional and technology officer

  10

  11

  10

  Engineer chemical SPTO

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer civil Grade 7

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer civil SPTO

  3

  3

  3

  22

  Prison service

  Grade

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Engineer civil HPTO

  2

  2

  7

  Engineer civil PTO

  4

  4

  3

  Engineer electrical PTO

  0

  0

  1

  Engineer electronic Grade 7

  0

  0

  0

  Engineer electronic SPTO

  0

  0

  0

  Engineer electronic HPTO

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer mechanical PTO

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer mechanical SPTO

  2

  2

  2

  Engineer mechanical HPTO

  2

  2

  2

  Engineer mechanical Grade 7

  2

  2

  2

  Engineer production Grade 7

  1

  1

  1

  Engineer production PTO

  1

  1

  1

  Telecommunications HPTO

  1

  1

  1

  Telecommunications PTO

  0

  0

  0

  Mechanical and electrical SPTO

  1

  1

  1

  Mechanical and electrical HPTO

  0

  1

  1

  Mechanical and electrical PTO

  2

  1

  1

  Pharmaceutical SPTO

  25

  26

  32

  Pharmaceutical PTO

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  71

  75

  86

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the implications for the Lockerbie investigation of developments at the forensic science laboratory in Kent. [29972]

  Mr. Howard
  An independent scientific review is to be conducted by Professor Brian Caddy which will consider the instances where contamination might have taken place from the particular centrifuge in question. It would be quite wrong to attempt to pre-empt the results of that review by indulging in speculation concerning what those results might be. It is a matter of public record that residues of both RDX and PETN, which are components of a high performance plastic explosive, Semtex, were identified in debris from the Lockerbie disaster by the forensic explosive laboratory. I understand from my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate that the evidence which forms the basis of the charges against the two Libyans does not depend on the identification of the high performance plastic explosive which destroyed the aircraft at Lockerbie.

  Prison Service (Performance)
  Dame Angela Rumbold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Prison Service will publish its plans for 1996 to 1999; and what key performance indicators will measure the service's performance in 1996–97. [30446]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Prison Service is today publishing its plan for 1996–99. The six strategic objectives of the period are:

  (1) to achieve unit cost reductions of 10.2 per cent. and to contain capital spending by encouraging greater private sector involvement while maintaining the balance between security, control, purposeful regimes, and support for staff.

  (2) To sustain a permanent step improvement in performance on escapes, building on what we achieved in 1995–96; in particular to complete the programme of work to enhance security for category A and high profile category B prisoners, and to achieve a significant reduction in escapes from escorts.

  23

  (3) To maintain control and a safe environment for staff and prisoners in the face of cost reductions and operational pressures; specifically, to carry through work on incentives, the drugs strategy and prevention of suicide.

  (4) To maintain balanced regimes which support control and include affordable, effective activities to reduce risk of re-offending.

  (5) To meet basic health care needs of the population, and to target particularly the transfer of mentally ill prisoners to hospital.

  (6) To strengthen effectiveness of staff at all levels and specifically to increase the effectiveness of financial controls and systems.

  The plan also sets performance targets for 1996–97.

  With the agreement of colleagues in the Treasury and the Office of Public Service, as required by the Prison Service framework document, we have decided to make changes to the service's key performance indicators.

  These changes aim to:
  recognise that the service has achieved some of its key performance targets in full;
  reflect the emerging priorities for the service in the coming years; and
  take account of the recommendations made by Sir John Learmont on performance indicators.

  For 1996–97, we have decided that the service should drop two of its existing key performance indicators.

  These are:
  KP14 (access to sanitation): the service achieved its target of ensuring that all prisoners have 24-hour access to sanitation on 12 April 1996; and
  KP 7 (access to minimum visits): all prisoners have had the opportunity to exceed the minimum visiting entitlement for the last two years, so KPI7 has been fully achieved.

  In their place, the service has three new KPIs covering:
  the proportion of random drug tests that prove positive. This new indicator was recommended by Sir John Learmont and will measure the service's performance in achieving one of its key priorities, dealing with drug abuse in prisons;
  the number of prisoners who complete programmes accredited as being likely to reduce the risk of re-offending. This new indicator will measure the service's performance in fulfilling one of its primary functions: preparing prisoners for release;
  the number of days per year staff spend in training. This new indicator was recommended by Sir John Learmont. It will encourage the service to improve its performance on staff training, which in turn will lead to improvements in performance across the board.

  We have also decided that the service's existing KPI on time unlocked should be amended. Currently, this measures the proportion of prisoners held in establishments that unlock all prisoners for at least 12 hours per weekday. The director general has advised me that some establishments have experienced problems, including drugs trafficking and intimidation of vulnerable prisoners, where prisoners are unlocked in the evenings without constructive activities being available to keep them occupied. We judge a lower threshold to be more appropriate, but with an increased target for purposeful activity. Therefore, from 1996–97, the KPI will measure the proportion of prisoners who are held in establishments that unlock all prisoners on standard or enhanced regimes for more than 10 hours per weekday. This will maintain pressure for improvement in those establishments
  24
  unlocking only for eight or nine hours. There will be an increased target for purposeful activity of 26.5 hours per week for 1996–97, compared with 25.5 hours per week for 1995–96.

  In addition, the plan will include additional performance information covering:

  a breakdown of assaults showing separately those on staff and on prisoners and others;

  the number and distribution of self-inflicted deaths

  staff turnover and sickness rates; and

  the rate of reduction in the headquarters overhead.

  Taken together, these changes will give the Prison Service a challenging set of targets across the range of its activities while allowing it to focus on its top priorities of custody, control, tackling drug abuse and working to reduce re-offending.

  The targets we have set for 1996–97 will require the service to improve performance against most of its indicators, including escapes, the rate of assaults, the rate of positive testing for drug misuse, the amount of purposeful activity for prisoners, investment in staff training and cost per prisoner place.

  Ademola Onibiyo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the representations received by his Department concerning Ademola Onibiyo in the seven days preceding his departure from Britain. [29480]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 14 May 1996]: In the seven days preceding Mr. Onibiyo's deportation on 4 May, representations were received from:

  Bernie Grant MP

  Bill Morris—Transport and General Workers Union

  Lord Gifford QC—Councillor Adam Sandell, Oxford city council

  John Monks TUC

  Baroness Williams of Crosby

  Harry Cohen MP

  Fisher Meredith—Solicitors

  Jeremy Corbyn MP

  The President of Guyana

  Jack Straw MP

  Rodney Bickerstaff—UNISON (by telephone) together with 65 letters from the general public.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of(a) legal action, (b) administration and (c) holding in custody of Ademola Onibiyo since January 1995; and if he will make a statement. [29479]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 14 May 1996]: The total legal costs which fall to be met by the Home Office in connection with the deportation of Ademola Onibiyo amount to £21,000. Mr. Onibiyo was detained for two periods totalling 360 days prior to his deportation on 4 May. The average cost of detaining a person for this length of time is £39,225. The information requested concerning administration costs is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Abdul Onibiyo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statements were issued by his Department on Wednesday 1 May to(a) the Daily Mail, (b) the Daily Express and (c) The Guardian concerning Abdul Onibiyo. [29481]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 14 May 1996]: Information confirming that Mr. Abdul Onibiyo was living safely in Nigeria was given to a number of newspapers which had previously expressed an interest in his whereabouts when that information became available on 30 April.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish(a) all correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and Nigeria and (b) all Interpol briefings the Metropolitan police have received on the whereabouts of Abdul Onibiyo. [29486]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 15 May 1996]: It is not our practice to publish correspondence with foreign or Commonwealth Governments about individual cases or the text of communications received from Interpol. However, I can confirm that on 30 April information was received from Interpol in Lagos that Mr. Onibiyo had been located in March this year living with his family in Ibadan and that at no time since his return to Nigeria had he been arrested or detained by the Nigerian authorities.

  Nigeria (Missing Persons)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reference has been made to Interpol(a) by his office and (b) by British police forces concerning the whereabouts of missing persons in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [29487]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 15 May 1996]: No such references have been made by the Home Office.

  Since January 1995, Interpol London has made one request to the Nigerian central bureau of Interpol to help trace a missing person believed to be in Nigeria. The request was made on behalf of a police force in the United Kingdom which had been contacted by concerned relatives.

  Council of Europe Meetings
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings of, or organised by, the Council of Europe since January 1995 have been attended by Ministers or officials of his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29359]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: The readily available information suggests that Home Office Ministers or officials have attended some 68 meetings of, or organised by, the Council of Europe since January 1995.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about how he 26
  devolves his powers to suspend payment of any particular social security benefit as between civil servants in his Department and the Benefits Agency. [28640]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Benefits Agency forms part of the Department of Social Security and its staff are civil servants engaged in the implementation and administration of social security legislation. Decisions, including suspension of payment of benefit under the claims and payments regulations, are taken by civil servants in the Benefits Agency acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what performance indicators apply to the payment of housing benefit; and if these apply equally to the new unitary authorities. [28982]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department of Social Security does not set performance indicators for the payment of housing benefit but information from departmental statistical returns is used by local authorities to provide the base data for housing benefit performance measures compiled for and published under the citizens charter initiative by the Audit Commission. The most recent publication was for 1994–95.

  The Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 provide that every authority shall make the first payment of any housing benefit awarded by it within 14 days of the receipt of a properly completed claim and all claims should be determined within 14 days of receipt of all the relevant information. Where this is impracticable, payments on account must be made. The regulations apply to all local authorities administering housing benefit.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers he has to intervene where a local authority is failing to pay housing benefit on time; and what procedures exit for a special audit of those local authorities who have a backlog in the payment of housing benefit. [28981]

  Mr. Evans
  The day-to-day administration of housing benefit is the statutory responsibility of local authorities and the quality of service is largely a local matter. The Department monitors administrative performance through the examination of statistical returns and other information backed by a programme of visits to a range of local authorities. Where a local authority appears to have serious administrative problems, departmental officials will consider making a special visit to discuss them at a senior level. In addition, a local authority housing benefit subsidy returns are subject to annual audit by an auditor approved by the Audit Commission which many, as part of this process, draw the Department's attention to authority failings.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the former recipients of invalidity benefit who had been transferred on to incapacity benefit up to the end of February 1996 were(a) disqualified for failure to return the IB50 questionnaire, (b) disqualified for failure to attend a medical examination and (c) failed the all-work test. [29477]
  27
  Mr. Burt
  The latest available information is in the table.

  Former Invalidity Benefit recipients who transferred to Incapacity Benefit

  Total to 30 November 1995

  (a) disallowed following failure to return questionnaire

  1,200

  (b) disallowed following failure to attend a medical examination

  260

  (c) disallowed following application of the all work test

  21,680

  Source:

  5 per cent sample from the Incapacity Benefit computer system.

  Excludes a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former recipients of invalidity benefit who had been transferred on to incapacity benefit had been reviewed up to the end of November 1995. [29476]

  Mr. Burt
  As at 30 November 1995, 165,000' former recipients of invalidity benefit who transferred to incapacity benefit had been reviewed under the new provisions for the assessment of incapacity for work introduced on 13 April 1995.

  Note:

  1 Includes those reviewed under the all work test and those found to be exempt from the test.

  Family Credit Payments
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the reductions in family credit payments following DSS action to recover child maintenance during the period 1988–89 to 1992– 93. [29375]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested is not available.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29436]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29452]

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

  The Department's total expenditure on goods and services in 1994–95, the most recent year for which figures are available, was £1.47 billion1.

  Notes:

  1 Includes spend with both the private and public sectors—that is, Royal Mail, Post Office Counters etc, our records do not differentiate.

  2 Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.

  National Insurance
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the value for money achieved to date by the national insurance records 2 system; and if he will make a statement. [29371]
  28
  Mr. Heald
  When considering schemes under the private finance initiative it is a fundamental principle that overall best value for money in providing a service is assessed by taking into account all aspects of design, finance and operation as a unified whole. During the NIRS2 evaluation process, tenders from suppliers were compared with a fully costed in-house option to confirm that a PFI procurement represented value for money; and were compared with each other to establish the most economically advantageous option.

  Under the NIRS2 contract, Andersen Consulting will receive no payment until the system is fully accepted and operational. Andersen Consulting has therefore incurred the development costs to date that would otherwise have fallen to the public sector.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has taken to ensure that the delay in the delivery of the national insurance records 2 system will not be repeated in other private finance initiative projects undertaken by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [29372]

  Mr. Heald
  Variations to implementation timetables are not uncommon when procuring computer systems of the size and complexity of, for example, NIRS2. They can occur for a variety of reasons; and in both publicly and privately financed projects. Under private finance initiative principles, service providers are required to take the responsibility, and the risks, for the design, development and delivery phases of projects. The Department will continue to employ vigorous contract management and service monitoring on all of its PFI procurements to ensure that contractual obligations are met.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29426]

  Mr. Burt
  Our aim is to follow the advice on the use of performance bonds set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 in "Bonds and Guarantees". The decision to use a performance bond is made on a case-by-case basis, after considered judgment of any risks a specific contractor may present to a particular contract, regardless of the size of the contractor. We do not collect information of amounts paid by bond.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many asylum seekers receive reduced rate benefits under the urgent cases regulations at(a) the Euston district benefits office and (b) the Neasden district benefits office; [29749]

  (2) how many income support claimants registered at (a) the Euston district benefits office and (b) the Neasden district benefits office are awaiting the outcome of asylum applications; [29750]
  29
  (3) how many income support claimants have been taken off the register as a result of the application of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 introduced on 5 February at (a) the Euston district benefits office and (b) the Neasden district benefits office; [29751]

  (4) how many income support claimants awaiting the outcome of asylum appeals have been refused benefit by (a) the Euston district benefits office and (b) the Neasden district benefits office since 1 February 1996. [29977]

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

  Earnings Top-up Scheme
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to publish detailed rules of the earnings top-up scheme. [30192]

  Mr. Burt
  I have today published, and placed in the Library, the printed version of the rules of the earnings top-up pilot scheme. The draft version of the rules was presented to the Social Security Advisory Committee and to Parliament in November last year.

  The aim of earnings top-up is to help people without dependent children enter and remain in work. The three-year pilot, running in eight areas from October 1996, at a cost of £65 million, will test how effective it is in doing that. Couples could receive up to £56 a week on top of earnings and single people up to £28 a week.

  I have also today placed in the Library a summary of the research programme for earnings top-up. This paper in the Department's research series explains how this important evaluation will be undertaken by three independent research institutes.

  To help with the technical evaluation I have appointed a panel of experts to provide advice on the research programme. The members are:
  Mr. David Stanton—director of analytical services division, DSS.
  Professor Roger Jowell—director of social and community planning research.
  Professor Stephen Nickell—director of the institute of economics and statistics, university of Oxford.
  Mr. Andrew Dilnot—director of the institute for fiscal studies.
  Mr. Paul Gregg—centre for economic performance, London school of economics.

  £ billion 1994–5 prices (rounded to.1 billion)

  Year

  2000–01

  2005–06

  2010–11

  2015–16

  2020–21

  2025–26

  2030–31

  2040–41

  2050–51

  Pre Social Security

  Act 1986 regime1

  4.2

  8.0

  12.0

  18.0

  25.0

  33.0

  41.0

  49.0

  55.0

  Pre Pensions Act

  1995 regime2

  4.2

  6.7

  9.2

  11.8

  14.5

  16.6

  18.7

  19.5

  19.3

  Estimated savings

  0

  1.3

  2.8

  6.2

  10.5

  16.4

  22.3

  29.5

  35.7

  1 Figures are approximations based on figures from the Social Security Bill 1986, report by the Government Actuary on the Financial Effects of the Bill on the National Insurance Fund (Cmnd 9711) allowing for an extra five million people contracted out in Appropriate: Personal Pensions, and the report by the Government Actuary on the Financial Effects of the Pensions Bill 1994 on the National Insurance Fund (Cm 2714). They assume price uprating of benefits and are in respect of retirement pensioners only.

  2 The figures are taken from the report by the Government Actuary on the Financial effects of the Pensions Bill 1994 on the National Insurance Fund (Cm 2714), assume price uprating of benefits and are in respect of retirement pensioners only.

  30
  Professor Jane Millar—school of social sciences, university of Bath.

  Ms Jane Ritchie—director of qualitative research at social and community planning research.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of children aged(a) 16, (b) 17, (c) 18 and (d) 19 years; and how many in each age group are in receipt of child benefit. [30137]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is in the table. Child benefit is not payable in respect of 19-year-olds; entitlement ends on the 19th birthday.

  16

  17

  18

  19

  Total number of children in age bands

  637,200

  627,300

  656,9005

  686,200

  Numbers receiving Child Benefit1 2

  577,100

  400,700

  177,600

  Nil

  Notes:

  1 Figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample of the Child Benefit computer system.

  2 The figures quoted are provisional and do not include any late amendments or awards.

  Pensions
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of (a) the annual savings in public spending which will result from the pension changes, with particular reference to the state earnings-related pension scheme, made by the Social Security Act 1986 in the years (i) 2000, (ii) 2005, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2015, (v) 2020 and (vi) 2025, and (b) the maximum annual saving from those changes. [30141]

  Mr. Heald
  The information requested is not available. Net savings in public expenditure cannot be estimated over the period; for example, we cannot predict the offsetting savings on income-related benefits this far in advance.

  Estimates of expenditure on additional pension are given in the table.

  The maximum annual saving in expenditure on additional pension from the changes made by the Social Security Act 1986 is estimated at over £35 billion in 2050. Estimates are not available for years after 2050.

  Social Security Benefits
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the actual figures for social security spending, excluding housing benefit, for each year since 1980. [30143]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  1980–81

  22,707

  1981–82

  27,316

  1982–83

  30,880

  1983–84

  34,364

  1984–85

  37,117

  1985–86

  40,311

  1986–87

  43,444

  1987–88

  45,609

  1988–89

  46,193

  1989–90

  48,800

  1990–91

  54,126

  1991–92

  62,947

  1992–93

  70,905

  1993–94

  76,923

  1994–95

  78,288

  1995–96

  81,669

  Source:

  Departmental reports 1980–81 to 1995–96.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in receipt of family credit have children in receipt of child benefit. [30136]
  32
  Mr. Roger Evans
  Almost all family credit recipients also receive child benefit. Nearly 95 per cent. of families declare receipt at the time of their claim but, as child benefit does not affect entitlement to family credit, it is not always declared.

  Source:

  Family credit computer system 5 per cent. sample of all awards.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security he will set out the actual figures for spending on housing benefit for each year since its introduction. [30142]

  Mr. Evans
  Information relating to the current housing benefit scheme is set out in the table:

  Housing benefit expenditure—Great Britain

  Year

  Out-turn (£ million)

  1988–89

  3,773

  1989–90

  4,299

  1990–91

  5,147

  1991–92

  6,482

  1992–93

  7,901

  1993–94

  9,218

  1994–95

  10,181

  1995–96

  10,8481

  Note:

  1 Estimated out-turn.

  Source:

  Social Security departmental reports.

TRANSPORT

  Network Enhancement Projects
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the likely accident reduction implications for each of the network enhancement projects announced in the Highways Agency's business plan for 1995–96. [29552]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 20 May 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the likely accident reduction implications for each of the network enhancement projects announced in the Highways Agency's Business Plan for 1995–96.
  We estimate that our 1995/96 programme of network enhancement projects will result in a reduction of at least 500 casualties a year. All the individual projects in the programme will contribute to this but uncertainties associated with factors such as weather and road conditions make it unrealistic to give a precise estimate of their contribution.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the links on the national motorway and trunk road network where traffic in 1995 was at levels which resulted in regular congestion. [29553]

  Mr. Watts
  The parts of the trunk road and motorway network most subject to congestion due to heavy traffic flows in 1995 were in peri-urban areas, namely

  the M25 and the Ml, M3 and M4 approaches to London

  the M6 and M42 around the west midlands conurbation

  the M62/M63 around Manchester

  the M62 approaches to Leeds and Bradford

  In some cases, congestion was aggravated by roadworks necessary for improvement and maintenance works.

  It is worth noting, however, that most of the trunk network was not subject to regular congestion in 1995.

  Road Maintenance
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number and value of awards made against his Department or the Highways Agency in each of the last five years in(a) out-of-court settlements and (b) court judgments as a result of neglect of road maintenance. [29546]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 20 May 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what is the number and value of awards made against his Department or the Highways Agency in each of
  34
  the last five years in (a) out-of-court settlements and (b) court judgments as a result of neglect of road maintenance.
  The information is not available in the form requested, except at disproportionate cost.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on policy regarding the reinstatement of driving instructors found guilty of sex offences; what is the present policy on such reinstatement; and what recent changes have been made. [29971]

  Mr. Norris
  Following a recent case, the matter was taken up by one of the national associations that represent approved driving instructors and by a local instructor.

  Under part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the registrar of approved driving instructors has to be satisfied that an instructor is a "fit and proper person" to be an ADI. A conviction of the sort referred to would be viewed most seriously by the registrar, leading potentially to removal from the ADI register. He might well also decide that such a person could never again be a "fit and proper person". As a matter of administrative law, the registrar's discretion under the Act cannot be fettered so that he is committed to any specific course of action in every case and he cannot refuse to consider any fresh application on its merits.

  There have been no recent changes in how these matters are dealt with.

  Search and Rescue Helicopters
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the interdepartmental group set up to review search and rescue helicopters has reported; and if he will make a statement. [30302]

  Mr. Norris
  The review group has submitted its report. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The group was set up in July 1995 to examine the national requirement for search and rescue helicopters, and how this might most efficiently and effectively be met, as part of an integrated approach to search and rescue. It has made six recommendations, listed in chapter 6 of the report.

  The Government have accepted recommendation 4, to set up a new joint advisory board for search and rescue helicopter provision. This board will consider further work on establishing a national database of emergency incidents and helicopter call-outs—recommendation 1—on monitoring helicopter availability—recommendation 3—and on examining the options for interdepartmental charging—recommendation 6.

  Formal consultation on the report is being launched today with the UK Search and Rescue Committee and other interested parties. Views are particularly invited on the group's proposed additional coverage criteria— recommendation 2—and on ways to strengthen the co-ordination and consultation machinery for search and rescue generally—recommendation 5.

  The Government are considering the best location for the two aircraft currently based on the south coast at Lee-on-Solent and at Portland. Our consideration will

  35
  have regard to the search and rescue requirements along the south coast and mid-channel. Views on these additional issues have also been sought.

  Replies have been requested by Friday 28 June.

  National Bus
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many buses were operated by each company within National Bus at the enactment of the Transport Act 1985. [30004]

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available for the date on which the Transport Act 1985 received Royal Assent—30 October 1985—but the annual report of the National Bus Company for 1985 listed the number of vehicles of each operating subsidiary at the end of that year. The list is reproduced:

  NBC bus and coach operating subsidiaries—1985

  Name of subsidiary

  Traffic vehicles

  Ambassador Travel (Eastern Countries) Ltd.

  52

  Bristol Omnibus Company Ltd.

  632

  Cambus Ltd.

  224

  Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Company Ltd.

  216

  The City of Oxford Motor Services Ltd.

  142

  Crosville Motor Services Ltd.

  924

  Cumberland Motor Services Ltd.

  149

  Devon General Ltd.

  264

  East Kent Road Car Company Ltd.

  304

  East Midland Motor Services Ltd.

  258

  East Yorkshire Motor Services Ltd.

  176

  Eastern Counties Omnibus Company Ltd.

  273

  The Eastern National Omnibus Company Ltd

  437

  Hampshire Bus Company Ltd.

  199

  Hastings and District Transport Ltd.

  69

  Lincolnshire Road Car Company Ltd.

  188

  London Country Bus Services Ltd.

  1,153

  The Maidstone and District Motor Services Ltd

  325

  Midland Fox Ltd.

  296

  Midland Red Coaches Ltd.

  44

  Midland Red (North) Ltd.

  292

  Midland Red (South) Ltd.

  187

  Midland Red (West) Ltd.

  273

  National Welsh Omnibus Services Ltd.

  398

  North Devon Ltd.

  61

  The Northern General Transport Company Ltd.

  709

  Pilgrim Coaches Ltd.

  20

  The Potteries Motor Traction Company Ltd.

  240

  Provincial Bus Company Ltd.

  69

  Ribble Motor Services Ltd.

  836

  Shamrock and Rambler Coaches Ltd.

  37

  South Midland Ltd.

  91

  Southdown Motor Services Ltd.

  606

  Southern National Ltd.

  178

  The Southern Vectis Omnibus Company Ltd.

  161

  The South Wales Transport Company Ltd.

  261

  The Thames Valley and Aldershopt Omnibus Company Ltd.

  375

  Trent Motor Traction Company Ltd.

  378

  United Automobile Services Ltd.

  746

  United Countries Omnibus Company Ltd.

  522

  36

  NBC bus and coach operating subsidiaries—1985

  Name of subsidiary

  Traffic vehicles

  Wessex National Ltd.

  40

  West Riding Automobile Company Ltd.

  492

  West Yorkshire Road Car Company Ltd.

  356

  Western National Ltd.

  317

  Wiltshire and Dorset Bus Company Ltd.

  210

  The Yorkshire Traction Company Ltd.

  328

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29449]

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

  Railtrack
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Government's sale of their shareholding in Railtrack group plc. [30483]

  Sir George Young
  I am pleased to report that the Government's UK public offer and international offers of Railtrack shares were successfully completed this morning when dealings in interim rights started on the London stock exchange.

  As a result of bids received in the international offers, the price of the second instalment for all investors in the UK public order and the international offers were set at 190p per interim right.

  Accordingly, the price for Railtrack interim rights purchased in the United Kingdom public offer was 380p per share, comprising 190p paid on successful application and 190p to be paid by 3 June 1997.

  The price for interim rights purchased in the international offer of Railtrack shares was 390p per share, comprising 200p paid on successful application and 190p to be paid by 3 June 1997.

  The Government offered for sale up to 434.8 million Railtrack shares in the UK public offer and the international offers.

  Some 665,000 applications were received in the United Kingdom public offer for a total of some 391 million Railtrack shares. This represented some three times the shares initially expected to be sold in the UK public offer. In response to this demand, the Government increased the total number of shares allocated to the UK public offer to 210 million shares. At this level, the number of shares applied for in the UK public offer represented some 1.9 times the shares available.

  Over 44 per cent. of applicants in the UK public offer received an allocation of shares. Over 97 per cent. of applicants had their applications met in full.

  Some 180.4 million shares were allocated to bidders in the international offers. This number does not include any shares that SBC Warburg may have over-allotted in connection with the international offers. The extent of any such over-allotment will not be disclosed until later.
  37
  Individual investors bidding in the United Kingdom retail tender bid for some 136 million shares in Railtrack. Of these numbers, some 32.5 million shares were in respect of personal equity plan applications.

  In addition to the shares sold in the UK public offer and the international offers, SBC Warburg, as global co-ordinators for the sale, hold an option to acquire from the Secretary of State for Transport up to a further 65.2 million Railtrack shares for the purposes of meeting any over-allotment made by them in connection with the international offer. This option must be exercised by 14 June.

  Total gross proceeds from the UK public order and international offers are expected to amount to some £1.67 billion, of which some £849 million is expected to be received in this financial year.

  Total gross proceeds may be further increased by a maximum of £254 million to the extent that, if at all, the global co-ordinator, SBC Warburg, exercises its option to acquire further shares.

  The costs of the sale will be disclosed to Parliament in due course.

  Following the offers, and assuming the exercise in full of the option over Railtrack shares granted by the Secretary of State for Transport to SBC Warburg Ltd., the Secretary of State for Transport expects to hold not more than 1 per cent. of Railtrack group plc's issued share capital. These amounts comprise principally shares that may be needed to meet share bonus entitlement under the UK public offer.

  The demand for shares in Railtrack gives me great confidence in the future of the railways.

  Heavy Vehicle Driving Standards
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many light goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles drivers have been disqualified in each of the last 10 years; [29543]

  (2) how many LGV and PCV drivers have been required to take a driving retest for each year since the implementation of the north report. [29542]

  Department of Transport central

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  8

  8

  8

  2

  2

  2

  Grade 5

  24

  23

  22

  5

  3

  4

  Grade 6

  85

  80

  83

  27

  14

  13

  Grade 7

  319

  311

  318

  128

  65

  57

  Senior professional and technology officer

  429

  432

  451

  137

  58

  55

  Higher professional and technology officer

  133

  122

  141

  31

  22

  19

  Professional and technology officer

  62

  83

  82

  8

  3

  1

  Total

  1,060

  1,060

  1,106

  338

  167

  151

  38
  Mr. Norris
  Information about the number of LGV and PCV drivers who have been disqualified from driving during the last 10 years or ordered to re-sit a driving test since the implementation of the North report is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29434]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29427]

  Mr. Norris
  Advice on the use of performance bonds is set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 "Bonds and guarantees", copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses. The guidance, which my Department follows, makes it clear that bonds are not always necessary and are no substitute of considered judgment about the risks of a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources available to the contractor. These factors will vary for each contract independent of the size of the contractor. Such bonds have been called for by my Department only twice in the past five years and in neither case was it necessary to call upon the bonds' protection.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 471, how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each grade in each of his Department's agencies in each year since 1991. [29836]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested, as recorded in the Department's central personnel computer records, is as set out in the following tables:
  39

  Department of Transport central

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 5

  1

  3

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  2

  2

  3

  2

  4

  3

  Grade 7

  12

  11

  11

  9

  6

  6

  Senior scientific officer

  9

  7

  10

  7

  6

  5

  Higher scientific officer

  1

  5

  7

  6

  7

  5

  Scientific officer

  5

  4

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Assistant scientific officer

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Total

  33

  35

  36

  27

  24

  23

  1. The figures get progressively smaller due to agencies coming into being.

  Highways

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  2

  2

  Grade 4

  6

  6

  4

  Grade 5

  14

  16

  13

  Grade 6

  44

  51

  46

  Grade 7

  174

  196

  152

  Senior professional and technology officer

  326

  349

  278

  Higher professional and technology officer

  120

  116

  106

  Professional and technology officer

  58

  66

  38

  Total

  742

  802

  639

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 5

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 6

  0

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  0

  1

  0

  Senior scientific officer

  0

  4

  2

  Higher scientific officer

  0

  0

  0

  Scientific officer

  0

  0

  0

  Assistant scientific officer

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  0

  6

  3

  1. Numbers for 1991, 1992 and 1993 will be include in DOT Central figures.

  Marine safety agency

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  0

  0

  Grade 5

  3

  3

  Grade 6

  11

  9

  Grade 7

  50

  48

  Senior professional and technology officer

  68

  76

  Higher professional and technology officer

  9

  15

  Professional and technology officer

  0

  0

  Total

  141

  151

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  Grade 4

  Grade 5

  40 41

  Marine safety agency

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  Senior scientific officer

  Higher scientific officer

  Scientific officer

  Assistant scientific officer

  Total

  1. Numbers for 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994 will be included in DOT Central figures.

  Transport research laboratory

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Grade 6

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Grade 7

  5

  4

  2

  0

  Senior professional and technology officer

  9

  7

  8

  0

  Higher professional and technology officer

  9

  8

  6

  0

  Professional and technology officer

  10

  10

  5

  0

  Total

  34

  30

  22

  0

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Grade 5

  5

  5

  4

  0

  Grade 6

  19

  16

  16

  0

  Grade 7

  73

  69

  63

  0

  Senior scientific officer

  90

  85

  75

  0

  Higher scientific officer

  70

  79

  82

  0

  Scientific officer

  81

  73

  61

  0

  Assistant scientific officer

  18

  14

  21

  0

  Total

  357

  342

  323

  0

  1. Numbers for 1991 and 1992 will be included in DOT Central figures.

  2. Numbers for 1996 are unavailable as the agency has now been privatised.

  Vehicle certification agency

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 6

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  3

  3

  3

  4

  4

  4

  Senior professional and technology officer

  8

  11

  11

  9

  9

  11

  Higher professional and technology officer

  23

  19

  19

  24

  27

  27

  Professional and technology officer

  4

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  40

  38

  35

  39

  42

  44

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  Grade 4

  Grade 5

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  Senior scientific officer

  42 43

  Vehicle certification agency

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Higher scientific officer

  Scientific officer

  Assistant scientific officer

  Total

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1 April 1991

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Professionals

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grade 4

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 6

  5

  3

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  16

  14

  13

  11

  8

  7

  Senior professional and technology officer

  44

  42

  41

  36

  36

  40

  Higher professional and technology officer

  104

  103

  101

  91

  81

  63

  Professional and technology officer

  472

  458

  443

  398

  389

  368

  Total

  643

  622

  602

  540

  517

  481

  Scientists

  Grade 3

  Grade 4

  Grade 5

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  Senior scientific officer

  Higher scientific officer

  Scientific officer

  Assistant scientific officer

  Total

ENVIRONMENT

  Inhabited Bridge (London)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with(a) developers and (b) other interested parties concerning proposals to build an inhabited bridge across the Thames in central London. [28710]

  Mr. Gummer
  As Minister for London, I have had numerous discussions about the idea that an inhabited bridge across the Thames could once again be built in London.

  It is the Government's policy to encourage ideas which can help bring new life and activity back to the River Thames corridor, an aspiration which is clearly very widely shared.

  The idea of a new inhabited bridge in London deserves wide consideration. I have therefore particularly welcomed the initiative by the Royal Academy to stage a major public exhibition in September which will explore the long European tradition of inhabited bridges. I have also welcomed its announcement of an architectural ideas competition, the results of which will form apart of the exhibition, and have agreed to be a member of its judging
  44
  panel for this competition. It is to be hoped that the Royal Academy's exhibition and competition will enable the possibilities to be more thoroughly aired and debated among Londoners and all those with an interest in the future of London.

  In view of my involvement in the matter, I will take no part in any decision, relating to an inhabited bridge, which may subsequently need to be taken in the name of the Secretary of State for the Environment. Any such decision will be taken by my right hon. friend the Minister for Construction, Planning and Energy Conservation.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29419]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This Department does not have a formal policy on the use of performance bonds but takes direction from published guidance notes issued by HM Treasury, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses. Each major project is judged on
  45
  its merits, including whether or not the use of performance bonds would be appropriate. The decision to include the requirement for a performance bond will be made independent of the size of the contractors concerned. There have been no cases of performance bonds being enforced by this Department in the last five years.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29458]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29443]

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

  Essex County Council
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to synchronise the elections of Essex county council with those of the vesting day of the two new continuing unitary authorities of Southend and Essex. [29858]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is our policy to require fresh elections for each continuing unitary authority in the year before reorganisation, to ensure that planning and implementation of unitary functions is done on the basis of a fresh mandate. For reorganisations, including Southend and Thurrock, being planned for 1998, this will entail elections in May 1997, which will take place on the same day as the county council elections for the rest of Essex.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has to extend the life of the existing Essex county council to 1 April 1998. [29856]

  Building research establishment

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Grade

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Grade 4

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  Grade 5

  3

  1

  3

  1

  3

  1

  3

  1

  4

  1

  4

  0

  Grade

  20

  3

  21

  2

  20

  2

  21

  3

  21

  3

  19

  5

  Grade 7

  71

  10

  74

  12

  75

  11

  75

  12

  78

  12

  76

  11

  SEO and equivalent

  89

  16

  99

  17

  93

  19

  91

  20

  89

  22

  103

  22

  HEO and equivalent

  89

  13

  92

  15

  91

  17

  78

  17

  73

  16

  71

  17

  EO and equivalent

  46

  15

  49

  13

  48

  11

  52

  14

  43

  12

  30

  9

  AO and equivalent

  21

  0

  18

  0

  13

  0

  12

  0

  10

  0

  7

  0

  AA and equivalent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  46
  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend has no such general powers.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if county councillors can be elected from(a) Southend and (b) Thurrock, to Essex county council at the election scheduled for May 1997. [29857]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has recently consulted on a draft order under the Local Government Act 1992 which would convert the existing Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock borough councils into unitary authorities. The order would, among other things, suspend Essex county council elections for county divisions in the areas of Thurrock and Southend which would otherwise take place in May 1997. Instead, the terms of office of the existing councillors would be extended until 1 April 1998, when the two districts would become unitary. We are currently considering representations on the draft order.

  Council of Europe Meetings
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings of, or organised by, the Council of Europe since January 1995 have been attended by Ministers or officials of his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29354]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: Since January 1995, officials from my Department have attended 25 meetings of, or organised by, the Council of Europe. These meetings covered various aspects of the Department's responsibilities.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 422, if the information he provided includes professional scientists and engineers working in Department of Environment agencies; and how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed in each grade in each of the agencies from 1991 to the current year. [29918]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The previous question referred to staff in the headquarters division of the Department and therefore did not cover the agencies; this information is provided in the following tables:
  47

  The Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre

  Grade

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Science

  Engineers

  Science

  Engineers

  Science

  Engineers

  Science

  Engineers

  Science

  Engineers

  Grade 7

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  HEO and equivalent

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  The buying agency

  Grade

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Grade 7

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  HEO and equivalent

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  3

  The security facilities executive

  1994

  1995

  Grade

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Scientists

  Engineers

  Grade 6

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Grade 7

  0

  2

  0

  2

  SEO and equivalent

  1

  7

  1

  8

  HEO and equivalent

  1

  4

  1

  4

  EO and equivalent

  0

  16

  0

  16

  AO and equivalent

  0

  2

  0

  2

  AA and equivalent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  East Yorkshire Council
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average amount of standard spending assessment per person in East Yorkshire unitary council in 1996–97. [29827]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The standard spending assessment per person in 1996–97 for the east riding of Yorkshire council is £668.03.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his decision on the final caps for the two local authorities which challenged their cap; and if he will make a statement. [30445]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have laid before the House a draft order, under section 57 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, setting out our decisions on the final caps for Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire county councils.

  We have considered very carefully all the available relevant information, including the case made by the authorities in support of a higher cap, before taking our decisions. We have decided to confirm the caps proposed for both authorities.

  The caps are, in our view, reasonable, appropriate and achievable in all the circumstances of the authorities concerned. These decisions will reduce public expenditure, and the burden on council taxpayers in the
  48
  areas concerned, by £13 million in 1996–97. This will result in a council tax reduction, at band D of £25.26 in Cambridgeshire and £34.89 in Oxfordshire.

  However, I have concluded that Oxfordshire has certain pressures on its budget which may lead to problems in the short term. I have therefore invited Oxfordshire to consider making an application for a chaptalisation direction and supplementary credit approval. This would enable Oxfordshire to capitalise certain costs, thereby releasing resources to support is revenue expenditure.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Financial Assistance
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 29 April,Official Report, column 363, (1) if his Department is looking at ways of making the declaration of interest of Members of his Department's regional industrial development boards and external advisers more transparent to the public; what further measures his Department is proposing to take in this area; and if he will make a statement; [28301]

  (2) if he will place the register of personal financial interests of members of his Department's regional industrial development boards and external advisers in the Library. [28300]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answers 7 May 1996]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 15 May 1996, Official Report, column 494.

  Coal Mining (Wages)
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the average earnings in 1995 of(a) faceworkers, (b) other underground workers and (c) surface workers in the deep-mined coal sector. [29611]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information is not available for the specific occupations requested. Information regarding the mining industry as a whole and broader occupational groups can be found in the new earnings survey, part A, a copy of which is available in the House Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will list the cost to public funds of(a) each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in financial year 1995–96 and (b) each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in each year since 1992. [29509]

  Mr. Beith
  The House of Commons Commission is not in a position to provide details of the total cost to public funds of meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee, but the cost to parliamentary funds of individual meetings in Scotland for the financial year 1995–96 are set out in the table. They have been produced by a manual/clerical check as the information is not readily available in the format requested.

  Location

  Date

  House direct costs

  Aberdeen

  23 October 1995

  2,685

  Edinburgh

  11 December 1995

  8,023

  Glasgow

  18 December 1995

  4,841

  Edinburgh

  15 January 1996

  11,005

  Stirling

  29 January 1996

  8,056

  Inverness

  5 February 1996

  7,457

  Aberdeen

  19 February 1996

  6,852

  Kilmarnock

  4 March 1996

  4,421

  Glasgow

  15 March 1996

  500

  These will not be the final costs for meetings in 1995–96 as there are still invoices and claims outstanding. Excluded from these figures are staff overtime and Members' travel.

  It is not possible to provide details of costs for each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee since 1992. This can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  Average Incomes
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average earned income in the most recent year for which information is available of(a) the 5 per centile and (b) the 95 per centile of taxpayers. [29227]

  Mr. Jack
  Based on the estimated distribution of earned income for income taxpayers in 1996–97, the 5th percentile is about £4,150 and the 95th percentile is about £35,000.

  Child Tax Allowances and Benefits
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures setting out the treatment for tax and benefit purposes of children aged 16 to 18 years and still in full-time education, in each of the member states of the EU, showing in each case the amounts allowable in(a) child benefit, (b) child tax allowances and (c) educational maintenance allowances in (i) national currencies, (ii) euros and (iii) as percentages of average production worker earnings. [29583]
  50
  Mr. Jack
  Available figures for child benefit and child tax allowance are given in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication "The Tax/Benefit position of Production Workers" which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29428]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury has had no reason to use performance bonds in the last five years. The policy for such bonds is covered by the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 "Bonds and Guarantees", copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  European Loan Insurance Schemes
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the European loan guarantee scheme to begin in the United Kingdom; what will be the maximum size of loans; which companies will qualify; who will pay the premium for the guaranteed support; and if companies who receive loan guarantees under the small firms loan guarantee scheme will be eligible to apply. [29411]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Commission recently published a proposal for a European loan insurance scheme for employment—ELISE. Detailed discussions with member states on its working have not yet begun and there are a number of issues to be resolved before the Council of Ministers can consider whether or not to adopt the proposal. It is therefore not possible to give information about a possible start date in the United Kingdom. The maximum size of loans covered is not mentioned in the proposal.

  As proposed, ELISE would cover 50 per cent. of loans from private sector institutions, or up to 75 per cent. where the loan is transnational. Small and medium enterprises with plans to create permanent jobs with the help of loans from private sector institutions would be eligible to apply for the guarantee. It is anticipated that the scheme would focus particularly on SMEs with fewer than 50 employees. More detailed eligibility criteria are set out in Commission recommendation C (96) 261 final. Under the terms of the proposal, the premium for the guarantee would be met from the Community budget.

  If the scheme were to be adopted, the Government would consider whether firms who had received loan guarantees under the small firms loan guarantees scheme would be eligible to apply for further assistance under ELISE.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the outcome of discussions between his Department and the European Commission regarding the European loan insurance scheme for employment. [29413]

  Mrs. Knight
  The proposal has only just been published. Therefore, as yet there has been no discussions either with individual member states, in a Council working group, nor with the Commission.

  Salisbury Tax and VAT Offices
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who owns the freehold of the Salisbury tax office. [29922]

  Mr. Jack
  The freehold of Alexandra house, which accommodates Salisbury tax office, is owned by the Crown and is on the estate of the Court Service, western circuit.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the VAT sub-office in Salisbury; and what is the total floor area of the premises. [29917]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Currently, there are eight people working in Salisbury VAT sub-office. The total floor area of the premises is 156.9 sq m.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the location of, and number of people employed by, the Inland Revenue in respect of Salisbury taxpayers, in(a) hard collection, (b) soft collection and (c) the compliance section. [29919]

  Mr. Jack
  Details of staff employed by the Inland Revenue on compliance and collection work in respect of taxpayers dealt with by the Salisbury tax office are as follows:

  (a) Hard collection—where some action required to collect tax in addition to the issue of demand notes—8 people employed at Swindon collection office

  (b) Soft collection—tax paid following issue of demand notes—2–3 people employed at Accounts Office in Shipley

  (c) Compliance—8 people employed in Salisbury tax office; 2 people employed in Swindon collection office

  National Savings
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the minimum deposit sum for national savings investment accounts to encourage savings; and if he will make a statement. [29878]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: None. The minimum deposit was increased to £20 in February 1993. National savings has an important role in encouraging savings, and has a wide range of schemes to promote this, but its costs are borne by the taxpayer and large numbers of very low value transactions are administratively costly.

DEFENCE

  Exports (Crown Status)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of defence exports having Crown status in each of the last 10 years. [29870]

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

  Army Legal Aid Scheme
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used to determine eligibility for the Army legal aid scheme. [29759]
  52
  Mr. Soames
  The general principles to be followed in deciding whether the case justifies the provision of legal aid are that:

  (a) Legal aid would have been provided if the case had been brought in the criminal courts of the United Kingdom. This principle is designed to ensure that Army personnel are not placed at a disadvantage because they are posted aborad.

  (b) The accused is being brought to trial by court martial for a service offence which is serious or involves points of legal difficulty, or the expert examination of witnesses is required.

  Infra-red Technology
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 April,Official Report, column 511, how much his Department has spent in the last 10 years on the development of infra-red technology. [29818]

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

  Polaris
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what temperature the Polaris missile propellant is burned when it is disposed of; and what containment measures are taken to prevent leakage of unburnt propellant. [29872]

  Mr. Soames
  Polaris rocket motors contain solid propellant. Disposal is achieved by using explosive charges which cut open the casing and then ignite the propellant. No record is held of the temperatures reached on burning, but a debris check of the disposal site is carefully carried out to ensure that the motors and propellant have been totally destroyed.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29416]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department's policy is that any request for a bond should be based on a judgment of the capabilities and financial resources of the bidder to fulfil the requirements of a particular contract. It is not related to the size of the company concerned. Such a bond would be called upon only in the event that the contractor defaulted or failed to perform against the contract in question.

  A central record of parent company and bank indemnities and guarantees provided to cover contracts is held, but details of the values required and those relating to businesses under the three categories could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Western European Union
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of NATO intelligence information to the Western European Union. [29893]
  53
  Mr. Soames
  The recent conclusion of a security agreement between NATO and the WEU will improve the exchange of classified information, including intelligence, between the two organisations.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the establishment of a Western European Union political and military situation centre. [29892]

  Mr. Soames
  At their meeting in Lisbon in May 1995, WEU Ministers approved a decision to provide WEU with new decision-making mechanisms and structures, including the establishment of a situation centre to monitor and report on developing crises and act as a communication channel during operations. The UK's current Presidency of WEU has ensured that the situation centre will be operational by the second phase of Exercise WEU Crisex 95–96 in June this year.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy concerning the Western European Union's use of NATO military assets. [29894]

  Mr. Soames
  In accordance with the NATO summit declaration of 1994, our policy is that collective assets of the alliance should be available, on the basis of consultation in the North Atlantic Council, for operations that may be conducted by the WEU. This will include the possibility of making available combined joint task force headquarters.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the measures adopted by his Department to enhance the operational capabilities of the Western European Union. [29891]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of the defence initiatives undertaken during the UK Presidency of WEU, which runs from 1 January to 30 June 1996, can be found in chapter 1 of the 1996 "Statement on the Defence Estimates", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. As well as securing agreement to our proposals on WEU exercises and strategic mobility, we have offered sea training facilities to other WEU nations and have given impetus to the work to set up a situation centre. We have worked, and will continue to work, to improve links between WEU and NATO. As Presidency, we were instrumental in arranging for the signature on 6 May of the NATO—WEU security agreement, clearing the way for the exchange of classified information between two organisations.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Western European Union joint exercises planned for the next five years. [29895]

  Mr. Soames
  Exercise WEU Crisex 95–96 is the only WEU-led exercise currently planned. Phases 2 and 3 of this exercise, which take place in June and December 1996, will test operational procedures for a WEU humanitarian mission. WEU nations have also invited the organisation to participate in a number of nationally led exercises. At the WEU Council of Ministers in Birmingham on 7 May, Ministers agreed the establishment of an exercise planning conference which will set out a future programme of WEU exercises. We expect that the first conference will be held this year.

  Sea King Helicopters
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Sea King helicopters in the possession of the Royal Navy; how many of them have been identified as having cracks in the lift frame; what is the average cost of repairing such cracks; and how many Sea Kings are currently unserviceable as a result of lift frame or other cracks. [29920]

  Mr. Soames
  The Royal Navy owns 119 Sea King helicopters and the RAF owns a further 25. Over the life of the combined fleets, 170 lift frames have cracked. The average cost of a repair is £58,000. Eight RN Sea Kings and one RAF Sea King are currently unserviceable for lift frame or similar cracks.

  Equipment Procurement
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the value of equipment procured from single prime contractors has been directed supply in the last five years; and which United Kingdom technologies have been protected and enhanced as a result. [29863]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Information of this nature is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on directed supply of systems and sub-systems when equipment is procured from a single prime contractor. [29862]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department's policy is that, wherever possible, requirement specifications are written in such a way that prime contractors are given the freedom to nominate and select the sub-contractors of their choice. There will, however, from time to time, be situations where suitable equipment is available only from a single source. Obviously, in this case, only that supplier will be able to meet the requirement but the prime contractor will still be responsible for managing the sub-contract.

  Combined Joint Task Force
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency planning he has carried out concerning Britain's participation in NATO's combined joint task force initiative. [29890]

  Mr. Soames
  The UK has participated fully in the development of the combined joint task force concept since it was announced at the January 1994 NATO summit. The concept will provide NATO with a capability to form deployable headquarters, from within existing fixed headquarters, to provide the command and control of multinational and multi-service forces deployed on contingency operations. We expect to play a full part in implementation of the concept, through our participation in NATO headquarters affected by the initiative.

  HMS Sheffield
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action(a) has been taken and (b) will be taken to recover the nuclear weapons on board HMS Sheffield in the south Atlantic; what assessment has been made of the environmental risks arising from nuclear materials on board; and what action (i) has been taken and (ii) will be taken to reduce the risk to the marine environment. [29743]

  Mr. Soames
  There has been no action to recover any weapons from HMS Sheffield, either between when she was hit and sank or since. There is no risk to the marine environment in the area where she sunk.

  Contractors
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring is undertaken of post-programme completions to ensure that non-United Kingdom contractors have achieved the offset work promised. [29859]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Companies with offset obligations are required to submit reports to my Department every six months, detailing relevant contracts awarded to UK defence industry during the reporting period. A full audit of these reports is conducted in order to establish the validity of the claims, and to ensure that the companies are complying with the terms and conditions of their offset commitment.

  Research Investment
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his procurement policy in respect of equipment which has been developed as a result of Government research investment. [29861]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As described in pages 68–71 of the current "Statement on the Defence Estimates", my Department's procurement policy on research investment is to obtain best value for money, encourage technological innovation and reduce equipment procurement risk. The extent of Government research investment in a particular piece of equipment is one of the many factors taken into consideration when procurement decisions are made, as are the potential benefits of defence research spin-off to the private sector.

  Works of Art
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 May,Official Report, column 22, if he will list the 107 works of art belonging to his Department which are classified as missing, indicating their individual estimated value. [29829]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It has not been my Department's practice to obtain valuations for our works of art, but most of the missing items are prints and photographs which we believe are of little value. I will place a list of missing works of art belonging to my Department in the Library of the House.

  Acoustic Processing
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of Government funds have been invested in the research and development of United Kingdom acoustic processing capabilities for the last 10 years. [29860]
  56
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Details of expenditure on development of defence capabilities are not available in the form requested. However, estimates of research expenditure on underwater acoustic processing for the period in question, at 1996 prices, are:

  1986–87: 9.6

  1987–88: 9.4

  1988–89: 9.2

  1989–90: 9.0

  1990–91: 8.8

  1991–92: 8.6

  1992–93: 8.4

  1993–94: 8.2

  1994–95: 7.8

  1995–96: 6.91

  1Provisional outturn.

  All figures £ million, excl-VAT.

  Housing Stock
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will maintain a golden share after the sell-off of the married housing stock. [29648]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 16 May 1996]: My Department's continuing interest in the married quarters estate will be reflected in the terms of the leases, and other contractual arrangements, for example the provision for profit share.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29457]

  Mr. Hanley
  The FCO diplomatic wing does not yet have this information available. We will forward it to the House of Commons Library as soon as possible.

  ODA figures on payments made for goods and services to the private sector are not separately held, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29442]

  Mr. Hanley
  We do not hold this information in the form requested. It could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29420]
  57
  Mr. Hanley
  The FCO diplomatic wing does not use performance bonds in the United Kingdom. Performance bonds are used in overseas countries where it is standard practice to use such bonds, and where the risk of technical or financial failure is high.

  The ODA uses performance bonds in accordance with normal commercial practice on capital aid contracts between overseas clients and United Kingdom contractors.

  The FCO (DW) has not called in any performance bonds during the last five years. The ODA has called in one; the money was used to complete the contract.

  In both the FCO (DW) and ODA, information about performance bonds is not held on companies according to the number of employees.

  Sudan
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about human rights violation in the Nuba mountain region in Sudan. [29897]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have received disturbing reports of human rights violations in the Nuba mountains. Access to the area is difficult because of the civil war, but there is evidence of a policy of forced arabisation and islamisation of the Nuba people. The United Nations special rapporteur has stated that a large number of civilians, including women and children, have been killed in attacks by Government forces, or summarily executed.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the forced acculturation policy of the Sudanese Government. [29898]

  Mr. Hanley
  There is credible evidence, including that cited by the United Nations special rapporteur, Dr. Biro, that the Sudanese Government have been conducting forced islamisation and arabisation, notably in the Nuba mountains, in the camps for southern Sudanese in northern Sudan, and among children.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding human rights violations in Sudan. [29899]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) on 13 May, column 360.

  Bhutan
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning human rights in Bhutan; and if he will make a statement. [29738]

  Mr. Hanley
  A representative of the Bhutanese refugees in eastern Nepal called on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 22 March. The human rights situation in Bhutan was discussed. A number of British non-governmental organisations have also raised the issue with us.
  58
  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the number of refugees who have recently left Bhutan for Nepal and the reasons for their departure; and what assistance is being provided by the United Kingdom to assist those refugees. [29739]

  Mr. Hanley
  We understand that only a few family groups have arrived in Nepal from Bhutan over recent months. The United Kingdom has contributed more than £475,000 to refugee relief in Nepal over the past three years.

  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to the Indian Government about the detention of appeal marchers campaigning for change in Bhutan; how many such marchers were detailed; how many remain in custody; and if he will make a statement. [29740]

  Mr. Hanley
  While we discussed Bhutan in our bilateral talks with India on 28 March, we have made no specific representations to the Indian Government about the arrest of the marchers, but we continue to monitor the situation closely with our EU partners. We understand that about 1,400 marchers have been arrested, of whom 792 remain in custody.

  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the outcome of the 7th round of inter-ministerial talks on Bhutan and Nepal; what steps he is taking to ensure(a) the constructive involvement of India in those talks and (b) a just resolution of the problems with which they are dealing; and if he will make a statement. [29741]

  Mr. Hanley
  The latest round of inter-ministerial talks between Bhutan and Nepal in Kathmandu on 4 to 8 April ended with agreement to continue the talks in Thimpu, though no dates were set. We have regularly raised Bhutan in bilateral talks with India—most recently on 28 March. We believe that negotiation between Bhutan and Nepal offers the best solution to this problem and will continue to encourage both governments in this.

  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the terms of the resolution of 14 March passed by the European Parliament in relation to refugees from Bhutan. [29742]

  Mr. Hanley
  I am arranging for the resolution to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Overseas Visits (Royal Family)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 362, (1) when the detailed records relating to the royal visit to Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in 1986 were destroyed; [30031]

  (2) when it became his Department's policy to destroy detailed records relating to overseas visits. [30032]
  59
  Mr. Rifkind
  Accounting records, including those relating to royal visits overseas are destroyed in accordance with guidelines agreed with the National Audit Office which require that detailed invoices are kept a minimum of three years.

  All detailed accounting records relating to 1986 were destroyed during the routine weeding of documents. The date of destruction was not noted.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budgetary controls exist within his Department in respect of costs arising from royal visits abroad. [30033]

  Mr. Rifkind
  An overall cost estimate is provided before each visit is agreed. A detailed estimate is then agreed with the household concerned. Expenditure is subsequently checked against invoices and statements provided by the household.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Uganda
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made on the recent elections in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [29896]

  Mr. Hanley
  International observers have concluded that the presidential elections, which were won by President Museveni with 72.4 per cent. of the vote, were carried out in a transparent manner and in accordance with the interim election statute and that the result reflects the polling process. We welcome this further step in Uganda's constitutional development.

  Know-how Funds
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions and in relation to which contracts United Kingdom contractors and consultants who have been engaged on know-how fund sponsored contracts in 1994 were given such contracts without a requirement to tender. [30172]

  Mr. Hanley
  This answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list all projects funded by the know-how fund in 1994 relating to food distribution in Moscow; [30171]

  (2) on what occasions and in relation to which contracts, contracts sponsored under the know-how fund in Moscow in 1994 were allocated and subsequently extended without being the subject of tendering or retendering procedures; [30173]

  (3) if he will list all United Kingdom contractors and consultants who have been engaged on know-how fund sponsored food distribution projects in 1994. [30174]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested will take some time to complete. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts (Witnesses)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are taken to inform witnesses of(a) delays and (b) procedures in magistrates courts. [28792]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  It is generally for the prosecution and the defence to keep their witnesses informed. However, both magistrates and court staff will assist witnesses at the court to the extent that they properly can.

  Royal Family (Records)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what basis records relating to members of the royal family are not released to the Public Record Office. [28793]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  As announced in 1993, in the White Paper on Open Government, public records relating to the royal family will be treated in the same way as all other records and closed for longer than 30 years only if they fall into one or more of the three criteria governing closure.

  Pension Sharing
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his proposals in respect of pension sharing in the Family Law Bill; when those provisions will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [28794]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  There are a number of issues which need to be resolved before pension splitting could be introduced. The Government intend to issue a Green Paper this summer to explore all these issues.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to speed up legal aid payments. [28795]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Several steps have been taken by my Department and by the Legal Aid Board to ensure swift payment to solicitors and barristers for legal aid work. The introduction of standard fee systems and enhanced interim payment mechanisms for franchise holders are examples.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what new proposals he has to improve the legal aid system. [28799]

  Mr. Evans
  The Lord Chancellor published a Green Paper setting out proposals for the reform of legal aid in May 1995. More than 200 responses were received. The Lord Chancellor has examined these responses and expects to publish a White Paper on the future of the legal aid scheme before Parliament rises for the summer.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has recently received about the size of the legal aid budget. [28801]
  61
  Mr. Evans
  I have received many representations on this matter. As my hon. Friend knows, the Lord Chancellor has announced that he intends to introduce a number of measures to gain more effective control over legal aid expenditure.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judicial appointments were advertised in 1995. [28797]

  Mr. Evans
  Out of 149 appointments made to the full-time judiciary in 1995, 84 were made following either advertisement or notice to eligible candidates where eligibility is restricted. Some 550 part-time professional judicial appointments were made in the same year, just over 100 of which were made following either advertisement or notice to eligible candidates.

  Commonhold
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress is being made on the introduction of commonhold.[28790]

  Mr. Evans
  A new draft Bill is being prepared and it remains the Government's intention to publish this for consultation during the summer and to introduce legislation to implement commonhold as soon as possible.

  Repossession (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many homes have been repossessed in the west midlands since 1992. [30159]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The questions concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer. I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 20 May 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of repossessed houses in the West Midlands since 1992.
  The figures for the numbers of repossession orders made in the county courts in the West Midlands since 1992 are:

  1992: 5,235

  1993: 3,358

  1994: 2,600

  1995: 2,365

  1996: 770 (first quarter).

  However, not all repossession orders result in actual repossession of the property. The figure for the numbers of actual repossessions is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lord Chief Justice (Appointment)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to consult opposition parties regarding the appointment of a new Lord Chief Justice; and if he will make a statement. [27898]
  62
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is responsible for advising the Queen on the appointment of the Lord Chief Justice. In conjunction with the Lord Chancellor, he will ensure that the necessary consultations are undertaken as appropriate.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Primary Schools, Killyleagh
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils attend the Cedar integrated primary school at Crossgar; how many of these pupils travel from the Killyleagh district; what is the weekly cost to public funds of their travel arrangements; what assessment his Department has made of the impact of this school on enrolment at St. Mary's primary school, Killyleagh; and if he will make a statement. [29877]

  Mr. Ancram
  At present, 26 pupils attend Cedar integrated primary school. Of these, 12 travel from the Killyleagh district at a weekly cost to public funds of £91.80. The impact of Cedar on all schools in the area, including St. Mary's primary school at Killyleagh, was assessed when the development proposal was considered in 1995. It was considered then that the long-term viability of these schools would not be affected by a new integrated school.

  Sainsbury's, Londonderry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the public inquiry was held into the planning application by Sainsbury's in Londonderry; when the planning appeal commission will issue its report; and if he will make a statement. [29902]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 17 May 1996:
  Mr Moss has asked me to reply to your question about the Public Inquiry into the planning application by Sainsbury's in Londonderry.
  The Public Inquiry, which was held by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), ran from 20 February 1996 until 29 March 1996, and closing submissions were later made on 16 April 1996.You will appreciate that the report and recommendations of the Inquiry is a matter for the Chief Commissioner. However I understand from the PAC that their report is unlikely to be available before the summer.
  I can assure you that when the report is received, it will be carefully considered by the Department before a final decision is reached. The PAC report will of course be made available to the public once the Department's decision has issued.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29438]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29453]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland in 1996–97. [30308]

  Mr. Moss
  For 1996–97 the following performance targets have been set out for OSNI:

  1. To survey 32,000 survey units in the revision programme.

  2. To complete 875 data capture units representing 1,716 basic scale map sheets converted to digital format.

  3. To update the digital topographical database with 93 per cent. of the updates completed within seven working days of receipt of the field data.

  4. To despatch, within seven working days, 92 per cent. of orders for folded and basic scale maps.

  5. To reduce unit costs so that they weighted mean percentage reduction of selected representative activities is 3 per cent.

  6. To recover from the supply of goods and services, 27 per cent. of the total costs incurred by the agency.

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been set for the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency during 1996–97. [30310]

  Mr. Moss
  For 1996–97, the following performance targets have been set:

  Target

  Vehicle test appointments

  24 days average waiting time

  Driving test appointments

  48 days average waiting time

  Productivity (vehicle testing)

  18.0 units per man per day

  Productivity (driver testing)

  7.9 units per man per day

  Error rate

  Faulty inspections not to exceed 0.20 per cent. of tests conducted

  Level of complaints about booking arrangements

  Less than 0.75 per cent. of applications received

  Level of complaints about the conduct of tests

  Less than 0.75 per cent. of applications received

  Level of customer satisfaction with test procedures

  At least 85 per cent. plus or minus 2 per cent. within the range of sampling error

  Number of compensation payments for cancelled tests

  Less than 0.4 per cent. of applications received

  Composition unit cost of testing operations

  £16.81

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in 1996–97. [30309]

  Mr. Moss
  For 1996–97, the following performance targets have been set out for PRONI:
  64
  Efficiency

  1. To reduce PRONI's composite unit cost in the areas of selecting and accessing, records listing, records storage, document production and reader service by 5 per cent. from £105.21 to £99.95.

  2. To manage the agency's workload, including an anticipated 20 per cent. increase in readers and the maintenance of extended opening hours, while absorbing a 4.5 per cent. reduction in staff and ensuring that expenditure is within financial limits approved by the Department.

  Quality of Service

  3. To process customer queries within 10 working days of receipt in 75 per cent. of cases and within 14 working days in 96 per cent. of cases, thus improving PRONI's citizens charter commitment.

  4. To upgrade 10 per cent. of 33,360 linear metres of records stored on mobile shelving at Balmoral avenue, in accordance with defined standards of archival protection.

  5. With the help of a new computerised document request system to improve the speed of production to the public by reducing waiting time from 45 minutes to 40 minutes or less in 90 per cent. of cases.

  Effectiveness

  6. To process 335.5 linear metres of records deposited and to ensure that 100 per cent. of all new "open" material is processed within one year of receipt.

  Schools (Intruders and Trespassers)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to give additional powers to school authorities with regard to(a) intruders and (b) trespassers into schools; and if he will make a statement. [29905]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Offensive Weapons Bill, which is currently going through the House of Commons, will make it an offence to carry a knife on school premises and give the police the powers of search on school premises. These provisions will be extended to Northern Ireland. In addition, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland is urgently considering the action needed to implement in Northern Ireland the recommendations in the recent report from the working group on school security published on 14 May.

WALES

  University Hospital of Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the department of postgraduate medicine at the University hospital of Wales is expected to take over responsibility for all appointments to the specialist registrar grade; if pay arrangements for all specialist registrars are to be centrally funded; and what representations he has received from NHS trusts in Wales and the Department of postgraduate medicine concerning payment arrangements for(a) this grade and (b) other junior medical staff. [30191]

  Mr. Hague
  The postgraduate department started taking over the responsibility for operating the appointments procedures for the specialist registrar grade on 1 December 1995 in line with the timetable for commissioning the new grade in each speciality. There is 100 per cent. central funding available, in the first year only, for additional posts and thereafter the postgraduate department will continue to fund 50 per cent. of the salary
  65
  costs. Discussions take place with NHS trusts and the postgraduate department as part of the management of these arrangements for all junior medical staff.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the expenditure in Wales on higher education in real terms in each of the past 10 years. [28615]

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Cash

  November 1994 prices

  Cash

  November 1994 prices

  Cash

  November 1994 prices

  Cash

  November 1994 prices

  282.563

  287.762

  313.744

  313.744

  311.328

  302.996

  314.934

  298.302

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29447]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29432]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department does not hold the information requested.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29429]

  Mr. Hague
  Advice on the use of performance bonds is set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 "Bonds and guarantees", copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses. This guidance makes it clear that bonds are not always necessary and are no substitute for considered judgments about the risks of a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources of the available contractor. These factors will vary for each contract independent of the size of the contractor. Information regarding the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years is not held by my Department

  EU Funding
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the recipients of funding for education and training purposes from the European Union in each of the last three years, giving the programme under which the funding was provided. [29303]
  66
  Mr. Hague
  The expenditure on higher education in Wales for the years 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and the provision for 1996–97 is shown in the following table. The amounts include tuition fee income and adjustments relating to dual support provision for research. Prior to 1993–94, higher education was funded from a variety of sources, including the University Grants Committee, the University Funding Council, the Welsh Office and local authorities, and it is not possible to provide comparable expenditure figures for that period.

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Rendering and Incineration Facilities
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the letter of 15 May of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the rendering facilities and incineration facilities available in Wales to be used in conjunction with the abattoirs listed; and if he will make a statement. [30188]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no rendering facilities in Wales, the intervention board is considering which incinerators in Wales could be used under the scheme.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the letter of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of 15 May, if he will give details of the pattern of alternating use of the slaughterhouses listed in Wales as between participation in the cull scheme and normal slaughter for sale. [30189]

  Mr. Hague
  The precise pattern of slaughtering is a matter for abattoirs themselves, as long as they meet the normal hygiene regulations.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the(a) slaughtering industry and (b) food retailing industry concerning the desirability of (i) exclusive use of slaughterhouses designated for the 30-month and over special beef slaughter schemes and (ii) alternating use of such facilities with normal slaughtering of meat for sale; and if he will make a statement. [30190]

  Mr. Hague
  (a) My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State met a delegation last month.

  (b) None.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State of 8 May,Official Report, column 214, if he will make it his policy

  67
  to give permission to grant an application under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 to order a fresh inquest in the case of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. [29296]

  The Attorney-General
  I have no power to order a fresh inquest. Section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 permits the High Court to do so where an application is made on my authority. Any request to me for the grant of my authority would be considered on its own merits. In each instance, I consider whether there is a reasonable prospect of establishing that it is necessary or desirable in the interests of justice for a fresh inquest to be held.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tourism
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the Government's policies on tourism. [28771]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's work programme set out in "Tourism—Competing with the Best" fully recognises the importance of the industry as a creator of wealth and employment. My Department continues to work in partnership with the industry to improve our competitiveness in the world market. We have made significant progress on measures to help improve quality and value for money in the accommodation sector, and we are developing an agenda for action on the industry's use of its human resources.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received regarding deregulation of the tourism industry; and if she will make a statement. [28783]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  Last week, I took part in the Government's deregulation seminar for the tourism and hospitality industry. We will respond to the concerns raised about burdensome regulations. Much has already been achieved in the Government's drive towards deregulation, but we will continue to work towards removing unnecessary obstacles to the growth of this £35 billion industry.

  National Lottery (Gambling)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals she has to assess the impact of the national lottery on the gambling habits of individuals. [28774]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The protection of participants in the national lottery is the responsibility of the Director-General of the National Lottery, who has carried out research on playing, and has plans to carry out further work. Gambling is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, whose Department has undertaken to monitor the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy which involves examining betting expenditure.

  National Lottery (Drama Groups)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many drama groups have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [28775]
  68
  Mr. Sproat
  Drama groups throughout the United Kingdom have benefited from the national lottery. To date, there have been 64 awards to a total of over £3.5 million, including, for example, an award to the Weymouth drama club to help it create a new rehearsal and performance space.

  Euro 96
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what financial support the Government have given to the promotion of cultural events in London at the Euro 96 tournament. [28776]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government have contributed £100,000 towards cultural events in the eight host cities, including London. A further £150,000 has been made available from both the Sportsmatch and ABSA business sponsorship schemes, and £130,000 from the Sports Council. A wide range of musical events will also take place as part of the national music festival.

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much her Department is spending on capital projects at museums and galleries in 1996–97. [28777]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department will provide £217 million in 1996–97 to museum and galleries and to the Museums and Galleries Commission. It is for the boards of these institutions to decide how much of this money should go towards capital projects.

  Dance and Drama Students
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about future assistance available to young people from the lottery fund to assist them in taking up places in dance and drama schools. [28778]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Gunnell).

  Millennium
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how young people will be encouraged to participate in projects marking the millennium. [28779]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am keen to see young people playing a full part in the millennium celebrations. The Millennium Commission is currently considering applications from partner organisations for its millennium awards. Among the ideas put forward are schemes which offer new opportunities to young people in inner cities. Other commission—funded capital projects will provide opportunities for children to benefit both in terms of education, at sites such as the Earth centre at Doncaster and enjoyment, such as the Sustrans national cycleway.

  The Government are currently considering what machinery is needed to co-ordinate other millennium events and projects and they are mindful of the need to involve all sections of the community.
  69
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a further statement on her Department's plans to celebrate the millennium. [28772]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  The Government are currently putting in place machinery to co-ordinate the many projects and events that are being planned around the United Kingdom to celebrate the millennium. These will embrace the projects which the Millennium Commission is funding through the national lottery, including the millennium exhibition and festival. My Department will take the lead in this co-ordination.

  Royal Palaces
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans her Department has for improving public access to the royal palaces and their gardens [28781]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Historic Royal Palaces Agency is responsible for the unoccupied royal palaces, all of which are open to the public. They have plans to improve access for disabled visitors at Hampton Court palace.

  The Royal Collection Trust is responsible for public access to the occupied royal palaces. Details are given in the trust's annual report.

  Millennium (Christians)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions she has had with the established Church regarding the celebrations to mark the 2000 anniversary of the birth of Christ. [28782]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The millennium will be an event for everyone to celebrate. It will also be an important anniversary for all Christians, and I recently met the Archbishop of Canterbury to discuss the Church's role. The Millennium Commission has also met many other faith groups to discuss their part in the celebrations.

  FM Radio Frequencies
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received about the availability of FM radio frequencies. [28785]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department receives representations on a wide variety of frequency spectrum issues from time to time.

  National Lottery (Conservation)
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the funding from the national lottery allocated to the conservation of the United Kingdom built and landscape heritage; and what percentage this represents of total national lottery funding. [28786]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A total of 189 projects involving the preservation of the built and landscape heritage have received £61.4 million from the heritage lottery fund. These are only two areas of our diverse heritage that the heritage lottery fund supports. The heritage lottery fund is distributing 20 per cent. of the proceeds of the national lottery to heritage projects. In total it has made 302 awards to a value of 172.3 million.

  The Amsterdam
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress is being made in resolving the outstanding problems with the Dutch Government over responsibility for the wreck of the Dutch East Indiaman the Amsterdam. [28773]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Dutch Government is the owner of the wreck of the Amsterdam. I understand that they have been approached by a local group and have entered into discussion on the future of the wreck. My officials are being kept informed of developments by the Dutch Government.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on her policy for playing fields. [29027]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government are seriously concerned at the loss of playing fields and attach a high priority to ensuring that people have access to high quality sports facilities. Following a commitment made in "Sport: Raising the Game", the Government consulted on proposals that the Sports Council should become a statutory consultee for development affecting playing fields. Responses indicated broad support and, subject to further consideration of some technical and legal points, it is expected that the necessary statutory instrument will come into force in July.

SCOTLAND

  Mr. and Mrs. McInnes
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost to public funds of disinterring the cadavers of Mr. John Mclnnes and his mother; and if he will make a statement. [29508]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The estimated cost of exhuming and re-interring the bodies of Mr. Mclnnes and his mother by Strathclyde police is approximately £2,900. I fully appreciate how distressing this must be for the family and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Mclnnes and I am glad that the bodies have now been re-buried. While this is, of course, a police operational matter in which Ministers have no powers to intervene, I hope that the investigations can now be concluded as speedily as possible.

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the cost and (b) the number of items of equipment and furniture that (i) have been stolen and (ii) are otherwise accounted for from the (1) Scottish Home and Health Department, (2) Scottish Industry Department, (3) Scottish Education, (4) Scottish Environmental Department in each of the past five years specifying any such items valued at £5,000, and showing information technology material separately. [28756]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) on 18 March.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29437]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 28 November,Official Report, column 590, to her question on total spend with small and medium enterprises. Our financial and procurement systems in use in 1995–96 and earlier years had no facility for categorising suppliers according to their number of employees.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Crown Office will conduct an inquiry into the implications for the Lockerbie inquiry of developments in respect of the forensic science laboratory in Kent. [30187]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  An independent scientific review is to be conducted by Professor Brian Caddy which will consider the instances where contamination might have taken place from the particular centrifuge in question. It would be quite wrong to attempt to pre-empt the results of that review by indulging in speculation concerning what those results might be. It is a matter of public record that residues of both RDX and PETN, which are components of a high performance plastic explosive, semtex, were identified in debris from the Lockerbie disaster by the forensic explosives laboratory. I understand from my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate that the evidence which forms the basis of the charges against the two Libyans does not depend on the identification of the high performance plastic explosive which destroyed the aircraft at Lockerbie.

  Crofters (Building Grants and Loans)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the conclusions of the Committee of Public Accounts set out in paragraphs 29 to 33 of its 17th report, Session 1989–90, "Grants to Aid the Structure of Agriculture in Great Britain" (HC 150). [29573]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 16 May 1996]: My right hon. Friend broadly agrees with the conclusions about the crofters building grants and loans scheme expressed by the Public Accounts Committee in its 17th report for Session 1989–90. However, he also believes that it is important to consider from time to time whether there are ways of getting better value for money from Government spending. In his statement to the Scottish Grand Committee, he indicated that CBGLS would continue in its present form. This decision is based on a judgment that the scheme continues to play a key role in improving housing conditions in crofting areas.

  Council of Europe Meetings
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of, or organised by, the Council of Europe since January 1995 have been attended by Ministers or officials of his Department or the Lord Advocate's Department; and if he will make a statement. [29367]
  72
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: Since January 1995, no Minister from the Scottish Office has attended a meeting organised by the Council of Europe. The Solicitor-General has attended one such meeting. Officials from the Scottish Office attend Council of Europe meetings whenever there is a subject on which Scotland has interest or a particular expertise. Since January 1995 three such meetings have been attended.

  Cullen Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firms of solicitors are to represent the families of the deceased at the Cullen inquiry; and how many families are to be represented by each firm. [29942]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: One firm of solicitors represents the families of all the deceased children. A different firm represents the family of the deceased teacher.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 14 May,Official Report, column 434, if he will list all the factors involved in the need to increase the revenue deficit grant to Caledonian MacBrayne in 1996–97; if he will indicate the compliance costs associated with additional safety requirements applying to ro-ro ferries; and if he will make a statement. [29940]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 17 May 1996]: Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. prepares an annual report and accounts which comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985, and which are presented each year to Parliament in accordance with section 8(1) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 1989. The Government do not consider that it is appropriate to disclose more detailed information about the company's revenues and expenditure than is contained in the published annual report and accounts.

  Sheriff Courts
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the average waiting time a defendant has had to wait between being charged and the subsequent trial in sheriff courts in the last five years. [28670]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available.

HEALTH

  Speech and Language Therapists
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of speech and language therapists at each grade from spine points 23 to 27 in each of the past five years. [28445]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table. A new pay and grade system, using pay points on a single spine, was introduced in March 1991. Data are available only by the new spine points from September 1991 to September 1994, which is the latest year
  73
  available. The figures are "snapshots" of a process of gradual transition which was on-going throughout the period 1991 to 1994.

  National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services speech and language therapists on spine points 23 to 27 in England at 30 September each year 1991 to 1994

  Whole-time equivalents

  NHS HCHS

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Speed and language therapists on spine points 23 to 27

  730

  700

  690

  690

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of one year's long-term care for a disabled person. [29033]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information collected centrally on expenditure and use of care relates to the client group and not to the nature of an individual's disability. Provisional 1994–95 figures are of a gross cost to local authorities of £18,000 per supported physically or learning disabled resident in residential or nursing homes—calculated from reported gross expenditure divided by the average number of supported residents at the beginning and end of the financial year.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of disabled people in Britain need long-term care. [29031]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the percentage of disabled people in need of long-term care is not available centrally.

  Duplicate NHS Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many duplicate NHS numbers have been issued by his Department; what plans he has to end this duplication; and if he will make a statement. [29697]

  Mr. Horam
  Duplicate national health service numbers have so far been issued to some 7,500 newly registered babies.

  We are able to identify duplicate numbers quickly. Until the problem is resolved, the NHS central register is giving all of the babies concerned new NHS numbers to replace the duplicate numbers issued originally.

  More than one option has been identified to prevent the issuing of duplicate numbers and these options are being evaluated. The study is due to make its recommendations at the end of May 1996. The chosen option will be implemented as quickly as possible.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the payments made to GP fundholders in each region in each year since 1990–91 in(a) management allowances and (b) computer costs. [29401]
  74
  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Health gave him on 26 January 1994, column 300; the reply I gave him on 25 January 1995, columns 259–60; and the reply I gave him on 18 July 1995, columns 1152.

  Information about management allowances in 1994–95 is shown in the table. Information about 1995–96 is not yet available.

  Practice fund management allowance by region

  Region

  1994–95

  £

  Northern and Yorkshire

  8,341,650

  Trent

  8,020,837

  Anglian and Oxford

  6,940,223

  North Thames

  7,892,904

  South Thames

  9,589,025

  South and West

  6,823,238

  West Midlands

  9,052,199

  North West

  8,261,032

  Source:

  Annual financial returns of Family Health Services Authorities.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1995,Official Report, column 1134, if he will update the figures of redundancy payments. [29473]

  Mr. Malone
  Expenditure by Dorset Healthcare trust has been amended from £88,293 to £23,394, a difference of £64,889 as a result of a validation exercise. This exercise has not yet been concluded and the figures for 1994–95 remain provisional.

  Research Fraud
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study his Department has commissioned through the scientific research councils into the prevalence of research fraud; and what plans he has to commission further studies. [29566]

  Mr. Malone
  It is the responsibility of the whole medical research community and all its sponsors to ensure good practice in the conduct of research and this operates primarily through the principles of peer review and through guidelines on good practice. The Department's research programmes cover research into health and social care of relevance to the Department and the national health service. The Department has not commissioned work on the more general issues of research conduct and there are no plans, currently, to do so.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations in respect of misconduct are undertaken before research funds are allocated to units undertaking research; and what plans he has to increase the level of these investigations. [29563]

  Mr Malone
  The Department is committed to maintaining high standards in the commissioning and management of research which operates primarily through peer review and through guidelines on good practice— the Department's code of practice for commissioning and managing research, introduced in 1992.
  75
  Research commissioned by the Department, whether from an individual or an academic institution, is subject to the terms of an agreed contract which embodies the code of practice.

  With such research management arrangements in place, it is not considered necessary to carry out separate investigations in respect of misconduct before research funds are allocated and there are no plans, at present, to introduce such investigations in the future.

  Codes of Research
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Government-funded scientific research units have developed printed codes of research, which they require junior scientists undertaking research for the first time to sign; and if he will make a statement. [29560]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department has had a code of practice for the commissioning and management of research and development in place since 1992 to help ensure quality and relevance of research funded by this Department. The management arrangements of all research undertaken by the Department, and by the non-departmental public bodies funded by the Department, is reviewed annually with particular emphasis on the application of the code of practice. The conditions of employment of researchers are a matter for the employing authority. Any research commissioned by the Department, whether from an individual or from an academic institution, is subject to the terms of an agreed contract which embodies the principles of the code of practice.

  Codes of research in other scientific research units are the responsibility of the Office of Science and Technology.

  Health Visitors
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the policy of general practitioner alignment of health visitors; and if he will publish the results of that review. [29567]

  Mr. Horam
  Health visitors work very closely with their general practitioner colleagues, other members of the primary health care team and the practice population.

  From 1973, some district nurses and health visitors have become attached to GP practices and this has enhanced both the practice team and patient care.

  We are currently completing a major listening exercise about primary care. A report will be published in June this year.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the target requirements for health visitors to visit a new patient within five working days. [29549]

  Mr. Horam
  The patients charter standard is based on current good practice. It is a challenging but achievable standard, and there are no plans to review it.

  NHS Spending
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount of spending in the UK on the NHS, expressed as a percentage of total public spending, in each year since 1974. [29643]

  Mr. Horam
  A consistent series of figures is available only from 1978–79. The information is in the table:

  Year

  UK expenditure on the national health service as a percentage of general Government expenditure(X)1

  1978–79

  10.9

  1979–80

  10.7

  1980–81

  11.4

  1981–82

  11.6

  1982–83

  11.5

  1983–84

  11.4

  1984–85

  11.3

  1985–86

  11.4

  1986–87

  11.6

  1987–88

  12.0

  1988–89

  12.6

  1989–90

  12.5

  1990–91

  12.7

  1991–92

  13.2

  1992–93

  13.1

  1993–94

  12.9

  1994–95

  13.0

  1995–96 (estimated outturn)

  13.3

  1 GGE(X) is General Government Expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds and lottery-financed spending and net of interest and dividend receipts.

  Biomedical Research
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning conflicts of interest in biomedical research where Government bodies fund such research; and if he will make a statement. [29561]

  Mr. Malone
  We have received no representations concerning conflicts of interest in biomedical research where Government bodies fund such research.

  Children (Part-time Employment)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of children under 16 years of age who are in part-time employment; and how many of these have a work permit issued by their local education authority. [29762]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not available centrally.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce the 1996–97 hospital and community health services revenue and capital initial cash limits for the new health authorities. [30301]
  77
  Mr. Dorrell
  The initial revenue and capital cash limits for the new health authorities are given in the table.

  Initial revenue and capital health authority cash limits 1996–97

  £ Thousands

  Health authority

  Revenue

  Capital

  Avon

  446,698

  1,154

  Barking and Havering

  177,756

  150

  Barnet

  156,473

  150

  Barnsley

  105,813

  50

  Bedfordshire

  219,196

  207

  Berkshire

  306,754

  2,263

  Bexley and Greenwich

  218,162

  150

  Birmingham

  486,127

  0

  Bradford

  221,047

  166

  Brent and Harrow

  240,436

  150

  Bromley

  139,767

  150

  Buckinghamshire

  257,079

  142

  Bury and Rochdale

  190,905

  50

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  259,116

  150

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  172,426

  171

  Camden and Islington

  267,128

  150

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  222,276

  30

  County Durham

  284,093

  143

  Coventry

  132,500

  0

  Croydon

  151,840

  150

  Doncaster

  142,523

  50

  Dorset

  318,759

  269

  Dudley

  129,748

  0

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  355,007

  150

  East and North Hertfordshire

  207,626

  150

  East Kent

  278,584

  125

  East Lancashire

  238,011

  50

  East London and the City

  371,616

  150

  East Norfolk

  272,670

  396

  East Riding

  254,870

  143

  East Surrey

  210,147

  125

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  362,816

  150

  Enfield and Haringey

  246,813

  150

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  183,047

  150

  Gloucestershire

  245,530

  35

  Herefordshire

  69,232

  0

  Hillingdon

  115,707

  150

  Isle of Wight

  66,049

  103

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  255,849

  150

  Kingston and Richmond

  153,982

  150

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  429,493

  150

  Leeds

  357,241

  310

  Leicestershire

  372,566

  75

  Lincolnshire

  272,460

  75

  Liverpool

  243,585

  50

  Manchester

  242,731

  50

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  325,262

  150

  Morecambe Bay

  148,295

  50

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  241,703

  150

  North and East Devon

  220,671

  48

  North and Mid Hampshire

  210,883

  1,216

  North Cheshire

  140,382

  50

  North Cumbria

  141,757

  143

  North Derbyshire

  161,168

  63

  North Essex

  360,399

  150

  North Nottinghamshire

  168,652

  63

  North Staffordshire

  213,409

  127

  North West Anglia

  173,966

  83

  North West Lancashire

  240,451

  50

  North Yorkshire

  306,549

  143

  Northamptonshire

  244,615

  158

  Northumberland

  140,212

  143

  Nottingham1

  277,152

  -1,925

  Oxfordshire

  234,274

  192

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  226,739

  672

  78

  Initial revenue and capital health authority cash limits 1996–97

  £ Thousands

  Health authority

  Revenue

  Capital

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  226,421

  150

  Rotherham

  113,818

  50

  Salford and Trafford

  215,496

  50

  Sand well

  140,838

  0

  Sefton

  150,704

  50

  Sheffield

  313,708

  75

  Shropshire

  170,289

  0

  Solihull

  81,672

  0

  Somerset

  207,728

  49

  South and West Devon

  274,403

  513

  South Cheshire

  278,245

  50

  South Derbyshire

  240,007

  75

  South Essex

  294,858

  150

  South Humber

  138,672

  100

  South Lancashire

  134,482

  50

  South Staffordshire

  230,150

  0

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  225,817

  469

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  152,142

  50

  Stockport

  118,465

  50

  Suffolk

  277,814

  365

  Sunderland

  141,000

  143

  Tees

  256,295

  143

  Wakefield

  150,119

  125

  Walsall

  114,610

  0

  Warwickshire

  234,862

  0

  West Hertfordshire

  227,514

  150

  West Kent

  399,006

  125

  West Pennine

  213,036

  50

  West Surrey

  270,165

  125

  West Sussex

  332,497

  150

  Wigan and Bolton

  256,944

  50

  Wiltshire

  247,233

  863

  Wirral

  151,317

  50

  Wolverhampton

  111,460

  600

  Worcestershire

  214,114

  0

  England

  22,534,694

  15,526

  1 Receipts from Asset sales exceed Health Authority planned capital expenditure.

  Performance Bonds
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy on the use of performance bonds; in what circumstances they are used; what was the total sum paid by bond in each of the last five years; and if his Department requires bonds from businesses with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50 and (c) 20 employees. [29421]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department has not required any performance bonds in the last five years. Advice on the use of performance bonds is set out in the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 48 "Bonds and Guarantees", copies of which are available in the Library. This makes it clear that a performance bond is no substitute for considered judgments about the risks attached to a particular contract and the capabilities and financial resources of the available contractors. These judgments apply, irrespective of the size of the contractor.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many firms with fewer than(a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20 and (d) 10 employees were used by his Department in each of the last five years. [29441]
  79
  Mr. Horam
  This information is not collected. To do so would add an unnecessary burden on suppliers.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 490, how many professional scientists and

  Whole-time equivalents

  Medicines control agency

  April 1991

  April 1992

  April 1993

  April 1994

  April 1995

  April 1996

  UG7(S)

  n/a

  2.5

  3.6

  7

  8

  6

  Senior Scientific Officer

  n/a

  2

  2

  3

  4

  3

  Higher Scientific Officer

  n/a

  3

  4.6

  22

  23

  23

  Scientific Officer

  n/a

  7

  13

  18

  17

  17

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  n/a

  0

  3

  5

  8

  8

  Total

  n/a

  14.5

  26.2

  55

  60

  57

  Medical devices agency (formed in September 1 994)

  UG5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  UG6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  3

  UG7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18.5

  14.6

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  41.5

  34.8

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  23.5

  14.4

  Professional and Technical Officer

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  10

  Technical Officer II

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  96.5

  78.8

  NHS estates agency

  UG5

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  UG6

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  4

  UG7

  9

  9

  12

  13

  14

  17

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  4

  5

  6

  6

  6

  3

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Total

  17

  19

  23

  24

  25

  29

  There are no scientific and engineering staff in the National Health Service Pensions Agency.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 490, how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each of the unified grades in the headquarters division of his Department in each year since 1991. [29835]

  Mr. Horam
  Information for Department of Health headquarters only is not available prior to April 1995. Information for 1995 and 1996 is set out as follows.

  Scientifc staff numbers (whole-time equivalents)

  April 1995

  April 1996

  UGS

  1—

  5

  UG6

  1—

  6

  UG7

  1—

  26

  Senior Scientific Officer

  19

  17.7

  Higher Scientific Officer

  13

  13.4

  Scientific Officer

  9

  11

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  0.8

  0.7

  Total

  41.8

  79.8

  1 Unable to identify scientists from the unified grades for this period. Engineering staff numbers

  80
  engineers of each category were employed at each grade in each of his Department's agencies in each year since 1991. [29900]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not always possible to distinguish between scientific and engineering specialisms. Figures for 1991 are not available for the Medicines Control Agency.

  There are no staff in the Department of Health Headquarters divisions employed as engineers.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to alleviate the clawback of settlement discount to pharmacists from wholesalers when that discount has not been received by pharmacists. [29575]

  Mr. Malone
  None. The discount clawback system is based on an assessment of discounts received by all pharmacists for drugs and appliances dispensed against NHS prescriptions. The incentive for individual pharmacists is to achieve at least the average level of discount for the value of items dispensed.

  Mr Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to protect community pharmacists in the event of the breakdown of resale price maintenance. [29576]

  Mr. Malone
  The review of resale price maintenance on medicaments being undertaken by the Director General of Fair Trading is a matter for the director general. Representations concerning the viability of community pharmacies and other aspects of the review should be made direct to him.

  Goods and Services
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [29456]

  Mr. Horam
  From an examination of the payment records of the Department and its agencies, it is estimated that payments of about £130 million were made to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to speed up payments to community pharmacists. [29574]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) on 12 December 1995, column 580.

  Medical and Surgical Services
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's current policy on the concentration of individual medical and surgical services, other than cancer services, at fewer hospitals. [29744]

  Mr. Horam
  Each individual case will be considered on its merits balancing the loss of choice, access, competition and responsiveness that may follow concentration against any gains in quality of patient care or economies of scale where these cannot otherwise be achieved.

  The Department has issued guidance, HSG (94)55, on the subject "The Operation of the NHS Internal Market: Local Freedoms, National Responsibilities", copies of which are available in the Library. We have also commissioned a short study into concentration and choice in acute services from a team led by Trevor Sheldon of the centre for reviews and dissemination in York.

  Hospitals (Training Centres)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made as to which hospitals in the north-west are insufficiently large to be registered as training centres. [29745]

  Mr. Malone
  None; the Department does not register hospitals for training purposes. Training posts or programmes for junior doctors are approved by the relevant medical royal colleges.

  Vitamin K
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to license oral vitamin K for infants. [30009]

  Mr. Malone
  The Medicines Control Agency has had extensive discussions about the licensing of oral vitamin K. Currently, no marketing authorisation for oral vitamin K for infants has been granted. Information about all applications for a marketing authorisation for a medicinal product is confidential and no information can be released until the announcement is made in the London, Belfast and Edinburgh gazettes that a marketing authorisation has been granted.
  82
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance on the use of intra-muscular vitamin K for infants. [30010]

  Mr. Horam
  The chief medical officer and chief nursing officer issued guidance on the use of intramuscular vitamin K for infants in December 1992. They await the results of departmental commissioned research, expected during 1996, to inform further guidance.

  Hip Replacements
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations were performed in 1995 on the national health service; how many were on patients from general practitioners fundholder practices; and how many patients had waited(a) more than and (b) less than one year. [29768]

  Mr. Horam
  The latest available information relates to 1993–94 and is shown in the table.

  Hip replacement and other arthroplasty of the hip operations, Finished Consultant Episodes 1993–94

  General practitioner fundholder

  District health authorities funded

  Other

  Totals

  Emergency

  348

  21,519

  650

  22,517

  Planned

  154

  467

  17

  638

  Booked and waiting list cases

  Less than one year

  6,451

  20,317

  1,498

  28,266

  More than one year

  1,059

  4,250

  159

  5,468

  Time not known

  365

  1,285

  110

  1,760

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics—Data in this table is grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  Vehicles (Child Restraints)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the Department of Transport the requirement on national health service trusts to implement a policy of child restraints in all vehicles used for the transport of children. [29550]

  Mr. Norris
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are several hundred NHS trusts in England which, although accountable to the Secretary of State for Health, have considerable autonomy over their day-to-day operations. Some trusts may have their own guidelines on child restraints, although I have no details on this. However, the Department of Health has informed me that it has no plans to issue any specific guidelines.

  Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 751, if he will give a breakdown of the sum of £821, 986 devoted to running the spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting scheme in 1994–95. [26256]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 24 April 1996]: This figure relates to the budget allocated to the ADROIT—adverse drug reactions on-line information

  83
  tracking—group of the Medicines Control Agency, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the United Kingdom's spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting scheme. Of this amount, £612,482 relates to the basic salary of staff working within the unit—excluding national insurance and pension contributions—and £209,504 relates to the costs of running and maintaining the ADROIT database for the financial year 1994–95. This database records all reports of adverse drugs reactions received from doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

  NHS Paperwork
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report of the efficiency scrutiny into the burden of paperwork in NHS trusts and health authorities will be published. [30012]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will be publishing the report on Tuesday 21 May. Copies will be available from the Vote Office and Library from 1 lam on that day.

  Search and Rescue Helicopters
  Search and Rescue Helicopters
  Railtrack Group plc: Share Offer
  Railtrack Group plc: Share Offer
  Electric Vehicles: Excise Duty
  Electric Vehicles: Excise Duty
  Stansted Airport: Aircraft Movements
  Stansted Airport: Aircraft Movements
  Foreign Registered Lorries in UK
  Foreign Registered Lorries in UK
  M.25/M.23 Junction Roadworks
  M.25/M.23 Junction Roadworks
  NATO Multi-national Formations: UK Participation
  NATO Multi-national Formations: UK Participation
  Warsaw Pact Countries: Joint Exercises with British Troops
  Warsaw Pact Countries: Joint Exercises with British Troops
  Warsaw Pact Countries: UK Military Advisers
  Warsaw Pact Countries: UK Military Advisers
  Children: Employment in TV Programmes and Advertising
  Children: Employment in TV Programmes and Advertising
  Prison Service: Plans and Performance Indicators
  Prison Service: Plans and Performance Indicators
  Foreign Nationals in UK Prisons
  Foreign Nationals in UK Prisons