Written Answers of 1 November 1996

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to change the cash limits for the Overseas Development Administration for 1996–97. [2372]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class II, vote 5 will be increased by £30,570,000 from £1,591,466,000 to £1,622,036,000. The increase is in respect of: a rollover of underspending against the 1995–96 external assistance vote; a balance of underspending against European Community budgetary aid in 1994; the early redemption of outstanding loan repayments by the Crown Agents to the National Loans Fund; advisers fee related to the privatisation of the Crown Agents; and the reimbursement of costs incurred in 1995–96 and costs for 1996–97 in respect of the Gibraltar social insurance fund. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Departmental Minutes
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the departmental minutes which the Overseas Development Administration laid before the House on 20 August. [1650]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The departmental minute reported the assumption of contingent liabilities arising from tax indemnities given to the commercial banks which are making concessional loans to developing countries to finance the following projects:

  Country

  Project

  Estimated maximum liability £

  1 Indonesia

  Advancement of SI Science and Technology

  1,432,665

  2 China

  Guangzhou Metro Ventilation System

  416,051

  It was necessary to give the indemnities urgently during the parliamentary recess to avoid delaying the start of these two projects.

  The departmental minute also reported that the contingent liability for the China Guangzhou metro overhead catenary system project had been underestimated by £88,317 in the earlier departmental minute laid before the house on 16 April 1996. This project is already being implemented. The financing agreement for this project will be increased. The
  264
  contingent liability is now estimated to amount to a maximum of £916,354 instead of the £833,037 previously notified.

  These projects are being supported by the Overseas Development Administration under the aid and trade provision soft loan financing arrangements which enable the banks to lend at concessional rates.

  The departmental minute was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 20 August and copies were sent to the Public Accounts Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what changes she proposes to make to her Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1996–97. [2432]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class X, vote 1 will be increased by £14,107,000 from £948,760,000 to £962,867,000 arid running costs limit is increased by £3,340,000 from £26,137,000 to £29,477,000. This is to increase provision for assets accepted in lieu of tax; within the new project ceiling, to increase provision to fund works required to complete the British Library St. Pancras building; to provide for payments from the National Heritage lottery fund to the royal commission for historical manuscripts for assessment work; to provide for additional expenditure on the royal estate and to transfer responsibility to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for maintenance work connected with ceremonial works; to provide for payments from the Department of the Environment—class VI, vote 5—towards the cost of refurbishing Somerset house for the housing of the Gilbert collection; to provide for additional appropriations from rents and other income from properties on the royal estate; to provide for the transfer of responsibility for costs of the Whitehall heating system for the Banqueting house to the Historic Royal Palaces agency; to provide for additional appropriations from sales of published material by the Royal Fine Art Commission; to provide for a reduction in expenditure on research and other services; to provide for an increase in running costs expenditure in line with entitlement to end year flexibility, to effect the transfer of responsibility for voluntary services from the Home Office and to transfer provision from the Security Facilities Executive agency for advisory services; to effect transfers from Home Office for grants for reducing racial disadvantage and for assistance to the National Association of Lay Visitors; and to provide for the expenses of the Department in the privatisation of the BBC transmission services. The increases will be offset by transfers, savings and charges to the reserve, and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

ENVIRONMENT

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each division of the Health and Safety Executive trends in staff levels relative to levels three years ago. [660]

  1 April 1993

  1 April 1994

  1 April 19951

  31 March 19962

  Health and Safety Commission (Support)

  5.00

  5.00

  5.00

  5.00

  Director General's Office

  10.00

  10.00

  10.00

  10.00

  Solicitor's Office

  17.00

  18.00

  17.00

  19.00

  Resources and Planning Division

  665.50

  663.00

  662.00

  574.00

  Safety Policy Division

  124.00

  124.00

  121.00

  113.00

  Strategy and General Division

  150.50

  140.00

  141.00

  136.00

  Health Policy Division

  89.00

  94.00

  86.00

  96.00

  Field Operations Division

  1,960.50

  1,939.00

  1,859.00

  1,741.00

  HM Railway Inspectorate

  63.00

  71.00

  85.00

  82.00

  HM Inspectorate of Mines

  60.00

  52.00

  48.00

  42.00

  Offshore Safety Division

  319.50

  375.00

  343.00

  309.00

  Nuclear Safety Division

  271.50

  281.00

  263.00

  268.00

  Technology and Health Sciences Division

  333.00

  335.00

  330.00

  330.00

  Health and Safety Laboratory

  415.00

  382.00

  364.00

  365.00

  Electrical Equipment Certification Services

  54.00

  56.00

  57.00

  61.00

  Total staff

  4,537.50

  4,545.00

  4,391.00

  4,151.00

  1 Figures given are full-time equivalent counts. A revised Treasury methodology for calculating full-time equivalent figures for staff in part-time posts came into operation from 1.4.95. From that date all part-time staff were counted pro-rata according to hours worked. Previously part-time staff who worked 10 hours or more were all counted as 0.5.

  2 From 1.4.96 HSE Divisions were restructured. Staff in post data for 31.3.96 is listed to provide comparison with previous years.

  Homelessness
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were statutorily recognised as homeless at the latest available date; and of those how many are estimated to have accommodation with, (i) specific inadequacies and (ii) insecurity; how many are housed in emergency hostels; and how many are without any form of shelter. [1015]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer my hon. Friend to the quarterly information bulletin entitled, "Households found accommodation the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985: England" for the available information. Copies of the bulletin, the latest of which provides statistics for the second quarter of 1996, are in the Library.

  Lead Pipes
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with regard to securing the replacement of lead pipes in the domestic water supply network. [1024]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's policy is to seek to reduce levels of lead in drinking water. Action is being taken by water suppliers to help reduce lead levels at consumers' taps, but responsibility for domestic pipework rests with property owners. To help them, the Government have recently published a leaflet which informs householders about the risks from lead in drinking water and gives advice on the action that they can take to reduce exposure. We are currently considering what further measures could be taken to provide information and promote awareness.
  266
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The following table shows the number of staff employed by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last four years.

  Occupational Dermatitis
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been diagnosed as contracting occupational dermatitis in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [1136]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The industrial injuries compensation scheme administered by DSS tends to record the most serious cases of (non-infective) dermatitis. The numbers of new cases assessed at 1 per cent. or more disability, based on a 100 per cent. count of cases from 1985–86 to 1994–95 are as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases of dermatitis

  1985–86

  785

  1986–87

  464

  1987–88

  368

  1988–89

  285

  1989–90

  301

  1990–91

  434

  1991–92

  411

  1992–93

  419

  1993–94

  392

  1994–95

  368

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional measures are being evaluated to protect construction workers employed on the London Underground Jubilee line extension from contracting occupational dermatitis. [1139]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Executive has completed a follow-up survey on one site. This showed that where the full range of measures was used, cases of dermatitis had reduced by 80 per cent.
  267
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many construction workers employed on the London Underground Jubilee line extension have been diagnosed as contracting occupational dermatitis. [1137]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Of the 133 men examined by HSE's employment medical adviser, 10 showed signs of occupational dermatitis.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures were taken at the outset of the London Underground Jubilee line extension to protect construction workers from occupational dermatitis. [1138]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Protective measures are the responsibility of the contractors engaged in the project. I am informed by the Health and Safety Executive that washing facilities were provided at all Jubilee line extension sites. It is not possible to state the extent to which other measures such as protective clothing, skin creams and training were made available by contractors.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many guilty verdicts have been recorded, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, under health and safety law, following the serious injury of an employee. [1132]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is not available, or available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reason each of the individuals cited in his answer of 16 October 1996,Official Report, column 1075, were sent to prison following convictions under health and safety at work law; and what was the length of the sentence in each case. [1133]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested about the three cases of individuals sent to prison following convictions under health and safety at work law its as follows:

  Reason

  Length of prison sentence (months)

  1. Breaches of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987

  3

  2. Contravention of a prohibition notice issued under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA)

  4

  3. Contravention of a prohibition notice issued under HSWA

  4

  Mental Illness (Stress)
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to reduce instances of mental illness caused at work, following the 1995 court case in which an employee sued his employer for a nervous breakdown brought on by stress. [1140]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In May 1995, the Health and Safety Executive published guidance "Stress at Work: A Guide for Employers" which explained that mental illness 268
  is one ill health condition that has been associated with stress. HSE is carrying out research in order to provide employers with more detailed guidance on this issue.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the rules governing the spending of capital budgets by local authorities during the transitional period to unitary authorities. [1087]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Authorities in the transitional period before reorganisation are governed by the same rules on capital spending as other authorities, but in addition are subject to the prudential code of financial management, jointly published in 1994 by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the local authority associations, and approved by the Audit Commission. I have arranged for a copy of the code to be placed in the Library.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Health and Safety Commission's current review of the legislation on asbestos will be completed; and when its conclusions will be published. [1441]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Commission undertook a wide-ranging review of health and safety legislation including asbestos legislation in 1993–94, the results of which were published in 1994. As a result of the review, HSC published a discussion document in May 1996 on the future of the lead and asbestos regulations and is currently considering the responses received. It is expected that HSC will complete this work in 1997, and will issue a consultative document on any legislative changes it considers are needed as soon as possible thereafter.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in rank order the 10 most common causes of deaths from industrial diseases and the numbers of deaths from those diseases. [866]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information in the table is limited to those diseases that have a strong occupational link. These are diseases caused by the inhalation or swallowing of various kinds of mineral or organic dusts. The numbers of such deaths reported on death certificates in Great Britain in 1994 were as follows:

  Number

  Mesothelioma

  1,235

  Pneumoconiosis (other than asbestosis)

  276

  Asbestosis (excluding certificates also mentioning mesothelioma)

  174

  Farmer's lung and other occupational allergic alveolitis

  10

  Byssinosis

  7

  Asbestos-related Diseases
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for the most recently available date(a) the 10 districts in Great Britain which have the highest rates of death from asbestos-related diseases and (b) the national rate of death from these diseases. [867]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The only asbestos-related disease for which the data are available is mesothelioma, and the district breakdown is available only for the period 1976–91. The 10 districts in Great Britain with the highest rates of death from mesothelioma in this period are, in descending order: Clydebank, Barrow in Furness, Plymouth, Barking and Dagenham, Portsmouth, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Southampton, Newham and Gillingham.

  The average crude rate of death from mesothelioma in Great Britain in the same period was 11 per million. In 1994, the crude death rate from mesothelioma in Great Britain was 22 per million.

  These tragic deaths are because of asbestos exposures of anything between 15 and 60 years ago, before the current stringent controls on asbestos were introduced.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual death rates from asbestos-related diseases the Health and Safety Executive has forecast over the next 25 years. [868]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The estimated number of males dying annually from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in 10 years time could range from between 1,300 and 2,100; in 20 years time between 1,300 and 3,000 and in 30 years time between 1,000 and 3,200. These estimates are based on a paper "The Continuing increase in mesothelioma mortality in Britain" which was published in The Lancet on 3 March 1995. This paper discusses the uncertainties attached to the projections which increase very significantly beyond about 2010. It is therefore inappropriate to forecast a figure for each separate year. Projected figures for females are not available.

  Currently, there are estimated to be one or two deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer for each death from mesothelioma. The falling prevalence of smoking is likely to reduce this ratio in the future.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the changes to the class 1 cash limits and defence operating costs limit for 1996–97. [2375]

  Mr. Soames
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the winter supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:270

  £000s

  Class 1 vote

  Current cash limit

  Change

  Revised cash limit

  1

  11,005,788

  -10,891

  10,994,897

  2

  4,662,170

  25,000

  4,687,170

  3

  5,761,870

  288,000

  6,049,870

  The changes to class 1, votes 2 and 3 reflect the take up of entitlement to end-year flexibility. The reduction on class 1, vote 1 reflects the net effect of transfers to other Government Departments. In addition entitlement to end-year flexibility on class 1, vote I has, in accordance with Supply procedure, been funded through the partial appropriation of receipts from the sale of the MOD married quarters estate in England and Wales. The balance of the receipt from the sale will be brought to vote, subject to parliamentary approval, in the 1996–97 spring supplementary estimate.

  The final outturn on the Ministry of Defence cash limit in 1995–96 was £21,522 million which was £48 million higher than the provisional outturn announced in Cmnd 3318. The Minister of Defence's entitlement to carry forward provision under the Defence operating costs and capital costs schemes has, therefore, been reduced by £48 million over the totals announced on 12 July, Official Report, columns 326–31. Thus all of the Ministry of Defence's entitlements to end-year flexibility arising the 1994–95 and 1995–96 will have been brought onto vote through the 1996–97 winter supplementary estimate. A total of £142 million of the additional provision on vote 3 in the winter supplementary estimate has been drawn down from provision eligible for carry forward under the Defence operating costs scheme.

  The impact of these changes on the Ministry of Defence operating costs limit is as follows:

  £000s

  Class 1 vote

  Current cash limit

  Change

  Revised cash limit

  1

  11,000.243

  -10,891

  10,989,352

  2

  4,662,170

  25,000

  4,687,170

  3

  806,347

  —

  806,347

  Northern Ireland
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of maintaining the British Army in Northern Ireland in each year since 1969. [1105]

  Mr. Soames
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Gulf War (Illness)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's work in relation to illnesses among service men and women who served in the Gulf war. [865]

  Mr. Soames
  I will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  War Widows' Pensions
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will rescind the regulations reducing war widows' pensions because their husbands died of smoking-related causes; and if he will make a statement. [880]

  Mr. Heald
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 30 October, Official Report, column 162.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Office (Cash Limits)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals there are to change the 1996–97 cash limit or running cost limit for the Cabinet Office: other services vote. [2433]

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit of the Cabinet Office: other services, class XVIII, vote 1, will be increased by £4,354,000 from £37,682,000 to £42,036,000 and the running cost limit will be increased by £2,567,000 from £40,586,000 to £43,153,000.

  The increases reflect the transfer of provision of £645,000—running costs—and. £1,457,000—capital—from the Office of the Public Service, class XVII, vote 1, to cover the cost of new repayment services; the transfer of certain administrative functions, the OPS's contribution to the cost of early staff departures and new IT systems and the increase of £70,000 in both running costs and receipts to account for staff loaned to Inland Revenue on repayment terms.

  The increases also include the transfer of provision of £105,000—running costs—and £400,000—capital—from
  the reserve to fund new services and essential building works.

  The vote is eligible for a cash limit increase of £1,788,000 in respect of end-year flexibility for running costs expenditure. The supplementary estimate will give effect to £1,738,000 of the increase.

  All the increases are either offset by interdepartmental transfers or have been charged to the reserve and will not -therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration (Philippines)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons born in the Philippines are estimated to reside in the United Kingdom; how many have the right of settlement; and which immigration laws permit(a) entry and (b) settlement. [1090]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The labour force survey carried out in spring 1996 estimates that there are 29,000 persons born in the Philippines who are usually resident in the United Kingdom. Information on the number who may be eligible to apply for settlement is not available. Information on 272
  the number granted settlement each year between 1985 and 1995 is published in table 6.5 of the "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom 1995" (Cm 3353), a copy of which is in the Library. Entry into and settlement in the United Kingdom is governed by the Immigration Act 1971 and the immigration rules made under it.

  Extradition
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of(a) requests made by United Kingdom authorities for the extradition of persons to the United Kingdom, (b) requests for extradition received from other countries for the extradition of persons out of the United Kingdom, and (c) individuals actually extradited to and from the United Kingdom for each year since 1992. [876]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The Home Secretary is responsible for extraditions to and from England and Wales and from Northern Ireland. The information that follows relates to such cases.

  (a) Number of requests made by United Kingdom authorities for the extradition of persons to England and Wales:

  1992: 45

  1993: 33

  1994: 45

  1995: 48

  (b) Number of requests for extradition received from other countries for the extradition of persons out of England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  1992: 78

  1993: 100

  1994: 100

  1995: 101

  (c) (i) Number of individuals actually extradited to England and Wales:

  1992: 25

  1993: 21

  1994: 29

  1995: 14.

  (ii) Number of individuals actually extradited from England, Wales and Northern Ireland:

  1992: 36

  1993: 27

  1994: 35

  1995: 31

  A number of extradition cases from 1994 arid 1995 have not yet been resolved.

  The figures refer to extradition to and from countries other than the Republic of Ireland. Extradition between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland takes place under the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965 and the corresponding legislation of the Republic of Ireland. The Home Secretary is responsible where the case involves seeking the return of a fugitive who has been convicted by a court in England or Wales, while the Attorney-General is responsible where the case involves seeking the return of a person accused of an offence in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. I will write to the hon. Member with the statistics for such cases.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes to the 1996–97 cash limits within his responsibilities. [2374]

  Mr. Howard
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit for class VII, vote 1—Home Office administration, police probation, immigration and other services, England and Wales—will be increased by £2,388,000 from £4,597,305,000 to £4,599,693,000 and for vote 2—prisons, England and Wales—will be increased by £120,646,000 from £1,521,670,000 to £1,642,316,000.

  The increase for vote 1 is the net effect of transfers from the Ministry of Defence in respect of charging for meteorological services, from the Security Facilities Agency in respect for charging for its services, to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in respect of drug prevention; to the department for Education and Employment and Welsh Office in respect of sponsorship of probation students; to the Department of Health in respect of drugs challenge funding; from the Department for Education and Employment and Welsh Office in respect of provision of closed circuit television in schools; to the Department for National Heritage in respect of the transfer of responsibility for voluntary services; from the Prison Service in respect of boards of visitors' training and to non-cash limited police special grant within this vote in respect of pilot private finance initiative projects.

  For vote 2 the increase is the net effect of additional provision of £120,650,000 from the reserve to meet the costs of the implementation of phase 2 of the recommendations of the Woodcock report and to increase the capacity of the Prison Service to meet the projected increase in the prison population, which includes the take-up of £750,000 end year flexibility towards the costs of Colchester young offenders institution; and the transfer of £4,000 to class VII, vote 1, Home Office, for external training of staff of the boards of visitors secretariat.

  The non-voted cash limit—HO/LACAP—is reduced by £490,000 from £98,382,000 to £97,892,000 due to a transfer to non-cash limited police special grant within vote 1 in respect of pilot PFI projects.

  In consequence of the changes the Home Office gross running cost limit will be increased by £12,334,000 from £1,801,481,000 to £1,813,815,000.

  The increases will be offset by savings, transfers or charges to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who had applied for asylum were deported from Scottish prisons during 1994, 1995 and from 1 January this year to date; and what were the nationalities of those deported; [1526]

  (2) how many people who had applied for asylum were detained in Scottish prisons during 1994, 1995 and from 1 January this year to date; and what were the nationalities of those detained. [1525]
  274
  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: The specific information requested is not available.

LORD CHANCELLORS'S DEPARTMENT

  Law Commission
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the draft bills published by the Law Commission in the last five years. [1664]

  Mr. Streeter
  During the years 1991 to 1996 the Law Commission has published 26 reports with draft Bills attached. They are listed in the table.

  list of Law Commission Reports in 1991–96 with Drafts Bills annexed

  Report No

  Report

  1991

  199

  Transfer of Land: Implied Covenants for Title

  202

  Criminal Law: Corroboration of Evidence in Criminal Trials

  204

  Transfer of Land: Land Mortgages

  1992

  207

  Family Law: Domestic Violence and Occupation of the Family Home

  208

  Landlord and Tenant: Business Tenancies—a periodic review of the Landlord and Tenant Act

  1993

  215

  Sale of Goods Forming Part of a Bulk

  216

  The Hearsay Rule in Civil Proceedings

  217

  Family Law: The Effect of Divorce on Wills

  218

  Legislating the Criminal Code: Offences Against the Person and General Principles

  219

  Contributory Negligence as a Defence in Contract

  1994

  220

  The Law of Trusts: Delegation by Individual Trustees

  221

  Landlord and Tenant: Termination of Tenancies Bill

  222

  Binding Over

  224

  Structured Settlements and Interim and Provisional Damages

  226

  Administrative Law: Judicial Review and Statutory Appeals

  227

  Restitution: Mistakes of Law and Ultra Vires Public Authority Receipts and Payments

  228

  Criminal Law: Conspiracy to Defraud

  1995

  229

  Legislating the Criminal Code: Intoxication and Criminal Liability

  230

  Legislating the Criminal Code: The Year and a Day Rule in Homicide

  231

  Mental Incapacity

  235

  Transfer of Land: Land Registration

  236

  Fiduciary Duties and Regulatory Rules

  1996

  237

  Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter

  238

  Landlord and Tenant: Responsibility for State and Condition of Property

  242

  Privity of Contract: Contracts for the Benefit of Third Parties

  243

  Offences of Dishonesty: Money Transfers

  275
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Law Commission. [1663]

  Mr. Streeter
  The Law Commission has a single, central purpose: promoting the reform of the law, so that the law will be simpler, fairer, more modern and cheaper to use.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the estimated outturn figure for the 1995–96 budget for the Law Commission. [1661]

  Mr. Streeter
  The estimated figure for the financial year 1995–96 is £2,960,537. This does not include charges for accommodation.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the number of permanent staff at the Law Commission; and how are they appointed. [1662]

  Mr. Streeter
  There are currently 39 permanent established staff working at the Law Commission and 19 established staff on short, fixed term appointments. This includes five parliamentary counsel assigned to the Law Commission from the parliamentary counsel's office.

  All staff at the Law Commission are civil servants, recruited through open competition in accordance with the civil service commissioner's recruitment code.

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes he plans to make to the running costs limit of the Public Record Office, class VIII, vote 3 for 1996–97. [2373]

  Mr. Streeter
  The running cost limit has been reduced by £189,000 from £22,711,000 to £22,552,000, to reflect a transfer from running costs to capital. The capital expenditure will be defrayed on the fitting out of central London office premises, through which the office provides services to the public.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Terrorism
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the Government's reasons for not providing compensation for victims of terrorism in England. [1342]

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Eastham) on 27 June 1996,Official Report, column 202.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost of providing, in each of the three years before the commencement of the IRA ceasefire and in 1996 to date, compensation for losses caused by terrorism in England, Scotland and Wales on a similar basis to that provided in Northern Ireland. [1419]
  276
  Mr. Nelson
  There is no justification for a compensation scheme because, unlike Northern Ireland, insurance cover is readily available elsewhere in the United Kingdom. No estimate of the cost of such a scheme has therefore been made.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the regulation of the premiums for terrorism insurance levied on people living or working in inner London. [1354]

  Mr. Nelson
  Individuals living or working in Inner London will normally be covered for any losses caused by acts of terrorism by their personal domestic household policies and/or comprehensive motor policies, as appropriate. Premiums are determined by normal competition between insurers.

  Insurance policies for businesses or other non-personal policyholders will normally have a limit on the level of claims payable, unless the policyholder has bought full terrorism cover. Were insurance is provided by a member of the scheme established in accordance with the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993, the additional terrorism premium is set by the Pool Reinsurance Company Ltd. in the light of advice of consultant actuaries and after consultation with my Department.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to cash and running cost limits within class IV of the estimates for 1996–97. [2431]

  Mr. Lang
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 1—programmes and administration—will be increased by £13,930,000 from £1,301,655,000 to £1,315,585,000. This net increase results from:

  (i) to take-up of running cost and capital end-year flexibility (£17,437,000) as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996 (Official Report, cols 326–331);

  (ii) agreed changes to NIREX payments (£1.760,000);

  (iii) an adjustment to the classification of Gas Consumer Council receipts from appropriations-in-aid to consolidated fund extra receipts (£2,894,000); and

  (iv) other miscellaneous changes (£194,000); offset by

  (v) a net reduction to provision in respect of AEA Technology privatisation costs (-£3,855,000); and

  (vi) the movement of provision from the Small Finns Loan Guarantee Scheme to the non-cash limited Shipbuilding Intervention Fund (-£4,500,000).

  Within this total, the gross running costs limit for the Department of Trade and Industry is being increased by £17,782,000 from £364,037,000 to £381,819,000. This change comprises:

  (i) the take-up of running costs end-year flexibility (£15,654,000);

  (ii) an adjustment in Insolvency Service fee income required for accounting purposes (£1,500,000);

  (iii) the transfer of all Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service provision to running costs (£659,000);

  uoffset by other minor net transfers of provision (-£31,000).
  277
  A further increase to consolidated fund extra receipts of £215,000,000 is also expected following privatisation of AEA Technology.

  The net effect of all the agreed changes to NIREX payments—including reductions to nationalised industries external financing limits of £2,990,000, which are not reflected in this vote—gives an overall benefit to the Exchequer of £1,230,000.

  Also, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 11—Office of Telecommunications—will be increased by £1,118,000 from £9,094,000 to £10,212,000 and the running cost limit will be increased by £1,059,000 from £8,677,000 to £9,736,000. The increase is required to meet new requirements, arising from European and UK legislation, to ensure that pro-competition policies are implemented and to meet additional litigation costs.

  In addition, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 12—Office of Gas Supply—will be increased by £2,000,000 from £7,743,000 to £9,743,000 and the running costs limit similarly increased from £8,452,000 to £10,452,000. The requirement results from additional running costs associated with the extension of domestic competition, further assessment of network code and the referral to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on price controls.

  Additionally, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 13—Office of Electricity Regulation—will be increased by £4,150,000 from £10,232,000 to £14,382,000 and the running costs limit by £4,100,000 from £10,694,000 to £14,794,000. These changes reflect the extra resources required by the Director General of Electricity Supply to fulfil his obligations under the Electricity Act 1989.

  All such increases will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Security
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been allocated to each local education authority to(a) improve school security and (b) meet the recommendations of the Government working party on school security. [1493]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government have accepted all the recommendations of the working group on school security, including for provision of substantial additional funding to improve school security through the grants for education support and training—GEST—programme from 1997–98. The grant will be distributed according to the number of pupils and the number of schools in each authority. Local education authorities will be informed in December of their allocations for the coming financial year.
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  This new specific grant will be in addition to the funding already available to local education authorities generally for capital and current spending on schools. That will continue to allow for expenditure on school security.

  Class Sizes
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will instruct Ofsted to open its data base derived from inspection of schools to accredited researchers, with particular reference to those investigating the effect of class size on the quality of education. [2322]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools. I know that he takes every opportunity to bring the information held by Ofsted into the public domain.

TREASURY

  Taxation (File Access)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Inland Revenue's policy in respect of overseas computer access to British taxpayers' confidential files after the commencement of tax self-assessment. [959]

  Mr. Jack
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 16 October,Official Report, columns 912–13.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish, by region(a) the unemployment claimant count statistics and (b) the unemployment statistics as measured by the labour force survey, showing the percentage difference between the two in each case. [832]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 28 October 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dennis Roberts to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 1 November 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Director of the ONS to reply to your parliamentary question on regional unemployment. The Director has asked me to reply in his absence.
  The latest LFS estimates of unemployment for the standard regions of Great Britain on the internationally standard ILO definition relate to Summer (June-August) 1996 and are published in Table 16 of the Labour Force Survey Summer 1996 First Release. The corresponding average levels of unadjusted claimant unemployment for the same three month period can be obtained on-line from the Nomis database. Both the LFS publication and access to the Nomis database are available from the House of Commons Library.

  National Investment and Loans Office
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits for 1996–97 for the national investments and loans office. [2379]
  279
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVI, vote 10 will be increased by a token amount to £341,000. Following a machinery of Government change in preparation for the privatisation of the Paymaster Agency, a small residuary body, to be known as the Office of HM Paymaster General—0PG—will remain in the public sector to perform the non-divestible functions. This token supplementary is required to allow for the transfer of OPG' s functions from class XVI, vote II to NILO. The running costs limit will be increased by £104,000 to £1,366,000 with a corresponding reduction in the provision for class XVI, vote 11. The increase will be offset by savings or charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the private finance initiative. [314]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]I have received many. I warmly welcome opportunities to talk to PFI practitioners in all sectors and to listen to their views on the initiative. As a result, we have made legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate the deal process. We have also published several sets of guidance, including case studies and standard terms of conditions of PFI contracts and we are working with the private sector to provide PFI training for officials. Most recently, we have responded in detail to recommendations put forward by the CBI, with whom we are working in partnership to push the PFI forward.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional annual full-year revenue which would be raised by the introduction of a 50 per cent. rate of income tax on earnings over £100,000 per annum; how many people would pay additional tax as a consequence; and what is the distribution of those persons by area of residence in the United Kingdom. [804]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Income tax rates are applied to taxable income—that is the total income for income tax purposes—including earnings—less those allowances and deductions which are allowable at marginal rates. The estimated full year yield at 1996–97 income levels of introducing a new rate of 50 per cent. on taxable incomes above £100,000 is £1.1 billion. The yield includes the consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax after allowing for likely changes in the volume of disposals. It does not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the new rate of tax. About 120,000 taxpayers would be affected.

  It is not possible to provide a reliable breakdown below United Kingdom level for 1996–97. The latest available information is for 1994–95.

  Taxpayer Records
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if separate arrangements are made for the handling of secure cases with special reference to the files of hon. Members. [1079]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 October 1996]: Yes.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the security arrangements governing the handling of taxpayer records at Oracle facilities abroad. [1073]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 October 1996]: The handling of confidential taxpayer data is governed by the strictest possible security arrangements to safeguard against misuse. It would not be appropriate to make public the precise safeguards which are being put in place.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the batches of taxpayer records that may be available to staff at Oracle facilities abroad may include information about any matter relevant to tax in the case of any identifiable person. [1074]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 30 October 1996]: Diagnostic and remedial work undertaken to support the self assessment computer system may at times necessitate specialist staff—either in the UK or, exceptionally, or Oracle facilities abroad—having access to copies of batches of taxpayer records. Such data will not be in a readily intelligible form.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Schools
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of schools in Northern Ireland have 1 per cent. or more of the school roll from a minority community. [970]

  Mr. Ancram
  Within Northern Ireland 328–26 per cent.—schools have 1 per cent. or more of the school roll from a minority community.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy on Government claims or counter-claims against individuals in relation to damage and injury caused by those individuals as a result of their involvement in terrorist acts. [1204]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its chief executive, Mr Dennis Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D.A. Stanley to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 31 October 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply, on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding policy on claims or counter-claims against individuals in relation to damage and injury caused by individuals as a result of their involvement in terrorist acts.
  The Agency pays Compensation in Northern Ireland under either the Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 or the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. The legislation directs that no compensation can be paid

  281
  to any person who has been a member of an unlawful association at any time whatsoever, or is such a member, or who has been engaged in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism at any time whatsoever, or is so engaged. The only exception being that the Secretary of State may, if he considers it to be in the public interest to do so, pay such sum as does not exceed the amount of the disallowed compensation. This latter power is infrequently used and is exercised personally by the Minister of State on behalf of the Secretary of State.
  In addition, the Agency has power under the legislation to pursue an offender for recovery of any compensation paid out by the Agency to a victim, irrespective of whether acts of terrorism were involved or not. Since being established in April 1992, the Agency has recovered £1.2 million from such offenders.

  Education Department Headquarters
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the construction of a new headquarters for the Department of Education; what is the cost of the building; and what was the value for money of this project evaluated against other building priorities in education. [226]

  Mr. Moss
  The headquarters of the Department of Education in Bangor, County Down comprised a high rise building and a number of temporary annexes which were past their useful life. The new building at the headquarters site is a replacement of these temporary structures and the estimated cost is £3.657 million. This project was evaluated against other Government office priorities, but not against other building priorities in education.

  Handguns
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many handguns are legally held in Northern Ireland; and if he will provide a geographical breakdown of their locations. [227]

  Sir John Wheeler
  At 30 September, 1996, the number of handguns held on firearm certificates in Northern Ireland was 12,872. Information on the geographical breakdown of their locations can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the difference in respect of guidelines relating to the legal possession of handguns in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain. [228]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order, 1981, the Chief Constable is responsible for the administration of firearms licensing. His policy in relation to sporting handguns which was agreed with the Secretary of State is that a person cannot acquire a handgun unless he is able to show good reason for acquiring such a firearm and he has been a member of a registered firearms club for a minimum of 12 months; the application is supported by the secretary of the firearms club; and the police are content that he is a suitable person to hold such a weapon. In addition, the Chief Constable may approve the issue of a handgun where a person's life is believed to be under a serious and specific terrorist threat. In these circumstances the Chief Constable must satisfy himself that the individual is in all regards suitable to hold such a firearm and that his possession of the firearm does not pose a threat to the wider public safety.
  282
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has lead policy responsibility for firearms legislation in Great Britain.

  Incorporated Colleges
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent provision he has made for accountancy services for incorporated colleges, broken down by(a) human and (b) technical support services, and what he estimates to be the cost of these services in this and the next financial year. [998]

  Mr. Ancram
  Additional provision of £510,000 has been made in the current financial year for use in strengthening their financial systems. No separate provision has yet been made for 1997–98.

  The existing baseline also includes provision for the enhancement of colleges' financial management systems through improved computer hardware and financial accounting software. Estimated costs are as follows:-

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  Capital

  384,000

  —

  Recurrent

  555,000

  376,000

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the extra costs to his budget will be this year of funding the incorporation of the further education colleges; and if he will itemise that expenditure. [999]

  Mr. Ancram
  A budget of £1 million has been made available in the current financial year. It is estimated that this will be used as follows:Strengthening college financial systems: £510.000
  Project management and other college preparations: £395,000
  Consultancy support, conferences, training and guidance for colleges: £95,000.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) decisions have been made and (b) procedures have been followed in respect of the appointment of a private company to fund the nursery voucher scheme; and what estimate he has made of the initial and annual costs of this administration. [1000]

  Mr. Ancram
  Following a competitive tendering process a contract to administer the nursery education voucher scheme on a UK-wide basis was awarded to Capita Management Services Ltd.

  Legislation is currently being prepared to permit the extension of the nursery voucher scheme to Northern Ireland and the contract with Capita Management Services includes an opt-in clause for this purpose.

  Consultation on the scheme in Northern Ireland ended on 7 June and I will make an announcement on the outcome later in the autumn. The cost of administering the scheme for Northern Ireland is estimated at a total of £300,000 over three years.

  Integrated Schools
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the likely capital costs of site acquisition and building integrated schools in the next three years. [1001]

  Mr. Ancram
  Expenditure on integrated schools likely to qualify for capital grant is estimated as follows:

  £ million

  1997–1998

  8.3

  1998–1999

  13.3

  1999–2000

  9.0

  Total

  30.6

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average delay for each claimant of(a) invalidity benefit and (b) incapacity benefit for each year since 1990. [735]

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

  Clearance time target

  Performance achieved

  1990–91 (SB/IVB)

  average clearance time of 9 days

  average clearance time of 9 days

  1991–92 (SB/IVB)

  average clearance time of 9 days

  average clearance time of 7 days

  1992–93 (SB/IVB)

  65 percent. in 10 days

  77 per cent. in 30 days

  95 per cent. in 30 days

  95.1 per cent. in 10 days

  1993–94 (SB/IVB)

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  72.5 per cent. in 10 days

  95 per cent. in 30 days

  94.3 per cent. in 30 days

  1994–95 (SB/IVB)

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  77.4 per cent. in 10 days

  95 per cent. in 30 days

  95.7 per cent. in 30 days

  1995–96 (IB)

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  78.9 per cent. in 10 days

  85 per cent. in 30 days

  96 per cent. in 30 days

  Notes:

  1. Figures are from successive Departmental and Benefits Agency Reports.

  2. Up until 1992–93 the performance on the processing of claims was measured by the average time taken to clear claims. From 1992–93 the method of measuring performance changed to set percentages within 10 and 30 day targets.

  Abbreviations:

  SB = Sickness Benefit.

  IVB = Invalidity Benefit.

  IB = Incapacity Benefit.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of(a) incapacity benefit who were formerly receiving invalidity benefit, (b) incapacity benefit since April 1995, (c) severe disablement allowance and (d) credits only have been disallowed benefit during the year April 1995 to April 1996 by reason of (i) being found capable of work following the own occupation test, (ii) being found capable of work following the all work test (iii) failure to return IB50 questionnaire (iv) failure to attend medical examination and (v) other reasons. [417]
  284
  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the format requested. It is not yet possible to provide reliable data on the numbers disallowed in each of the groups specified. The available information, for the period 13 April 1995 to 31 March 1996, is in the table.

  Reason for disallowance of benefit

  Incapacity benefit recipients

  Capable of work following own occupation test

  1,288

  Capable following all work test

  66,367

  Failure to return questionnaire without good cause

  7.710

  Failure to attend medical examination without good cause

  2,416

  Source:

  100 per cent. monthly count from the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, following the introduction of incapacity benefit in 1995 and the requirement for claimants to undergo a medical examination, he will publish(a) the number of medical exemptions, (b) the number of cases automatically exempted because the clients are in receipt of the higher rate of DLA, (c) the number of cases allowed after medical scrutiny, (d) the number of cases allowed after medical examination, (e) the number disallowed after examination and (f) the numbers disallowed for failure to attend examination sessions. [758]

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

  Table 1: Exemptions from the all work test

  Grounds for exemption

  Numbers of incapacity benefit claimants at 31 May 1996

  Severe sickness or terminally ill

  129,000

  In receipt of highest rate care component of disability living allowance

  21,000

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample from the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Table 2: All work test outcomes

  Numbers up to 30 September 1996

  Allowed after medical scrutiny or examination1

  960,000

  Disallowed following medical examination (Incapacity Benefit recipients only)

  122,000

  Disallowed following failure to attend medical examination without good cause (Incapacity Benefit recipients only)

  5,000

  Note:

  1It is not possible to distinguish those allowed benefit following medical scrutiny from those allowed following examination. Figures include a small number of severe disablement allowance cases.

  Source:

  100 per cent. count of cases on the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many examinations for the all work test
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  have (a) been carried out and (b) scheduled but not yet taken place during the year April 1995 to April 1996 for each of the regional medical centres. [419]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated October 1996

  Appendix A: All work test examinations carried out for the period August 1995 to March 1996

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Total

  Birmingham

  2,782

  4,263

  6,876

  6,811

  4,268

  3,534

  3,423

  3,814

  35,771

  Bootle

  3,048

  3,412

  4,305

  3,795

  2,725

  4,146

  3,870

  4,446

  29,747

  Bristol

  2,301

  2,604

  2,859

  2,553

  1,471

  2,930

  2,773

  2,801

  20,292

  Cardiff

  3,321

  4,170

  4,155

  4,692

  2,079

  3,914

  2,985

  3,611

  28,927

  Edinburgh

  1,570

  2,024

  2,551

  2,530

  1,476

  2,453

  2,718

  2,776

  18,098

  Glasgow

  3,343

  3,532

  4,251

  5,002

  3,263

  4,181

  4,692

  5,697

  33,961

  Leeds

  3,505

  5,128

  5,717

  4,134

  3,159

  6,281

  6,268

  6,308

  40,500

  Manchester

  2,663

  4,150

  4,219

  2,094

  2,595

  5,320

  5,776

  6,349

  33,166

  Newcastle

  2,473

  3,399

  3,539

  3,723

  2,594

  4,049

  3,835

  3,251

  26,863

  Sutton

  2,869

  3,293

  3,909

  4,456

  2,328

  5,743

  5,410

  3,187

  31,195

  Wembley

  3,510

  3,941

  3,778

  3,907

  2,990

  3,669

  3,943

  4,293

  30,031

  Total

  31,385

  39,916

  46,159

  43,697

  28,948

  46,220

  45,693

  46,533

  328,551

  Figures are provisional and subject to change

  Appendix B: Examinations scheduled but not yet taken place as at 30 September 1996

  Number

  Birmingham

  9,330

  10,837

  Bristol

  6,338

  Cardiff

  14,612

  Edinburgh

  2,629

  Glasgow

  5,048

  Leeds

  12,750

  Manchester

  10,799

  Newcastle

  5,639

  Nottingham

  6,013

  Sutton

  9,245

  Wembley

  11,374

  Total

  104,614

  Figures are provisional and subject to change. The figures given for the cases scheduled refer to case scheduled during August and September that have not yet taken place. Cases scheduled earlier than this will have already been examined.

  These figures include both All Work and Own Occupation Tests.

  State Pension
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the level of the basic state pension, (b) average weekly earnings and (c) the percentage of average weekly earnings represented by the basic state pension, for each year since 1966. [881]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to tables 3.3 and 6.1 of the "Abstract of Statistics for Social Security Benefits and Contributions and Indices of Prices and Earnings", 1996 Edition; a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Comparative information for the years 1966 to 1970 is not available because the new earnings survey did not begin until 1970.
  286
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many examinations for the All Work Test have (a) been carried out and (b) scheduled but not yet taken place during the year April 1995 to April 1996 for each of the regional medical centres.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Figures for the All Work Test were not recorded separately until August 1995. Appendix A provides details of the All Work Test examinations carried out for the period August 1995 to March 1996. Appendix B provides details of the examinations scheduled, these include both All Work Tests and Own Occupation Tests as the tests are not recorded separately.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Funeral Payments
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the provision of social fund funeral payments. [2550]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Major changes were introduced in June 1995. I have been monitoring their effects. Expenditure has been significantly reduced from £63 million during 1994–95 to £49 million during 1995–96.

  I now propose to develop the scheme further. From April 1997, help will be targeted more precisely on those most in need and the scheme will be made simpler. The proposed scheme will allow up to £600 for funeral expenses. The allowable items will no longer be specified leaving the person responsible for arranging the funeral free to decide which elements should be included. Certain disbursements— for example burial or cremation costs—will be paid in addition to the capped amount. Likewise, provision will be made where additional costs are likely to arise in exceptional circumstances, for example transportation costs for distances in excess of 50 miles. Under the proposed changes, both the person responsible for making the funeral arrangements and the funeral director will have a clearer understanding of the level of help available from the social fund.

  In addition, a new test will help the adjudication officer to decide if it was reasonable for the person to have taken responsibility for the funeral expenses. In a case where there is no surviving partner, where a parent, son or daughter of the deceased exists, and neither they nor their partner are in receipt of a qualifying benefit it will be considered unreasonable for the person receiving the qualifying benefit to take responsibility for the funeral expenses.
  287
  Discussions have been taking place with funeral directors' associations at regular intervals and the proposed changes will be discussed with them shortly.

  These proposals will be submitted to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

  Departmental Estate (Transfer)
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress with the transfer of his Department's estate to the private sector. [2551]

  Mr. Lilley
  Three potential suppliers have been selected and will be invited to take part in the next stage of the project.

  They are:
  Partnership Property Management Ltd (previously named as Goldman Sachs International);
  Mapeley Holdings Ltd (previously named as Nations Bank);
  OPUS (previously named as Nomura International plc).

  Each of the three consortia will be invited to submit a bid which details how they propose to meet the Department's requirements. The bids will be evaluated in early 1997 to identify the most suitable supplier.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases before the Benefits Agency Medical Services remain outstanding; and when he estimates his Department will have cleared any backlog. [729]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Benefits Agency Medical Services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 31 October 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary question asking how many cases for Benefits Agency Medical Services remain outstanding; and when he estimates his Department will have cleared any backlog.
  At 30 September 1996, Benefits Agency Medical Services have a total of 257,367 cases, of which 219,292 are Incapacity Benefit (IB) references. Of these, 9,522 are requiring specific medical advice from the customer service desk, 34,996 are for scrutiny to see if a medical examination is appropriate, a further 70,160 await an appointment and 104,614 have an appointment scheduled. Of the remaining 38,075 cases, 36,540 are Industrial Injuries, Prescribed Diseases and Respiratory Disease cases, 934 are Independent Tribunal Cases and 601 are cases referred from other Government Departments for medical advice. These figures are provisional and subject to change.
  BAMS work to a target of clearing cases within 45 days. At the present time, cases are being cleared within 58 days. This gap has been closing in recent months, and is likely to continue to do so. This is because the number of clients in receipt of Invalidity Benefit who are awaiting consideration of the IB All Work Test continues to reduce. If present BAMS productivity holds up, then it is anticipated that the target of 45 days will be reached across the country by January 1997.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  288

  New Claims Visits (Bolton)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which office is responsible for the new claims visits in the Bolton area; and what has been the performance record of that office. [127]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Peter Thurnham, dated 31 October 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking which office is responsible for the new claims visits in the Bolton area; and what has been the performance record of that office.
  The office responsible for the New Claim Visits in the Bolton area is the Bolton District office which also covers the surrounding areas of Little Hulton, Kearsley and Horwich and includes a Branch office at Farnworth. The figures provided are for Bolton District.
  Up to the 30 September 1996 the Bolton District had undertaken 1644 visits against a target for the year of 4350. As a result of these visits the office has achieved savings of £1,264,051.00. Their saving target for 1996/97 is £2,511,221.00. The figures are provisional and subject to change.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  "Civil Service Statistics 1996"
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when "Civil Service Statistics 1996" will be published. [2376]

  Mr. Willetts
  "Civil Service Statistics 1996" was published today and copies have been placed in the Library. This publication highlights key trends in civil service staffing for the period up to 1 April 1996. It shows that the number of permanent civil servants fell by 4.5 per cent. from 517,000 on 1 April 1995 to 494,000 on I April 1996.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals there are to change the 1996–97 cash limit or running costs limit for the Office of Public Service. [2377]

  Mr. Freeman
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Office of Public Service—class XVII, vote 1—will be increased by £4,653,000 from £173,974,000 to £178,627,000 and the gross running cost limit will be increased by £8,548,000 from £74,101,000 to £82,649,000. The changes reflect the take up of running cost end-year flexibility— £8,775,000—and capital EYF—f645,000—under the end-year flexibility scheme announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996,Official Report, columns 326–31; and certain other transfers between Departments. Provision is also made for the privatisations of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Recruitment and Assessment Services, the Occupational Health and Safety Agency, and the custody guards service. The increase in the cash limit will be met from the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the total of planned expenditure.
  289
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to change the cash limit of the Central Office of Information for 1996–97. [2378]

  Mr. Freeman
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Central Office of Information class—XVII, vote 3—will be increased by £5,200,000 from £1,182,000 to £6,382,000. The change is to provide a subsidy to the COI trading fund to cover anticipated redundancy and other costs arising from the COI trading fund's exit from the provision of certain services, following the prior options review of COI.

HEALTH

  Mr. Roy Hemming
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the additional annual cost to the NHS pension fund arising out of the payment of £50,000 to Mr. Roy Hemming of Doncaster Family Health Services Authority. [447]

  Mr. Horam
  The costs to the national health service pension scheme correctly reflected the level of benefits properly paid to Mr. Hemming on his retirement.

  Community Care (Staffordshire)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to Staffordshire county council of a community care place in a residential home run(a) by the county council and (b) by the private sector. [1051]

  Mr. Burns
  Staffordshire county council has told us that the net cost of a placement in one of its own homes is £198 and in the independent sector varies between £88 and £130. The reason for the cost differences includes the payment of residential allowance of £54, outside London rate, by the Department of Social Security which is made only to residents in the independent sector.

  The gross cost of a placement in one of their own homes is £279 and for the three categories of placements in the independent sector are residential old age, £204, very dependent elderly, £236 and physical handicap elderly, £246.

  NHS Number System
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS number system identifying each patient individually will be operational. [1119]

  Area

  Resident population1

  Number of Health Centres2

  Number of Health Centres per 1,000 population

  Number of Health Centres per 100,000 population

  Inner London3

  2,009,366

  51

  0.025

  2.54

  Greater London4

  6,910,828

  124

  0.018

  1.79

  Birmingham

  1,004,258

  28

  0.028

  2.79

  Newcastle

  275,217

  8

  0.029

  2.91

  290
  Mr. Horam
  The new national health service number system is being introduced through a phased programme across the NHS.

  The NHS central register has created New NHS numbers for the whole population of England and Wales and these have been incorporated into health authority primary care patient registers.

  New numbers are now being rolled out into general practitioner practice patient registers. At the end of September, this process had been completed in 65 per cent. of practices. By the end of 1996 full operational use of the new NHS number is scheduled in all breast screening office registers. The comparable date for cervical cytology, call and recall systems, diabetes screening systems and child health registers in mid 1997.

  Inclusion of the new NHS number in in-patient contract minimum datasets will be mandatory from 1 April 1997.

  GP Partnership Vacancies
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many partnership vacancies currently exist for general practitioners in(a) Leeds, (b) Newcastle, (c) London, (d) Manchester and (e) Liverpool. [1109]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not held centrally.

  GP Fundholders (Patient Refunds)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients referred to(a) Great Ormond Street, (b) the Royal Marsden, (c) the Royal Free and (d) University College hospitals were referred by fundholding general practitioners. [1115]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of the individual trusts for information.

  School Health Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total amount spent on the school health service for each of the past five years. [1100]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Family Health Centres
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many family health centres per 1,000 population there are in(a) Inner London, (b) Greater London, (c) Birmingham, (d) Newcastle, (e) Liverpool, (f) Leeds and (g) Manchester. [1124]

  Mr. Horam
  The available information is set out in the table.
  291

  Area

  Resident population1

  Number of Health Centres2

  Number of Health Centres per 1,000 population

  Number of Health Centres per 100,000 population

  Liverpool

  466,864

  12

  0.026

  2.57

  Leeds

  719,880

  20

  0.028

  2.78

  Manchester

  433,706

  11

  0.025

  2.54

  Source:

  1 Office of National Statistics population estimates for mid 1993.

  2 GP census, 1 October 1993.

  3Inner London comprises the following Family Health Services Authorities: Kensington; Chelsea and Westminster; Camden and Islington; City and East London and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

  4Greater London comprises the following Family Health Services Authorities: Barnet; Brent and Harrow; Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow; Hillingdon; Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster; Barking and Havering; Camden and Islington; City and East London; Enfield and Haringey; Redbridge and Waltham Forest; Greenwich and Bexley; Bromley; Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham; Croydon; Kingston and Richmond and Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth.

  The latest available data on the number of health centres are at 1 October 1993. Data have not been collected since then.

  NHS Repair and Maintenance
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog at all NHS facilities by district health authority for each year since 1991. [1128]

  Mr. Horam
  Outstanding repair and maintenance backlogs at all national health service facilities are not collected by district health authority.

  NHS Administrative Register
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of the NHS administrative register to date. [1120]

  Mr. Horam
  The expenditure to date on the national health service administrative register is £8.8 million.

  Waste Incineration
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current cost of incinerating non-clinical waste in the NHS. [1108]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally.

  Elective Surgery
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts have indicated that they will not carry out elective surgery before the end of the current financial year. [1112]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available centrally.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes will be made to the cash limits of his Department in 1996–97. [2552]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XI vote 1—hospital, community health, family health and related services, England—will be increased by £125,517,000, from £27,682,304,000 to £27,807,821,000. This allows for increases of £124,373,000 in respect of the take up of the end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on
  292
  12 July 1996 at columns 326–31; £1,758,000 for the drugs challenge fund made up of a claim on the reserve (£879,000) and by transfers from class VII, vote 1—Home Office administration, police, probation, immigration and other services, England and Wales—(£308,000, class IX, vote 1—Department of Education and Employment: programmes and central services—(£263,000) and class XI, vote 2—Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England—(£308,000); and £65,000 from class XI, vote 2 for Mental Health Act Commission accommodation charges.

  The overall increase is partially offset by transfers of £311,000 to class XIII, vote 4—hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland—for services provided by the former London postgraduate teaching hospitals (£292,000) and for GP fundholders cross boundary flows (£19,000); £185,000 to Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland for supraregional services (£175,000) and services provided by the former London postgraduate teaching hospitals (£10,000); £111,000 to class XIV, vote 4—Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part), Wales—for services provided by the former London postgraduate teaching hospitals and £72,000 to class XI, vote 2—Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England—in respect of a transfer of capital assets to the Public Health Laboratory Service.

  The cash limit for class XI, vote 2—Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health services arid personal social services, England—will be reduced by £857,000 (from £1,209,456,000 to £1,208,599,000). This reduction allows for transfer of £373,000 (£65,000 running costs) to class XI, vote 1 as detailed above; £240,000 for publicity campaigns made up of transfers to class XIII, vote 4—Education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland—(150,000), Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland (£45,000), class XIV, vote 4—Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part), Wales—(£45,000); also a further transfer to class XIV, vote 4 of £234,000 to obtain advice and information about medical devices; £67,000 (running costs) to class XVI, vote 12—Office for National Statistics—for legal services and £15,000 (running costs) to class IV, vote 1—Departmental of Trade and Industry; programmes and administration—for Human Genetics Advisory Committee. The overall reduction is partially offset by a transfer of £72,000 from class XI, vote 1 as mentioned above.
  293
  The non-voted cash limit for supplementary credit approvals for personal social services—DoH/LACAP—in England is to be increased by £1,305,000 from £14,700,000 to £16,005,000 in respect of the take up of the end-year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996 at columns 326–31.

  The Department's gross running cost limit will be reduced by £147,000 from £280,204,000 to £280,057,000 as mentioned above.

  All increases will either be offset by savings, increased receipts or transfers to or from other Votes or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Health and Social Services
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the working relationships between health authorities and social services departments; if he will list examples of successful joint action in providing care in the community for people with special needs; what proposals he has for encouraging closer working together; and if he will make a statement. [1383]

  Mr. Burns
  Joint working between health and social services is a key feature of our community care monitoring. This shows that, although there are still improvements to make, there are many examples of good practice around the country covering groups of people with a range of needs. To assist authorities develop their collaborative working we published "Practical Guidance on Joint Commissioning" in 1995, copies of which are available in the Library. A development programme, which includes a series of locality workshop to encourage and enable authorities to develop their joint commissioning further, is taking this work forward.

  CAMS Ltd.
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if notice of termination has been given to CAMS Ltd. in relation to the company's contract with the national health service centre for coding and classification at Loughborough; if the National Audit Office draft report into the terms of the contract and other matters has been received by the NHS executive; and if he will make a statement. [1619]

  Mr. Horam
  Notice of termination has not been given to CAMS Ltd. with respect to its contract with the Department of Health for the licensing and support of Read codes in the national health service.

  The review commissioned by the NHS Executive from Silicon Bridge Research into these licensing and support arrangements has been completed and the report has been received. Its findings are being considered.

  GP Fundholders
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS patients are covered by GP fundholders in the Northern and Yorkshire regions. [1660]
  294
  Mr. Malone
  Fifty-three per cent. of the population of Northern and Yorkshire region are currently served by a fundholding general practitioner.

  Nurses
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the specific training period for a state-registered nurse. [1952]

  Mr. Horam
  Training leading to registration with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting as a general nurse is of three years duration comprising 4,600 hours of theoretical and practical instruction in compliance with European Communities Council directive 77/453/EEC.

  EU Maternal and Child Health Budget
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications have been received for the EU maternal and child health budget line, B7–5407, for 1997; from which agencies and non-governmental
  organisations; if he will indicate(a) how much funding each applicant is requesting and (b) which allocations have already been made; and if he will make a statement. [469]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  I have been asked to reply.

  No maternal and child health budget line has been proposed for the 1997 EU budget.

WALES

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received relating to problems faced by Welsh farmers in obtaining access to local slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement. [456]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  We have received a number of representations from farmers. The Intervention Board has instructed abattoirs to source 50 per cent. clean cattle and 75 per cent. cull cows from markets, in line with historical patterns of marketing. From 4 November only registered animals will be slaughtered until the backlog is cleared; this will enable the Intervention Board to target those areas of Wales where there is greatest need.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning the preparation of alternative scenarios for 1997–98 funding; if he will give the percentage reductions relative to preferred budget estimates which he has requested the agency to prepare; and what estimates the agency has given of the impact of those alternative budget strategies on its level of operations in 1997–98 and 1998–99. [1963]

  Mr. Hague
  My 1966 strategic guidance letter asked the agency to prepare a corporate plan based on 80, 100 and 120 per cent. of the 1996–97 baseline expenditure of
  295
  £126.8 million. The agency prepared its plan on this basis and included other funding options. I met the chairman and the board on 2 October to discuss the plan.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency in relation to the recent agency appointment of a part-time business adviser in Japan to help expand market opportunities for Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises. [1959]

  Mr. Hague
  None. This is entirely an operational matter for the Welsh Development Agency.

  Beef Export Ban
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to secure early relaxation of the beef export ban from grass-fed specialist Welsh beef herds with full passporting; and if he will make a statement. [1961]

  Mr. Hague
  The United Kingdom will continue to work within the Florence framework for progressive lifting of the export ban. As the next step we are exploring the scope for exports under a certified herd scheme, such as the beef assurance scheme or a variant of it.

  South-East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received a copy of the district auditor's reports into the accounts of the South-East Wales Ambulance trust; what consultations he has had with the chairman of the trust concerning reference to the relevant constabularies; and if he will make a statement. [1962]

  Mr. Hague
  I have had no discussions with the chairman but my officials have seen the reports in draft. I understand that they will be presented to the board of the trust on 4 November. Any follow up action on specific points is a matter for the trust.

  University Hospital of Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the university hospital of Wales in relation to the provision of private finance initiative capital for the modernisation of sterile supplies at the university hospital of Wales site in Cardiff. [1960]

  Mr. Hague
  None. The scheme falls within the trusts delegated limits and will be for the trust board to take forward.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he is proposing to make to the cash limits for his Department and the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales in 1996–97. [2430]

  Mr. Hague
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit on class XIV, vote 1 will be reduced by £3,500,000 from £25,655,000 to £22,155,000; the cash limit on class XIV, vote 2 will be increased by £14,906,000 from £689,272,000 to £704,178,000; the cash limit on class XIV, vote 3 will be increased by £5,961,000 from £518,909,000 to £524,870,000; the cash limit on class 296
  XIV, vote 4 will be increased by £30,390,000 from £1,879,735,000 to £1,910,125,000; the cash limit on class XIV, vote 5 has been decreased by £150,000 from £2,305,358,000 to £2,305,208,000.

  The Department's running costs limit will be increased by £2,511,000 from £72,667,000 to £75,178,000. The running costs limit for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales will be increased by £157,000 from £3,150,000 to £3,307,000.

  The local authority capital cash limit, WO/LACAP, has been increased by £4,473,000 from £513,733,000 to £518,206,000.

  The cash limit decrease in vote 1 results mainly from lower-than-expected claims for agri-environmental and farm conservation schemes.

  The cash limit increase in vote 2 results mainly from a net increase in grant in aid to the Welsh Development Agency of £25,313,000—including the transfer of urban investment grant—and the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement, partly offset by reductions elsewhere in the vote and a transfer of £3,500,000 to class XIV, vote 3.

  The net cash limit increase on vote 3 results mainly from an increase in the grant in aid for Cardiff Bay development corporation of £7,599,000, the transfer of £3,882,000 of urban investment grant to the Welsh Development Agency in class XIV, vote 2, and the take-up of end-year flexibility of £1,177,000. The increase in the running costs limit includes extra provision to cover the estimated costs of the north Wales child abuse inquiry and BSE.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 4 results from the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £30,000,000 and transfers from class XI totalling £390,000.

  The cash limit decrease on vote 5 results from lower than expected expenditure by the Valuation Office Agency.

  The increase in the local authority cash limit, WO/LACAP, results from the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement.

  None of the proposed changes will add to the planned total of public expenditure.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list for each year from 1989–90 to 1995–96 for each district and islands council area the total number of starts of(a) new build and (b) rehabilitation by housing associations for rent within Scottish Homes approved for development programme; [1615]

  (2) if he will list for each year from 1989–90 to 1995–96 for each district and islands council area the total number of completions of (a) new build and (b) rehabilitation by housing associations for rent within Scottish Homes approved development programme. [1618]
  297
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is held by Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Mr. John Ward, to write to the hon. Member.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he intends to make to the cash limits and running costs provision for 1996–97 within his responsibility. [2553]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, I intend to make changes to nine voted cash limits, three non-voted cash blocks and nine running cost limits:The cash limit for class XIII, vote 1—agriculture, fisheries and environmental services, Scotland—will be increased by a total of £5,184,000 from £359,091,000 to £364,275,000. Provision for running costs on this vote will be increased by £482,000 from £16,553,000 to £17,035,000. The changes include take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement for capital of £2,085,000 as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31, in respect of the new fisheries research vessel, take up of end-year flexibility for the running costs for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency of £330,000 and for the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency of £152,000; and increase in fisheries grants of £1,126,000; a transfer from class XIII, vote 3 of £1,349,000 for rural partnership fund; and a transfer from class VI. vote 3 of £142,000 for local authorities' costs associated with air quality duties.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 2—local government, housing. transport, other environmental services and European funds, Scotland—will be increased by a net total of £33,423,000 from £5,568.583,000 to £5,602,006,000. The net increase reflects a claim on the reserve of £15,058,000 in respect of the AEF guarantee scheme, an increase in Scottish Homes grant-in-aid of £14,528,000 met by a transfer of provision from SO/LA2; a reduction in Scottish new towns of £422,000; and a net increase of £1,972,000 for Historic Scotland—covering an increase in gross running cost provision of £1,607,000 from £13,609,000 to £15,216,000 reflecting the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlements, £1,143,000 capital and £691,000 running costs; a transfer from class XIII, vote 6 of £138,000 for running costs, further increases in provision of £778,000 for running costs, £1,322,000 for current expenditure and £1,487,000 for capital expenditure are offset fully by increased appropriations in aid—additional provision of £1,000,000 will be made available to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to fund its assuming responsibility for operations at RAF Machrihanish and will be met by a transfer of provision from the Ministry of Defence; additional provision of £800,000 in revenue deficit grant to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. will be met by a corresponding reduction in grant for capital investment; and the take up of end year flexibility for the roads and transport programme of £1,287,000.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 3, education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland, will he increased by £17,414,000 from £1,596,530,000 to £1,613,944,000. The increased cash limit takes account of £16,146,000 in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for capital expenditure relating to the National Museums of Scotland, the Scottish Office Pensions Agency and regional selective assistance. The increase also includes £334,000 in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for running costs expenditure relating to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland and the Scottish Office Pensions Agency. The changes include transfers from class XIII, vote 6 totalling £255,000 in respect of both agencies. The changes also reflect an increase in provision of £2,028,000 in respect of Scottish Enterprise, which has been offset by a corresponding reduction in SO/LA2, and a reduction of £1,349,000 which is transferred to class XIII, vote I in respect of rural parterships fund.
  298
  Provision for pre-five education has been increased by £850,000 offset by a corresponding amount in appropriations in aid. Running cost provision increases by £579,000 from £7,736,000 to £8,315,000.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 4, hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland. will be increased by a net total of £59,538,000 from £3,476,975,000 to £3,536,513,000. The increase includes £66,264,000 reflecting the take up of end year flexibility; a transfer of £292,000 from class XI, vote I for services previously funded directly by Department of Health; a transfer of £19,000 from class Xl. vote I for GP fundholding cross border flows; a transfer of £150,000 from class XI, vote 2 for HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns; a transfer of £140,000 from class XIII, vote 6 following the transfer of responsibility for the regional dental service to the Common Services Agency, a transfer of £541,000 to class XIII, vote 3 for placement allowances and travel expenses for student nurses; and a transfer of £283,000 to class XIII, vote 6 for increased accommodation and IT costs for the Mental Welfare Commission. In addition there is an increase of £100,000 for the setting up of the Scottish drugs challenge fund and some adjustments to reflect changes to anticipated appropriations-in-aid. The NHS trusts' external financing limit has also been increased by £7,1 17,000 from £41,723,000 to £48,840,000.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 5 will be increased by £7,529,000 from £624,399,000 to £631,928,000 and the running costs provision will be increased by £4,635,000 from £141,669,000 to £146,304,000. The cash limit increase is the net effect of the take up of EYF entitlement of £1,700,000 under the capital scheme and £5,435,000 under running costs and £1,494,000 under the HPSS scheme, offset by transfers of £800,000 to class XIII, vote 9 in respect of the running costs of the Dunblane inquiry and £300,000 to SO/LA1 in respect of additional capital allocations for Grampian Joint Police board. The increases will be offset by forecast underspends on criminal injuries compensation within the existing vote total.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 6—Scottish Office administration—is being increased by £7,050,000 from £160,928,000 to £167,978,000. Within this total, the running cost provision for Scottish Office Administration is being increased by £6,180,000 from £146,120,000 to £152,300,000 as a result of the take-up of end-year flexibility predominantly to fund staff early departure costs and inter-vote transfers. The capital provision is also being increased as a result of the take-up of end-year flexibility and inter-vote transfers. The additional capital provision is to cover expenditure on IT associated with the Department's response to BSE and also procurement of a computer system by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 7, General Register Office for Scotland, is being increased by £93,000 from £5,186,000 to £5,279,000. This increase relates entirely to the capital provision for GRO(S), and results from the take-up of end-year flexibility to cover additional costs of the refurbishment of New Register house.
  The cash limit for class XIII, vote 8, Scottish Record Office, is being increased by £1,359,000 from £5,006,000 to £6,365,000. Within this total, the SRO running costs limit is being increased by £752,000 from £4,563,000 to £5,315,000 as a result of the take-up of end-year flexibility to cover additional expenditure on computer anti-virus measures, building repairs and the cleaning of records and record storerooms and also potential litigation costs. The increase in capital provision results from the take-up of end-year flexibility to cover cots of refurbishment work at General Register house.
  The cash limit element for class XIII, vote 9,—administration of justice, Scotland—will be increased by an overall figure of £1,875,000 from £47,366,000 to £49,241,000. This reflects an increase in gross running cost limit of £1,400,000 to £42,144,000. Of that, £600,000 will be met by the take-up

  299
  of end-year flexibility for expenditure on essential maintenance of court buildings and £800,000 will be transferred from class XIII, vote 5,—law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland—to meet the costs of setting up and running the Dunblane public inquiry. Capital provision will be increased by £475,000 to £20,975,000 reflecting the take-up of end-year flexibility for expenditure on essential work on court buildings to bring them up to current health and safety regulations standard.
  The overall running costs limit for the Scottish Office, together with its Agencies and Associated Departments, is being increased by £15,624,000 from £377,775,000 to £393,399,000. This results from the take-up of end-year flexibility, increased provision for Historic Scotland being covered by increased income, and a transfer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of work being transferred from their Tory laboratory to Scottish Office fisheries research services.
  The non-voted cash limit SO/LA1, which covers non-housing capital expenditure by local authorities, is to be increased by £15,300,000 from £426,620,000 to £441,920,000, reflecting part take-up of end-year flexibility amounting to £15,000,000 and an increase of £300,000 transferred from class XIII, vote 5.
  The non-voted cash limit SO/LA2 which covers housing capital expenditure by local authorities and capital expenditure by new towns will be decreased by a net total of £4,815,000 from £111,210,000 to £106,395,000. The decrease reflects a transfer of provision to Scottish Homes of £14,528,000 and Scottish Enterprise of £2,028,000 for which complementary increases are included in the winter supplementary estimates for class XIII, vote 2 and class XIII, vote 3 respectively and the take-up of end year flexibility of £11,741,000.
  The non-voted cash limit SO/ERDF which covers European regional development fund payments in Scotland will be increased by £32,105,000 from £97,079,000 to £129,184,000 reflecting the take-up of end year flexibility.

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

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Slaughter
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that a twin-bladed saw is used to remove the spinal column from all cattle carcases destined for human or animal consumption. [234]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A prototype twin-bladed saw is still under development and evaluation. A number of technical and practical issues have yet to be overcome. Not until these have been successfully resolved will we be in a position to consider the circumstances in which such equipment might be used.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. French
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 28 and 29 October; and if he will make a statement. [1836]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I represented the United Kingdom at this Council in Luxembourg, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the 300
  Scottish Office, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office. Agreement was reached by qualified majority, Germany voting against—on a package of measures to re-adjust the EU beef market in the wake of the BSE crisis.

  The Council invited the Commission to allocate a total sum of 500 million ECU to EU beef farmers whose incomes have fallen as a result of problems on the beef market. The United Kingdom's share of this sum, which is proportionate to our share of the total number of beef cattle in the EU, will be 13.1 per cent. This will provide some £50 million as further help to UK beef producers. The precise method of allocation of the funds will be decided in the light of further consideration in the Council and consultation with the UK farming unions on the preferred approach.

  The Council agreement also made some important changes to the operation of the EU beef regime so as to bring production more closely into line with present and foreseeable demand. In particular the calf processing scheme, which has operated in the United Kingdom since April this year, is to be extended to include male calves of all breeds, not just dairy breeds as at present. This scheme, coupled with a scheme to pay an early marketing premium for calves sold as veal, is intended to reduce the number of calves going for beef production by some 1 million animals and hence limit the need for costly market management measures such as intervention purchasing. The Council also decided to cut the regional ceilings for payment of beef special premium in most member states in order more closely to align production with demand. However I successfully resisted any cut in the United Kingdom's regional ceiling in view of the fact that in the United Kingdom applications for this premium have regularly exceeded the ceilings fixed.

  Amongst other features of the Council's agreement was a welcome boost for extensive beef production in the form of a new premium of 52 ecu per head for producers with a stocking density of less than one livestock unit per hectare. I estimate that this could be worth as much as £15 million to UK producers. The Council also agreed to a raising of the ceiling on intervention purchases in 1966 and 1997. Following pressure from the United Kingdom and other member states, the Council also committed itself to a more fundamental reform of the EU beef regime to be completed in the course of 1997.

  As to the funding of this package of measures, there will be no immediate cut in arable area payments. However the Council made clear its intention to postpone payments of oilseed advances in 1997 in order to allow beef market-related costs to be met in the course of this budget year without breaching the agricultural guideline. Moreover, in respect of additional costs falling in 1998, the Council agreement stated explicitly that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure that expenditure on agriculture in that year remains within guideline. These assurances were important for the United Kingdom in view of the paramount need to observe budgetary discipline.

  The Council also had a presentation by the Commission of a proposal to introduce an EU-wide system of cattle traceability, with a linked proposal on the labelling and

  301
  promotion of beef products. The United Kingdom attaches importance to reaching an early agreement on the cattle traceability proposal, and will work constructively to achieve that end. I also raised in the Council the need for rapid implementation of the Council directives on the protection of animals in transport, in particular requesting the Commission to bring forward urgently its proposals for Council decisions on staging points and livestock vehicle standards. I also pressed for the rapid discussion and implementation of the rules governing producer organisations in the fruit and vegetable sector in the wake of the reform of the regime earlier this year.

  Cattle Cull
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many(a) abattoirs and (b) incinerators are designated for use for casualty animals under the 30-month scheme; [1455]

  (2) how many (a) markets, (b) abattoirs and (c) incinerators are designated as collection centres under the 30-month scheme. [1454]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 October 1996:]: There are (a) 61 abattoirs (b) 200 markets and (c) 13 incineration plants designated as collection centres under the over 30-month scheme.

  All the abattoirs and incineration plants, together with one additional incinerator, are also designated to take casualty animals under the scheme.

  Animal Passports
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from what date animal passports have been mandatory for all United Kingdom cattle. [1459]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Passports have been mandatory for all cattle born or imported into Great Britain on or after 1 July 1996. Passports are not required in Northern Ireland because a movement permit system operates there.

  Month 1996

  Total visits

  Total samples taken

  Test Results

  Positive

  Negative

  Inconclusive

  February

  206

  426

  4

  422

  0

  March

  225

  502

  1

  498

  3

  April

  333

  687

  4

  682

  1

  May

  415

  732

  5

  725

  2

  June

  338

  673

  8

  664

  1

  July

  337

  628

  10

  614

  4

  August

  341

  644

  2

  640

  2

  September

  155

  298

  3

  295

  0

  Total

  2,350

  4,590

  37

  4,540

  13

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was(a) the number of visits and (b) the number of unsatisfactory visits to (i) slaughterhouses, (ii) hunt kennels and knackeries, (iii) rendering plants and (iv) incinerators made by the state veterinary service in each month since June 1996. [1456]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to the hon. Member for
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  BSE
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many feed mills have(a) had samples tested and (b) had samples that were found to be in breach of BSE controls in each month of 1996; [1458]

  (2) what was (a) the number of samples and (b) the number of unsatisfactory samples taken from feed mills and tested for breach of BSE controls in each month of 1996. [1457]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: The table sets out the results of the current programme of feed sampling visits, which began in February, up to September—the last full month for which data are available. The premises visited include feed mills, farms using on-farm feed mixers and any site where feed, or ingredients for feed, are produced or stored. Unfortunately we are not able to isolate data for feed mills.

  ELISA—the laboratory test used—indicates the presence of mammalian protein in samples. The feeding of mammalian protein to non-ruminant animals, such as pigs and poultry, in forms other than meat and bone meal is still allowed. Samples which test positive or inconclusive for mammalian protein do not therefore necessarily indicate a breach of the legislation.

  Every positive or inconclusive test result is investigated by the State Veterinary Service. Enforcement action is a matter for local authorities. The SVS liaises closely with the relevant enforcement authority whenever a possible contravention of the legislation comes to light. It would be for the relevant local authority to consider legal action where sufficient evidence of an offence is available.

  Updates on the results of the feed sampling programme are published monthly in the "BSE Enforcement Bulletin", copies of which are placed in the House Library. The bulletin will also publish details of any prosecutions taken by local authorities and notified to us.

  The figures shown are subject to adjustment as test results from the laboratory are updated.

  Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 24 July 1996 at column 625.

  The information requested on surveillance visits made by the state veterinary service to monitor compliance with the controls on specified bovine materials is published monthly in the "BSE Enforcement Bulletin". Copies of this document are placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I am arranging for the hon. Member to be sent a personal copy of the third issue of the bulletin which has just been published.

TRANSPORT

  Ticketing
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up an impartial information and advice service to provide guidance to the public about ticket prices and through ticketing availability; and if he will make a statement. [1756]

  Mr. Watts
  Impartial advice on ticketing is already a requirement of the licences issued to train operators by the independent rail regulator. The regulator has all the powers he needs to ensure that train operators comply with their licence obligations.

  Passenger Travel Statistics
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public transport passenger miles were travelled in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [1861]

  Mr. Watts
  The following table summarises the available figures:

  Billion passenger kilometres

  Year

  Buses and coaches1

  Rail2

  Air3

  All public transport4

  1990

  46

  40

  5

  91

  1991

  44

  38

  5

  87

  1992

  43

  38

  5

  86

  1993

  43

  37

  5

  85

  1994

  43

  35

  5

  83

  1995

  43

  37

  6

  86

  1 For buses and coaches, changes are estimated by deflating passenger receipts by the most appropriate price indices available. This method can only give a broad guide to trends.

  2 Rail data given for financial years. Comprises British Rail, former British Rail companies and urban rail systems.

  3 Revenue passenger kilometres on scheduled and non-scheduled services. Includes Northern Ireland and Channel Islands. Excludes air taxi services, private flying and passengers paying less than 25 per cent, of the full fare on scheduled and non-scheduled services.

  4 Excludes travel by taxi, for which figures are not readily available.

  Exhaust Emissions
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned regarding the device being developed by Dyson for removing particulates from the exhaust emissions of diesel engines; and if he will make a statement. [1837]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of incursions into restricted zones at(a) the international channel tunnel rail terminal and (b) the tunnel site since the sites became operational. [1509]

  Mr. Watts
  At Waterloo international terminal there have been 27 incursions, including illegal immigrants, into the restricted zones. At Ashford international terminal there have been a further two incursions. At the tunnel site there have been four incursions into the restricted 304
  zones; two at the Cheriton site and two at Dollands Moor. In all cases the incursions were identified promptly and dealt with appropriately.

  Drivers' Hours
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote legislation which will allow drive hours records to be handed over to vehicle inspectorate staff. [1504]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government will consider what further clarification of the powers of inspectors to inspect and remove tachograph charts is necessary and, if appropriate will propose amending legislation in due course.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlay his Department's decision not to reduce the maximum number of drivers' hours; and what research his Department evaluated in this area. [1506]

  Mr. Bowis
  In the absence of any research evidence to suggest that the existing European Union limits on maximum driving time and minimum rest requirements are in themselves a cause of accidents, the Government have no reason to doubt that the existing drivers' hours rules strike a reasonable balance between road safety and operational flexibility.

  Domestic Drivers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department to make an announcement on the abolition of domestic drivers' hours rules. [1503]

  Mr. Bowis
  It is too soon to say.

  Bridges
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bridges have been identified as unable to bear 40 tonne vehicles, to date. [1447]

  Mr. Watts
  Of those that have been assessed, there are three bridges supporting trunk roads in England which are unable to carry 40 tonne vehicles at the present time. These are:

  M1 Junction 2 slip road viaduct in north London;

  A 13 Movers Lane flyover in east London; and

  A40 Golden Valley flyover in Gloucestershire.

  Improvements are planned in each case.

  A number of bridges carrying local roads are also unable to bear 40 tonne vehicles. It is for the local highways authority concerned to decide whether improvements are required.

  Transec
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those train operating companies inspected by Transec to ensure compliance with security standards and regulations; [1510]

  (2) if he will list the number of covert inspections undertaken by Transec on each mainline London railway station for each of the last three years. [1507]
  305
  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack oversees the security system for the national railway network, with the close involvement of the British Transport police. This system is mandatory on all train operating companies through their operating licences. Transec has not so far carried out any security inspections of train operating companies or of Railtrack.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last three years the number of covert inspections undertaken by Transec staff on(a) the Port of Dover and (b) the channel tunnel. [1434]

  Mr. Watts
  Most inspections are unannounced but cannot in their nature be covert. All tests are covert. Transec staff also observe operations on other occasions, including when they are undertaking security audits.

  The number of tests and inspections carried out on port operations at Dover, excluding tests and inspections of shipping companies using the port, were:

  1993–94: 10

  1994–95: 15

  1995–96: 11.

  The number of tests and inspections in relation to all channel tunnel services were:

  1993–94: None

  1994–95: 126

  1995–96: 293.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the amounts paid to contractors involved in rail privatisation in success fees, indicating the contractors to whom the fees were paid. [1516]

  Mr. Watts
  Neither the Department of Transport nor the Office of the Rail Regulator has paid any success fees to contractors involved in rail privatisation. The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising has paid a total of £2.25 million to HSBC Samuel Montagu and Kleinwort Benson Ltd. in connection with letting passenger rail franchises.

  Rail Fares Database
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if staff at the national train inquiry bureau access to a computer database of national rail fares. [1520]

  Mr. Watts
  All staff working in rail telephone inquiry bureaux have access to the "National Railway Fares Manual", prepared by Rail Settlement Plan Ltd. which lists the fares charged by train operators. The majority of telephone inquiry bureau staff have access to this information through on-line computer systems.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1996–97. [2434]

  Sir George Young
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:306

  (i) the cash for class V vote 1—Highways Agency—will be increased by £21,113,000 from £1,641,172,000 to £1,662,285,000. The increase in the cash limit includes the take up £21,064,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement and £4,000,000 running costs end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31, offset by adjustments in running costs funding between this vote and class V vote 2, relating to the consolidation of the Highways Agency's role. Running costs provision for this vote increases by $4,468,000 from £71,516,000 to £75,984,000.

  (ii) the cash limit for class V vote 2—Administration and Transport Services—will be increased by £25,869,000 from £129,008,000 to £154,877,000. The increase in the cash limit includes the take up £2,000,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement from vote 2; £2,000,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement from class V vote 4 and £4,997,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement from class V vote 5; and £15,834,000 running costs entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31; the transfers of funds to class V vote 1 for restructuring and streamlining in the Highways Agency and relocation of some of the agency's research and development work to the central transport group; transfers of funds between this vote and class V vote 5 for new London road studies and an emerging shortfall in receipts; transfer of funds to class V vote 6 for network services; the transfer of some census and survey work to the Office of National Statistics; and transfers relating to accommodation changes and security responsibilities from the Office of Public Service and the Security Facilities Executive agency. Running costs provision for this vote increases by £15,302,000 from £92,685,000 to £107,987,000.

  (iii) the cash limit on class V vote 5 will be increased by £2,458,000 from £389,580,000 to £392,038,000. The increase in the cash limit includes the take up of £2,470,000 capital end-year flexibility—EYF—entitlement, as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31, offset by intervote transfers between this vote and class V vote 2 and class XVI vote 12 of the Office of National Statistics and internal transfers to allow payment of £1,458,000 for audit adjustments to metropolitan railway grant 1995–96 outturn.

  (iv) the cash limit on class V vote 6 will be increased by £4,701,000 from £81,364,000 to £86,065,000. The increase is accounted for by a transfer of provision from the Ministry of Defence for payments to the Meteorological Office trading fund and a transfer for network services from class V vote 2. Running costs provision for this vote increases by £75,000 from £38,766,000 to £38,841,000.

  (v) the Department of Transport local authority capital cash limit will be increased by £4,530,000 from £308,114,000 to £312,644,000. This partially take up the capital end-year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report, columns 326–31.

  (vi) the Department of Transport gross running costs limit will be increased by £19,845,000 from £376,078,000 to £395,923,000 as a consequence of the above changes, mainly for voluntary early retirements.

  (vii) in addition the cash limit on class V vote 7—passenger rail services—will be increased by £137,000,000 from £1,650,668,000 to £1,787,688,000. The additional provision is required under British Rail's budget for the provision of passenger rail services in 1996–97.

  The overall increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  M20 Widening (Sandling)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if all the outstanding accounts for the widening of the
  307
  M20 on the stretch at Sandling have now been settled; what was the final outturn; and what was the original estimate. [1910]

  Mr. Watts
  All the outstanding accounts have not yet been settled so the final outturn is not yet known. The original estimate at November 87 prices was £70 million—"Trunk Roads into the 1990s".

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions concerning environmental issues and sustainability have taken place at the EU intergovernmental conference. [1205]

  Mr. David Davis
  Environmental issues have been discussed on a number of occasions in the intergovernmental conference, most recently in the personal representatives working party on 29 October. A number of member states have put forward proposals in this area and the presidency has circulated negotiating papers. These have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Thailand
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are made by British embassy and consular officials to investigate disappearances and deaths of British citizens in Thailand. [1207]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  We expect the Thai authorities to investigate fully the disappearance or death of British citizens. We take every opportunity to press them for results. We also carry out a search of our own records and check with immigration authorities, police, hospitals and morgues.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports have been received by the British embassy in Thailand of British citizens(a) going missing and (b) alleged to have committed suicide over the past five years. [1206]

  Dr. Fox: Since
  1991 our embassy in Bangkok has received over 215 missing persons inquiries. Nine suspected suicides were reported over that period.

  Hungary and Romania (Treaty)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treaty on understanding, co-operation and good neighbourhood signed on 16 September by Hungary and Romania, with particular reference to the implications for other European states of(a) the mutual recognition of territorial integrity and (b) the prohibition on territorial claims contained in article 4 of that treaty. [1162]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  We welcome the treaty of Understanding, co-operation and good neighbourliness between Hungary and Romania as a notable achievement which will contribute to good relations between the two 308
  countries. The treaty does not create rights of duties for other European states and is a matter for the two contracting parties alone.

  Bosnia
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money the Government contributed to the OSCE elections fund for the Bosnian elections; for what purposes; and if he will make a statement on the criteria governing the use of public money in such situations. [1190]

  Mr. David Davis
  Her Majesty's Government contributed £3 million to the OSCE elections fund for the Bosnian elections. We specified that this money should be used to provide ballot papers and other election materials. Elections were a key step in the Dayton peace process which Her Majesty's Government supports. They were essential to give Bosnia democratically elected leaders and joint institutions. These are the foundation for an integrated peaceful Bosnia.

  Tony Bradbury
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received about the situation of Tony Bradbury, currently held in prison in Israel following an industrial accident; and if he will make a statement. [1192]

  Dr Liam Fox
  Mr. Bradbury is not in prison. He was remanded on bail on his own surety and cannot leave Israel. He has been charged with causing death by negligence. The date for his trial has been set for 13 January 1997.

  British Embassy, Moscow
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the contract to build the new British embassy in Moscow and on the future of the present building. [1210]

  Mr. Hanley
  The contract to build new embassy offices, staff accommodation, amenities and ancillaries has been awarded to Taylor Woodrow in joint venture with the Finnish firm, Skanska. Construction will start this month and is scheduled to take 30 months. The value of the contract is about £60 million. The buildings will be a major improvement on the present cramped and unsatisfactory working and living conditions and totally inadequate visa-issuing facilities.

  The lease on the present premises, which includes the ambassador's residence, was renewed for 99 years in 1993. The residence will be retained and the vacated offices will be converted into further residential accommodation for embassy staff.

  EU (Common Policies)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions based on majority voting govern the development of common policies by a group of EU countries in new areas using the services of existing European institutions. [1667]
  309
  Mr. David Davis
  There are no general provisions of this kind. However, the social protocol annexed to the EC treaty allows the other 14 member states to use the existing institutions to pursue social policy measures in accordance with the agreement annexed to that protocol. In addition article 130K of the EC treaty allows a group of less than the 15 member states to participate in supplementary programmes under the research and development multiannual framework programme.

  The broader issue of flexibility is currently under discussion at the intergovernmental conference. The UK has made clear that access by a group of EU countries to European Community institutions and mechanisms including the budget could only be considered where this was agreed by all.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further changes he proposes to make in his Department's diplomatic wing cash limits and running costs limits for 1996–97. [2429]

  Mr. Hanley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit for class II, vote 1—Overseas Representation—will be increased by £8,349,000 from £663,010,000 to £671,359,000. The increase results mainly from the take up of the end-year flexibility entitlement of £7,543,000 announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31. There are also net transfers totalling £806,000, which includes inward transfers of £1,522,000
  310
  from the Department of Environment (£1,175,000 running costs), £432,000 from PACE (£432,000 running costs), £100,000 from the Home Office (£100,000 running costs), £17,000 from the Department of National Heritage (£17,000 running costs) and £10,000 from SAFE (£10,000 running costs) with an outward transfer of £1,275,000 to class II, vote 3 (£75,000 running costs). Additionally, there is a transfer between subheads of £24,000 from running costs into other current expenditure.

  The gross running costs limit on class II, vote 1 increases by £1,635,000, from £519,058,000 to £520,693,000.

  The cash limit for class II, vote 2—Other External Relations—will be increased by £20,202,000 from £209,096,000 to £229,298,000. Parliamentary authority will be sought for additional expenditure in respect of certain international organisations and contributions to peacekeeping operations. This increase will be met partly by increased appropriations in aid and partly from a claim on the reserve.

  The cash limit for class II, vote 3—BBC World Service—will be increased by £2,465,000 from £169,638,000 to £172,103,000. The increase is required to take up £1,190,000 under the end-year flexibility scheme announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report columns 326–31. Additionally there is a transfer from class II, vote 1 of £1,275,000 to take on responsibility for the FCO relay stations in Cyprus and Oman and in the UK at Orfordness, Suffolk.

  All the increases in provision will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.