Written Answers of 5 November 1996

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Greyhound Racing
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on greyhound racing of the decision to allow a second weekly national lottery draw, in respect of(a) attendances (b) the number of greyhound tracks (c) employment in the Industry (d) total revenue accruing to greyhound racing (e) greyhound racing profitability and (f) taxation revenue; [2318]

  (2) what assessment she has made as to the impact on the off-course greyhound betting Industry of the introduction of a second weekly national lottery draw. [2275]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no such assessment. Under section 4 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Director General of the National Lottery has a duty to exercise his functions in the manner he considers most likely to secure that the national lottery is run with all due propriety, that the interests of participants in the lottery are protected, and subject to these to maximise the revenue to the good causes. The director general judged that the introduction of a midweek draw would be consistent with these duties.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to meet representatives of the greyhound racing industry to discuss the impact of a second weekly national lottery draw on off-course and on-course betting.[2237]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet the greyhound racing industry. Responsibility for greyhound racing and the gaming industry in general is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  BBC
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the publication of the BBC's statement of promises to viewers and listeners. [2768]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I welcome the publication today of the BBC's first statement of promises to viewers and listeners. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The BBC is a unique broadcaster and has a unique relationship with its audience. The new charter and agreement came into effect on 1 May this year. They reaffirm the BBC's independence. That independence requires direct accountability to licence fee payers. The statement of promises forms a new link between the BBC and its audience. It sets out the standards of service that all viewers and listeners can expect from the BBC and the standards against which the BBC board of governors will 408
  carry out its annual assessment and report on the corporation's performance. The statement of promises brings to the BBC the principles of the Prime Minister's citizens charter initiative. A summary version will be available to licence fee payers.

  Female Staff
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many women are currently employed by her Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1248]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My Department, excluding its executive agencies, currently employs 178 women. This is 49 per cent. of the total staff employed by the Department.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of the(a) women who are mothers and (b) men who are fathers who are employed by her Department have received any assistance from the Department with child care.[1289]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Although the civil service collects statistical information on staff employed in Government Departments and executive agencies, we do not collect information on the parental status of individual staff. It would be inappropriate for us to request this information from staff and difficult to justify the collection of such data. However my Department, as part of its equal opportunities policy, offers a range of child care facilities including a subsidised nursery place, a subsidised holiday play scheme and standard civil service maternity and paternity provisions; staff also have the opportunity to take extended leave due to family commitments.

  Public Houses
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for National Heritage what steps she is taking to protect the historical heritage of public house names; and if she will make a statement. [1886]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The names of public houses are entirely matters for their owners to decide. Where a change of name of a public house which is listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest involves an alternation to its fabric which would affect its character as such a building, listed building consent would be required from the local planning authority.

DEFENCE

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) maximum timed life and (b) self-destruct reliability of (i) area denial and (ii) land mine systems presently in active service with British forces. [391]
  409
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The systems concerned are the HB876 sub-munition of the JP233 area denial weapon and the MLRS AT2 scatterable mine. Self-destruction will normally take place in a matter of hours for the HB876; its self-destruct reliability is currently being assessed. The AT2 mine self-destructs within days and has a reliability which has been evaluated as over 99 per cent. Additionally, in each case mine detonation relies on a short-life battery, and any mine that fails to self-destruct will deactivate within a further short period. Precise self-destruction timings for both mines are classified.

  There is no other area denial weapon in service with the British armed forces, and no other land mine system in service which has a maximum timed life or a self-destruct capability.

  Unidentified Flying Craft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reports of encounters by Royal Air Force pilots with unidentified flying craft since 1966 which have not been released to the public; on what grounds they have been retained; and if he will make a statement. [2201]

  Mr. Soames
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Royal Air Force's practice as regards investigating sightings of unidentified flying craft which correlate with radar information; if there is a requirement to investigate such phenomena by scrambling aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [2200]

  Mr. Soames
  Unidentified contacts penetrating UK airspace or the UK air defence region are identified by all available means, including interception.

  Gulf War Veterans
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the people who are currently employed on his Department's Gulf veterans medical assessment programme. [1687]

  Mr. Soames
  The personnel currently employed by my Department's Gulf veterans medical assessment programme are:

  Military:

  2 consultant physicians (1 group captain RAF and 1 lieutenant colonel Royal Army Medical Corps)

  1 state registered nurse (squadron leader RAF)

  1 medical administrator (flight sergeant RAF)

  Civilian:

  1 personal secretary

  1 administrative officer

  2 administrative assistants

  1 typist

  In addition, the Middlesex hospital undertakes diagnostic testing at the request of the MAP consultants.
  410

  Married Quarters Estate
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the sale of the married quarters estate to Annington Homes. [2750]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Contracts for the sale were exchanged on 24 September. The transaction was completed today.

  Menwith Hill RAF Station
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what right of access the Health and Safety Executive has to Menwith Hill station; if it makes regular health and safety checks; and how many times it has made official visits to the Menwith Hill station. [2153]

  Mr. Soames
  The Health and Safety Executive has the same right of access to RAF Menwith Hill as at any other MOD establishment. The Health and Safety Executive have visited the site once in June 1996.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems are in place to monitor levels of non-ionising electro-magnetic radiation at Menwith Hill station; who is responsible for such monitoring; if their reports are made available to the public; and what precautions are being taken to protect the health and safety of(a) the base population, (b) the local community and (c) the local environment from the effects of non-ionising electro-magnetic radiation emitted by operations at Menwith Hill station. [2157]

  Mr. Soames
  There is no specific legal requirement to monitor non-ionising electro-magnetic radiation. However RAF Menwith Hill observes and operates in accordance with the National Radiological Protection Board guidelines and the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission a report on the state of the environment at Menwith Hill station, similar to the internal US environmental compliance status survey of 1992; on what occasions his Department has commissioned similar reports in the past; and if he will commission and publish such reports on a regular basis. [2158]

  Mr. Soames
  No. The commissioning of compliance status surveys is the sole responsibility of the US authorities. These surveys are carried out to US criteria and I am satisfied that the standards applied fully meet those applicable in the UK. Therefore my Department has not commissioned any similar reports and does not intend to do so.

  United States Visiting Forces
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which British bases are occupied by United States visiting forces; how many United States personnel are stationed at each; for what reasons sites used by United States visiting forces are designated as RAF stations; when and by whom this decision was taken; what parliamentary scrutiny of this decision has taken place; and if he will make a statement. [2155]
  411
  Mr. Soames
  United States visiting forces are present at the following bases. Numbers of personnel at each base are shown in brackets.

  RAF Alconbury/RAF Molesworth/RAF Upwood: (1,365)

  RAF Croughton/RAF Barford St. John: (530)

  RAF Daws Hill/RAF High Wycombe/RAF West Ruislip: (600)

  RAF Digby: (15)

  RAF Edzell: (280)

  RAF Fairford/RAF Welford: (180)

  RAF Fylingdales: (1)

  RAF Hythe: (5)

  RAF Lakenheath/RAF Feltwell: (5,330)

  RAF Menwith Hill: (1,200)

  RAF Mildenhall: (4,450)

  RAF Northwood: (10)

  RAF Oakhanger: (1)

  RAF Spadeadam: (5)

  RAF St. Mawgan: (320)

  RAF Uxbridge: (15)

  The American presence is chiefly Air Force and as the sites are parented by the RAF they are designated as RAF stations. Parliament has the same opportunity to scrutinise this as with any other administrative decision.

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2618]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The capability of MOD's existing computer systems to recognise the millennium date change remains under investigation and has been the subject of recent MOD-wide guidance requiring those responsible for current and planned information systems to assess fully the extent of the problem. Until these assessments have been made it will not be possible to assess the cost effects of the year 2000 date change.

  Operation Seanuts
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the waste disposal programme, Operation Seanuts. [2601]

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

TRANSPORT

  Railway Inspectorate
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints have been received by Her Majesty's railway inspectorate relating to unqualified contractors working on the rail network in the last 12 months. [1445]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 14 October 1996,Official Report, column 972.
  412

  Clapham Rail Crash (Recommendations)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations of the 1988 Clapham rail crash report which have not been put into operation. [1871]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 24 July 1996,Official Report, column 347.

  Watford Rail Crash
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the passenger train involved in the Watford train crash of 8 August was equipped with automatic train protection; and if the protection was operating at the time of the crash. [1873]

  Mr. Watts
  I am advised by the Health and Safety Executive that neither train involved in the accident near Watford on 8 August was fitted with automatic train protection.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the accident report into the Watford rail crash of 8 August. [1868]

  Mr. Watts
  The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate is continuing its independent investigation into the cause of the collision. A report of the findings will be published by HSE when its inquiries are complete.

  Railway Accident Reports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken to prevent the naming of individual railworkers in advance of the publication of a railway accident report. [1869]

  Mr. Watts
  I deplore the leaking of railway accident reports and the premature and unauthorised release of the names of individual rail workers in advance of the publication of any railway accident report, and especially in advance of decisions being taken on whether any legal proceedings are to be taken as a result of any official investigation.

  Rolling Stock (Safety)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the safe operating life of mark 1 rolling stock. [1875]

  Mr. Watts
  Mark 1 rolling stock was built between 1951 and 1974, although the oldest stock currently in use all year round dates from 1956.

  Mark 1 rolling stock was designed and constructed to have an expected life of between 30 and 40 years and is subjected to regular inspection and maintenance at planned intervals to ensure that it is suitable for service use.

  There is no reduction in the level of operating safety of mark 1 rolling stock during its life provided that it is maintained appropriately.
  413

  Rail Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of installing and operating automatic train protection on all trains on the network. [1872]

  Mr. Watts
  None. The British Railways Board estimated in 1994 that, assessing the project over a 20-year period, the net total cash cost of a network-wide ATP system would be about £759 million. The independent Health and Safety Commission advised that the introduction of ATP, as piloted, on a network-wide basis was not reasonably practicable, and that there were alternative safety investments which would be likely to yield greater effectiveness in terms of lives saved, and better value for money.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what(a) legislation and (b) other rules and regulations cover safety requirements for rail transport after privatisation; and if he will indicate in particular which legislation or regulations apply to the number of standing passengers permitted as a ratio of seated passengers; [1852]

  (2) what (a) legislation and (b) other rules and regulations covered rail transport safety before rail privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [1835]

  Mr. Watts
  The statutory requirements concerning railway safety which pre-date rail privatisation are referred to in annex 11 of HM Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways' annual report for 1994–95, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. These provisions are still in force.

  Since the start of rail privatisation in 1994, the following safety regulations have been made under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974: the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994; the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994; the Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994; the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996; the Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Materials by Rail Regulations 1996. In addition, the Health and Safety Commission has recently submitted to the Secretary of State draft Level Crossings Regulations and draft Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations. The latter would repeal and replace most of the pre-1994 provisions.

  There are no statutory provisions which cover the ratio of standing to seated passengers.

  Heathrow Flight Path
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the annual figures for the number of aircraft flying over Lewisham, East to and from Heathrow for each of the past five years. [2129]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not held in the form requested. Radar track recordings are not normally retained by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. for longer than 30 days. Heathrow Airport Ltd. holds information on aircraft tracks beyond a radius of 12 miles from the airport for the first 10 months of 1996 only, but analysis of this would incur disproportionate cost.
  414
  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes there have been recently to the flight path of aircraft flying to and from Heathrow over Lewisham, East. [2202]

  Mr. Bowis
  The main departure route from Heathrow towards Dover used by Heathrow traffic during easterly operations was last adjusted by one degree on 19 August 1993 to compensate for the accumulated movement of magnetic north since the previous such adjustment made in 1986. There are no fixed routes for landing aircraft. Aircraft normally land and take off into the wind. Lewisham, East is overflown by Heathrow departing traffic during easterly operations, which occur about 25 per cent. of the time during an average year, and by Heathrow landing traffic during westerly operations, which occur about 75 per cent. of the time during an average year. Lewisham, East is situated between the holding stack, located since 1971 over the Biggin Hill and Orpington area, and the extended runway centre lines followed by landing traffic on final approach to Heathrow during westerly operations. It is also overflown during easterly operations by traffic landing at London City airport.

  Franchising Director
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the contractual restrictions placed on the retiring director of the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising in respect of professional relations with companies which had applied for a franchise to operate passenger rail services. [2219]

  Mr. Watts
  Under the terms of his original appointment, the former Director of Rail Franchising cannot join any company with railway interests within two years of termination, except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

  Bus Transport
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent the creation of regional monopolies in bus transport. [2281]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 10 July 1996 by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Local Transport and Road Safety,Official Report, column 204.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the responses to the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising passenger service requirement consultation draft for Great Eastern Rail services supported the proposals in the draft specification; and if he will place in the Library copies of all responses received. [2218]

  Mr. Watts
  Consultation responses from local authorities and rail users' consultative committees focus on changes sought to draft passenger service requirements rather than explicitly confirming support for those elements of the draft PSR which are considered to be satisfactory. OPRAF made a number of changes from the consultation draft of the Great Eastern PSR as a
  415
  consequence of representations made by consultees. The changes are described in a document which was circulated to consultees when OPRAF published the final PSR.

  OPRAF has no explicit agreement with consultees that enables it to make public their submissions, by placing them in the Library or by other means. The hon. Member may wish to approach consultees direct on this matter. I will write to the hon. Member with details of consultees.

  Railway Stations
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations have been(a) opened and (b) re-opened over the last 10 years. [2039]

  Mr. Watts
  My Department's records show that since 1986 there have been 144 railway stations opened and 26 stations re-opened.

  M20 (Ashford)
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the latest vehicle flow on the M20 motorway at Ashford. [1999]

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

  Letter from Mr. Lawrie Haynes to Sir Keith Speed, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about traffic flows on the M20 at Ashford.
  The Highways Agency does not have traffic counters on the M20 between Junction 9 (Ashford East) and Junction 10 (Ashford West). However, the 1995 Annual Average Daily Traffic flow on the adjoining section between Hollingbourne and Ashford (Junctions 8–9) was 18,500 eastbound and 18,400 westbound.

  Highway Clearance
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers highway authorities have to charge(a) vehicle owners and (b) property owners for clearing the highway following an accident or obstruction; and what limits are placed on the levels of such charges. [2576]

  Mr. Watts
  Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980 enables highway authorities to require the removal of any thing deposited on the highway so as to constitute a nuisance, or to do it themselves and recoup the costs from the person responsible, but this may not be sufficient to cover all situations in which debris needs to be removed.

  My Department proposes shortly to lay regulations under section 150 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 that will, among other things, explicitly enable local highway authorities to recoup costs incurred in connection with the clearance of accident debris. The charge will be recoverable from the person responsible for the deposit of the debris.

  A38
  Sir Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects(a) design and (b) other preparatory work to commence on the proposed A38 trunk road improvement between Carkeel and Stoketon Cross; and if he will make a statement. [1630]
  416
  Mr. Watts
  The A38 Saltash to Stoketon Cross improvement scheme remains in the main trunk road programme. It will be brought forward when funds allow.

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2613]

  Mr. Bowis
  Main operational systems have been assessed and either replacement projects are being or will be programmed or rectification costs are or will be the subject of commercial negotiation. Where systems are being replaced, the cost effect of the millennium date change is not separately identified. A number of assessment projects are addressing the remainder of the Department's systems and cost estimates will be available only when decision are taken on the treatment of each system.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the amount spent in the last three months on(a) lawyers, (b) accountants, (c) consultants and (d) other professionals in consultations relating to privatisation of the national air traffic control service. [12]

  Mr. Bowis
  [pursuant to his answer, 29 October 1996, Official Report, c. 100]: The Department of Transport spent about £4,000 plus VAT on legal fees in connection with this issue, with no expenditure under the other sub-headings. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority spent approximately £25,000 plus VAT on legal fees and approximately £125,000 plus VAT on other consultants.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2607]

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 June 1996,Official Report, column 290.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2612]

  Mr. Streeter
  The Department is continuing its assessment of the impact of the millennium date change on its computer systems. Until this work is complete, it will not be possible to estimate the likely costs.
  417

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department, with particular reference to those operated by the Crown Prosecution Service. [2619]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service has identified all current CPS software systems which need to be checked for the millennium problem. An analysis of the staff effort needed for testing suggests that about one man year of work is involved. Work is also under way to identify other costs, such as replacement of outdated hardware.

  The Serious Fraud Office estimates that a few man months of work will be required to make the necessary changes to its systems, if it becomes apparent that those systems will still be required in the new millennium. A number of those systems may in fact be replaced before the year 2000.

  In the case of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and Government Property Lawyers, no significant cost effects are expected.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Criminal Court
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government preparations for attendance of a UN plenipotentiary diplomatic conference in late 1998 to discuss the establishment of an international criminal court. [1881]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We are active participants in the preparatory process to consider the establishment of an international criminal court. However, a date has not yet been set for a conference to consider a statute for such a court. We will make preparations for such a conference once a date has been set.

  Torture
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Mexican Government over their use of torture. [1927]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made clear our concerns to the Mexican Government, who acknowledge the problem and are seeking to resolve it. We are supporting a police reform programme being implemented by the Ministry for Public Sector Reform, in order to help raise human rights awareness throughout the various police forces.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government regarding the implementation of the Council of Europe
  recommendations regarding torture. [1931]
  418
  Mr. David Davis
  We have urged the Turkish authorities to implement the recommendations made following the visits of the European committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to Turkey, and to publish three reports. We welcomed the Turkish Government's decision to invite the committee to make a further visit to Turkey in August to look at prison conditions.

  Heads of Government Summit
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy regarding the proposals contained in recommendation 1303 (1996) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe relating to a second summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [2205]

  Mr. David Davis
  We accept that a second summit would serve a useful purpose. We expect a decision on whether or not to hold such a summit in the second half of 1997 in Strasbourg to be made at the 99th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 7 November. We take full note of the items listed in recommendation 1303 (1996) as potential elements for a draft declaration following a second summit, but we believe that any draft text should evolve after further consideration by member states, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1996; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each repeal. [1396]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department issues very few rules and regulations. There are no plans to repeal any rules or regulations by the end of 1996.

  Morwenstowe Interception Station, Bude
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what classification and status the Morwenstowe interception station at Bude in Cornwall has been given; at what cost it was built; who paid for it; who owns the radomes and equipment; what flags it flies; how many personnel work there and from what organisations; and if he will identify the name, nationality and employer of its commander. [2154]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The composite signals organisation station at Morwenstowe is directly subordinate to GCHQ. It is Government policy not to provide details about the operations or expenditure of the security and intelligence agencies, or about their staff.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Foreign Minister of South Africa in respect of Lockerbie. [2416]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  None.
  419

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2615]

  Mr. Hanley
  In line with central guidance, this Department has completed an initial study which shows that up to 60 per cent. of its software applications may be affected. Further study is taking place to determine the risks and costs. The Overseas Development Administration is taking similar action. We estimate that all problems will be resolved and that systems will be fully 2000-resilient by 31 March 1999.

  Argentina
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers authorised the reassessment of the military embargo against Argentina which led to the supply of naval engine parts; and which Ministers were informed of the outcome of this reassessment and when. [1065]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  [holding answer 29 October 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement in this House on 24 October by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The advice given by the Department of Trade and Industry to Rolls-Royce on the licensability of the Tyne engine and components did not constitute either a variation or a relaxation of the embargo, nor did it reflect any reassessment of policy on the embargo.

TREASURY

  National Debt
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the principal factors underlying the changes in the levels of the national debt since November 1990. [899]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Changes in national debt principally reflect the level of Government borrowing, which increased substantially in the recession in the early 1990s. The public sector borrowing requirement has since fallen; the latest forecast for 1996–97 is for a PSBR as a per cent. of gross domestic product of half its peak level in 1993–94.

  Beer
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to restrict the amount of beer for personal consumption which can be imported from the rest of the EU into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [1165]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Under the provisions of the Excise Duty (Personal Reliefs) Order 1992, based on Council directive 92/12/EEC, travellers may bring into the UK alcohol, purchased for their own use, duty and tax paid in another EU country, without further liability to UK duty and tax. There is no restriction on the quantity of such goods that an individual can purchase. The directive, however, provides indicative levels, agreed by all member 420
  states, which can assist Customs officers in determining whether goods are in fact intended for commercial use—for beer the level is 110 litres. Although there is no fiscal frontier, a person holding such goods may be challenged by a Customs officer anywhere in the UK, and must be able to satisfy the officer that goods in excess of the indicative levels are not for a commercial purpose.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to equalise the duty on beer with that applying in other European countries; and if he will make a statement. [1166]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Government would like to see some movement towards the equalisation of duty rates on beer within the EU through the mechanism of the European Commission's biennial review of the minimum rates of excise duty. The next review is due by the end of 1996. Meanwhile, in reaching his Budget decisions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes a range of factors into account, including the rates of duty applied by our near neighbours in the European Union.

  Public Sector Debt
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present size of the net public sector debt; and what was the equivalent figure in(a) November 1990 and (b) May 1979. [809]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Debt figures are not available on a monthly basis; published figures record the stock of debt at the end of each financial year. A provisional estimate of net public sector debt at end March 1996 of £323 billion was published in the "Summer Economic Forecast'''. Equivalent figures for end March 1991 and end March 1979 were £154 billion and £91 billion respectively. Such comparisons are not particularly meaningful since they take no account of the impact of inflation or the size of the economy. As a per cent. of money GDP, net public sector debt in 1996 was somewhat lower than in 1979.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the net public sector debt per income tax payer; and what was the figure in(a) November 1990 and (b) May 1979. [812]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Debt figures are not available on a monthly basis; published figures record the stock of debt at the end of each financial year. Based on the provisional estimate of net public sector debt at end March published in the "Summer Economic Forecast", NPSD per income tax payer at end-March 1996 was £12,700. Equivalent figures for end-March 1991 and end March 1979 were £5,900 and £4,300 respectively. Such comparisons are not particularly meaningful since they take no account of inflation. Real net public sector debt per income tax payer was marginally lower in 1996 than in 1979.

  Transport Fuel Duty
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received from road haulage organisations on the current level of transport fuel duty; and if he will make a statement. [1748]
  421
  Mr. Oppenheim
  I and my ministerial colleagues have received numerous representations from individuals and companies involved in road haulage. I saw representatives of the Road Haulage Association as recently as 29 October.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals his Department is currently evaluating with regard to local exchange trading systems and the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement. [2306]

  Mr. Jack
  The Inland Revenue is not aware of any particular problems with local exchange trading systems and has no plans to evaluate these schemes.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of LETS and the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement. [2305]

  Mr. Jack
  Traders who operate within a local exchange trading system are taxable on their trading profits, just like traders who operate outside of such a scheme.

  Ministerial Visit (Switzerland)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the purpose of his visit to Switzerland between 2 and 4 December 1994. [2208]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My visit to Switzerland was a private one made at my own expense.

  Unremunerated Work
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Government plan to take forward the commitment, given in the global platform for action resulting from the fourth UN world conference on women, to measure unremunerated work which is outside the usual national account conventions. [2923]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Office for National Statistics is working to construct a satellite account on the household, in line with recommendations in the 1993 UN system of national accounts. Part of this project is theoretical and will be overseen by an interdepartmental working group on satellite accounts. The rest of the project would involve asking people how they use their time, to find out how much unpaid work is done. At present, ONS is designing a pilot survey which would take place in 1997. An article on time use data in the construction of household accounts appeared in the July edition of Economic Trends.

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of recent progress towards European monetary union. [703]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 30 October 1996]: The Florence European Council stated that economic and monetary union will start, in accordance with the EC treaty, on 1 January 1999, but it is too early to make realistic and certain assessment of progress and there are still considerable uncertainties. The decision on which countries are adjudged to meet the conditions to
  422
  join EMU in 1999 will not be made by Heads of Government until early 1998, based on an assessment by the council of Economic and Finance Ministers, ECOFIN, at that time.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the latest date by which the United Kingdom will need to make a decision on whether to participate as a founder member of European monetary union if the existing timetable is adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [811]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: The existing timetable is still based on the assumption that EMU will start on 1 January 1999 although that is open to considerable uncertainty in practice. Protocol No.11 to the EC treaty provides that in the event of EMU starting on 1 January 1999, the United Kingdom may notify its intention to move to the third stage before 1 January 1998.

  Government Financial Deficit
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the ability of the United Kingdom to reduce its general Government financial deficit to below the 3 per cent. level necessary to meet the Maastrict treaty convergence criteria. [810]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: The summer economic forecast projected a general Government deficit in the UK of 3 per cent. in 1997–98. Updated forecasts will be published with the Budget, on 26 November 1996.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) UK receipts from CAP as a proportion of UK gross domestic product, and (b) Scottish receipts from CAP as a proportion of Scotland's gross domestic product. [1534]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: The following figures refer to 1994 gross domestic product, as that is the last year for which a figure for Scottish gross domestic product is currently available. UK receipts from CAP represented 0.4 per cent. of UK GDP, excluding the UK continental shelf. Scottish receipts from CAP represented 0.6 per cent. of Scottish GDP.

  Venture Capital
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the size of each company invested in by a venture capital trust, together with the sum invested and (b) the number and size of companies in which more than one venture capital trust has invested, together with the number of venture capital trusts which have invested in each. [1225]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: We expect the venture capital trusts to give information of the type requested in their annual reports.
  423

  Public Relations
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on(a) advertising, (b) public relations and (c) entertainment in each of the past five financial years. [1268]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Expenditure on advertising, public relations and official hospitality by HM Treasury in the last five financial years is included in the published running costs.

  Car Parking
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue which would be raised by the treatment of car parking space provided to employees as a taxable benefit; and if he will make a statement. [1622]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Before 1988, the benefit of employer-provided workplace car parking was taxable under the general rules for valuing benefits in kind. This benefit was exempted in 1988, on practical grounds, at a cost then estimated at £5 million a year. The revenues that would now be raised by specific charging rules would depend on those rules—for example, the valuation mechanism and any exclusion for low-value parking or infrequent users.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  EU Maternal and Child Health Budget Line
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many and which projects have been funded by the EU maternal and child health budget line for(a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996; and what is the total amount of funding allocated for these projects; [2008]

  (2) what is the total amount of commitment appropriation for the EU maternal and child health budget line (B7–5047) for (a) 1994, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [2007]

  (3) which agencies and non-governmental organisations are responsible for projects funded by the EU maternal and child health budget line for (a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996; in which countries the projects are conducted; and what is their duration. [2009]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The projects funded are as follows:

  1994

  1. Commonwealth Regional Health Community Secretariat: support for Commonwealth reproductive health programme in east, central and southern Africa, duration 40 months.

  2. Marie Stopes International (UK): testing the effectiveness of a community based network in Bolivia, duration 26 months.

  3. Marie Stopes International (UK): studies on a family life education programme and a family planning education programme in Kenya, duration 20 months.

  4. International Planned Parenthood Federation Resources Development Department: expanding family planning services in the Caribbean—Belize, Guyana, St. Lucia—in the wider context of reproductive health, duration 28 months.

  1995

  This budget line had no appropriations for that fiscal year.

  424

  1996

  1. University of Wales: review of three maternal and child health projects funded by the EC, duration five months.

  2. Walter Kessler: study on the problems of integrating Maternal and Child Health into financial health programmes, duration 14 months.

  3. Commonwealth Regional Health Community Secretariat: operation research to demonstrate the impact of a package of low cost and sustainable intervention to reduce perinatal, neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity in selected districts in Zimbabwe, duration 28 months.

  The total amount committed for the EU maternal and child health budget line was 2,306,250 ECU for years 1994 to 1996. No funds are committed for 1997.

  Kenya
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights considerations are applied in selecting candidates from the Kenyan military and police for training. [2295]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Candidates for training are nominated by the Kenyan Government. We examine candidates' professional qualifications.

  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of United Kingdom trainers currently training the Kenyan police have been training them since 1991. [2296]

  Dr. Fox
  None.

  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which years the Kenyan police have received training in the United Kingdom since 1991. [2299]

  Dr. Fox
  Since 1991, 26 members of the Kenyan police have received training in the United Kingdom: five in 1991, one in 1992, four in 1995, and 16 in 1996.

  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights elements have been included in the training of Kenyan police since 1991. [2284]

  Dr. Fox
  A number of trainees attended the
  international commanders course at the Bramshill police training college in the UK which includes a specific component on human rights. In addition, we are currently helping the Kenyan police force develop two in-country training courses: a senior management training course which concentrates on the responsibility and accountability of the police to the community; and a course on the care and treatment of the public and prisoners. Both courses are concerned with awareness of human rights issues.

  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights components were included in the training of Kenyan military personnel during 1995 in the United Kingdom and Kenya. [2283]

  Dr. Fox
  The detail of our bilateral training programmes for military personnel is regarded as confidential between Governments. We have no reason to believe that our training programmes have anything other than a positive impact on human rights practices in other countries.
  425
  Mrs. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what grade of Kenyan military personnel trainees were trained during 1995 in the United Kingdom and Kenya. [2282]

  Dr. Fox
  The detail of our bilateral training programmes for military personnel is regarded as confidential between Governments.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Horticultural Training
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what Government training schemes available for(a) school leavers, (b) people unemployed, (c) people unemployed for over six months but under 12 months, (d) people unemployed for over 12 months but under two years and (e) people unemployed for over two years include a significant proportion of training in horticultural skills, stating for each the number of places available and what percentage that is of the total number of places offered on other available schemes; and if she will make a statement. [1680]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils operate three main programmes on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment. The training delivered through each of these is geared to local labour market needs. Youth training offers the opportunity for 16 and 17-year-olds to receive training leading to a recognised vocational qualification of at least NVQ level 2 or equivalent. Modern apprenticeships are a similar scheme with an upper age limit of 25 in which to complete the programme. Training for work is aimed at people between the ages of 18 and 63 who have been unemployed for six months or more, although other disadvantaged groups, for example, people with disabilities and people needing literacy or numeracy training, have immediate eligibility regardless of the length of unemployment. From these programmes, the following figures are given:

  England and Wales

  April to June 1996

  Start a in horticultural trades

  Percentage of all starts

  Youth training

  260

  1

  Training for work

  640

  2

  Modern apprenticeships

  20

  Less than 1

  Source:

  YT, TfW. MA Starts databases.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what research she has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned regarding the educational value of horticulture; and if she will make a statement; [1593]

  (2) what research she has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned regarding training schemes for teaching organic methods of horticulture; and if she will make a statement. [1657]

  Mr. Paice
  We have not evaluated or commissioned research in this area.
  426

  Local Education Authorities (Capital Spending)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the capital spending by each local education authority in each of the last six years for which figures are available; and what have been the Government capital allocations to each local education authority in each of those years and in each subsequent year for which allocations have been made(a) in cash terms and (b) in real terms. [2123]

  Mrs. Gillan
  As the information is contained in a number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place copies in the Library.

  Pupils (Behavioural Problems)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list, consequent to the duties laid on local education authorities in clause 26 of the Education Bill requiring them to publish the arrangements they make in relation to pupils with behavioural problems,(a) how such problems shall be defined and by whom, (b) who shall determine the extent and nature of the necessary physical and human arrangements and (c) how such is to be financed. [2326]

  Mr. Forth
  We intend that all of these matters will be determined by local education authorities. But each of them may need to feature in the guidance which my right hon. Friend will issue, and on which we plan to consult widely over coming months.

  Teachers (In-service Training)
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will review the practice of conducting in-service training during school working days; and if she will make a statement. [2006]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects governing bodies and head teachers to organise in-service training for their staff in a way which causes the least possible disruption to their pupils' education. Since 1 September 1995, governing bodies have been able to pay teachers for attending training at weekends and during school holidays using funds which would otherwise be spent on supply cover for courses during school hours.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provisions have been made for the continued funding of the schools access initiative. [2206]

  Mrs. Gillan
  No decision has been taken yet on whether to repeat the schools access initiative in 1997–98. The decision will be taken in light of the overall resources available for education at the end of the public expenditure survey round.

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list in date order the information sent by her Department to(a) primary, (b) special and (d) grant-maintained schools during the academic year 1995–96. [1624]
  427
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is given in the following table. It is not possible to give separately the figures for special schools. Since this period, the Department has taken steps to reduce significantly the amount of written material that it sends to schools. Although schools will continue to receive automatically essential information, for example, on the law, it is now for them to decide what other information they want and to order it from a twice-termly list of recent publications.

  Title

  Date

  Primary schools

  Removing the Requirement to Publish

  Statutory Proposals to Establish Nursery

  Classes in the Maintained Sector

  September 1995

  Pupil Achievement in Primary Schools 1995

  March 1996

  Secondary schools

  Approval of qualifications under section 5 of ERA

  April 1995

  Good Practice in Secondary Schools

  May 1995

  New National targets for Education and Training

  May 1995

  Value Added for GCSE A/AS Level

  June 1995

  Schools and Colleges Performance Tables Circular 7/95

  July 1995

  Sportsmark Letter

  July 1995

  The Parent's Charter: Publication of Information Secondary Schools Performance Circular 6/95

  July 1995

  Bovine Eyeball Dissection in Schools

  July 1995

  Top Flight leaflet

  August 1996

  Section 50 Circular

  August 1996

  Section 50 Guidance

  September 199

  School and College Performance Tables

  November 1995

  Performance Tables Consultation

  February 19096

  Pupil Achievement in Secondary Schools 1995

  March 1996

  All schools

  Schools Update

  April 1995

  VJ pack

  April 1995

  School Teachers' Review Body document

  April 1995

  Charter mark guidance

  April 1995

  Governing Bodies and Effective Schools booklet

  April 1995

  Appeal Committee Guidelines

  April 1995

  Teachers' Pay and Conditions Order 1995

  April 1995

  Drugs Circular

  May 1995

  Section 5 Circular

  May 1995

  White Paper on Competitiveness; Forging Ahead

  May 1995

  Teachers' Pay and Condition Booklet and Circular

  June 1995

  Schools Update

  June 1995

  Sports Policy Statement

  July 1995

  Annual GM consideration

  July 1995

  Assisted Places Scheme: A Brief Guide for Parents

  August 1995

  VJ Day 'thank you' letter

  September 1995

  VASA Grant Guide

  September 1995

  Schools Action Plans: Planning for Improvement

  September 1995

  Ethnic Monitoring of School Pupils— Circular Letter

  September 1995

  Aide-Memoire for School Governors

  October 1995

  Child Protection circular 10/95

  October 1995

  Schools Update

  October 1995

  Teachers' Misconduct circular 11/95

  October 1995

  Protecting Children from Abuse: Role of the Education Service

  October 1995

  Our School Your School booklet

  October 1995

  428

  Title

  Date

  Schools Census Form

  November 1995

  Consultation document on National Curriculum Assessment

  January 1996

  Physical Education and Sports in Schools

  January 1996

  NC Assessment for 7, 11 and 14 year olds

  January 1996

  Assessing and Testing

  February 1996

  Commonwealth Day Poster/Message

  February 1996

  School Teachers' Review Body Report 1996

  February 1996

  Bullying Packs

  March 1996

  Charter Mark

  March 1996

  BSE letter

  March 1996

  School girl Rubella Immunisation

  March 1996

  Pupil Achievement in Schools

  March 1996

  Grant-maintained schools

  GM Funding

  April 1995

  Single Regeneration Budget

  April 1995

  Common Funding Formula for GM Schools

  June 1995

  Annual Maintenance Grant for GM and GM Special Schools 1996–1997

  July 1995

  School Premises Regulations—Consultation document and letter on asbestos in educational buildings

  August 1995

  GM Bulletin Edition No. 13

  October 1995

  Common Funding Formula 96–97

  Consultation Paper

  October 1995

  Statutory Instrument 1743

  October 1995

  Going GM Conferences

  November 1995

  AGM Arrangements 1996–97

  December 1995

  GM Admissions Consultation

  January 1996

  GM Conferences

  February 1996

  Secondary School Total—CFF

  February 1996

  Nursery Provision

  February 1996

  GM Bulletin Edition No. 14

  February 1996

  GM Speakers List

  March 1996

  School (Money Reserves)
  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money local education authority schools in Suffolk and Norfolk had in reserve, deposit and holding accounts(a) as a total amount and (b) as a percentage of the total available to be spent on schools in each of the last three years. [2048]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows in column 1 for Norfolk and column 3 for Suffolk, the total financial balances, net of any deficits, held at the end of each year by the schools covered by each local education authority's scheme for the local management of schools. The figures have been derived from the LMS outturn statements produced by the LEAs for the relevant years. Columns 2 and 4 show, for each LEA respectively, the balances expressed as a percentage of the general schools budget—less capital expenditure and capital finance costs—shown at the beginning of each year in the LMS budget statement.

  Norfolk

  Suffolk

  Financial year

  1 £000

  2 Per cent.

  3 £000

  4 Per cent.

  1993–1994

  9,199

  4.7

  13,500

  7.1

  1994–19951

  9,262

  4.4

  11,487

  5.7

  1995–19961

  7,929

  3.9

  10,916

  5.2

  1 Includes special schools.

  429

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by her Department. [2617]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has made an initial assessment of 5,000 days effort for the 1997–98 financial year. A project has been set up to identify all the Department's computer systems which will be impacted by the millennium date change. This projet will provide detailed costings covering all the work needed up to the millennium and take forward those changes where they are cost justified.

  Youth Unemployment (Cambridgeshire)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of 18 to 24-year-olds in the constituency of South-East Cambridgeshire are unemployed; and if he will make a statement. [980]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 29 October 1996]: The Office for National Statistics does not provide claimant unemployment rates by age below national level, and considers that sample sizes in an area as small as a parliamentary constituency would be too small for reliable estimates of unemployment to be made from the quarterly labour force survey. However, data from the 1991 census show an unemployment rate of 7.7 per cent. for 18 to 24-year-olds in the constituency of South-East Cambridgeshire.

  I am grateful to the hon. Member for acknowledging his error in stating—Official Report, 22 May 1996, column 274—that one in four 18 to 24-year-olds in South-East Cambridgeshire are unemployed. I am happy to accept that his misleading remark was made accidentally.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the(a) women who are mothers and (b) men who are fathers who are employed by her Department have received assistance from the Department with child care. [1288]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Although the civil service collects statistical information on staff employed in Government Departments and executive agencies, we do not collect information on the parental status of individual staff. It would be inappropriate for us to request this information from staff and difficult to justify the collection of such data.

  The Department is, however, able to give information on the number of staff who have received child care assistance.

  Subsidised places are provided at four playschemes and two nurseries at the DFEE head office sites. Two hundred and twenty-one female and 101 male staff have used the play schemes or nurseries in the past 12 months.

  Staff can claim additional child care expenses arising from attendance at a residential training course or from disruption to normal work routine. Thirty-five women and nine men have claimed additional child care expenses from the Department in the past 12 months.
  430
  The Department also offers a range of provisions which can help staff balance home and home and work responsibilities:

  Career breaks enable staff to take up to five years off work to cope with domestic responsibilities.
  Paid and unpaid special leave is available to allow carers to deal with emergency child care cover.
  Staff can apply to have a flexible work pattern such as part time, job sharing and home working.

  Female Staff
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many women are currently employed by her Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1255]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The DFEE excluding executive agencies currently employs 2,662 women. This is 53 per cent. of the Department's total employees.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the overall cost to the Prison Service of introducing mandatory drug testing including capital investment involved in building appropriate facilities and (b) the cost to the Prison Service per drug test, indicating (a) Prison Service expenditure and (b) costs billed to non-Prison Service contractors, excluding capital investment involved in building appropriate facilities. [1500]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. George Howarth, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the costs of introducing mandatory drug testing and of the tests themselves.
  The total cost of introducing mandatory drug testing was £940,840. The cost of a mandatory drug test is £45.32. More detail is given in the attached tables.

  Introducing mandatory drug testing

  £

  Building work and equipment1

  266,000

  First phase staffing costs

  36,000

  Staff training

  551,000

  Headquarters project staffing and expenses

  87,840

  Total

  940,840

  1This represents centrally allocated funds. In a few cases where only minor alterations were necessary or the work was done as part of a larger building project, the costs were borne by individual establishments. These costs could only be calculated at disproportionate expense.

  431

  Cost of a mandatory drug test

  £

  Equipment

  1.02

  Courier

  0.99

  Laboratory Analysis1

  2.37

  Staff costs

  40.94

  Total

  45.32

  1This is for the initial screen test which all samples undergo. 8.6 per cent. of samples undergo a further, confirmatory test at a cost of £28.82.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the recommendations in the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on "Drug Misusers and the Prison System—An Integrated Approach". [1755]

  Miss Widdecombe
  We expect to do so soon.

  Training Periods
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the specific training period for(a) a probation officer, (b) a fireman and (c) a prison officer. [1953]

  Mr. Sackville
  Under the new arrangements for the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers, there will not be a specific training period. A flexible training programme is being devised which will allow training to be geared to the needs of individual recruits, taking into account their skills and experience. This will make it easier for a broad range of applicants to apply for appointment as a probation officer as they will not have to undertake the two-year social work diploma course required under the previous arrangements.

  Home Office guidance recommends a minimum of 14 weeks' training for recruit firefighters.

  Newly recruited prison officers undertake 13 weeks' initial training, including a nine-week residential course.

  Immigrants (South African)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants and returnees from South Africa entered the United Kingdom in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1985 and (d) each year from 1990 to 1995, broken down by ethnic origin where available. [1948]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information on migrants, including temporary migrants, from South Africa is given in table A, and information on South African citizens who have been accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom is given in table B. Information on their ethnic origin is not available.

  Table A Migrants from South Africa1 entering the United Kingdom

  Thousands of persons

  Country of birth

  Year2

  Total

  United Kingdom

  Rest of the world

  1970

  6.8

  34.5

  32.3

  1980

  3.9

  2.5

  1.4

  1985

  17.8

  10.1

  7.7

  1990

  6.4

  4.4

  2.0

  432

  Table A: Migrants from South Africa1 entering the United Kingdom

  Thousands of persons

  Country of birth

  Year2

  Total

  United Kingdom

  Rest of the world

  1991

  8.0

  6.0

  2.0

  1992

  6.9

  4.8

  2.1

  1993

  9.4

  5.7

  3.7

  1994

  8.1

  2.6

  5.5

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1 Persons who have resided for a year or longer in South Africa and who state on arrival the intention to stay in the United Kingdom for a year or longer.

  2 Data for 1995 onwards are not yet available.

  3Data relate to nationality not country of birth.

  Table B: Citizens of South Africa accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom

  Year

  Number

  1970

  1—

  1980

  920

  1985

  790

  1990

  850

  1991

  1,050

  1992

  890

  1993

  1,100

  1994

  1,260

  1995

  1,300

  1 Not available.

  Firearms
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the value of the retail trade in handguns of more than .22 calibre. [1480]

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have made no estimate of this.

  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received concerning the temporary dismantling of self-loading pistols and revolvers proposed in Lord Cullen's report at paragraph 9.106; and if he will place that advice in the Library. [2020]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Advice from firearms experts at the Forensic Science Service is reflected in paragraphs 109 to 115 of the Government's evidence submitted to Lord Cullen's inquiry. A copy is in the Library. A copy of further advice from the Forensic Science Service confirming the view that the design of some self-loading pistols will make the operation to remove the slide assembly substantially more difficult than in others and the difficulties involved in removing the cylinder of a revolver has been placed in the Library.

  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those guns which are not capable of dismantling in the manner described in Lord Cullen's report, paragraph 9.106. [2021]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: I understand from the Forensic Science Service that varying degrees of difficulty and potential damage apply to all self-loading pistols and revolvers.
  433
  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many guns have been surrendered as a result of the prohibitions introduced by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988; how many claims for compensation remain to be settled; and what was the total cost of compensation paid to date. [2022]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The Department received nearly 3,000 claims relating to around 3,600 firearms under the Government buy-in scheme for weapons which became prohibited by virtue of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. A total of £620,000 was paid in relation to those claims. The Department has considered all claims made under the scheme and advised claimants of the outcome. Offers have been made to all claimants entitled to receive compensation.

  Children's Certificates
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children's certificates have been issued to licensed premises in each county or metropolitan authority in England and Wales. [1482]

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used and as a percentage of all notifiable offences of that type

  Homicide

  Other violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Burglary

  Robbery

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1995

  45

  7.3

  3,005

  2.5

  18

  20.0

  125

  10.0

  2.531

  9.2

  19951

  70

  9.4

  2,614

  1.2

  12

  20.0

  268

  20.0

  3,963

  5.8

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Less than 0.05 per cent.

  The available information on offences involving the use of knives relates to 1988 and 1989 and is from an ad hoc survey concerning offences of violence against the person, robbery, aggravated burglary and sexual offences recorded by the police in which knives were involved. The results were published in table 2.24 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1989". A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  In addition, it is known that in offences currently recorded as homicide, 97 involved the use of a sharp instrument in 1985–35 per cent. of currently recorded homicide offences. The provisional figures for 1995 are 192 and 41 per cent. respectively.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were proceeded against for having an article with a blade or point in a public place; and how many were found guilty for the last year for which figures are available; [1653]

  (2) how many people were proceeded against for possession of an offensive weapon; and how many were found guilty for the last year for which figures are available. [1652]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1995, which is provisional, is given in the table.
  434
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is contained in table 2 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Liquor Licensing Statistics Children's Certificates: England and Wales, January 1995-June 1996", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many and what percentage of (i) burglaries, (ii) homicides, (iii) robberies, (iv) instances of violence against the person and (v) sexual offences involved the use of(a) a gun and (b) a knife or sharp instrument for (1) 1985, (2) 1995 and (3) the last year for which figures are available; [1655]

  (2) how many offences involving the use of a knife there were in the last year for which figures are available. [1654]

  Mr. Maclean
  The following table shows the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in which firearms were reported to have been used and as a percentage of all notifiable offences of that type:

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts for offences involving carrying weapons

  England and Wales1 1995

  Offence description

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Carrying article with blade or point in a public place [Criminal Justice Act 1988, Sec 139]

  3,474

  2,559

  Carrying of offensive weapons2 without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in a public place [Prevention of Crime Act 1953, Sec 1]

  5,215

  3,190

  1 Provisional.

  2 May include a small number of offences involving truncheons etc.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many crimes ended in a court conviction in England and Wales in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995; [2229]

  (2) how many crimes ended in a caution in England and Wales in (a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [2230]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information readily available centrally on the number of offenders found guilty or cautioned in each of the years 1993, 1994 and 1995 is shown in the table.
  435

  Number of offenders found guilty at all courts or cautioned by type of offence 1993–951

  England and Wales

  Convicted

  Cautioned

  Type of offence

  1993

  1994

  11995

  1993

  1995

  11994

  Indictable

  307,548

  314,148

  302,177

  209,555

  209,769

  202,585

  Summary non-motoring

  453,079

  454,731

  2410,021

  101,759

  98,670

  88,662

  Summary motoring

  664,651

  638,814

  2642,386

  3—

  3—

  3—

  All offences

  1,425,314

  1,407,623

  21,354,584

  311,314

  308,439

  291,247

  1 Provisional.

  2 In 1995 it is estimated that there were shortfalls of 70,300 and 4,800 offenders convicted for certain summary non-motoring and summary motoring offences respectively.

  3 Not applicable. Motoring offences may attract written warnings.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were cleared up by the police in England and Wales in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [2231]

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

  Number of recorded offences cleared up in England and Wales

  Year

  Number of recorded offences cleared up

  1993

  1,328,155

  1994

  1,326.366

  1995

  1,276,875

  Fire and Rescue Authorities
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation to protect fire and rescue authorities against legal action of the sort taken in the case of Digital v. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services; [1939]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the financial and legal consequences for fire and rescue services of the judgment in the case of Digital v. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services. [1940]

  Mr. Sackville
  Once the outcome of the appeal proceedings is known, the Government will decide whether there are any implications which fire authorities in general ought to consider and, if so, will circulate advice accordingly.

  Tattooing and Skin Piercing
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the operation of the law relating to the tattooing of under-16s, and what are his reasons for deciding against the introduction of an age limit for other forms of skin piercing. [1946]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 prohibits the tattooing of anyone under the age of 18. The Government have received no evidence to suggest that the law provides inadequate protection for children in regard to other forms of skin piercing and have no current plans for a statutory age limit in this area. The Law Commission is, however, looking at the general issue of tattooing, piercing and other forms of body decoration, as part of its 436
  study of consent in the criminal law, and the Government will give careful consideration to the recommendations which they make in their final report.

  Recidivism
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminals have been convicted of a third or subsequent serious violent or sexual offence following two previous such convictions since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [2448]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend wrote to my hon. Friend on 1 November. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1996; and if he will make a statement. [1395]

  Mr. Howard
  The timetable for the laying of draft deregulation orders is a matter to be agreed between the Government and the Deregulation Committee, but we hope the Committee will receive draft deregulation orders on the following before the end of 1996:Licensing Act 1964: simplifying procedures on liquor licence transfers;
  Gaming Act 1968: allowing payment by debit cards in casinos and bingo halls;
  Gaming Act 1968: allowing advertising for bingo, betting shops and on-site amusement with prizes machines;
  Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983: simplifying the procedures for, and extending the number of occasional permissions for, non-profit making bodies;
  Licensing Act 1964: allowing off-licences to obtain occasional licences.

  Stray Dogs
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance is issued to police authorities in circumstances where dogs are presented as strays with regard to(a) the identification of the owner and (b) the placing of the animal in suitable care; [1546]

  (2) how many dogs were placed in kennels by the police in the last year for which figures are available; and at what cost; [1547]

  (3) how police authorities select kennels for the purpose of housing stray dogs; and what criteria are applied to the length of time the animals are kept at public expense. [1548]
  437
  Mr. Maclean
  The policing of stray dogs is an operational matter for the police using their powers provided under the Dogs Act 1906, as amended. Guidance was issued to the police following amendments to this Act contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A copy of the joint Department of Environment, Welsh Office and Home Office circular—Home Office circular No. 5/1992—is available from the Library.

  The additional information requested is not available centrally.

  Boot Camp (Thorn Cross)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of setting up the boot camp at Thorn Cross; what is the cost per inmate; and what is the staffing ratio. [1669]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of setting up the boot camp at Thorn Cross, the cost per inmate and the staffing ratio.
  The start up costs were about £1.75 million for construction and about £160,000 for other costs, mainly staff recruitment and training. The expected cost per inmate place for the current financial year, calculated by dividing the full year's anticipated running costs by the full inmate population, is £27,600. The personal officer to inmate ratio is 1:3.5.

  Internet Pornography
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Internet Service Providers Association on the issue of child pornography; what proposals have been made to him for the creation of a mechanism to prevent the transmission of pornographic material; and if he will make a statement. [2050]

  Mr. Sackville
  On 23 September, my hon. Friend the Minister for Science and Technology and I welcomed the setting up of an independent industry body to tackle the problems of illegal material, particularly child pornography, on the Internet. This followed discussions between our two departments, the police and representatives of Internet service providers.

  The new body, the Internet Watch Foundation, will establish a "hotline" so that users can report the presence of child pornography in a newsgroup. The foundation will determine whether particular newsgroups carry child pornography, then forward the information to the relevant service provider, who will trace the originator and request that it is removed. Details will be passed to the police—or to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, if the originator is abroad. It will also encourage Internet service providers to ensure that their users provide new material with a contents rating before placing it on the Internet, and that these ratings are compatible and can be identified by computer software being introduced to the market.

  This is an important step forward, although more work needs to be done by the industry. We shall be closely monitoring developments in this area.
  438

  Criminal Records Database
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what fee was paid to the PCL group for the contract to transfer pre-1981 criminal records to the national computer's Phoenix database; what percentage of the contract was carried out by the PCL group; and how many records were transferred. [2419]

  Mr. Maclean
  PCL was paid £8.8 million, excluding value added tax, under the keying contract.

  The contract specified two main measures, of which one was 55 per cent. complete and the other 80 per cent. complete when it was terminated by mutual consent.

  About 320,000 criminal records have been added to the Phoenix database, and work on back record conversion is continuing.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of pre-1981 criminal records have been transferred to the national computer's Phoenix database. [2423]

  Mr. Maclean
  All criminal record data held on the police national computer were transferred to the Phoenix database on 22 May 1995. These included 2.8 million records originating before 1981 consisting of name and criminal record office number.

  Paedophile Register
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the impact on the date of implementation of a national register of paedophiles of the termination of the contract for transferring pre-1981 criminal records to the national computer's Phoenix database by the PCL group. [2421]

  Mr. Maclean
  The termination of this contract will not affect the implementation of the national register of paedophiles.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the award of a contract to implement a national register of paedophiles. [2422]

  Mr. Maclean
  The register will be held as part of the Phoenix database of the police national computer.

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cost of effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2604]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department is aware of the problem. The Department's information technology service provider, Sema group, has produced the report to which I referred in my previous reply on 17 June 1996,Official Report, column 302. The business areas in my Department have been considering the report and are now entering into discussions with suppliers on action plans, taking into account other developments and the likelihood of systems still being in place at the time of the millennium date change. As the plans are developed, costs will be assessed.
  439

  Departmental Actions (Court Rulings)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since May 1993 courts have deemed his Department had acted illegally; on what dates the rulings were made and in relation to which cases. [843]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 29 October 1996]: No central record is kept of the outcome of all the cases against the Home Office since May 1993, which include judicial review applications, writ actions, industrial tribunal cases and county court cases.

  Voting Register
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is being spent in the current financial year on national advertising campaigns to encourage people to register to vote; and what was the equivalent figure in real terms for each year since 1978–79. [1461]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: In the current financial year, £700,000 is being spent on electoral registration advertising.

  In previous years, the actual spend was as follows, with equivalent figures in brackets, calculated in 1995–96 prices using the gross domestic product deflator.

  Actual spend £

  Equivalent figure £

  1982–83

  87,000

  160,000

  1983–84

  113,000

  199,000

  1984–85

  126,000

  211,000

  1985–86

  150,000

  239,000

  1986–87

  300,000

  463,000

  1987–88

  260,000

  381,000

  1988–89

  306,000

  420,000

  1989–90

  452,000

  580,000

  1990–91

  468,000

  557,000

  1991–92

  614,000

  686,000

  1992–93

  606,000

  650,000

  1993–94

  620,000

  646,000

  1994–95

  650,000

  666,000

  1995–96

  815,000

  815,000

  1996–97

  700,000

  685,000

  My Department's records of advertising expenditure for the years before 1982–83 do not provide a breakdown between individual campaigns. The work involved in identifying costs of electoral registration advertising for those years would incur disproportionate costs.

  The budget for television advertising spots, media spend and agency fees in 1996–97 is nearly the same as that for 1995–96. The difference between the years shown in the table is primarily because of production savings achieved this year through re-use of the 1995–96 commercial. Research showed it to be an effective advertisement capable of continuing to get the message across. After allowing for this, the real terms advertising spend was £685,000 in 1996–97 compared with £700,000 in 1995–96. Last year, general awareness of registration publicity among people surveyed rose from 29 per cent. pre-campaign to 61 per cent., post. This year, it rose from 20 per cent. pre to 70 per cent. post.
  440

  Repatriations
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when documents concerning the application by John Blair to be repatriated to a prison in the Irish Republic were sent to the appropriate authorities in the Republic; when he expects John Blair will be repatriated; and if he will make a statement; [1972]

  (2) when Harry Duggin and Joe O'Connell applied to be repatriated to a prison in the Republic of Ireland; if the necessary documents have been referred to the appropriate authorities of the Republic; when he expects both prisoners will be repatriated; and if he will make a statement. [1973]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The necessary documentation relating to Mr. Blair's repatriation request was referred to the Republic of Ireland on 18 September 1996. Referral of an application does not mean that repatriation will necessarily take place. Repatriation is as well as of the prisoner, following consideration of all the relevant information.

  Mr. Duggin's request was originally made on 18 September 1995 and Mr. O'Connell's on 19 July 1995. However, neither request could be considered until the Republic of Ireland brought the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons into force in the Republic on 1 November 1995. Both these requests remain under consideration and have not been referred to the Republic.

  Prisons
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an estimate of the number of places for prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons in each of the years 1996 to 2006. [52]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Learco Chindamo
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the immigration status of Learco Chindamo; and what power exists to deport him at the end of his sentence. [1091]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  It is not our normal practice to disclose the immigration status of individuals. In accordance with domestic and international law, the Secretary of State has power to deport a serious offender on completion of his sentence if it would be in the public interest to do so.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Argentina (Naval Engine Spares)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the initial advice he gave to Rolls-Royce following its request of October 1993 for approval of an export licence for naval engine spares to Argentina; and when that advice was given. [1066]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 29 October 1996]: The company made no such request in October 1993. In a letter dated 20 October 1993, the company requested advice on the licensability of the Tyne RM1 engine and

  441
  its components. After carrying out a detailed technical and legal assessment in consultation with MOD experts, my Department advised, in a letter dated 2 June 1995, that, irrespective of the destination, the company would require a licence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 to export components and assemblies specially designed to fulfil the requirements imposed by the combat environment of a warship. A licence would be required to export these military components or entire Tyne engines in which they were included.

  My Department also advised the company that under the terms of the order it would not require a licence to export other Tyne components that were not specially designed or modified for military use, or engine modules and sub-assemblies which did not include the military components, unless they had been modified from components for an aeroengine, in which case a licence would in certain circumstances be required. This assessment did not constitute either a variation or a relaxation of the embargo on sales of military equipment and arms to Argentina announced on 3 April 1982. Before this advice was received, the company submitted two applications, dated 17 December 1993 and 29 August 1994, for a licence to supply the Argentine Navy with engines and components specially designed or modified for military use. These applications were refused in letters from my Department dated 24 June 1994 and 24 January 1995 respectively.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the first occasion on which he received a request from Rolls-Royce to consider approving export licences for naval engine spares for Argentina; and what response he gave. [1067]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 29 October 1996]: Computerised records before January 1991 are not readily available. Since then my Department has received two applications from Rolls-Royce for export licences with respect to proposals to supply the Argentine Navy with engines and components specially designed or modified for military use. The first such application was dated 17 December 1993, and both applications were refused. My right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones) announced to the House by written answer on 16 January 1991, Official Report column 521, that the Government had decided to allow a limited supply of essential maintenance spares for vessels deployed as part of the Argentine contribution to the Gulf as an exception to the embargo. On 18 October 1990, Rolls-Royce had applied for a licence to supply an Argentine naval vessel with parts for the Olympus engine and, under the provisions of the export control legislation in force at that time; a licence was issued to the company on 6 March 1991 for the supply of these parts; a limited supply of spares was also provided for the same purpose by the Ministry of Defence.

  Exports
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in the value of(a) EU and (b) United Kingdom exports and for other OECD countries since 1987; and how British exports have fared in this context. [1651]
  442
  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is in the following table:

  Growth in UK, EU15 and other OECD 1 exports of goods since 19872

  US$ billion

  Per cent, change

  1987

  1995

  1987–95

  UK

  131

  239

  82.4

  EU15

  1,049

  1,911

  82.2

  Other OECD

  715

  1,508

  110.8

  Notes:

  1 Comprises Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and USA.

  2 Values in US$ at current prices and exchange rates.

  Source:

  IMF Direction of Trade.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what response he has received to his discussion paper on firework control issued in August 1996; what plans he has to introduce new statutory measures to control the use and sale of fireworks; and if he will make a statement; [2273]

  (2) what plans he has to review the control and sale of fireworks. [2272]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 28 October,Official Report, column 112 in which I gave details of the review of fireworks.

  A large number of businesses and organisations responded to the public discussion document. As expected, a wide range of views and suggestions were put forward and I am giving careful consideration to all the points made. If it appears that additional measures would be appropriate I will consult on specific proposals early next year.

  Coal Production
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tonnes of coal were produced in Britain(a) in the current year, (b) in 1979 and (c) in 1990 utilising (i) opencast and (ii) deep mine production methods. [2212]

  Mr. Page
  The information requested is given as follows:

  Thousand tonnes

  Coal production

  Opencast

  Deep-mined

  (a) 1995/19961

  16,369

  35,150

  10,795

  22,172

  (b) 1979

  12,862

  107,775

  (c) 1990

  18,134

  72,899

  Sources:

  Energy Trends Table 4.

  Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.

  Note:

  1 To end August.
  443
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are currently employed by the opencast mining industry and the deep mining industry; and what were the figures in(a) 1979 and (b) 1990. [2211]

  Mr. Page
  Available information is as follows:

  Employees in Great Britain

  11979

  21991

  21993

  31995

  Deep coal mining

  233,900

  70,200

  26,300

  10,600

  Opencast mining

  7,700

  5,700

  5,900

  1 Source: Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistic,1980.Figures are for employees engaged in production in December 1979.

  2 Source: Census of employment September 1991 and September 1993, Office for National Statistics. The census of employment was conducted every two years, so data are not available for even numbered years.

  3 Source: annual employment survey September 1995, which replaced the biennial census of employment, Office for National Statistics. The figure covers all mining and agglomeration of hard coal; separate figures are not available for deep coal mining and opencast coal working.

  Uranium Tailings
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total volume of uranium tailings currently created by the processing of uranium for use in the British nuclear energy programme; and in which countries the stocks of uranium mining tailings are(a) stored and (b) disposed of. [2125]

  Mr. Page
  Uranium tailings are a by-product of uranium mining and arise at the site of mining. No uranium mining is carried out in the United Kingdom. The question of tailings and their storage and disposal is a matter for the uranium mining companies concerned.

  Nuclear Industries
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached by the European Commission in its report on nuclear industries in the European Union (COM/96) 339, 25 September 1996, paragraph 6, page 23, in respect of the presence of plutonium in the civilian nuclear fuel cycle. [2126]

  Mr. Page
  The Government agree that there are many considerations which determine fuel choice in the civil nuclear sector. It is a matter for the owners of the plutonium to decide how it is utilised. Mixed oxide fuel incorporating plutonium oxide is one option, subject to meeting the appropriate regulatory requirements including those in respect of safeguards.

  Company Density Statistics
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the company density by sector per 10,000 of the population in each of the last three years, using VAT data in(a) the London borough of Lewisham, (b) the South London training and enterprise council—SOLOTEC, (c) the wider central London area, (d) Greater London and (e) the rest of southern England. [2301]
  444
  Mr. Page
  I will place a copy of the data in the Library of the House.

  Business Start-Ups
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the business start-up rate by sectors and in total, per 10,000 of the population, using VAT data in(a) the London borough of Lewisham, (b) the south London training and enterprise council—SOLOTEC, (c) the wider central London area, (d) Greater London and (e) the rest of southern England for the latest available period for which data are available and the equivalent period in (i) 1995 (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1993; and if he will indicate the number of deregistrations in each period. [2348]

  Mr. Page
  I will place a copy of the data in the Library of the House.

  Compensation (Terrorist Acts)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to review the rights to claim compensation for loss suffered as a result of damage to property by terrorist acts in Britain. [2309]

  Mr. Nelson
  There is no need to consider any compensation arrangements as insurance is available against losses arising from damage caused to property by acts of terrorism in Great Britain.

  Diesel Engine Emissions
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reports he has received of problems in obtaining investment in the United Kingdom for industrial research and development in respect of removing particulates from the exhaust emissions of diesel engines; and if he will make a statement. [2043]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  My Department has not received any reports of problems of this kind.

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the paper, "Regional Policy, Review of the Assisted Areas of Great Britain", if he will place in the Library a statement on the process informing his decision in determining development area and intermediate area status, including the specific weightings attached to the factors considered in the case of the Workington travel-to-work area. [2015]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  The Government published the background document, "Regional Policy, Review of the Assisted Areas of Great Britain", on 23 July 1993. This document set out the basis for the map of the assisted areas introduced on 1 August 1993. The Government have no plans to publish additional information about the decisions taken on individual travel-to-work areas for the purposes of that map.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cubic metres of Brazilian mahogany were imported annually from 1990 to 1995. [2465]
  445
  Mr. Nelson
  The UK imported 62,168 cu m of mahogany from Brazil in 1990, and 45,762 cu m in 1991. In 1992 the United Kingdom trade classification no longer identified mahogany separately from other non-coniferous woods.

  On 16 November 1995, Brazilian mahogany was listed in appendix III of the convention of international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna. Between then and 25 October 1996 CITES import permits received and verified by HM Customs and Excise indicate that 10,141 cu m were imported into the UK.

  Business Assistance
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) individuals and (b) companies have been assisted by (i) the Isle of Wight business link and (ii) his Department in the last three years. [2567]

  Mr. Page
  Business links are private sector partnerships, not Government bodies. National statistics on businesses using business link are available in the quarterly "Report on Business Link and Business Link Regional Supply Network Management Information" and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Local statistics are a matter for local business link partnerships and I will ensure that the chief executive of business link Isle of Wight is aware of my hon. Friend's question.

  Information on the number of individuals and companies assisted by my Department in the last three years can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Non-prescription Drug Pricing
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on proposals to change the basis for pricing non-prescription drugs in shops. [622]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Director General of Fair Trading announced on 18 October that he was seeking leave of the restrictive practices court to apply for a discharge of the medicaments order made by the court in 1970 in respect of resale price maintenance on certain medicines. The Secretary of State has no statutory role of discretion in relation to the director general's application or in relation to the court's consideration of the matter.

  Coal Stocks
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what volume of coal was taken from stock for the purposes of electricity generation in 1995–96; and what was the total volume of stocks remaining on 1 April. [2337]

  Mr. Page
  Between the beginning of April 1995 and the end of March 1996, stocks of coal at power stations fell by 3.5 million tonnes to stand at 6.4 million tonnes. Stocks of coal held by coal producers also fell by 3.5 million tonnes over this period to stand at 5.5 million tonnes at the end of March 1996 but it is not possible to state exactly what proportion of these stocks were delivered to the electricity industry. However, it is known that 77 per cent. of supplies from the coal industry—that is, stocks plus newly mined coal—were delivered to power stations during this period.

  Source Table 6 "Energy Trends".
  446

  Research Councils
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated cost of guaranteeing the pension rights of employees on privatisation of research council laboratories; and who bears these costs. [2468]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Privatisation does not increase the costs of the pension entitlements of research council employees, which are the responsibility of the relevant pension scheme. It may however result in the crystallisation of some existing staff pension liabilities, and these considerations will be taken into account in the relevant prior options reviews.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the legal fees incurred so far by(a) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (b) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, (c) Medical Research Council, (d) Natural Environment Research Council and (e) Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in the course of the prior options review of their laboratories; if these costs are borne out of current budgets; and what assessment he has made of the effect of meeting such charges on the funding of research by the research councils. [2467]

  Mr. Taylor
  BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and PPARC have so far incurred no legal fees in the course of the prior options reviews of the research establishments they sponsor.

  Following my announcement in April that the Government accepted the conclusions and recommendations of the prior options review of the Royal Observatories, PPARC has incurred legal fees amounting to £270,000 in taking forward implementation of the recommendations.

  Such charges form part of the normal administrative expenditure of the research councils, and therefore feed into the councils' established planning systems.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his letters of 12 June and 27 September on the European Union funded report on options for dealing with the sarcophagus at Chernobyl, what action is being taken. [1004]

  Mr. Page
  Results of the European Union funded study are expected shortly. Action will be decided in the light of discussions of the study's findings with the Ukrainian Government.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to ensure that contracts signed with British Nuclear Fuels plc by foreign customers for the production of mixed oxide—MOX—nuclear fuel at the Sellafield MOX plant include a stipulation that plutonium contaminated wastes arising from the MOX manufacture are returned to the country of origin of the external contract for the fuel. [2140]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: BNFL has confirmed that there will be no additional quantity of plutonium remaining in the UK as a result of contracts with foreign customers for the production of MOX nuclear fuel at the Sellafield MOX plant.
  447

  "The Social Chapter: British and Continental Approaches"
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of his Department's publication, "The social chapter: British and Continental Approaches", have been printed; what was the cost(a) per copy and (b) in total; and how many requests his Department has received for copies. [1232]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]A total of 40,000 copies of the booklet have been printed. The printing cost per copy was approximately 32p, and the total printing cost £12,840. The total costs including design, storage and distribution is approximately £17,000. The text was prepared internally and it is not possible to quantify the staff costs involved. In addition to the original distribution of approximately 18,500 booklets, my Department has to date—30 October—received a further 244 requests for more than 6,000 booklets.

  A smaller number of copies are being prepared in French, German, Italian and Spanish for distribution in other EU member states. The estimated cost of these booklets is £6,500.

  Public Relations
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department spent on(a) advertising, (b) public relations and (c) entertainment in each of the last five financial years. [1261]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]Total departmental spend on advertising is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The advertising expenditure from centrally managed budgets for the years in question is as follows:

  1991–92: £966,000

  1992–93: £1,139,000

  1993–94: £784,000

  1994–95: £561,000

  1995–96: £1,088.000.

  While DTI has no expenditure on public relations from centrally managed budgets, its information directorate is responsible for providing information about my Department's policies and activities to businesses, the public and the media. It does this through a wide range of communications means including news releases, answering inquiries from the media, publicity campaigns, briefings, exhibitions and publications.

  For the expenditure on official hospitality I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 16 October 1996, Official Report, columns 955–56.

  Female Staff
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many women are currently employed by his Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1244]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: On 29 October the DTI, excluding its executive agencies, employed 2,665 female staff, which is 44 per cent. of the total of staff employed.
  448
  I have asked the chief executives of the DTI's executive agencies to respond directly to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about the employment of women in The Insolvency Service.

  Number of permanent staff

  Number of permanent female staff

  Proportion of female staff to total staff

  1,336

  649

  48.5 per cent.

  Information source:

  DTI PERMIS Computer Records

  Date: October 1996.

  Letter from J. C. Octon to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question about the number of women currently employed by the Department of Trade and Industry. Below are the figures for the Patent Office:-

  Total number of established staff as at 1 October 1996: 725

  Number of women employed: 284

  Women as a percentage of employees: just over 39%

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November, 1996:

  I have been asked to answer the question you raised on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.

  Currently 116 women are employed in the Agency, representing 22 per cent. of employees.

  Letter from John S. Holden to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question for the President of the Board of Trade asking how many women are currently employed by his Department and what proportion this is of the total. I am responding as Chief Executive of Companies House Executive Agency.
  Companies House currently employs a total of 1,056 staff, of which 679 (64.3%) are women.

  Letter from Zelie Armstrong to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about the number of women employed and the proportion of the total. This agency employs 17 women. This represents 34% of the total number of staff employed.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the(a) women who are mothers and (b) men who are fathers who are employed by his Department have received assistance from the Department with child care. [1278]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Although the civil service collects statistical information on staff employed in Government Departments and executive agencies, we do not collect information on the parental status of individual staff. It would be inappropriate for us to request this information from staff and difficult to justify the collection of such

  449
  data. The Department provides some assistance with child care, but is unable to monitor what proportion of staff who are parents have received such assistance.

  I have asked the chief executive of the DTI's executive agencies to respond direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John S. Holden to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of Companies House Executive Agency to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question for the President of the Board of Trade, asking about the provision of childcare assistance for mothers and fathers within DTI.
  Companies House operates a holiday playscheme in Cardiff during the Easter and summer school holidays. During last Easter and this summer, 12 mothers and 5 fathers, and 27 mothers and 3 fathers, respectively, made use of this facility.
  Companies House does not keep information on which members of staff are parents. It is therefore, not possible to provide you with the proportions of staff the above figures represent.

  Letter from Zèlie Armstrong to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about the number of women and men who are parents and receive help with childcare from this Agency. NWML contributes towards the management of a joint nursery at Teddington. The facility is available to all staff who wish to use it.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about what proportion of women who are mothers and men who are fathers who are employed by The Insolvency Service have received any assistance from the Service with childcare.
  The Insolvency Service does not collect statistics specifically showing the parental status of staff. This is personal information which would be supplied by members of staff on a voluntary basis and it would be difficult to justify the formal collection of such data. I am therefore unable to give an overall accurate assessment as requested.
  The Service provides a facility whereby members of staff may apply for reimbursement of additional childcare costs incurred as a result of a temporary change to their working routine, or if they are attending Insolvency Service training courses. However such claims are not separately recorded. Staff who have domestic responsibilities involving childcare may also apply for periods of special leave without pay or for a career break—although this is not financial assistance.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  I have been asked to answer the question you raised on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.
  The Radiocommunications Agency does not keep records of what proportion of the (a) women who are mothers and (b) men who are fathers.
  Two members of staff took advantage of the DTI playscheme.

  Letter from Paul Hartnack to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 5 November 1996:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade about childcare.
  I am unable to give you information about the proportion of staff who are parents since the Patent Office does not have this information readily available and could generate it only at disproportionate cost. The Patent Office is, however, sensitive to the needs of parents and has obtained access to a number of places in an on site nursery. We also operate a holiday play scheme during the Easter and summer periods. Both the nursery and play schemes
  450
  are subsidised by the Patent Office. The Patent Office is also sympathetic to requests for special leave without pay to allow parents to be with their children during school holidays and to requests for special leave with pay to meet short term domestic needs.

  The figures on usage for the nursery and play schemes are detailed below for the last 3 years:

  Nursery

  Playscheme

  Male Number

  Female Number

  Male Number

  Female Number

  Easter

  Summer

  Easter

  Summer

  1994

  2

  6

  4

  4

  5

  8

  1995

  2

  8

  3

  4

  4

  6

  1996

  2

  7

  1

  3

  4

  4

  I hope this information is useful.

PRIME MINISTER

  Union Flag and Royal Standard
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has for Wales to be represented on(a) the Union flag and (b) the royal standard. [2188]

  The Prime Minister
  The Union flag is representative of all parts of the United Kingdom. Wales, as an integral part of the United Kingdom, is therefore represented by the Union flag. Similarly, the royal standard representing the sovereign of the United Kingdom applies to Wales as much as to every other part of the Union.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 November. [1005]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 5 November. [1006]

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

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given to doctors by the Benefits Agency medical services regarding the conduct of all work tests for incapacity benefit; what is the time estimated for each test; what medical examinations, tests or procedures are undertaken during the test; what account is taken of(a) general practitioners' and (b) consultants' reports as part of the test; and what monitoring is undertaken of the doctors who carry out the tests. [1350]

  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.
  451
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr George Foulkes, dated 4 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what guidance is given to doctors by the Benefits Agency Medical Services regarding the conduct of the All Work Tests for Incapacity Benefit (IB), what is the time estimated for each test; what medical examinations, tests or procedures arc undertaken during the test; what account is taken of (a) general practitioners' and (b) consultants' reports as part of the test; and what monitoring is undertaken of the doctors who carry out the tests.
  All doctors, who are already experienced in this area of work, undergo four days of theoretical training plus one supervised examination session. and have to demonstrate a satisfactory standard before being approved by the Secretary of State to carry out IB assessments. This training covers in detail all aspects of carrying out All Work Test assessments. In addition to the training, all doctors are issued with a copy of the "IB Handbook for Medical Services Doctors", which acts as an aide memoir on the contents of the training course. A copy of this publication is available in the Library of the House of Commons.
  A national study of examination session timings carried out in May 1996 has shown that the average time for an All Work Test assessment by a BAMS doctor is 47 minutes. This includes time spent interviewing and examining the customer and writing the report.
  For an All Work Test assessment, the doctor gathers whatever evidence is appropriate to enable him or her to make an objective and impartial assessment of the customers abilities and a limitations in all the functional areas relevant to their disabling condition. This evidence will usually include interviewing the customer about their perception of the effects of their condition on their ability to carry out everyday activities; observation of the customers behaviour at the examination centre; and formal clinical examination of the relevant system or part of the body.
  The BAMS doctor's role for the All Work Test is to provide an independent impartial assessment of the customer based on their clinical judgement taking into account evidence provided by the customer, their own doctor and their consultant, where available. It is the Adjudication Officer who, in deciding entitlement to benefit, will take into account all available evidence, including any from the client's GP or consultant.
  Following initial training, the first three assessments carried out by the BAMS doctor are monitored, and must reach a satisfactory standard for the doctor to be approved to carry out IB assessments. The work of all doctors is subsequently monitored by BAMS; monitoring is by random or targeted study of completed reports, and also in response to any work returned by Adjudication Officers as being of an unsatisfactory standard.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what written representations he has received from(a) clients, (b) legal representatives, (c) hon. Members and (d) others regarding all work tests and incapacity benefit at the Ayr benefit office for the most recently available 12-month period. [1345]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  One representation has been received from an hon. Member.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many written representations he has received from hon. Members regarding all work tests and incapacity benefit in respect of each Benefit Agency office in Scotland for the most recently available 12-month period. [1344]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Eleven representations have been received from hon. Members between November 1995 and 17 October 1996.
  452

  Benefit Offices
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of reports by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for each of the benefit offices in Scotland for the last five years and this year to the latest available date. [1347]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is in the table.

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Aberdeen

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Galashiels

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Glasgow Lauriston

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Maryhill

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Glasgow Cumbernauld

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Glasgow south west

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Perth

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Inverness

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Dumfries

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Edinburgh west

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Clydebank

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1. The 12 offices listed have been affected by reports on complaints investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for the years shown. The remaining 47 offices in Scotland have not been affected.

  2. Records are no longer available for 1991.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were paid in each year since 1993–94. [1879]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table:

  Year

  Number of payments (000s)

  1993–94

  2,100

  1994–95

  11

  1995–96

  7,200

  Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cold weather payments would have been paid if cold weather payments had been triggered after(a) three and (b) five consecutive days in a period of seven days in the years 1993–94,1994–95 and 1995–96; [1926]

  (2) how many times cold weather payments would have been made at each weather station used to calculate cold weather payments, if cold weather payments had been triggered after (a) three and (b) five consecutive days in a period of seven days in each year since 1993–94. [1925]

  Mr. Evans
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times cold weather payments were triggered at each weather station used to calculate them in each year since 1993–94. [1880]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is set out in the table.
  453

  Number of cold weather payment triggers from 1993–94 to 1995–96

  Weather station

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Aberdeen

  3

  0

  2

  Aberport

  0

  0

  2

  Aughton

  0

  0

  3

  Aviemore

  6

  3

  6

  Bedford

  1

  0

  4

  Birmingham

  1

  0

  3

  Boscombe Down

  0

  0

  3

  Boulmer

  0

  0

  1

  Bournemouth

  0

  0

  2

  Braemar

  1—

  5

  7

  Brize Norton

  0

  0

  4

  Capel Curig

  1—

  1—

  4

  Carlisle

  1

  0

  2

  Chivenor

  0

  0

  0

  Cilfynydd

  0

  0

  3

  Coltishall

  1

  0

  3

  Culdrose

  0

  0

  0

  Dumfries

  1

  0

  3

  Dunkeswell

  0

  0

  3

  Easthampstead

  1

  0

  4

  Edinburgh

  3

  0

  2

  Eskdalemuir

  5

  1

  5

  Eskmeals

  0

  0

  2

  Finningley

  1

  0

  1—

  Gatwick

  1

  0

  3

  Glasgow

  3

  0

  3

  Heathrow

  0

  0

  1

  Herstmonceaux

  0

  0

  1

  Honington

  1

  1—

  1—

  Kinloss

  3

  0

  3

  Kirkwall

  0

  0

  2

  Leeds

  0

  0

  1

  Leeming

  2

  0

  2

  Lerwick

  0

  1

  2

  Leuchars

  3

  0

  3

  Lyneham

  1

  0

  4

  Machrihanish

  0

  0

  1

  Manchester

  0

  0

  3

  Manston

  0

  0

  2

  Marham

  1

  0

  4

  Mount Batten

  0

  0

  1—

  Mumbles

  0

  0

  0

  Rhoose

  0

  0

  2

  Shawbury

  1

  0

  4

  Southampton

  0

  0

  0

  St. Mawgan

  0

  0

  0

  Stansted

  0

  0

  4

  Stornoway

  0

  0

  1

  Tiree

  0

  0

  0

  Trawsfynyd

  0

  0

  1—

  Tulloch Bridge

  3

  3

  3

  Tynemouth

  0

  0

  1

  Valley

  0

  0

  0

  Waddington

  1

  0

  3

  Watnall

  1

  0

  1—

  Wattisham

  0

  0

  4

  Whitby

  0

  0

  2

  Whithorn

  0

  0

  1—

  Wick

  1

  0

  2

  Wilsden

  3

  0

  6

  Wyton

  0

  0

  1—

  Yeovilton

  0

  0

  3

  Total

  49

  13

  138

  1 Not used in the scheme in that year.

  454

  Industrial Deafness
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next plans to review criteria for industrial deafness disablement benefit. [1936]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council advises the Government on the prescription of diseases for the purposes of industrial disablement benefit. The council continually monitors the scientific literature with regard to all occupational diseases, including those already on the prescribed list such as occupational deafness.

  Benefits Agency Helpline
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the annual cost, for the last year in which figures are available, for the operation of the Benefits Agency freephone helpline; and what are the projected costs in the current year. [187]

  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. David Hinchliffe, dated 4 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the annual cost, for the last year in which figures are available, for the operation of the Benefits Agency freephone helpline; and what are the projected costs in the current year.
  The Benefits Agency freephone helpline closed on 12 July 1996. The budget allocation for 1995/96 was £6.3 million and the projected expenditure for this current year. taking account of the closure, is £2 million. These figures have been rounded.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency (South Yorkshire)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the Benefits Agency offices which are scheduled for closure in South Yorkshire under the change programme.[2138]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 4 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list the Benefits Agency offices which are scheduled for closure in South Yorkshire under the change programme.
  Yorkshire Area Directorate (AD), along with the rest of the BA and the Department of Social Security, is currently undertaking a radical reappraisal of its services and the way they are delivered. The Change Programme aims to restructure the way we deliver our business, producing administrative efficiencies whilst maintaining our quality of service. We are directing our resources to where they needed most. However, Yorkshire AD remains committed to providing a high level of service to its customers and equal access to the benefit system for all members of the public.
  The Benefits Agency offices in South Yorkshire which are currently under consideration for closure are Wath, Maltby, Dinnington and Stocksbridge. Closure of the first three offices is awaiting Ministerial decision, the proposals for Stocksbridge are still in the consultation stage.

  455
  With the advent of Job Seekers Allowance, unemployed customers have access to enquiry facilities throughout South Yorkshire, including six Employment Services Job Centres in the Sheffield area, as well as in Wath, Maltby and Dinnington.
  Should you require any additional information please contact Mr Vince Gaskell, Benefit Agency Yorkshire Directorate, 19th Floor, Royal Exchange House, Boar Lane. Leeds, LS1 5NS.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency (Emergency Services)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the review of out of office hours emergency services provided by the Benefits Agency is now complete; what consultations with outside bodies he has conducted during the review; and what instructions he has issued concerning the future operation of such services; [1974]

  (2) how many people requested help from the out of office hours service operated by the Benefits Agency this year, to date, and in each of the last five years; what was the total cost of operating the service during that period; and what was the total number of staff designated to the service in each year; [1976]

  (3) what discussions he (i) has had and (ii) plans to have with (a) the Association of County Councils,(b) the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and(c) the Association of Directors of Social Services concerning the future operation of the out of office hours service by the Benefits Agency;[1977]

  (4) what estimates he has made of the impact on local authorities of ending the out of office hours service operated by the Benefits Agency; and what financial assistance he will offer to local authorities to provide additional services for the public seeking emergency help. [1975]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support 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. Max Madden, dated 4 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking:
  "if the review of out of office hours emergency services provided by the Benefits Agency is now complete; what consultations with outside bodies he has conducted during the review; and what instructions he has issued concerning the future operation of such services".
  "what discussions he has (i) had, and (ii) plans to have, with (a) the Association of County Councils, (b) the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and (c) the Association of Directors of Social Services concerning the future operation of the out of office hours service by the Benefits Agency."
  "what estimates he has made of the impact on local authorities of ending the out of office hours service operated by the Benefits Agency; and what financial assistance he will offer to local authorities to provide additional services for the public seeking emergency help."
  "how many people requested help from the out of office hours service operated by the Benefits Agency this year, to date, and in each of the last five years; what was the total cost of operating the service during that period; and what was the total number of staff designated to the service in each year."
  The review of the Out-of-Hours Service (OOHS) is not complete. A consultation exercise to assess the impact of a reduction or withdrawal of the OOHS was conducted during August and early
  456
  September. This involved consultations with representatives from Department of Health, Local Authorities, the Scottish Office and welfare agencies. The results of the exercise are now being evaluated.
  In the course of the review meetings were held with the Department of Health, on 21 August and with representatives from the Association of County Councils and the Association of Directors of Social Services, on 22 August. Although invited, there is no record that the Association of Metropolitan Authorities were represented at the later meeting.
  Until the review is complete the impact on the local authorities cannot be assessed. Further meetings to assess the financial implications have been arranged with Department of Health, Department of the Environment and the Scottish Office.
  I have provided the available information on the number of OOHS referrals and the administration costs for the last five years. It should be noted that a referral means a contact by the customer or a third party. Approximately 50% of the referrals require a visit. Figures about the success or otherwise of these visits are not maintained.
  The information on the number of staff designated to the service can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Period

  Number of referrals

  1 October 1991 to 30 September 1992

  21,709

  1 October 1992 to 30 September 1993

  42,722

  1 August 1993 to 31 July 1994

  47,958

  1 August 1994 to 31 July 1995

  48,744

  1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996

  54,868

  Financial year

  Administration costs £ million

  1992–93

  0.561

  1993–94

  0.987

  1994–95

  1.720

  1995–96

  1.754

  1996–97

  1.834

  These figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefit Payment Cards
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for the extension of benefit payment by plastic card. [2741]

  Mr. Lilley
  The first benefit payments under the new payment card scheme have been successfully made to a small number of child benefit customers in the Stroud area. Payments are being made using both the new payment card and new benefit encashment systems. Co-operation with our private sector supplier, ICL-Pathway, has enabled us to deliver these in less than six months from the award of contract.

  Ten post offices have so far been automated to enable card payments to be made. From this we will progress to live trials at a further 190 post offices from April next year. When all aspects of the new systems have been fully tested we will push ahead quickly, automating an average of 300 post offices per week from next summer.

  The payments in Stroud represent the first step in a huge programme which will affect about 20 million people who collect DSS benefits through post offices in the UK. In view of the scale and importance of the

  457
  changes we intend to trial the systems thoroughly with child benefit before paying further benefits by card. We will be taking account of our experience of child benefit before implementing these changes and I shall be making a further announcement in due course.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the change in the number of single parents dependent on state benefits since 1979. [1243]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is in the table.

  Number of lone parent recipients1

  Benefit2

  1979

  1995

  Supplementary benefit—income support3

  306,000

  1,061,000

  Family income supplement—family credit4

  42,000

  290,000

  Rent allowance—housing benefit5

  n/a6

  894,000

  Rate rebate—council tax benefit5

  n/a6

  959,000

  Notes

  1 All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2There may be a small overlap between income support and family credit, but this would not be significant. There are considerable overlaps between housing benefit and council tax benefit and between these benefits and both income support and family credit.

  3 Supplementary benefit was replaced by income support in April 1988.

  4 Family income supplement was replaced by family credit in April 1988.

  5 For the purposes of income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, lone parents have been identified as those awarded the lone parent premium in the assessment of benefit.
  458
  6 Housing benefit and council tax benefit were not in payment in 1979. There is no information on the number receiving help through income-related rent allowances and rates rebates.

  It should be noted that the figures for each year cannot be totalled because more than one benefit may be in payment at the same time.

  Sources

  1. Supplementary benefit annual statistical inquiry—November 1979.

  2. Income support quarterly statistical inquiry—November 1995.

  3. Social security statistics 1980.

  4. Family credit 5 per cent. sample of all awards.

  5. Housing benefit management information system, annual I per cent. sample inquiries, with and without income support, taken at the end of May 1995.

  The growth in the number of lone parents dependent on state benefits largely reflects the increase in the lone parent population. The Government's strategy has been to improve systematically work incentives, and the success of this strategy has been confirmed by independent research. The growth in the number of lone parents on income support has slowed since 1992, while the number in work and on family credit continues to grow steadily. Latest figures show that there are now around three lone parents working and receiving family credit for every 10 on income support, compared with just over one for every 10 in 1979. This is despite continuing growth in the number with young children.

  We have also recently announced that a major new scheme-parent plus-will be piloted from April 1997. This scheme will offer advice and help to up to 100,000 lone parents on income support who wish to get back into work. Different approaches will be tested to establish which is most cost effective.
  459

ENVIRONMENT

  Aquifers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the principal cause of the pollution of aquifers in the United Kingdom; and how many have been sterilised since 1990. [900]

  Mr. Clappison
  A recent Environment Agency study suggested that landfills are the most numerous point sources of pollutants affecting aquifers and that chlorinated solvents from a variety of sources may cause the most serious contamination. No aquifers have been wholly taken out of service or sterilised since 11990. Remedial action has been taken in some cases.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to increase the penalties for fly-tipping following the introduction of the landfill tax. [1147]

  Mr. Clappison
  We have already taken steps to ensure that the penalties for fly-tipping are severe. The maximum penalties for waste-related offences are set out in the table:

  Offence

  Magistrates' court

  Crown court

  Sections 33(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Unlawful deposit, recovery or disposal of non-special waste

  Imprisonment for six months and/or a fine of £20,000

  Imprisonment for two years and/or an unlimited fine

  Sections 33(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Unlawful deposit, recovery or disposal of special waste

  Imprisonment for six months and/or a fine of £20,000

  Imprisonment for five years and/or an unlimited fine

  Special Waste Regulations 1996 Regulation 18 Unlawful movement of handling of special waste

  A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale

  Imprisonment for two years and/or an unlimited fine

  Section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Breach of the duty of care or Regulations on retention etc. of documents

  A fine of £5,000

  An unlimited fine

  Section 1(1) Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 Unlawful transportation of waste

  A fine of £5,000

  n/a

  460

  Offence

  Magistrates' court

  Crown court

  Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994: Regulation 20(5)

  A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale

  n/a

  Failure to register as a waste broker

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra help he is proposing to make available to local authorities to counter the problem of fly-tipping following the introduction of the landfill tax. [1148]

  Mr. Clappison
  The main security against fly-tipping is an adequate regulatory framework. Regulations implemented on 1 May 1994 introduced a new waste management licensing system. These controls, along with section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the associated duty of care for waste which came into force on 1 April 1992, provide a strong regulatory framework to support the tax.

  The Environment Agency is the competent authority for the purposes of waste management licensing. The agency has both resources and expertise to advise on the legal and sound management of waste, to investigate offences and to carry out enforcement action. The Government's guidance to the agency on its objectives and contribution to sustainable development clarifies its role in this area. Ministers expect the agency to review procedures for preventing and handling cases of fly-tipping and to use its enforcement powers.

  The duty of care, which is a self-regulating system, is an important weapon in the fight against fly-tipping since it requires that waste is passed only to a person authorised to accept it. This helps to identify the person who commits an offence, as consignments of waste can be tracked through the system of transfer notes completed by all parties involved in any waste transfer. Powers to enforce the duty are not specific to the Environment Agency, and it is open to any organisation or individual to bring a prosecution where they consider that the duty has been breached. The penalties which can be imposed for offences relating to waste are severe.

  To help minimise the impact of fly-tipping, section 59 of the 1990 Act provides local authorities with the means to effect the removal of illegally deposited waste and to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the deposit. Section 59(6) and (8) provides for the reimbursement in part or in full of the costs incurred.

  Basking Sharks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include basking sharks in the next tranche of species for the biodiversity action plans. [1156]

  Mr. Clappison
  No. Basking sharks were not among the 286 species which the UK biodiversity steering group recommended should be included in the second tranche of species action plans to be produced within the next three years. The Government endorsed the steering group's recommendations in the response published in May 1996.
  461
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will submit a proposal for an appendix 11 listing under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for the protection of basking sharks, in time for the next CITES conference in June 1997; and if he will make a statement. [1157]

  Mr. Clappison
  We have no plans to include such a proposal among the United Kingdom's initiatives for the next CITES conference.

  Conservation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how he plans to consult the public about the third tranche of candidate special areas of conservation in accordance with the EC habitats and species directive; [1195]

  (2) if the third tranche of sites will include candidate special areas of conservation for the great crested newt, triturus cristatus. [1196]

  Mr. Clappison
  A third tranche of candidate special areas of conservation was forwarded to the European Commission on 14 October 1996. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on Wednesday 16 October 1996,Official Report, columns 1073–74. A second public consultation on possible special areas of conservation is planned to commence shortly—this will include possible sites for the great crested newt. The House will be informed and details will be placed in the Library in due course.

  Biodiversity Convention
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Government's objective at the conference of the parties to the biodiversity convention in November. [1209]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government attach much importance to achieving progress under the convention on biological diversity, and the UK will be participating fully in the forthcoming conference of parties. My right hon. Friend hopes to attend the ministerial segment of the meeting, when he intends to encourage the setting of national objectives and the monitoring of progress under the convention. Other UK priorities include securing progress on the assessment and monitoring of biodiversity, including promoting taxonomy; the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural and forest biodiversity; and the need to improve the operation of the convention, for example by prioritising activity under it and moving to a less concentrated cycle of meetings.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what environmental impact assessments have been conducted(a) on the storage of separated plutonium at (i) Sellafield and (ii) Dounreay and (b) on the transport of plutonium by air in (x) metal, (y) oxide and (z) nitrate solution forms from and to (1) Carlisle, (2) Wick, (3) Herne and (4) other airports licensed to handle plutonium cargoes. [1817]
  462
  Mr. Clappison
  The plutonium stores at Sellafield and Dounreay were constructed prior to the introduction of the 1985 Council directive on the Assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (85/337/EEC)—the environmental impact assessment directive. Questions on the transport of radioactive materials are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with(a) his Japanese counterpart, and (b) Japanese officials about the environmental appraisal of the interim storage of plutonium separated from reprocessed Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield; and what contribution (i) the Environment Directorate of the European Commission, (ii) the Health and Safety Directorate of the European Commission and (iii) the Health and Safety Department of EURATON made to the environmental assessment of plutonium storage at (1) Sellafield and (2) Dounreay. [1832]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has had no consultations with Japanese Ministers or officials about the interim storage of plutonium separated from reprocessed Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield. All nuclear sites, including Sellafield and Dounreay, are subject to regulations governing health and safety, the protection of the environment and the safeguarding of nuclear materials. Questions about the contribution made by the European Commission should be referred to the Commission itself.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans the United Kingdom has to put onto the agenda of(a) the United Nations General Assembly and (b) the United Nations Environment Programme the issue of the environmental implications of the planned extended use of mixed oxide plutonium-based nuclear fuel in reactors; [1819]

  (2) what plans he has to raise at the next European Environment Council meeting the environmental implications for (a) European Union member states and (b) non-European Union member states trading with the United Kingdom in nuclear fuels of the extension of the use of mixed oxide nuclear fuel in the European Union. [1820]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have no plans to place the environmental implications of the extended use of mixed oxide nuclear fuel on the agenda for the United Nations General Assembly or the United Nations Environment Programme, or to raise the issue at the next European Environment Council meeting.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which reports have been placed before the EU Environmental Council on the implications for environmental protection of the decision of the Transport Council in October to accept a new code of control covering irradiated nuclear fuel. [1818]
  463
  Mr. Clappison
  No reports have been placed before the EU Environment Council on this matter.

  Polluted Mines
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of(a) the range of toxic contaminants, (b) the quantities of polluted water and (c) the methods of remedy available at closed coal mines; and which bodies are responsible for funding the clean-up of polluted mine water. [1816]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Environment Agency monitors discharges from abandoned coal mines and their impact on receiving waters. Such discharges can contain a range of substances, of which the most common is iron. The quantity of water discharged is highly variable, according to location, geology and season. A typical range is 200 to 15,000 cu m per day. The selection of methods used to treat mine water discharges depends on site-specific factors such as the nature of the mine water and the amount of land available near the discharge.

  Liability for water pollution from abandoned coal mines varies according to the local circumstances, but we have said that we expect the Coal Authority to go beyond its strict legal duties and seek to achieve the best environmental results within its available resources. On this basis, the Coal Authority is currently pumping and treating mine water in several locations. In addition, the authority, in consultation with the Environment Agency, is assessing the best options for the remediation of a number of other sites where the environmental impact is most serious. I understand that the information resulting from this assessment will be used to identify a programme of specific projects for which finance will be sought from the Government.

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conditions designed to guarantee the(a) quality, (b) impartiality, (c) independence and (d) integrity of the work of the Building Research Establishment will be imposed on organisations submitting a bid to purchase the Building Research Establishment. [2250]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We will require prospective purchasers to demonstrate that BRE would under their ownership remain capable of providing the Government with high-quality, independent and impartial research and development and advice across a broad range of building and construction disciplines. BRE's reputation for integrity derives in large part from its staff, who will transfer with the business.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what criteria he reached his conclusion that the construction industry's proposals for a national centre for construction did not provide a satisfactory basis for the future of the Building Research Establishment; [2252]

  (2) in what respects the proposal from the construction industry for the establishment of a national centre for construction failed to meet the criteria he laid down. [2253]
  464
  Mr. Jones
  The decision we had to take was whether the proposals put forward on behalf of the construction industry—the package of proposals, including the national centre for construction, the arrangements for BRE within the national centre and the Construction Industry Council's indicative offer—offered a basis on which to take forward single tender sale negotiations that would demonstrably result in the best arrangements for the taxpayer. We did not feel that the package as a whole did that.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors led him to select February 1997 as the target date for the privatisation of the Building Research Establishment.[2251]

  Mr. Jones
  It is important for both its staff and its customers that the uncertainty about future ownership of BRE should be ended as soon as practicable. February 1997 is the earliest practicable date for completing the transfer of BRE to the private sector.

  Harmful Substances (Smuggling)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent studies his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of the smuggling into and out of the United Kingdom substances harmful to the environment or contrary to protocols protecting the natural environment; and if he will place copies of these studies in the Library. [2278]

  Mr. Clappison
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are currently carrying out an assessment of the extent to which UK imports and exports of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances may be in breach of UK and EC restrictions.

  Rock Characterisation Facility
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to make a decision on the planning appeal for the construction of a rock characterisation facility at Longlands farm, Gosforth, Cumbria; [2386]

  (2) when he expects to receive the planning inspector's report relating to the inquiry into the construction of a rock characterisation facility at Longlands farm, Gosforth, Cumbria. [2385]

  Mr. Jones
  The Planning Inspectorate has advised that it expects to send the report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in mid-December. Until we have received and considered the report, I cannot say when the decision on the appeal might be made.

  Disablement Facilities Grant
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of the disabled facilities grant. [2464]

  Mr. Clappison
  Mandatory disabled facilities grants are retained under part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. which is due to
  465
  come into force during December. The new provisions will extend the availability of disabled facilities grants, and new means test regulations will ensure that only the resources of disabled persons and their spouses—or parents in the case of disabled children—will be taken into account.

  Sewers
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many critical sewers were(a) renovated and (b) replaced in each area in England and Wales in each of the 10 years immediately before the privatisation of the water industry; and how many critical sewers have been (i) renovated and (ii) replaced in each year since privatisation. [1888]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information was not collected centrally prior to privatisation or in 1989–90, and figures for 1990–91 are not available on a consistent basis. Figures for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 are still subject to verification on a company-by-company basis and will be made available in December this year by the Director General of Water Services when the July returns are placed in the public domain. The figures for the last two years, which have been published by the Director General of Water Services, are contained in the tables:

  Company

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Critical sewers renovated (km)

  Anglian

  13

  14

  Dwr Cymru

  13

  7

  North West

  82

  26

  Northumbrian

  102

  16

  Severn Trent

  79

  5

  South West

  29

  2

  Southern

  19

  0

  Thames

  113

  24

  Wessex

  37

  14

  Yorkshire

  17

  2

  Critical sewers replaced (km)

  Anglian

  31

  3

  Dwr Cymru

  46

  18

  North West

  85

  16

  Northumbrian

  15

  1

  Severn Trent

  225

  9

  South West

  12

  4

  Southern

  14

  1

  Thames

  47

  20

  Wessex

  14

  2

  Yorkshire

  0

  2

  Water Mains
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many kilometres of water mains were(a) renewed and (b) relined in each area of England and Wales in each of the 10 years immediately before the privatisation of the water industry; and how much has been (i) renewed and (ii) relined in each year since privatisation. [1887]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information was not collected centrally prior to privatisation or in 1989–90, and figures for 1990–91 are not available on a consistent basis. Figures for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 are still subject to verification on a company-by-company basis and will be made available in December this year by the 466
  Director General of Water Services when the July returns are placed in the public domain. The figures for the past two years, which have been published by the Director General of Water Services, are contained in the tables:

  Company

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Water mains relined (km)

  Anglian

  147

  0

  Dwr Cymru

  487

  64

  North West

  186

  0

  Northumbrian

  623

  741

  Severn Trent

  5,202

  407

  South West

  905

  156

  Southern

  162

  30

  Thames

  316

  129

  Wessex

  197

  78

  Yorkshire

  785

  167

  Bournemouth and West Hampshire

  0

  0

  Bristol

  31

  9

  Cambridge

  12

  0

  Chester

  0

  0

  East Surrey

  23

  0

  Essex and Suffolk

  79

  55

  Folkestone and Dover

  131

  13

  Hartlepool

  8

  8

  Mid Kent

  6

  0

  Mid Southern

  13

  50

  North East

  596

  0

  North Surrey

  0

  0

  Portsmouth

  1

  7

  South East

  561

  81

  South Staffordshire

  2

  2

  Sutton and East Surrey

  1

  23

  Tendring Hundred

  49

  17

  Three Valleys

  16

  22

  Wrexham

  100

  4

  York

  0

  0

  Water mains renewed (km)

  Anglian

  1,889

  518

  Dwr Cymru

  907

  429

  North West

  2,470

  612

  Northumbrian

  481

  280

  Severn Trent

  2,236

  499

  South West

  179

  10

  Southern

  123

  27

  Thames

  144

  15

  Wessex

  280

  184

  Yorkshire

  699

  114

  Bournemouth and West Hampshire

  29

  23

  Bristol

  83

  3

  Cambridge

  91

  17

  Chester

  15

  2

  East Surrey

  157

  0

  Essex and Suffolk

  42

  117

  Folkestone and Dover

  3

  1

  Hartlepool

  14

  3

  Mid Kent

  178

  4

  Mid Southern

  104

  20

  North East

  131

  0

  North Surrey

  25

  8

  Portsmouth

  179

  36

  South East

  113

  38

  South Staffordshire

  220

  102

  Sutton and East Surrey

  13

  179

  Tendring Hundred

  34

  8

  Three Valleys

  151

  49

  Wrexham

  43

  5

  York

  16

  2

  467

  Cyclotetramethylenetetra-nitramine
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what environmental impact assessment has been(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned by his Department into cyclotetramethylenetetra-nitramine.[1834]

  Mr. Clappison
  As far as I am aware, an environmental impact assessment into cyclotetramethylenetetra-nitramine has neither been undertaken nor commissioned by this Department.

  Water Efficiency Plans
  Mr. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make arrangements for the water efficiency plans to be(a) made publicly available to hon. Members and (b) placed in the Library; [2287]

  (2) what consultation has taken place with consumer, industry and environmental bodies during the compilation of the water efficiency plans; [2289]

  (3) if he will list the water undertakers which have submitted their water efficiency plans to the Director General of Water Services; and if they are publicly available;[2286]
  (4) when he plans to report on the water efficiency plans. [2288]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services has received water efficiency plans from the companies and will be reporting on them in due course. It is for each water company to publish its plan and disseminate it to its customers.

  The director general asked the companies to prepare their plans in consultation with the Environment Agency and the Office of Water Services customer service committees. They are also assisting the director general in his assessment of the plans.

  The companies will report on their plans in their July returns to the director general. The first reports will be included in the 1997 returns.

  British Coal (Land Transfers)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what recent discussions he has held about the transfer of land to English Partnerships for British Coal; when such a transfer will be completed; and if he will make a statement; [2334]

  (2) when he expects the transfer of land from British Coal to English Partnerships to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [2335]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  An announcement will be made shortly.

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2616]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department is aware of the potential problems to departmental computer systems that may be caused by the millennium date change. As previously stated when answering the same question in 468
  June of this year, our replacement programme for older systems should ensure a high level of 2000 compliance. Notwithstanding this we are undertaking a study taking guidance from colleagues in CCTA-CITU which will produce a year 2000 compliance audited inventory of systems to form the basis of a costed departmental year 2000 programme. The Department is also working with others as a participant of the year 2000 public sector group.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the impact of global warming on the sea level in Hampshire in each of the last five years. [1971]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My Department published an independent "Review of the Potential Effects of Climate Change on the UK" in July 1996 which provides an assessment of how climate change could affect the UK. The review suggests a global sea level rise of up to 19 cm by 2020 and a range of 26–50 cm by 2050 against a 1961–1990 baseline, with more rapid sea level rise along the East Anglian and south coasts taking into account projected vertical land movements. Only global assessments of the effects of climate change on sea level rise are available.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the contracts which his Department has placed with consultants to investigate air pollution since 1979. [2285]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Detailed summary documents of the research undertaken to investigate air pollution between the years 1990 and 1995 have been placed in the Library of the House. For the years 1979 to 1990, a list of contracts has been collated and a copy also placed in the Library of the House. This list may not be complete, as this information can be collected only at disproportionate costs.

SCOTLAND

  Farmers' Income
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the changes in farmers' income in real terms for each month since January 1990; and if he will make a statement. [1590]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Scottish Office operates the farm accounts surveys, which collects information on farm incomes in Scotland on an annual basis. This information is published each year in "An Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture", "Agriculture in the United Kingdom", "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom" and "Farm Incomes in Scotland", all of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Algrade Trust
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the
  469
  investigations by (a) the police and (b) the Scottish Charities Office into the affairs of the Algrade trust and the application of public and other funds by that trust. [2135]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The police inquiries are continuing. The case against Robert Herriott has been reported by the procurator fiscal and is being considered by Crown counsel. The accounts of the Algrade trust have been completed by the accountants. Some further minor inquiries require to be done by the investigators at the Crown office, after which a decision will be made on whether any action is appropriate under the supervision of charities legislation.

  A1
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of plans for dualling the Al road between Haddington and Dunbar; and when he intends the construction work to start. [2136]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Department published revised draft orders on 28 June this year following changes to the original scheme design and a second draft compulsory purchase order was published on 25 October.

  A number of objections to the proposals have been received, which Scottish Office officials are seeking to resolve. It is difficult to forecast at this stage the time needed for the completion of the statutory procedures.

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2606]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office does not expect to incur substantial additional costs as a result of the effect of the millennium date change on computer systems which it operates.

  Oil and Gas
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of oil and gas landed from the UK continental shelf comes under the jurisdiction of Scottish legal administration. [1531]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Contracts for the disposal of oil and gas once landed are generally subject to whatever civil law and jurisdiction procedures and purchasers choose to apply. The Government have no record of the choices made.

  Health Care International Hospital
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public sector funding was spent on the Health Care International hospital in current prices. [1530]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 21 May, Official Report, columns 152–54 which set out all support from public
  470
  funds given to Health Care International (Scotland) Ltd. in actual and in March 1996 prices. There has been no additional support to HCI from public funds since then.

  Housing
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each district and islands council the number of council houses sold through(a) right to buy and (b) rent to mortgage in 1995–96. [1617]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 1 November 1996]: The available information is set out in the table which follows. These are provisional figures as a number of returns are still outstanding.

  Number of sales of council houses to sitting tenants in Scotland by district/islands council for the financial year 1995–96 (provisional)

  Right to buy

  Rent to mortgage

  Scotland

  11,836

  80

  Berwickshire1

  0

  0

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  60

  0

  Roxburgh

  116

  20

  Tweeddale

  230

  20

  Clackmannan

  148

  1

  Falkirk

  395

  0

  Stirling

  198

  0

  Annandale and Eskdale

  103

  0

  Nithsdale

  163

  0

  Stewartry

  56

  0

  Wigtown

  130

  3—

  Dunfermline

  395

  0

  Kirkcaldy

  380

  21

  North east Fife

  3—

  3—

  Aberdeen

  575

  146

  Banff and Buchan

  221

  1

  Gordon

  125

  8

  Kincardine and Deeside

  255

  8

  Moray

  229

  2

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  30

  3—

  Caithness

  273

  20

  Inverness

  118

  20

  Lochaber

  57

  0

  Nairn

  28

  0

  Ross and Cromarty

  128

  1

  Skye and Lochalsh

  23

  3—

  Sutherland

  218

  0

  East Lothian

  2141

  7

  Edinburgh

  705

  1

  Midlothian

  150

  2

  West Lothian

  363

  1

  Argyll and Bute

  166

  1

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  23

  0

  Clydebank

  98

  0

  Clydesdale

  2107

  3—

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  92

  0

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  196

  0

  Cunninghame

  336

  0

  Dumbarton

  290

  0

  East Kilbride

  29

  20

  Eastwood

  3—

  3—

  Glasgow

  1,688

  0

  Hamilton

  468

  0

  Inverclyde

  336

  0

  471

  Number of sales of council houses to sitting tenants in Scotland by district/islands council for the financial year 1995–96 (provisional)

  Right to buy

  Rent to mortgage

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  2188

  0

  Kyle and Carrick

  431

  0

  Monklands

  547

  0

  Motherwell

  647

  3—

  Renfrew

  386

  0

  Strathkelvin

  139

  3—

  Angus

  230

  0

  Dundee

  401

  0

  Perth and Kinross

  2223

  20

  Orkney Islands

  35

  0

  Shetland Islands

  57

  20

  Western Isles

  30

  0

  1 All local authority housing stock has now been disposed of.

  2 Data incomplete: figures for part-year only.

  3 No information has been received for this period.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he estimates the Scottish fishing industry will reach the targets laid down in the current multi-annual guidance programme; what additional(a) grants and (b) other public funds will be made available to the fishing industry when this target is reached; and if he will make a statement. [1543]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: We estimate that the UK fishing industry will be close to the targets laid down in the current multi-annual guidance programme when that programme ends on 31 December 1996. Details of the next multi-annual guidance programme remain under discussion. It is too early to say what changes in public expenditure may result.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the loss to the Scottish fishing industry in terms of decommissioning grants and other assistance due to the fact that the United Kingdom has not reached the targets laid down in multi-annual guidance programme 3yind if he will make a statement. [1544]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Decommissioning grants are provided in order to help meet the targets laid down in MAGP 3. The Scottish fishing industry has benefited from substantial UK public sector assistance for that purpose, with support from the European Union.

  The fact that the UK Government may not provide certain other types of grant assistance does not affect the overall volume of resources available for EU structural spending, which has been fixed for the period 1994 to 1999. There is thus no quantifiable loss to the Scottish fishing industry.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions must be met by a fisherman seeking to access grants towards the building of a new fishing vessel; and if he will make a statement. [1462]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: In view of the overcapacity of the fishing fleet, fishermen in
  472
  Scotland do not have access to grants towards the building of new fishing vessels.

  East Ayrshire Community Hospital
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the alternative proposals for funding the East Ayrshire community hospital from the Ayrshire and Arran community health trust; when he expects to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement. [1488]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: I received the full business case from the Ayrshire and Arran community health trust on 2 September. However, the preferred bidder sought time to revise the bid and was given until 1 November to submit final figures in support of his bid. I expect to be able to announce my decision shortly.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's proposed changes to the rules for the reclaim of VAT on local authorities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2045]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: None. The matter has not been raised with the Department by any Scottish local authority.

  Dounreay Nuclear Plant
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from The Scotsman newspaper about the public supply of published health and safety reports covering activities at the Dounreay nuclear plant since 1975; and if he will make a statement. [2363]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend has received no such representations.

  Environmental Radioactivity
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he gave in respect of the release of data contained in the report on "Environmental Radioactivity in Caithness and Sutherland" part 4 to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment relating to the investigation into the incidence of childhood leukaemia in the Thurso area in 1988; and if he will make a statement. [2365]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend gave no instructions on this matter. The data contained in the report were available to COMARE at the time of its deliberations about the Dounreay site.
  473

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Schools
  Mr. Worthington:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown of schools in Northern Ireland by the percentages which they attract from each of the major traditions in Northern Ireland. [971]

  Mr. Ancram
  The breakdown of schools in Northern Ireland by the percentages which they attract from each of the major traditions is given in the tables.

  Table 1a: Controlled nursery school (attended mainly by protestant pupils)

  Percentage catholic

  Number of schools

  0

  13

  .01–1

  0

  1.1–5

  11

  5.1–10

  7

  10.1–20

  4

  20.1–50

  12

  50.1+

  18

  Table 1b: Maintained nursery schools (attended mainly by catholic pupils)

  Percentage catholic

  Number of schools

  0

  22

  .01–1

  0

  1.1–5

  2

  5.1–10

  0

  10.1–20

  1

  20.1–50

  1

  50.1+

  0

  Table 2a: Maintained primary school (attended mainly by catholic pupils

  Percentage protestant

  Number of schools

  0

  384

  .01–1

  26

  1.1–5

  17

  5.1–10

  1

  10.1–20

  3

  20.1–50

  3

  50.1+

  0

  Table 2b: Controlled/other maintained primary schools (attended mainly by protestant pupils)

  Percentage catholic

  Number of schools

  0

  278

  .01–1

  52

  1.1–5

  88

  5.1–10

  25

  10.1–20

  14

  20.1–50

  14

  50.1+

  11

  474

  Table 3a: Controlled secondary/non-denominational voluntary grammar schools (attended mainly by protestant pupils)

  Percentage catholic

  Number of schools

  0

  28

  .01–1

  25

  1.1–5

  36

  5.1–10

  7

  10.1–20

  8

  20.1–50

  6

  50.1+

  1

  Table 3b: Maintained secondary/voluntary grammar under Roman Catholic management (attended mainly by catholic pupils)

  Percentage protestant

  Number of schools

  0

  83

  .01–1

  22

  1.1–5

  2

  5.1–10

  0

  10.1–20

  1

  20.1–50

  1

  50.1 +

  0

  Class Sizes
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) five, (b)six and catholic pupils) (c) seven-year-olds in Northern Ireland are currently educated in classes of more than 30 pupils. [1170]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not collected in the form requested.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children in Northern Ireland in(a) primary education and (b) secondary education are in a class of more than 30 pupils. [1175]

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of children in primary education in a class of more than 30 pupils is 21,595. This information is not collected for secondary education.

  School Computers
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils have access to the Internet through a computer in their school. [1172]

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not currently available, but a forthcoming survey of information technology provision in schools in Northern Ireland will provide the information in April 1997. I will write to the hon. Member at that time.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils have access to a computer. [1171]

  Mr. Ancram
  All primary and secondary pupils in Northern Ireland schools have access to a computer.

  Nursery Education
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds are currently in nursery education in Northern Ireland. [1174]
  475
  Mr. Ancram
  In 1995–96 there were(a) 8,170 three-year-olds; and (b) 12 four-year-olds in nursery education in Northern Ireland.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursery places are currently available in Northern Ireland. [1173]

  Mr. Ancram
  A total of 6,750 full-time equivalent places are available at grant-aided nursery schools and nursery units attached to grant-aided primary schools.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils have been excluded from schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [1177]

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on the number of pupils expelled from Northern Ireland schools in recent years is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A monitoring system is, however, in the process of being established to provide such information in future years.

  Pupil Numbers
  Mr. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils are currently in full-time education in Northern Ireland in(a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary education. [1179]

  Mr. Ancram
  In 1995–96 there were 4,752 nursery, 187,872 primary and 151,576 secondary pupils in full-time education in Northern Ireland.

  Criminal Records (Access)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what ways the Northern Ireland criminal records computer system can be accessed by police in Great Britain; and what plans he has to assist in bringing about a single United Kingdom system. [1201]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Police forces in Great Britain currently access the Northern Ireland criminal records system by direct contact with the RUC criminal records office.

  The RUC can access criminal records in Great Britain via police national computer—Phoenix—terminals located in Northern Ireland.

  There are no plans to bring a single United Kingdom system, although methods of improving access to Northern Ireland criminal records by forces in Great Britain are currently under consideration.

  Education Spending
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent per pupil in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [1167]
  476
  Mr. Ancram
  Expenditure per pupil figures are as follows:

  Expenditure per pupil (1994–95 prices) £

  1992–93

  1,699

  1993–94

  1,802

  1994–95

  1,913

  Information is not available for 1990–91 or 1991–92 on a comparable basis.

  Hotels and Guest Houses
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by heading and amount the grant aid given to hotels and guest houses for(a) new build and (b) renovation since 1 January 1989 in the North Down constituency indicating the current room size criteria; and if he will make a statement. [1200]

  Mr. Ancram
  The table shows the amount of grant aid given to hotels and guest houses in the North Down constituency for both new build and renovation work since January 1989. It also indicates the Northern Ireland tourist board's current room size criterion for new hotels and guest houses.

  Financial assistance to accommodation developments in North Down constituency since 1989

  A: New build £

  B: Renovation £

  C: Minimum room size (including en-suite facilities)

  Hotels

  1,400,000.00

  344,622.60

  25 sq. metres

  Guesthouses

  —

  37,970.68

  20 sq. metres

  Total

  1,400,000.00

  382,593.28

  —

  Nursery Vouchers
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost will be for each of the next five years for administration of nursery vouchers for Northern Ireland. [1180]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 1 November 1996,Official Report, column 282.

  GCSE Passes
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of pupils in Northern Ireland achieved passes in GCSE mathematics in each of the last five years. [1178]

  Mr. Ancram
  Information is not available in the form requested. The percentage of pupils entered for the GCSE mathematics examinations of the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and
  477
  Assessment and its predecessor bodies, and achieving grades A* to G (A to G in 1992 and 1993), in each of the last five years, are:

  1992: 93.8

  1993: 92.7

  1994: 94.5

  1995: 98.21; 96.4

  1996: 98.12; 95.12

  1Syllabus A

  2Syllabus B

  Belfast Airport (Sale)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on whose advice and by what criteria the price of Belfast international airport at Aldergrove was set when originally sold; and by what actual and percentage amount that price was bettered when the airport was subsequently sold. [1202]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland engaged the services of consultants for the privatisation process. Details of the appointment remain commercial in confidence. The valuation exercise formed part of that process. The criteria used to value the airport were those applicable to a transaction of this type.

  The airport was sold by means of a trade sale in a competitive bidding situation which generated a considerable degree of price tension. The purchase price was £32.75 million and the Government withdrew a further £15.51 million in cash from the former company, giving a total return on the transaction of £47.9 million.

  We understand that in August 1996 TBI plc acquired the shares in Belfast International Airport Holdings Ltd.—BIAHL—for £72.4 million. In addition, BIAHL paid a dividend of £4.5 million to shareholders. As part of the deal, TBI repaid £28 million of BIAHL's bank borrowings and transaction costs of £2 million. This resulted in a total purchase consideration of £106.9 million.

  This figure represents an increase of £59 million on the amount received by Government from the sale of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. In percentage terms, the increase is equivalent to 123 per cent.

  Area Plans
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if the reviews of the area plans in respect of the Down and Newry and Mourne district council areas will be included in the Planning Agency's business case for the financial year 1997£98; [2384]

  (2) what is the time scale for the commencement and execution of the work required in respect of the Down and Newry and Mourne area plans; [2402]

  (3) what factors led to the exclusion of the area plans for the Down and Newry and Mourne district council areas form the Planning Agency's business case for the financial year 1996–97; [2383]

  (4) when he expects the reviews of the area plans in respect of Down and Newry and Mourne district councils to take place; [2417]
  478
  (5) if he will make a statement on the adequacy of resources for the (a) review and (b) preparation of the area plans for the Down and Newry and Mourne districts. [2418]

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

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 5 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your questions about the Down and Newry and Mourne Area Plans.
  Only Development Plans which were to be adopted in 1996/97 were included in the Agency's Business Plan for that year. The position will be the same for the 1997/98 Business Plan. When drawing up the development plan programme for 1997/98 and future years, the programming of work on both plans will be taken into account. The work programme will be established in accordance with competing priorities and the available resources.
  Although the notional end date for the Down Area Plan is late 1997 and for the Newry and Mourne Area Plan late 1999, they will remain material planning considerations in the determination of any planning applications submitted after those dates.

  Tuberculosis Vaccination
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of school leavers in Northern Ireland have been vaccinated against tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. [1627]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not available in the form requested; however, I would refer the hon. Member to the statistical information contained in the publication "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics 1 April 199–31 March 1994" issued by the Department of Health and Social Services which is available in the Library. The Government recommend that BCG vaccine to protect against tuberculosis should be routinely offered to all school children between the ages of 10 and 14 years.

  Prisoners (Terrorist Offences)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his policy in relation to the(a) release, (b) transfer, and (c) repatriation of prisoners detained in Northern Ireland and convicted of terrorist offences; and if he will make a statement; [2051]

  (2) how many prisoners detained in Northern Ireland and convicted of terrorist offences have been (a) released, (b) transferred, (c) notified of their release by the end of 1996 and (d) repatriated to prisons in the Republic of Ireland since August 1994; [2143]

  (3) in what way the criteria for approving applications by prisoners convicted of terrorist offences and detained in Northern Ireland for (a) release, (b) transfer and (c) repatriation to the Republic of Ireland differ from those applied in other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [2144]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  479
  Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Max Madden, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to the 3 Parliamentary Questions you tabled about policies with regard to the release, transfer and repatriation of prisoners detained in Northern Ireland, who have been convicted of terrorist offences.
  Determinate sentence prisoners in Northern Ireland are released automatically once their full sentences, with the appropriate period of remission, have been served. A prisoner may only be released earlier in exceptional circumstances where the Royal Prerogative of Mercy is exercised. The statistical information you are seeking on releases since I August 1994 and prospective releases by 31 December 1996 is not readily available in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However I can confirm that since 17 November 1995, 160 scheduled offenders have been released on licence, between the half way and two thirds part of sentence, as a result of the changes in remission rules brought in by the Northern Ireland (Remission of Sentence) Act 1995.
  The release on licence of life sentence prisoners is at the discretion of the Secretary of State who is advised by the Life Sentence Review Board. Since 1 August 1994 58 life sentence prisoners convicted of terrorist related offences have been released on licence and a further 4 prisoners with provisional release dates are expected to be released by 31 December 1996.
  The transfer of prisoners between the 3 UK jurisdictions on either a permanent or temporary basis is governed by the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 and administered according to criteria announced in Parliament in 1992. Since I August 1994 2 prisoners convicted of terrorist offences in Northern Ireland have transferred to England & Wales; one permanently and the other on a temporary basis.
  The repatriation of prisoners from or to Northern Ireland is governed by the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984. Repatriation may be considered where the country to which application is being made is a signatory to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons or to the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders or has a separate bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom. No prisoners convicted in Northern Ireland have been repatriated to the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Prison Service is not in receipt of any applications from prisoners seeking repatriation. However one prisoner who was convicted in England, but detained temporarily in Northern Ireland on an intra-UK transfer, was subsequently repatriated to the Republic of Ireland on the authority of the Home Secretary.
  You have asked in what way the criteria for approving applications for release, transfer and repatriation differs from those applied in other parts of the United Kingdom. Intra-UK transfers and repatriations are governed by the same legislation and criteria in all 3 UK jurisdictions.
  On the question of release each jurisdiction has separate legislation and powers. In Northern Ireland there is no system of parole or discretionary release for determinate sentence prisoners who are released automatically at the completion of their sentences with remission. The procedure for reviewing the sentences of life

  Income and expenditure 1973–74 to 1995–96 Northern Ireland Housing Executive NIHE)

  Capital expenditure

  Capital receipts

  Revenue expenditure

  Rental income

  Net capital and revenue expenditure

  1973–74

  65.1

  0.2

  34.2

  21.7

  77.4

  1974–75

  46.5

  0.7

  48.3

  23.2

  70.9

  1975–76

  73.5

  1.8

  62.1

  31.3

  102.5

  1976–77

  108.2

  4.7

  81.7

  39

  146.2

  1977–78

  109.6

  5.1

  100.5

  50.5

  154.5

  1978–79

  102.7

  7.1

  130.3

  58.5

  167.4

  1979–80

  97.5

  9.3

  171.3

  53

  206.5

  1980–81

  110.7

  16.7

  199.2

  72.6

  220.6

  1981–82

  119.9

  54

  241

  100

  206.9

  1982–83

  177.4

  55.2

  248.4

  119.5

  251.1

  1983–84

  177.2

  55.6

  269.4

  126.7

  264.3

  480
  sentence prisoners also differs from that in other jurisdictions and I attach an explanatory memorandum which illustrates in detail the life sentence review process in Northern Ireland.

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1971 the number of(a) new houses built, (b) improvements made to the housing stock and (c) existing houses purchased by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. [2370]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is provided in the table. The data requested at part(c) are available only at disproportionate cost.

  New build completions and improvements by Northern Ireland housing executive 1971 to 1995

  New build completions

  Improvements

  1971

  1,710

  305

  1972

  5,589

  244

  1973

  5,808

  296

  1974

  5,012

  249

  1975

  5,022

  152

  1976

  7,224

  325

  1977

  6,724

  746

  1978

  5,132

  1,277

  1979

  2,952

  1,207

  1980

  2,701

  319

  1981

  2,342

  4,791

  1982

  3,628

  3,763

  1983

  3,874

  1,439

  1984

  3,384

  6,250

  1985

  3,160

  3,860

  1986

  2,222

  852

  1987

  1,805

  2,484

  1988

  1,653

  3,049

  1989

  1,577

  2,943

  1990

  1,324

  3,178

  1991

  961

  2,656

  1992

  958

  2,498

  1993

  888

  2,823

  1994

  878

  2,239

  1995

  1,362

  2,464

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the income and expenditure of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for each year of its existence expressed as an actual figure and as a percentage of the Northern Ireland budget. [2371]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is provided in the table. Although the Northern Ireland Housing Executive was formed in 1971, expenditure and income figures are available only from 1973–74.
  481

  Income and expenditure 1973–74 to 1995–96 Northern Ireland Housing Executive NIHE)

  Capital expenditure

  Capital receipts

  Revenue expenditure

  Rental income

  Net capital and revenue expenditure

  1984–85

  174.2

  48.6

  308.6

  131.6

  302.6

  1985–86

  171.9

  41.9

  328

  135.5

  322.45

  1986–87

  151.3

  34.1

  341.2

  141.6

  316.8

  1987–88

  150.2

  30.2

  350.1

  147.6

  322.5

  1988–89

  151.3

  36

  358.8

  160.3

  313.8

  1989–90

  141.5

  46.4

  334.6

  174.6

  255.1

  1990–91

  124.5

  42.3

  347.9

  189

  241.1

  1991–92

  123.3

  34.6

  370.2

  198.3

  260.6

  1992–93

  122.3

  36.7

  369.3

  213.1

  241.8

  1993–94

  129.1

  45

  378.4

  225.3

  237.2

  1994–95

  132.9

  55.6

  393.6

  235.7

  235.2

  1995–96

  136.4

  56.3

  414.1

  247.5

  246.7

  Public expenditure 1973–74 to 1995–96 Northern Ireland block

  Expenditure

  1973–74

  803

  1974–75

  1,116

  1975–76

  1,414

  1976–77

  1,620

  1977–78

  1,808

  1978–79

  2,132

  1979–80

  2,446

  1980–81

  2,889

  1981–82

  3,215

  1982–83

  3,500

  1983–84

  3,816

  1984–85

  4,121

  1985–86

  4,275

  1986–87

  4,499

  1987–88

  4,828

  1988–89

  5,111

  1989–90

  5,395

  1990–91

  5,525

  1991–92

  6,018

  1992–93

  6,580

  1993–94

  7,085

  1994–95

  7,407

  1995–96

  7,823

  NIHE net expenditure expressed as percentage of total NI public expenditure

  Percentage

  1973–74

  9.6

  1974–75

  6.4

  1975–76

  7.2

  1976–77

  9

  1977–78

  8.5

  1978–79

  7.9

  1979–80

  8.4

  1980–81

  7.6

  1981–82

  6.4

  1982–83

  7.2

  1983–84

  6.9

  1984–85

  7.3

  1985–86

  7.5

  1986–87

  7

  1987–88

  6.7

  1988–89

  6.1

  1989–90

  4.7

  1990–91

  4.4

  1991–92

  4.3

  1992–93

  3.7

  1993–94

  3.3

  1994–95

  3.2

  1995–96

  3.2

  482

  Millennium Date Change
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2608]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Northern Ireland Departments are progressing the audits of their computer systems to determine which systems will continue to be in operation as year 2000 approaches and the amount of work that will be necessary to make them compliant. The audits will include an assessment of costs, priorities and time scales.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants are employed in the drafting and production of statutory instruments. [1683]

  Mr. Freeman
  Civil servants in many areas of government are involved from time to time in preparing and drafting statutory instruments relating to their areas of work. The staff time spent on this is not recorded separately and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    Rendering Facilities
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspectors are currently appointed by the Government to ensure existing(a) legislation and (b) guidelines are met with regard to rendering facilities; and if he will make a statement. [432]

    Mrs. Browning
    All veterinary staff employed by the Department are appointed as veterinary inspectors under the Animal Health Act 1981 and are empowered to carry out inspections at rendering facilities. A total of 356 veterinary inspectors are employed at present. In addition, 152 technical staff are currently appointed by the Department and they, too, are able to carry out inspections.
    483
    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the procedure for registering as a rendering facility. [424]

    Mrs. Browning
    Owners of premises wishing to operate a rendering facility must submit an application to the appropriate MAFF animal health divisional office. The premises are then inspected by State Veterinary Service staff to ensure that the hygiene, structural and processing requirements set out in EC directive 90/667, as amended, and implemented in Great Britain by the Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, are met before approval to operate a rendering plant is granted.

    Operators wishing to process specified bovine material must be similarly approved but under the Specified Bovine Material (No. 3) Order 1996.

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates on which those rendering plants which deal exclusively with cattle culled in the 30—month scheme began dealing solely with such cattle; if he will indicate for each the products they were previously rendering; and if he will make a statement. [434]

    Mr. Baldry
    Details of when those rendering plants processing solely over-30-month scheme—OTMSmaterial, and in some cases specified bovine material from cattle under 30 months also, began to take OTMS carcases and the material that they processed immediately before that date are listed below:

    Name of company

    Dale started rendering OTMS carcases

    Material previously rendered

    Canterbury Mills Ltd.

    May 1996

    SBM and other animal waste

    Granox Ltd.

    May 1996

    SBM and other animal waste

    J. G. Pears (Newark) Ltd.

    October 1996

    animal waste other than SBM

    J. L. Thomas Ltd.

    May 1996

    animal waste other than SBM

    Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

    May 1996

    animal waste other than SBM

    Prosper de Mulder and Sons Ltd.(Hartshill)

    October 1996

    animal waste other than SBM

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all rendering facilities that render mammals without producing mammalian meat and bonemeal; and if he will make a statement. [430]

    Mrs. Browning
    In Great Britain, the following premises are approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, to part render mammalian by-products, the proteinaceous end product from which must be sent to an approved full renderer for further processing.

    ABP Ltd., Shrewsbury

    Croda Colloids Ltd., Market Harborough

    D. S. Cooper Ltd., Huddersfield

    Mitchell By-Products Ltd., Bradford

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all rendering facilities, indicating for each whether they render(a) exclusively cattle culled under the 30-month scheme, (b) exclusively cattle not included in the 30-month scheme and (c) both cattle within the 30-month scheme and cattle not within the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [433]
    484
    Mr. Baldry
    Of the plants rendering cattle by-products in Great Britain the following are processing:

    (a) Over-30—month scheme cattle, and in some cases specified bovine material from under-30-month cattle, on an exclusive basis:

    Canterbury Mills Ltd., Canterbury

    Granox Ltd., Widnes

    J. G. Pears (Newark) Ltd.

    J. L. Thomas Ltd., Exeter.

    Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

    Prosper de Mulder and Sons Ltd., Hartshill.

    On (b), no rendering plant in Great Britain is exclusively processing cattle which are under 30 months of age. Generally plants processing non-SBM from cattle under 30 months of age also process other clean offals— for example, from pigs, sheep, and so on. The plants falling into this category—that is, plants which operate without processing OTMS cattle carcases or SBM are as follows:

    ABP Ltd., Shrewsbury

    Chambers Ltd., Huddersfield

    D. S. Cooper Ltd., Huddersfield

    Croda Colloids Ltd., Market Harborough

    A. Hughes (Skellingthorpe) Ltd., Skellingthorpe

    J. Knights Ltd., Silvertown

    Mitchell By-Products Ltd., Bradford

    Pimlotts Ltd., Norwich

    Smith Brothers, Manchester

    Sykes, Castleford

    Waddington, Bradford

    Dundas Chemicals Ltd., Dumfries

    McIntosh Donald Ltd., Aberdeen

    On (c), the following Great Britain rendering plants are processing OTMS carcases and SBM from cattle under 30 months of age in dedicated rendering lines and, separately, non-SBM in dedicated clean rendering lines:

    Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd., Lancaster

    Gilberts Animal By-Products Ltd., Stafford

    Dundas Bros Ltd., Aberdeen

    William Forrest and Son (Paisley) Ltd.

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the conditions required to be met prior to approval being granted to a rendering facility; and if he will make a statement. [425]

    Mrs. Browning
    Prior to approval being granted under the Animal By-Products Order 1992, rendering plants must meet the range of hygiene, constructional and processing requirements set out in schedule 4 to the order.

    Prior to approval being granted under the Specified Bovine Material (No.3) Order 1996, rendering plants must meet the range of hygiene, constructional and processing requirements set out in schedule 1 and article 18 of the order.

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names and locations of rendering plants that(a) produce and (b) do not produce mammalian meat and bonemeal in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [423]
    485
    Mrs. Browning
    In Great Britain, the following premises are approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, to render fully mammalian by-products and could therefore produce mammalian meat and bonemeal:

    Canterbury Mills Ltd., Canterbury,

    Chambers Ltd., Huddersfield

    Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd., Lancaster

    Gilberts Animal By-Products Ltd., Stafford

    Granox Ltd., Widnes

    Hughes (Skellingthorpe) Ltd., Skellingthorpe

    J. G. Pears, (Newark) Ltd.

    J. Knights Ltd., Slivertown

    J. L. Thomas Ltd., Exeter

    Lloyd Maunder Ltd., Cullompton

    Peninsular Proteins Ltd., Exeter

    Pimlotts, Norwich

    Prosper de Mulder and Sons, Hartshill

    Smith Brothers, Manchester

    Sykes, Castleford

    Waddington, Bradford

    Dundas Brothers Ltd., Aberdeen

    Dundas Chemicals Ltd., Dumfries

    McIntosh Donald Ltd., Aberdeen

    William Forrest and Son (Paisley) Ltd.

    In Great Britain, the following premises are approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1992, as amended, to part render animal by-products or render materials other than mammalian by-products—for example fish, poultry—and do not, therefore, produce mammalian meat and bone meal:

    ABP Ltd., Shrewsbury

    Alba Proteins Ltd., Penrith

    Chaettles Ltd., Nottingham

    Croda Colloids, Market Harborough

    D. S. Cooper Ltd., Huddersfield

    F. Howard Jones and Sons Ltd., Gwent

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    1990

    1

    1

    2

    1

    1

    2

    1

    0

    2

    4

    0

    1

    1991

    0

    0

    1

    0

    1

    2

    0

    3

    1

    0

    1

    2

    1992

    0

    1

    1

    3

    1

    0

    0

    2

    1

    3

    0

    1

    1993

    0

    0

    0

    0

    2

    0

    0

    2

    1

    3

    1

    1

    1994

    1

    2

    2

    1

    0

    0

    2

    0

    2

    2

    2

    0

    1995

    1

    1

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    0

    19961

    1

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    1 Data incomplete

    Note:

    1. The data do not include five cases confirmed in 1996 for which detailed information is not yet available.

    2. Previous figures supplied for numbers of FSE cases have been on the basis of year of administrative confirmation and not on the basis of date of clinical onset of disease as is the case with those in the table. It would not be appropriate to provide monthly figures by the month of confirmation because of the time lag between suspicion and confirmation. The above figures will therefore not necessarily reflect previous figures given.

    Organophosphate Dips
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what liaison there is between his Department, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence on the subject of organophosphate dips and their use; and if he will make a statement. [1857]
    486

    Grampian Ltd., Aberdeen

    Grimsby Fish Products Ltd.,Grimsby

    Interfish Ltd., Plymouth

    Marshall Foods Ltd., Perthshire

    Mitchell By-Products, Bradford

    Shetland Fish Ltd., Shetland

    Sun Valley Ltd., Hereford

    United Fish Ltd., Aberdeen.

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Government inspections during(a) 12 June to 12 July, (b) 12 July to 12 August and (c) 12 August to 12 September 1996, were carried out to ensure existing (i) legislation and (ii) guidelines have been met with regard to rendering facilities; and if he will make a statement. [431]

    Mrs. Browning
    The number of inspection visits made by State Veterinary Service staff to rendering plants during the periods concerned are:

    12 June 1996 to 11 July 1996: 87

    12 July 1996 and 11 August 1996: 72

    12 August 1996 to 11 September 1996: 91

    Casualty Animals
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received relating to the reluctance of contractors to pick up bulls as casualty animals; and if he will make a statement.[468]

    Mrs. Browning
    No such written representations appear to have been made.

    Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the incidence of reported feline spongiform encephalopathy for each month since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [454]

    Mrs. Browning
    The number of feline spongiform encephalopathy cases confirmed by date of clinical onset for each month since 1990 at 29 October 1996 is:

    Mrs. Browning
    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) on 28 October 1996,Official Report, column 52. In addition, I have held a series of meetings with Baroness Cumberlege, Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health.
    487

    Millennium Date Change
    Mr. Ingram
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2605]

    Mr. Boswell
    We are currently in the process of assessing the resources required to address the problems faced by computer systems when handling the millennium date change.

    Live Animal Exports
    Mr. Morley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current requirements on local veterinary inspectors to conduct an examination of all sheep and goats being exported; and if he will make a statement. [1981]

    Mrs. Browning
    [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The local veterinary inspector responsible for completing an export health certificate for sheep and goats is required to certify that, within 48 hours of loading, they were inspected and showed no clinical sign of disease. For the purposes of export certification, the terms inspection and examination are considered to be synonymous. The instructions to local veterinary inspectors specify that the pre-export examination or inspection of animals should consist of visual appraisal and, if deemed appropriate, physical examination.

    Mr. Morley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many copies of certificate EC 618 have been issued by his divisional veterinary managers during(a) July, (b) August and (c) September in the county of Kent to local veterinary inspectors certifying live sheep for export destined for further fattening. [1983]

    Mrs. Browning
    [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The information requested is as follows:

    (a) July: 251

    (b) August: 204

    (c) September: 233

    Mr. Morley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the working procedures of the export health certificate, Council directive 91/68/EEC, for the export of sheep

    Arable area payments scheme 1995 (Number of holdings and area claimed by county)

    Simplified scheme

    Main scheme

    County

    Number of holdings

    Area claimed (ha)

    Number of holdings

    Area claimed (ha)

    Total number of holdings

    Total area claimed (ha)

    Clwyd

    334

    3,350.90

    52

    3,689.22

    386

    7,040.12

    Dyfed

    884

    7,925.23

    137

    8,411.32

    1,021

    16,336.55

    Gwent

    184

    2,080.45

    81

    5,115.92

    265

    7,196.37

    Gwynedd

    158

    1,468.04

    19

    1,089.70

    177

    2,557.74

    Mid Glamorgan

    33

    367.14

    14

    1,392.20

    47

    1,759.34

    Powys

    309

    3,043.57

    60

    4,115.76

    369

    7,159.33

    South Glamorgan

    61

    761.77

    33

    3,322.79

    94

    4,084.56

    West Glamorgan

    66

    549.88

    10

    483.52

    76

    1,033.40

    Total

    2,029

    19,546.98

    406

    27,620.43

    2,435

    47,167.41

    488
    for further fattening and the current certificate issued by his Department for the export of sheep for further fattening. [1982]

    Mrs. Browning
    [holding answer 4 November 1996]: The official health certificate issued by my Department for sheep and goats for further fattening consigned to other European Union member states is known as EC2747. The certificate fully reflects the conditions in the model health certificate laid down in Council directive 91/68/EEC. Specific notes for guidance and checklists are provided to local veterinary inspectors to enable them to complete certificate EC2747.

    Quarantine
    Mr. Morley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will take steps to set up a trial scheme with a view to replacing current quarantine regulations with a passport for pets system; [2366]

    (2) if he will make guide, hearing and appropriate police and customs dogs exempt from current quarantine regulation subject to the microchip identification, vaccination, and blood testing in a passport for pets system. [2367]

    Mrs. Browning
    [holding answer 4 November 1996]Last year, in reply to the Agriculture Committee, the Government said that they would continue to monitor our current quarantine regulations with a view to replacing them if alternatives offering the same degree of protection became available.

    We are now looking at the matter, taking account of the most recent information. If new moves are decided upon an announcement will be made.

  WALES

    Arable Area Payments Scheme
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many agricultural holdings and what area of agricultural land in hectares came within the arable area payments scheme in each county in Wales in (1) 1995 and (ii) 1996. [773]

    Mr. Jonathan Evans
    [holding answer 28 October 1996]: The information for 1995 is given in the table. The equivalent figures for 1996 are not yet available.
    489
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out by county a breakdown of the(a) 1994 and the (b) 1995 arable area payments scheme.

    Arable area payments scheme, by county, 1994

    Main scheme

    County

    Simplified scheme Area claimed (ha)

    Cereals area claimed (ha)

    Oilseeds area claimed (ha)

    Protein area claimed (ha)

    Linseed area claimed (ha)

    Set-aside area claimed (ha)

    Total

    Clwyd

    3,450.22

    2,489.48

    237.33

    184.70

    47.82

    562.91

    3,522.24

    Dyfed

    8,231.86

    4,492.30

    543.66

    249.33

    160.53

    1,346.99

    6,792.81

    Gwent

    2,189.71

    3,032.24

    392.13

    169.96

    118.88

    843.8

    4,557.01

    Gwynedd

    1,486.72

    813.84

    23.62

    14.80

    24.15

    218.52

    1,094.93

    Mid Glamorgan

    349.48

    1,030.08

    161.74

    0.00

    0.00

    226.72

    1,418.54

    Powys

    3,323.99

    2,610.82

    271.71

    62.26

    6.98

    602.63

    3,554.40

    South Glamorgan

    870.89

    2,016.49

    337.89

    49.23

    14.06

    509.22

    2,926.89

    West Glamorgan

    597.14

    233.94

    66.41

    0.00

    15.33

    41.40

    357.08

    Total

    20,500.01

    16,719.19

    2,034.49

    730.28

    387.75

    4,352.19

    24,223.90

    Arable area payments scheme, by county, 1995

    Main scheme

    County

    Simplified scheme Area claimed (ha)

    Cereals area claimed (ha)

    Oilseeds area claimed (ha)

    Protein area claimed(ha)

    Linseed area claimed (ha)

    Set-aside area claimed (ha)

    Total

    Clywd

    3,350.90

    2,844.03

    162.65

    143.62

    6.47

    532.45

    3,689.22

    Dyfed

    7,925.23

    5,994.84

    557.72

    157.22

    145.91

    1,555.63

    8,411.32

    Gwent

    2,080.45

    3,646.54

    310.69

    178.13

    178.13

    801.99

    5,115.92

    Gwynedd

    1,468.04

    827.38

    19.95

    18.43

    0.00

    223.94

    1,089.70

    Mid Glamorgan

    367.14

    1,017.43

    119.76

    33.04

    28.14

    193.83

    1,392.20

    Powys

    3,043.57

    3,254.64

    222.46

    54.6

    9.14

    574.92

    4,115.76

    South Glamorgan

    761.77

    2,483.01

    257.42

    21.84

    91.2

    469.32

    3,322.79

    West Glamorgan

    549.88

    331.59

    24.83

    0.00

    0.00

    127.10

    483.52

    Total

    19,546.98

    20,339.46

    1,675.48

    607.32

    458.99

    4,479.18

    27,620.43

    Brain Injuries
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional provision of rehabilitation services for brain injured patients in Wales he has made in the current year; what variations in provision there have been since 1994; and if he will make a statement. [1746]

    Mr. Gwilym Jones
    Provision of rehabilitation for brain injured patients is a matter for health authorities. In response to the Welsh Affairs Committee report on severe head injuries, the chairmen and chief executives of health authorities in Wales have established a steering group to consider the main recommendations. My Department is currently awaiting a full report.

    Nursery Vouchers
    Mr. Hanson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the total costs of implementing the nursery voucher scheme in Wales. [1492]

    Mr. Jonathan Evans
    I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 16 October 1996,Official Report, column 984.
    490
    Mr. Evans
    [holding answer 28 October 1996]The information is given in the table.

    Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the proposed levels of hill livestock compensatory allowances for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [1856]

    Mr. Jonathan Evans
    My right hon. Friend and I have received representations from individual farmers, industry bodies and Members of Parliament. The farming unions in particular have made detailed representations, including expressing appreciation of the early announcement that across the UK there would be an additional £60 million for cattle payments in 1997. We are now considering, with Ministers from all the agriculture departments, the representations that we have received before making final decisions on rate levels for 1997.

    Farmers' Incomes
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the changes in farmers' incomes in real terms for each month since January 1990; and if he will make a statement. [1585]
    491
    Mr. Jonathan Evans
    Data on farm incomes are collected through the farm business survey on an annual basis. They are published in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom", 1994–95 being the latest edition, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

    Grant-maintained Schools
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many grant-maintained schools there were in Wales in(a) 1993, (b) 1994, and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [1742]

    Mr. Jonathan Evans
    The information requested is presented in the following table.

    Number of grant-maintained schools in Wales1

    Year

    Primary

    Secondary

    All schools

    1993

    4

    7

    11

    1994

    5

    11

    16

    1995

    5

    11

    16

    1 At 1 September each year. On 1 September 1996 St. Brigid's school in Denbighshire became the first independent school in Wales to opt into the grant-maintained system.

    Bala to Dolgellau Road
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the road improvement works on the main Bala to Dolgellau road at Drws Y Nant are going to be put in hand; and if he will make a statement. [1854]

    Mr. Gwilym Jones
    I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 24 January 1996,Official Report, column 297.

    Elderly People
    Mr. Hanson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the current service provision for elderly people with long-term continuing health care needs. [1934]

    Mr. Gwilym Jones
    Assessment of provision for all persons with long-term continuing health care needs is a matter for determination by health authorities.

    Health Trust Funding
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health trusts in Wales have reported their dissatisfaction with their levels of funding; and if he will make a statement. [1864]

    Mr. Gwilym Jones
    NHS trusts are operationally independent and receive no direct revenue funding from the Welsh Office. All trust income is earned through contracts with commissioners of health care including health authorities and GP fundholders. It is for trusts to determine, together with their health commissioners, what is the appropriate level of funding.

    Millennium Date Change
    Mr. Ingram
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2609]
    492
    Mr. Hague
    An assessment of the effect of the millennium date change has been undertaken. I do not expect there to be any major costs involved in ensuring that my Department's computer systems can cater for the year 2000.

  HEALTH

    Dental Services
    Mr. Bellingham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for improving dental care in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire; and if he will make a statement. [619]

    Mr. Malone
    The general dental service reforms that I announced on 12 June will bring improvements in dental care generally. Funding to improve the availability of national health service dentistry has recently been approved for Cambridge and Huntingdon health authority.

    Mr. Clifton-Brown
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed new local contracting arrangements for NHS dentistry. [634]

    Mr. Malone
    The White Paper, "Choice and Opportunity", set out the Government's proposal to introduce local flexibility in the delivery of national health service primary care dental services. We intend to introduce a Bill this Session. It will enable health authorities and providers to propose local arrangements for securing services targeted at local needs. These arrangements will be piloted and evaluated. Participation will be by volunteers and the existing system will remain for dentists who wish to work under it.

    Mr. Bendel
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists are practising in Berkshire; and how many of them are taking on new adult national health service patients. [636]

    Mr. Malone
    The information is contained in the table.

    General dental service: number of dentists1 2 practising in Berkshire health authority and number of dentists1 2 who had additions to their register

    Number of dentists practising at 30 June 1996

    Number of dentists with an addition to their register in the year to 31 December 1995 3

    284

    269

    1 Includes principals, assistants and vocational trainees.

    2 Some dentists have a contract with more than one health authority. The number of dentists practising includes all dentists who practise in Berkshire as well as in other authorities.

    3 The additions to the register include instances of patients registering with a dentist after a break in attendance and reinstatement of registrations which had been cancelled in error.

    The count relates to registrations for which payments were authorised during the year. Payments are made one month in arrears.

    Zinc-based Dental Amalgams
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has initiated into the safety of the use of zinc-based dental amalgams; and if he will make a statement. [1859]
    493
    Mr. Malone
    None. While some dental amalgams contain a small proportion of zinc, we are not aware of any in which zinc is a main constituent.

    NHS Waiting Lists
    Mr. Ian Bruce
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on national health service waiting lists in Dorset in relation to those in the rest of England. [620]

    Mr. Horam
    I am pleased to say that the national health service in Dorset has continued to maintain an excellent position on hospital waiting times. The latest figures show that only 1 per cent. of Dorset health authority residents on a waiting list are waiting longer than six months, the lowest proportion for any health authority in England. No Dorset resident was waiting more than 12 months for treatment.

    Small Community Pharmacies
    Mr. Pope
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide assistance to small community pharmacies. [621]

    Mr. Malone
    The essential small pharmacy scheme already provides financial support to pharmacies located more than 1km from the next nearest pharmacy and which dispense fewer than 18,432 national health service prescriptions in a year.

    Health Care Facilities (Yorkshire)
    Mr. Riddick
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve health care facilities in Yorkshire hospitals. [623]

    Mr. Horam
    We are improving health care facilities in a number of hospitals in Yorkshire. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State saw some excellent examples of this recently when he visited Huddersfield Health Care National Health Service Trust.

    Victoria Hospital, Lichfield
    Mr. Fabricant
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will visit the Victoria hospital, Lichfield; and if he will make a statement. [624]

    Mr. Horam
    I have no plans to visit the Victoria hospital in the foreseeable future. However, my hon. Friend the Minister for Health visited the Victoria hospital, Lichfield on 2 June 1995, where he was most impressed with the improved and new facilities.

    Fireworks Injuries
    Mr. Skinner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of injuries by fireworks in the last year for which figures are available. [625]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not available. However, information requirements are kept under continuous review.
    494

    Asthma
    Mr. Tredinnick
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has carried out into possible links between diesel exhaust emissions and asthma; and if he will make a statement. [626]

    Mr. Horam
    The Government have evaluated a range of research related to possible health effects of air pollution, including diesel emissions. The reports of the expert advisory committee on the medical effects of air pollutants, "Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution" and "Non-biological Particles and Health", were published in autumn 1995. Copies are available in the Library.

    Health Care (Manchester)
    Mr. Tony Lloyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Manchester health authority and family practitioners committee about health care in Manchester. [629]

    Mr. Horam
    I met representatives of the former Manchester Health Commission and community health councils in January to discuss the difficult challenges that Manchester faces.

    Breast Cancer
    Mr. Austin-Walker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to reduce the mortality rate from breast cancer. [630]

    Mr. Horam
    The Government are fully committed to reducing deaths from breast cancer, which is why we have made the reduction in breast cancer mortality a "Health of the Nation" target. We have a national breast screening programme and continue to fund research in this area. In 1995 we published the "Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" to help improve the quality of cancer services and issued further guidance to purchasers in July 1996 with the specific aim of making further progress on breast cancer outcomes.

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase breast cancer services; [1234]

    (2) what plans he has to increase the provision of mobile breast cancer services. [1239]

    Mr. Horam
    The provision of breast cancer services is a matter for individual health authorities in the light of local priorities and available resources.

    Mr. Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much was spent by his Department on breast cancer services in each of the last six years; and how much is planned to be spent in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; [1235]

    (2) what was the average expenditure, in the last financial year, on detecting and treating each case of breast cancer. [1242]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not held centrally.

    Mr. Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve awareness of breast cancer among young people at school. [1236]
    495
    Mr. Horam
    We have no plans at present. Higher priority is given to health messages more relevant to young people at school, since there are no appropriate behavioural changes for young people that would reduce their risk.

    Mr. Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide assistance to general practitioners to deal with the medical, emotional and practical problems caused by breast cancer. [1237]

    Mr. Horam
    "Guidelines for referral of patients with breast problems", produced jointly by the national health service breast screening programme and the Cancer Research Campaign on behalf of the Department of Health's advisory committee on breast cancer screening was issued to general practitioners in January 1996. A summary of "Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer: Guidance for Purchasers", published by the NHS executive in July 1996, was sent to all general practitioners in October. Both these publications will be placed in the Library.

    Mr. Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding the detection and treatment of breast cancer. [1238]

    Mr. Horam
    The United Kingdom Health Departments, along with the Medical Research Council and the two major cancer research charities—the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund—are currently funding four studies into breast cancer screening costing at least £5 million over five years. The trials are being co-ordinated by the United Kingdom Co-ordinating Committee on Cancer Research, UKCCCR. The Department of Health's contribution is expected to be some £2.4 million.

    The Department's policy research programme also funds the cancer screening evaluation unit—CSEU—at the Institute of Cancer Research by some £420,000 per year. The CSEU is undertaking work into two of the above UKCCCR trials. These are a trial of breast screening of women from age 40 and a trial of the early detection of breast cancer. The CSEU is also undertaking work on the national breast cancer screening record, and is evaluating the results of two pilot studies into breast screening for women aged 65 to 69. When the current CSEU contract comes to an end in December 2000, the Department will have invested some £7.3 million in the unit.

    In addition, the NHS research and development programme is currently undertaking 12 studies into breast cancer at a cost of some £1.2 million.

    Mr. Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on breast cancer services by (i) France, (ii) Germany and (iii) the Netherlands in the most recent year for which figures are available. [1240]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not collected routinely.

    Health Authority Deficits
    Mr. Spearing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ascertain the likely financial deficits of district health authorities for each financial year until 1999–2000. [631]
    496
    Mr. Horam
    The current year forecast outturn positions of health authorities are the subject of regular monitoring by the national health service executive. The forecast positions for each health authority, as at quarter one 1996–97, were recently placed in the Library. Future year projections are not routinely collected.

    Ms Lynne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of current health authority deficits in the present financial year. [637]

    Mr. Horam
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 17 October 1996,Official Report, columns 1104–105.

    HS Trusts (North Thames Region)
    Mr. Gapes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the chairman of North Thames region and with the Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority and Redbridge and Forest NHS trusts about their performance as published in league tables [632]

    Mr. Horam
    The Secretary of State regularly meets regional chairman to discuss the performance of the national health service in their region. Redbridge: Healthcare NHS Trust and Forest Healthcare NHS Trust are working with Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority to improve their performance.

    Incontinence Products
    Mr. O'Hara
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the full cost to the NHS in the current financial year of the removal of zero rating from incontinence products. [633]

    Mr. Burns
    Under the Value Added Tax Act 1994, schedule 8, group 12, item 2(g), incontinence products are zero rated only when supplied directly to a disabled person or to a charity which makes them available to disabled persons. As the national health service falls into neither of these categories, supplies of these products are, and always have been, standard rated. Since there is no change, there will be no associated increased cost for the NHS. It is only through a temporary relaxation in the interpretation of the VAT regulations by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise that the NHS has been able temporarily to claim a VAT reimbursement on these products.

    Prescription Charges
    Mr. Robert Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of the prescription charge in 1979 at current prices. [635]

    Mr. Malone
    At 1996–97 prices, the prescription charge at 1 January 1979 would have been £0.52, actual charge £0.20, until 16 July, when it increased to £1.18, actual charge £0.45.

    Mixed Wards
    Mr. David Martin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on mixed wards in NHS hospitals. [627]
    497
    Mr. Horam
    It is for health authorities and trusts to decide whether and, if so, how to use mixed sex accommodation, but they must respect the dignity and privacy of patients.

    Private Finance Initiative
    Ms Jowell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in England processing PH bids have reached the preferred bidder stage; and what proportion of the total number of bids this figure represents. [1123]

    Mr. Horam
    Information is collected centrally on the first wave of major private finance initiative schemes with a capital value of £10 million or more. There are 33 in total and, of these, 22 schemes have reached preferred bidder stage.

    Specialist Registrars
    Ms Jowell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist registrar posts there are in England and Wales for(a) oncology, (b) palliative care and (c) pathology; and how many of these posts are currently vacant. [1122]

    Mr. Malone
    The phased introduction of the new specialist registrar grade commenced on 1 April 1996 in six specialties. Transition on oncology, palliative care and pathology commenced on 1 October 1996. Transition to the new grade in all specialties will be completed on 1 April 1997. The most recent census data-30 September 1995—do not include any information about the specialist registrar grade. The only available information relates to the previous grades for registrar.

    Surgeons and Anaesthetists
    Ms Jowell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) surgeon and (b) anaesthetist vacancies there are at each grade in England [1110]

    Mr. Malone
    The annual medical work force census gathers data, as at 30 September each year, on vacancies by grade and specialty. These refer to posts which were vacant for whatever reason on the actual day of collection. Figures for England, as at 30 September 1995, are shown in the table.

    Whole-lime equivalent

    Consultant

    Staff grade

    Senior registrar

    Registrar

    Senior house officer

    All surgical specialties

    140

    20

    40

    70

    60

    Anaesthetics

    110

    10

    10

    10

    20

    Source:

    The Medical and Dental Workforce Census 30 September 1995.

    Notes:

    1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

    2. Many vacant posts are wholly or partly occupied by locums.

    3. Surgical group includes general surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, urology.
    498

    Head Lice
    Mrs. Ann Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children suffered from head lice in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [1944]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not collected centrally.

    Long-term Care
    Mr. Thurnham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a summary of the responses to his consultation paper on long-term care; if he will list the organisations and individuals who responded; and if he will put a copy of the responses in the Library. [1821]

    Mr. Burns
    The Department of Health received 598 responses to the consultation exercise launched by the publication of "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age".

    Of these, 319 responses commented on the consultation paper itself. Copies of these will be placed in the Library, except where respondents asked for them to be treated as confidential. The other responses commented on media reports or the Department's own summary of the consultation paper. The table shows the source of the different comments.

    Comments on:

    Source of comments

    Consultation paper

    Summary/comments on media reports

    Total

    Financial services industry

    83

    3

    86

    Local authority/social services

    73

    2

    75

    NHS

    44

    9

    53

    Other care providers

    33

    1

    34

    Voluntary organisations

    53

    5

    58

    Individuals

    33

    259

    292

    Total

    319

    279

    598

    We are grateful to all those who commented and will take their comments into account in taking our proposals forward.

    Tuberculosis
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of school leavers in England have been vaccinated against tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement; [1579]

    (2) at what age children are offered vaccination against tuberculosis in schools; [1563]

    (3) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on vaccination against tuberculosis. [1564]

    Mr. Horam
    The Government recommend that BCG vaccine to protect against tuberculosis should be routinely offered to all school children between the ages of 10 and 14 years. This policy is based on the recommendation of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, which advises the UK health departments on immunisation. The committee has reviewed this recommendation and advised that the schools
    499
    immunisation programme should continue. Ministers have endorsed this and a statement to this effect was made in the House, on 4 July 1996, Official Report, column 493; health authorities were advised of this recommendation in July 1996. In addition, immunisation continues to be offered to certain high-risk groups outside the routine school programme, including babies born to parents from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. It is estimated that over the two years 1994–95 and 1995–96 around 73 per cent. of school leavers had been given a BCG vaccination.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many registered homeless people have died from tuberculosis in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;[1565]

    (2) how many cases of tuberculosis among the registered homeless have been diagnosed in England in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [1577]

    (3) how many people have died from tuberculosis in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [1558]

    (4) how many cases of tuberculosis have been diagnosed in England in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make statement. [1578]

    Mr. Horam
    The figures are in the following table.

    Year

    Notifications of number of cases of all tuberculosis (excluding chemoprophylaxis) in England1

    Number of deaths due to tuberculosis2 in the United Kingdom1

    1986

    5,743

    538

    1987

    4,853

    487

    1988

    4,960

    535

    1989

    5,223

    512

    1990

    5,010

    441

    1991

    5,270

    485

    1992

    5,597

    475

    19933

    5,721

    494

    19943

    5,409

    475

    1995

    5,426

    4501

    Source:

    1Office of National Statistics.

    2International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision), codes 010–018

    3England and Wales figures for 1993 and 1994 represent the number of deaths occurring in each year. All the other figures are the number of deaths registered in the year. Also, new procedures for coding cause of death in England and Wales from 1993 mean that figures for 1993 onwards may not he exactly comparable with earlier years.

    4Provisional.

    ONS statistics on infectious diseases do not identify registered homeless people separately. National data on rates of tuberculosis infection amongst homeless people are not available.

    The United Kingdom has an excellent record of tuberculosis control. The Government are strengthening policies to protect the health of the nation against this disease.

    Ministers established an interdepartmental working group on tuberculosis with the remit to consider policies for tuberculosis control in the UK and to recommend best
    500
    practice. The first two reports of the group, one of which deals with tuberculosis and homeless people, have been published and generally welcomed as important steps towards improvements in the control of tuberculosis in the UK.

    The Government have also taken several initiatives to improve the access of homeless people to health care, including funding of primary health care projects.

    Childbirth
    Mrs. Wise
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the percentages of women delivering in England and in each former NHS region in 1994–95(a) by category of person conducting the delivery, (b) by duration of post-natal stay and (c) by place of delivery; [1840]

    (2) if he will list for each of the 14 former NHS regions and for special health authorities for the financial year 1994–95 (a) the total number of maternities, (b) the total number of birth episodes in the maternity hospital episode system and (c) the total number of birth episodes in the maternity hospital episode system which had a maternity tail; and if he will make a statement about progress with improving the quality and completeness of the data; [1842]

    (3) what estimate he has made of the percentages of women delivering in England and in each former NHS region in 1994–95 (a) whose labours were induced surgically, (b) whose labours were induced by oxytocic drugs, (c) whose labours were induced by a combination of these, (d) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (e) who had elective caesarean sections; [1841]

    (4) what estimate he has made of the percentages of women delivering in England and in each former NHS region in 1994–95 whose deliveries were (a) spontaneous, (b) instrumental, ((c) by caesarean section and (d) by other and unspecified means. [1839]

    Mr. Horam
    The information requested, together with a statement, were published on 14 October in the Health Commission report on public expenditure on health and personal social services memorandum received from the Department of Health containing replies to a written questionnaire from the Committee, HC 698, pages 101 to 105, copies of which are available in the Library.

    Mrs. Wise
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what notification his Department receives of obstetric interventions carried out by court order(a) without the consent of and (b) against the express wish of the patient; and how many such notifications he has received in the last five years. [1848]

    Mr. Horam
    There are no requirements to provide notifications of obstetric interventions provided under a court order.

    Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into methods of treatment for CJD. [1592]

    Mr. Horam
    The development of treatment for patients suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease will be a high priority in our centrally directed research strategy, details of which will be published shortly.

    Child Minders
    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusion he has reached since 29 March 1994 as to corporal punishment of children by child minders; and what assessment he has made of the need for further clarification of his Department's guidance on behaviour and sanctions by child minders, if minded children misbehave, is required; and if he will make a statement. [1954]

    Mr. Burns
    Physical punishment is a matter for parents and for negotiation between them and their child minders. Government guidelines on the use of physical punishment by child minders are set out in a circular to local authorities "The Children Act 1989: Registration of Childminders", which was issued in December 1994. Copies will he placed in the Library.

    Medical Staff (Recruitment)
    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses were recruited from abroad into the NHS in each of the past 10 years, broken down by country of origin. [1949]

    Mr. Malone
    The information requested is not available centrally.

    Hospitals (Single Rooms)
    Mr. Harry Greenway
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single rooms are currently used for national health service patients; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [1007]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not available centrally.

    Riluzole
    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given to health authorities about the prescribing of Riluzole. [1623]

    Mr. Malone
    No guidance has been issued.

    Mr. Tipping
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he has made of the value of Riluzole in the treatment of motor neurone disease. [1646]

    Mr. Malone
    A marketing authorisation for Riluzole was submitted to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency through the new centralised procedure set out in regulation 93/2309 EC. The United Kingdom was appointed as the rapporteur with France as the co-rapporteur for the assessment of this product. The initial assessment was therefore made by the Medicines Control Agency and advice obtained from the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

    The final assessment and opinion were given by the Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products and the authorisation to market Riluzole was given by the European Commission according to the procedure set out in regulation 93/2309 EC. This marketing authorisation is binding across all 15 member states of the European Union.

    The summary of product characteristics defines the indications and use of the product and a European public assessment report describes the evaluation of the product
    502
    and is available from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency at 7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HB.

    Cancelled Operations (South Thames Region)
    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the annual increase in the number of patients who have had operations cancelled on the day they were due to go into hospital or after admission since 1994–95 in the South Thames region. [608]

    Mr. Horam
    The latest information has been placed in the Library.

    Minor Accident Units
    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many minor accident treatment service units there are in the NHS; where they are located; and when they were established. [2151]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not available centrally.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average budget of(a) a minor accident treatment service unit, (b) a medical receiving room and (c) an accident and emergency department. [2150]

    Mr. Horam
    This information is not available
    centrally.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of Barnet health authority's proposal for a minor accident treatment service unit at Edgware general hospital; and if he will make a statement; [2152]

    (2) when the minor accident treatment service unit at Edgware general hospital is expected to be open; and if he will make a statement. [2149]

    Mr. Malone
    The minor accident treatment service at Edgware opened in November 1995. Barnet health authority has asked the Wellhouse NHS Trust to develop proposals for an enhanced service, to be open 24 hours a day with medical cover, to operate from April 1997.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the minimum level of service necessary to run(a) a minor accident treatment service unit and (b) a medical receiving room. [2145]

    Mr. Horam
    It is for health authorities and national health service trusts to decide what levels of service are necessary locally.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds per head of population there are in an average(a) minor accident treatment service unit, (b) medical receiving room and (c) accident and emergency department. [2147]

    Mr. Horam
    Information on acute beds is not collected centrally at this level of detail. Information on the average daily number of available beds by broad ward type is published annually in "Bed Availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) consultants, (b) registrars, (c) junior

    503
    doctors and (d) nurses are standard to (a) a minor accident treatment service unit, (b) a medical receiving room and (c) an accident and emergency department. [2148]

    Mr. Horam
    It is for health authorities and national health service trusts to decide what levels of staffing are necessary locally.

    Hospital Development
    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when(a) the planned redevelopment of the Barnet general hospital and (b) the expansion of services at (i) Northwick Park and (ii) the Royal Free hospital will be completed.[2228]

    Mr. Malone
    Phase 1A of the redevelopment of Barnet general hospital, including an enhanced accident and emergency department, is expected to become operational in spring 1997. Plans are well advanced for phase 1B of the redevelopment, under which construction work is expected to commence in summer 1997, subject to approval.

    Extra capacity is also planned to be available at Northwick Park and the Royal Free hospital from April 1997.

    Acute Care
    Sir George Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 135, what information he has to indicate
    504
    the number of acute beds in NHS hospitals blocked by patients awaiting discharge into retirement or nursing homes in different parts of the country. [2336]

    Mr. Horam
    Since April 1996, the national health service executive has started to collect information twice yearly from health authorities about patients aged 75 and over whose discharge from hospital has been delayed.

    Sir John Gorst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's definition of acute care. [2146]

    Mr. Horam
    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave on 4 November.

    Insulin Pen Needles
    Sir Keith Speed
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the inquiry into providing insulin pen needles on the NHS. [2028]

    Mr. Malone
    We are currently considering whether insulin injection pen needles should be made available on general practitioner prescription.

    Millennium Date Change
    Mr. Ingram
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by her Department. [2614]

    Mr. Horam
    Further analysis, including an audit of all the Department of Health's computer systems, is being carried out. A full assessment of the impact, including the likely costs, will be completed by 1 April 1997.

  Government Decision-Making
  Government Decision-Making
  Seat Belt Offences
  Seat Belt Offences
  Seat Belt Regulations: Enforcement
  Seat Belt Regulations: Enforcement
  Monks and Nuns: Social Security Benefits
  Monks and Nuns: Social Security Benefits
  Slaughtered Cattle: Disposal of Carcases
  Slaughtered Cattle: Disposal of Carcases
  Prayers for the Parliament
  Prayers for the Parliament
  Equal Opportunities: NI Health and Education Tendering
  Equal Opportunities: NI Health and Education Tendering
  ADAS: Privatisation
  ADAS: Privatisation
  Zambian Elections
  Zambian Elections
  France Télécom: Partial Privatisation
  France Télécom: Partial Privatisation
  Turkey: Treatment of Prisoners
  Turkey: Treatment of Prisoners
  Turkey: Human Rights
  Turkey: Human Rights
  UK Diplomats: Working Spouses
  UK Diplomats: Working Spouses
  Education and Health: Overseas Aid
  Education and Health: Overseas Aid
  EU Events: November 1996—April 1997
  EU Events: November 1996—April 1997