Written Answers of 6 November 1996

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Shotguns
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation in respect of shotguns providing that(a) they are limited solely to use for pest control on agricultural land, (b) they require annually renewable licences held in the name of either the land-owner or tenant, (c) all users are named on the licence, (d) the maximum number of shotguns and registered users is determined in relation to the acreage owned or tenanted, (e) no more than one licence is issued in respect of any piece of land and (f) they must be stored in secure safe-type cabinets with at least two separate keys; and if he will make a statement [2199]

  Mr. Maclean
  No. It is already a requirement that shotguns must be stored securely.

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Government's policy in respect of eliminating the remanding of youths in prison. [2315]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are committed to ending the remand of 15 and 16-year-old boys to Prison Service establishments as soon as there are sufficient secure local authority places to accommodate them. A building programme of 170 new secure places is under way for this purpose. The first places came on stream last December and all additional places will be available during 1997.

  Gun Clubs
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to gun clubs of the increased security measures which will be required as a result of the Government's proposals. [1479]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The proposals will result in increased costs for clubs which choose to become licensed pistol clubs. The level of costs involved will depend on the extent of their existing security arrangements. These costs cannot currently be quantified.

  General Election Campaign
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish details of the present expenditure limits which candidates may not exceed in a general election campaign; and what plans he has to increase these limits before the next election. [1679]
  506
  Mr. Sackville
  The current maximum amounts for candidates' election expenses at a general election are set out in the Representation of the People (Variations of Limits of Candidates' Election Expenses) Order 1994. Those limits are as follows. Consideration is being given to increasing these levels before the next general election in line with inflation movements since they were last increased in 1994.

  Parliamentary general election

  £

  Plus pence per elector

  County constituency

  4,642

  5.2

  Borough constituency

  4,642

  3.9

  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the Law Commission report, "Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter", with particular reference to its implications for health and safety at work. [2012]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Law Commission's report on involuntary manslaughter raises some important but complex issues, which the Government are still considering. A major element of that consideration is whether a failure to ensure the health and safety of persons employed in or affected by a company's activities should constitute a new offence of corporate killing. We will announce our response to the report in due course.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [1403]

  Mr. Howard
  I do not propose to repeal any regulations by the end of 1996, but on present plans the Licensing Act 1964 will be amended by the end of this year. Amendments to a number of other Acts should be made in the new year.

  The aim of each amendment will be to reduce rather than increase compliance costs, so a compliance cost assessment is not required. We do, however, seek to estimate approximate savings wherever possible. The cost of undertaking a CCA varies from case to case, but it is generally modest. Because part of the cost falls on the businesses consulted, a full CCA would be inappropriate for measures designed to reduce business burdens.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently in detention; how many of them are detained in HM prisons; how many asylum seekers have been detained at the port of entry since July; and if he will make a statement. [1763]
  507
  Mr. Kirkhope
  As at 1 October 1996, a total of 864 persons, who had sought asylum at some stage, were detained, of whom 343 were held in Her Majesty's prisons.

  A total of 642 persons who had sought asylum at ports between 1 July and 30 September 1996 are recorded as having been placed in detention during that period.

  Merseyside Police Authority
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to enable the Merseyside police authority to recruit more police officers in the years 1997 to 2000. [2472]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for the police authority and the chief constable to determine the number of police officers in the force, having regard to the resources available to them. On the present basis of allocation, Merseyside police authority's share of the additional funds being made available for the recruitment of 5,000 extra officers in England and Wales would be sufficient for it to recruit 110 constables between April 1997 and March 1999.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) speed cameras and (b) live speed cameras are currently installed in the UK. [2061]

  Mr. Maclean
  The deployment of speed cameras is an operational matter for chief officers of police and highway authorities. The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Modern Apprenticeship Scheme
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have taken up places on the modern apprenticeship scheme since the scheme was created. [2591]

  Mr. Paice
  As of August 1996, the latest date for which information is available, 46,100 had started on modern apprenticeships in Great Britain.

  Teacher Education Allocations
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to control the increase in administration costs in respect of teacher education allocations; and what is her estimate of the increase in those costs in 1996–97. [2243]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The Teacher Training Agency has reformed the allocations methodology in order to reward quality and increase the value for money obtained from its annual investment of over £160 million in initial teacher training. The agency's total running costs, which also cover the promotion of teaching as a career, the development of national standards and training for headteachers and teachers, and work on the new national curriculum for initial teacher training, are planned to increase by some £0.6 million in
  508
  1996–97. This reflects increased activity in pursuit of the agency's statutory objectives of raising the standards of teaching and improving the quality and efficiency of training.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities in East Anglia increased the amount spent on administration and reduced the amount spent on schools in the last year for which information is available. [2049]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The following table sets out changes in spending on schools and on administration, in cash and in percentage terms, between 1993–94 and 1994–95, the latest years for which data are available. The table also shows the relevant pupil numbers. Figures are given for Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex LEAs. Pupils in, and expenditure on, grant-maintained schools in these areas are not included.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Variance

  Variance percentage

  Cambridgeshire

  Pupils (number)

  86,480

  84,063

  -2,417

  -2.8

  Net current expenditure

  Administration (£000s)

  7,799

  8,323

  524

  6.7

  Schools (£000s)

  162,551

  163,096

  545

  0.3

  Essex

  Pupils (number)

  160,305

  139,815

  -20,490

  -12.8

  Net current expenditure

  Administration (£000s)

  7,608

  7,854

  246

  3.2

  Schools (£000s)

  354,345

  313,766

  -40,579

  -11.5

  Norfolk

  Pupils (number)

  93,114

  92,657

  -457

  -0.5

  Net current expenditure

  Administration (£000s)

  5,469

  5,668

  199

  3.6

  Schools (£000s)

  190,063

  191,726

  1,663

  0.9

  Suffolk

  Pupils (number)

  91,060

  93,002

  1,942

  2.1

  Net current expenditure

  Administration (£000s)

  5,721

  5,215

  -506

  -8.8

  Schools (£000s)

  188,864

  196,896

  8,032

  4.3

  Teachers Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she received the Government Actuary's report on the teachers superannuation scheme for the period 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1991; what estimates she has made of the contributions required to meet liabilities; if she will place a copy of the report in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [2471]

  Mrs Gillan
  My right hon. Friend received the Government Actuary's report on 21 October 1996. The Department asked for the report to be drawn up on the basis that the cost of future premature retirements would be met directly by employers. On that basis, the report recommends the introduction from 1 April 1997 of a combined contribution rate of 13.2 per cent. of salaries—6 per cent. from employees and 7.2 per cent. from employers. The Government Actuary has indicated that if the cost of premature retirement continued to be borne
  509
  by the scheme, the combined contribution rate would be 14.8 per cent. of salaries. The report was included as part of a package setting out proposals for the reform of the early retirement provisions of the teachers superannuation scheme, issued on 22 October 1996. I am placing copies of the consultation package in the Library. My right hon. Friend will lay the report formally before the House when she has taken decisions following the consultation.

  Remploy
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how Remploy has performed against its 1995–96 annual performance agreement. [3088]

  Mr. Paice
  Now that Remploy has published its report and accounts for 1996 and audited figures are available, my noble Friend the Minister of State has today confirmed that Remploy has exceeded its 1995–96 APA targets. The targets and achievements are contained in the following table:

  Target

  Achievement

  The average number of disabled people employed by Remploy

  at least 9,200

  9,334

  Average number of disabled people employed in factories

  no more than 7,200

  7,144

  The number of disabled employees to move from Remploy factories to Interwork having been employed there for at least one year, or from Interwork or factories to open employment

  at least 125

  177

  The unit cost of Interwork to be

  no more than £4,500

  £4,242

  Remploy to keep within a unit cost target (operating deficit per disabled worker) of

  £10,400

  £10,175

  Choices programme1 to be in place in every factory

  By end March 1996

  Available in all factories

  1 The choices programme is a programme designed to give new recruits to Remploy, as well as the company's existing employees, the opportunity, guidance and training to plan a career best suited to their individual needs.:

  Copies of Remploy's 1996 annual report and accounts have been placed in the Library.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress made on piloting arrangements for education and training undertaken by people receiving jobseeker's allowance. [3089]

  Mr. Forth
  We have submitted proposals to the Social Security Advisory Committee. These are being discussed by the committee today. Copies of the papers submitted to the committee have been placed in the Library.

  The pilot would provide different arrangements for education and training undertaken by people receiving jobseeker's allowance. The pilots are intended to start, subject to parliamentary approval, in April 1997.

  In addition, we announced on 10 October the intention to extend the project work pilot approach to up to 100,000 people, in all parts of the country. The areas in which project work will began to operate early next year will be announced tomorrow.
  510

DUCY OF LANCASTER

  Draft Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy for all draft legislation to carry a compliance cost assessment relating to public and private sectors. [2723]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government require a compliance cost assessment for all draft legislation likely to affect business. The purpose of the assessment is to assess the costs likely to fall on business. Other costs, such as any cost to the public sector, must be included in the regulatory appraisal which must also be prepared for all legislative proposals likely to affect business. Guidance booklets on compliance cost assessment and regulatory appraisal are available in the House Libraries as follows:"checking the Cost of Regulation: A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment"
  "Regulation in the Balance: A Guide to Regulatory Appraisal Incorporating Risk Assessment".

  Crown Copyright
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for the future administration of Crown copyright. [3220]

  Mr. Freeman
  I am pleased to announce that my Department will be co—ordinating an inter—departmental review of the future management of Crown copyright, with the following terms of reference:"To review the management of Crown copyright with a view to facilitating the growth of new information services both in printed and electronic formats, in line with the Government's policy of maximising public access to official information, and subject to the continuing need to protect the taxpayer's interest and the integrity of Crown copyright material."

  Following this internal review, the Government propose to publish next year a Green Paper inviting views from interested parties.

  Electronic Services
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made on the Government's proposals to use information technology to deliver Government services electronically to(a) businesses and (b) individuals. [3241]

  Mr. Freeman
  I informed the House on 11 July 1996 that the Government intended to produce a Green Paper on this subject. I have today presented to Parliament a Command Paper, Cm 3438, entitled! "government.direct—A Prospectus for the Electronic Delivery of Government Services". This paper sets out the Government's vision for the delivery of Government services to business and the citizen in the electronic age., harnessing the power of the information revolution to ensure that Government services are provided in the most effective and efficient way, making use of advanced technology to improve the quality of service and the value provided to the taxpayer.

  The vision set out in the Green Paper describes how access to Government can be made via personal computers, electronic terminals in public places and via ordinary TV sets. Three pilot projects are also launched today which exemplify the possibilities for the future.
  511
  This Command Paper is a first step in a new phase of this Government's continuing public service reforms. It heralds an era where Government services will be more accessible and easy to use than ever before. They will be more convenient, quicker in response and less costly to the taxpayer. The benefits to the citizen, to business and ultimately to the competitiveness of this country will be considerable.

  The Command Paper is intended to stimulate debate and to encourage reaction and comment from all interested parties. The Government want to develop this new revolution in public services in line with public demand and acceptance.

WALES

  Environment Report
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to publish a report on the environment. [3180]

  Mr. Hague
  The "Environment in Wales Fifth Report", which is being published by my Department today, gives an overview of the state of the Welsh environment. It also provides details of the initiatives which are under way, or planned and places a particular emphasis on progress toward achieving sustainable development. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

  School Security
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional resources have been given to each local authority in Wales to meet the recommendations of the Government working party on school security. [1491]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Measures to improve school security have been included in the grants for education, support and training programme for 1997–98. The overall level of local authority funding has yet to be determined.

  Tir Cymen
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what financial provision he has made for the expansion of Tir Cymen over the next six months; what was the figure for the previous six months; and if he will make a statement; [1587]

  (2) what plans he has in respect of the expansion of Tir Cymen over the next six months; and if he will make a statement. [1586]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Countryside Council for Wales was given £5.36 million grant in aid for Tir Cymen for the financial year 1996–97. The future shape of support measures for environmental conservation on farms is being considered by the agri-environment working group announced by my right hon. Friend in the rural White Paper. The Welsh Office Agriculture Department plans to issue a consultation paper later this year.
  512

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in ensuring that Welsh farmers are given access to the approved abattoirs authorised under the 30-month cattle cull scheme; and if he will make a statement. [1752]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Intervention Board executive agency is ensuring that an appropriate proportion of cattle from Wales is slaughtered each week in both Welsh and English abattoirs.

  A5
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when are the necessary remedial works on the A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Corwen at Padog bends planned to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement. [1739]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The north Wales trunk road Agency, as agent of the Welsh Office, is currently engaged on the design of the retaining wall remedial works.

  It is planned to undertake the works in 1997 on completion of the necessary procedures, including land acquisition.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities and health authorities in Wales to agree criteria plans for continuing health care needs of elderly people. [1933]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In line with guidance already issued, from 1 April this year health authorities should have in place policies and eligibility criteria for continuing health care which have been agreed with local authorities and GP fundholders.

  A470
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when is the scheduled completion date for the current road improvement works on the A470 between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed; and if he will make a statement. [1751]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Cancoed to Minffordd section of the A470 Lledr valley improvement is programmed for completion in autumn 1997.

  Farmers' Incomes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance and advice is available to members of the farming community who seek to diversify operations in order to supplement income; and if he will make a statement. [1851]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, through the rural Wales objective 5b programme, 1994 to 1999, assists farming households to develop alternative sources of income and employment opportunities on and off the farm and includes provision for capital grants, advice and training. The Leader II programme also acts as a stimulus to encourage farmers to develop new and innovative enterprises.
  513
  The processing and marketing grant scheme provides support towards the capital cost of adding value to agricultural raw materials in the food sector.

  The marketing development scheme provides grant aid to farmers and producer groups to undertake feasibility studies to explore food diversification projects.

  Local Management of Schools
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he is making in reviewing Conwy local education authority's LMS scheme; and if he will make a statement. [2003]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Approval of Conwy LEA's local management of schools scheme was conditional on the resolution of certain concerns about the authority's resource allocation formula. These are still under review.

  Welsh Language Speech Therapy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on(a) the level of provision of Welsh-medium speech and language therapy for children in Wales, (b) the number of trained Welsh-medium speech therapists and (c) the establishment of a Welsh-medium speech therapy course at colleges in Wales. [1764]

  Mr. Hague
  The level of provision of Welsh-medium speech and language therapy for children in Wales is for health authorities to determine taking into account the health needs of their areas and their own assessment of priority. Information on the number of trained Welsh-medium speech therapists in Wales is not held centrally. Responsibility for training, including the provision of a Welsh-medium course rests with individual higher education institutions. A specific bilingual option for students during the third year of study already exists at the University of Wales institute, Cardiff.

  Numbers of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools in Wales, by class size and local education authority

  September 1990

  September 1991

  September 1992

  January 1994

  January 1995

  January 19961

  Clwyd

  Up to 15

  78

  68

  74

  71

  54

  52

  16–20

  113

  103

  118

  100

  89

  85

  21–25

  290

  310

  302

  273

  260

  275

  26–30

  510

  513

  534

  518

  506

  516

  31–35

  290

  294

  265

  328

  355

  373

  36–40

  38

  34

  46

  47

  60

  51

  41–45

  2

  1

  4

  3

  4

  4

  46+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,321

  1,323

  1,343

  1,340

  1,328

  1,356

  Dyfed

  Up to 15

  251

  284

  256

  202

  186

  176

  16–20

  269

  350

  369

  315

  268

  252

  21–25

  391

  394

  398

  428

  423

  452

  26–30

  259

  243

  261

  318

  355

  350

  31–35

  67

  71

  61

  70

  84

  83

  36–40

  8

  7

  4

  3

  6

  9

  41–45

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  46+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,346

  1,349

  1,349

  1,336

  1,323

  1,323

  514

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current policy for accepting patients from Powys at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital. [1765]

  Mr. Hague
  This is a matter for the Dyfed/Powys health authority and the trust concerned. Currently the agreement reached is that all patients should be admitted in accordance with the Welsh patients charter standards.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [2473]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many and what percentage of five, six arid seven-year-olds were in classes of 31 or more, for 1995 and provisionally for 1996, per education authority and in Wales. [2425]

  (2) what percentage of primary schools pupils were in classes of 31 or more for each year since 1990 (a) in Wales and (b) per authority; and what was the percentage change between 1995 and 1996. [2478]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Data are collected about the number of classes by size band of class, but no data are collected about the exact number of pupils, or the age of pupils, in those classes. The following table shows the number of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools, by size band.
  515

  Numbers of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools in Wales, by class size and local education authority

  September 1990

  September 1991

  September 1992

  January 1994

  January 1995

  January 19961

  Gwent

  Up to 15

  24

  15

  14

  11

  13

  16

  16–20

  86

  59

  60

  65

  74

  49

  21–25

  313

  289

  301

  331

  256

  239

  26–30

  631

  648

  723

  688

  653

  660

  31–35

  374

  403

  338

  357

  440

  460

  36–40

  11

  16

  22

  24

  40

  61

  41–45

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  46+

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,442

  1,431

  1,459

  1,477

  1,478

  1,486

  Gwynedd

  Up to 15

  108

  102

  106

  87

  96

  90

  16–20

  201

  191

  162

  175

  153

  154

  21–25

  267

  244

  273

  255

  259

  248

  26–30

  213

  231

  216

  228

  238

  248

  31–35

  33

  40

  61

  70

  82

  93

  36–40

  2

  2

  4

  7

  8

  9

  41–45

  1

  1

  2

  1

  4

  2

  46+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  825

  811

  824

  823

  840

  844

  Mid Glamorgan

  Up to 15

  12

  11

  7

  7

  10

  6

  16–20

  58

  60

  67

  57

  47

  44

  21–25

  279

  332

  331

  352

  360

  357

  26–30

  862

  831

  854

  898

  901

  886

  31–35

  491

  488

  486

  483

  487

  517

  36–40

  24

  30

  30

  29

  22

  24

  41–45

  0

  1

  2

  5

  3

  1

  46+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,726

  1,753

  1,777

  1,831

  1,830

  1,835

  Powys

  Up to 15

  78

  71

  73

  50

  44

  45

  16–20

  107

  114

  108

  105

  96

  105

  21–25

  127

  122

  130

  160

  166

  166

  26–30

  81

  93

  107

  118

  115

  128

  31–35

  25

  28

  23

  24

  34

  29

  36–40

  3

  1

  2

  0

  4

  0

  41–45

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  46+

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  423

  431

  443

  457

  461

  475

  South Glamorgan

  Up to 15

  20

  20

  14

  11

  10

  2

  16–20

  80

  108

  91

  43

  54

  53

  21–25

  377

  378

  372

  284

  334

  322

  26–30

  632

  613

  624

  642

  664

  714

  31–35

  177

  192

  222

  344

  304

  289

  36–40

  0

  3

  3

  19

  10

  11

  41–45

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  46+

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,286

  1,314

  1,326

  1,344

  1,377

  1,391

  West Glamorgan

  Up to 15

  28

  17

  16

  14

  16

  20

  16–20

  75

  78

  90

  92

  71

  95

  21–25

  343

  327

  365

  392

  368

  382

  26–30

  593

  564

  541

  530

  563

  548

  31–35

  177

  209

  202

  209

  203

  200

  36–40

  11

  5

  13

  5

  11

  2

  41–45

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  46+

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  1,227

  1,200

  1,228

  1,242

  1,234

  1,248

  516 517

  Numbers of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools in Wales, by class size and local education authority

  September 1990

  September 1991

  September 1992

  January 1994

  January 1995

  January 19961

  Wales

  Up to 15

  599

  588

  560

  453

  429

  407

  16–20

  1,089

  1,063

  1,065

  952

  852

  837

  21–25

  2,387

  2,369

  2,472

  2,475

  2,428

  2,441

  26–30

  3,781

  3,736

  3,860

  3,940

  3,995

  4,050

  31–35

  1,634

  1,725

  1,658

  1,885

  1,989

  2,044

  36–40

  97

  98

  124

  134

  161

  167

  41–45

  7

  6

  9

  11

  16

  11

  46+

  2

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  9,596

  9,612

  9,749

  9,850

  9,871

  9,958

  1 Provisional.

DEFENCE

  Tornado Aircraft
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Tornados have been grounded for each month of the last two years for failing to be in airworthy condition. [1154]

  Mr. Soames
  During the last two years the Tornado fleet has met all of its operational commitments and has not been grounded. RAF aircraft are only permitted to fly if it is judged safe for them to do so. To achieve and maintain this high safety standard all aircraft are subject to regular detailed engineering examination and assessment, and are subject to a rigorous scheduled maintenance programme. Although this work ensures the highest standard of safety, it does mean that the aircraft are unavailable to fly while the necessary work is being carried out. Allowance is made for this in the aircraft establishment figures. Those aircraft operating at the front line require scheduled minor maintenance. Minor faults which are discovered are usually rectified at the unit so that the aircraft can be available to fly at the earliest opportunity.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of private refurbishment contracts of Tornado aircraft. [1155]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The overall performance of private contractors in carrying out maintenance work for the RAF is good—many of them helped build the aircraft in the first place. All first-line maintenance of operational fast-jet aircraft continues to be done by RAF trades men. However, some of the deeper maintenance of these aircraft is carried-out by contractors.

  We attach great importance to ensuring that contractors deliver work of the necessary quality. Contracting procedures are focused on achieving this and contracts are placed only with those suppliers who have been assessed by an accredited body to an appropriate quality management standard. The MOD aims to place full responsibility for the quality of products and services with its contractors.

  Holy Loch (Pollution)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types and quantities of radioactive or other toxic substances which have been 518
  found in the cleaning of the seabed of the Holy Loch; and if he will make a statement on the purpose of this exercise. [1501]

  Mr. Soames
  There is no longer a defence requirement for Holy Loch. My Department plans, therefore, to clear debris from the bed of the loch to a suitable standard to allow responsibility for it to be transferred back to the appropriate civil authorities. We have received a number of local requests to carry out such a clearance.

  No clearance work has yet started. We have agreed to carry out an environmental assessment of the impact of the clearance process on the local area before any such work is undertaken, and to make public its results. Our plans have been discussed fully with the local authority and environmental agencies.

  Levels of radioactive contamination in the loch are extremely low. The report of a survey carried out by the defence radiological protection service and the US Navy in 1992 concluded that there is no public radiological hazard associated with the debris, or its removal. These conclusions have been confirmed by subsequent annual surveys. No toxic materials have been identified in the various visual surveys which we have carried out in preparation for the clearance operation.

  Organophosphate Dips
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liaison there is between his Department, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the subject of organophosphate dips and their use; and if he will make a statement. [1865]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food yesterday.

  Army Vehicle Depot
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has in respect of the rail head at the Army vehicle depot at Ludgershall. [2224]

  Mr. Soames
  We intend to retain part of the Army vehicle depot at Ludgershall after its closure in March 1997 to provide railhead facility for land command units. The development of a railhead facility close to the Salisbury plain training area would facilitate future operational deployments and enhance pre-deployment training, as well as having had significant advantages for
  519
  routine training, including a significantly reduced requirement for the use of public roads by heavy equipment transport vehicles.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was his Department's initial estimate of the costs of moving military air traffic control from West Drayton to the new national en-route centre at Swanwich; and what is the current estimate of the costs. [2589]

  Mr. Soames
  A detailed estimate was one of the stipulated products of a project definition study carried out by Lockheed Martin. The estimate that has resulted is dependent on a number of other factors currently being studied, and is commercially sensitive.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to announce the future location of military air traffic control. [2588]

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry of Defence places great importance on the joint and integrated nature of air navigation service provision by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. and the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence endorsed the National Air Traffic Services Ltd. two-centre strategy and is participating fully in the review of that strategy which aims to identify the most efficient and cost effective means of providing air navigation services. An announcement will be made once that review has been concluded.

  Environment Manual
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to update his Department's 1991 environment manual. [2585]

  Mr. Soames
  A revised version of my Department's environment manual was published in October 1996 and is currently being distributed. A copy will be placed shortly in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [1402]

  Mr. Soames
  The MOD is not a regulator of business and has not, therefore, identified any such rules or regulations. My Department continues to contribute to the deregulation initiative by focusing efforts on relieving unnecessary administrative burdens on suppliers, streamlining contracts procedures, and improving communications with industry.

  Bowman Programme
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the slippage in the estimated time of the signing of the contract for the Bowman programme; and what is the latest estimated date for the granting of a contract. [1552]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The project definition phase of the Bowman programme is essentially complete and development standard equipment is currently being tested 520
  in field trials. Arrangements for proceeding to the production phase are under consideration and a decision on the way ahead will be taken as soon as possible. The estimated date of contract signature for production will depend upon the outcome of our considerations but it is unlikely to be before early 1999. This would represent a slippage of about 15 months compared with the date envisaged at the beginning of the project definition phase.

  Airborne Warning and Communication Aircraft
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many offset contracts have been placed after the agreement to purchase AWAC aircraft; and what is the total amount of these contracts. [1553]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Following the signature of the AWACS contract with the Boeing defence and space group in November 1986 some 250 United Kingdom companies have received contracts which discharged Boeing's industrial participation obligation of US$1.57 billion.

  Offset Purchasing Agreements
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken by his Department(a) to monitor the amount and completion of offset defence purchasing agreements and (b) to assess the percentage of the agreements that are made as opposed to the amount agreed at the signing of the purchasing contract. [1631]

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

  Trained Soldiers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the establishment total of trained soldiers(a) at 1 October 1996 and (b) planned to be at 1 April 1997, including Gurkha trained personnel but excluding trained Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) troops. [2486]

  Mr. Soames
  Manpower requirements are set at 1 April for each year. The requirement for trained British and Gurkha soldiers but excluding Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) personnel at 1 April 1996 and the planned requirement at 1 April 1997 are as follows:

  1 April 1996: 108,000.

  1 April 1997: 106,200.

  Radioactive and Toxic Waste
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each site in the United Kingdom and overseas territories where his Department has stored or located(a) radioactive or (b) toxic waste since 1966. [2622]

  Mr. Soames
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  521

  Apache Helicopter Order
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits have resulted to British industry from the order for 67 Apache attack helicopters. [2480]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The order for Apache attack helicopters will lead to significant benefits for British industry. Work worth some £2 billion will be undertaken in the United Kingdom and it is estimated that over 180 firms will receive contracts. The scope of the project and its high technology nature will provide excellent opportunities for British companies to benefit through the demonstration of their capabilities and cost effectiveness.

  Helicopter Flying School
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the defence helicopter flying school. [3032]

  Mr. Soames
  In my answer of 9 March 1995,Official Report, column 350–51, I outlined our plans, arising from the defence costs study, for the formation of a single, tri-service school with a strong contractorised element to provide those aspects of helicopter basic flying training common to the three services. The school will be established at RAF Shawbury and will commence training on 1 April 1997. I am now pleased to announce that we have awarded a 15-year contract to FBS Ltd. for the operation of the DHFS under contractor-owned, Government-operated arrangements.

  FBS is a joint venture, UK company, comprising FR Aviation, Bristow Helicopters and SERCO and was formed specifically to bid for this contract. Collectively, the company has extensive experience of working with the services; Bristow Helicopters and SERCO already provide services to Middle Wallop and RAF Shawbury respectively.

  The school will have the capacity to train approximately 230 pilot, navigator and crewmen students a year from our three services as well as a number from overseas. The helicopter fleet will consist of 38 AS350 Squirrel single engine and 9 Bell 412 twin-engine helicopters. Seventy-six military and 45 civilian flying instructors will be employed at the school. FBS will be responsible for the provision and maintenance of the helicopter fleet, all ground-school and support facilities and the provision of the civilian flying instructors.

  The DHFS project has been procured in line with the private finance initiative, thus demonstrating the Government's strong resolve to continue to achieve value for money in defence support and to concentrate resources on the front line. The formation of the DHFS, utilising more modern equipment and taking advantage of the efficiencies brought about through contractorisation will provide a value for money, high quality training facility for HM forces well into the future. Compared with the current system of delivering training this represents a saving of some £80 million over 15 years.

  Fixed Telecommunications System
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's proposals for the introduction of a defence fixed telecommunications system. [3033]
  522
  Mr. Portillo
  Good communications are crucial to the efficient and effective operation of the armed forces. The defence fixed telecommunications system—DFTS—will provide, in a single UK-wide network, the telecommunications link and exchanges required by all defence users. It will integrate and rationalise the five existing UK networks, and provide connections to commercial networks and to those of allies. It will also reduce current equipment and manpower costs while achieving important operational benefits.

  The invitation to tender invited bidders to consider solutions based on the principles of the Government's private finance initiative to enable the MOD to transfer to the private sector the ownership, operation and maintenance of the network and thus relieve the MOD of the economic risks associated with changing technology and patterns of usage. The contractor will therefore assume responsibility for providing services at the required levels of performance. Two consortia submitted best and final offers.

  I am now able to announce that, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of contractual negotiations, I have approved the implementation and commercial management of DFTS services, under a 10-year contract with the INCA consortium, led by British Telecommunications plc, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, OASIS and GEC-Marconi.

  Under the PFI arrangements, INCA will make maximum use of the infrastructure serving other customers. The contract will be worth in the region of £700 million, which makes it the MOD's biggest PFI deal so far. Taut contractual arrangements will be negotiated to provide incentives for INCA to meet required levels of performance. We estimate that this will result in savings to the MOD well in excess of £100 million.

  The implementation of the DFTS will entail placing under commercial management the work currently undertaken by staff in some 1,200 military and civilian posts at about 100 defence establishments throughout the UK. Detailed arrangements for this will be agreed during contracts negotiations.

  Meteorological Office
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what levels of accuracy have been achieved by the meteorological office over each of the last 10 years; [2586]

  (2) what was the income from the marinecall weather line in the most recent period for which was figures are available. [2587]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  These are matters for the chief executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Barry Field, dated 6 November 1996:
  I am replying to your Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Meteorological office's income from out Marinecall service and our overall forecast accuracy over each cif the last ten years, as these matters fall within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office.
  The income to the Meteorological Office form the Marinecall telephone weather line in the twelve month period to September 1996 was some £239,000.

  523
  Turning to forecast accuracy we only have strictly comparable figures, expressed as a composite index of forecast performance (the most useful measure), for each of the last nine years. The data are set out below. You will note that there has been marked progress in the quality of your forecasts.

  1987–88: 87.48

  1988–89: 92.10

  1989–90: 98.56

  1990–91: 98.94

  1991–92: 100.95

  1992–93: 105.43

  1993–94: 110.48

  1994–95: 114.18

  1995–96: 120.88

  I hope this gives you the information you need.

  Advances of Pay (House Purchase)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the(a) Army (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy had applied for an interest-free advance of pay for house purchase as at 1 October; [1465]

  (2) what annual budget has been set aside for his Department's interest-free advance of pay for house purchase scheme, and if he will make a statement. [1466]

  Mr. Soames
  The long service advance of pay scheme—LSAP—provides an interest-free advance of pay up to a maximum of £8,500 to assist personnel with house purchase. The advance is repaid over 10 years or a lesser period if personnel have less that 10 years to serve. The LSAP scheme has been available in the Navy since 1963, but on 1 August 1996 it was extended on a limited basis to the other two services primarily as a result of the demise of the married quarter discount sales scheme. The number of Army and RAF personnel who applied for an advance between 1 August 96 and 1 October 96 was as follows:

  Army: 335

  RAF: 224.

  It is not known how many personnel in the RN have applied for an LSAP since 1963. However, there were 9,321 loans outstanding on 1 October 1996.

  The scheme in the Royal Navy is cost neutral with repayments broadly matching advances. A total of £6 million per annum has been earmarked to fund the scheme over the early years in the Army and Royal Air Force. However, the net outlay will reduce as repayments increase and the scheme in these two services is expected to be cost neutral after 10 years' operation.

ENVIRONMENT

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the county councils' legal responsibilities and duties under the relevant legislation during the transition of services to unitary authorities. [1088]
  524
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government expect the local authorities involved in local government reorganisation to use their best endeavours to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the unitary authorities. Most regulations are intended to facilitate this, for example by carrying over the powers, rights or liabilities of one authority to its successor.

  However, there are also specific legal responsibilities and duties placed on councils during the transition. Those which apply to county councils are listed; they are made using powers either in the Local Government Act 1992 or the Superannuation Act 1972.

  The Local Government (Compensation for Redundancy) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/3025) set out the level of compensation which shall be paid to an employee between the ages of 18 and 50 who is made redundant during the period between the making of an order for a structural change and 18 months after the reorganisation takes place. The regulations also contain requirements regarding the notification of and payment of compensation.

  The Local Government Changes for England (Property Transfer and Transitional Payments) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/402) require that authorities affected by reorganisation use their best endeavours to make agreements for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities, and the provision by county councils of information to facilitate such agreements.

  The Local Government Changes for England (Miscellaneous Provision) Regulations 1995 (SI 1996/1748) require all the local authorities involved in a structural change and their officers to co—operate with each other so as to facilitate the reorganisation. The county council must also supply a successor authority with all information which it may reasonably request for the purpose of reorganisation.

  Those regulations also provide that from the time of the elections to the successor authority which are provided for in the structural change order until the reorganisation, any requirements for the county council to prepare budgets or plans or consult any person shall pass to the successor authorities. This applies to the county council's functions in the areas of the future unitary authorities.

  The Local Government Reorganisation (Compensation for Loss of Remuneration) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2837) require a local government employer to pay compensation for loss of remuneration—detriment—in certain circumstances related to reorganisation.

  Charter of Local Self-Government
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government will sign the Council of Europe's charter of local self-government. [1950]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  As stated in the White Paper, "Government Response to the Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Relations Between Central and Local Government 'Rebuilding Trust'", which was laid before the House on 4 November, the Government do not believe that a case has been made out demonstrating the need for the United Kingdom now to adopt this charter.
  525

  Permaculture
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's definition of permaculture; and if he will make a statement. [1594]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There is no statutory definition of permaculture.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Permaculture Association (UK); and if he will make a statement. [1595]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No correspondence has been received from an organisation of this name. However, representations have been made by the Permaculture Association (Britain) on the draft revision to planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic Development". We have received more than 400 responses to this consultation document. These are being considered carefully at present.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to encourage permaculture within national parks; and if he will make a statement. [2353]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are committed to the concept of sustainable development in their rural planning policies. One of the key principles is to encourage environmentally-friendly economic activity while conserving the character of the countryside. It is for the national park authorities, as the local planning authorities for their areas, to determine issues of land use planning and to consider individual planning applications in the light of their wider responsibilities.

  Financial Derivatives
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are issued to local authorities about the use of financial derivatives. [1681]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department has not issued guidelines to local authorities about the use of financial derivatives. Local authorities are under a general fiduciary duty to their taxpayers to act prudently in investing funds. They should also have regard to the capital finance regulations and professional treasury management codes, as appropriate. Capital finance and approved investment regulations provide a strong incentive for authorities to make only very secure investments such as bank and building society deposits or gilts.

  Timber
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of Stare for the Environment what plans he has to promote the greater use of timber in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement. [1759]

  Mr. Clappison
  My hon. Friend, the Minister for Construction and Planning launched Timber 2005 in February this year. This is a research and innovation strategy to promote the use of timber in construction. The Department of the Environment is now working with industry during its implementation. I am arranging to place a copy of the strategy in the House Library.
  526

  Under-Secretary of State (Committees)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Cabinet committees and sub-committees on which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Croydon,
  Central (Sir P. Beresford), serves. [1989]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I currently serve on one Cabinet sub-committee, EDL(L)—the ministerial sub-committee on London.

  Construction Contracts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will seek to amend section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to provide that there is an obligation on all parties to submit to an adjudicator's decision; and if he will make a statement; [2193]

  (2) if he will monitor the operation of section 110 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of set-off procedures; and if he will make a statement; [2197]

  (3) if he will monitor the operation of section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of procedures subsequent to the adjudicator's decision; and if he will make a statement. [2195]

  (4) what plans he has to monitor the operation of part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of (a) off-site fabrications, (b) design by (i) contactors and (ii) specialist contractors and (c) process work, with particular reference to privatised utilities; and if he will make a statement; [2191]

  (5) if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in order to provide for trust funds to protect contractors and sub-contractors against the insolvency of parties higher in the contractual chain; and if he will make a statement; [2194]

  (6) what plans he has to monitor the operation of part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of maintenance and repair work; and if he will make a statement; [2190]

  (7) if he will monitor the operation of section 113 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as regards the application of the provisions of the scheme for construction contracts; and if he will make a statement; [2196]

  (8) if he will monitor the operation of section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in respect of adjudication and the application of the Arbitration Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [2192]

  Mr. Clappison
  The fair construction contract provisions in part II of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 have not yet commenced. The Government have no plans to amend legislation which received careful consideration during its passage through Parliament last Session. A means of monitoring the effect of the new legislation was outlined in the cost compliance assessment which was published in February 1996. A copy was placed in the Library.
  527

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in which parliamentary constituencies there are opencasting sites in operation; [2216]

  (2) in how many parliamentary constituencies there are opencasting sites in operation. [2249]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many acres of land are currently the subject of opencast methods of extracting coal; and what proportion of this land was formerly green belt; [2210]

  (2) how many acres of land are currently subject to planning applications for opencast coal extraction; and what proportion of this land is currently green belt. [2209]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally. Statistics are published annually for the County Planning Officers' Society by Durham county council.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the cost to public funds(a) of local authorities and (b) of his Department of planning applications for opencast mining. [2214]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has no information about the costs to local authorities of processing planning applications for opencast coal mining; costs to the Department would occur only in the event of a planning application being called in for determination by the Secretary of State and this is an extremely rare occurrence.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many, and which, parliamentary constituencies have opencast applications(a) pending and (b) at the appeal stage. [2213]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information about opencast planning applications is not held centrally. Information about appeals is recorded only under the local planning authority and not parliamentary constitiuencies. The current outstanding appeals are as follows:Cheshire 1, Staffordshire 1, Wakefield 1, Nottinghamshire 1, Durham 3 and Derbyshire 1.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals have been heard by his inspectors in which opencast developers have sought to reverse local authority refusals of planning permission in each of the last five years; and what is his Department's estimate of the cost to public funds of these appeals. [2215]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The figures are as follows: 1992, 11; 1993, 12; 1994, 20; 1995, 4; and 1996, 9. Information concerning the cost of these appeals to the taxpayer is not available.

  Hereford and Worcester SSA
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total standard spending assessment for Hereford and Worcester county council, in both cash and real terms, for each year since 1990–91, after allowing for changes in statutory responsibilities and boundaries. [2187]
  528
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested on Hereford and Worcester's standard spending assessment in cash and real terms is as follows. The adjusted figures are comparable with the year immediately following and take into account changes in function and geographical responsibilities. The figures in real terms have been rebased using the gross domestic product deflator for 1995–96.

  £million

  SSA in cash terms

  SSA in real terms

  1990–91

  317,834

  377,959

  1991–92

  374,058

  418,040

  1992–93

  397,044

  425,812

  1992–93 adjusted

  363,391

  389,720

  1993–94

  372,565

  388,404

  1993–94 adjusted

  379,948

  396,101

  1994–95

  388,036

  397,423

  1994–95 adjusted

  359,668

  368,369

  1995–96

  364,554

  364,554

  1995–96 adjusted

  372,168

  372,168

  1996–97

  384,187

  375,733

  Information on standard spending assessments from 1990–91 onwards in cash and real terms for all local authorities has already been placed in the Library.

  Young Homeless
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's estimate of the number of young people who were homeless in 1995. [2038]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities in England accepted responsibility to secure accommodation for 3,620 homeless households in priority need with a vulnerable young person, and 1,700 young single people not in priority need, under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act in 1995.

  Policy Initiatives
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the results of his policy initiatives(a) freedom of the cities and (b) initiative and trust councils. [2011]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have no plans for a freedom of the cities initiative or for a trust councils initiative.

  Rural Development
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned of low-impact development in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [2342]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No such research has been commissioned or evaluated. The draft revised planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic Development" aims to integrate the development necessary to sustain the rural economy with protection of the countryside.
  529

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions since 1973 nuclear safety inspectors from Euratom have visited United Kingdom nuclear plants to conduct an environmental audit, pursuant to the provisions of the health and safety article 35 of the Euratom treaty; and if he will place in the Library copies of all environmental reports forwarded by nuclear plant operators to the European Commission under articles 36 and 37 of the Euratom treaty. [2117]

  Mr. Clappison
  Experts appointed by the European Commission have visited the United Kingdom on two occasions to verify the operation and efficiency of facilities for the monitoring of environmental radioactivity, in accordance with article 35 of the Euratom treaty. Following both visits, to the north of Scotland in May 1993 and to Cumbria in December 1993, the Commission concluded that the relevant monitoring facilities were operated in an efficient and satisfactory manner.

  Information supplied under article 36, on the levels of radioactivity to which the United Kingdom public is exposed, is published periodically in a Commission document entitled, "Environmental Radioactivity in the European Community". I have arranged to place the last two issues of this document, covering the years 1984 to 1990, in the Library. The next edition, covering 1991, is due to be published shortly and I shall place it m the Library once it is available.

  Submissions under article 37 Euratom are regarded as private communications of technical data between the Government and the Commission and are not normally in the public domain. However, I shall seek the agreement of the Commission and the current owners of the facilities concerned to placing in the Library copies of the submissions of data relating to decommissioning of Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor 1995, Sizewell B 1992, THORP 1991, Windscale waste vitrification plant and vitrified product store 1989, Torness 1986 and Heysham B 1986.

  Darwin Initiative
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the species included in the Darwin initiative and those currently under consideration for inclusion. [2566]

  Mr. Clappison
  The main aim of the Darwin initiative is to fund United Kingdom biodiversity institutions in collaborative projects with countries rich in biodiversity but lacking sufficient financial resources or capacity. The projects are varied and it is not possible to list all the species covered. There are projects which concentrate on the taxonomy of one particular species. Others study the options for sustainable use of several species. There are also projects carrying out inventories of all the species in a specific area such as a nature reserve. So far the range of species has been wide, from parasitic wasps to seahorses and from rare ferns to fungi.

  We have recently called for applications for fifth round of funding to start from April 1997. We will consider all proposals which fit the principles of the initiative and which are received by 29 November 1996. I have sent my hon. Friend our Darwin information package.
  530

  Local Elections
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what mechanism he is proposing for aligning parish council and local council election dates. [2592]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Local Government and Rating Bill proposes amendments to the Local Government Act 1992 which will enable the Secretary of State by order to alter permanently the cycle of parish council elections where there is, or is to be, a unitary county council.

  Coalfield Areas (Regeneration)
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for the regeneration of areas affected by coalfield closures; and if he will make a statement. [2924]

  Mr. Gummer
  British Coal non-operational properties will be transferred to English Partnerships which will take forward their regeneration, reclamation and development. English Partnerships has prepared a detailed investment plan, including a development strategy for each site. The aim is to achieve area regeneration, environmental improvements and secure new employment opportunities in the coal closure areas. Receipts from sales will be used to fund the costs of reclaiming and servicing other sites in the portfolio. A total of 2,250 acres of land will be reclaimed for residential, commercial and retail uses and a further 2,750 acres will be developed for forestry, leisure and agricultural purposes. About 55,000 jobs will be created and £850 million of private sector investment attracted.

  A managed disposal strategy will ensure that the market is not flooded with development land. In this way considerable benefits will accrue to the coalfields communities in the next 10 years.

  This is a challenging programme for English Partnerships but it has already shown itself capable of the challenge. The agency has quickly established itself as a key player in economic and physical regeneration throughout England with its activity carefully directed to achieve the maximum impact in areas of greatest need. I am convinced that the benefits for the coalfields communities will be considerable and that this new agreement ensures the best possible future for the coalfield sites in the north of England.

  Regeneration will start immediately on a number of the sites including Agecroft in the north-west, Dawdon in the north-east, Glasshoughton in Yorkshire and the Humber and Manton Wood in the east midlands.

  English Partnerships will receive £12.5 million from British Coal in a detailed agreement which has, as a key requirement, a balanced package where the cost of meeting enforceable liabilities and reclaiming sites to a minimum standard is offset by the positive value within the portfolio. The arrangements provide for an appropriate allocation of liabilities and risks between English Partnerships and British Coal.

  I am today laying details of the sites being transferred in the House and copies will also be available in the Library.
  531

  City Pride Initiative
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the city pride initiative. [2925]

  Mr. Gummer
  I am today announcing a challenge to seven new areas to join the successful city pride initiative. The seven areas are:

  Bristol;

  Leeds;

  Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wallasey and Bootle;

  Newcastle upon Tyne;

  Nottingham, Ashfield, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe;

  Plymouth;

  Sheffield.

  City pride has already forged partnerships in Birmingham, London and Manchester in an unprecedented way. Local people have come together with a vision for their areas and have agreed the practical steps for achieving that vision. City pride has already produced considerable benefits in terms of a shared understanding between public and private sector partners about the opportunities, priorities and needs of their areas. I want to challenge other great industrial or port cities of regional importance to match this achievement.

  I am writing today to the civic leaders in these seven areas to invite them to come forward with city pride proposals. I want them to develop a vision for their areas and set out the steps needed to achieve it.

  Each of the seven areas is served by a Government sponsor Minister, whose responsibilities include encouraging regeneration initiatives in their area and providing a link with Whitehall Departments. I know that sponsor Minister colleagues will be working closely with the civic leaders of their areas to make city pride a success. Part of their task will be to encourage central Government programmes to work effectively alongside the local vision.

  Before working up a full prospectus, city pride areas will need to satisfy four conditions. First, city pride partnerships must show that they have the capacity to deliver what they promise to local people, including a clear understanding of what each partner is prepared to contribute. Secondly, there must be a clear vision and planned targets, with an emphasis on achieving results and effective arrangements for tracking progress. Thirdly, the geographical area and population which city pride is intended to cover should be defined and be appropriate to the vision. Fourthly, there must be arrangements for involving and accounting to local people in achieving city pride goals.

  I am not ruling out other areas coming forward with city pride proposals, but putting together a successful city pride prospectus and making it work requires a good deal of concentrated effort on the part of areas themselves and by Government offices for the regions and we therefore need to limit numbers. There is, of course, nothing to stop other areas from applying city pride principles, and, indeed, some are already doing so.
  532

  Contracted-out Services
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the impact on local authority contracted-out services of the restrictions placed by Customs and Excise on the ability of bodies to recover VAT retrospectively; what is the estimated cost to local authorities and if he will make a statement. [2620]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No assessment has been made of the estimated cost to local authorities of this proposed change. If approved, the changes limiting the repayment of VAT to three years will apply equally to both the public and private sector. Local authorities should have proper accounting arrangements to recover VAT, whether contracted out to the private sector or performed in-house.

  Business Rate Relief
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make independent petrol retailers eligible for business rate relief. [2635]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Independent petrol retailers in rural villages will be eligible for discretionary rate relief under the measures introduced in the Local Government and Rating Bill.

  Council Tax (Students)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to assist full-time students who are jointly liable for the council tax because they share accommodation with non-students. [2766]

  Mr. Curry
  At present when a student shares accommodation with a recipient of council tax benefit their joint liability for council tax is higher than if each lived separately. We propose to end this anomaly by amending the council tax liability rules to exclude students from joint and several liability as soon as we have an opportunity to amend primary legislation.

  As an interim measure my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Security, has submitted a proposal today to the Social Security advisory committee to amend the council tax benefit rules, with effect from 1 April 1997, so that where a full-time student is jointly liable with a benefit recipient their presence in the household will be ignored in the calculation of council tax benefit. This will have a similar effect to the longer-term solution.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Improvement Works
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the current works of improvement and refurbishment being undertaken on the English Heritage estate in the south of England. [2593]

  Mr. Sproat
  A total of £9.2 million was spent in 1995–96 on works to the 181 English Heritage properties in the south of England—£3.5 million on day to day maintenance of properties and £5.7 million on conservation and visitor improvements works. My hon.
  533
  Friend may wish to contact Jane Sharman, English Heritage's acting chief executive, if he requires further information.

  National Lottery (Sheffield)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grants have been awarded by the National Lotteries Charities Board in(a) Sheffield and (b) the Hallam constituency; and if she will make a statement. [2391]

  Mr. Sproat
  The National Lottery Charities Board has made 58 grants to charities and voluntary organisations based in Sheffield, of which six are based in Hallam.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by her Department. [2602]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The Department of National Heritage is in the process of liaising with the suppliers of the information technology software and systems that it uses to gauge the level of work required to deal with the millennium date change.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burma
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions regarding Burma at the recent EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg. [2485]

  Mr. Hanley
  At the recent General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Ministers adopted an EU common position on Burma which imposes the following measures on the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council—SLORC:ban on entry visas for senior members of the SLORC and their families;
  ban on entry visas for senior members of the military or the security forces who formulate, implement or benefit from policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy, and their families;
  suspension of high-level bilateral governmental visits to Burma (Ministers and officials at level of political director and above).

  Peru
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the bilateral talks in Lima between Her Majesty's Government and Peru on debt. [2424]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Following negotiations in Lima last month between officials of the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the Government of Peru, the United Kingdom-Peru agreement No. 5 (1996), covering approximately £120 million of debt owed by Peru to ECGD, was signed on 4 November 1996. This agreement follows on from the July agreement of the Paris Club of Government creditors to reschedule £6.3 billion of Peru's official bilateral debts over 20 years.534
  Her Majesty's Government wrote off the Overseas Development Administration's outstanding aid loans to Peru, worth some million, in 1995.

  Mr. Clive Russell
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that(a) public interest immunity certificates and (b) the Official Secrets Act are not used in the case of Mr. Clive Russell and supplies to Argentina. [275]

  Mr. Rifkind
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Neither the law relating to public interest immunity nor the Official Secrets Acts provides any impediment to the proper investigation of alleged criminal offences. Mr. Russell or any other person having evidence that goods or services have been unlawfully supplied to Argentina should make that evidence available to the appropriate investigating authority, which is HM Customs and Excise.

TRANSPORT

  Tunnel and Bridge Tolls
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the European Commission in respect of charging VAT on tunnel and bridge tolls; and what responses he has made. [2443]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for 10 mph speed limits in residential areas. [2393]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the (i) lives saved and (ii) injuries reduced where 20 mph speed limits have been introduced. [2394]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to conduct research into the effectiveness of 20 mph zones. TRL published its report—TRL report No. 215—on 12 September 1996. The report shows that in the zones accident frequency fell by 60 per cent., pedestrian casualties fell by 61 per cent. and child pedestrian and child cyclist casualties fell by 67 per cent.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) speed cameras and (b) live speed cameras his Department plans to install in the next six months. [2060]

  Mr. Bowis
  Decisions on when and where speed enforcement camera equipment is installed are for local highway authorities to take, the Highways Agency for motorways and trunk roads and local authorities for other roads.
  535
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to introduce legislation requiring new vehicles to be fitted with on-board variable speed limiters; and if he will make a statement. [2056]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the principal elements of the "kill your speed" campaign over the next 24 months; and if he will make a statement; [2062]

  (2) what plans his Department has to introduce measures to reduce the number of road crashes; and if he will make a statement. [2055]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government regards the "kill your speed" campaign as a long-term commitment. Changing public attitudes to driving at inappropriate speeds is essential if the numbers of people killed and injured in road traffic accidents is to continue to decline.

  In November 1992, the Government published a policy document, "Killing speed and saving lives", which sets out the main elements of the strategy. The more recent "Child pedestrian safety strategy", published in August this year, reaffirms the priority given to reducing urban speed. Copies of both these publications are available in the library.

  Detailed plans for the next two years are under discussion.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of road crashes resulting in death or serious injury which involved a vehicle which was exceeding the speed limit in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2058]

  Mr. Bowis
  During the 10 years 1986 to 1995 there were 513,636 road accidents in Great Britain involving death or serious injury. A total of 604,079 people were killed or seriously injured in these accidents. It is not known how many of the accidents involved a vehicle exceeding the speed limit. However, research by the Transport Research Laboratory and in the United States has indicated that around a third of road accident casualties resulted from accidents in which a vehicle was travelling with excessive speed. Some two thirds of such accidents occurred in roads with a 30 mph speed limit.

  Commission of Irish Lights
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the reduction in the United Kingdom's contribution to the Commission of Irish Lights following the court's decision on electronic aids. [2558]

  Mr. Bowis
  No savings to the general lighthouse fund are expected. The Irish Government are proposing the necessary legislative changes to enable the Commissioners of Irish Lights to continue with the provision of marine radio navigation aids.

  Unexploded Bombs
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what liaison he has had with the Ministry of 536
  Defence over the monitoring of explosives and noxious substances from the second world war in the territorial waters of the United Kingdom. [2598]

  Mr. Bowis
  My Department liaises with the Ministry of Defence as the need arises. Monitoring is undertaken specifically in relation to the remains of SS Richard Montgomery, where periodic surveys on our behalf are overseen by the Royal Navy's chief salvage officer.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent judgment in the High Court in the case brought by Maurice and Audrey Balchin for planning blight compensation policy in connection with the channel tunnel rail link; and if he will make a statement. [2290]

  Mr. Watts
  The judgment has no implications for the channel tunnel rail link. Union Railways Ltd. operates a discretionary purchase scheme and considers all applications in full.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) pedestrians and (b) passengers have been (i) injured and (ii) killed in accidents involving vehicles in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [2054]

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of casualties in road accidents is shown in the table.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Pedestrians

  Injured

  52,496

  50,240

  46,857

  47,529

  45,991

  Killed

  1,496

  1,347

  1,241

  1,124

  1,038

  Passengers

  Injured

  84,521

  85,820

  85,422

  87,632

  86,368

  Killed

  937

  864

  766

  746

  757

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to introduce legislation to ban bull bars on vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [2057]

  Mr. Bowis
  Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed an amendment to the External Projections Directive, 74/483/EEC, which would control the fitting of aggressive bull bars. My Department was involved in the preparation of this draft amendment which, it is hoped, will be incorporated into the directive early next year.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the numbers of(a) pedestrians and (b) passengers who have been (i) injured and (ii) killed as a direct result of a vehicle being fitted with bull bars in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [2052]
  537
  Mr. Bowis
  The Department commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to carry out a study of data from accidents involving bull bars and to make an objective assessment of the real risks which they pose to vulnerable road users. TRL has now completed the work and expects to publish its conclusions shortly.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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 or disadvantages of such a repeal. [2469]

  Mr. Bowis
  Subject to satisfactory completion of the consultation process, my Department is currently proposing to repeal or amend the following regulations by the end of 1996:

  Number of regulations

  Type of regulations

  2

  Motor Vehicle (Type Approval or Authorisation) Regulations

  4

  Vehicle Inspectorate Safety Codes of Practice

  1

  Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations

  17

  Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Regulations

  7

  Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship) Regulations

  13

  Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection & Appliances) Regulations

  5

  Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances)

  9

  Merchant Shipping (Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances)

  15

  Merchant Shipping (Loadline) Regulations

  11

  Other miscellaneous regulations

  Since the effect in each case will be to reduce rather than increase compliance costs, a CCA is not required. Departments do, however, seek to estimate approximate savings wherever possible. The cost of undertaking a CCA varies from case to case, but is generally modest. Because part of the cost falls to the business consulted, a full CCA would be inappropriate for measures designed to reduce business burdens.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected date of completion of the National Air Traffic Services review of the two-centre strategy. [2687]

  Mr. Bowis
  The CAA advises that recommendations stemming from the review will be considered by its board in December with a view to decisions being made very early in the new year.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what guidelines his Department issues to 538
  Government Departments and agencies in respect of procedures to be followed after a parliamentary answer is found to be incorrect. [44]

  Mr. Newton
  No formal guidance is issued by my Department. Government Departments do, however, follow precedents for correcting mistakes made in answering parliamentary questions, including the use of "pursuant" answers. It is for individual Departments to determine how they handle a particular parliamentary question. The advice of the Table Office would be sought on the use of a "pursuant" question.

TREASURY

  Government Expenditure and Revenues
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis of Government expenditure and revenues has been undertaken in respect of the other regions and countries of the UK equivalent to that undertaken in respect of Scotland. [1535]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: "Government Expenditure and Revenue—Wales 1993–94" was published by the Welsh Office in January 1996. There are no equivalent figures published for Northern Ireland. The Government Office for London will publish a consultation paper this month on a methodology for estimating the balance between public income and expenditure in London. A breakdown of expenditure for regions and counties in the UK, was published in section 7 of the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1996–97", Cm 3201.

  Transport Fuel Duty
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received during the past 12 months on the level of fuel duty rebate on fuel used for public transport; and if he will make a statement. [1749]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have received a number of representations on this topic from the Confederation of Passenger Transport and various bus companies. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in the run up to the Budget.

  Financial Derivatives
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines are issued to Government Departments and agencies about the use of financial derivatives. [1682]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  No general guidance is issued to Departments on the use of financial derivatives, except in the area of foreign exchange—in relation to which paragraphs 28.7.5 and 28.7.6 of the "Government Accounting" manual tell Departments that, before starting to use currency forwards, futures and options, they should obtain sufficient expertise and that they must avoid speculation. More generally, accounting officers are required to ensure that public funds are properly and well managed, avoid waste and extravagance and ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Departments are not permitted to invest Exchequer money outside the public sector.
  539

  Betting Revenue
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each financial year since 1992–93, and to the latest available date in 1996, the revenue accruing to the Treasury from off-course betting on(a) horse racing and (b) greyhound racing. [2236]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  A breakdown of receipts between horse racing, greyhound racing and any other betting subject to general betting duty is not available. Total receipts from off-course betting duty are as follows:

  £million

  1992–93

  474

  1993–94

  495

  1994–95

  509

  1995–96

  489

  April-September 1996

  244

  Building Societies
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he(a) has held and (b) proposes to hold with organisations of, or representing, disabled people to discuss the impact of building societies converting to banks and issuing bonus shares to members. [2307]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Treasury Ministers have received no requests for meetings from such groups.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will announce the outcome of the consultation on the draft Building Societies Bill. [3219]

  Mrs. Knight
  Following the publication of the draft Building Societies Bill in March, the Government received responses from societies, from other professionals and from individual customers, all of which helped to highlight the concerns of those involved with societies. I will publish shortly a final version of the Bill, reflecting the outcome of the consultation.

  The draft Bill contains three major changes to the existing legislation. It replaces the current prescriptive regime for societies with a modern, permissive framework, which—subject to a few necessary exceptions—allows societies and their members to decide what businesses to engage in. It updates the arrangements for prudential supervision by the Building Societies Commission, and it modernises and enhances societies' accountability to their members. The draft Bill received a general welcome from societies and other respondents.

  A number of the comments received were technical, and have helped to produce a better Bill. I am grateful for the work which respondents put into formulating their comments, which demonstrates the value of consulting on draft legislation.

  Some attractive ideas have been suggested which will be included in the new Bill. The principal changes are as follows:
  Protection against takeover from converted societies
  The 1986 Act provides that for five years after a society converts to a plc, no one may hold over 15 per cent. of its shares. This may be waived by the Bank of England, in certain circumstances. Some respondents asked us to remove this protection; others to keep it.
  540
  The draft Bill will provide for the protection to lapse if, during the five years, the converted society takes over another financial institution, or if its shareholders vote to waive it. If enacted, this change would apply to any converted society still within its five year period.
  Deposit accounts
  The draft published in March proposed that every individual who saved with a society should be a member. There would be some exceptions, for example current account holders. The previous draft would have required societies to freeze individuals' deposit accounts operating at the time of enactment. Individuals would not have been able to put new money in those accounts. I have decided to change these provisions so that further money can be put in existing deposit accounts, provided the account holder is given the choice of keeping that account or transferring to a share account with comparable terms. All new savings accounts will still have to be membership accounts.
  The new draft Bill will also provide that after a society has announced its intention to put a takeover or conversion proposal to its members, it may offer deposit accounts.
  Special general meetings
  The draft published in March proposed a statutory right for members to requisition a special general meeting. This right has existed in societies' rules for some time. In transposing this into law, the draft would have preserved societies' ability to set thresholds for share holdings, borrowing and length of membership for those who can exercise this right. The new draft Bill retains these provisions, and furthermore will not put a society under a statutory obligation to hold a meeting within the three months before and one month after the annual general meeting. A duly requisitioned SGM would still have to be held at another time. A society could arrange to hold the SGM and AGM on the same day if it wished.
  Access to the register of members
  The new Bill will restrict the existing statutory right to apply to the Building Societies Commission for access to a society's register. This right will generally be restricted to members of at least two years' standing, and with a share holding balance or mortgage debt, of at least £100. A fee of £25 will be payable to the BSC with each application, and successful applicants will be required to respect the confidentiality of names and addresses taken from the register.
  Priority Liquidation Distribution Right
  The 1986 Act creates a residual priority liquidation distribution right for former members of a converted society. This comes into play should a converted institution subsequently fail, and relates to share accounts held at the time of the conversion. Each person's entitlement is initially equal to a percentage of his share holding at the time of conversion, but it runs down as withdrawals are made, with no increase from subsequent deposits. Because of this provision, converted societies often have to raise extra capital, and face additional costs and administrative burdens.
  As societies proposing a change of status now offer substantial benefits to eligible members on conversion—effectively capitalising the reserves at that time—this additional protection seems unnecessary. And the cost of providing for it disadvantages new shareholders and customers. So the new draft Bill will remove this burden. If enacted, the repeal of this provision would apply to all societies whose business is transferred to a successor company after today's date, provided that the members had been warned in the relevant transfer statement of the possible abolition of the right.
  Mergers, conversions and takeovers
  The new draft Bill will include proposals modifying the procedures for conversion and takeover, while keeping necessary protection for members. It will allow societies to

  541
  send members a short version of the transfer statement, provided the full version is available to members who request it,
  The 1986 Act arrangements for takeovers or mergers are cumbersome for a society in serious difficulty. All mergers and takeovers require a vote of the members of a society being absorbed. Invoking such a procedure during a rescue would be impractical. Although such circumstances may arise only very infrequently, the new draft Bill will give the BSC the power to direct a society in extremis to seek a merger or takeover, and to allow a merger or takeover to proceed by board resolution only, so that an ailing society's business can be taken over by another society or a bank, without the disruption that a full public proposal would cause.
  Deposit and Investor Protection
  Finally, the draft Bill will contain an enabling power to merge, at a point in the future, the banks' deposit and societies' investor protection schemes. This is solely a contingency provision, should it ever become necessary at some point in the future.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [1282]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [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 intrusive on people's personal affairs for us to request this information from staff and difficult to justify the collection of such data.

  The Treasury offers staff subsidised places on the Westminster holiday play scheme. So far this year, Treasury staff have used a total of 73 places. We also make contributions to additional child care costs where staff are required to work additional or irregular hours, and we offer paid special leave to staff to enable them to care for sick close relatives and children.

  Female Staff
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women are currently employed by his Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1249]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: As at 31 October 1996 the Treasury employed 461 women, which was 43 per cent. of total staff.

  Leasehold Properties
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent representations he has received from(a) the House Builders Federation, (b) the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance, (c) individual property owners and (d) others about the implications for housebuilders and other long leaseholders selling properties of the case of LM Tenancies Plcv IRC; and if he will make a statement; [1483]

  (2) what guidance he plans to issue to stamp offices to clarify ambiguities arising from the stamp duty liabilities incurred on the sale of leasehold properties; [1484]
  542
  (3) on how many recent occasions the stamp duty liability calculated on the sale of a leasehold property has actually exceeded the sale price of the leasehold property concerned; [1485]

  (4) if he will make a statement setting out the formulae used for the calculation of the stamp duty liability on the sale of leasehold property; [1486]

  (5) if he will receive a delegation from the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance and the House Builders Federation to discuss the implications of the case LM Tenancies plc v. IRC. [1487]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Stamp duty is charged on the grant of a new lease of property by reference to the premium paid for the lease and the average annual rent. Duty on the premium is charged at 1 per cent. but there is no charge on the premium where the premium is £60,000 or less and the average annual rent is £600 or less. Duty is charged on the average annual rent by reference to a sliding scale of rates which depend on the length of the lease. For example, for a lease of over 100 years, the rate of 24 per cent. (£12 per £50 or part of £50 of the average annual rent).

  Where an existing lease is sold by the leaseholder to someone else, duty is charged at 1 per cent. on the price paid, in the same way as with the sale of a freehold. No duty is charged on the rent.

  I have received representations from the House Builders Federation, the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance, and McCarthy and Stone about the treatment of a grant of a new lease under which the rent is to be adjusted in future in line with changes in the retail prices index.

  Where the terms of a lease lay down specific figures for future rent payments, or provide for the rent to be increased by a fixed percentage each year, there is no difficulty in calculating what the average annual rent is for the purpose of the stamp duty charge. The calculation is more difficult where the rent is to depend on the future movement of an index such as the RPI. Decisions of the courts, including the recent case LM Tenancies plc. v Inland Revenue Commissioners, have given some guidance on the calculation of the charge to duty where there is an element which is not ascertainable at the outset.

  The Inland Revenue has reviewed its practice on the stamp duty treatment of leases of this type, in the light of the representations which have been made. It accepts that in some cases the calculations which have been made by Stamp Offices produce a figure which is too high.

  In the LM tenancies case, the premium paid for a lease was to be calculated by reference to the market price of a Treasury loan stock 25 days after the execution of the lease. The Court decided that duty should be calculated by reference to the value of the stock at the date of execution of the lease.

  The Inland Revenue's view, in the light of the court's decision in the LM Tenancies case, is that where the rent under a lease is to be adjusted by reference to changes in the retail prices index, the duty should be calculated by reference to the change in the RPI in the year ending with the date of execution of the lease. The precise method of adjustment may depend on the terms of the lease and on

  543
  the way they provide for the calculation to be made—for example, whether the rent is to be increased annually or only at longer intervals. Generally, where the adjustment is to be made by comparing the value of the RPI at different dates, the difference between the two values over the latest year will be used to measure the rent increase for stamp duty purposes. For example, if the initial rent is £300 a year and is to be adjusted annually, and the RPI has gone up from 150 to 153 (equivalent to 2 per cent.) over the relevant 12 month period, it would be assumed that the rent would go up by £6—2 per cent. of £300—each year. Thus the rent would be taken as £306 in the second year, £312 in the third year, and so on, in order to calculate the average annual rent under the lease.

  The Inland Revenue is issuing instructions to stamp Offices accordingly, to ensure that individual cases are dealt with on a consistent basis. A taxpayer who disagrees with the Stamp Office's calculation of the duty in a particular case will of course have the normal rights of appeal.

  Whisky
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage increase in revenue from whisky sales since the reduction in the duty in the 1995 Budget; and what conclusions he has drawn from this for future policy on duty levels. [2555]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The monthly receipts from excise duty on spirits for 1995 and 1996 January to September are shown in the table. The receipts cover all alcohol products subject to spirit duty, not just whisky.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will announce his decision regarding the rate of spirit duty in his Budget speech on 26 November.

  Spirit duty receipts

  Month

  1995 £ million

  1996 £ million

  Percentage change

  January

  236a

  119

  -50

  February

  51

  76

  +49

  March

  74

  108

  +46

  April

  112

  115

  +3

  May

  106

  117

  +10

  June

  129

  128

  -1

  July

  121

  108

  -11

  August

  115

  122

  +6

  September

  128

  123

  -4

  October

  130

  —

  —

  November

  228

  —

  —

  December

  281b

  —

  —

  Spirit duty is generally paid on the 29th of the month for goods cleared during the previous 15th to 14th of the month.

  1. January 1995 receipts were boosted as a result of the Financial Statement of 8 December 1994 which announced an increase in the rate of duty with effect from 1 January 1995.

  2. December 1995 receipts represent goods cleared both before and after the Budget of 28 November 1995.

  Economic Criteria
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which members of the European Union he currently forecasts will meet the Maastricht economic criteria in 1997. [2141]
  544
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: An assessment of which countries meet the conditions for joining the single currency on 1 January 1999 will be made by the Council of Ministers in early 1998. At present there are considerable uncertainties surrounding this and other issues relating to the single currency.

  VAT
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of VAT refunded to clubs as a result of the recent misdirection by Customs and Excise. [2584]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The total amount refunded to non-profit making organisations supplying sporting services is estimated at £150 million VAT plus £30 million interest.

  Gold Reserves
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Britain's gold reserves are held in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the USA (c) western Europe and (d) elsewhere. [2396]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  In accordance with best practice, part of the United Kingdom's gold reserves are held at the Bank of England and the remainder in secure facilities abroad. Because the number of appropriate locations is limited, for security reasons we do not disclose the amounts held at different sites.

  Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent submission he has received from the Manchester chamber of commerce and industry; what reply he will be sending; and if he will make a statement. [1833]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The Manchester Chamber of Commerce wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor on 25 October enclosing their budget submission. In common with all Budget submissions, it will be read carefully, and analysed further as appropriate. The Chancellor will be replying shortly to thank the Manchester chamber of commerce for sending in its proposals, but a full statement would not be appropriate in the run-up to the Budget.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2603]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 17 June 1996, Official Report, column 308.
  545

  Aid Budget
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had from the Bishop of Manchester in relation to the aid budget; what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement. [869]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Bishop of Manchester wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor on 24 October regarding the future level of the United Kingdom aid programme. My right hon. Friend Baroness Chalker, the Minister responsible for overseas development, will be responding shortly. Decisions on the overseas aid programme will be announced in the Budget.

  Public Pension Liabilities
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the implications for public finances of unfunded future public pension liabilities in the EU.[3156]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Thanks to this Government's policies the United Kingdom's net unfunded public pension liabilities are lower as a proportion of gross domestic product than those of other major EU member states.

  Article 104b—the "no bail-out" clause—of the Maastricht treaty makes clear that a member state cannot be liable for another member state's commitments in any area of spending. The treaty therefore ensures that the UK will not have to pay for the liabilities of another member state, regardless of whether or not we join the economic and monetary union.

  Rules on excessive deficits, reinforced by the proposed stability pact currently under negotiation, are designed to ensure that member states participating in EMU cannot follow irresponsible fiscal policies which could destabilise the market and affect other participating member states. If a member state needs to address a build-up of liabilities of any kind, it will not be able to fund them through excessive borrowing.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  BA

  CSA

  CA

  BA

  CSA

  CA

  BA

  CSA

  CA

  Target

  44.60

  1—

  2,603

  55.00

  1—

  4,005

  75.00

  5,728

  12,670

  Achievement

  67.94

  1—

  3,800

  79.27

  1—

  7,106

  98.46

  8,746

  13,729

  1No efficiency target for CSA in 1993–94 and 1994–95. It is not possible to break down these figures to local level.

  Local managers are expected to seek out further efficiencies. For north Staffordshire, these include:
  In 1993–94—centralisation of telephone, switchboard, typing, finance and visiting services and a reduction of two management posts;
  In 1994–95—reorganisation and co-location of various benefit sections and a reduction of three management posts, and
  In 1995–96—centralisation of Social Fund and returned order book operations and a further reduction of two management posts.

  Fraud
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account he has taken in respect of his legislative proposals to counter fraud of the problems
  546
  Member states have future liabilities of various kinds, not just of pensions, all of which need to be considered when assessing the future state of the public finances. Furthermore a meaningful assessment should consider assets as well as liabilities. Isolated study of pensions liabilities are therefore not a useful guide to the future financial stability or fiscal policy of any nation state. The convergence criteria of the Maastricht treaty provide a clearly defined basis for forming judgments on eligibility for economic and monetary union in due course.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Services (North Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the services provided by his Department and its agencies covering North Staffordshire for each of the last three years, giving details of(a) the number of staff employed and (b) the efficiency savings (i) required and (ii) achieved for each of those years. [37]

  Mr. Burt
  A full range of services on all Social Security issues is provided to the people of North Staffordshire via the local offices at Hanley, Longton and Newcastle, where the Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency, and Contributions Agency are sited.

  The number of staff employed at these sites is shown in the table:

  Year

  BA

  CSA

  CA

  1993–94

  386

  16

  22

  1994–95

  389

  16

  22

  1995–96

  362

  16

  17

  Figures as at 1 April 1996.

  The Department and its agencies are committed to carrying out its business efficiently and has set national efficiency savings targets to monitor progress. Information for each of the last three years is in the following table:

  identified in official reports published by the Australian and New Zealand data protection commissioners; and if he will make a statement on how his proposals would avoid such problems in the United Kingdom. [209]

  Mr. Heald
  We shall take into account the experiences of other countries involved in data matching exercises and are in contact with the Data Protection Registrar about the Department's legislative proposals.

  Advice Line
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the call cost for employers using the social security advice line for employers; what has been
  547
  the total cost of running this service in the last year; what are its objectives; and what plans he has to revise the call cost. [2279]

  Mr. Heald
  On 7 October the social security advice line for employers—SSALE—was incorporated into a new employers' helpline offering an expanded and improved service which also covers Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

  All telephone calls to the employers' helpline are charged at local rate; there are no plans to change the call cost.

  For the 1995–96 tax year SSALE was allocated a budget of £749,000. The objective of the helpline was to help employers and their representatives comply with national insurance legislation by providing an advisory service.

  Disability Advice and Assistance Service
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made with establishing an advice and assistance service under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [3266]

  Mr. Burt
  I am pleased to announce that we are creating the disability access rights advice service. Following an open tendering and evaluation exercise during which we worked closely with the National Disability Council, we have decided to award the DARAS contract to the Deloitte and Touche consulting group. The contract is worth approximately £1.5 million over the next two and a half years.

  The service will provide consistent and expert advice on the Act's rights of access to goods and services, drawing on the expertise and experience of a range of disability organisations, specialists trainers and lawyers, to organisations advising disabled people and business alike.

  It will be operational from 2 December 1996, the date when disabled people's new rights come into force. In addition to providing advice over the telephone and in writing, the new service will also produce information and deliver training designed to improve the primary advisers' understanding of the Act's rights of access to goods and services. The service will also establish arrangements for conciliation of disputes. It will therefore keep to a minimum the need for cases to go to court.

  Benefits Agency (Emergency Services)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each of the last five years and for each Benefits Agency office, the number of occasions payments have been made by the Benefits Agency out-of-hours service. [1430]

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

  Pensions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of the basic rate pension(a) indexed to prices and (b) indexed to earnings in 2000, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 on
  548
  the basis of the 1994 OPCS population projections; and if he will estimate the comparable costs, on the same assumptions and for the same years, on the basis of the 1992 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys population projections.[2292]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table:

  £ billion

  Estimated expenditure on basic state pension

  2000

  2010

  2020

  2030

  2040

  2050

  Price uprating 1992 population projection

  30.7

  34.6

  36.5

  44.2

  47.1

  44.9

  Price uprating 1994 population projection

  30.3

  33.6

  35.4

  43.4

  46.7

  44.4

  Earnings uprating 1992 population projection

  32.6

  42.6

  52.2

  73.3

  90.7

  100.4

  Earnings uprating 1994 population projection

  32.2

  41.3

  50.7

  71.9

  89.9

  99.2

  1. Estimated expenditure is shown in 1996 benefit rate terms, rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion.

  2. Estimated expenditure on basic state pension using the 1992 population projections is based on the report by the Government Actuary on the third quinquennial review under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975 and the Pensions Bill 1994 report by the Government Actuary on the financial provisions of the bill on the national insurance fund as appropriate. It is based on 1996–97 benefit rates, is for Great Britain, assumes equalisation of state pension ages and excludes graduated pensions and additional pension.

  3. Earnings uprating figures assume that earnings increase faster than prices by 1.5 per cent. per annum commencing with the uprating in April 1997.

  4. Estimated expenditure on basic state pension using the 1994 population projections has been obtained by adjusting the expenditure figures described in note 2 in the light of the different numbers in the population over state pension age in the 1992 and 1994 population projections. It is based on 1996–97 benefit rates, is for Great Britain, assumes equalisation of state pension ages and excludes graduated pension and additional pension.

  Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the cost of implementing the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's recommendations on chronic bronchitis and emphysema. [2029]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Any assessment of the cost of implementing the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's recommendations could only be a broad estimated as it would be based on assumptions about the number of claimants who may come forward. The estimate annual benefit cost is around £20 million, with an additional administrative cost in the first year of around £5 million.

  Expatriate Pensioners
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current estimated cost to public funds of fully uprating Britain's expatriate pensioners whose pensions are frozen in consequence of their chosen country of abode. [2623]
  549
  Mr. Heald
  The estimated cost of paying fully indexed benefits to all state retirement and widow's pensioners living abroad whose benefits are frozen is £255 million a year.

  The figure is based on the number of pensioners living abroad in July 1996 and on the current rate of state pension.

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the savings to public funds in respect of social security, residential care and health care costs in respect of Britain's expatriate pensioners. [2624]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available.

  We cannot say what calls British pensioners would make on these services if they lived in this country, or what the additional cost to the social security or health and social services budgets would be.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount(a) cumulatively and (b) per week by which the retirement allowance of those people transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 1 October was lower than their reduced earnings allowance. [2684]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The estimated average weekly difference for those transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 30 September is approximately £29. The estimated average cumulative difference is about £630. This may be offset by additional income related benefits entitlement for some retirement allowance recipients.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against being transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance were lodged with social security appeal tribunals between 1 April and 1 October; and how many of these have been(a) allowed and (b) heard. [2685]

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

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women were transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance between 1 April and 1 October; and how many of the woman were aged under 65 years at the time of conversion. [2686]

  Mr. Evans
  It is estimated that between 1 April and 30 September approximately 17,000 men and 4,000 women who are over pension age have been transferred from reduced earnings allowance to retirement allowance. Virtually all of the 4,000 women are likely to have been under 65 years of age at the time of transfer.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentage withdrawal of benefit following all work test examinations at each benefit agency office in Scotland for each month from June 1996 to the latest available month. [1356]
  550
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will give the percentage withdrawal of benefit following All Work Test examinations at each Benefit Agency Office in Scotland for each month from June 1996 to the latest available month.
  The available information is shown in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Percentage withdrawal of benefit following All Work Test referrals to BA Medical Services (BAMS) June 96-September 96

  District

  Local Office

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Clyde Coast and Cowal

  Greenock

  14.60

  10.60

  10.00

  11.50

  Clyde Valley

  Motherwell

  18.80

  24.00

  36.00

  41.20

  Hamilton

  19.80

  25.50

  48.00

  45.80

  Coatbridge

  Coatbridge

  20.70

  19.00

  23.70

  30.70

  East

  Edinburgh

  8.00

  9.84

  28.20

  30.10

  Lowlands

  South Edinburgh

  32.80

  17.90

  23.40

  22.00

  East Galashiels

  22.20

  23.40

  20.00

  24.70

  Fife

  Kirkcaldy

  31.20

  28.50

  36.20

  20.40

  Cowdenbeath

  16.60

  22.40

  25.90

  9.00

  Leven

  14.20

  22.60

  17.10

  26.50

  Dunfermline

  15.80

  18.10

  23.00

  17.00

  Forth Valley

  Stirling

  15.20

  13.60

  18.90

  17.60

  Falkirk

  12.30

  20.30

  13.20

  15.50

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  22.90

  26.20

  30.20

  6.50

  City

  City

  Glasgow

  31.60

  23.10

  34.90

  10.80

  Maryhill

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  35.40

  31.50

  44.40

  47.30

  East

  Shettleston

  Glasgow

  43.60

  39.50

  14.10

  28.80

  Bridgeton

  Glasgow

  17.20

  31.40

  15.50

  30.90

  Provan

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  32.40

  45.70

  30.70

  31.60

  Laurieston

  Laurieston

  East

  30.20

  43.10

  39.10

  25.60

  Kilbride

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  29.40

  28.00

  23.40

  21.30

  South West

  South West

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  20.00

  27.00

  11.90

  16.00

  Springburn and Cumbernauld

  Springburn Glasgow Cumbernauld

  27.50

  32.70

  18.20

  18.00

  Glasgow

  Glasgow

  21.50

  20.70

  14.00

  14.50

  West

  Anniesland Glasgow Patrick

  17.60

  22.50

  14.20

  19.20

  Grampian and Shetland

  Aberdeen

  13.4

  4.1

  9.2

  8.6

  Lerwick

  0.00

  18.5

  0.00

  19.00

  Peterhead

  3.92

  6.93

  8.6

  3.4

  551

  Percentage withdrawal of benefit following All Work Test referrals to BA Medical Services (BAMS) June 96-September 96

  District

  Local Office

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Highlands and Islands

  Inverness

  8.70

  9.87

  14.10

  12.40

  Elgin

  9.50

  14.80

  14.10

  20.60

  Fort William

  3.60

  18.80

  7.89

  17.70

  Kirkwall

  0.00

  20.00

  0.00

  27.30

  Stornoway

  2.3

  10.20

  8.80

  13.20

  Wick

  10.80

  4.30

  5.00

  7.60

  Irvine and Kilmarnock

  Irvine

  13.90

  21.00

  13.60

  13.50

  Kilmarnock

  2.40

  16.40

  19.70

  8.80

  Lomond and Argyll

  Clydebank

  12.60

  10.40

  13.20

  11.00

  Campbeltown

  8.30

  21.80

  3.10

  26.30

  Oban

  6.20

  27.60

  0.00

  43.30

  Lothian and Central

  Edinburgh City

  19.60

  25.70

  12.00

  17.60

  Leith

  5.10

  2.10

  1.40

  6.60

  Lothian West

  Lothian West

  12.00

  14.90

  10.90

  11.60

  Renfrew

  Renfrew

  6.80

  14.80

  11.30

  13.10

  South-west

  Ayr

  20.90

  18.30

  19.90

  17.20

  Scotland

  Dumfries

  9.81

  6.50

  22.40

  12.90

  Stranraer

  10.40

  20.80

  31.80

  16.00

  Tayside

  Dundee

  21.70

  24.00

  18.30

  17.20

  Arbroath

  24.80

  29.60

  21.20

  16.05

  Perth

  11.00

  18.30

  15.00

  14.10

  Source:

  100 per cent. count of cases on the incapacity benefit system. Excludes a small number of clerically processed cases.

  Notes:

  1. Percentage withdrawal includes a small number of credits only cases withdrawn as they failed to return their questionnaire without good cause or failed to attend a medical. Some credits only cases which existed prior to April 1995 are not included.

  2. The decision to withdraw benefit is made by the independent adjudication officer.

  3. Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what payment is made per test to doctors carrying out all-work tests. [1351]

  1995–96

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Number failing the AWT after examination

  0

  0

  19

  49

  68

  33

  77

  94

  65

  Number allowed under AWT following reference to BAMS

  0

  128

  236

  161

  214

  170

  285

  265

  172

  Number of IB AWT appeals received

  0

  0

  0

  16

  20

  28

  21

  51

  52

  Number of IB AWT appeals heard and decided

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  10

  13

  Number of IB AWT appeals found in favour of appellant

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  7

  1996–97

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Number failing the AWT1 after examination

  97

  80

  124

  117

  106

  71

  59

  82

  60

  Number allowed under AWT following reference to BAMS2

  299

  327

  363

  251

  431

  269

  263

  330

  288

  Number of IB3 AWT appeals received

  50

  61

  54

  58

  48

  57

  35

  20

  27

  Number of IB AWT appeals heard and decided

  11

  9

  7

  29

  8

  46

  70

  70

  43

  552
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what payment is made to doctors carrying out All Work Tests for each test.
  Doctors who are contracted to carry out all work test assessments on a sessional basis are paid at an hourly rate of £30.70. A session normally lasts three and a half hours. The number of assessments carried out in a session varies depending on the complexity of the condition involved. An average assessment takes a total of 47 minutes, therefore on average each doctor can be expected to assess up to 4 clients per session.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the absolute numbers of people who(a) failed and (b) passed the all work tests at Ayr for each month since April 1995; if he will indicate the number of those who failed who subsequently appealed for each month, the number of those appeals which were successful and the number of successful appellants who were subsequently called for a further all work test.[1357]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 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 absolute numbers of people who (a) failed and (b) passed the All Work test at Ayr for each month since April 1995; if he will indicate the number of those who failed who subsequently appealed for each month, the number of those appeals which were successful and the number of successful appellants who were subsequently called for a further All Work test.
  The information is not available in the format requested because the number of successful appellants who were subsequently called for a further All Work test is unavailable.
  The available information is shown in the attached tables.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  553

  1996–97

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  Number of IB AWT appeals found in favour of appellant

  6

  4

  4

  19

  6

  21

  36

  41

  17

  Source:

  100 per cent. count of cases on the Incapacity Benefit system. Excludes a small number of clerically processed cases.

  Notes:

  1All Work Test

  2Benefits Agency Medical Services

  3Incapacity Benefit

  1. The number who failed the All Work Test (AWT) after examination includes a small number of credits only cases who were disallowed on failure to return the medical questionnaire without good cause and who failed to attend a medical. Some Credits Only cases which existed prior to April 1995 are not included.

  2. The number who passed the All Work Test (AWT) includes those cases allowed following scrutiny and/or examination by BA Medical Services. Some Credits Only cases which existed prior to April 1995 are not included.

  3. The information provided on appeals excludes all Credits Only Cases.

  4. The decision to allow, disallow or review benefit entitlement is made by the Independent Adjudication Officer.

  5. Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of doctors working at each Benefits Agency medical services centre in Scotland who are(a) full time BAMS staff, (b) current medical practitioners, (c) retired medical practitioners and (d) in other categories.[1348]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, Mr. Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 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 number of doctors working at each Benefit Agency Medical Services centre in Scotland who are (a) full time BAMS staff, (b) current medical practitioners, (c) retired medical practitioners and (d) in other categories.
  The information required concerning which sessional fee paid doctors are currently in practice and which are retired is not immediately available. However, BAMS is collecting this information, and I will write to you again when I have it. There are no other categories held.
  Such information as is available is contained in the table at appendix A.
  hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix A: Doctors working in Scotland at each centre

  Centre

  Full time BAMS

  Sessional fee paid

  Glasgow/Shettleston/Cumbernaud

  122

  71

  Ayr/Kilmarnock

  0

  8

  Greenock

  0

  4

  Motherwell/Hamilton

  0

  6

  Edinburgh

  20

  30

  Aberdeen

  2

  12

  Inverness

  2

  5

  Dundee

  4

  10

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  1 The Glasgow full time doctors cover a variety of areas.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total cost of the Benefits Agency medical services in Scotland and the United Kingdom, for the most recent available year. [1349]
  554
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the total cost of the Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) in Scotland arid the United Kingdom for the most recent available year.
  The most recent year for which figures are available is April 1995 to March 1996. The running costs of BAMS for Scotland were £6,298,749. The total running cost for the United Kingdom was £58,413,659.
  The figures given exclude accommodation and utilities costs. The Budgets for these are not held by BAMS. The figures are provisional and subject to change.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefits Agency (Ayr Office)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current staff complement at the Ayr benefit office; how many of those have been working there for more than(a) one year and (b) five years; how many of these serve as adjudicating officers; what formal qualifications these adjudication officers have; what monitoring is undertaken of their work; and to whom the adjudication officers at Ayr are directly accountable; [1352]

  (2) how many of the staff of the Ayr benefit office have formal qualifications (a) in medicine, (b) in professions allied to medicine, (c) in social work and (d) of a degree or equivalent; what arrangements are made for the monitoring of the work of the staff of the Ayr benefit office; and who is responsible for the training of staff at Ayr. [1346]

  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. George Foulkes, dated 5 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what is the current staff complement at the Ayr benefit office; how many of those have been working there for more than (a) one year and (b) five years; how many of these serve as adjudicating officers; what formal qualifications these adjudication officers have; what monitoring is undertaken of their work; and to whom the adjudication officers at

  555
  Ayr are directly accountable; and how many of the staff of the Ayr Benefit Office have formal qualifications (a) in medicine, (b) in professions allied to medicine, (c) in social work and (d) of a degree or equivalent; what arrangements are made for the monitoring of the work of the staff of the Ayr Benefit Office; and who is responsible for the training of staff at Ayr.
  There are currently 172 staff employed in the Ayr Benefit Office of whom 172 have been there for more than one year and 139 have been in post for more than 5 years. There are 15 Adjudication Officers (AOs), 3 of whom (including one part-time) are engaged as specialist AOs dealing with Incapacity Benefit including cases which have failed the All Work Test.
  All AOs have undertaken intensive training provided by BA Training Operations. Independent monitoring of adjudication is in place within Ayr Benefit Office which forms part of the Benefits Agency South West Scotland District Office. There is independent monitoring undertaken by the Central Adjudication Services. AOs are independent authorities accountable to Chief Adjudication Officers on all aspects of adjudication and standards thereof.
  There are no members of staff with formal qualifications in medicine, professions allied to medicine and Social Work. There are 6 staff with a degree or equivalent.
  All work is monitored as a matter of routine by checking processes, and by a dedicated quality control section. The District Manager is responsible for the training and development of staff through a structured training organisation within the District structure under the control of the District's Human Resources Manager.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the result of the recent market-testing exercises for messengers and typing services in the Social Security Agency; on how many occasions bids were called for and how many were received; what were the costs of the market-testing operation and the estimated annual savings; and if he will list the successful bidders. [1198]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from J. B. Fleming to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 1 November 1996:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question on market testing has been passed to Mr. Wylie, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency for reply. As he is away on business at present, I am replying on his behalf.
  Invitations to tender for the typing service and separately for the messenger and support service in the Agency were issued on 29 April 1996. The only bids received on time were those from the in-house team, one for each service. One other bid was received after the deadline and therefore rejected.
  The evaluation process has not yet been completed and it is therefore not yet possible to provide you with the final cost of this particular market testing exercise or the estimated savings from it. I shall ensure that you are given that information in due course.

  Paedophile Register
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consult with the 556
  Home Secretary with a view to including Northern Ireland in the proposed paedophile address registration legislation. [1199]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I am pleased to confirm that the Government intend to bring forward legislation on a United Kingdom-wide basis which will include provisions to require sex offenders in Northern Ireland to register changes of address with the police.

  GCSE Passes
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of young people in Northern Ireland have achieved(a) five GCSE passes or equivalent and (b) no passes by the age of 19 years in each of the last five years. [1168]

  Mr. Ancram
  The estimated percentage of young people in Northern Ireland who have achieved(a) five GCSE passes or equivalent and (b) no passes by the age of 19 years in the last five years is as follows:

  Percentage

  Five or more passes (A *-C)1 or equivalent

  No passes A*-G2

  1995

  n/a

  11

  1994

  64.5

  12

  1993

  63.2

  14

  1992

  56.4

  17

  1991

  n/a

  22

  Sources:

  1 School Leavers Survey and FE Leavers Survey, DENI and T and EA.

  2 School Leavers Survey and FE Leavers Survey.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for which public appointments in Northern Ireland, since 1 January 1990, a nominee has been requested from the Irish Republic; and through which channels. [1197]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Arrangements for consulting the Irish Government about public appointments are set out in section 7 of "Guidance on Public Appointments in Northern Ireland" which was published by Central Secretarial in October 1995. A copy was placed in the House of Commons Library.

  List of category 'A' appointments

  Appointment

  DANI

  Fishery Harbour Authority

  Chairman

  Livestock and Meat Commission for NI

  Chairman

  Rural Development Council

  Chairman

  DED

  Enterprise Ulster

  Chairman

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  9 members including Chairman

  Fair Employment Commission

  8 members including Chairman

  Fair Employment Tribunal (appointments made by Lord Chancellor)

  5 (President, Vice-President, 2 full-time Chairmen and 1 Part-time Chairman)

  General Consumer Council

  Chairman

  Health and Safety Agency for NI

  Chairman

  557

  List of category 'A' appointments

  Appointment

  Industrial Development Board

  12 members including Chairman

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  Chairman

  Industrial Tribunals

  4 (President, Vice-Presidents, and 2 full-time Chairman)

  Labour Relations Agency

  Chairman

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Chairman

  Tourist Board

  Chairman

  Training and Employment Agency

  Chairman

  DENI

  Armagh Observatory

  1 Governor

  Arts Council

  Chairman/Vice-Chairman

  NI Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment

  Chairman

  NI Higher Education Council

  Chairman

  Queen's University Senate

  5 members

  DFP

  Community Relations Council

  7 members (Government appointees) including Chairman

  International Fund for Ireland

  7 members including Chairman

  Law Reform Advisory Committee

  Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 10 members

  Lay Observer

  NI Citizen's Charter Advisory Panel

  7 members including Chairman

  NI Economic Council

  Chairman

  DHSS

  Eastern Health and SS Board

  7 members including Chairman

  Health and SS Trusts

  84 members including Chairmen

  Health Promotion Agency

  Chairman

  Mental Health Commission for NI

  Chairman

  NI Blood Transfusion Service Agency

  Chairman

  NI Regional Medical Physics Agency

  Chairman

  Northern Health and SS Board

  7 members including Chairman

  Southern Health and SS Board

  7 members including Chairman

  Tribunal Re: GP Disqualification

  10 Professional members

  Western Health and SS Board

  7 members including Chairman

  DOE (NI)

  Belfast Harbour Commissioners

  Chairman

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside

  Chairman/Deputy Chairman

  Fire Authority for NI

  Chairman

  Laganside Corporation

  10 members including Chairman

  Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission

  Chairman

  NI Housing Executive

  7 members including Chairman

  NI Railways Ltd.

  6 members including Chairman

  NI Transport Holding Co

  5 members including Chairman

  Planning Appeals Commission

  10 members including Chairman

  Rent Assessment Panel

  2 members i.e. Chairman/Deputy Chairman

  Ulsterbus/Citybus/FIexibus

  6 members including Chairman

  Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

  Chairman

  Water Appeals Commission

  2 members (Chief Commissioner and Principal Professional Commissioner)

  NIO

  Boundary Commission for NI

  11 members including Chairman

  Independent Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Holding Centres

  Chief Electoral Officer 2 members

  558

  List of category 'A' appointments

  Appointment

  Independent Assessor of Military Complaints

  Independent Commission for Police Complaints

  10 members including Chairman

  Police Authority for NI

  20 members including Chairman

  Probation Board for NI

  15 members including Chairman

  Standing Advisory Commission on Hi Rights

  12 members including Chairman

  List of category 'B' Appointments

  Appointment

  DANI

  Agricultural Wages Board

  1 Chairman and 2 members

  DED

  Certification Officer for NI

  1 Commissioner

  Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  1 Commissioner

  Enterprise Ulster

  7 members

  General Consumer Council

  13 members

  Health and Safety Agency for NI

  9 members

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  11 members

  Labour Relations Agency

  9 members

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  10 members

  Tourist Board

  8 members

  Training and Employment Agency Board

  11 members

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.

  6 members including Chairman

  DENI

  Arts Council for NI

  14 members

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  35 members including Chairman

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  8 members including Chairman

  Diocesan Education Committees of the CCMS

  Totals 16 members

  NI Higher Education Council

  9 members

  North Eastern Education and Library Board

  35 members including Chairman

  Negotiating Committees:

  Colleges of Education

  Chairman only

  Further Education

  Chairman only

  Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service

  Chairman only

  South Eastern Education and Library Board

  35 members including Chairman

  Southern Education and Library Board

  35 members incvluding Chairman

  Sports Council for NI

  15 members including Chairman

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  13 members including Chairman

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  15 members including Chairman

  Ulster Museum

  14 members including Chairman

  Western Education and Library Board

  32 members including Chairman

  Youth Council for NI

  18 members including Chairman

  DFP

  NI Economic Council

  15 members

  DHSS

  NI Blood Transfusion Service Agency

  2 members

  Central Services Agency for H&SS Management Executive)

  10 members (Chairmanship held by the Chief Executive of the H and SS Management Executive)

  Eastern Health and SS Council

  30 members including Chairman

  559

  List of category 'B' Appointments

  Appointment

  Health Promotion Agency

  14 members

  Mental Health Commission for NI

  15 members

  NI Regional Medical Physics Agency

  1 member

  Northern Health and SS Council

  23 members including Chairman

  Poisons Board

  Chairman

  Southern Health and SS Council

  24 members including Chairman

  Tribunal Re: GP Disqualification

  4 members (Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 2 Lay Members)

  Western Health and SS Council

  23 members including Chairman

  DOE(Nl)

  Advisory Committee on Travellers

  Chairman

  Belfast Harbour Commissioners

  8 members

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside

  18 members

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing NI Advisory Board

  1 member

  Fire Authority for NI

  16 members

  Local Government Staff Commission for NI

  15 members including Chairman

  Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission

  8 members

  NI Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee

  17 members including Chairman

  NI Water Council

  15 members including Chairman

  Rent Assessment Panel

  33 panel members

  Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

  8 members including Chairman

  NIO

  Board of Visitors:

  Belfast Prison

  23 members including Chairman

  Maghaberry Prison

  17 members including Chairman

  Magilligan Prison

  20 members including Chairman

  Maze Prison

  16 members including Chairman

  Hydebank Wood

  16 members including Chairman

  Rathgael and Whiteabbey Schools Management Board

  12 members including Chairman

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many cases of tuberculosis among the registered homeless have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [1584]

  (2) how many registered homeless have died from tuberculosis in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [1557]

  (3) how many people have died from tuberculosis in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [1574]

  (4) how many cases of tuberculosis have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [1582]

  Mr. Moss
  Information on tuberculosis among homeless people is not available separately.
  560

  Notifications of, and deaths from tuberculosis are shown in the table

  Year

  Notifications of all cases of tuberculosis in Northern Ireland1

  Number of deaths due to tuberculosis in Northern Ireland2

  1986

  108

  14

  1987

  99

  15

  1988

  86

  9

  1989

  94

  13

  1990

  131

  12

  1991

  96

  7

  1992

  84

  11

  1993

  90

  13

  1994

  92

  8

  1995

  90

  314

  Source:

  1 Return of Infectious Diseases Notified to Health and Social Services Boards.

  2 General Register Office Records.

  3 Provisional.

  Gun Clubs
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many gun clubs exist in Northern Ireland; what regulations govern their conduct; and if he will provide a breakdown of membership numbers. [1611]

  Sir John Wheeler
  At present there are 42 firearms clubs in Northern Ireland authorised by the Secretary of State under article 54 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Clubs must meet a number of criteria in order to obtain and retain this approval, the main elements of which are:

  (i) a club may introduce a potential member to the sport at a club session. This "interim member" must be introduced and sponsored by at least one full club member or officials before his/her application to become a "probationary member" is accepted, the interim member must attend the club regularly on a number of occasions and become known to club officials.

  (ii) Before becoming a full member, the probationary member must have been a member of the club for at least 12 months during which time he/she must attend and shoot regularly. The probationary member must be given a course in the safe handling and use of firearms on a one-to-one basis by someone who is either a full member of the club or who is a qualified coach. Once a probationary member has satisfactorily completed a course in the safe handling and use of firearms, he/she must for the remainder of the probationary period be supervised at all times when in possession of firearms or ammunition by either the range officer, a full member of the club or someone who is a qualified coach;

  (iii) the security arrangements for the storage of club firearms and ammunition must meet the approval of the RUC.

  There are approximately 3,500 members attending these clubs. Individual club membership totals are not readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Firearms
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown of the reasons given for the legal possession of firearms in Northern Ireland. [1609]
  561
  Sir John Wheeler
  The following are accepted as "good reason" for the possession of firearms in Northern Ireland, as required by the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981:

  Sporting purposes;

  Vermin control;

  Personal protection;

  Target use;

  Collectors' items;

  Possession only;

  Miscellaneous (including humane killing, starting pistols, and firearms held by fishermen for protection of their nets).

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the firearms licences currently issued in Northern Ireland are for handguns. [1608]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is not possible to say how many current firearms certificates are solely for handguns in Northern Ireland as some certificates may include more than one firearm. There were however 12,872 hand guns held on firearm certificates at 30 September 1996.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each of the past 10 years firearms licences have been revoked. [1612]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has informed me that firearm certificates have been revoked in each of the last 10 years as follows:

  1986: 144

  1987: 157

  1988: 148

  1989: 135

  1990: 131

  1991: 110

  1992: 94

  1993: 97

  1994: 113

  1995: 115

  1996: 75 (to 22 October).

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what limit exists on the number of firearms that may be possessed by an individual; and if he will make a statement about the number of legal weapons possessed and the number of firearms licences. [1610]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There is no specific limit to the numbers of firearms which may be held on a person's firearm certificate but, in accordance with article 28 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, the Chief Constable must be satisfied that the holder has shown "good reason" for purchasing, acquiring or having in his possession each firearm for which an application is made.

  At 30 September 1996 there were 134,103 firearms held on 87,302 firearm certificates issued by the Chief Constable.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of firearms and shotguns, by the categories used by the RUC, held in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and how many of these were identified as being used in crime in each of those years. [1965]
  562
  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 1 November 19961: (i) The figures for the number of firearms held on certificate in each of the last three years is as follows:

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Shotguns

  84,270

  84,733

  85,269

  Air Weapons

  19,939

  20,447

  21,074

  Rifles

  13,079

  13,175

  13,460

  Handguns

  12,008

  12,833

  12,917

  Miscellaneous

  1,214

  1,250

  1,307

  Totals

  130,510

  132,438

  134,027

  (ii) At present the RUC is unable to distinguish, from its records, whether the firearms used in crimes have been held legally or illegally. The RUC is, however, currently considering whether it is possible to set up a system which would facilitate the retrieval of such information. The Chief Constable estimates that less than 1 per cent. of these cases would have involved legally held firearms.

  The following is a record of cases in which firearms have been used in the last three years:

  1993: 1,185 (including 86 crimes involving shotguns)

  1994: 963 (including 77 crimes involving shotguns)

  1995: 518 (including 73 crimes involving shotguns).

  Low Impact Development
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned of low impact development in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [2343]

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

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Marlyn Jones, dated 6 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about research into low impact development in rural areas.
  The Planning Service has neither evaluated nor commissioned any research into low impact development in rural areas.

  Amenity Site, Millisle
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when work commenced at the new amenity site at Moss road, Millisle; which agency is the promoter of this scheme; how many objectors there were to this scheme; when the scheme was given planning permission; and if he will make a statement. [2439]

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

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 6 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your question about the new amenity site at Moss Road, Millisle.
  Outline planning permission for a proposed civic amenity site on land between 2 and 32 Moss Road, was granted to Ards Borough Council on 28 September 1995. Four letters of objection were received in response to public advertisement and neighbour

  563
  notification. Planning consent to an application for reserved matters was granted on 5 August 1996. The start date for work is a matter for Ards Borough Council as promoter of the scheme.

  Day Care Services
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many elderly people attended the statutory day care facilities at (i) Loanda house, Newry and (ii) Millview, Bessbrook, prior to their closure; of these, how many have been assessed as needing day care services; how many have been offered alternative facilities; of these, how many have been unable to avail themselves of the alternative facilities; and for what reasons. [1774]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is as follows:Loanda House
  Twelve elderly people attended Loanda house before it closed. All were assessed as needing day care services and offered alternative services. Two of the 12 have been unable to avail themselves of the offer due to failing health.
  Millview (Bessbrook)
  Eighteen elderly people attended Millview prior to its closure. Eight were assessed as needing day care services and offered alternative services in Newry. Five refused the offer due to the extra travel involved, one accepted the offer and two have not indicated their decision as yet.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in receipt of disability living allowance have had their awards terminated following an examining medical practitioner's report in each of the past 24 months. [1775]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Gerry Keenan to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 1 November 1996:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question on Disability Living Allowance has been passed to Mr Wylie, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency for reply. As Mr Wylie is on leave, I am replying on his behalf.
  You asked how many people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance have had their awards terminated following an Examining Medical Practitioner's (EMP) report in each of the past 24 months. Specific records are not maintained on the actual number of claims which were terminated where an Examining Medical Practitioner's report had been requested. However I can supply information on the number of claims disallowed on review or at renewal stage where an Examining Medical Practitioner's report was considered to be the main evidence on which the decision was based and this is illustrated in the attached table.
  I hope this explains the position to you and I would be happy to provide you with any further information you require.
  564

  Number of disability living allowance claims disallowed based on an EMP report

  Month

  Number of EMP visits

  Number of claims disallowed on review

  Number of claims disallowed at renewal stage

  Total disallowed

  October 1994

  1,804

  120

  32

  152

  November 1994

  2,177

  177

  59

  236

  December 1994

  1,481

  66

  41

  107

  January 1995

  1,890

  161

  65

  226

  February 1995

  1,894

  168

  75

  243

  March 1995

  2,024

  139

  54

  193

  April 1995

  1,581

  68

  36

  104

  May 1995

  1,655

  108

  48

  156

  June 1995

  1,598

  128

  65

  193

  July 1995

  1,079

  86

  42

  128

  August 1995

  1,551

  95

  41

  136

  September 1995

  1,831

  140

  61

  201

  October 1995

  1,861

  152

  83

  235

  November 1995

  1,616

  119

  66

  185

  December 1995

  1,161

  58

  41

  99

  January 1996

  1,397

  146

  48

  194

  February 1996

  1,089

  106

  43

  149

  March 1996

  972

  77

  43

  120

  April 1996

  998

  77

  25

  102

  May 1996

  1,186

  68

  26

  94

  June 1996

  953

  58

  27

  85

  July 1996

  723

  66

  23

  89

  August 1996

  910

  85

  29

  114

  September 1996

  793

  55

  32

  87

  Total

  34,260

  2,523

  1,105

  3,628

  Records only indicate the number of disallowances where an EMP report was considered to be the main evidence on which the decision was based. Other evidence such as GP reports etc. could have been held also.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appeals against disability living allowance decisions have been heard in each of the past 24 months; and of these how many were (i) allowed, (ii) disallowed and (iii) deferred. [1776]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alex Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Gerry Keenan to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 1 November 1996:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question on Disability Living Allowance has been passed to the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, Mr. Wylie for reply. As he is on leave, I am replying on his behalf.
  You asked how many appeals against Disability Living Allowance decisions have been heard in each of the past 24 months; and of these how many were allowed, disallowed or deferred. The information is set out on the attached table. I should point out that the decisions of the Appeal Tribunal are not normally notified to Disability Living Allowance Branch in the month that they are heard. Therefore the figures in column one of the table refer to the month in which the decision was received in the Branch and this is how our statistics are maintained.
  I hope this explains the position to you and I would be happy to provide any further information you require.
  565

  Disability living allowance appeal decisions in the past 24 months

  Month decisions notified to DLA Branch

  Number of tribunal decisions

  Number disallowed

  Number allowed

  Number adjourned

  November 1994

  174

  97

  70

  7

  December 1994

  198

  114

  84

  —

  January 1995

  247

  153

  82

  12

  February 1995

  178

  102

  63

  13

  March 1995

  232

  121

  94

  17

  April 1995

  243

  136

  94

  13

  May 1995

  251

  136

  89

  26

  June 1995

  190

  109

  69

  12

  July 1995

  227

  133

  82

  12

  August 1995

  139

  87

  42

  10

  September 199

  389

  259

  124

  6

  October 1995

  257

  164

  83

  10

  November 1995

  389

  252

  132

  5

  December 1995

  249

  156

  88

  5

  January 1996

  345

  227

  108

  10

  February 1996

  411

  258

  149

  4

  March 1996

  307

  192

  104

  11

  April 1996

  279

  166

  105

  8

  May 1996

  221

  136

  81

  4

  June 1996

  221

  132

  77

  12

  July 1996

  214

  114

  89

  11

  August 1996

  238

  170

  63

  5

  September 1996

  260

  184

  69

  7

  October 1996

  176

  115

  55

  6

  Total

  6,035

  3,713

  2,096

  226

  Prisoners (Visitors)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance is available for visits to prisoners by their immediate relatives in respect of (i) travel, (ii) accommodation, (iii) subsistence and (iv) other costs; and if he will give the rates for that assistance where the prison is situated in(a) Scotland and (b) England or Wales. [1777]
  566
  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject of the question 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.

  Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 6 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the Parliamentary Question which you tabled about the availability of financial assistance for visits to prisoners by their immediate relatives, where the prison is situated in Scotland or England and Wales.
  Close relatives of prisoners, who qualify for assistance under Social Security regulations, receive the return fare to the prison by the cheapest route for 2 visits every 4 weeks. Payments are made on behalf of the Northern Ireland Prison Service by the Social Security Agency through the claimant's local Social Security Office by means of a giro cheque and travel warrant. Travel is normally by bus, train and ferry; in exceptional circumstances the cost of travel by taxi or air may be met.
  In addition to meet the cost of travel, where overnight accommodation and main meals are necessary, the following rates apply:

  Bed and breakfast accommodation

  £15.00 per night (adult rate)

  £10.00 per night (child rate)

  Accommodation only

  £12.40 per night (adult rate)

  £7.40 per night (child rate)

  Main meals

  £2.60 per meal (adult and child rate)

  I hope this is helpful.

  Partnership Database
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received in relation to the use of the Northern Ireland partnership database by a support group of the Ulster Unionist party. [1779]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have not received any representation from a support group of the Ulster Unionist party regarding the use of the Northern Ireland partnership database.
  567

HEALTH

  Maternity Care
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was paid to general practitioners through payments for ensuring the provision of maternity care for the years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 by (i) trust, (ii) region and (iii) health authority; and if he will make a statement. [132]

  Mr. Malone
  Details of the amounts paid by the former family health services authorities to general practitioners for providing maternity medical services in 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 will be placed in the Library.

  Information is not held centrally concerning payments made to general practitioners by NHS trusts or by the former regional health authorities for the provision of maternity care.

  Nurses
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses(a) entered the profession as students, (b) completed their training and (c) have left the profession or ceased to practice in each year since 1990. [1111]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not centrally available.

  Organophosphate Dips
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what liaison there is between his Department, the Department of Defence and the Ministry of Agriculture on the subject of organophosphate dips and their use; and if he will make a statement. [1860]

  Mr. Horam
  The Government are advised on the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines by the independent Veterinary Products Committee and the licensing authority, which includes Department of Health Ministers. The continued use of organophosphate sheep dips is kept under review by the VPC and officials of the Department of Health are in regular contact with officials of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on this matter. My officials are also in regular contact with officials of the Ministry of Defence which has an interest.

  In addition, the Baroness Cumberlege, Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health, has had a series of meetings with my hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Rural GPs (Recruitment)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives are currently being undertaken to assist the recruitment of general practitioners to rural medical practices; and if he will make a statement. [1741]

  Mr. Malone
  We are not aware of any particular recruitment difficulties in rural areas. However, there are 568
  a number of fees and allowances available to general practitioners in rural areas.

  NHS Trusts (VAT)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of restrictions placed by Customs and Excise on(a) the ability of NHS bodies to recover VAT retrospectively on contracted-out services on the budgets of NHS trusts and (b) the use of external services within the NHS; and what assessment he has made of the losses that will be incurred in respect of these restrictions by NHS trusts in England and Wales. [2325]

  Mr. Horam
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have extended the deadline for national health service bodies to submit retrospective claims for value added tax refunds on contracted out services. There should be no effect on the use of external services. It is not feasible to assess whether any VAT will remain unrecovered.

  Body Mass Index Data
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the longitudinal body mass index data for(a) adolescents and (b) adults by sex in each BMI category for age groups (i) 15, (ii) 18, (iii) 35, (iv) 40 to 59, (v) 45 to 69, (vi) 55 and (vii) 55 to 75 years in each of the last five years. [2189]

  Mr. Horam
  Data are not available in the form requested. Available data are given in the attached tables.

  Annual cross-sectional body mass index data from the health survey for England are shown in table 1. BMI data from the dietary and nutritional survey of British adults are shown in table 2. The most recent body mass index data available on younger school children, collected in 1983, combines both 14 and 15-year-olds. This is also shown in table 2.

  Table 1: BMI by age data from the Health Survey for England, 1991–94

  Age group

  Sex

  Year

  1991

  1991 and 1992

  1993

  1994

  16–24

  Male

  22.8

  23.2

  23.4

  23.5

  Female

  23.1

  23

  23.5

  23.5

  25–34

  Male

  24.9

  25

  25.4

  25.3

  Female

  24.2

  24.4

  24.6

  24.8

  35–44

  Male

  26.3

  26.2

  26.4

  26.4

  Female

  25.1

  25

  25.6

  25.7

  45–54

  Male

  26.7

  26.7

  26.8

  26.8

  Female

  26.9

  26.7

  26.6

  26.3

  55–64

  Male

  26.9

  27.0

  27.0

  27.0

  Female

  27.3

  27.2

  27.2

  27.5

  65–74

  Male

  26.4

  26.8

  26.7

  27.0

  Female

  26.3

  26.5

  27.0

  27.3

  75+

  Male

  25.7

  25.7

  25.7

  26.5

  Female

  25.9

  25.8

  26.1

  25.7

  569

  Table 2: Body mass index, by age

  Age (years)

  Sex

  Mean BMI

  Study

  Year of fieldwork

  14–15

  Male

  19.9

  The Diets of British School

  1983

  Female

  20.7

  children Department of Health (1989)

  16–24

  Male

  22.9

  The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults Gregoryet al (1990)

  1986

  Female

  22.9

  25–34

  Male

  24.6

  Female

  23 9

  35–49

  Male

  25.9

  Female

  24.8

  50–64

  Male

  25.9

  Female

  26.2

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to respond to the private finance initiative proposals relating to the Walsgrave Hospitals NHS trust. [2276]

  Mr. Horam
  Walsgrave Hospitals national health service trust is currently negotiating the proposed private finance initiative scheme with its preferred bidder. A full business case is being prepared by the trust and a decision will be taken on the scheme when this is submitted.

  NHS Pensions (Practice Nurses)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to include practice nurses in the NHS pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [2042]

  Mr. Malone
  Opening up the national health service pension scheme to general practitioner practice staff is under consideration.

  Maintenance Work
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current backlog of maintenance work in the NHS. [2794]

  Mr. Horam
  The current backlog maintenance estimate for the national health service for 1995–96 is £2.41 billion, which compares with £2.32 billion for 1994–95. This figure includes estimated costs for maintenance on all properties in the NHS due to be replaced, not used for patient care, awaiting planned preventative maintenance and awaiting disposal. '['hey also include an element for meeting statutory and safety standards.

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his plans for research concerning BSE. [188]

  Mr. Horam
  A strategy for the centrally directed programme of research into the human health aspects of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which the Secretary of State announced on 25 March, will be published shortly.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what potential methods of treatment are being(a) planned and (b) evaluated in respect of human equivalents to BSE. [189]
  570
  Mr. Horam
  We need to improve our understanding of the nature of the agent which causes spongiform encephalopathies before we are able to investigate possible methods of treatment. This will be a high priority in our centrally directed programme of research.

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the MRC in the last 12 months over its future priorities for medical research; and if he will make a statement. [1399]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department's Chief Medical Officer and Director of Research and Development are members of the Medical Research Council. In addition, officials from the Department have served on a number of MRC committees and met with MRC officials on a number of occasions in the past 12 months as part of the terms of the concordat which exists between the Health Departments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the MRC. A wide range of future priorities for medical and health services research have been covered in these discussions.

  Neurodegenerative Diseases
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consult the Alzheimer's Disease Society over his Department's future plans for promoting of research into Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [1397]

  Mr. Burns
  The policy research programme supports policy and operational strategy in the Department. We aim to take into account the views of a wide range of interested groups, such as the Alzheimer's Disease Society, in determining future research specifically into Alzheimer's disease under the programme.

  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish details of research and development projects in the NHS focusing on Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. [1400]

  Mr. Burns
  The Department runs two separate research programmes: the policy research programme and the national health service research and development programme. The latest available information on research being carried out under the policy research programme is contained in "The Centrally Commissioned Research Programme: Commissions in 1994–95", copies of which are placed in the Library.

  The NHS research and development programme consists of a number of national programmes and regional research activity. The mental health programme includes a project examining the development of screening tests for dementia and depression in ethnic elders; it also includes a project which is examining dementia information in order to develop a model to establish the number of people in a given population needing specific dementia services. Information is not available centrally on all the research projects being undertaken as part of the regional programme. The projects on which information is available centrally include a study of the patterns and consequences of semantic memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease; a community based control study of dementias; a study of neuronal structure in ageing and

  571
  Alzheimer's based dementia; and cognitive decline, dementia and ageing in people with Down's syndrome: study of the risk factors and care needs.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he will be making to the call by the Royal National Institute for the Blind for the restoration of free eye tests to people over 60 years old and a public awareness campaign on the importance of regular testing for others; and if he will make a statement. [1401]

  Mr. Malone
  We have already informed the Royal National Institute for the Blind that we would be happy to co-operate with it in a campaign to promote the benefits of regular sight tests. We are not planning to extend the criteria for free national health service sight tests. Existing provisions for people on low incomes or at risk of eye diseases to receive free sight tests, where necessary through an optometrist making a home visit, are responsive to the needs of older people.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current policy for accepting patients from Powys at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital. [1766]

  Mr. Horam
  The treatment of patients from Powys at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital national health service trust is a local contracting issue between the trust, Dyfed-Powys health authority and general practitioner fundholders.

SCOTLAND

  Construction Industry (Timber)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote the greater use of timber in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement. [1758]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Forestry
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increased financial provision in respect of proposals to increase the forest cover in the United Kingdom; what percentage of this provision is planned to be spent before May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [1850]

  Mr. Kynoch
  We have made provision for the payment of £40 million in woodland grants to the private sector in Britain in the current financial year. This will increase to £42 million next year. Forestry in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Departmental Achievements
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of time involved 572
  on the part of civil servants within his Department in preparing and issuing his letter of 24 October, listing departmental achievements; and if he will make a statement. [1951]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Preparing and issuing the letter of 24 October was part of the normal duties of a number of civil servants, and the time spent by them on it cannot be separately identified. The achievements it outlined are the result of 17 years' hard work.

  Prison Officers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Scotland how many prison officers in post on or before 30 September 1987 took early retirement on 24 March 1995 in accordance with Scottish Prison Service staff circular no. 58/94; and under what rules and on what basis retirement benefits provided by the compensation schemes were calculated, awarded and put into payment to the prison officers when they retired under the terms of the circular. [1614]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 6 November 1996:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question about the number of prison officers who took early retirement in March 1995, and under what rules.
  The early retirement scheme was introduced to assist the restructuring of the Scottish Prison Service which required the generation of vacancies at all grades over the following few years. The Scheme was announced to the field under Staff Circular No. 58/94 and applications were sought from staff who would be aged 50 or over at 1 January 1995, but who had not reached their minimum retirement age.
  The number of prison officers in post on or before 30 September 1987 who took early retirement on 24 March 1995 was 142. The compulsory early retirement benefits which accompanied these exits were awarded and paid under the Rules of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

  Salmon Farming
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to protect and promote the Scottish and United Kingdom salmon farming industry; and if he will make a statement. [528]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Salmon farming is important to the highlands and islands of Scotland and the Government are committed to supporting the industry. To this end, I have been working closely with the Scottish industry, the European Commission, and the Governments of Norway and the Republic of Ireland to ensure that every route to a more stable farmed salmon market is fully explored.

  Given the history of disruption in this sector, I encouraged the industry to put its anti-dumping and subsidy complaints to the European Commission for investigation, officials having lent technical assistance in their preparation. If there is clear and convincing evidence that the complaints are justified, the industry has been assured of Government backing for firm action to be taken.
  573
  I have arranged to meet the new Norwegian Minister on 25 November. I will encourage him to review the position, including the continuation and effectiveness of the Norwegian Government feed quota measures.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nursery places have been made available to four-year-olds in(a) public, (b) private and

  Provider

  Argyll and Bute

  East Renfrewshire

  Highland

  North Ayrshire

  Total

  Local authority

  183

  621

  270

  884

  1,958

  Private and voluntary1

  184

  340

  120

  664

  1,308

  Independent schools

  0

  22

  0

  0

  22

  Totals

  367

  983

  390

  1,548

  23,288

  1 An accurate breakdown between children attending voluntary and private sector centres is not held centrally.

  2 To avoid double counting, these figures excludes those cases (cl20) where the same child receives education at more than one centre.

  Many new places have been created by the voucher system in the pilots—42 new local authority centres providing pre-school education for 884 voucher-bearing children have been opened, and many of the 21 existing local authority centres have expanded their provision. Moreover, 88 centres in the voluntary and private sectors, providing for over 1,300 voucher-bearing children, have received educational quality accreditation for the first time ever. The evaluation team from Stirling university, when it has reported, any throw additional light on the extent and distribution of expansion directly attributable to the voucher initiative.

  Low Impact Development
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned of low impact development in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [2344]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office has not evaluated or commissioned any research specifically on the subject of low impact development in rural areas. However, the Scottish Office provides a range of guidance, advice and support designed to encourage sustainable development in rural areas which benefits local residents.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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; arid if he will make a statement. [2475]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office is currently consulting on the following proposal for which the deregulation order-making power may be used:The repeal of the Methylated Spirits (Sale by Retail) (Scotland) Act 1937.

  The timing of any reference to the Deregulation Committee will depend on the outcome of consultation.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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
  574
  (c) voluntary sectors in each of the four piloting areas since the start of the voucher pilot scheme; and how many of these are new places. [1830]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 1 November 1996]: The number of places offered by pre-school centres is not held centrally. On the basis of returns for the first half of the first term, the number of children currently receiving voucher supported pre-school education in each of the pilot areas, broken down by type of provider, is as follows:

  estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to determine the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [2470]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office intends to revoke the Surface Waters (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 before the end of 1996.

  Since the regulations are being revoked, a cost compliance assessment is not required. They are being replaced by the Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1996, in respect of which a compliance cost assessment is being prepared.

  Nurses
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nurses(a) entered the profession as students, (b) completed their training and (c) have left the profession or ceased to practice in each year since 1990. [2426]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested in parts(a) and (b) is shown in the table. The information requested in part (c) is not held centrally and would have to be obtained from individual employers both within and outwith the NHS.

  Fiscal year

  (a) Number entering training during specified year

  (b) Number completing training during specified year

  1990–91

  2,983

  2,641

  1991–92

  2,230

  2,522

  1992–93

  2,380

  2,492

  1993–94

  2,404

  2,356

  1994–95

  2,196

  2,069

  1995–96

  2,213

  1,808

  Source:

  NBS annual reports 1990–91 to 1992–93.

  NBS statistical supplement to annual report 1993–94 to 1995–96.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the impact on local authority contracted-out
  575
  services of the restrictions placed by Customs and Excise on the ability of organisations to recover VAT retrospectively; and if he will make a statement. [2621]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him yesterday.

  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Office research on a rough sleepers initiative will be published; and when he will initiate measures arising from the conclusions of the research. [2474]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The report on this research study, which was commissioned by the Scottish Office and Scottish Homes from the university of Wales to investigate the prevalence of rooflessness, is currently being finalised. The results of the research will be given careful consideration.

  Primary Pupils
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of children aged five, six and seven years were in classes of 31 or more in 1995 and provisionally for 1996(a) per authority and (b) in Scotland as a whole. [2476]

  Primary pupils in classes of 31 or more, as at September 1991, 1993 and 11995

  As at September

  1991

  1993

  1995

  Education authority2

  Number of pupils

  Percentage of pupils

  Number of pupils

  Percentage of pupils

  Number of pupils

  Percentage of pupils

  Scotland

  72,638

  16.5

  75,286

  17.2

  79,655

  18.1

  Borders

  448

  5.3

  544

  6.3

  857

  9.8

  Central

  3,954

  16.9

  3,972

  17.1

  4,612

  19.8

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,137

  16.8

  2,052

  16.0

  2,016

  15.6

  Fife

  4,944

  15.9

  5,387

  17.3

  4,704

  15.2

  Grampian

  6,900

  15.6

  6,556

  14.6

  7,138

  15.8

  Highland

  1,503

  7.7

  1,996

  10.4

  1,795

  9.4

  Lothian

  11,318

  20.1

  11,885

  20.7

  13,909

  23.4

  Strathclyde

  34,697

  16.8

  35,104

  17.4

  37,403

  18.6

  Tayside

  6,580

  20.3

  7,536

  23.1

  7,032

  21.5

  Orkney

  157

  8.7

  64

  3.5

  33

  1.8

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  31

  1.4

  Western isles

  —

  —

  190

  7.2

  125

  4.8

  1 Excludes pupils in P3/P4 composite classes and multi-stage classes.

  2 Includes grant aided and self-governing schools.

  Health Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from which budget he took the £30 million of health capital expenditure announced on 9 October 1996. [2479]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The distribution of £30 million to enable NHS trusts in Scotland to carry out
  576
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Statistics on class size are collected biennially. The available information, which relates to pupils in P1, P2 and P3 single stage classes and P1/P2 and P2/P3 composite stage classes, as at September 1995, is given below.

  P1 to P3 pupils in classes of 31 or more, as at September 11995

  Education authority2

  Number of pupils

  Percentage of pupils

  Scotland

  31,019

  17.7

  Borders

  254

  8.0

  Central

  1,991

  21.2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  731

  17.0

  Fife

  1,366

  11.0

  Grampian

  2,568

  14.6

  Highland

  409

  6.6

  Lothian

  6,372

  25.0

  Strathclyde

  14,698

  17.9

  Tayside

  2,568

  20.3

  Orkney

  —

  —

  Shetland

  31

  4.1

  Western Isles

  31

  6.0

  1 Excludes pupils in P3/P4 composite classes and multi-stage classes.

  3 Includes grant-aided and self-governing schools.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of primary school children were in classes of 31 or more for each year since 1990(a) per authority and (b) in Scotland. [2477]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Statistics on class size are collected biennially. The available information is given in the table.

  a number of capital projects will be funded from the capital budget.

  Dounreay Nuclear Plant
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what revisions have taken place to official publications of health and safety reports covering the activities of the Dounreay nuclear plant since 1975; and if he will make a statement. [2364]
  577
  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  I am assured by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority that, apart from updating the contents, the only revisions made to Dounreay health and safety reports prior to their formal issue were to remove commercially sensitive data and information that could compromise the security of nuclear materials.

  Landed Estates
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to monitor the market in the sale of landed estates, and if he will make a statement. [530]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Government do not monitor the market in the sale of landed estates. Information on sales of agricultural land in Scotland over 5 hectares is obtained for statistical purposes to allow estimates to be made of the overall value of land and buildings used for agriculture in Scotland.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Organic Food
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of organic food has been imported into the United Kingdom for each year since 1992; what percentage these imports constitute of the total amount of organic produce sold each year in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [2356]

  Mr. Boswell
  Specific figures for imports of organic food are not collected. Estimates made several years ago with the co-operation of several large supermarket chains indicated that about three-quarters of organic food on sale in those shops was imported.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each year since 1994(a) the estimated number of organic farms or holdings in England, (b) what administrative procedures are required for the acquisition of money under the organic aid scheme, (c) how much money was earmarked for the organic aid scheme and (d) what percentage of the money annually earmarked has now been received by farmers for that year; and if he will make a statement. [2327]

  Mr. Boswell
  (a) The total area on which organic methods were practised in England as at February 1995 was 21,896 hectares. This had increased to 24,543 hectares by the end of December 1995. Currently there are 688 registered organic holdings in England representing an area of 25,993 hectares. Details of the number of organic farms/holdings in England—as opposed to the UK—are not available for earlier years.

  (b) To obtain organic aid a farmer must register the land in a conversion with the UK Register of Organic Food Standards, (UKROFS), or a body approved by UKROFS, and undertake to convert to organic agriculture in accordance with the rules of the scheme and UKROFS organic production standards.
  578
  (c) At the time of its launch in August 1994, budgetary provision for the organic aid scheme in England was set at £0.8 million for 1994–95 rising to £1.5 million in 1995–96 and 1996–97. Scheme budgets are constantly revised in the light of scheme uptake and provision for 1996–97 is now £455,000.

  (d) For 1994–95 and 1995–96, 3.3 per cent. and 17.4 per cent. respectively of the original budgets were actually paid to farmers. For 1996–97, our current forecast show that about 89 per cent. of the revised budget will be paid to farmers by the end of this financial year.

  Our research shows that the organic aid available should be sufficient to attract a greater number of applicants, but it is apparent that aid rates are not the only factor which determines whether a farmer will go organic. We believe lack of knowledge is a major reason and I was therefore pleased to launch the organic conversion information service last July. The service provides a telephone helpline and a free advisory visits to would be organic farmers. Interest has been strong and we hope that more farmers will be encouraged to convert as a result of this initiative.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries from which the United Kingdom imports organic food stating for each the(a) tonnage and (b) relative percentage of overall organic food imports that it constitutes; and if he will make a sttaement. [2351]

  Mr. Boswell
  Specific figures for imports of organic food are not collected. The UK Register of Organic Food Standards grants authorisations for the sale, as organic, of food from countries outside the European Community. In the past 12 months, authorisations have been granted with respect to the following countries: Chile, two authorisations; Egypt; Ghana; Slovakia; South Africa; Turkey; and USA, four authorisations.

  Authorisations are not required for countries of the European Community and for the following countries deemed to operate standards equivalent to those of the EC: Argentina, Australia, Hungary, Israel, Switzerland.

  Pesticides (Potatoes)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what problems over the last 12 months have been reported to his Department with regard to the development of resistance in the pests affecting potatoes to the pesticides used; and if he will make a statement regarding the research his Department is commissioning or evaluating to rectify(a) these and (b) other cases of pests developing a resistance to specific agrochemical applications. [2320]

  Mrs. Browning
  Recent reports of resistance problems in pest control on potatoes have related to outbreaks of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae. One resistant strain is well known and can be controlled by insecticides containing pirimicarb. A new resistance mechanism emerged in late summer 1996 in aphids established in parts of Lincolnshire.

  MAFF has agreed specific work on the monitoring and management of insecticide resistance in Myzus persicae and is conducting a continuing programme of research

  579
  projects on identifying and combating pest resistance at a cost of about £1 million per year.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what numbers of sheep consigned for export during(a) July, (b) August and (c) September were identified using a mark issued by the local divisional veterinary manager. [1984]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: Figures collated from the computerised animal movements—Animo—database indicated that 68,967, 83,628 and 43,405 sheep were certified for export to other EU member states in July, August and September 1996 respectively. The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996 lays down rules for the marking and identification of exported sheep. The flockmark part of the identification mark of each animal would have been allocated by the divisional veterinary manager, but the full identification mark would have included an individual animal number which was not.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what surveys have been undertaken, or are to be performed, to identify the incidence of BSE brain disease among cattle overtly healthy at slaughter. [826]

  Mrs. Browning
  No survey has been carried out to identify the incidence of BSE among overtly healthy cattle at slaughter. Recognisable changes in the central nervous tissue of BSE—infected animals only occur close to the onset of clinical disease, and this would severely limit the efficiency of such a survey using current diagnostic tests, particularly as the majority of cattle killed for human consumption historically, and all so killed currently, are under 30 months of age, while the average age at clinical onset is five years.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of confirmed BSE cases in each year since 1993 for(a) Northern Ireland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) Jersey and (d) Guernsey. [821]

  Mrs. Browning
  As at 21 October 1996, the numbers of confirmed cases in each year since 1993 for(a) Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey are:

  1993

  1994

  1995

  11996

  Guernsey

  115

  69

  44

  230

  Jersey

  35

  22

  10

  8

  Northern Ireland

  487

  363

  170

  74

  Isle of Man

  111

  53

  32

  310

  1 Data incomplete.

  2 Prior to 1993 all cases were confirmed by laboratory examination. Between 1993 and 1995 only born after banned feedstuffs cases were confirmed by laboratory examination; all other cases were confirmed on the basis of clinical diagnosis. From 1996 all cases are being confirmed on the basis of clinical diagnosis.

  3 First three cases on a holding confirmed by laboratory examination, subsequent cases confirmed on the basis of clinical signs.

  580
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the age distribution of the dams of those cattle which developed BSE during each year from 1989 to 1996. [846]

  Mrs. Browning
  It is not possible without disproportionate costs to give the information requested.

  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the continuing employment of the main mathematician working on the subject of BSE epidemiology at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. [847]

  Mrs. Browning
  Staff in the epidemiology department at the VLA include epidemiologists, statisticians and computer programmers. All staff employed by the agency are employed under the civil service standard terms and conditions. Scientists at the VLA are at the forefront of research in BSE and I am pleased to acknowledge their achievements and commitment.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each method of disposal that is(a) permitted and (b) currently in operation for (i) meat and bonemeal, (ii) tallow and (iii) each other waste product produced from cattle slaughtered under the 30-month scheme. [1453]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: Commission regulation 716/96 requires that the carcases of cattle purchased under the over-30-month scheme—OTMS— are disposed of by incineration or rendered and destroyed. Meat and bonemeal and tallow produced from rendered OTMS carcases is being stored pending destruction by the best practicable environmental option, for example, incineration or burning for energy recovery at power stations.

  The only other waste products from the slaughter of OTMS cattle are blood and gut contents. These can be spread on agricultural land as a fertiliser for the benefit of agriculture or ecological improvement. It is a recovery operation for the purposes of the amended EC framework directive on waste and is controlled under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. Where blood is not spread on land in this way, it is discharged to foul sewer which is permitted subject to consents issued under the Water Industry Act 1991.

  The independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which advises Ministers on bovine spongiform encephalopathy, has considered the current and proposed methods of disposing of cattle waste and concluded that they are safe. Specifically, in relation to the spreading of blood and gut contents on land, it concluded that there was no reason to recommend that this practice should be prohibited or thought to be inadvisable.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to change the formula for financial compensation for BSE cattle introduced on 1 April 1994 in order to encourage the future reporting of such animals. [820]

  Mrs. Browning
  None. We have no evidence of any under-reporting. As farmers receive the full market value of their animals in compensation, there is no incentive for breaking the law by not reporting BSE suspects.
  581
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates of birth and slaughter of each offspring succumbing to BSE during the period of the vertical transfer experiment outlined in the Official Report, 12 December 1994, columns 523–24, with further information provided by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee on 1 August; and which animal was in the test or control group. [822]

  Mrs. Browning
  The cohort study in maternal transmission will be complete in early 1997. The full results of that study are expected to be available by mid-1997 and will provide the information requested.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide the monthly figures for suspected and confirmed BSE cases in the United Kingdom during 1996. [823]

  Mrs. Browning
  As at 29 October 1996, the numbers of suspect cases reported by month, and the confirmations corresponding to those suspects for the UK are as follows:

  Cases reported

  Cases confirmed 1

  January

  1,428

  1,114

  February

  1,276

  914

  March

  1,362

  924

  April

  956

  604

  May

  972

  568

  June

  698

  434

  July

  780

  506

  August

  761

  419

  September

  729

  182

  October

  615

  2

  1 These data are incomplete because of the time lapse between report and confirmation.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments are in progress aimed at identifying and quantifying the possible acquisition of BSE via pastures or buildings. [824]

  Mrs. Browning
  The evidence on within-herd incidence of BSE which rose to a peak of 2.7 per cent. in 1992 and has subsequently declined, indicates that horizontal transmission is not occurring at a significant level. The limits of sensitivity of current assays for infectivity make it difficult to design experiments to address this concern directly, by looking, for example, for infectivity on pasture or surfaces. Any research proposals submitted for funding in this area will be assessed according to their scientific merit.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments have been performed, or are in progress, to test whether BSE infectivity might be transferred from milk or blood of BSE-infected cattle to calves from a BSE-free source; and if he will give details of the results to date. [825]

  Mrs. Browning
  In experimentally challenged cattle which were fed a large quantity—100 g—of BSE brain from clinical cases, infectivity was only detectable in the distal ileum six months after challenge. Experiments have 582
  also been carried out in which tissues taken from animals clinically affected with BSE were injected into susceptible mice. Infectivity is detected if the mice succumb to a BSE-like disease. The only tissues found in this test to have any BSE infectivity in them are the brain, spinal cord and retina of the eye.

  No infectivity has been detected in 47 other tissues from clinically affected cattle, including blood and milk using bioassay in mice.

  Details of the latest research on milk were given in paragraph 23 and appendix 5 of the November 1995 progress report, a copy of which was placed in the House Library.

  Permaculture
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the number of farms or holdings operating on permaculture principles; and if he will make a statement. [2346]

  Mr. Boswell
  No estimate has been made of the number of farms or holdings operating on permaculture principles.

  Beef (Emergency Control) Order 1996
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions have been initiated against individuals claimed to be flouting article 2 of the Beef (Emergency Control) Order 1996—statutory instrument 1996/961—and the subsequent amendments. [816]

  Mrs. Browning
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Small Beef Producers
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he plans to take to secure the continued operation of smaller beef producers; and what estimate he has made of the number of such farmers who still face serious difficulties. [2338]

  Mr. Baldry
  The effects of the current depressed market for beef cattle will be felt by beef producers in enterprises of all sizes. We have never subscribed to the view, often argued by the Commission and other EU member states, that support for agriculture should be concentrated on small family farms at the expense of larger enterprises. All farms will, however, benefit from the £235 million which is being made available from EU and Exchequer funds to support the incomes of beef producers.

  Beef Consumption
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to restrict the availability for human consumption of dried, canned or frozen beef from cattle over 30 months of age and slaughtered before 29 March. [827]

  Mrs. Browning
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
  583
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much beef from animals aged over 30 months has been consumed for personal use since 29 March. [817]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No.2) Regulations 1996, SI 1996 No. 2097, as amended, prohibit the sale for human consumption of any meat derived from bovine animals aged over 30 months and slaughtered on or after 29 March, save for that from countries specified in the regulations where the Government are satisfied we can import beef without risk, and from animals slaughtered for human consumption under the beef assurance scheme. It has, however, been possible for the meat from bovine animals aged over 30 months to be returned for personal consumption by their owners—the so called "private kill" provision. Such meat is not permitted to be sold or made available in circumstances equivalent to retail sale. We have no information on the amount of meat that may have been consumed in this way, but believe that only a small number of animals are involved. We are currently considering proposals for tightening the controls on private kills.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what legislation prevents the use of beef in processed food for human consumption from animals aged over 30 months deposited in intervention cold store before 29 March. [818]

  Mrs. Browning
  Commission regulation 1757/96 of 10 September authorised the removal from intervention store, with a view to incineration, of all beef held in intervention on 27 March.

  Bovines
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the(a) average age and (b) range of (i) beef and (ii) dairy cattle present in the bovine population in each year between 1984 and 1996. [681]

  Mrs. Browning
  Statistics on the numbers of cattle are contained in "The Digest of Agricultural Census Statistics". The latest edition, 1995, provides data up to 1995 and is available from the Library of the House. Totals for dairy and beef herds are shown. It is not possible to give an average age for cattle although age categories are shown in the tables. Provisional results for the 1996 agricultural census are available in separate statistical notices for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Gelatine
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what weight of gelatine derived entirely or partly from bovine sources was exported in each month of 1996. [819]

  Mrs. Browning
  Data on the export of gelatine derived entirely or partly from bovine sources are not separately identifiable. Provisional figures for exports of total gelatine for the first six months of 1996 as recorded in the overseas trade statistics are as follows:

  January: 643 tonnes

  February: 589 tonnes

  584

  March: 525 tonnes

  April: 828 tonnes

  May: 547 tonnes

  June: 492 tonnes

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Business Support (South-West)
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support his Department is giving to businesses located in the south-west. [551]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  My Department provides a wide range of services for businesses in the south-west, including business links and two regional supply offices. In addition, since April 1995 £12.7 million of regional selective assistance has been offered to companies in the region generating over £84 million worth of investment and 2,655 jobs.

  The Government have also promoted a new south-west competitiveness network aimed at improving a considerable number of factors influencing the international competitiveness of business in the region. The new local competitiveness budget will also increase the extent to which key business support services, funded by the Government, are designed and delivered within the region.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about inward investment in the United Kingdom. [552]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  In 1995–96 my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau recorded 477 decisions to locate in the UK involving over 96,000 associated jobs. The UK is the No. 1 location in the European Union for investment from Japan, the US and Korea. That is an excellent performance and a vote of confidence in the strength of our economy and the skills of our work force.

  Renewable Energy Schemes
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for changes to subsidies for renewable energy schemes. [553]

  Mr. Page
  On 2 November 1995, I announced my proposals for a fourth Renewables Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Order for approximately 400 to 500 MW of new capacity. I expect to make the order in spring next year.

  The Government hope that it will be possible to announce proposals for a fifth order in 1997, to come into effect in 1998. However, before that there will be a review of the NFFO process.

  Water Industry
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the occasions on which the Monopolies and Mergers Commission has been asked to intervene in the water industry in the last two years. [554]
  585
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Four mergers involving water companies have been referred to the MMC in the last two years. During the same period, the Director General of Water Services has made two price control references.

  The merger references were:

  Lyonnaise des Eaux/Northumbrian Water

  General Utilities and SAUR Water Services/Mid Kent Holdings (inquiry still in progress)

  Wessex Water/South West Water

  Severn Trent/South West Water

  The price control references were:

  Portsmouth Water plc

  South West Water Services Ltd.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he(a) has taken and (b) intends to take to ensure that SAUR and Société Générale des Eaux comply with the undertakings made in 1991 following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's review of Mid Kent Water; and what discussions he has had with regulators concerning the difficulties arising from regulating subsidiaries of multinational or conglomerate companies. [2308]

  Mr. Taylor
  When, in May, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade referred the proposed acquisition of Mid Kent by General Utilities and SAUR to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, he concluded that it would not be appropriate to exercise his discretion at that stage to bring proceedings against General Utilities in relation to the undertakings given by it in 1991. He noted, however, that those undertakings remained in force. He decided to keep the position under review and, in particular, to consider further the options open to him in respect of the undertakings once he had received the report of the MMC. That remains the position. The MMC must report to the President by 9 December 1996.

  It is for those issuing and enforcing licences—normally the sectoral regulator—to consider any specific issues relating to the regulation of subsidiaries. This subject has however arisen in the context of mergers in the electricity and water industries where, on a number of occasions, companies have given assurances to my right hon. Friend that they will agree to appropriate licence amendments in order to address regulatory concerns of the relevant director general.

  In relation to telecommunications, where my Department acts as the licensing authority, a number of conditions in licences under the Telecommunications Act 1984 govern relations between the licensee and other parts of its corporate group. We consult with the Director General of Telecommunications on the terms of these, as of other, conditions.

  Employment Regeneration
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new steps he intends to take to regenerate employment in former coal mining areas. [555]
  586
  Mr. Page
  My right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade announced a package of measures totalling £200 million to help areas affected by pit closures. This framework of regeneration measures is now in place in all areas and major projects are under way.

  Business Failures
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is(a) the current monthly rate of business failures and (b) the total number of business failures since April 1992. [556]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the third quarter of 1996 there were, on a seasonally adjusted basis, 1,369 compulsory liquidations, 2,054 creditors' voluntary liquidations and 6,657 bankruptcy orders.

  Since the beginning of April 1992 there were, on a seasonally adjusted basis, 31,691 compulsory liquidations, 49,090 creditors' voluntary liquidations and 141,607 bankruptcy orders.

  Ceramics Industry
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the ceramics industry. [557]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  The UK ceramics industry has a distinguished history of achievement both at home and overseas and is rightly recognised as a world-wide centre of excellence for materials and technology.

  However, a changing world environment and intensified competition pose new challenges which must be overcome if the UK is to improve and maintain its performance. To this end, the Government are working in partnership with the sector via channels such as the tableware strategy group to address specific competitiveness issues crucial in maintaining and building on the success of the industry.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has held in the last year in respect of research and development in the United Kingdom in the aerospace industry. [559]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  My Department has held a wide range of discussions in the last year in respect of research and development in the United Kingdom aerospace industry. These discussions include: ministerial meetings with the Society of British Aerospace Companies and individual companies, meetings involving the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and the Technology Foresight Defence and Aerospace Panel, discussions with the Ministry of Defence and Defence Research Agency and discussions with companies about research and development projects under the Department's civil aircraft research and demonstration programme.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next intends to visit Dounreay to discuss issues relating to nuclear safety. [560]
  587
  Mr. Page
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no plans to visit Dounreay.

  Far East
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next plans to visit the far east to discuss bilateral trade; and if he will make a statement. [546]

  Mr. Lang
  Members of the Government have been regular visitors to the far east in support of our exporters, and to encourage further trade and investment with this dynamic region. I have visited the region three times this year accompanied by more than 200 British business men. I have no further plans to visit in the immediate future on matters of bilateral trade, although I shall lead the UK Delegation to the Singapore ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation in December.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in which years since 1979 the UK recorded a surplus in the balance of payments current account. [550]

  Mr. Lang
  The current account was in surplus in each of the years between 1980 and 1985. In the second quarter of 1996 the current account was in surplus by the largest amount for over nine years.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average pump price of(a) four-star petrol and (6) unleaded petrol for each year since 1990. [2663]

  Mr. Page
  The average annual pump prices of four star and premium unleaded petrol for the years 1990 to 1995, and the first nine months of 1996, including all taxes, are given in the table.

  Average UK retail prices of four star and premium unleaded petrol for the years 1990 to 1996 in cash terms, including all taxes, in pence per litre

  Four star petrol

  Premium unleaded petrol

  1990

  44.87

  42.03

  1991

  48.48

  45.07

  1992

  50.28

  46.07

  1993

  54.12

  49.44

  1994

  56.87

  51.58

  1995

  59.75

  53.77

  19961

  60.59

  55.44

  1 Average for 1996 relates to the period from January to September, inclusive, only.

  Environmental Standards
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in respect of the Singapore conference on trade and the environment in respect of accommodating environmental good practice within World Trade Organisation rules. [539]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  The Singapore ministerial meeting in December will be an important first opportunity to take stock of the work of the World Trade Organisation's committee on trade and environment. The Government 588
  continue to support the EU's work in this committee—for example, in its efforts to clarify the relationship between multilateral environmental agreements and World Trade Organisation rules. The Government support further work by the committee after the Singapore ministerial conference.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the volume of Brazilian mahogany to be imported into the United Kingdom over the next 12 months. [2114]

  Mr. Lang
  The data on which to base such a forecast is not available.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy with regard to the import of Brazilian mahogany into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [2115]

  Mr. Lang
  The Government consider that it is generally better to promote a policy of sustainable forest management rather than to impose trade bans on imported timber. The convention on international trade in endangered species prohibits commercial trade in 800 animal and plant species and controls it in a further 25,000 cases. Current scientific evidence does not justify a complete ban on imports of Brazilian mahogany. However, at the last CITES conference in November 1994 the UK supported a proposal to add it to appendix II of the convention which would have subjected it to controls. Although this proposal was not agreed, a number of countries where the species occurs announced that they would list Brazilian mahogany in appendix III. Accordingly, with effect from 16 November 1995 those countries have had to issue CITES permits to confirm that export of Brazilian mahogany is not detrimental to the species; other countries where the species occurs have had to issue certificates to confirm that their exports have not originated in countries with the appendix III listing; and permits to import the species into the UK have been required.

  Social Chapter and Minimum Wage
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received from the manufacturing sector in respect of the implications of the social chapter and the minimum wage. [525]

  Mr. Lang
  My colleagues and I continue to receive representations on the social chapter and a national minimum wage during our contacts with industry. The overwhelming view is that the social chapter and a national minimum wage would seriously damage competitiveness and employment.

  Business Links
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many companies have been assisted by Business Link. [541]

  Mr. Page
  The number of different businesses using Business Link nearly doubled between July 1995 and June 1996 from 56,513 different businesses using Business Link at least once in the first quarter from July to September 1995 to 107,159 doing so in the quarter from
  589
  April to June 1996. This means that over 8,200 different businesses are now using Business Link each week. The figures for the final quarter are based on returns from 79 Business Link partnerships out of the 81 that were operational in this period.

  Business Forms and Surveys
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of business forms and surveys have been abolished over the last 10 years. [2568]

  Mr. Page
  Figures prior to 1993 could only be produced at disproportionate cost. Since 1 April 1993, DTI and its executive agencies have reduced the number of separate business forms and survey forms by 19 per cent.—expected total for 1996–97. This reduction represents more than 500,000 fewer forms issued.

  Coal Stocks
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the current level of coal stocks held by the coal and electricity generating industries; and what was the equivalent figure at the same period in(a) 1988, (b) 1990, (c) 1992 and (d) 1994. [2339]

  Mr. Page
  According to information provided to my Department by the coal and electricity generating industries, the level of stocks at the end of August 1996 and at the same period in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 are as follows:

  Thousand tonnes

  Coal industry stocks

  Electricity industry-stocks

  August 1996

  5,125

  7,903

  August 1994

  13,003

  19.94

  August 1992

  13,649

  33,202

  August 1990

  7,983

  28,871

  August 1988

  6,005

  26,938

  Source:

  "Energy Trends."

  Fireworks
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he took to address issues related to fireworks in October. [2625]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have undertaken a safety awareness campaign, consisting of 5 million safety advice leaflets distributed to the point of sale, as well as thousands of leaflets advising display organisers and retailers about handling fireworks. National television adverts and posters have also been used to reinforce the safety messages, and a safety video has been made available on request to primary schools.

  In addition, my Department is undertaking a review of the controls on fireworks.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [2611]
  590
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: My Department commissioned a study earlier this year to assess the effects of the millennium date change on the administrative computer system that it operates. The resulting report estimated that the necessary work would cost approximately £2.7 million. This cost excludes the replacement of non-compliant hardware and software which will be life-expired for other reasons. It also excludes the cost of work undertaken on computer systems operated by next steps agencies, which have their own programmes of work in respect of the millennium date change.

  Paper and Pulp
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of trade what quantity of(a) paper and (b) pulp has been imported into the United Kingdom for each year since 1990; and what percentage these imports constitute of the total amount of paper and pulp used each year in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [2357]

  Mr. Page
  UK imports of paper and paperboard arid pulp, in metric tonnes, are given in the table.

  Year

  Paper and paperboard

  Pulp

  1990

  5,698

  2,058

  1991

  5,619

  2,160

  1992

  5,976

  2,159

  1993

  6,078

  1,909

  1994

  6,864

  2,054

  1995

  6,392

  2,219

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.

  Information on the quantity of UK manufacturers' sale of paper, paperboard and pulp are commercially confidential. It is therefore not possible to calculate the imports share of UK consumption.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the countries from which the United Kingdom imports(a) paper and (b) pulp, stating for each the (i) tonnage and (ii) relative percentage of overall paper and pulp imports that it constitutes; and if he will make a statement. [2358]

  Mr. Page
  The information for 1995 is given in the following table. UK imports fell by 3.5 per cent. from their peak in 1994.

  UK imports of paper and paperboard, and pulp: 1995

  Country

  Paper and board (MT)1

  Pulp (MT)

  Per cent, of total

  Sweden

  1,440,481

  214,645

  19.2

  Finland

  1,408,548

  134,699

  17.9

  Canada

  390,004

  380,692

  9.0

  Germany

  744,255

  16,623

  8.8

  USA

  285,782

  459,624

  8.7

  France

  512,179

  82,210

  6.9

  Norway

  467,976

  113,610

  6.8

  Netherlands

  331,519

  55,072

  4.5

  Brazil

  80,081

  175,281

  3.0

  Spain

  77,712

  111,839

  2.2

  Portugal

  48,690

  119,276

  2.0

  Italy

  128,798

  2,863

  1.5

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  100,422

  16,342

  1.4

  591

  UK imports of paper and paperboard, and pulp: 1995

  Country

  Paper and board (MT)1

  Pulp (MT)

  Per cent, of total

  Austria

  108,421

  7,262

  1.3

  Chile

  1,273

  110,463

  1.3

  Russia

  49,694

  53,269

  1.2

  South Africa

  9,465

  84,149

  1.1

  Irish Republic

  48,647

  37,735

  1.0

  Denmark

  38,176

  113

  0.4

  Poland

  31,727

  0

  0.4

  Rest of the World

  87,755

  43,664

  1.5

  World total

  6,391,606

  2,219,432

  100.0

  Notes:

  1Metric tonnes.

  Pulp defined as division 25 of the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3 (SITC3).

  Paper and paperboard defined as heading 641 of SITC3.

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Custom and Excise.

  Royal Observatories
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement of the future of the royal observatories. [651]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The Government accepted the recommendations in the report of the prior options review of the royal observatories which had been endorsed by the council of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council. These were that the management of the overseas
  592
  telescopes and the provision of the instrumentation programme provided by the royal Greenwich observatory and the royal observatory Edinburgh should be subject to competitive tendering by all competent suppliers. PPARC is currently implementing the recommendations of the review with the intention of an invitation to tender being issued this month.

  Import and Export Control Act
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times the Import and Export Control Act 1990 has been used by the Government in each of the past four years; and for what purposes. [1550]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The sole purpose of this Act was to repeal section 9(3) of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939.

  Pure Science
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy on pure science. [535]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  A prime aim of our policy is to develop the science and engineering base to enhance the skills levels, industrial competitiveness, wealth creation and the quality of life.

  The Government will continue to invest in training and basic and strategic research. Allocation of funds is influenced by the foresight process. We are stimulating greater interest by industry in the strength of the science base.

  Eskisehir Prison, Turkey
  Eskisehir Prison, Turkey
  Hong Kong Ethnic Minorities: Citizenship Rights
  Hong Kong Ethnic Minorities: Citizenship Rights
  EC Human Rights Report: Greece v UK
  EC Human Rights Report: Greece v UK
  European Community Actions: Grounds for Individual Challenge
  European Community Actions: Grounds for Individual Challenge
  Coalfield Closures: Regeneration of Affected Areas
  Coalfield Closures: Regeneration of Affected Areas
  Northern Ireland: Criminal Justice (Children) Legislation
  Northern Ireland: Criminal Justice (Children) Legislation
  Gulf War Illness Syndrome
  Gulf War Illness Syndrome
  Married Quarters Estate: Sale
  Married Quarters Estate: Sale
  Contempt of Court Act 1981: Interpretation
  Contempt of Court Act 1981: Interpretation
  Child Safety Seats
  Child Safety Seats
  Casinos: Gaming Board Inspectorate
  Casinos: Gaming Board Inspectorate
  Bahraini Citizens: Asylum Applications
  Bahraini Citizens: Asylum Applications
  Bail Applications by Asylum Seekers
  Bail Applications by Asylum Seekers
  Asylum Applications: Determination Statistics
  Asylum Applications: Determination Statistics
  Sports Council: Services to Angling
  Sports Council: Services to Angling