Written Answers of 14 November 1996

PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to section 4 of the Government's response to the fourth recommendation contained in the second report of the Public Service Committee on ministerial accountability and responsibility, HC 67, Session 1996–97, if he will make it Government policy to answer parliamentary questions relating to events taking place more than 30 years ago. [3886]

  The Prime Minister
  To the extent that such questions are admissible under the rules of the House—"Erskine May", 21st edition, page 294—Ministers will seek to answer them, as any other question, in accordance with "Questions of Procedures for Ministers".

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 14 November. [2703]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 14 November. [2704]

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

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Zaire
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the findings contained in the UN report relating to arms smuggling to Rwandan Hutus based in Zaire with particular reference to the role of United Kingdom companies in supplying arms. [3801]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Inquiries by HM Customs and Excise, the appropriate investigating authority, undertaken as a result of earlier allegations that United Kingdom companies may have been involved in arms supplies to Rwanda groups, have not produced evidence to support criminal proceedings against any United Kingdom company or individual. HM Customs and Excise are in contact with the United Nations about their report and will provide details in response to appropriate requests.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation 286
  she has received, and what response he has made, in respect of the proposals to build an emergency jetty in the north of Montserrat; and if he will make a statement. [4078]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  A number of representations were received from residents of Montserrat and others regarding the environmental considerations of building an emergency evacuation jetty in Little bay. As with all such projects, the plans were subjected to an environmental impact study. The results of this were taken into account when the Government of Montserrat's planning authority approved the project on 30 October.

WALES

  Planning Guidelines
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of giving additional weight to environmental impact in determining planning restrictions on agricultural holdings; [3364]

  (2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement; [3269]

  (3) what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to accommodate low impact development; and if he will make a statement; [3358]

  (4) what evaluation his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to absorb a new (a) low-impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of this policy; [3369]

  (5) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [3375]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  : None.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review(a) PPG7 and (b) other planning guidance on agricultural and other dwellings in the countryside in order to give greater weight to environmental and social sustainability; and if he will make a statement. [3378]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The main body of PPG7 has been cancelled in Wales. Planning policy guidance on rural development can be found in "Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy" 1996, which is currently being reviewed. Guidance on agricultural dwellings will be contained in a proposed technical advice note on rural development, which should be issued shortly for public consultation.

  Hospitals and Health Trusts (Deficits)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of hospitals and health trusts facing deficits during the current financial year. [3186]
  287
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Latest trust directors of finance monitoring returns, which projects estimated end of year financial positions—as at 30 June for those on quarterly monitoring and 31 August 1996 for those on monthly monitoring—identify six trusts with deficit at year end. Welsh Office officials are currently assessing the mid-year monitoring returns.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of staff employed full time or part time (i) to provide information and publicity and (ii) to work in press or media in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94. [3567]

  Mr. Hague
  The costs of staff employed in the information division to provide publicity and press services for the Welsh Office were as follows:

  £000

  Year

  Publicity

  Press

  1993–96

  186

  431

  1994–95

  206

  418

  1995–96

  257

  403

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed full time or part time by his Department to provide information and publicity in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94. [3571]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of staff employed in the information division to provide information and publicity services for the Welsh Office were as follows:

  1993–94: 23.5

  1994–95: 21.5

  1995–96: 23.9

  Full-time equivalent

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost assumed in his Department's budget for people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [3575]

  Mr. Hague
  It is £335,000.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was his Department's expenditure on consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94. [3578]

  Mr. Hague
  Welsh Office expenditure on consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media is as follows:

  1993–94: £17,450

  1994–95: Nil

  1995–96: Nil

  Insulin Pen Needles
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the inquiry into the provision of insulin pen needles by the NHS, with particular reference to its implications for Wales. [3806]
  288
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We are currently considering whether insulin injection pen needles should be made available on general practitioner prescription.

  Engineering Training
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number in modern apprenticeships in engineering at(a) craft, (b) technician and (c) student levels in (i) Wales and (ii) each region of Wales for which statistics are available. [4138]

  Mr. Hague
  There is no information available centrally on the number currently participating in modern apprenticeships in engineering. Information from the Department for Education and Employment modern apprenticeship database indicates that the number starting on modern
  apprenticeships in engineering is as shown in the table:

  Starts in modern apprenticeships in engineering1, 1995–96

  TEC area

  Craft related occupations2

  Other occupations3

  Gwent

  113

  16

  Mid Glamorgan

  139

  19

  Powys

  4—

  24

  North-east Wales

  114

  4—

  North-west Wales

  4—

  4—

  South Glamorgan

  n/a

  n/a

  West Wales

  105

  71

  Wales

  494

  136

  Notes:
  1 Engineering is defined as: engineering manufacturing; air transport; telecommunications; electrical installation: engineering construction; marine engineering and Welsh manufacturing engineering. It excludes other sectors of manufacturing.
  2 Craft and related occupations are defined as: skilled construction; skilled engineering, metal machining and instrument making, electrical and electronic trade; metal forming, welding and related trades; vehicle trades; textiles; printing and woodworking; food preparation, horticulture and other craft occupations.
  3 This includes 14 in science and engineering associated professions.

  Source:
  Department for Education and Employment modern apprenticeship database.
  4 Indicates figures which cannot be given for reasons of confidentiality or reliability.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Engineering Council for Wales concerning increasing the status of engineering among school leavers, school teachers and parents in Wales. [4132]

  Mr. Hague
  None, but from reports of routine contacts between my officials and the Engineering Centre for Wales I know that the centre's new executive chairman shares my keenness to raise the profile of engineering as a career choice for school leavers.

  I understand that the centre is re-examining its strategies for achieving this, seeking to build upon existing links with the education business partnerships. It will also be a key player in Wales in helping to promote 1997 as the Year of Engineering Success—YES.
  289
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the boards of governors of university of Wales institutes at Cardiff and Newport, the chairmen of South Glamorgan and Gwent training and enterprise councils, and the chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council Wales in relation to the training and education of skilled and qualified engineers in south-east Wales. [4155]

  Mr. Hague
  The supply of skilled and qualified people for the manufacturing sector is a key priority in "People and Prosperity: an Agenda for Action in Wales" and, as such, features regularly in discussions which I arid my Department hold with training and enterprise councils and the Welsh funding councils. I have asked the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to give priority to science and technology courses and I met the chairman of the council last month to discuss progress. I shall be meeting the chairman of the Council for Welsh TECs on 18 November to discuss skills supply in manufacturing.

  South-East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the previous chairman of the South East Wales Ambulance Trust concerning the conclusions in relation to both value for money and regularity and propriety contained within the district auditor's reports of 11 November. [4156]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South East Wales Ambulance Trust regarding the contents of the district auditor's reports of 11 November, what proposals he has for ensuring the return of(a) the performance-related pay bonuses paid, (b) the cost of the camperwagon converted at public expense and (c) other trust funds diverted into private hands via the credit cards and fuel cards; and if he will make a statement. [4153]

  Mr. Hague
  None. My officials are continuing to monitor progress at the South East Wales Ambulance Trust and are receiving regular reports on issues raised by the district auditor. The trust has taken legal advice and, where appropriate, is doing all within its power to recover losses incurred.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the environment directorate of the European Commission concerning the complaint in relation to the Cardiff bay barrage. [4136]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what independent legal advice he has sought on the implications of the Lappel bank judgment on the Cardiff hay barrage. [4135]

  Mr. Hague
  It is not my practice to disclose the nature of the legal advice I receive.

DEFENCE

  Bosnia
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British bases established as part of the IFOR operation in(a) Bosnia and (b) Croatia; and how much Britain is charged for these bases to be situated in each of these areas. [4058]

  Mr. Soames
  The British bases established as part of NATO's implementation force operation in Croatia and Bosnia, and the charges agreed for their occupation, are as follows:

  Monthly charge £

  Location—Croatia

  Split—Divulje barracks

  No charge

  Split—port facilities

  117,000

  Split—factories and warehouse

  224,000

  Location—Bosnia

  Tomislavgrad-factory and warehouse

  40,000

  Lipa

  12,000

  Kupres

  32,000

  Gornji Vakuf—3 factories

  41,000

  Sipovo—3 factories, sawmill and hotel

  21,000

  Glamoc-sawmill and factory

  7,000

  Sanski Most—two factories

  8,000

  Mrkonjic Grad—two factories, sawmill and dam

  11,000

  Banja Luka—factory and offices

  36,000

  Vitez-bulk fuel installation and school

  11,000

  Jajce—factory

  6,000

  Kljuc-depot

  1,000

  Bosanski Petrovac-garage

  5,000

  Krupa—two factories

  5,000

  Air Crashes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) dates on which and (b) types of aircraft which his Department has lost through crashes in each of the last five years; and what were the causes of these accidents. [4059]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Date

  Aircraft type

  Cause

  1992

  12 May

  Tucano TI

  Aircrew error

  12 May

  Lynx AH7

  Aircrew error

  14 February

  Hunter T8C

  Technical fault

  14 May

  Harrier GR3

  Operating hazard

  28 May

  Sea Harrier FRS1

  Not positively determined

  30 May

  Viking

  Natural hazard

  9 July

  Buccaneer S2B

  Technical hazard

  9 July

  Viking

  Aircrew error

  7 August

  Harrier GR5

  Technical fault

  30 September

  Hawk T1A

  Aircrew error

  16 October

  Bulldog T1

  Not positively determined

  21 October

  Sea King HC4

  Aircrew error

  26 November

  Puma HC1 and Gazelle AH1

  Operating hazard

  1993

  18 March

  Gazelle HT2

  Human factors (non-aircrew)

  19 May

  Chipmunk T10

  Aircrew error

  291

  Date

  Aircraft type

  Cause

  27 May

  Hercules C3

  Not positively determined

  28 June

  Harrier GR7

  Natural hazard

  1 July

  Hawk T1

  Aircrew error

  20 July

  Gazelle AH1

  Aircrew error

  12 August

  Wessex HC2

  Technical fault

  26 August

  Chipmunk T10

  Aircrew error

  9 September

  Gazelle T10

  Aircrew error

  17 September

  Wessex HC2

  Natural hazard

  21 October

  Tornado F3

  Aircrew error

  6 November

  Sea King HAS6

  Technical fault

  23 November

  Harrier GR7

  Technical fault

  1994

  6 January

  Sea Harrier FA2

  Human factors (non-aircrew)

  14 January

  Harrier GR7

  Aircrew error

  25 March

  Lynx HAS3

  Aircrew error

  10 April

  Lynx AH7

  Aircrew error

  2 June

  Chinook HC2

  Aircrew error

  7 June

  Tornado F3

  Technical fault

  8 July

  Tornado GR1

  Aircrew error

  19 July

  Tornado GR1

  Technical fault

  1 August

  Tornado GR1

  Under investigation

  1 September

  Tornado GR1A

  Not positively determined

  19 September

  Tornado GR1

  Technical fault

  22 September

  Lynx AH7

  Technical fault

  11 November

  Gazelle AH1

  Aircrew error

  15 December

  Sea Harrier FRS1

  Technical fault

  1995

  10 March

  Tornado F3

  Technical fault

  16 May

  Nimrod R1

  Technical fault

  1 June

  Harrier GR7

  Not positively determined

  21 June

  Jaguar GR1A

  Under investigation

  5 August

  Viking

  Aircrew error

  10 August

  Hawk T1W

  Aircrew error

  20 August

  Lynx AH7

  Aircrew error

  27 August

  Viking

  Aircrew error

  2 September

  Nimrod MR2

  Under investigation

  5 October

  Gazelle HT2

  Aircrew error

  30 October

  2 x Tornado F3

  Under investigation

  1996

  10 January

  2 x Tornado F3

  Under investigation

  11 January

  Tornado GR1

  Under investigation

  23 January

  Jaguar GR1B

  Under investigation

  13 February

  Sea Harrier F/A2

  Under investigation

  13 February

  Hawk T1

  Under investigation

  19 February

  Harrier GR7

  Under investigation

  26 February

  Harrier T4N

  Under investigation

  26 February

  Tornado GR1

  Under investigation

  13 May

  Tucano T1

  Under investigation

  26 May

  Hawk T1

  Under investigation

  24 July

  Jaguar GR1

  Under investigation

  18 September

  Jaguar T2A

  Under investigation

  28 September

  Tornado F3

  Under investigation

  Unexploded Bombs
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the precise location of the unexploded bombs in West Ham and East Ham. [4079]

  Mr. Soames
  The information available to my Department on this subject is obtained from public records. A summary was placed in the Library of the House in response to an earlier question from the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes),Official Report, column 863.

  Sea Crusader
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the breakdown of the Japanese roll on roll off vessel, Sea Crusader chartered by his Department; when the vessel broke down; how many of its engines have broken down; when the vessel was chartered; what is the vessel's current position; what actions his Department has taken to replace the vessel; and if he will make a statement. [4061]

  Mr. Soames
  The Japanese-built vessel was the only suitable ro-ro available to meet the requirements of the joint rapid deployment force. Named RFA Sea Crusader, it was chartered on 17 September 1996, is a UK registered vessel and is manned and operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The vessel lost power in its starboard engine on 1 November 1996 while en route to its UK base at Marchwood. This reduced the ship's speed but it continued to carry out its operational duties. The engine fault has now been rectified under guarantee and at no cost to my Department. The vessel is due to arrive in UK waters in late November 1996 as originally planned.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract(a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3798]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As the management data held centrally for MoD headquarters contracts branches shows in excess of 150 live contracts and does not include the information required, the answers to this question could be provided only at disproportional cost. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 16 October 1995,Official Report columns 31–32.

  Where chief executives of my Department's agencies exercise responsibilities for this matter under the terms of their framework documents, I have asked them to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 14 November 1996:
  I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about contracts with EDS. DERA is a next steps Agency within the Ministry of Defence which, through a predecessor agency, the Defence Research Agency (DRA), has had delegated authority to make contracts since 1991.
  Our current contracts records system goes back to 1992, which is when the DRA introduced a new Improved Commercial Accounting System. These records show that DERA currently has 135 contracts with EDS at a total approximate value of £20.5M and 270 completed contracts with a total value of just under £21M. In the time available we have not been able to identify any direct job losses in DERA or its predecessor organisations arising from contracts with EDS.
  I am sorry but the remaining information you have asked for could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  293
  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 14 November 1996:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence and his colleagues about contracts with EDS. I am answering on behalf of the Meterological Office to the extent that the questions fall within my area of responsibility as. Chief Executive.
  The Meterological Office has let only one contract with EDS in the period in question. It was let in May 1995 and its value was some –27K. The work involved was completed satisfactorily. No modifications to the specified work were called for either by myself or the contractor, there was no in-house involvement and in consequence no job reductions followed.
  I hope this gives you the information you need.

  Letter from Michael R. Pack to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 14 November 1996:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question about contractual relations between his Department and EDS.
  For the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency, the issues raised fall within the responsibilities delegated to the Chief Executive, Rear Admiral J P Clarke. In the normal course of events, Admiral Clarke would reply to you personally. However, he is at present absent from the Office on official duly and I am replying on his behalf.
  Before 31 March 1996, contracts were not let by the Hydrographic Office but by the appropriate contract branch within the Ministry of Defence. Since becoming a trading fund on 1 April 1996, two contracts have been placed by the Hydrographic Office with EDS: one small contract to provide training in a software package for the management of geographic data; and a more substantial contract to provide post design services for the document management and geographic management systems themselves. The former is complete; the latter on-going.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Agency Letters
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions(a) non-departmental public bodies and (b) executive agencies responsible to his Department have provided answers by letter, with copies to the Library but not published in the Official Report in each of the latest available two years. [3159]

  Mr. Howard
  Questions which refer to the work of non-departmental public bodies responsible to my Department are answered by Home Office Ministers and published in the Official Report. Replies to questions which are prepared by the chief executives of Home Office agencies are published in the Official Report, except on those occasions where there is insufficient time to provide the information requested before the House rises for recess. In such cases, the chief executive gives an undertaking in the Official Report to provide an answer by letter, and to place a copy of the letter in the Library. There is no information available on the number of occasions when this procedure has been followed.

  Police Dogs
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues in respect of the interpretation of "reasonable force" as used in the making of an arrest by the police using police dogs. [3631]
  294
  Mr. Maclean
  Home Office guidance on the training of police dogs indicates the importance of dog handlers identifying themselves as police officers and giving any person to whom a challenge is directed the opportunity to give themselves up before the dog is instructed to chase and detain, or search for, a person.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what monitoring is conducted by his Department to ensure police forces adhere to his Department's guidelines on the operational use of police dogs; [3630]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure regional training centres for police dog development adhere to Home Office guidelines on the training of police dogs. [3629]

  Mr. Maclean
  The training and deployment of police dogs is an operational matter for chief officers.

  The operation of police dog units is monitored by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary as part of its inspection procedure.

  Illegal Entrants
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down the number of illegal entrants to the United Kingdom detected in 1995 in respect of(a) nationality, (b) the methods of entry into the United Kingdom stating the number in each category, (c) the length of time they had been in the United Kingdom before detection and (d) the manner in which they were detected, stating the number in each category. [3412]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information on nationality and category is given in tables which have been placed in the Library. The other information requested is either not available or could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Fire Brigades (Health and Safety)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a joint committee on health and safety under the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement. [3525]

  Mr. Sackville
  Health and safety issues are currently dealt with in the existing joint committees. A review of the functions, costs and working practice of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council is in progress. Any changes in the council and sub-committee structure and terms of reference will be considered in the light of its recommendations.

  Video Release Certificate
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many films have been refused a video release certificate by the British Board of Film Classification as a result of consideration of the new criteria contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1994; and if he will list their titles. [3539]

  Mr. Sackville
  The British Board of Film Classification has refused classification certificates to 12 video works since the introduction of the statutory
  295
  classification criteria in the Criminal Justice and Public order Act 1994. The following works have been refused a certificate:

  Kickboxer 4—The Aggressor;

  Back in Action;

  Bare Behind Bars;

  Sadomania;

  Demoniac;

  Arrowhead;

  Boy Meets Girl;

  Schoolgirl Fantasy;

  Mikey;

  Ultimate Pursuits;

  LA Blue Girl;

  S & M Why?

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many videos certified for home release have been re-classified as a result of the review by the British Board of Film Classification arising from the change in the law contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1994; and if he will list their titles. [3540]

  Mr. Sackville
  I understand that the British Board of Film Classification has not reviewed the classification of any video works under the Video Recordings (Review of Determinations) Order 1995, which came into force on 1 November 1995.

  Smoke Detectors and Sprinklers
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it compulsory for all retail establishments to be fitted with an appropriate number of smoke detectors and sprinklers. [3434]

  Mr. Sackville
  No. The need for smoke detectors or sprinklers in any particular retail premises must depend upon the outcome of a fire risk assessment for those premises.

  Dog Breeding
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many dog breeding establishments have been inspected by local authorities since the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 came into force; and how many were inspected in the period 1986 to 1991; [3760]

  (2) how many licences have been issued each year since the passing of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973; and what proportion of applications are refused; [3759]

  (3) how many dog breeding establishments have been closed under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991; and how many offenders have been fined the maximum amount under this legislation; [3771]

  (4) what measures are being taken to ensure local authorities are complying with the requirements of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973. [3773]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not collected centrally about the number of dog breeding establishments inspected by local authorities, the number of licences issued and applications refused, and the number of 296
  breeding establishments which have been closed down. So far as we are aware, no offender has been fined the maximum amount under the legislation.

  The level of priority given to implementing the provisions of the Breeding of Dogs Acts is a matter for local authorities to determine.

  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dog breeders have been convicted under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 since 1966. [3772]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is not possible, from the information held centrally, to identify offences specific to dog breeding from other summary offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, as amended. In 1995, there were 754 recorded convictions under the Act.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers(a) were placed in detention at Saughton or Cornton Vale in 1996 and (b) were in detention in each month of 1996, broken down by (i) country of origin, (ii) length of detention and (iii) place of application. [3789]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information on the number of asylum seekers placed to detention at Her Majesty's prison Saughton or the Cornton Vale institute during 1996 is not available.

  The requested breakdown of all detained asylum seekers, for selected dates during 1996, is given in the tables.

  Table 1: Number of people recorded as being detained1 who had sought asylum at some stage, by nationality

  Nationality

  As at 31 January

  As at 29 February

  As at 29 March

  As at 30 April

  As at 31 May/7 June2

  Nigeria

  109

  108

  114

  114

  105

  India

  91

  84

  79

  93

  96

  Algeria

  71

  66

  62

  67

  72

  Sri Lanka

  31

  29

  34

  37

  38

  Ghana

  30

  31

  38

  38

  52

  Pakistan

  26

  32

  27

  23

  29

  Zaire

  23

  27

  30

  32

  34

  Peoples Republic of China

  38

  32

  23

  22

  26

  Turkey

  29

  23

  26

  33

  39

  Angola

  13

  10

  11

  11

  12

  Romania

  12

  20

  17

  21

  23

  Cyprus

  3

  5

  2

  4

  2

  Israel

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yugoslavia

  10

  10

  5

  4

  19

  Columbia

  3

  6

  4

  4

  11

  Gambia

  58

  57

  51

  44

  29

  Bangladesh

  22

  14

  12

  22

  17

  Liberia

  3

  2

  3

  3

  5

  Poland

  6

  7

  6

  6

  5

  Ethiopia

  3

  4

  2

  3

  5

  Iran

  8

  8

  11

  7

  13

  Jamaica

  6

  7

  4

  4

  5

  Russia

  3

  2

  4

  6

  5

  Ivory Coast

  4

  3

  3

  6

  6

  Sierra Leone

  6

  5

  3

  5

  5

  Tanzania

  4

  3

  9

  6

  4

  Kenya

  19

  17

  11

  7

  4

  Lithuania

  8

  6

  5

  8

  11

  Morocco

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Slovakia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sudan

  5

  3

  3

  2

  2

  Uganda

  5

  7

  3

  3

  5

  Ecuador

  10

  8

  5

  5

  8

  Eritrea

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  7

  5

  5

  6

  8

  South Africa

  2

  —

  —

  3

  —

  297

  Table 1: Number of people recorded as being detained1 who had sought asylum at some stage, by nationality

  Nationality

  As at 31 January

  As at 29 February

  As at 29 March

  As at 30 April

  As at 31 May/7 June2

  Afghanistan

  6

  11

  6

  7

  7

  Albania

  5

  4

  7

  7

  5

  Bulgaria

  2

  2

  3

  3

  2

  Congo

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nationality Doubtful

  4

  2

  4

  6

  4

  Others3

  41

  42

  53

  53

  38

  Total

  733

  702

  685

  725

  751

  1 These figures include people who have been in detention for less than a month. Because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period, the figures should be used with caution.

  2 Port cases are as at 7 June and in-country cases are as at 31 May.

  3 The 'Others' category may include nationalities of detainees already listed.

  Nationality

  As at 27 June

  As at 30 July/2 August1

  As at 4 September

  As at 1 October

  As at 5 November

  Nigeria

  106

  106

  110

  112

  114

  India

  101

  96

  91

  95

  70

  Algeria

  75

  70

  65

  63

  68

  Sri Lanka

  43

  45

  47

  48

  55

  Ghana

  52

  56

  60

  58

  46

  Pakistan

  25

  35

  35

  34

  44

  Zaire

  38

  43

  48

  44

  43

  Peoples Republic of China

  32

  35

  39

  44

  42

  Turkey

  35

  39

  47

  42

  38

  Angola

  16

  16

  18

  23

  19

  Romania

  23

  33

  20

  18

  19

  Cyprus

  7

  6

  12

  17

  17

  Israel

  —

  —

  —

  15

  15

  Yugoslavia

  9

  6

  12

  9

  15

  Columbia

  15

  11

  10

  35

  14

  Gambia

  27

  16

  16

  16

  14

  Bangladesh

  18

  17

  16

  18

  13

  Liberia

  4

  5

  9

  7

  10

  Poland

  6

  8

  6

  5

  10

  Ethiopia

  6

  8

  9

  9

  9

  Iran

  11

  9

  11

  13

  9

  Jamaica

  5

  8

  8

  10

  9

  Russia

  6

  5

  6

  8

  9

  Ivory Coast

  6

  7

  7

  6

  7

  Sierra Leone

  6

  4

  7

  8

  6

  Tanzania

  4

  4

  3

  4

  6

  Kenya

  6

  4

  9

  7

  5

  Lithuania

  5

  4

  4

  7

  5

  Morocco

  2

  —

  —

  3

  5

  Slovakia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Sudan

  3

  —

  4

  4

  5

  Uganda

  4

  3

  4

  8

  5

  Ecuador

  8

  6

  3

  4

  4

  Eritrea

  —

  2

  2

  —

  3

  Somalia

  9

  6

  6

  5

  3

  South Africa

  2

  2

  —

  —

  3

  Afghanistan

  5

  6

  2

  —

  2

  Albania

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  Bulgaria

  —

  —

  2

  3

  2

  Congo

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Nationality Doubtful

  6

  10

  8

  11

  7

  Others2

  43

  41

  50

  49

  29

  Total

  772

  776

  809

  864

  808

  1Port cases are as at 2 August and in-country cases are as at 30 July.

  2The "Others" category may include nationalities of detainees already listed.

  298

  Table 2: Number of people recorded as being detained who had sought asylum at some stage, by length of detention

  Detained as at

  0 to 1 Month1

  1 to 2 Months

  2 to 6 Months

  12 Months

  12 Months

  Total

  31 January

  194

  133

  296

  97

  13

  733

  29 February

  150

  119

  311

  109

  13

  702

  29 March

  188

  109

  284

  93

  11

  685

  30 April

  181

  143

  280

  106

  15

  725

  31 May/7 June2

  201

  133

  287

  112

  18

  751

  27 June

  214

  139

  282

  113

  24

  772

  30 July/2 August3

  192

  148

  311

  100

  25

  776

  4 September

  211

  141

  312

  115

  30

  809

  1 October

  244

  154

  311

  121

  34

  864

  5 November

  198

  138

  314

  123

  35

  808

  1 These figures include people who have been in detention for less than a month. Because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period, the figures should be used with caution.

  2 Port cases are as at 7 June and in-country cases are as at 31 May.

  3 Port cases are as at 21 August and In-country cases are as at 30 July.

  Table 3: Number of people recorded as being detained1 who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of application

  Detained as at

  Port

  In-country

  Total

  31 January

  418

  315

  733

  29 February

  406

  296

  702

  29 March

  416

  269

  685

  30 April

  436

  289

  725

  31 May/7 June2

  462

  289

  751

  27 June

  472

  300

  772

  30 July/2 August3

  483

  293

  776

  4 September

  503

  306

  809

  1 October

  543

  321

  864

  5 November

  482

  326

  808

  1 These figures include people who have been in detention for less than a month. Because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period, the figures should be used with caution.

  2 Port cases are as at 7 June and in-country cases are as at 31 May.

  3 Port cases are as at 2 August and in-country cases are as at 30 July.

  Handguns
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of(a) homicides, (b) unlawful woundings and (c) accidental injuries notified to the police in which licensed handguns were used in each month since March. [3788]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information as to whether firearms used in offences are legally held is not at present routinely collected centrally in England and Wales. However, a special exercise has recently been carried out to find out whether the guns used in homicides were licensed. The exercise covers the years 1992 to 1994. Out of a total of 22 homicides in which the firearm was legally held, four involved handguns.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the continuation of section 11 funding. [4208]

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for funding under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 for pupil support after March 1997. [4100]
  299
  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Thomason),Official Report, column 242.

  Sparrow Hall, Liverpool
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of crime from the Sparrow Hall community council in the Liverpool, West Derby constituency; and what response he has made. [3989]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have received a letter from Jean Hannah of the Sparrow Hall community council, and a reply was sent on 13 November. I understand that the area commander is developing a community partnership strategy to deal with local crime problems.

  Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the high-intensity regime will open at the MCTC at Colchester; and if he will make a statement on the cause of the delays in opening the centre; [1761]

  (2) what Prison Service training the officer who is in charge of the military corrective training centre at Colchester has had since July; what plans there are for further training; and if he will make a statement. [1762]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 6 November 1996]: This is a unique initiative, requiring careful preliminary work. Much progress has already been made, and Colchester young offender institution will open when we have agreed the final details of the regime and completed the staff appointments.

  By the end of July, the officer in charge of the military corrective training centre had undertaken training in relation to prisoner adjudications and the command of serious incidents, and had made several familiarisation visits to Prison Service establishments. Since July, he has undertaken finance training. Further training is planned on the staff code of discipline and staff appraisal.

TRANSPORT

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of staff employed full time or part time (i) to provide information and publicity and (ii) to work in press or media in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94. [3569]

  Mr. Bowis
  The answers are £1,620,308, £1,491,230 and £1,538,298, respectively.

  These figures combine the cost of staff who work on information, publicity, press and media for the Department and its agencies. The split between information, publicity, press and media could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It does not include the work of the public inquiry point, as this work is part of its general administrative duties and is not recorded separately.
  300
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the cost assumed in his Department's budget for people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97; [3577]

  (2) what is the cost for staff employed full time or part time by his Department to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [3573]

  Mr. Bowis
  The answer is £1,800,347.

  This figure includes the cost of staff who work on information, publicity, press and media for the Department and its agencies. The split between press, media and information and publicity could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It does not include the work of the public inquiry unit as this is part of its general administrative duties and is not recorded separately.

  Roads Expenditure
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the expenditure on roads in each county expressed as a figure per motor car based on the census figures for car ownership in each of the last 10 years. [2599]

  Mr. Watts
  This information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Electric Vehicle Propulsion
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the advantages of subsidising research into electric vehicle propulsion and the installation of recharging facilities in large conurbations; and if he will make a statement. [3194]

  Mr. Bowis
  There are a number of research projects, such as the Coventry electric vehicle project, recently launched by my right hon. Friend and partly funded by the Energy Savings Trust, which are already assessing the benefits and practicality of electric vehicles in real-life situations. Although electric vehicles have yet to reach the point where they are a clear alternative to more conventional technology as a means of providing a cost-effective solution for urban air quality concerns, a variety of organisations are working to improve the technology and reduce costs. I am keeping this progress under review.

  Marine Pollution Control Unit
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the annual expenditure on the marine pollution control unit in each year since it was established. [3638]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 14 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about expenditure on the Marine Pollution Control Unit since it was established.
  The Unit was formed as part of the Department of Trade in 1979. In 1983 it was transferred to the Department of Transport. The computerised finance system however only goes back as far as 1990 when the unit became part of Marine Emergencies Organisation. Records before this time are not readily available. The spend by the Marine Pollution Control Unit since 1990 is as follows:

  301

  1990/91: £5,942,544

  1991/92: £6,537,070

  1992/93: £7,420,454

  1993/94: £7,172,959

  1994/95: £7,392,677

  1995/96: £7,733,406.

  These figures include spend on programme costs and running costs. In addition, the MPCU incurred the following costs dealing with pollution incidents:

  1990/91: £737,822

  1991/92: £42,295

  1992/93: £1,114,020

  1993/94: £1,934,090

  1994/95: £251,755

  1995/96: £2,004,872.

  Diesel Vehicles
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the advantages of introducing incentives to promote the retro-fitting of emission control devices to diesel vehicles. [3791]

  Mr. Bowis
  We keep the position under review, taking account of relevant research such as analysis undertaken in the EU auto-oils programme, trials by London Transport buses and related research.

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest estimated outturn costs to the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, including incentive payments for paying(a) franchised and (b) non-franchised train operators, for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget; and what estimates he has made for subsequent years. [4150]

  Mr. Watts
  Opraf's original budget for support for passenger rail services provided for the franchise payments to Great Western and South West Trains of £125 million and a budget for BR of £1,692 million, making a total of £1,817 million against the £1,626 million voted in the main supply estimates. The latest estimated outturn is £1,763 million and a winter supplementary estimate for a further £137 million has been announced. The reduction of £54 million against the initial budget is the result of the savings on the 11 franchises let this year and the anticipated savings from later franchises. The split is estimated at payments to BR of £1,329 million and to franchisees of £434 million. The exact outturn will depend on the commencement dates of the later franchises and the savings achieved. Estimates for future years are being discussed in the public expenditure survey and announcements will be made at the usual time.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimated outturn of the cost of running the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget, excluding payments to franchised and non-franchised train operators; and what are his latest estimates for subsequent years. [4149]
  302
  Mr. Watts
  The latest estimated outturn for Opraf' s running costs for 1996–97 is £7.556 million, which is the amount voted in the supply estimates. The estimates for 1997–98 and 1998–99 remain those in table 7 of the "Transport Report 1996", Cm 3206 page 85.

  Shoreditch to New Cross Underground Line
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the planned timetable for completion of refurbishment work on the Shoreditch to New Cross/New Cross Gate underground line; what was the original timetable; when the line will reopen; and if he will make a statement. [3869]

  Mr. Bowis
  I understand that London Underground's refurbishment and tunnel strengthening works on the East London line are well under way and that London Underground is aiming to complete the works and re-commission the line in time to re-open it in late summer 1997. The works were originally programmed to take place between March and October 1995. They are now proceeding on schedule.

  British Rail Budget
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimate of the outturn of the British Railways Board for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget; what is his latest estimate of expenditure in subsequent years; and what plans he has to finance any budgetary shortfall. [4152]

  Mr. Watts
  British Rail's budget for 1996–97 is currently under review in the light of the faster-than-expected progress made with privatisation. Estimates of expenditure in subsequent years, and plans to finance any budgetary shortfall, will be announced after the Chancellor's Budget statement on 26 November 1996.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what loans were made to the British Railways Board in the years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and how the expenditure funded by these loans was divided between domestic railway services and expenditure in connection with channel tunnel services. [4148]

  Mr. Watts
  Long-term loans from the national loans fund were made to the board as set out;

  1990–91: Nil

  1991–92: £850 million

  1992–93: £950 million

  1993–94: £625 million.

  No long-term loans were obtained by the board in those years other than from the NLF. Such loans are not hypothecated to specific investment but are provided to finance the borrower's overall capital requirements, which included substantial investment related to channel tunnel services in that period.

  Office of the Rail Regulator
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimated outturn of the cost of running the Office of the Rail Regulator for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget; and what estimates he has made for later years. [4146]
  303
  Mr. Watts
  I am advised by the Office of the Rail Regulator that the latest estimated outturn of the cost of running the office for 1996–97 is in line with the original budget, details of which are set out in the table. I will write to the hon. Member after the Chancellor's Budget statement on 26 November 1996 with estimates of expenditure plans in subsequent years, and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  1996–97 original estimate and forecast outturn £ million

  Running costs

  7·8

  Capital costs

  0·4

  8·2

  Passenger Transport Executives (Finance)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the total payments made in respect of railway passenger services made by central Government through the seven passenger transport executives for 1996–97; what was the original budget; and what are his latest estimates for subsequent years. [4151]

  Mr. Watts
  Metropolitan district councils in England receive recognition of the costs of PTE support for railway passenger services payments. This is included within the calculation of revenue support grant. The support given in this way—and its Scottish equivalent—amounts to £281.2 million for 1996–97. Railway passenger services in those areas also benefit from expenditure funded by payments under the terms of the deeds of assumption. Support for these rail services in later years has not yet been determined.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the membership of the independent scientific review into the policy on tuberculosis and badgers which he announced on 23 July. [4497]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am pleased to be able to announce the membership of the independent review team on tuberculosis and badgers. Apart from Professor Krebs, who has already kindly agreed to chair the review, the members are Professor Roy Anderson FRS, Dr. W. I. Morrison, Professor Douglas Young, Professor Tim Clutton-Brock FRS and Dr. Crystl Donnelly.

  The review will look at the incidence of tuberculosis, in cattle and badgers and assess the scientific evidence for the links between them. It will take account of EC policies on reducing and eliminating the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle and of any risk to the human population. Its overall purpose will be to review, in the light of scientific evidence, present Government policy on badgers and tuberculosis and to make recommendations.

  The review is now beginning. Interested parties who wish to submit written evidence to the committee are invited to do so before 15 January 1997.

  Hybrid Wolves
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hybrid wolves have been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [3654]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  Import permits from the Department of the Environment are required only for those species of wolves listed in the appendices to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora—CITES. Hybrid wolves are covered by the controls if one of the parents is a listed species. The Department's records indicate that in the last five years no CITES import licences have been granted for hybrid wolves.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Union (Labour Conditions)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) the average weekly working time and (b) the sickness and fatality rates of (i) European Commissioners, (ii) senior Commission officials and (iii) Members of the European Parliament. [4109]

  Mr. David Davis
  None. We do not recognise working time as being a genuine health and safety issue.

  Turkey
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps have been taken in the European Union concerning the abuses of human rights in Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [3214]

  Mr. David Davis
  The European Union maintains a dialogue with Turkey on political issues, including human rights. The Council of Ministers has urged the Turkish Government to make further progress in this area. Concern about Turkey's human rights situation was expressed in the European Commission's October report on the customs union and a European Parliament resolution on 19 September.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to Turkey concerning recent killings in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [3215]

  Mr. Davis
  We have made it clear to the Turkish Government that we condemn the disproportionate use of force by security forces in the north of Cyprus, which has resulted in the tragic deaths of unarmed civilians along the ceasefire line. These incidents reinforce the importance of UN efforts to secure agreements on demanning, unloading and rules of conduct along the ceasefire lines.

  Venezuela
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently held in detention in Venezuela. [4212]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  There are three British citizens currently held in detention in Venezuela. There is also a Commonwealth citizen for whom we have consular responsibility.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and Venezuela. [4214]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Bilateral relations are good. There is substantial UK interest in trade and investment in Venezuela. I was there in May and the Venezuelan Planning Minister and Finance Minister visited London in September and October respectively.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the charges made against Mr. Paul Loseby and Mr. James Miles who are currently being held in Venezuela. [4209]

  Dr. Fox
  Mr. Paul Loseby and Mr. James Miles were arrested at Caracas airport on 4 November with cocaine strapped to their bodies.

  The public prosecutor will decide whether any formal charges will be made.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit Venezuela. [4213]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to visit Venezuela. I visited in May and met several senior Venezuelan Ministers, including the President.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and at what time the embassy in Caracas was informed of the arrest of Mr. Paul Loseby and Mr. James Miles; and for how many hours and on what days Mr. Loseby and Mr. Miles have been visited by consular officials. [4211]

  Dr. Fox
  The Venezuelan authorities told embassy officials in Caracas at about 11.00 hours on 6 November 1996 that two unnamed British nationals had been arrested. The same day, consular officials sought permission to visit, and were allowed to see Mr. Loseby and Mr. Miles at 15.00 hours on 7 November. The visit lasted about one hour.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Venezuelan authorities about the situation of British citizens currently being detained in Venezuela. [4215]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The British embassy in Caracas liaises regularly with the Venezuelan authorities and monitors closely the situation of all British citizens who have been detained. An EU demarche was made in July on the situation of the Venezuelan prisons and a statement was issued earlier this month by the EU presidency, following recent disturbances at the La Planta prison in Caracas.

TREASURY

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish the proposed rules on excessive deficits in respect of EMU; and if he will make a statement on the methods for achieving and monitoring compliance with these rules; [3553]

  (2) what proposals have been put to the Council of Ministers to include amendments to article 104(b) among those matters to which decision by a majority vote would apply; [3557]

  (3) if he will publish the latest proposals for a stability pact in respect of EMU; and if he will make a statement on the methods for achieving and monitoring compliance with the terms of the pact. [3554]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Rules on excessive deficits in respect of EMU and the methods for achieving and monitoring compliance with them are set out in article 104c of the Maastricht treaty. A stability pact has been proposed to clarify the practical application of these provisions. I submitted an explanatory memorandum to Parliament on the Commission's proposals for a stability pact on 31 October. The purpose of the excessive deficits procedure and the stability pact is to ensure that member states participating in EMU do not follow irresponsible fiscal policies which could affect exchange rates and drive up interest rates for other member states. Under the UK's opt-out, paragraphs 1, 9, and 11 of article 104c would not apply to the UK if the UK were to decide not to participate in stage 3 of EMU.

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers will be available to(a) the European Monetary Institute and (b) a future European central bank to prevent the contravention of the no bail-out provisions of article 104(b) where such a bail-out is supported by (i) a majority of and (ii) all EU member states. [3555]

  Mr. Clarke
  Contraventions of any part of the treaty establishing the European Community, including the no bail-out clause—article 104b—are a matter for the European Court of Justice, not for the European Monetary Institute nor for a future European Central bank.

  The excessive deficits procedure in article 104c, reinforced by the proposed stability pact, is designed to ensure that member states participating in EMU act in a fiscally responsible way and should help to prevent the issue of bail-out from arising.

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions exist for the variation of the rules for excessive debt in respect of EMU(a) generally and (b) specifically in relation to unfunded pension liabilities. [3551]

  Mr. Clarke
  The rules on excessive debt in respect of EMU are set-out in article 104c of the Maastricht treaty. Paragraph 2 of that article makes clear how excessive debt shall be treated. Protocol (No.5) of this treaty explains how debt is defined and gives its reference value. This definition includes any debt incurred as a result of expenditure arising from pensions liabilities.

  Unfunded Pension Liabilities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the possible impact on(a) the United Kingdom (i) if it does and (ii) if it does not participate in the EMU and (b) the proposed euro currency of the falling due for payment of currently unfunded pension fund liabilities among European member states which participate in EMU. [3550]

  Mr. Clarke
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 6 November,Official Report, columns 354–46.

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the latest estimate of unfunded pension liabilities published by the International Monetary Fund. [3549]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The IMF figures show that, in relation to unfunded pensions liabilities, the UK is in a stronger position than many other leading industrial countries. All estimates of unfunded pension liabilities depend upon a number of assumptions concerning pension entitlement and contribution rates and demographic and economic trends over future decades.

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what(a) published and (b) unpublished decisions have been made of European Finance Ministers in relation to the operation of article 104(b) and unfunded pension liabilities; [3547]

  (2) if he will list the meetings of European Finance Ministers at which the operation of article 104(b) in relation to unfunded pension liabilities has been discussed; [3546]

  (3) what discussions have been held by (a) civil servants and (b) ministers with their counterparts in the European Union in relation to European Union member states' unfunded pension liabilities; [3548]

  (4) what provisions the proposed stability pact in respect of EMU includes specifically on the treatment of unfunded pension liabilities. [3552]

  Mr. Clarke
  Parliament has been kept informed of discussions by European Finance Ministers in relation to the operation of article 104c. The most recent explanatory memorandum, on the Commission's proposals for a stability pact, was submitted to Parliament on 31 October.

  Since November 1995, the proposed stability pact has been discussed on several occasions by the Council of European Finance Ministers, most recently on 11 November 1996. It aims to reinforce the operation of the excessive deficits procedure in EMU as set out in article 104c. Its purpose is to ensure that member states participating in EMU do not follow irresponsible fiscal policies. It is designed to ensure that if a member state needs to address the consequences of a build-up of liabilities of any kind it will not be able to fund them through excessive borrowing. This applies to all forms of liabilities, including pensions liabilities.

  The UK and other member states provided the European Commission with information on pensions schemes earlier this year, and the issue of pensions liabilities will form part of the work programme of the economic policy committee over the next six months.

  French Annual Deficit
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations Her Majesty's Government made in respect of the recent decision of Eurostat to allow the inclusion in the French Government's accounts of France Telecom's proposed pension payment to the French Exchequer in calculating the French annual deficit in 1997 or 1998. [3556]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Eurostat consulted the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics. The United Kingdom is represented on this committee by the Office for National Statistics and the Bank of England. Other member states are also represented by their national statistical offices and central banks.

  EC (Government Debt)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further information he has evaluated in relation to European member states' unfunded liabilities and debt since his predecessor's answers of 26 November 1991,Official Report, column 446, in relation to (a) EC Government debt and (b) single currency. [3763]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  European member states regularly publish information on their Government debt. In accordance with standard internationally accepted definitions, these figures do not take account of unfunded liabilities. OECD and IMF calculations published in the last two years and based on a number of assumptions show that the UK is in a stronger position than many other leading industrial countries in relation to unfunded pension liabilities.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total value of payments made to EDS Ltd. since 1993 in relation to the provision of information technology services to the Inland Revenue. [2420]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 5 November 1996]: The total value of payments made to EDS Ltd. for information technology services amounts to £356.7 million exclusive of VAT. In addition, the Department has paid £59.4 million for the use of the assets transferred when the contract started on 1 July 1994 and for the use of additional hardware purchased since that date.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) in total and (b) in the age bands (i) 16 to 24 years, (ii) 25 to 34 years, (iii) 35 to 44 years, (iv) 45 to 54 years, (v) 55 to 64 years and (vi) 65 years and over, have experienced (1) two, (2) three, (3) four and (4) five spells of unemployment, since 1992 in the United Kingdom; and if he will give the figures as a percentage of the economically active work force in the relevant age band. [1913]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 7 November 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  309
  Letter from Tim Holt to Ms. Judith Church dated 14 November 1996;
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many people have experienced two, three, four and five spells of unemployment, since 1992 in the United Kingdom, by age.
  The available data are shown in the following table. Data are only available for Great Britain.

  Number of people in Great Britain who have experienced at least one spell of claimant unemployment since January 1992, by number of spells experienced

  Number of spells of unemployment

  Age band (years)

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five or more

  Total

  16-24

  1,680·7

  960·6

  555·0

  302·7

  314·0

  3,813·0

  25-34

  1,320·7

  62·8

  317·8

  156·8

  165·6

  2,588·8

  35-44

  927·5

  403·8

  190·3

  86·3

  92·7

  1,700·6

  45-54

  872·3

  332·8

  138·1

  62·6

  66·8

  1,472·6

  55-64

  541·8

  124·8

  38·9

  15·2

  14·5

  735·1

  65 and over

  0·4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0·4

  All ages

  5,343·7

  2,449·9

  1,240·1

  623·6

  653·7

  10,310·9

  Great Britain.
  It is not possible to calculate proportions as a percentage of the economically active workforce because the corresponding number of people who have never been economically active over the period is not known—only point in time estimates of the latter are available.

  Tax Changes
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his timetable for(a) the abolition of (i) capital gains tax and (ii) inheritance tax, and (b) implementing a standard rate of tax at 20p in the pound; and if he will make a statement. [3245]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 11 November 1996]: The Government remain committed to the long-term aims of abolishing capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and reducing the basic rate of income tax to 20 per cent., as and when resources permit.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the number and percentage of economically inactive (i) men, (ii) women and (iii) people of working age in the United Kingdom and for each region in(a) 1981, (b) 1991 and (c) 1996, indicating the percentage changes since 1981; [2810]

  (2) what are the latest figures for the number and percentage of economically inactive (a) men and (b) people of working age for (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each region aged (1) 16 to 24, (2) 25 to 34, (3) 35 to 49 and (4) 50 to 64 years; [2811]

  (3) what are the latest figures for the number and percentage of economically inactive (a) women and (b) men of working age for the United Kingdom and for each region aged (i) 16 to 24, (ii) 25 to 34, (iii) 35 to 49 and (iv) 50 to 59 years. [2813]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  310
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Hain, dated 14 November 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to rely as the Director of the Office for National Statistics on your recent questions (2810, 2811 and 2813) on various breakdowns of the economically inactive of working age by region.
  The information is available from the Labour Force Survey database which can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of economically inactive(a) men and (b) women of working age are classed as (i) sick, (ii) disabled and (iii) voluntary retirees; [2812]

  (2) what percentage of economically inactive people of working age are classed as (a) sick, (b) disabled and (c) voluntary retirees. [2814]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Hain, dated 14 November 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics on your recent questions (2812 and 2814) on the numbers of economically inactive of working age who are sick, disabled or retired.
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Economically inactive people of working age1 by gender and reason for inactivity (Great Britain, Spring 1996)

  Reason for inactivity (as percentage of all inactive)

  All economically inactive2

  Temporarily sick or injured

  Long-term sick or injured

  Retired

  Other

  Total

  7,491

  2·9

  26·2

  5·9

  65·1

  Men

  2,765

  3·8

  40·7

  11·0

  44·5

  Women

  4,727

  2·3

  17·7

  2·9

  77·1

  Note:
  1 Working age is defined as 16–64 for men and 16–59 for women.
  2 = 100 per cent.

  Source:
  Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics.

  Taxation (Self-assessment)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if self-assessed taxpayers who are selected for random audit in 1997–98 will be told that they are being investigated for purely statistical reasons; [3111]

  (2) how many random audits his Department plans to carry out in 1997–98 under self-assessment power S9A TMA 1970. [3112]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: No tax returns will be selected for inquiry purely for statistical reasons.

  Most returns will be selected on the basis of an identified tax risk, but the Inland Revenue proposes to select approximately 10,000 tax returns for inquiry on a random basis during 1997–98, that is about 0.1 per cent. of all self-assessment returns. First and foremost, random inquiries will help to deter would-be tax evaders, who believe they might otherwise successfully cover their

  311
  tracks and so avoid selection for inquiry. They will also help the Department to identify new areas of high risk and indicate levels of compliance.

  The Inland Revenue will not tell any taxpayer the basis on which his return has been chosen for inquiry, since to do so would undermine the effectiveness of this new power and could introduce unnecessary confrontation into inquiry work.

  The Inland Revenue aims for high standards in its inquiry work and has published a new code of practice 11—"Enquiries into tax returns by local Tax offices"—explaining how this will be conducted under self-assessment.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Inland Revenue is taking to ensure that queries about the self-assessment system are dealt with speedily. [3255]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The Inland Revenue will seek to achieve the published standards of customer service for 1996–97 for all taxpayers including those affected by self-assessment.

  The capacity of tax inquiry centres and switchboards has been reviewed and where appropriate enhanced. A helpline has been established to assist taxpayers outside normal working hours.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff the Inland Revenue had(a) in 1994 and (b) in each subsequent year; and what increases in staffing there will be to cover the period of the introduction of self-assessment. [3322]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]:

  (a) At 1 April 1994 the Inland Revenue, excluding the Valuation Office Agency, had 58,569 staff in post;

  (b) The numbers for subsequent years are:

  April: 54,562

  April: 52,150

  There will be no increase in staff numbers to cover the introduction of self-assessment, but measures have been taken to ensure that a higher level of customer service is available in a number of ways to help with any queries which may arise during the introductory period.

  Taxation Letters
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters the Inland Revenue has received(a) in total and (b) from self-employed people in each quarter during the last five years. [3253]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The Inland Revenue does not currently disaggregate information on post volumes by origin or type of post. The table shows quarterly volumes of post received since April 1993. Earlier figures are obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

  Year

  Total volume of post received1

  1993–94

  First quarter

  33,133,062

  Second quarter

  32,755,151

  Third quarter

  33,124,631

  Fourth quarter

  31,089,124

  312

  year

  Total volume of post received1

  1994–95

  First quarter

  35,665,814

  Second quarter

  32,384,943

  Third quarter

  33,332,228

  Fourth quarter

  29,986,006

  1995–96

  First quarter

  29,807,052

  Second quarter

  29,388,557

  Third quarter

  31,992,414

  Fourth quarter

  29,480,783

  1996–97

  First quarter

  29,149,287

  Second quarter

  26,991,811

  1 Figures are for Inland Revenue regional executive offices responsible for assessing and collecting income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax.

  Inland Revenue (Letters)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average time the Inland Revenue took to answer letters(a) in 1979 and (b) in each subsequent year. [3260]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The Inland Revenue does not collect information on average response times. Instead, it measures performance against its customer service standard of replying to all types of post within 28 days. These customer service results are published annually in the board of Inland Revenue report, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Directors
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received asking him to make it a criminal offence for a director of a company knowingly to make untrue statements about a competitor company to an hon. Member, a Member of the House of Lords or a Member of the European Parliament; if he will consider such a proposal; and if he will make a statement. [3530]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have received no such representations. Any person, whether or not a director of a company, must already have regard in any statement about a third party which he or she may make to a Member of Parliament to the application of the law of defamation to the statement in any circumstances outside the scope of the strict rules of absolute parliamentary privilege.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an assessment of the applicability of those sections of the Employment Act 1973 covering employment agencies to the activities of international executive search agencies operating in the United Kingdom. [3776]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The applicability of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and associated regulations to the activities of international executive search agencies is a matter to be assessed by my Department on a case-by-case basis.

  Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the report of the nuclear installations inspectorate on safety at Dounreay; what contamination of the site and of staff is reported: what improvement notices have been served; what staff reductions there have been over the past 12 months; what private contractors are currently working on the site and what work each is undertaking; if he will now review his privatisation programme; and if he will make a statement. [3656]

  Mr. Page
  I am advised by the Health and Safety Executive HSE that it has not produced such a report, but it served two improvement notices on Dounreay in 1995 and a further two notices last month. Details of changes in staff numbers and of the work being undertaken on the site by private contractors are operational matters for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The UKAEA will keep the use of commercial contractors under review to ensure that they continue to contribute to the safe and cost-effective management of the Dounreay site.

  Salaries (Publication)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to require companies to publish annually the salaries paid to their highest and lowest paid staff. [2036]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 13 November 1996]: I have no plans to require companies to publish this information.

  Companies are already required to disclose certain information about the remuneration of their employees and of their directors. In many cases this includes a requirement to disclose the remuneration of the highest-paid director.

  Consumer Protection (Computer Software)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about consumer protection in respect of computer software. [3265]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 13 November 1996]: Consumers buying packaged computer software enjoy the same statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as when buying any other type of good. However, if the hon. Member has any specific concerns about computer protection in respect of computer software, he may wish to write to me with them.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those companies which have received launch aid in each year since 1979 and the level of support given. [3694]
  314
  Mr. Greg Knight
  [holding answer 13 November 1996]: The information is as follows, in £ million:

  Westland Helicopters Ltd.

  British Aerospace Plc

  Short Brothers Plc

  Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. and Rolls-Royce Plc

  1979–80

  0

  0

  0

  75·4

  1980–81

  0

  0

  0

  67·1

  1981–82

  0

  0

  0

  92·6

  1982–83

  10·0

  0

  0

  53·5

  1983–84

  10·7

  0

  0

  74·6

  1984–85

  17·7

  46·5

  0

  20·0

  1985–86

  8·6

  73·0

  0

  22·7

  1986–87

  5·7

  86·0

  0

  27·3

  1987–88

  8·1

  44·5

  0

  0

  1988–89

  9·9

  87·8

  0

  0

  1989–90

  10·1

  122·5

  0

  0

  1990–91

  7·1

  134·0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  5·1

  73·5

  0

  0

  1992–93

  2·8

  28·6

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0·6

  0

  0

  0

  1994–95

  2·0

  0

  0

  0

  1995–96

  0

  0

  16·4

  0

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the launch aid receipts for each year from 1979. [3693]

  Mr. Knight
  [holding answer 13 November 1996]: The information is as follows, in £ million:

  1979–80: 4.3

  1980–81: 9.9

  1981–82: 9.3

  1982–83: 11.4

  1983–84: 9.2

  1984–85: 11.8

  1985–86: 16.4

  1986–87: 24.5

  1987–88: 27.3

  1988–89: 21.5

  1989–90: 42.4

  1990–91: 51.8

  1991–92: 83.0

  1992–93: 75.7

  1993–94: 55.3

  1994–95: 46.9

  1995–96: 51.7.

  The total amount of launch aid levy receipts recorded by my Department for the financial years 1961–62 to 1995–96 inclusive is £602.7 million, not £597.7 million as previously published in my answer to the hon. Member on 30 October 1996, Official Report, column 152.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what level of support was paid to the aerospace industry under the launch aid programme in each year since 1979. [3692]

  Mr. Knight
  [holding answer 13 November 1996]: The information is as follows, in £ million:

  1979–80: 75.4

  1980–81: 67.1

  1981–82: 92.6

  1982–83: 63.5

  1983–84: 85.3

  1984–85: 84.2

  315

  1985–86: 104.3

  1986–87: 119.0

  1987–88: 52.6

  1988–89: 97.7

  1989–90: 132.6

  1990–91: 141.1

  1991–92: 78.6

  1992–93: 31.4

  1993–94: 0.6

  1994–95: 2.0

  1995–96: 16.4.

  The total amount of launch aid recorded by my Department as having been allocated towards civil aeronautics projects between the 1961–62 and 1995–96 financial years is £1,532.4 million, not £968.1 million as previously published in my answer to the hon. Member on 30 October 1996, Official Report, column 152.

  Small Businesses
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms data have been inputted on to the Department's small business data. [4158]

  Mr. Page
  The Department does not keep a database of small businesses.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of UK small and medium-sized firms export; what are the equivalent figures in each EU country; and what is the EU average. [4157]

  Mr. Page
  Data on the percentage of small and medium-sized firms that export are not collected, either for the United Kingdom or for other EU countries.

  Business Angel Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the results of the pilot scheme on a business angel introduction scheme at five training and enterprise councils. [4131]

  Mr. Page
  The five informal investment demonstration projects, for which the Government provided pump-priming funding, were very successful both in terms of the number of investors registered and the number of investments made in local businesses. They

  Hospitalisations of patients 60 and over with a diagnosis relating to the adverse effects of specified drugs: Scotland 1991–1995

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Code1

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  (i) Local anti-infectives and anti-inflammatory drugs

  E946.0

  21

  57

  31

  49

  36

  53

  39

  77

  46

  86

  (ii) Phenothiazine-based tranquillisers

  E939.1

  14

  20

  14

  28

  23

  33

  21

  23

  21

  35

  (iii) Water, mineral and uric acid metabolism drugs

  E944

  51

  115

  46

  129

  54

  99

  59

  95

  60

  137

  (iv) Analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics

  E935

  117

  167

  123

  150

  123

  168

  148

  210

  191

  233

  (v) Sedatives and hypnotics

  E937

  6

  6

  7

  10

  10

  10

  12

  4

  6

  12

  316
  also succeeded in raising the profile of informal investment among owners of businesses and potential investors.

  The five TEC-based business introduction services continue to operate alongside those run by a wide variety of other organisations, including a number of business links.

  Airline Alliance
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those airlines which his Department has consulted on the British Airways-American Airlines proposed alliance since his receipt of the report by the Office of Fair Trading. [3871]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Department of Trade and Industry has received correspondence from Virgin Atlantic, Trans World Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways and Continental Airlines since receipt of the Director General of Fair Trading's advice.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has yet to take his decision on this case. It is not the Department's practice to consult interested parties during the period between receipt of the director general's report and the president's decision.

  Third parties had the opportunity to make their views known to the director general and these were included in his advice to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

SCOTLAND

  Prescribed Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many elderly(a) men and (b) women have been admitted to hospital as a consequence of an adverse reaction to (i) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (ii) phenothiazines, (iii) diuretics, (iv) analgesics, (v) night sedation, (vi) digoxin, (vii) laxatives, (viii) corticosteroids, (ix) beta blockers and (x) aminophylline, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [2902]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is shown in the table. It is not possible separately to identify the individual drugs listed. The answer shows classes of drugs, which include those listed.
  317

  Hospitalisations of patients 60 and over with a diagnosis relating to the adverse effects of specified drugs: Scotland 1991–1995

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Code1

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  (vi) Agents primarily affecting the cardiovascular system: cardiotonic glycosides and drugs of similar action (includes digitalis glycosides, digoxin and strophantins)

  E942.1

  61

  157

  52

  145

  59

  141

  48

  140

  59

  166

  (vii) Agents primarily affecting gastrointestinal system: irritant cathartics, emollient cathartics and digestants

  E943.1–3

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  4

  1

  3

  2

  9

  (viii) Adrenal cortical steroids

  E932.0

  43

  62

  30

  41

  23

  57

  29

  51

  38

  60

  (ix) Cardiac rhythm regulators

  E942.0

  43

  57

  57

  48

  51

  58

  54

  66

  77

  72

  (x) Antiasthmatics

  E945.7

  7

  8

  0

  3

  3

  8

  3

  3

  6

  10

  1 Diagnoses are coded to the World Health Organisation's international classification of diseases 9th revision (ICD9).

  Planning Guidelines
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what evaluation his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to absorb a new(a) low-impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of this policy; [3367]

  (2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [3377]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office has not planned, commissioned or evaluated any research on the subject of low-impact or permaculture use classes. The existing use classes, set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1989, are based on the actual use of buildings or land. Each class is made up of uses which are similar in nature and in their impacts on the environment and amenity. Their purpose is to determine whether a change of use requiring planning consent has taken place. Introducing new use classes based only on environmental impacts would not be practicable as they would be incompatible with existing use classes and other planning legislation. Environmental impacts are material considerations to be taken into account in determining individual planning applications.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment his Department had made of the capacity of the planning system to accommodate low-impact development; and if he will make a statement; [3356]

  (2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [3268]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office has not planned, commissioned or evaluated any research specifically on the subject of assessing sustainable and low-impact developments. However, the Scottish Office provides a range of guidance, advice and support designed to encourage sustainable development in rural areas which benefits local residents. The planning system is designed to be flexible enough to assess and accommodate all types 318
  of development. Each planning application is considered on its own merits, taking account of all material considerations which apply in that particular case.

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the effects of European monetary union on the Scottish economy; and what preparations have been taken in respect of such effects. [1532]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 31 October 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  An assessment of the implications for the whole of the United Kingdom of the European single currency will be made nearer the time. At this stage sufficient information to carry out a full assessment is not available. There are still many unknowns and uncertainties, including which countries are likely to meet the conditions for joining and how much convergence will have been achieved.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will introduce a wider system of concessionary television licences for people in(a) sheltered accommodation and (b) elsewhere; and if she will make a statement. [3770]

  Mr. Sproat
  During the passage of the Broadcasting Act 1996, the Government undertook to address the situation arising when the residents of a sheltered housing scheme which meets all other qualifying criteria fail to qualify for concessionary licences because a small number of units within the scheme were purchased under the right to buy provisions before the accommodation was designated as sheltered housing. We hope to lay new consolidated television licensing regulations before the end of the year, and they will address this anomaly. There are no plans to extend any further the availability of concessionary television licences. As stated in the 1994 White Paper, "The Future of the BBC", Cm. 2621, the Government believe that the right way to help the less well off, of all ages, is through the welfare and benefit systems.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for National
  Heritage how many contracts her Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if she will indicate for each contract(a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if she will make a statement on the number of job reductions in her Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3813]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage was established on 13 April 1992 and The Royal Parks agency was established on 1 April 1993. Since those dates, the Department and its agencies have not let any contracts to EDS.

  Football Grounds
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is her policy in respect of premiership football clubs whose grounds need major work to bring them up to the standards of the Taylor report; [3685]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the costs to premiership football clubs of major works required to bring their grounds up to the standards of the Taylor report. [3686]

  Mr. Sproat
  Premiership football clubs were required to meet the all-seater recommendations in the Taylor report by August 1994. All clubs in the premiership, except Sunderland, now meet these requirements. Sunderland was granted an extension to relocate to a new all-seater stadium in time for the start of next season.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Tax
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the Band D council tax precepts for all districts in Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire and Dorset in 1995–96 and 1996–97 and the percentage change, and (b) the same information for each other district in England where the band D increase was higher than 10 per cent. [3531]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The basic amount of council tax set by a shire district for district level services comprises the district's own council tax requirement and those of parish councils within its area. The basic amount and the amounts accounted for by the parish precepts are shown in the table below. These amounts are added to the county council and the shire police precepts to form the band D council tax for each district's area.320

  Band D basic amounts of council tax in 1995–96 and 1996–97

  1995–96

  1996–97

  council tax for district level services

  Of which average parish precept

  council tax for district level services

  Of which average parish precept

  Percentage increase in council tax (col3–col1) / col 1

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Percent.

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  (5)

  Somerset

  Mendip

  86

  21

  108

  23

  25·2

  Sedgemoor

  90

  12

  94

  13

  3·5

  Taunton Deane

  30

  4

  71

  4

  135·7

  West Somerset

  99

  23

  105

  23

  5·7

  Devon

  East Devon

  66

  9

  75

  9

  12·9

  Exeter

  72

  0

  65

  0

  -9·9

  Mid Devon

  81

  11

  88

  13

  8·8

  North Devon

  94

  13

  84

  14

  -10·3

  Plymouth

  122

  0

  152

  0

  24·8

  South Hams

  77

  16

  89

  17

  15·7

  Teignbridge

  74

  14

  91

  15

  23·1

  Torbay

  65

  0

  71

  0

  9·1

  Torridge

  28

  9

  49

  10

  76·0

  West Devon

  99

  18

  106

  19

  7·3

  Wiltshire

  Kennet

  60

  27

  70

  27

  17·4

  North Wiltshire

  112

  36

  114

  38

  1·7

  Salisbury

  45

  12

  82

  13

  82·1

  Thamesdoen

  108

  12

  111

  12

  2·9

  West Wiltshire

  93

  17

  87

  19

  -6·6

  Dorset

  Bournemouth

  71

  0

  69

  0

  -3·4

  Christchurch

  54

  0

  58

  0

  6·5

  North Dorset

  44

  23

  65

  26

  48·3

  Poole

  69

  0

  76

  0

  10·0

  Purbeck

  56

  17

  62

  18

  10·8

  West Dorset

  73

  28

  81

  31

  11·4

  Weymouth and Portland

  85

  0

  71

  0

  -16·0

  A table showing information for all other districts in England where the band D increase in council tax for district level services was higher than 10 per cent., has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Regional Development Funding
  Sir Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those applications from Cornwall and Devon that have given approval for European regional development fund objective 5b funding, indicating the financial amounts approved and the total cost of each project; how many applications have been submitted hitherto but refused; how many applications are currently being considered; and what is the total finance involved. [3455]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am today placing copies of the information in the Library of the House.

  Hybrid Wolves
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice his Department has issued to local authorities on the subject of hybrid
  321
  wolves; what plans he has to issue further advice; and what requests his Department has received for such guidance; [3652]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's definition of a hybrid wolf for the purposes of licensing. [3653]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department has received requests for guidance on hybrid wolves from the following local authorities: Bassetlaw district council, Birmingham city council, Broxtowe borough council, Newark and Sherwood district council; Rotherham metropolitan borough council; South Cambridgeshire district council, the City of Wakefield metropolitan district council and Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council.

  Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, a licence to keep a wolf is required from the local authority. A licence is also required to keep any hybrid where one parent is—or both parents are—of a kind specified in the schedule to the Act. The Department has so advised those local authorities seeking guidance. There are no plans to issue any further central guidance to local authorities.

  Rents
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the level of rent paid by(a) private tenants and (b) recipients of housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [3809]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 1995–96 survey of English housing estimated the average weekly rent of private tenants to be £70 per week. The average weekly rent for private tenants on housing benefit was the same. Assured tenants on benefit paid an average of £8 per week less than those who were not receiving benefit, but there were more benefit recipients in this sector. The table gives full details.

  Rents and proportions of private tenants by type of tenancy: HB and non-HB

  Regulated

  Assured and assured shorthold

  Not accessible to the public (e.g. employer)

  Resident landlord

  All

  Average rent

  (£ a week)

  HB recipients

  39

  79

  —

  45

  70

  Non-HB

  40

  87

  34

  44

  69

  All

  39

  84

  34

  44

  70

  Proportion in tenancy type

  Per cent.

  HB recipients

  18

  75

  0

  7

  100

  Non-HB

  10

  52

  27

  12

  100

  All

  12

  59

  19

  10

  100

  These figures are supported by other research for the Department, which found that when all other factors are held constant, private tenants receiving housing benefit do not pay significantly different rents from tenants who are not on housing benefit.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about unfair rents and rent capping in the last 12 months. [3810]
  322
  Mr. Clappison
  We have received a wide range of representations. For example, landlords of regulated tenants argue that they should be freed from the controls of the Rent Act 1977 and allowed to charge market rents; tenants in the deregulated sector argue that full housing benefit should be available to support above average rents. We believe that the current legislation provides the right balance between the interests of landlords, tenants and the taxpayer.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of the Housing Corporation; and what was discussed. [3768]

  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration last met the chairman of Housing Corporation on 16 October to discuss various matters, including finances and board membership.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new housing starts there were in each year since 1976, broken down into(a) local authority housing, (b) housing association housing and (c) private housing; and if he will make a statement.[3808]

  Mr. Clappison
  Estimates of house building are shown in the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". Figures for 1976 to 1992 are in tables 6.1 of the annual editions covering the period from 1976 to 1986 through to the annual edition covering 1983 to 1993. The latest figures for 1993, 1994, 1995 and the first six months of 1996 are in the quarterly publication "Housing and Construction Statistics, Part 1—June 1996".

  Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of housing associations; and what was discussed. [3767]

  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration last met the chairman and chief executive of the National Housing Federation on 18 September at a reception to mark the raising of £10 billion of private finance for housing associations since the Housing Act 1988.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of homelessness charities to discuss projects for the homeless. [3769]

  Mr. Clappison
  On 31 October, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration met representatives from CHAR, Crisis, Homeless Network and Shelter to discuss the Government's proposals to provide further help to tackle rough sleeping, building on the success of the rough sleepers initiative. Those proposals were set out in my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 31 October,Official

  323
  Report, column 187. These voluntary sector agencies, and Centrepoint, have indicated their willingness to work nationally with Government Departments, local authorities and other agencies to help ensure that there is no necessity for people to sleep rough.

  British Waterways
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the privatisation of British Waterways. [3870]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have no plans to privatise British Waterways.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's estimate of the number of sports clubs which pay business rates on their premises. [4142]

  Mr. Curry
  My Department estimates that about 10,000 sports clubs are liable for rates in England. Many will have their bills reduced or remitted in full by local authorities using their discretionary powers.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of business rates paid in the last year for which figures are available on sporting rights relate to(a) shooting, (b) fly fishing and (c) coarse fishing. [4141]

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the representations he received asking for the abolition of the business rate on sporting rights showing the name of the organisation or individual requesting such abolition and the date such representations were received by his Department; [4143]

  (2) if he will list the representations he received asking for the abolition or reduction of the business rate on sports club premises, showing the name of the organisation or individual requesting such abolition and the date such representations were received by his Deaprtmetn. [4144]

  Mr. Curry
  I have received a number of representations over the past three years. I will write to the hon. Member with further details in due course.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a list indicating for each local authority area the amount received from business rates on sporting rights. [4140]

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is not held centrally. There are about 6,000 sporting rights in England. We estimate that local authorities receive less than £5 million in respect of rates on those hereditaments.

  Development Land, Bedfordshire
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he called in proposals for development of land near the village of Henlow, Bedfordshire. [4210]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have decided to call in this proposal for industrial and commercial development on a former sand and gravel pit. The decision was issued today.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the annual report and accounts of the Environment Agency 1995–96. [4080]

  Mr. Clappison
  The financial statements in the Environment Agency's annual report and accounts for 1995–96 were audited by auditors appointed by the Secretary of State. We are satisfied from the auditors' report that the funds of the agency were properly and well managed. The Secretary of State laid the annual report and accounts before Parliament in July 1996.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in relation to the implications of the Lappel bank judgment of the European Court of Justice for(a) the Cardiff bay barrage and (b) other wetland schemes with present or previous conservation protection; and if he will make a statement. [4134]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Secretary of State has received one representation about the implications of the Lappel bank judgment for the Cardiff bay barrage. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales informed the hon. Member on 18 July,Official Report, column 643, the European Commission has accepted the Government's position on the construction of the Cardiff bay barrage. We have had no representations about other wetland schemes.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had in 1996 with non-governmental groups on the protection of sites of special scientific interest. [4081]

  Mr. Clappison
  There is effective dialogue across a range of environmental issues with non-governmental groups, but Ministers in my Department have not consulted them specifically in 1996 about the protection of sites of special scientific interest.

  Information Flows
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publish the outcome of his recent efficiency scrutiny into information flows between central and local government; and if he will make a statement. [4499]

  Mr. Curry
  I have today published for consultation the report of an efficiency scrutiny into information flows between central and local government in England.

  I am determined to cut the burden of paperwork generated by the demands for information from local government. This report makes a number of challenging recommendations for both central and local government which aim to cut the paper flow by up to one third, making savings of £8 million to £10 million a year, as well as delivering improvements in the accuracy and value of the information.
  325
  We will look carefully at the report's recommendations and, following consultation with local government, prepare, and publish in the new year, an action plan for implementing the report. As the report recognises, improvements are already happening. Today's publication will give a welcome boost to that work.

  I am today writing to the chairmen of the local authority associations inviting their comments on the report's recommendations, which we shall take into account in the preparation of the action plan. I am also inviting the associations to join a joint group with representatives of the main Whitehall Departments involved to oversee implementation of the action plan.

  The key recommendations of the report cover:
  Reducing the volume of data collected by cutting down the level of detail or the frequency with which information is collected, eliminating duplication and making greater use of sample surveys.
  Improving the value and usefulness of data by standardising definitions, reviewing forms with those who have to complete them, and taking steps to improve understanding of: what is required, how the data will be used, and how the information provided relates to the quality and level of activity on the ground.
  Further work or separate reviews in a number of areas, including specific grant regimes, fire and probation services, school building projects and grants for higher education.
  Improving the arrangements for housing and transport capital programmes, and for European regional development fund and European social fund—ESF—grants, including greater delegation of responsibility in some areas to the Government offices for the regions.

  I am arranging for copies of the report to be placed in the Library of the House. Copies are being sent to the local authority associations and to individual local authorities in England.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue the draft housing revenue account subsidy and item 8 determinations for 1997–98. [4565]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities have today been sent the draft housing revenue account subsidy and item 8 determinations for 1997–98. They have been invited to let my Department have their views by 6 December 1996.

  We are proposing that the average guideline rent for 1997–98 should be £35.36 a week. It is only 73p per week more than this year's guideline rent. Guideline rent increases for individual authorities would range between 48p and 98p.

  To encourage authorities to keep their rent increases within the guideline increase, we propose to continue with the present rule limiting rent rebate subsidy. This does not affect tenants' entitlement to housing benefit, but does provide authorities with a strong incentive to keep rent increases down to reasonable levels.

  Total provision within the subsidy system for expenditure by authorities on management and maintenance in 1997–98 will be over £3.3 billion. This is about the same per dwelling as in the current financial year.
  326
  We believe that there is still scope for town hall housing departments to secure efficiency savings and reduce their spending. The opportunities are there. We would like to see authorities taking a hard look at their housing services and finding better and more efficient ways of delivering them. This might include, for example, the involvement of housing associations or others in the private sector in the delivery of services. Even modest economies would help tenants by keeping rent increases down.

  Copies of the draft determinations have been placed in the House Library.

  Housing Act 1996
  Sir Jim Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to make an order to commence parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996. [4694]

  Mr. Curry
  I shall make the order to commence these provisions in England and Wales shortly. Part VII will commence on 20 January 1997. Part VI will commence on 1 April 1997; this will give local authorities additional time to set up effective new allocation schemes.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions (Age Addition)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people, aged 80 years or above, are currently in receipt of an additional pension of 25p per week; how many of those people are currently in receipt of income support; how many of those people have their additional pension deducted in full from their income support; and if he will make a statement. [4137]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It is estimated that 2,299,000 persons were eligible for the age addition as at September 1995. As at November 1995, 746,000 also received income support, either as the claimant or a partner, accounting for 700,000 benefit units. It is assumed that all of these persons will have the additional amount deducted in full from their income support.

  Notes:
  1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
  2. Benefit units may be a single person or a couple. Either the claimant, their partner, or both claimant and partner may be in receipt to the age addition.
  3. The data given assume that any person aged 80 or over receives the additional 25p per week, and that this amount is deducted from the person's income support in all cases.
  4. Data refer to persons entitled to the additional amount. No data are available regarding numbers actually receiving the age addition.
  5. Numbers include persons in residential care and nursing homes.

  Source:

  1. "Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry November 1995" (5 per cent. sample)

  2. "Retirement Pension Biannual Enquiry" correct at 30 September 1995.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy that the additional pension paid to those of 80 years and above be disregarded in full payment of income support. [4139]
  327
  Mr. Evans
  No, we have no plans to introduce a disregard of the 25p age addition in the calculation of income support. Income support has a three-tier structure to reflect the increasing costs of older income support claimants. The pensioner premium is awarded automatically when a claimant reaches age 60, this is replaced by the enhanced pensioner premium at age 75 and the higher pensioner premium at age 80.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the net cost of increasing the additional pension paid to those aged 80 years or above by the rate of inflation since the additional pension was introduced; what would be the net cost of increasing the additional pension by that figure (a) by inflation plus £5 per week and (b) by inflation plus £10 per week; and if he will make a statement. [4154]

  Mr. Heald
  The net cost of increasing the 25p age addition in retirement pension by the rate of inflation since 1971 would be £100 million in 1996–97. The age addition itself would be £1.65 per week.

  The net cost of increasing the age addition in 1996–97 by inflation since 1971 and an extra £5 a week would be £460 million.

  The net cost of increasing the age addition in 1996–97 by inflation since 1971 and an extra £10 a week would be £850 million.

  The Government are committed to focusing help on the most needy pensioners. We have increased the higher pensioner premium in the income support scheme, for the over-80s, by more than 40 per cent. since 1988. This premium is currently £25.15 for single pensioners and £35.95 for couples. Raising this premium is a better way of focusing help on pensioners with low incomes than increasing the 25p age addition for all pensioners, regardless of their individual needs.

  Sources:

  1. Estimates of the gross costs of contributory retirement pensions were provided by the Government actuary's department.

  2. Estimates of the gross costs of non-contributory retirement pensions were based on the 1996 departmental report.

  3. Estimates of net costs were calculated using the policy simulation model 1996–97, which is based upon data from the family expenditure surveys 1991, 1992 and 1993: uprated to 1996–97 prices, benefit rates and caseloads, consistent with the 1996 departmental report.

  Capital and Income Limits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish for each benefit and each capital or income limit which was not increased in April 1996 (a) the reasons for not doing so and (b) the current value of each such benefit or limit and the value which would have resulted from increasing it in line with prices and average earnings when he announces the April 1997 uprating since it was (i) last increased or (ii) introduced. [4082]

  Mr. Heald
  No. The announcement of benefit rates from April 1997 will be in a similar format to previous years.

  Unrest Abroad
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which countries have been notified to him by the Home Secretary since 12 October 1995 as having undergone a significant upheaval. [4084]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None. I understand that no countries have been designated by the Home Secretary as having been subject to a significant upheaval since the mechanism was first introduced in February 1996.

  Appeals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to his answer on 4 November,Official Report, column 387, when he approved the current appeal form for the purposes of regulation 3(1) of the Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1995 as amended with effect from 21 October; [4086]

  (2) what response he has made to the recommendation of the Council on Tribunals that, in the information supplied to people appealing to social security, disability and child support appeal tribunals, there should be an emphasis on the desirability of oral hearings; and what steps he has taken to implement that recommendation. [4083]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The appeal form currently available was approved on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in February 1996, a copy of which is in the Library. The revised form, to be distributed next week, was similarly approved on 27 September. A copy will be placed in the Library. The Council on Tribunals was assured that we would make appellants aware of the consequences of not opting for an oral hearing. The current form encourages attendance by saying that appellants who attend do better than those who do not, and the tribunal wants to hear what the appellant has to say. The revised form will retain this message and make it more prominent.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to obtain the views of tribunal members on the questions raised in the consultation paper, "Improving Decision Making and Appeals in Social Security", Cm. 3328. [4087]

  Mr. Evans
  The president of the independent tribunal service who is responsible for all Social Security tribunals, including tribunals considering child support, medical and disability questions, and their members, was formally consulted on the Government's proposals contained in the Green Paper, "Improving decision making and appeals in Social Security". The president in turn consulted his staff before responding to the Government's proposals and his response includes the views of tribunal members.

  The president also invited his staff to respond directly if they wished and a number of tribunal members have responded separately to the Government's consultation. A total of 100 copies of the Green Paper and the Green Paper summary were sent to the ITS for internal distribution. That included copies sent direct to regional chairmen and full-time chairmen. Additional copies were also made available.

  Child Support Regulations
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedures have been put in place for monitoring the effects of the Social Security (Adjudication) and Child Support Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1996. [4088]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Existing statistical information, which is collected on a regular basis, will be supplemented by additional research over the coming months in order to evaluate the effects of these regulations.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend the Income Support (General) Regulations to make income support payable to asylum seekers at the full rate. [4085]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No. Asylum seekers, entitled to benefit while their applications are considered, are paid at a reduced rate because of the temporary nature of their immigration status.

  Century Date Change (Computers)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department since his answer of 13 June,Official Report, column 261. [4101]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department has set up a central project to manage the effects of the year 2000 date change. Work is continuing and a full analysis of the problem and an initial estimate of costs is expected by the end of January 1997.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the future of local customer survey, undertaken by the Benefits Agency. [3351]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr David. Hinchliffe, dated 13 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will make a statement on the future of local customer surveys, undertaken by the Benefits Agency (BA).
  District Managers, who are the local budget holders, have the responsibility for deciding whether to fund local customer surveys from within their existing budgets.

  Families in receipt of Family Credit at that date

  BA Office

  28 May 1993

  15 April 1994

  13 April 1995

  12 April 1996

  10 October 1996

  Aldershot

  1,541

  2,080

  2,231

  2,089

  2,127

  Andover

  570

  589

  770

  974

  1,131

  Basingstoke

  726

  843

  946

  1,088

  1,181

  Fareham

  1,084

  1,282

  1,443

  1,847

  2,040

  New Forest

  692

  896

  1,024

  1,257

  1310

  Portsmouth North

  1,243

  1,524

  1,653

  2,047

  2253

  330
  Local surveys assist managers in establishing customers' needs, so that resources and service provision are properly targeted. The results of these surveys also assists in the longer term planning process. Surveys give valuable immediate feedback on caller and telephone business, including highlighting peaks and troughs of performance, enabling managers to take steps to improve performance where needed. A further use of local customer surveys is to obtain feedback about proposed changes to business delivery.
  Any BA Unit seeking to be successful in their application for a Chartermark award must conduct local customer surveys.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the future of review visits by the Benefits Agency. [3350]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 13 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will make a statement on the future of review visits by the Benefits Agency (BA).
  Review visits are carried out as part of the BA's Targeted Review programme, although reviews may also be carried out by post or telephone. 1.2 million cases in total are expected to be reviewed this year (1996/97), by all three methods. Levels of activity for next year (1997/98) have not yet been decided.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Local Offices (Hampshire)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of family credit in each Benefits Agency office in Hampshire in 1993 and in each subsequent year. [3353]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Denham, dated 13 November 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people were in receipt of Family Credit (FC) in each Benefits Agency (BA) office in Hampshire in 1993 and in each subsequent year.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Family Credit is administered centrally by the Family Credit Unit. As such, statistics are produced on a national basis. Statistics are available which provide the number of families in receipt of FC within a BA office area at a given date. However, this only serves as a "snap-shot" at that given date and does not provide details of the number of families in receipt of FC annually.
  The details for offices within the Hampshire area are shown in the attached Annex. For your information, the most recent scan has also been included.
  I hope you find this reply useful.
  331

  Families in receipt of Family Credit at that date

  BA Office

  28 May 1993

  15 April 1994

  13 April 1995

  12 April 1996

  10 October 1996

  Portsmouth South

  372

  439

  526

  686

  758

  Southampton

  1,803

  2,051

  2,292

  2,590

  2735

  Winchester

  655

  766

  840

  961

  1011

  Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Benefits Agency (Emergency Services)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency offices provide out-of-hours services; and what proposals he has for the future of this provision. [3262]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 13 November 1996
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many Benefits Agency (BA) offices provide out-of hours-services; and what proposals he has for the future of this provision.
  The Out of Hours Service (OOHS) is provided on an area basis rather than by individual BA offices and all 13 Area Directorates provide this service.
  We are currently undertaking a review of the OOHS. A consultation exercise to assess the impact of a reduction or withdrawal of the OOHS was conducted during August and early September. The results of the exercise are now being evaluated and all issues will he considered before a decision on the future of the service is made. It is anticipated that this decision will be made by the end of the year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Job Seeker's Allowance
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provisions exist within the job seeker's allowance to aid job seekers hampered by the absence of suitable public transport to areas of potential employment. [4054]

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. J. L. Grover to Miss Emma Nicholson, dated 14 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about what provisions exist within Jobseeker's Allowance to aid jobseekers hampered by the absence of public transport to areas of potential employment.
  Travel to work arrangements and costs are a matter for individuals and their employer. There is no provision under Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) to cover such costs.
  However, we have been running the Travel to Interview Scheme for a number of years to help unemployed people cope with the expense of getting to job interviews. The scheme does this by helping people who have been unemployed more than 13 weeks with travelling costs, and if necessary, overnight accommodation costs to attend job interviews outside their usual travel to work area. A few simple conditions must be met before assistance can be
  332
  granted, to ensure the scheme is properly and fairly administered and gives good value for money. In the last year the scheme has helped nearly 47,000 applicants with travelling costs totalling £1.7m.
  I hope this is helpful.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract (a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3812]

  Mr. Willetts
  The information requested is not available before 1990. Since 1990, the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), its agencies and associated bodies have had two contracts with EDS. The first contract was worth £2,744 and (a) is completed, (b) no
  modifications were made, and (c) no work was undertaken under contract in-house. The second has no guaranteed value and (a) is on-going, (b) no modifications to date have been made at the request of either the company or the Department, and (c) no work is undertaken under contract in-house. Neither contract has resulted in job reductions in the Department.

  Government Policy Co-ordination
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of his departmental costs is attributable to the co-ordination of Government policy. [1309]

  Mr. Willetts
  The co-ordination of Government policy is a ministerial activity. No costs are incurred in specifically supporting my right hon. Friend in this area.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate Her Majesty's Government have made of the cost of implementation of the working time directive for central Government employees; and what is his most recent calculation of the cost of implementing the rules governing the 48-hour working week for central Government employees. [4089]

  Mr. Freeman
  The cost of implementing the provisions of the EU working time directive for central Government as a whole has not been calculated. In the main, civil servants have terms and conditions of employment, and work hours, which do not conflict with the provisions of the directive. It is for individual Departments and agencies to assess the effects in their own areas.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what are the latest estimates of the expenditure on external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1992, in 1996 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in. [4066]

  Mr. Willetts
  This answer refers to expenditure by the Cabinet Office, including No.10, the Office of Public Service and its agencies, the Civil Service College, Chessington Computer Centre (CCC), Recruitment and Assessment Service (RAS) and the Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OHSA), and my other Departments, Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) and the Central Office of Information.

  HMSO, and three of the Department's agencies, CCC, RAS and OHSA, have been privatised during the present financial year, the answer covers their expenditure up to the date of privatisation.

  Cabinet Office/OPS and agencies

  HMSO

  COI

  1992–93

  6,755,403

  451,463

  150,174

  1993–94

  6,327,812

  1,130,994

  71,100

  1994–95

  6,250,950

  1,833,396

  169,862

  1995–96

  4,077,649

  845,608

  149,872

  1996–971

  5,368,723

  359,500

  47,115

  1 Current financial year to 30 September 1996. Includes privatised agencies up to date of privatisation.

  Consultants are not primarily used to achieve cost savings. The Department uses consultants to assist in the improvement of its operational efficiency and effectiveness, for example by better use of information technology, and to improve the delivery of Government programmes by drawing on expertise from the private sector. The benefits achieved are difficult to express in terms of cost savings. It is estimated that savings of £3 million to £4 million will be achieved following implementation of consultants' recommendations in the forthcoming year.

HEALTH

  Prescribed Drugs (Adverse Reactions)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated since 1990 into the relationship between the numbers of elderly people admitted to hospital and the use of prescribed drugs; and if he will make a statement. [2891]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly (a) men and (b) women have been admitted to hospital in the United Kingdom as a consequence of an adverse reaction to (i) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (ii) phenothiazines, (iii) diuretics, (iv) analgesics, (v) night sedation, (vi) digoxin, (vii) laxatives, (viii) corticosteroids, (ix) beta blockers and (x) aminophylline in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [2892]
  334
  Mr. Horam
  Figures on admissions relating to specific groups of drugs are not available centrally. The information that is available, which has been derived from the hospital episode statistics, has been placed in the Library.

  Questions about hospital admissions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of, and how many, elderly people have been admitted to hospital in the United Kingdom for (i) postural hypertension, (ii) renal failure, (iii) dehydration and (iv) electrolyte imbalance as a direct result of taking prescribed diuretics in each of the last five years broken down by (a) gender and (b) age bands of 10 years, starting at 60 years; and if he will make a statement. [2880]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not possible to identify data relating specifically to prescribed drugs. The information available on admission in these categories where there is also a mention of diuretics has been placed in the Library.

  Questions about hospital admissions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of, and how many, people have been admitted to hospital in the United Kingdom for (i) acute gastrointestinal bleed and (ii) anaemia through chronic GI bleed as a direct result of taking aspirin in each of the last five years broken down by (a) gender and (b) age bands of 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2881]

  Mr. Horam
  The information available, which is derived from the hospital episode statistics, has been placed in the Library.

  Questions about hospital admissions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treating people admitted to hospital due to an adverse reaction to prescribed drugs in each of the last five years broken down by age bands of 10 years. [2887]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of, and how many, people admitted to hospital in the United Kingdom, have been suffering adverse reactions to a prescribed drug in each of the last five years and in age bands of 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2903]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not possible to identify information relating specifically to prescribed drugs. The information that is available, which is derived from the hospital episode statistics, has been placed in the Library.
  335
  Questions about hospital admissions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Tay-Sachs Disease
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has to make progress towards a treatment for Tay-Sachs disease. [3060]

  Mr. Horam
  A major part of the biomedical research in this country and abroad is directed towards a better understanding of metabolic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Unfortunately, no treatment for Tay-Sachs has been discovered as yet.

  Health Variations
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action, supported with what new resources, he has taken to implement the recommendations of the variations sub-group of the chief medical officer's "The Health of the Nation" working group report on variations in health published on 23 October 1995. [3533]

  Mr. Horam
  Priorities and planning guidance issued to the national health service since the publication of the variations report asks health authorities to address variations in health, directly and through collaborating with others. The NHS executive has developed a framework to monitor health authorities' progress on improving their populations' health, as part of its general performance management. The Department has also commissioned a consultation exercise to inform the content of a £2.4 million research initiative on health variations, which will be launched shortly.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been commissioned by his Department to assess the relationship between poverty and ill health since 1979; and which of these studies have been published. [3532]

  Mr. Horam
  In October 1995, the Department of Health published a report on variations in health which reviews the available evidence on socio—economic and other variations in the five areas covered by the Government's health of the nation strategy. We are shortly to launch a £2.4 million research strategy on variations in health, including variations relating to socio-economic status.

  Liver Cancer
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department collates in respect of the proportion of primary liver cancers caused by hepatitis B; and if he will make a statement. [3418]

  Mr. Horam
  There are no reliable national data on the proportion of primary liver cancers that are associated with chronic hepatitis B infection in the United Kingdom. Data collected on primary liver cancer are not broken down by specific cause.

  Nutritional Standards
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues regarding nutritional standards of food for school-age children; and if he will make a statement. [3421]

  Mr. Horam
  A sub-group of the nutrition task force is currently working on voluntary guidance for school providers. The guidance is due for publication early in 1997 and has been the result of a joint initiative between this department, the Department for Education and Employment, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and a project team comprising key individuals with an interest in the area.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to local councils and health authorities to co-ordinate their services to care for mentally ill patients in the community; and if he will make a statement; [3588]

  (2) if he will list the principal guidance notes issued by his Department relating to the provision of care in the community. [3764]

  Mr. Burns
  Since 1990, the Department has issued the following guidance relating to the provision of care in the community for mentally ill people:"Caring for People, The Care Programme Approach for people with a mental illness referred to the specialist psychiatric services" (HC(90)23/LASSL(90 )11);
  "The Health of the Nation Mental Illness Key Area Handbook" (1993);
  "Introduction of supervision registers for mentally ill people from 1 April 1994" (HSG(94)5);
  "Guidance on the discharge of mentally disordered people and their continuing care in the community" (HSG(94)27);
  "Guidance on supervised discharge (after-care under supervision) and related provision" (HSG(96)I 1);
  "Building Bridges" (1995);
  "The Spectrum of Care" (1996);
  "24 Hour Nursed Care for People with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness" (1996).

  Copies of these are available in the Library.

  Most of these documents include guidance on the co-ordination of services for people with mental illness. "Building Bridges" contains specific advice on inter-agency working for the care and protection of severely mentally ill people. A consultation document on mental health services will shortly be issued and further guidance may be issued in the light of responses.

  Health Service Ombudsman
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in each of the last five years the health service ombudsman has found against a health authority or trust. [3935]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Statistics on complaints investigated by the health service commissioner are included in his annual reports, copies of which are placed in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of capital expenditure undertaken by national health service trusts in each financial year since 1990–91. [3824]

  Mr. Horam
  The total national health service capital expenditure in England for 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 is set out in the table.

  A figure for 1990–91 cannot be given as NHS trusts were not established until the following financial year.

  The audited figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.

  The definition of capital has changed during this period; therefore comparisons between years cannot readily be made. For 1993–94, the threshold value for the definition of capital expenditure was increased from £1,000 to £5,000. As a result of this change, in 1993–94, over £100 million was transferred from capital to revenue to take account of the increase to the capital threshold.

  Financial year

  NHS trust capital expenditure £000

  1991–92

  223,515

  1992–93

  625,090

  1993–94

  1,098,769

  1994–95

  1,631,122

  Plymouth and Torbay Community Health Councils
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a statement about the merger of the Plymouth and Torbay community health councils. [3948]

  Mr. Horam
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met a delegation of representatives from Plymouth and District community health council on 23 October. A separate meeting with representatives of Torbay community health council is scheduled for 18 November, following which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be in a position to respond to the representations which have been put to him.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is collected centrally on the long-term revenue commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative deals agreed by (a) his Department and (b) NHS trusts. [4000]

  Mr. Horam
  There are no private finance initiative deals yet entered into by the Department of Health itself. Information is not collected centrally on all commitments entered into by NHS trusts arising from private finance initiative projects.

  Pension Schemes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests for information the NHS superannuation scheme has received from pension providers undertaking reviews of pension transfers and opt-outs; in how many cases all appropriate information has 338
  been supplied; what is the average length of time taken to supply such information; and what moratorium has been introduced on supplying such information. [3347]

  Mr. Horam
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the NHS Pensions Agency under its chief executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mr. John Denham, dated 14 November 1996:
  I am replying to the questions you have raised about requests from pension providers who are undertaking reviews of pension transfers and opt outs involving NHS employees.
  This Agency has received 14,300 requests for information concerning NHS employees. We have received an additional 1,200 where there is no dispute about restitution of service. We have returned 575 questionnaires and provided 200 reinstatement costs calculations; 89 cases proceeded to actual reinstatement.
  Because the Agency depends on NHS employers for up to date payroll data it can take between 3 to 8 weeks to complete questionnaires.
  There is no formal moratorium in supplying information to pension providers. Cases are being dealt with on an ad hoc basis but in common with other public service schemes we have had to take special powers to resource the work. The legislation was made on 14 October 1996. We expect to commence systematic clearance of questionnaires in the next few weeks.
  If you require any further information, please let me know.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what reduction in public expenditure she estimates will ensue from the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance in the first full year of operation. [3286]

  Mr. Forth
  It is estimated that, in a full year, the introduction of JSA will produce direct benefit savings of £240 million. No estimates have been made of savings which might accrue from behavioural changes as a result of JSA.

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the costs incurred by her Department in publicising the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance in each region. [3927]

  Mr. Forth
  The costs incurred up to 31 October 1996 were £500,205, and related mainly to national publicity for jobseekers and external groups. This figure includes costs incurred by the Department, the Department for Social Security, the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency.

  Class Sizes
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes in (a) primary and (b) secondary education there are with over 30 pupils; what were the figures in 1979; and what has been the percentage change. [3883]
  339
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Number of classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools

  England

  Position in January in each year (1979 and 1996)

  1979

  1996

  Percentage change

  Primary

  44,899

  38,338

  -14·6

  Secondary1

  17,255

  7,351

  -57·4

  1 Excludes pupils in sixth form colleges which ceased to be classified as schools in April 1993.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her estimate of the cost of reducing to a maximum of 30 maintained infant and primary school classes for pupils aged between five and 11 years. [3881]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department's statisticians estimate that it would have cost between £310 million and £570 million to reduce to a maximum of 30 pupils all single-teacher nursery and primary classes in January 1996. The exact cost would depend on the extent to which children in larger classes could be accommodated in existing smaller classes or grouped together in new classes. The estimated costs are for extra teachers only, and make no allowance for further costs such as extra accommodation.

  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the (a) pupil—teacher ratio in each year and (b) the expenditure per pupil in each year since 1980. [3882]

  Mr. Squire
  The available information is shown in the following table:

  Pupil: teacher ratio and expenditure per pupil for maintained nursery, primary and secondary1 schools

  England

  1979–1980 to 1995–1996

  Financial year

  Overall pupil: teacher ratio2

  Expenditure 3,4 per pupil(£)

  1979–1980

  18·7

  513

  1980–1981

  18·6

  651

  1981–1982

  18·5

  740

  1982–1983

  18·1

  811

  1983–1984

  17·9

  872

  1984–1985

  17·8

  924

  1985–1986

  17·6

  991

  1986–1987

  17·3

  1,110

  1987–1988

  17·0

  1,238

  1988–1989

  17·0

  1,361

  1989–1990

  17·0

  1,487

  1990–1991

  17·2

  1,623

  1991–1992

  17·2

  1,749

  1992–1993

  17·7

  1,857

  1993–1994

  18·1

  1,866

  1994–1995

  18·3

  1,890

  1995–1996

  18·5

  n/a

  1 Excludes sixth form colleges from 1993–1994.

  2 Position in January.

  3 Net institutional expenditure in cash terms.

  4 Includes LEA maintained schools only.

  n/a = not available.

  Truancy
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of truancy rates at grant-maintained schools relative to those at other schools. [3888]

  Mr. Forth
  Rates of unauthorised absence at different categories of schools in the 1994–95 school year are set out in the following table. As in previous years, rates of unauthorised absence were significantly lower at grant-maintained schools. Data for the 1995–96 school year will be published shortly.

  Unauthorised absence by type of school in England in the 1994–95 school year

  Type of school

  Percentage of half days missed

  Average number of half days missed per absent pupil

  Maintained primary schools1

  County and voluntary controlled

  0·5

  11

  Voluntary aided and special agreement

  0·4

  10

  Grant-maintained

  0·3

  8

  Average for maintained primary schools

  0·5

  10

  Maintained secondary schools2

  County and voluntary controlled

  1·2

  22

  Voluntary aided and special agreement

  0·8

  21

  Grant-maintained

  0·5

  17

  Average for maintained secondary schools

  1·0

  22

  Special Schools

  2·5

  27

  CTCs

  0·2

  8

  Independent schools

  0·1

  8

  England average

  0·7

  15

  Notes:

  1Includes middle deemed primary schools

  2Includes middle deemed secondary schools

  Source:
  DfEE National Pupil Absence Tables 1995.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library a copy of the material prepared by the consultants Ernst and Young for the Employment Service, prior to the recent announcement about reductions in activity at the service headquarters. [3918]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  341
  Letter from Derek Grover to Mr. David Blunkett, dated 14 November 1996:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question on whether a copy of the Ernst and Young material associated with the Review of the Employment Service Headquarters will be placed in the Library of the House.
  You may find it helpful to have some background on the work. The Chief Executive commissioned the consultants Ernst and Young to help the Employment Service (ES) Board think through issues concerning the future role of our Headquarters (Head Office and nine Regional Offices) and to develop an overview of the type of Headquarters the Agency would need. We accomplished this through a series of workshops of ES Board members and senior managers, facilitated by the consultants, who provided advice and fact-finding based on their work in organisations elsewhere. Our aim is to now draw on that work to inform more detailed change projects over the next three years.
  The consultants did not submit a formal report to the Board. However, I set out the key strands of our thinking and proposals for further work below.
  ES's field operations have previously been subject to rigorous examination of need, effectiveness and cost. The Agency has become smaller as unemployment has fallen and it is now appropriate to apply a similar approach to our HQ functions;
  our examination concluded that the ES could be managed better and more cost effectively by eliminating duplication of functions between Head and Regional Offices which lead to reworking and loss of economies of scale; improving our Headquarter business processes; and contracting out some support functions;
  this had led us to develop a blueprint for ES Headquarters of a small directing and enabling head office and a regional management tier focusing on the delivery of services to our clients;
  to realise this, the Chief Executive has commissioned more detailed work to reduce Headquarters activities in areas not directly related to delivery of services to our clients; rebrigade (possibly to single sites) a number of support functions, and actively explore the scope for contracting out a number of support functions.
  I hope this is helpful in giving more information on what we are seeking to achieve.

  School Funding
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to preserve the per capita funding required by schools in sparsely populated areas to deliver an equivalent standard of services to that provided by urban schools. [4055]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be making a statement on the Government's plans for the distribution of funding between local authorities in 1997–98, shortly after the budget. Local authorities will continue to be responsible for distributing funds between schools in their areas.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the latest estimates of the expenditure on external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1992, in 1996 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in. [4063]
  342
  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to him on 17 October 1996,Official Report, column 1130.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many different national vocational qualifications are currently available; and of these which have (a) never been awarded and (b) been awarded to only one person. [3593]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 11 November 1996]: I am informed by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications that 843 national vocational qualifications were accredited by them at 30 June 1996. A total of 351 of these had not, at that date, attracted full awards and 39 had attracted one award. Individual NVQs are subject to accreditation at regular intervals, and, given the time it takes after accreditation for awards to become available to centres, and individuals to train towards them, at any one time a considerable proportion of individual NVQs will have attracted few awards. Of those awards available at March 1996 and which were accredited before April 1993, 38 had attracted no awards.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Abortion Legislation
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received about applying the abortion legislation which applies in the rest of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland. [2524]

  Mr. Moss
  In the six months from May to October of this year, there have been 29 representations from the public and one hon. Member opposing the application to Northern Ireland of the abortion legislation which applies in the rest of the United Kingdom. No representations supporting the application were received.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the employment situation within the construction industry in Northern Ireland. [2525]

  Mr. Moss
  At June 1996, there were 22,430 employees in employment in construction in Northern Ireland, which is some 3.9 per cent. of total employees. This is a decrease of 230 employees (-1 per cent.) over the quarter and 930 (-4 per cent.) over the year. The most up-to-date information on the number of self-employed workers in the industry is from the 1991 census of population, at which time the figure stood at 13,970. The number of unemployed claimants indicating the construction industry as their usual source of employment was 14,310 as at September 1996.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about inward investment in Northern Ireland. [2527]
  343
  Mr. Ancram
  The year ended 31 March 1996 was the best ever year for inward investment in Northern Ireland, with 35 projects secured, offering 4,869 new jobs and representing total investment of £432 million—a 55 per cent. increase in jobs promoted on the previous year. This confirms the increasing interest shown in Northern Ireland as an investment location.

  Schools Investment, Strangford
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what major capital investments in schools in the constituency of Strangford are scheduled for the next financial year. [2528]

  Mr. Ancram
  The school building programme for the next financial year has yet to be determined.

  Tourism
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest trends in the number of tourists visiting Northern Ireland. [2529]

  Mr. Ancram
  Estimates by the Northern Ireland tourist board suggest that some 1,385,000 visitors will come to Northern Ireland during 1996, contributing some £202 million in tourism revenue. Of these, around 345,000, or 25 per cent. will be holiday visitors. These figures represent falls of 11 per cent., 6 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively over the record levels of 1995, but all remain above 1994 pre-ceasefire levels.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the number of next steps agencies in Northern Ireland. [2530]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are currently 24 next steps agencies in Northern Ireland. Prior options studies are taking place in relation to a further nine executive activities which are potential agency candidates. The decision as to whether these activities should be conducted by agencies will depend on the conclusions of the prior options analyses.

  Heterosexual Age of Consent
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the Government's policy regarding the reduction of Northern Ireland's heterosexual age of consent to the age of consent applying in mainland Britain. [2531]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The age of consent for women in Northern Ireland is 17 years—one year older than in Great Britain. The age of consent was 16 years until 1950 when, following the recommendation of an independent report, the Government of Northern Ireland raised it to 17 years.

  I am aware of no significant body of opinion in Northern Ireland arguing for the reduction of the age of consent to 16 years.

  Issues such as the age of consent are essentially matters of conscience and are best dealt with on the initiative of private Members.

  Irish Republican Army
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made towards securing a declaration of a permanent cessation of violence by the Irish Republican Army. [2532]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  It is not for the Government to petition the IRA for a cessation of violence. Such violence is repugnant and wholly without justification. A democratic process of dialogue designed to reach agreement on a broadly acceptable way forward for Northern Ireland is in place and is on offer to Sinn Fein. It knows what needs to happen for it to be able to take part.

  Religious Education
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to reform religious education in Northern Ireland schools; and if he will make a statement. [2533]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have no plans to reform religious education in Northern Ireland schools.

  Employment and Training
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to meet trade union and business leaders in order to discuss employment and training issues. [2534]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for this subject has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 12 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about proposals to meet trade union and business leaders in order to discuss with them employment and training issues.
  You will be interested to know that I meet regularly with both trade union and business leaders to discuss a wide range of employment and training issues. I have had recent meetings with representatives of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In September, I hosted a dinner in Londonderry in honour of Mr. John Monks, General Secretary, TUC and which was attended by senior trade union and business leaders. The Agency also has a very close working relationship with the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge through its Education, Training and Employment Sub-committee. Two members of the Agency's Board are trade union representatives.
  In Northern Ireland, employers' training interests are represented by 16 industry led Sector Training Councils with which we also work closely. Incidentally, the Agency is currently working in partnership with the Engineering Training Council to support the "Year of Engineering Success" in 1997.
  The Agency will continue to meet regularly with trade union and business leaders.

  Peace Process
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest position on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [2535]
  345
  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Members for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick), for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) and for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) earlier today.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [2536]

  Sir John Wheeler
  As the new Chief Constable said recently, the Provisional IRA has shown that it is prepared to prolong the misery and suffering, but the security forces will do all in their power to deter terrorist attacks. Following the bomb in Thiepval barracks, the security forces immediately re-introduced such security measures as were considered appropriate. In particular, there has been an increase in Army patrolling and snap vehicle checkpoints are being set up in many areas around Northern Ireland. In addition, some town barriers are closed at night and vigilance has been heightened.

  Water and Sewerage Charges
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on the levels of water and sewerage charges to customers in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [2537]

  Mr. Moss
  Since 1 April 1996, representations have been received from 15 sources. They are a district councillor, 11 district councils, the Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Farmers Union and a public sector company. In responding to all representations made, the Department explained that, in line with Government policy, it was committed to moving progressively towards charges fully reflecting supply costs.

  Primary Health Care
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage research and development in primary health care in Northern Ireland. [2538]

  Mr. Moss
  I refer the lion. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 31 October,Official Report, column 258.

  Irish Language
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new proposals he has to improve the teaching of the Irish language in Northern Ireland educational institutions. [2518]

  Mr. Ancram
  As part of our continuing support for Irish-medium schools, I have asked the education and library boards to co-operate in establishing a new unit to

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  NSAIDs1

  0

  1

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  4

  NSAIDS

  Phenothiazines

  1

  2

  1

  6

  3

  1

  4

  2

  5

  3

  Phenothiazines

  Diuretics

  5

  6

  7

  4

  6

  21

  8

  23

  9

  20

  Diuretics

  346
  prepare teaching materials for use in Irish-medium schools and to provide a central source of Irish-medium expertise to support schools on a Province-wide basis.

  Mr. Colin Duffey
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Royal Ulster Constabary following the quashing of Mr. Colin Duffey's conviction; and if he will make a statement. [2519]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no reason to discuss the case with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, nor is it customary for the Government to make statements about the outcome of criminal cases.

  Animal Blood
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Departments of Health and Social Security and Agriculture have approved the spreading of animal blood on fields; and if he will make a statement. [2445]

  Mr. Ancram
  The practice of spreading blood on land as a fertiliser is an acceptable method of disposal.

  The feeding of animal protein to ruminants is prohibited under the Specified Bovine Material (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996. Spreading of blood on land while livestock are grazing it, or moving livestock unto such land shortly after spreading, would be in contravention of the order as the livestock could ingest animal protein.

  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which is the independent committee of experts that advises the Government on matters relating to BSE, has confirmed that disposal of blood on land, other than by burial, is acceptable.

  Prescribed Drugs (Adverse Effects)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many elderly(a) men and (b) women have been admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland as a consequence of an adverse reaction to (i) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (ii) phenothiazines, (iii) diuretics, (iv) analgesics, (v) night sedation, (vi) digoxin, (viii) laxatives, (viii) corticosteroids, (ix) beta blockers and (x) aminophylline in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [2906]

  Mr. Moss
  The table gives the number of patients aged 65 years or over who were recorded as admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years with a recorded adverse reaction in terms of the categories requested.

  When interpreting these figures, it should be noted that they are likely to understate the incidence of adverse reaction because this is not always recorded, particularly in earlier years, in the level of detail required by the question.
  347

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Analgesics

  2

  5

  3

  3

  2

  8

  8

  14

  9

  18

  Analgesics

  Night Sedation2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Night Sedation

  Digoxin

  1

  8

  5

  14

  7

  7

  9

  20

  7

  25

  Diogoxin

  Laxatives3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Laxatives

  Corticosteriods

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  2

  2

  7

  4

  7

  Corticosteriods

  Beta Blockers

  3

  2

  3

  3

  3

  12

  9

  14

  22

  27

  Beta Blockers

  Aminophyline

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Aminophyline

  Source: Hospital Inpatients System (Figures for 1995–96 provisional)

  Owing to non-specific information requested, 1,2,3 have had to be interpreted as follows:

  1NSAIDs: Figures given refer to recorded adverse reaction to anti-inflamatory drugs (ICD9 E946.0).

  2Night Sedation: Figures given refer to recorded adverse reaction to sleeping pillos (ICD9 E937.9).

  3Laxatives: Figures given refer to recorded adverse reaction to mineral oil laxative (ICD9 E943.2).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of, and how many, people admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland have been suffering from adverse reactions to a prescribed drug in each of the last five years and in age bands of 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2908]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  When interpreting these figures, it should be noted that they are likely to understate the incidence of adverse reaction because this is not always recorded, particularly in earlier years, in the level of detail required by the question.

  Age group

  Total discharges and deaths

  D and Ds from adverse reaction to drugs

  Percentage

  1991–92

  0 to 9

  41,113

  13

  0·03

  10 to 19

  23,233

  9

  0·04

  20 to 29

  47,852

  12

  0·03

  30 to 39

  38,509

  16

  0·04

  40 to 49

  31,359

  22

  0·07

  50 to 59

  31,531

  24

  0·08

  60 to 69

  39,127

  41

  0·10

  70 to 79

  37,164

  41

  0·11

  80 to 89

  19,459

  19

  0·10

  90+

  2,689

  4

  0·15

  Total

  312,036

  201

  0·06

  1992–93

  0 to 9

  45,218

  21

  0·05

  10 to 19

  23,067

  9

  0·04

  20 to 29

  48,532

  22

  0·05

  30 to 39

  40,188

  16

  0·04

  40 to 49

  31,342

  36

  0·11

  50 to 59

  33,626

  41

  0·12

  60 to 69

  41,710

  55

  0·13

  70 to 79

  38,954

  78

  0·20

  80 to 89

  20,126

  42

  0·21

  90+

  2,775

  6

  0·22

  Total

  325,538

  326

  0·10

  1993–94

  0 to 9

  48,444

  123

  0·05

  10 to 19

  23,536

  16

  0·07

  20 to 29

  46,154

  39

  0·08

  30 to 39

  42,987

  34

  0·08

  40 to 49

  33,208

  42

  0·13

  50 to 59

  36,844

  61

  0.13

  60 to 69

  45,215

  78

  0.17

  70 to 79

  43,943

  93

  0.21

  348

  Age group

  Total discharges and deaths

  D and Ds from adverse reaction to drugs

  Percentage

  80 to 89

  22,480

  53

  0.24

  90+

  3,082

  9

  0.29

  Total

  345,893

  448

  0.13

  1994–95

  0 to 9

  55,841

  18

  0.03

  10 to 19

  25,696

  20

  0.08

  20 to 29

  52,870

  39

  0.07

  30 to 39

  51,756

  47

  0.09

  40 to 49

  37,831

  47

  0·12

  50 to 59

  41,445

  58

  0·14

  60 to 69

  49,006

  98

  0·20

  70 to 79

  48,664

  135

  0·28

  80 to 89

  24,985

  80

  0·32

  90+

  3,398

  14

  0·41

  Total

  391,492

  556

  0·14

  1995–96

  0 to 09

  62,837

  21

  0·03

  10 to 19

  26,388

  40

  0·15

  20 to 29

  51,738

  57

  0·11

  30 to 39

  54,393

  72

  0·13

  40 to 59

  39,791

  64

  0·16

  50 to 59

  42,724

  118

  0·28

  60 to 69

  50,719

  150

  0·30

  70 to 79

  51,460

  166

  0·32

  80 to 89

  26,496

  120

  0·45

  90+

  3,797

  20

  0·53

  Total

  410,343

  828

  0·20

  Preparations
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the average(a) number of types and (b) quantity of preparations taken by people in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years broken down by (i) gender and (ii) age bands of 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2886]

  Mr. Moss
  No estimate has been made.

  Education and Library Boards
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to ensure that each compulsory competitive tendering contract involving the education and library boards in Northern Ireland adheres to policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines. [2759]
  349
  Mr. Ancram
  The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 precludes education and library boards from taking account of non-commercial matters in conducting any contracting activities.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost of the planning and preparation work he has proposed to be undertaken before 1 April 1998 for the introduction of his proposals to change the education and library boards. [3598]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 7 November 1996, Official Report, column 674.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resettlement grants staff affected by his proposals for changing education and library boards and the regionalisation of board services will be eligible for; and what estimate he has made of the costs of such grants. [3599]

  Mr. Ancram
  Under their terms and conditions of service, education and library board staff may be eligible for excess travel or removal expenses. It is not possible to estimate the cost involved in advance of detailed planning for the new structures and the identification of those individuals both affected by the reorganisation and eligible for such expenses.

  Ex-offenders (Rehabilitation)
  Ms Mowlem
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the rehabilitation programmes available in Northern Ireland for ex-offenders and the numbers of people who participated in them in each of the last five years. [2789]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Information is not available in the form requested. However, in addition to pre-release programmes within the prisons and a full range of public services which are open to all citizens, there is available within the community a wide spectrum of programmes specifically for ex-offenders and persons at risk of offending. These are operated either directly by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland or by voluntary and community bodies to which, in 1995–96, it paid grants totalling over £2 million. The board itself, as part of its on-going activities, runs programmes for its clients on a range of themes including cognitive skills, alcohol management, sexual abuse, domestic violence and other forms of violent behaviour.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision of the Royal Group of Hospitals announced on 30 October in relation to surgical operations on the waiting lists for various procedures for the Down Health and Social Services Lisburn trust area. [2760]

  Mr. Moss
  As a result of the budget savings which were required this year to meet priority developments, fewer elective surgical operations will take place and waiting lists and times will therefore increase to some extent. However, this must be judged in the context of the enormous inroads which have been made into waiting lists 350
  and waiting times since 1992. For example, in that year, about 3,000 patients were waiting two years or more for admission. In March this year, virtually nobody was waiting more than two years, while 800 were waiting more than 18 months. The number of patients treated has risen continually over the same period from a total of 330,000 ordinary admissions and day cases in 1991–l92 to approximately 400,000 approximately in 1995–96.

  School Leavers
  Ms Mowlem
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of school leavers in Northern Ireland, who went into higher education, went to establishments in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Great Britain, (c) the Republic of Ireland and (d) elsewhere in each of the last five years. [2788]

  Mr. Ancram
  The percentage of school leavers in Northern Ireland who went to higher education in each of the last five years to establishments in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and elsewhere is as follows:

  Northern Ireland

  Great Britain

  Elsewhere

  1990–91

  62·5

  34·3

  3·2

  1991–92

  59·0

  36·8

  4·2

  1992–93

  59·4

  36·1

  4·6

  1993–94

  57·4

  35·5

  7·0

  1994–95

  61·0

  34·0

  5·0

  1Information on school leavers who went into higher education in the Republic of Ireland is not collected separately.

  Drug Seizures
  Ms Mowlem
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the seizures of drugs by(a) type and (b) quantity in Northern Ireland (i) at ports, (ii) at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and (iii) elsewhere in each of the last five years. [2790]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Details of drug seizures are held as a total, by type of drug, for each year; these figures are set out below. It is not possible to specify where seizures were made.

  Drugs seized in Northern Ireland 1991–95

  Drugs seized

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Cannabis

  Resin (kgs)

  37·5

  15·75

  44·5

  81·9

  160·7

  Herbal (kgs)

  1·5

  —

  —

  7·1

  0·104

  Plants

  19

  —

  419

  66

  634

  Oil (gms)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  130

  Cocaine

  (gms)

  88

  77

  19

  1,092

  322

  Wraps

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Opiates (inc· Heroin)

  (gms)

  —

  20

  363

  34

  8

  Tablets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Twists

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Doses

  250

  57

  —

  —

  —

  LSD

  Trips

  800

  9,201

  8,022

  15,392

  8,761

  Microdots

  —

  —

  —

  92

  —

  Fake

  —

  —

  —

  900

  —

  351

  Drugs seized in Northern Ireland 1991–95

  Drugs seized

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  MDMA (Ecstasy)

  Tablets

  2,711

  4,408

  2,923

  23,853

  136,860

  Capsules

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Powder (gms)

  —

  —

  —

  168

  —

  Amphetamines Powder (gms)

  625

  5,732

  —

  7,700

  6,138

  Tablets

  25

  —

  —

  242

  816

  Wraps

  —

  —

  —

  2,858

  782

  Doses

  —

  —

  1,728

  —

  —

  Speedballs

  —

  —

  —

  200

  —

  Planning Guidelines
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evaluation his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to absorb a new(a) low impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of this policy. [3366]

  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. Martyn Jones, dated 13 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your question about an evaluation of the capacity of the planning system to absorb (a) low impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment has been made of the advantages of this policy.
  The Planning Service has made no such evaluation or assessment. We will, however, monitor the outcome of any evaluation undertaken in the rest of the United Kingdom, and assess what relevance, if any, it may have for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review (a) PPG7 and (b) other planning guidance on agricultural and other dwellings in the countryside in order to give greater weight to environmental and social sustainability; and if he will make a statement. [3380]

  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. Martyn Jones, dated 13 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about a review of PPG 7 and other planning guidance on agricultural and other dwellings in the countryside in order to give greater weight to environmental and social sustainability.
  PPG 7 does not extend to Northern Ireland. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland's planning policy for rural areas is set out in the publication "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", published in September 1993, which seeks to give effect to environmental and social sustainability principles, at the same time meeting the needs of a strong dispersed rural community. Copies of this publication are available in the Library. The Planning Service intends commencing a formal review of the Strategy in the year 2000, and in carrying out the review, will take into account guidance available elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
  352
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has(a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [3376]

  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. Martyn Jones, dated 13 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about research into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system.
  The Planning Service has neither (a) planned, (b) commissioned nor (c)evaluated any such research. We will, however, monitor the outcome of any research undertaken in the rest of the United, Kingdom, and assess what relevance, if any, it may have for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has(a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [3267]

  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. Martyn Jones, dated 13 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about research into the advantages of establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low impact developments, with particular regard for rural areas.
  You will be interested to know that the Agency's corporate aim is "to plan and manage development in ways which will contribute to a quality environment and seek to meet the economic and social aspirations of the present and future generations". Sustainability is, therefore, a crucial factor in the determination of planning applications. In addition, in May 1994, the Agency issued detailed illustrated guidance on rural design, in the form of a publication entitled "A Design Guide for Rural Northern Ireland". Copies of this publication are available in the Library.
  The Planning Service has neither (a) planned, (b) commissioned nor (c) evaluated any such research. We will, however, monitor the outcome of any research undertaken in the rest of the United Kingdom, and assess what relevance, if any, it may have for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of giving additional weight to environmental impact in determining planning restrictions on agricultural buildings. [3362]

  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. Martyn Jones, dated 13 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about what assessment has been made of the advantages of giving additional weight to environmental impact in determining restrictions on agricultural holdings.

  353
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland's planning policy for rural areas is set out in the publication "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", published in September 1993, which seeks to give effect to environmental impact in determining restrictions on agricultural holdings, at the same time meeting the needs of a strong rural community. Copies of this publication are available in the Library. The Planning Service intends commencing a formal review of the Strategy in the year 2000, and in carrying out the review, will take into account guidance available elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
  The Planning Service has not made any such assessment. We will. however, monitor the outcome of any assessment undertaken in the rest of the United Kingdom, and assess what relevance, if any, it may have for Northern Ireland.

  School Pupils, Strangford
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils there are at each(a) primary and (b) secondary school, including grammar, schools, in the constituency of Strangford; and what were the equivalent figures for each school three years ago. [3183]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  School name

  1995–96

  1992–93

  (a) Strangford—Primary

  Abbey PS

  590

  485

  Alexander Dickson PS

  215

  202

  Andrews Memorial PS

  522

  496

  Ballykeigle PS

  59

  56

  Ballyvester PS

  92

  87

  Ballywalter PS

  153

  135

  Belvoir Park PS

  394

  334

  Braniel PS

  417

  367

  Cairnshill PS

  474

  414

  Carrickmannon PS

  82

  78

  Carrowdore PS

  133

  136

  Castle Gardens PS

  408

  454

  Comber PS

  394

  404

  Cottown PS

  —

  27

  Donaghadee PS

  479

  400

  Greyabbey PS

  70

  65

  Killinchy PS

  243

  235

  Killyleagh PS

  146

  157

  Kircubbin PS

  68

  59

  Kirkistown PS

  58

  49

  Leadhill PS

  206

  179

  Londonderry PS

  315

  277

  Lough View integrated PS

  93

  —

  Loughries PS

  89

  85

  Millisle PS

  172

  177

  Moneyrea PS

  136

  134

  Newtownards model PS

  388

  362

  Newtownbreda PS

  230

  207

  O'Neill memorial PS

  41

  40

  Portaferry PS

  54

  42

  Portavogie PS

  132

  161

  Regent House school (Preparatory department)

  165

  177

  St. Anne's PS

  49

  45

  St. Finian's PS

  161

  208

  St. Mary's PS, Portaferry

  281

  325

  St. Mary's PS, Comber

  39

  35

  St. Mary's PS, Ballygowan

  50

  66

  St. Mary's PS, Kircubbin

  224

  224

  St. Patrick's PS

  104

  85

  Victoria PS (Newtownards)

  553

  567

  Victora PS (Ballyhalbert)

  106

  105

  West Winds PS

  181

  208

  (b) Strangford—Secondary/Grammar

  Comber high school

  422

  487

  354

  School name

  1995–96

  1992–93

  Donaghadee high school

  254

  306

  Glastry high school

  560

  528

  Lagan college

  933

  811

  Movilla high school

  834

  688

  Regent house school

  1,444

  1,413

  Scrabo high school

  309

  374

  St. Columba's high school

  348

  373

  Cottown primary school closed 31 August 1995.

  Portaferry primary school transferred to integrated status 1 September 1995.

  Loughview integrated primary school opened 1 September 1993.

  Woodland Projects
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further support his Department proposes to promote existing projects currently experimenting with the integration of woodland-based manufacturing economies with an increase in the planting of deciduous woodland; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of supporting existing projects. [3228]

  Mr. Ancram
  There are no plans to promote such projects in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has(a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated with regard to integrating proposals to increase deciduous woodland with the creation of woodland-based manufacturing economies; what financial commitments his Department has made in this area; and if he will make a statement. [3232]

  Mr. Ancram
  No research has been carried out in this area, no such research is planned, and no financial commitments have been made.

  Open University
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the public expenditure in each of the past three years in support of the Open university in Northern Ireland; and how many students were enrolled with the Open university in each of these year. [3184]

  Mr. Ancram
  Since 1993, the Open university has been funded centrally by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The university has been unable to provide separate figures for its activities in Northern Ireland.

  The total number of students enrolled with the Open university in Northern Ireland in the past three years was:

  Year

  Number of students

  1994

  2,685

  1995

  3,016

  1996

  3,843

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the role of low-impact and self-build accommodation in the provision of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement. [3371]
  355
  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, as part of its strategic role, assessed the role of low-impact and self-build accommodation in its recent review of the Northern Ireland housing market 1997–98 to 1999–2000. The Housing Executive intends to consult other key housing interests to determine what further contribution self-build accommodation can make in Northern Ireland.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pensioners are currently claiming income support in Northern Ireland. [2523]

  Mr. Moss
  The information which is available shows that, at 31 August 1996, there were 67,872 income support claimants in receipt of pensioner premiums in Northern Ireland.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimates he has made of the additional running costs of further education colleges after incorporation. [3600]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Education is currently in discussion with the education and library boards about the level of resources to transfer to colleges on incorporation. Colleges will have to determine their staffing and operating structures in the light of available resources.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the additional expenditure to be incurred by the Department of Education as a consequence of the incorporation of the further education colleges. [3601]

  Mr. Ancram
  The administrative structure required within the Department as a result of the incorporation of colleges is dependent on the final shape of the legislative framework. Final decisions on the nature of the administrative arrangements cannot be made until this is known.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 1 November,Official Report, column 282, on the introduction of the nursery voucher scheme, if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated expenditure of £300,000 on administrative costs on the nursery voucher scheme; how many children will be involved in each year; and what the per capita cost of administration for each voucher place will be. [3561]

  Mr. Ancram
  An estimated £100,000 will be spent each year on administration of the pre-school voucher scheme by the voucher company. A further breakdown is not available as the contract has not yet been finalised. An estimated 10,900 full-time equivalent pupils will be involved each year. The estimated cost of administration per full-time equivalent pupil is £9.17.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions are contained in the contract with Capita for administering the nursery voucher scheme to allow its early termination; at what cost; and on what conditions. [3562]
  356
  Mr. Ancram
  Details of the arrangements for terminating the pre-school voucher contract are not available as the contract for the national scheme has not yet been finalised.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure he has incurred to date in preparation for the proposed nursery voucher scheme; and on what. [3563]

  Mr. Ancram
  The sum of £17,000 has been spent on preparation of a pre-school curriculum by the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

  Handguns
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered owners of handguns have reported handguns lost or stolen since 1990. [2514]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Chief Constable has advised me that the total number of firearms, of all categories, reported stolen in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 31 December 1995 is 455.

  Separate figures are not available for stolen handguns, and details of firearms reported lost during this period could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland. [2522]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Walker) earlier today.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1994(a) what forms of financial aid was available exclusively for organic farmers in Northern Ireland, (b) what administrative procedures was required for its acquisition, (c) how much money was earmarked, (d) what percentage of the money annually earmarked was received by farmers in that year; and if he will make a statement. [2368]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 4 November 1996]: No aid was available prior to 24 April 1995. Since that date, farmers have been able to apply under the organic aid scheme for financial aid covering the five-year period of conversion from conventional to organic farming. The aid provided to cover income foregone during the period of conversion.

  To obtain aid, a farmer must register the land as in conversion with the UK register of organic food standards—UKROFS—or a body approved by UKROFS, and follow detailed prescriptions set out in the scheme.

  The financial provision for this scheme for 1995–96 is £60,000.

  To date, the scheme has attracted only one participant, but no payments have been issued.

  Turkey: Oil Imports from Iraq
  Turkey: Oil Imports from Iraq
  State Visits
  State Visits
  Weapons Exports to Israel
  Weapons Exports to Israel
  Nigeria
  Nigeria
  House of Lords Publications on the Internet
  House of Lords Publications on the Internet
  Equal Rights Organisations
  Equal Rights Organisations
  Teachers: Male/Female Ratio
  Teachers: Male/Female Ratio
  Handgun Imports
  Handgun Imports
  South Africa: Free Trade Area with EU
  South Africa: Free Trade Area with EU
  Serious Fraud Office
  Serious Fraud Office
  Prisons: Visiting Minister of Religion
  Prisons: Visiting Minister of Religion
  Community Service
  Community Service
  Escaped Prisoners: Publication of Photographs
  Escaped Prisoners: Publication of Photographs
  Prison Escapes: Publication of Inquiry Reports
  Prison Escapes: Publication of Inquiry Reports
  Prisoners' Complaints
  Prisoners' Complaints
  Soviet Military Capabilities: Intelligence Assessment
  Soviet Military Capabilities: Intelligence Assessment
  Housing Act 1996: Parts VI and VII Commencement
  Housing Act 1996: Parts VI and VII Commencement
  Central and Local Government: Information Flows
  Central and Local Government: Information Flows
  Export-deferred Works of Art: VAT
  Export-deferred Works of Art: VAT
  Tuberculosis and Badgers: Review Team
  Tuberculosis and Badgers: Review Team