Written Answers of 20 November 1996

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many organisations have been awarded funds from the national lottery five good causes; what is the total amount in pounds; and how much of the money in percentage terms from each of the five good causes has not yet been paid out to these organisations. [3278]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The rate at which funds flow to successful schemes is determined by the time it takes to conclude award negotiations and the requirements to make staged payments. It is less than 18 months since the awards process began.

  When a lottery award announcement is made, it is not necessarily to a project which is ready to begin immediately. This is likely to be true of only a few well planned and/or relatively straightforward projects. In most cases, further negotiation will be necessary. An award announcement should, therefore, be looked at more as an award in principle—as is the case with private finance initiative schemes—where it is accepted that some work still needs to be done before the project can get off the ground. Based on advice, the typical time gaps between award and spending on a project can be between nine and 15 months for major construction schemes and three and six months for smaller schemes.

  The lottery distributors have identified the main reasons for such time lags. These are:
  Locating partnership funding. A common approach is to apply for lottery funding first and then confirm partnership funding contributions. Most distributors wish to pay out lottery money

  Good cause sector

  Number of awards

  Total value of awards £million

  Total grant payments to date £ million

  Percentage of total value of grants awarded but not yet paid out

  Percentage of awardees in receipt of first payments

  Sport

  2,217

  372·8

  80·8

  78

  53

  Arts

  1,704

  636

  106·4

  83

  63

  Charities

  4,757

  318·4

  74·3

  77

  73

  Heritage

  532

  326·2

  70·9

  78

  35

  Millennium

  77

  760·1

  14·6

  98

  29

  Total

  9,287

  2,413·5

  347

  86

  64

  National Lottery (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list all payments from the national lottery awarded in Derbyshire. [2841]
  538
  pro rata to partnership spending, although this is not a hard and fast rule and distributors can help with short-term cash flow difficulties. On committed schemes, each £1 of lottery funds is currently matched by £1.41 of partnership money.
  Detailed design of buildings etc. These may have to be submitted where sketch drawings have been accepted at assessment stage. Design competitions must sometimes be held. My Department has asked distributors to ensure lottery-funded buildings are well designed.
  Obtaining full planning permission or listed building consent.
  Re-negotiating leases with landlords where the scheme involves an extension or improvement to an existing facility.
  Completing legal documentation on conditions. This can he quite time consuming given the funding arrangements and novelty of many schemes.
  Tendering of projects—this can be made more difficult by lack of administrative support in some voluntary organisations. Higher value schemes may have to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community and European Union rules on tendering met.
  Seasonal factors can affect work on construction projects (especially true of educational institutions where work might be able to take place only during the school holidays).
  The expenditure profile for small and large construction projects often means that initial expenditure is low.

  The distributors do, of course, wish to move projects effectively from award to completion. I do not, however, see any easy way to shorten the process, but my Department will continue to monitor this situation. It is important that capital projects are set up correctly otherwise they may not achieve value for money.

  Distributors must also avoid forcing applicants to do too much preparatory work and spend too much money before the award in principle. Competition for lottery money is fierce, and is likely to become more so as the nature of the projects which the distributing bodies can support widens.

  Payments for lottery schemes are staged to reflect the applicants' requirements for the funds. It would he imprudent to pay all the funds in advance. Nearly two thirds of all award recipients have received some funds.

  As at 6 November, the figures and the number of award recipients in receipt of their first payment from the lottery are:

  Mr. Sproat
  [pursuant to his answer 18 November 1996, Official Report, column 686]: The list of awards is as follows:
  539

  National Lottery awards in Derbyshire

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title desc.

  Local authority

  Award amount £

  UK constituency

  Arts

  26 June 1996

  Derby City Council

  To convert the Chapel Street Building into an arts centre

  Derby

  1,573,500

  Derby North

  Sports

  7 August 1995

  Derby City Council

  Oakwood Sports Centre

  Derby

  400,000

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Padley Day Centre

  Enable those disadvantaged to obtain improved quality of life.

  Derby

  344,000

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  The Glebe Field Trust

  Community, day and respite care center for Crich and associated villages.

  Amber Valley

  300,000

  West Derbyshire

  Sports

  25 March 1996

  Belper Meadows Sports Club

  Artificial turf pitch plus 2 multi-use floodlit game areas.

  Amber Valley

  243,700

  West Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derbyshire Childrens Holiday Centre

  Benefit low-income families by providing much needed respite care of children at a holiday Centre.

  Derby

  235,000

  Derby south

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby Changes

  To establish a leaving care support centre in Derby to provide material and emotional support to young people.

  Derby

  217,037

  Derby North

  Sports

  10 May 1996

  National Trust East Midlands Region

  Construction of a flagged, pitched and drained walking surface to sections of the high peak walking route.

  High Peak

  217,000

  High peak

  Charity

  23 October 1995

  Hadhari Project

  Care in the community for mental health sufferers.

  Derby

  193,000

  Derby North

  Sports

  24 April 1996

  Derby City Council

  Development of a pavilion and sports facilities at Chellaston Park.

  Derby

  182,000

  South Derbyshire

  Sports

  8 October 1996

  Long Eaton United Football Club

  Construction of football centre.

  Erewash

  159,474

  Erewash

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Barrow Hill And Hollingwood Community Association

  To establish and equip a community hall to provide a focus for a local deprived community.

  Chesterfield

  150,000

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby Law Centre

  Increase the advice available to disadvantaged groups in Derby.

  Derby.

  140,000

  Derby South

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby West Indian Community Association

  Motivate young disaffected Afro-Caribbeans through group interaction.

  Derby

  126,906

  Derby South

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derbyshire Rural Community Council

  The project will counter the effects of low income/isolation in rural Derbyshire.

  Derbyshire Dales

  124,294

  West Derbyshire

  Sports

  23 February 1996

  The Royal School For The Deaf Development Trust

  The Dukes Barn extension.

  Derbyshire Dales

  92,485

  West Derbyshire

  Sports

  7 November 1995

  Elvaston Cricket Club

  New cricket pavilion.

  Erewash

  86,002

  Erewash

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Home Start Swadlingcote And District

  Secure permanent accommodation and expand our services to meet increasing needs through providing a secure safe environment.

  South Derbyshire

  85,920

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Derby Asian Horticulture Resource Training Initiative

  To improve and maintain all facilities until self funding is achieved

  Derby

  85,000

  Derby South

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  The Goseley Community Centre

  Build and equip a community centre on disadvantaged/isolated estate.

  South Derbyshire

  83,300

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Alternatives Activity Centre

  Provide firm foundations for choices, opportunities, training and education for people with learning difficulties.

  Derby

  81,840

  Derby North

  540 541

  National Lottery awards in Derbyshire

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title desc.

  Local authority

  Award amount £

  UK constituency

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby Council For Voluntary Service Limited

  Increase the awareness of local Youths of services which are available to them and how to access them.

  Derby

  81,802

  Derby South

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Heanor Parish Church Salcare

  Expansion of furniture service to low income and disadvantaged families.

  Amber Valley

  79,783

  Amber Valley

  Sports

  1 May 1996

  Nutbrook Cricket Club

  Pavilion.

  Erewash

  78,096

  Erewash

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Mansfield And District Multiple Sclerosis Society

  To enhance lives of disabled people in a depressed area.

  Bolsover

  78,000

  Bolsover

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Cross Roads Care Derby And South Derbyshire

  Giving carers a break, time to be me.

  Derby

  69,036

  Derby South

  Sports

  24 January 1996

  Langley Mills United Cricket Club

  New pavilion.

  Amber Valley

  60,670

  Amber Valley

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Fairplay

  Promote training, social and leisure opportunities for disabled young people in Chesterfield.

  Chesterfield

  60,000

  Chesterfield

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  1st South Normanton Scout and Guide Group

  South Normanton Scout and Guide Group new scout hut project.

  Bolsover

  59,300

  Bolsover

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  The Ace Club

  The establishment of a 'Before and After' school club.

  Derby

  58,118

  Derby South

  Sports

  6 June 1995

  Pyegrove Tennis Club

  Redevelopment at Glossop Pyegrove Tennis Club.

  High Peak

  55,150

  High peak

  Arts

  17 May 1995

  Tintwistle Band

  Replacement band room.

  High Peak

  52,709

  High Peak

  Arts

  17 May 1995

  Royal School for the Deaf and College for Deaf People

  Sign language video library.

  Derby

  50,000

  Derby North

  Sports

  01 June 1996

  Birchvale and Thornsett Cricket Club

  New clubhouse with disabled facilities, to replace old prefab pavilion.

  High Peak

  47,657

  High Peak

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Home Start Ilkeston

  To help young families with parenting skills, with the aim of preventing family breakdown.

  Erewash

  47,400

  Erewash

  Sports

  09 January 1996

  Derby City Council (Sunnyhill Community Centre)

  Development of new bowls green and pavilion.

  Derby

  46,400

  Derby South

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Take A Break

  Opportunity for inner city women to reach their full potential.

  Derby

  43,000

  Derby South

  Charity

  23 October 1995

  National Association of Drama with the Visually Handicapped

  To improve the Association's efficiency.

  Erewash

  42,436

  Erewash

  Sports

  03 July 1996

  Clowne Miners Welfare

  Refurbishment of existing pavilion with ladies and gentlemen's toilet, including disabled toilet. Ramp for wheelchair users. Replace existing storage area.

  Bolsover

  41,769

  Bolsover

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Derwent Rural Counselling Service

  Improve the mental health of communities affected by rural deprivation.

  Derbyshire Dales

  41,700

  West Derbyshire

  Arts

  15 November 1995

  The Marple Band

  Purchase of instruments.

  Derbyshire Dales

  41,400

  High Peak

  Heritage

  26 April 1995

  Eyam Museum Ltd.

  Eyam Museum, Eyam.

  Derbyshire Dales

  41,125

  West Derbyshire

  Sports

  09 January 1996

  High Peak Borough Council (Glossop Sports Centre)

  Convert sauna and sunbed room to create a fitness suite.

  High Peak

  39,000

  High Peak

  Arts

  13 September 1995

  High Peak Borough Council

  Construction and erection of Victorian style band-stand.

  High Peak

  36,090

  High Peak

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  The Derby Furniture Project

  The Derby Community Electrical Project.

  Derby

  36,000

  Derby North

  Arts

  24 January 1996

  Newhall Band

  Purchase of instruments.

  South Derbyshire

  32,863

  South Derbyshire

  542 543

  National Lottery awards in Derbyshire

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title desc.

  Local authority

  Award amount£

  UK constituency

  Arts

  02 April 1996

  Glossopdale Community College Band Trust

  Purchase of instruments.

  High Peak

  32,610

  High Peak

  Charity

  23 October 1995

  Derwent Stepping Stones Nursery and Community Training Centre

  Establish a community based employment and training programme.

  Derby

  30,000

  Derby North

  Heritage

  14 August 1996

  Holy Trinity Church PCC

  Holy Trinity Church, dinting-roof

  High Peak

  29,700

  High Peak

  Sports

  10 January 1996

  Swadlincote Rifle and Pistol Club

  To construct an airgun range to ISU specifications range.

  South Derbyshire

  29,207

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  The Winchester Club

  Improving the lives of people with learning difficulties.

  Derby

  25,050

  Derby South

  Arts

  13 September 1995

  Commotion Theatre Company

  Purchase of touring vehicle.

  Derbyshire Dales

  25,008

  West Derbyshire

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Northeast Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau

  Helpline service for the deaf and speech impaired.

  North-east Derbyshire

  24,317

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby Children's Friendship Group

  Providing fun, educational breaks for Derby's low income family youth.

  Derby

  23,750

  Derby North

  Arts

  26 June 1996

  Nottingham City Transport Band

  Purchase of instruments.

  Erewash

  22,735

  Erewash

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Peak Dale Youth Motorcycle Club

  To link ability, training and safety to motorcycle riding.

  High Peak

  22,000

  High Peak

  Arts

  15 November 1995

  Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band

  New instruments.

  Chesterfield

  17,915

  Chesterfield

  Sports

  6 May 1996

  South Wingfield Cricket Club

  Artificial practice cricket wicket and to increase playing area.

  Amber Valley

  17,838

  Amber Valley

  Sports

  7 March 1996

  Stanton By Dale Cricket Club

  Extension to the pavilion to accommodate showers and additional kitchen facilities Cricket square also requires drainage facility and artificial pitch.

  Erewash

  17,000

  Erewash

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Challenger Disabled Sailing Group

  To develop the potential for disabled people to go sailing.

  North-east Derbyshire

  15,793

  North-east Derbyshire

  Sports

  9 March 1996

  Swarkestone Sailing Club

  Replacement of training fleet with 6 modern dinghies.

  South Derbyshire

  15,660

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  23 October 1995

  Derby Shopmobility

  To ensure independence through the free use of our equipment.

  Derby

  15,000

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Chesapeake Playgroup

  To help to keep the playgroup up and running.

  Derby

  15,000

  Derby North

  Arts

  2 April 1996

  Partington Theatre Club

  General refurbishment and installation of fire escape.

  High Peak

  15,000

  High Peak

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Duckmanton and District Community Transport

  Provide a community minibus for the disadvantaged inhabitants of Duckmanton.

  Chesterfield

  14,500

  Chesterfield

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Peak Park Trust

  Restoration of cart shed at Eccles House for new workspace.

  High Peak

  14,170

  High Peak

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Ashgate Hospice

  To improve access to Hospice services for the terminally ill.

  North-east Derbyshire

  13,750

  North-east Derbyshire

  Heritage

  19 September 1995

  Peel Centre Charitable Trust

  The Peel Centre, Dronfield.

  North-east Derbyshire

  12,500

  North-east Derbyshire

  Sports

  6 September 1995

  Derbyshire Sailing Endeavour

  Provide shore facilities for disabled sailing and a training boat.

  Derbyshire Dales

  12,283

  West Derbyshire

  Sports

  9 August 1996

  Long Eaton Sub-Aqua Club

  Purchase boat and trailer.

  Erewash

  11,992

  Erewash

  Sports

  15 May 1995

  Buxworth Cricket Club

  Renewal of sports pavilion.

  High Peak

  11,400

  High Peak

  Sports

  9 January 1996

  Derby City Council (Boulton Lane Community Centre

  Upgrade and improve existing muga to synthetic playing surface. Providing new floodlights. Extending care parking area.

  Derby

  11,000

  South Derbyshire

  544 545

  National Lottery awards in Derbyshire

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title desc.

  Local authority

  Award amount £

  UK constituency

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  North Derbyshire Women's Aid

  Accessible computer system for organisation.

  Chesterfield

  8,744

  Chesterfield

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Relate, Derby and District Marriage Guidance

  To assist disadvantaged clients to help themselves and their families.

  Derby

  8,100

  Derby North

  Sports

  5 June 1996

  Glossop Junior Football Club

  Floodlighting of artificial football pitch(red shale all weather).

  High Peak

  8,050

  High Peak

  Sports

  5 July 1995

  Lullington Park Cricket Club

  Extended practise and dressing room facilities.

  South Derbyshire

  8,000

  South Derbyshire

  Arts

  21 February 1996

  Czuplak Ukrainian Folk-Dance Company and Musicians

  Sound mixing console and PA system.

  Derby

  7,943

  Derby South

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Relate—Chesterfield and North-East Derbyshire Marriage Guidance

  Relate-line—Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Telephone Counselling Service.

  Chesterfield

  7,713

  Chesterfield

  Arts

  13 September 1995

  Gresley Male Voice Choir

  Modern Musical instruments and amplification equipment.

  South Derbyshire

  7,500

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Blindfold Club Derby

  Blindness need not mean being confined to ones home.

  Derby

  7,500

  Derby South

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derby Toc H Childrens Camp

  Replace a bad weather Play marquee that has become unserviceable.

  Derby

  7,500

  Derby North

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Child Development Centre Toy Library

  To work with a local school to design and build equipment and toys for children with special needs.

  Chesterfield

  7,112

  Chesterfield

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Fun For All

  To improve recreation and social opportunities for deprived young people.

  Bolsover

  6,600

  Bolsover

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  North Wingfield Disabled Miners' Group

  Enable the disabled group members to retain their independence.

  Chesterfield

  6,182

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group

  To provide computer equipment/software for the organisation.

  Derbyshire Dales

  6,000

  West Derbyshire

  Arts

  26 June 1996

  East of England Orchestra Ltd.

  Administration and education equipment.

  Derby

  5,094

  Derby North

  Arts

  17 May 1995

  The Merrill Community School

  Purchase if instruments for the Music Centre at Merrill School.

  South Derbyshire

  5,000

  South Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Keldholme Community Association

  To enhance the facilities for four groups within a Community Association located in a poor area of Derby.

  Derby

  4,950

  Derby South

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Highview Play Group

  Playgroup

  Derby

  4,870

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Sunnycroft Old Peoples Welfare

  Sunnycroft Club improving pensioners lifestyle through community action

  Chesterfield

  4,860

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Mary Swanwick Playscheme

  Provide a holiday playscheme for our local community.

  Chesterfield

  4,114

  Chesterfield

  Sports

  1 May 1996

  Allestree Cricket Club

  Equipment/Artificial practice facilities

  Derby

  3,850

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Lakeside Pre-school Playgroup

  To give children a safe welcoming environment to play in.

  Erewash

  3,500

  Erewash

  Sports

  4 October 1995

  Parwich British Legion Cricket Club

  Artificial pitch with removable nets, sight screens and improvements to scoreboard

  Derbyshire Dales

  3,431

  West Derbyshire

  546 547

  National Lottery awards in Derbyshire

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title desc.

  Local authority

  Award amount £

  UK constituency

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  145th Derby Hilltop Scout Group

  Provide renovation of outdated facilities outside the scope of fundraising.

  Derby

  3,150

  Derby North

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  21st Ilkeston Scout Group

  Socially deprived area. Will benefit entire community.

  Erewash

  3,000

  Erewash

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Ripley Neighbourhood Care Scheme

  To enable us to help older people in Ripley.

  Amber Valley

  3,000

  Amber Valley

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Gamesley Toy Library

  To improve run down toy library facility on housing estate.

  High Peak

  2,700

  High Peak

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness

  To provide equipment to hearing impaired people on low incomes.

  Derby

  2,652

  Derby South

  Sports

  5 September 1996

  Brailsford and Ednaston Cricket Club

  Non Turf cricket wicket.

  Derbyshire Dales

  2,500

  West Derbyshire

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  Bolsover Elderly Self Help Group

  To give socially isolated elderly people a quality of life.

  Bolsover

  2,397

  Bolsover

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Harpur Hill Playground Appeal

  To provide a safe, stimulating, pleasant environment for our children.

  High Peak

  2,000

  High Peak

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Hadfield Centre Playgroup

  Hadfield Centre Playgroups essential introduction to pre-school IT.

  High Peak

  1,964

  High Peak

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Rathbone Community Industry

  To improve users' literacy and competitiveness in the labour market.

  Derby

  1,948

  Derby South

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Stanley Playworks

  To improve the standard of local children's lives.

  Chesterfield

  1,800

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  23 October 1995

  Stanley Village Playgroup

  Maintain essential community development utilise and maximise interest.

  Derby

  1,700

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Darley Dale Primary Out of School Club

  To secure the future of the club financially for the next three years.

  Derbyshire Dales

  1,086

  West Derbyshire

  Charity

  20 November 1995

  West End Toy Library

  Develop local community supporting those who are disadvantaged.

  Derby

  1,000

  Derby North

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Derbyshire County Childminding Association

  To support childminders by offering training opportunities for all.

  Derby

  820

  Derby South

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Playwell Parent and Toddler Group

  To provide a wider range of toys and activities.

  Erewash

  600

  Erewash

  Charity

  19 December 1995

  Eckington Friendship Club

  To help elderly people in safe and pleasant environment.

  North-east Derbyshire

  500

  North-east Derbyshire

  Charity

  11 August 1996

  Laser Venture Scount Unit

  Purchase camping equipment to partake in prestigious Queen Scout Award.

  North-east Derbyshire

  500

  North-east Derbshire

  Total (112 awards)

  7,105,070

  548

ENVIRONMENT

  Property Blight (Compensation)
  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has so far been made by the interdepartmental committee on compensation for property affected by rail and road schemes. [2000]

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many submissions he has received on the consultation paper on blight arising from major infrastructure projects; [5238]

  (2) when he expects the interdepartmental working group on blight to report; and what plans he has to bring forward proposals to implement its recommendations. [5239]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the progress report of the interdepartmental working group on blight.

  This group, which was set up in March, published a discussion paper in June. Sixty-one responses were received. A sub-group held discussions with officials in France, Germany and the Netherlands, and further briefing was received in respect of Belgium, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, the USA and Japan.

  The Halifax building society has been invited to undertake a study into trends in property prices in areas which have experienced major infrastructure developments. Work on this study is in hand. A further study, commissioned in October 1995, into the operation of compulsory purchase procedures concludes this month. The group will be considering the final report of this study to see how its findings might inform the group's own work.

  The group is now considering a range of options for changes to law and practice. Their consideration will include an assessment both of direct costs of implementing change, and of the wider implications for compulsory acquisition and compensation. I have asked that the final report should be submitted as early as possible in the new year. Any changes which we might propose to existing law and practice would be subject to consultation in the usual way.

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4492]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department is the lead Department for ensuring that Government policies and programmes, including its own, take proper account of environmental concerns, in accordance with the 1990 environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", and "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy", published in 1994.

  To this end, the Government have made a repeated commitment in successive White Paper annual reports to subject their policies to environmental appraisal. In 1991, the Department published "Policy Appraisal and the Environment", which gives extensive guidance on how to
  550
  integrate environmental considerations into Government policy assessments. Green Ministers recently reaffirmed the need for all Departments to have adequate systems to ensure that the environmental implications of their policies were properly considered. Consultants are evaluating Government Departments' experiences with the guide and will report early next year. Green Ministers intend to publish a booklet of case studies in the new year, showing good examples of environmental appraisal in Departments.

  My Department aims continually to reduce the impact of its own activities on the environment and to improve the management of its own resources. Its management audit services division has been trained to undertake environmental audits and has, for example, recently examined management and waste issues as part of the Department's strategy to reduce waste by 15 per cent. over two years.

  Another of the Department's published objectives is to reduce the environmental impact of its buildings, where practicable, by undertaking objective assessments using BREEAM—the Building Research Establishment's environmental assessment method. Preliminary assessments of the Department's two new headquarters buildings—Eland house and Ashdown house in central London—have been carried out. As a result, the designs incorporate features such as the use of energy-efficient double-glazed panels, specially treated to reflect heat back into the building; displacement ventilation with static cooling and heating; combined heat and power systems, which use less gas and use waste heat to supply hot water, space heating and power for the cooling system; efficient boilers, with low nitrogen dioxide burners for supplementary heating; heat exchangers and heat exhaust recovery to avoid the loss of energy to the atmosphere in cooling towers.

  My Department supports the use of BREEAM across the wider Government estate and green Ministers agreed recently that all Departments should use the BREEAM system when commissioning new or substantial refurbishment of existing ones. My Department has also commissioned the Environment Agency to produce do it yourself environmental performance checklist for premises managers on the Government estate, which will help to promote further improvement in the use of energy, water and other resources, in reducing waste and saving money.

  My Department has been active in promoting environmental management and auditing more widely. As the United Kingdom competent body for administering the EC eco-management and audit scheme—EMAS—the Department has for the last two years promoted the scheme widely to industry—through national advertising campaigns and regional events; by publishing guides about the scheme and how it operates; by producing information videos and regular newsletters; through direct mailing to business; and by the introduction of a grant—Small company environmental energy management scheme—to help smaller businesses participate in the scheme. The UK has also led the way in promoting EMAS by introducing the first national extension of the scheme, now a fully operational version in the local government sector. My Department is conducting an exercise to test the feasibility of applying EMAS in a pilot area of housing policy and programme expenditure.
  551
  The Government strongly encourage the take-up of EMAS by business because the scheme provides a rigorous but voluntary framework for managing, improving and reporting publicly on environmental performance. The scheme is also proving to be an effective tool for improving efficiency and competitiveness. Case studies, based on the first industrial sites registered under EMAS, and which demonstrate the environmental and business benefits of the scheme, will be published shortly.

  In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, my Department sponsors the environmental technology best practice programme to promote better environmental practices that help to reduce business costs for UK industry and commerce. The programme disseminates information and advice on environmental technologies and techniques, including the benefits of implementing environmental management systems and audits. Examples of best practice are promoted throughout industry by means of environmental performance guides, best practice case studies and guides, workshops, seminars and other events.

  In promoting EMAS, my Department has also encouraged take-up of the complementary British industry standard for environmental management systems, BS 7750. This was the first standard of its kind in the world, coinciding with the development of EMAS, and it has contributed greatly to the agreement of a new international standard, ISO 14001, which will be replacing national standards and will provide industry with a convenient route towards EMAS registration. I am delighted that my Department's own office services division has recently been awarded a certificate of compliance with both BS 7750 and ISO 14001 for its environmental management system—the first award to a central Government Department.

  EU Environmental Directives
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the report on the proposal in the European Parliament for a council directive amending directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, A4–0343/96. [4723]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The common position adopted by the European Council of Ministers on a directive amending directive 85/337/EEC will greatly improve the consistency and quality of decision making within the European Community. It is now for the European Commission to consider the report and put forward an opinion to the Council.

  Solrec, Heysham (Air Pollution)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what caused the release into the atmosphere of material being processed at Solrec at Heysham; and what action he has taken to prevent a recurrence. [4714]

  Mr. Clappison
  On 19 August 1996 there was an unauthorised release from the process for the application of steam distillation to produce solid residues at Solrec in Heysham. This process is used for solvent recovery. The unauthorised release was caused by a runaway exothermic 552
  reaction in a vessel, which caused pressure to build up in the vessel, resulting in a controlled release via a safety device.

  As a result of the incident, the Environment Agency served a prohibition notice on Solrec Ltd. under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This prohibits the company from operating the process until it has produced a procedure to demonstrate that the process can be performed without producing exothermic decomposition of the residues.

  I further understand from the Environment Agency that Solrec intends to abandon the particular process which gave rise to the unauthorised release.

  Sustainable Development (EU Report)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the report by the European Parliament on the review of the European Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development, A4-0300/96 with reference to his Department's policy on sustainable development. [4724]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department will be assessing in due course the first reading opinion of the European Parliament on the report, given on 13 November 1996.

  Rainforest Conservation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will report on the outcome of the meeting of the conference of the parties to the convention on biological diversity, with particular reference to progress made to the conservation of tropical rainforests. [4507]

  Mr. Clappison
  This meeting, held in Buenos Aires from 4 to 15 November, successfully reached agreement on continued progress under the convention on a number of fronts. These included commitment to priority work on the assessment and monitoring of biodiversity, including the endorsement of a worldwide initiative for taxonomy developed by the subsidiary body to the convention earlier this year. Work programmes were agreed on agricultural and forest biodiversity. The latter will complement and not duplicate the work of the intergovernmental panel on forests and any successor process.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended the ministerial segment on 13 and 14 November and called for greater focus in priority setting under this convention. He also stressed the importance of national target setting and reporting, along the lines already under way in the UK, to enable global assessment of progress and efforts to implement the convention.

  Sellafield Nuclear Plant (Discharges)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the permissible limits set for the annual discharge of nitrous oxide from Sellafield; and what quantities of nitrous oxide were emitted by British Nuclear Fuels from Sellafield in each of the past 10 years. [4721]
  553
  Mr. Clappison
  The Environment Agency monitors releases of, and set limits for, oxides of nitrogen NOx under the integrated pollution control regime. The description, oxides of nitrogen, includes nitrous oxide N2O as well as nitric oxide NO and nitrogen dioxide NO2.

  Oxides of nitrogen were released by the large boilers, which were regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These have now closed and data are available only for the years 1993 and 1994, as follows:

  Year

  Annual release limit tonnes per year

  Actual release tonnes per year

  1993

  1,550

  177·3

  1994

  2,132

  200

  Integrated pollution control authorisations have been issued this year for the Magnox and Thorp processes with the following limits for NOx

  Process

  Annual release limit tonnes per year

  Magnox

  35

  Thorp

  90

  Actual release data will be available from 1997.

  Planning Constraints
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure that planning constraints on agricultural buildings are applied equally to small and large farm holdings; and if he will make a statement. [4923]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have no plans to amend the thresholds for agricultural permitted development rights in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, under which holdings of less than 5 hectares enjoy more limited rights than larger holdings.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5085]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitment arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Housing (Population Threshold)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the basis for the proposed 554
  population threshold to be used as the main criterion in defining a rural area for the purposes of the rural exemption for housing association tenants from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5010]

  Mr. Clappison
  The new purchase grant scheme will allow more housing association tenants the choice of buying their own home at a discount funded by a Government grant. Landlords will receive the full market value of any property sold under the scheme, and will have to set aside sale proceeds to provide replacement properties to help other families in need.

  We announced in last year's rural White Paper our proposal to exclude small rural villages from the scheme. The aim of the rural exemption is to protect the supply of social housing in small rural villages where there would be a particular difficulty in securing replacement homes. In larger towns there is greater scope for a replacement home to be provided either through development or the purchase of existing properties.

  We have consulted on the detailed proposed designations for every county and area of England using a population guideline of 3,000 people. We believe that this identifies those small settlements that need to be protected, and it is consistent with the approach of our rural housing programmes. We indicated that we would consider cases referred to us where a settlement's population exceeded 3,000, but we would want to establish that there was a special reason why the settlement concerned faced similar problems to smaller settlements in replacing homes sold.

  We expect to announce the outcome of the consultation exercise shortly.

  Mr right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has also consulted on a different approach to be used in Wales.

  Pleasure Boats
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the basis for the decision to remove the requirement for local authority licences for pleasure boats on waters owned or managed by British Waterways and the Environment Agency; and what is the expected saving to(a) the private sector and (b) the public sector from the proposed deregulation order. [4978]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Powers available to local authorities under the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 to license pleasure boats duplicate those available to British Waterways on navigations that it manages. The Government have therefore decided to disapply the local authority powers in those circumstances. Powers available to the Environment Agency are less comprehensive than those of British Waterways. In the light of the recent consultation exercise, the Government are therefore reconsidering the inclusion of the Environment Agency in the proposed deregulation order. It is not possible to estimate the expected savings, but in future hire boat businesses which operate on deregulated waters and which have been subject to local authority licensing will benefit financially by having to pay licence fees to only one licensing authority.

  Bricks
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of weeks' supply of bricks held in stock. [5364]

  Mr. Clappison
  At the end of September, the latest date for which information is available, there were just over one billion bricks in stock, representing some 17½ weeks' deliveries at current rates of delivery.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the ways in which her Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if she will make a statement. [4542]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We are committed to carrying out the Department's work efficiently, with minimal negative environmental impact. We have undertaken energy audits, and included environmental objectives in the Department's business plan. Our energy consumption continues to fall in line with Government policy. For example, following the connection of the Department's Moorfoot building to the Sheffield combined heat and power station in 1995, 95 per cent. of Moorfoot's heat now comes from a green source.

  In October, I launched the schools environmental assessment method which encourages and enables schools to evaluate their environmental impact, and which also includes revised energy targets for new school buildings.

  School Inspections (Manningham)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the main conclusions of the Office for Standards in Education report following the inspection of schools in the Manningham area of Bradford; if she will list the schools included in that inspection; and if she will make a statement. [4387]

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

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what information is collected centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) her Department and (ii) agencies accountable to her Department. [5086]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the PFI. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregated projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to 556
  arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4544]

  Mr. Willetts
  My Department and its agencies play a full part in supporting the initiatives being carried forward in response to the 1990 White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", including membership of the green Ministers group. The Department implements an annual green housekeeping action plan, which is subject to regular audit.

  Examples of specific initiatives undertaken include:
  1. Work following a study into the feasibility of contract energy management has resulted in a reduction of over-capacity in the water heating system in the Cabinet Office buildings at Nos. 68 to 72 Whitehall and in Downing street. The remodelled system provides flexibility whilst continuing to recognise the need for standby facilities to be readily available.
  2. In the security facilities executive, the Government car service was one of the first organisations to sign up to the London clean air charter and has adopted CityClean and low sulphur diesel fuels. All GCS cars are fitted with catalytic converters and gas powered vehicles are on trial.

  Where appropriate, further examples are recorded in the Department's and its agencies' annual reports.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4543]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General.

PRIME MINISTER

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4538]

  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes, my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General today.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sudan
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of his Department's provision for the Sudan; what plans there are to increase it; and if he will make a statement. [4783]

  Mr. Hanley
  The UK has committed nearly £13 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan and Sudanese refugees bilaterally and through the European Community since the start of 1995. Future assistance will depend on levels of humanitarian need.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5084]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Royal Family (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 167, how much of the total cost to his Department arising from visits abroad by members of the royal family in 1995–96 related to clothing. [3204]

  Mr. Rifkind
  [holding answer 11 November 1996]: In 1995–96 the total cost to this Department of clothing for official visits overseas by members of the royal family and those accompanying them was £47,452.

  As I advised in my answer to the hon. Member on 18 July Official Report, column 610, high profile and worthy representation of Britain abroad inevitably involves additional expenditure on clothes by members of the royal family and certain of those accompanying them.

  It is right that such expenditure is met by the Government for official overseas visits undertaken at the Government's request.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5081]
  558
  Mr. Streeter
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under PFI. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under PFI would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Attorney-General what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5082]

  The Attorney-General
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information of future spending commitments arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projection of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

WALES

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost of staff, employed full-time or part-tune by his Department, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [3574]

  Mr. Hague
  For 1996–97, I estimate the cost of staff employed in my press office to be £335,000 and in my publicity branch to be £270,000.

  Alcoholism
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 years have been diagnosed as alcoholics in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4411]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, the number of finished consultant episodes in NHS hospitals in Wales in each of the last five years where the primary diagnosis was alcohol dependency syndrome is given in the following table. The figures do not relate to the number of people treated as one person may have more than one finished consultant episode during the period. Only those admitted to NHS hospitals are included.
  559

  Finished consultant episodes with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependency syndrome

  People aged under 18

  People aged 18 and over

  Total

  1991–92

  10

  1,261

  1,271

  1992–93

  5

  1,316

  1,321

  1993–94

  3

  1,191

  1,194

  1994–95

  6

  1,252

  1,258

  1995–961

  4

  746

  750

  1 Data for 1995–96 are not comparable to earlier years as records are not yet available for all hospitals and the diagnosis code used was different from earlier years.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding difficulties in appointing general practitioners in Blaenau Gwent. [4265]

  Number of teachers retiring on infirmity grounds 1985–86 to 1994–951

  Local education authority2

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  7

  17

  14

  18

  28

  33

  23

  38

  66

  72

  Dyfed

  20

  32

  26

  33

  48

  46

  45

  65

  61

  67

  Gwent

  16

  25

  22

  26

  47

  41

  51

  53

  52

  64

  Gwynedd

  20

  14

  15

  26

  38

  35

  34

  46

  53

  67

  Mid Glamorgan

  33

  48

  48

  64

  71

  86

  77

  118

  117

  96

  Powys

  11

  5

  2

  14

  14

  10

  14

  21

  21

  27

  South Glamorgan

  29

  25

  19

  27

  47

  38

  50

  37

  52

  60

  West Glamorgan

  14

  25

  20

  33

  35

  61

  66

  59

  62

  61

  Wales

  150

  191

  166

  241

  328

  350

  350

  437

  484

  514

  Notes:

  1 Includes grant-maintained and independent school staff who are in the teachers' superannuation scheme and further education or higher education teachers who are in the TSS. Excludes those returning to non pensionable occasional service.

  2 Last known LEA in which the teacher served.

  Source:

  DfEE, Database of Teacher Records.

  Fish-eating Birds (Killing)
  Mr. Ron Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many licences he has issued during the last 12 months for the taking of piscivorous birds; how many birds of what species have been taken under each such licence; and on what evidence such licences have been issued. [4744]

  Mr. Hague
  During the 12-month period 1 October 1995 to 30 September 1996, 13 licences permitting the limited shooting of piscivorous birds were issued.

  Under these licences, a total of eight cormorants and 13 goosanders were taken. Licences for the shooting of piscivorous birds, as a means of reinforcing other scaring methods, are granted taking account of information supplied by the applicant and on advice provided by ADAS following site visits and consultations with other interested bodies.

  The number of birds shot against five of the licences is listed in the following table:

  Birds

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Number

  Goosanders

  1

  6

  3

  0

  3

  Cormorants

  0

  3

  1

  1

  3

  No birds were shot under the remaining eight licences.
  560
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office has received two such representations during the last two years.

  Teachers (Sickness)
  Mr. Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of schoolteachers in Wales(a) retiring and (b) obliged to take extended leave as a result of (i) sickness and (ii) nervous strain in Wales between 1985 and 1995. [3681]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Information on extended leave taken by teachers is not held centrally. Information on the number of teachers retiring on infirmity grounds is shown in the following table:

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made to date on the implementation of the mitigation measures associated with the Cardiff bay barrage; and what recent relevant communications he has had with the European Commission. [4745]

  Mr. Hague
  The establishment of the bird reserve compensation measures in an operational matter for the corporation, assisted by the Land Authority for Wales.

  My officials have recently reported the following progress to the European Commission:
  301 hectares (743 acres), that is over 75 per cent. of the land required for the reserve has already been secured by agreement and discussions are continuing on the remainder;
  a planning application is being considered by the local planning authority;
  the corporation has tendered the works contract for development of the reserve and its objective is to establish the reserve before the start of the impoundment of water within Cardiff bay in 1998.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments

  561
  arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5073]

  Mr. Hague
  The Department maintains a full record of information about private finance initiative projects it has approved. Information about long-term revenue commitments resulting from PFI projects will be published in the Welsh Office's departmental report and in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", published by HM Treasury.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agriculture Council
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 18 and 19 November; and if he will make a statement. [5466]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Council in Brussels on 18 November, accompanied by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office. The Council formally adopted the legislative text giving effect to changes in the EU beef regime agreed in principle at the Council in October. Germany maintained its negative vote.

  The Council had a first discussion of proposals for a system identification and registration of bovine animals, together with a linked proposal on the labelling of beef and beef products. I urged the Council to proceed quickly with a technical examination of the proposal on identification and registration so as to reach early conclusions and so facilitate the work on a computerised cattle traceability system already begun in the United Kingdom. I welcomed efforts to improve information about beef and beef products for consumers, but cautioned against placing heavy bureaucratic burdens on small operators. I also took the opportunity of this Council meeting to report on the progress made in the United Kingdom on BSE eradication and in particular in meeting the pre-conditions laid down in the June Florence agreement.

  The Council had general debates on proposals for amendments to EU support arrangements for durum wheat, and for a common organisation of the market in potatoes. On the latter, I indicated the UK Government's readiness to support a genuinely lightweight EU regime. The Council also drew up a declaration urging progress on establishing a European agency for veterinary and phytosanitary inspection.

  On animal welfare issues, I joined my German and Swedish colleagues in pressing the Commission to bring forward its review and proposals on battery cages for laying hens, and proposals on staging posts and vehicle standards for the protection of animals during transport. I also urged the Commission to ensure the proper implementation of Commission decision 96/239 regarding consignments of beef and beef products made from material not originating in the United Kingdom.

  The presidency and the Agriculture Commissioner reported to the Council on the conference on rural development which the presidency had hosted in Cork on
  562
  7 to 9 November. I welcomed the impetus which the Cork conference conclusions would give to further thinking on rural development policy and the evolution of the common agricultural policy, especially in view of the need to adjust that policy to take account of international trade pressures and the prospect of EU enlargement.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money his Department spent in each region of England in 1995–96 on(a) set-aside payments under the arable area scheme and (b) arable area payments. [4220]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The table gives figures for each MAFF region for claims in respect of (a) set-aside and (b) total payments under 1995 arable area payments scheme. The amounts paid will have been slightly lower because of the reductions made for various reasons. As such reductions normally have to be calculated on the basis of the total claim, which may include land in more than one region, it is not possible to give figures for the total amounts paid on a regional basis.

  Payments claimed under arable area payments scheme in 1995

  Set-aside payments £

  All arable area payments £

  Anglia

  46,798,016

  289,913,141

  East Midlands

  33,075,309

  219,326,503

  North East

  25,841,703

  167,203,491

  Northern

  6,084,999

  42,205,946

  North Mercia

  7,747,702

  51,869,608

  South Mercia

  13,348,438

  83,637,294

  South East

  30,979,065

  177,429,223

  South West

  4,115,287

  30,112,184

  Wessex

  11,717,915

  73,109,534

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of land was set aside in 1995–96 under the arable area scheme for each region of England. [4221]

  Mr. Hogg
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The areas of land set aside on which payments were made in each MAFF region under the 1995 arable area payments scheme were as follows:

  Hectare

  Anglia

  137,258

  East Midlands

  97,010

  North East

  75,794

  Northern

  17,847

  North Mercia

  22,724

  South Mercia

  39,151

  South East

  90,861

  South West

  12,070

  Wessex

  34,369

  563
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many payments were made in England in 1995–96 for set-aside under the arable area scheme(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) £5,001 and £10,000, (c) £10,001 and £15,000, (d) £15,001 and £20,000, (e) £20,001 and £25,000, (f) £25,001 and £50,000, (g) £50,001 and £75,000, (h) £75,001 and £100,000, (i) £100,001 and £150,000, (j) £150,001 and £200,000, (k) £200,001 and £250,000, (l) £250,001 and £300,000, (m) £300,001 and £350,000, (n) £350,001 to £400,000, (o) £400,001 and £450,000, (p) £450,001 and £500,000 and (q) over £500,000. [4223]

  Mr. Hogg
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The table sets out the number of set-aside payments made under the 1995 arable area payments scheme in the bands requested. Some claimants will have received more than one payment.

  Set-aside payments in England banded by size of payment

  Size band

  Number of payments

  £0 and £5,000

  22,143

  £5,001 and £10,000

  6,934

  £10,001 and £15,000

  2,204

  £15,001 and £20,000

  977

  £20,001 and £25,000

  413

  £25,001 and £50,000

  37

  £50,001 and £75,000

  87

  £75,001 and £100,000

  23

  £100,001 and £150,000

  7

  £150,001 and £200,000

  2

  £200,001 and £250,000

  1

  £250,001 and over

  0

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5088]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the PFI. This is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure expected to arise from signed contracts under PFI would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Meat Processing Industry
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with Hillsdown Ambient Foods Group Ltd. relating to problems for the meat processing industry arising from the BSE crisis. [5048]

  Mrs. Browning
  My Department holds regular meetings with various trade organisations representing the meat processing industry, including the British Meat Manufacturers Association and the UK Association of Frozen Food Producers. Representatives from the Hillsdown Ambient Foods Group Ltd. have attended these 564
  meetings, which regularly discuss problems facing the meat processing industry arising from the market disruption caused by consumer concern about BSE.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Palestine (Aid)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid has been given to the Palestinian state since the devolution of power from Israel. [4916]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The Palestinian Authority assumed responsibility for Gaza and Jericho in May 1994. Bilateral development assistance given to the west bank and Gaza for 1994–95 and 1995–96 was £8.9 million. Additionally, we provide approximately one sixth of the EC's 500 mecu—£417 million-aid to the Palestinians, pledged for 1994 to 1998.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what are the time scale and objectives of the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria; [5039]

  (2) what plans the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission has to meet (a) Moshood Abiola,(b) Olusegun Obasanjo and (c) Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti; [5036]

  (3) which political prisoners the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria has requested meetings with; and what response it has received from the Nigerian Government; [5037]

  (4) if the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission's meetings with Nigerian political prisoners will be attended by Nigerian Government representatives; [5038]

  (5) what guarantees the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria has received regarding access to political prisoners; [5042]

  (6) what discussions the Commonwealth ministerial action group mission to Nigeria plans to have with the Nigerian Government regarding (a) the restoration of democracy and (b) human rights in Nigeria. [5040]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The Commonwealth ministerial action group will visit Nigeria on 19 and 20 November. The group has been tasked to assess Nigeria's adherence to the Harare principles of good governance and make recommendations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government on its suspension from the association.

  The group has been working to encourage the Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to improve human rights, including the release of political prisoners, and to restore accountable civilian government. It has also requested meetings with a wide range of people, including Chief Moshood Abiola.

  Middle East Aid
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid has been given to(a) Israel, (b) Egypt, (c) Jordan, (d) Lebanon and (e) Syria in each of the last five years. [4915]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  UK aid to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, the Lebanon and Syria has been provided on both a bilateral and a multilateral basis.

  Bilateral expenditure

  £ thousands

  Total ODA programme

  Total gross public expenditure

  Israel

  1991–92

  13

  13

  1992–93

  8

  8

  1993–94

  8

  8

  1994–95

  7

  7

  1995–96

  10

  13

  Egypt

  1991–92

  12,385

  13,409

  1992–93

  7,606

  8,833

  1993–94

  5,901

  7,128

  1994–95

  4,884

  6,123

  1995–96

  5,019

  6,245

  Jordan

  1991–92

  3,122

  3,122

  1992–93

  4,251

  7,307

  1993–94

  4,209

  4,209

  1994–95

  5,231

  8,902

  1995–96

  5,902

  10,877

  Lebanon

  1991–92

  182

  182

  1992–93

  245

  247

  1993–94

  264

  316

  1994–95

  162

  211

  1995–96

  219

  219

  Syria

  1991–92

  3

  3

  1992–93

  16

  16

  1993–94

  30

  30

  1994–95

  0

  49

  1995–96

  16

  36

  ODA Programme contains Financial Aid, Technical Cooperation, Aid and Trade Provision, Programme Aid, Emergency Aid, Non Project Technical Cooperation and ODA Debt Relief.

  GPEX consists ODA Programme plus CDC Investments and Other Debt relief and Drugs.

  Multilateral expenditure

  £ millions

  UK share of net oda disbursements

  Israel

  1990

  0.1

  1991

  3.2

  1992

  0.7

  1993

  0

  1994

  2.1

  Egypt

  1990

  5.1

  1991

  27.9

  1992

  7.8

  1993

  7.4

  1994

  17.5

  566

  Multilateral expenditure

  £ millions

  UK share of net oda disbursements

  Jordan

  1990

  0.9

  1991

  18.9

  1992

  4

  1993

  4.7

  1994

  5.8

  Lebanon

  1990

  3

  1991

  0.8

  1992

  1.1

  1993

  1.9

  1994

  2.1

  Syria

  1990

  1.1

  1991

  0.2

  1992

  1

  1993

  0.5

  1994

  1.6

  Source:

  British Aid Statistics 1996 Edition OECD

  Note:

  1995–96 figures are provisional until publication of British Aid Statistics.

  Multilateral aid consists UN, EC and other.

  Aid Recipients
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 10 countries receiving the largest amounts of United Kingdom aid in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [4831]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The 10 countries receiving the largest amounts of development assistance in each of the last three years are as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  India

  102

  Bangladesh

  55

  Former Yugoslavia

  152

  Zambia

  48

  Pakistan

  44

  Zimbabwe

  41

  Uganda

  40

  Indonesia

  35

  Mozambique

  35

  China

  34

  1994–95

  India

  100

  Pakistan

  80

  Bangladesh

  56

  Zambia

  56

  Indonesia

  51

  Uganda

  47

  Former Yugoslavia

  146

  Rwanda

  45

  Malawi

  41

  Zimbabwe

  35

  1995–96

  India

  99

  Bangladesh

  48

  Former Yugoslavia

  138

  Indonesia

  38

  567

  £million

  Malawi

  33

  China

  33

  Uganda

  32

  Pakistan

  32

  Russia

  31

  Zambia

  29

  1Excluding technical co-operation to Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

  At £2,154 million in 1996–97, British development assistance makes a substantial contribution to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. An increasing proportion of ODA's bilateral budget is concentrated on the poorest countries in Africa and south Asia who need assistance the most and can make the best use of it.

  Budget line

  Title

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  B7-6000 (was B7-5010)

  Community contributions towards schemes concerning developing countries carried out by NGOs

  135,000,000 ecu (£105,592,491)

  145,000,000 ecu (£113,414,157)

  162,500,000 ecu (£127,102,072)

  174,000,000 ecu (£136,096,989)

  B7-610 (was B7-5031)

  Separate Budget Line for training and promotion of awareness on developing issues

  2,000,000 ecu (£1,564,333)

  2,000,000 ecu (£1,564,333)

  3,000,000 ecu (£2,346,500)

  4,000,000 ecu (£3,128,666)

  B7-631 (was B7-5050)

  Aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries

  4,000,000 ecu (£3,128,666)

  5,000,000 ecu (£3,910,833)

  6,000,000 ecu (£4,692,999)

  7,000,000 ecu (£5,475,166)

  B7-6211 (was B7-5046)

  Health programme and the fight against HIV/AIDS in developing countries

  10,000,000 ecu (£7,821,666)

  12,500,000 ecu (£9,777,082)

  12,500,000 ecu (£9,777,082)

  15,000,000 ecu (£11,732,499)

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding was allocated for how many and for which projects for(a) B7-5010, co-financing of development projects carried out by non-governmental organisations and public awareness campaigns, (b) B7-5050, aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries and (c) B7-5046, the fight against AIDS in developing countries European Union budget lines in each year since 1993; and which NGOs and agencies are responsible for implementing these projects. [4897]

  Dr. Fox
  I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly.

TRANSPORT

  European Union
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of his Department's time and resources are spent dealing with administrative and policy matters connected with British membership of the European Union. [4961]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has a European unit, devoted very largely to work connected to the European Union, which has a budget of just over £500,000. Beyond that, European Union matters are fully integrated into other policy and administration matters, and the sums of time and money spent in dealing with them cannot be disaggregated.

  European Union Aid Budget
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the European Union budget commitment appropriation for(a) B7-5010, co-financing of development projects carried out by non-governmental organisations and public awarenesss campaigns, (b) B7-5050, aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries and (c) B7-5046, the fight against AIDS in developing countries in each year since 1993. [4896]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The European Union budget commitment appropriations for each of the years 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively were as follows (sterling equivalents, at today's exchange rate of £1 = 1.2785 ecu, shown in brackets):

  Walking
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the national travel survey excludes consideration of distances covered on foot during employment. [4478]

  Mr. Bowis
  The primary purpose of the national travel survey is to estimate the demand for personal travel. This comprises travel for private purposes or for work or education, provided that the main reason for the journey is for the traveller himself or herself to reach the destination.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the information in the latest issue of the national travel survey in respect of walking. [4477]

  Mr. Bowis
  The 1993 to 1995 report on the national travel survey contained a number of tables showing the contribution of walking to figures for personal travel. The main section shows that the average number of journeys walked per person and the average distance walked have fallen over recent years and we have therefore set up a steering group to look at the causes of this and at ways that have been shown to be effective in encouraging walking. I have chaired the first two meetings of this group.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the national walking strategy. [4476]
  569
  Mr. Bowis
  I have formed and chaired the first two meetings of a steering group whose membership comes from a range of interested parties. The group is drafting a discussion document which will invite comments from a wider constituency to help establish what measures may be commended as good practice to encourage walking as a mode of transport, as a component in journeys with public transport and as an alternative to the car for short journeys.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5075]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the PFI. This information is now being collected. As indicated in the Government's response, aggregate projections of the level of expenditure expected to arise from signed PFI contracts, including those in the transport sector, will be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Speeding
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of his recent television campaign on speeding on maximum and minimum speeds; and what other measures he plans to use to monitor the campaign's effect. [4479]

  Mr. Bowis
  The objective of the kill your speed campaign is to make driving too fast for the conditions—such as 40mph in a 30mph zone—as socially unacceptable as drink driving. That requires a long-term campaign to change entrenched social attitudes before behaviour can be affected.

  Independent research shows a high awareness of the recent advertising with 65 per cent. of all drivers recalling the publicity. It also shows that just six months after the launch there has been a positive shift—from 42 per cent. to 50 per cent. in the proportion of drivers who felt that they could personally drive more slowly to avoid accidents. There has also been a positive shift in the perceived safe speed on residential roads.

  The Department will continue to monitor the campaign with both quantitative research and consumer focus groups to evolve the message in the most effective way. We also monitor vehicle speed in residential and urban areas.

  North-eastern and North-western Traffic Areas (Merger)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the transfer of work of the north-western traffic area office to the north-eastern traffic area office indicating which areas of operation will not be transferred. [5172]
  570
  Mr. Bowis
  Detailed arrangements for handling the transfer of work from the north-western traffic area office in Manchester, which is closing next year, have not yet been finalised.

  Disabled People (Access to Public Transport)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Members for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) of 28 October,Official Report, column 43, when he expects to publish regulations and guidance under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to access to public transport for disabled people. [5128]

  Mr. Bowis
  Discussions are being held with the transport industries and with the disabled persons transport advisory committee on the technical specifications for vehicle accessibility that will form the basis of the regulations.

  We plan to publish our proposals for the taxi accessibility regulations early in the new year. Proposals for public service vehicles and for rail vehicles will follow shortly afterwards. There will be informal consultation with groups representing disabled people, industry and other interested parties at that time. This will cover both the content of the specifications and the timetable for implementation.

  Once responses to this initial consultation have been taken into account, there will be a further formal period of consultation on the draft regulations.

  Copies of all consultation documents will be placed in the Library as soon as they are published.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 4, if he will list for each rail franchise the administered profit included within the support paid to British Rail prior to franchising. [4145]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 14 November 1996]: The amounts of administered profit are provided in the table.

  £ million

  Support paid to BR Prior to franchising

  Including administered Profit1

  Gatwick Express

  NIL

  4.33

  South Eastern Trains

  138.92

  18.34

  LTS

  34.50

  3.85

  Midland Main Line

  16.76

  6.68

  Great Western

  60.83

  15.14

  Thames

  43.80

  5.14

  Cardiff Railway

  22.20

  0.70

  South Wales and West

  84.80

  4.79

  InterCity East Coast

  74.74

  19.43

  Chiltern

  18.56

  2.33

  Network SouthCentral

  101.99

  13.41

  South West Trains

  85.43

  19.49

  Island Line

  2.56

  0.14

  Total

  685.09

  113.77

  Note:

  1figures are for 1996–97 except for SWT and GW, where the figures are for 1995–96.
  571
  A total of £88 million operating profit was generated by the 13 franchised from operating companies whilst they were in BR ownership in 1995–96. This was some £16 million below the budgeted level of administered profits.

TREASURY

  Retirement Pensioners
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons receiving the basic retirement pension(a) pay income tax over the standard rate, (b) pay income tax at the standard rate and (c) pay no income tax; and in each case what is the percentage of the total. [3045]

  Mr. Jack
  Available information for 1996–97 is given in the following table and relates to individuals above state retirement age.

  Number in millions

  Percentage of total

  Marginal tax rate

  Individuals aged 65 or over

  Women aged 60 to 64

  Individuals aged 65 or over

  Women aged 60 to 64

  Higher rate

  0.1

  1—

  1

  1

  Basic rate

  1.2

  0.2

  13

  18

  Lower rate

  1.7

  0.4

  19

  25

  No tax liability

  6.3

  0.8

  67

  56

  Total

  9.3

  1.4

  100

  100

  1Fewer than 50,000.

  The estimates are based on information projected from 1994–95 survey of personal incomes and population estimates from the Government Actuary's Department; they are therefore provisional.

  National Insurance
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people currently paying income tax are estimated to pay more, and how many are estimated to pay less, than their national insurance contributions, including employers' contributions on their behalf. [3053]

  Mr. Jack
  Estimates for 1996–97 are as follows:

  Individuals paying income tax who:

  Number in millions

  Pay more tax than national insurance contributions1

  10.7

  Pay less tax than national insurance contributions1

  10.1

  Pay tax but do not pay national insurance contributions1

  4.8

  Total

  25.6

  1Includes both employee contributions and the corresponding employers' contributions. The estimates are based on information projected from the 1994–95 survey of personal incomes and are therefore provisional.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by local government in(a) 1979 and (b) 1990. [3104]
  572
  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the financial year 1979–80, the total amount spent by local government, by national accounts definitions, was £26 billion. In the financial year 1990–91 the total amount spent by local government, by national accounts definitions, was £69 billion.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding for local government was provided by central Government for the current year; and what are the equivalent figures for the last year for which figures are available. [3105]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  For the financial year 1996–97, planned total central Government grants to local authorities in the United Kingdom totalled £62,060 million. For the financial year 1995–96 total central Government grants to local authorities in the Untied Kingdom were estimated at £61,979 million.

  Taxation (Self-assessment)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tests the Inland Revenue has made of its computer systems relating to the self-assessment of taxation; and if the results were successful. [3257]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: EDS, the Inland Revenue's strategic partner, has worked with the Inland Revenue jointly to plan full testing of the computer system to support self-assessment. These tests included component, system, framework, integration and inter-system testing. They were supported by a full rehearsal of the system in local Inland Revenue offices during September. The system has been made available progressively from 4 November, since when it has been successfully available to local offices each day.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the extra(a) letters and (b) telephone calls the Inland Revenue is likely to receive as a result of the introduction of self-assessment. [3261]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The first self-assessment tax returns will be issued in April 1997. In the period to 31 March 1998 the Inland Revenue has planned to cope with up to 1.1 million letters and up to 11 million telephone calls which it expects to receive in relation to self-assessment.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of new computer systems at the Inland Revenue to administer the self-assessment of taxation. [3258]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 November 1996]: The computer system for self-assessment is being developed and implemented by EDS, the Inland Revenue's information technology partner. So far, the Inland Revenue has paid approximately £200 million for this service.

  European Union Membership (Cost)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the net cost to the United Kingdom of membership of the European Union. [4093]
  573
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Between joining the European Community in 1973 and the end of financial year 1995–96, the total United Kingdom public sector net contribution to the European Community Budget was £26.5 billion.

  Spreadable Butter
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was informed by the EC that New Zealand spreadable butter was not classified as butter. [4368]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The head of the Agriculture Directorate General to the European Commission ruled in letter dated 27 June 1996 addressed to the Director of the European Court of Auditors that New Zealand spreadable butter did not meet the qualifying criteria for admission into the European Community at the reduced rate of customs duty. This correspondence was forwarded to HM Customs and Excise on 3 July 1996.

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the implementation of the stability pact which is proposed for stage III of EMU will require an amendment to the treaty of European union. [4394]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The proposed stability pact aims to spell out practical procedures for implementation of the excessive deficits procedure in article 104c of the Maastricht treaty. One element of the pact is a draft regulation based on article 104c(14) second subparagraph. Otherwise, no amendment or change to the provisions of the treaty is envisaged or required for the implementation of the pact.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requirements in respect of a gross domestic product ceiling on member states' general Government debt are proposed for inclusion in the stability pact for EMU. [4393]

  Mr. Clarke
  The Commission's proposals for a stability pact were submitted to Parliament on 22 October 1996 and I submitted an explanatory memorandum on 31 October. The proposed stability pact aims to reinforce the operation of the excessive deficits procedure in article 104c of the Maastricht treaty. It does not aim to change the reference value for debt which is specified in protocol No.5 of the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals in respect of budget disciplines have been made for(a) countries in monetary union and (b) countries outside the monetary union by (i) the European Commission and (ii) the German Government. [4367]

  Mr. Clarke
  The Commission's proposals for a stability pact were published on 16 October 1996 and submitted to Parliament on 22 October. I submitted an explanatory memorandum on 31 October. The idea of a stability pact has been under discussion since the German Government first proposed clarifying existing provisions in article 104c of the Maastricht treaty in November 1995. Proposals in the stability pact on fiscal discipline would affect only member states which participate in the single currency.

  Energy-saving Materials (VAT)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual revenue cost to the Exchequer of reducing the rate of value added tax from 17.5 per cent. to 8 per cent. on energy-saving materials, manufactured for the purpose of(a) cavity wall insulation, (b) loft insulation, (c) underfloor insulation, (d) insulating hot water tanks, (e) insulating pipes and other plumbing fittings, (f) draught proofing, (g) controlling domestic heating systems, (h) external and internal wall cladding and (i) providing low emissivity glazing; and if he will make a statement. [4270]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is not available. The cost of reducing VAT on these products has been estimated by the Association for the Conservation of Energy a trade lobby group, at £10 million in a full year.

  Personal Tax Allowance
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) the cost in excess of indexation of raising the personal tax allowance to £4,000 per annum and (b) the number of employees who would be taken out of the PAYE system, in addition to those who would be exempted by indexation. [4468]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The full year cost in 1997–98, after allowing for statutory indexation, of increasing the non-age personal allowance to £4,000 and increasing the age allowances by an equivalent amount would be about £980 million. This would take about 350,000 people out of income tax including employees, self-employed people and pensioners, compared with statutory indexation.

  VAT Overpayments
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of extending the allowable period for the reclaim of overpaid value added tax to(a) four years, (b) five years and (c) six years; and if he will make a statement. [4742]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: Because, by its nature, overpaid value added tax is an unknown quantity until it is discovered and reclaimed, it is not possible to make reliable estimates.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry on the Government's plans to restrict the time period for reclaiming overpaid value added tax to three years while retaining the ability of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to claim VAT underpaid over a six-year time period; what assessment he has made of the effects of such a policy on small and medium businesses; and if he will make a statement. [4741]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: The CBI has made representations in writing and in the forum of the joint VAT consultative committee. Representatives of Customs and Excise and the Treasury also attended a special meeting organised by the CBI at which businesses were able to discuss their concerns about the proposed time limit on recovery of overpaid tax. I have taken careful note of the points raised and the impact of the proposal on all sectors of business.
  575
  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings there have been within the last two months between the head of the international and supply division of the VAT policy directorate of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the European Commission, represented by the head of the VAT unit of DGXXI; if he will publish the minutes of these meetings; what advice was given by the Commission's representative to the United Kingdom Government on the subject of the time limits applying to the reclaiming of VAT for(a) taxpayers and (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement. [4743]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: The head of the international and supply division of the VAT policy directorate of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the head of the VAT unit of DGXXI have met on several occasions in the last two months, most recently on 4 and 5 November. No formal minutes have been produced and the content of such bilateral discussions, which covered a range of issues, is regarded as confidential.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) his agencies. [5074]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electricity Distribution Losses
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the level of losses of electricity in the distribution system; and what variance there is between the regional companies. [4267]

  Mr. Page
  The level of losses for the regional electricity companies as a whole was 6.6 per cent. in 1995–96. There is regional variation which is caused by various factors including the physical aspects of each company's area. Individual companies' figures are commercially confidential, but range from just under 5 per cent. to nearly 9 per cent.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make arrangements to publish the report of Professor Harrington relating to the working time directive. [4764]
  576
  Mr. Lang
  As indicated in the reply by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Employment to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 11 May 1994,Official Report, column 168, the report could be published only after the case in the European Court of Justice had been concluded. Accordingly, I have now arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Negligence
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent companies charged with negligence resulting in a fatality from going into liquidation in order to avoid standing trial. [4794]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Companies may be subject to criminal proceedings notwithstanding the fact that they have gone into liquidation. In cases of winding up by the court, leave of the court may be required to bring such proceedings, whilst in cases of voluntary winding up, although leave is not required the court has the power to restrain proceedings on the application of the liquidate. Accordingly, I have no plans to change the law in this area.

  Timeshare (Scotland)
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to apply the Misrepresentation Act 1967 to Scotland in respect of timeshares; and if he will make a statement. [5041]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have no plans to do so.

  Oil Companies (Meetings)
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasions since 1979 Ministers met representatives of Century Oil Company Ltd., and BHP Petroleum Ltd. in their official capacity; what issues were raised at such meetings; and which Ministers attended. [4295]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: Neither my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade nor my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Energy have met representatives of Century Oil Company Ltd. or BHP Petroleum Ltd. in their present ministerial capacities. However, my right hon. and noble Friend has agreed to meet BHP Petroleum Ltd. on 29 November 1996.

  I attended a reception on 9 May 1996 at the House of Commons to which I was invited by my right hon. Friend the Member for Conway (Sir W. Roberts) in conjunction with BHP Petroleum Ltd. This was a social engagement.

  I understand that my predecessors met representatives of BHP Petroleum Ltd. on occasion to discuss matters of topical interest.

  Patents (Human DNA Sequences)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of patents for human DNA sequences issued by the European Patent Office indicating(a) the country of origin and (b) if the organisation applying for the patent was from the private or public sector. [4973]
  577
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: The way patent information is recorded does not permit direct retrieval of the information requested. However, research indicates that the patents granted for human DNA sequences are made up as follows:

  (a) The three main countries of origin are, in descending order, Japan, USA and Germany, with South Africa, Spain, UK, Israel and Australia following, again in descending order.

  (b) Over 70 per cent. come from the private sector.

  To complete a full analysis to answer the question would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patents for human DNA sequences have been issued by(a) the British Patent Office and (b) the European Patent Office. [4972]

  Mr. Taylor
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: The way information on granted patents is recorded does not permit retrieval of the information requested but, following research, I believe that the number of patents issued for human DNA sequences by the British Patent Office is between 10 and 20, while the number issued by the European Patent Office is between 70 and 130. A fuller analysis could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

  Multi-fibre Arrangement
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford North, of 7 November,Official Report, column 704, what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government or is planned to ensure the exclusion of imports of woven wool fabrics from stage two of the European Union's phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement; if the matter is subject to qualified majority voting; when final decisions will be taken; and if he will make a further statement. [5043]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: A qualified majority of EU member states, including the United Kingdom, support a compromise proposal from the Irish presidency for stage 2 of the phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement, which would exclude woven wool fabrics from liberalisation.

  Radio Communications Agency
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the Radio Communications Agency. [4306]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the previous answers that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave on 17 June 1996,Official Report, columns 320–21 and on 24 July 1996, Official Report, column 481. The White Paper "Spectrum Management into the 21st Century" and the agency revised framework document, both available in the Libraries of both Houses, clearly set out the position of the agency in the future. The situation has not changed since then and I am pleased to say that there has been a substantial and positive response to the White Paper.

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a breakdown by sector of(a) imports
  578
  and (b) exports with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia since the lifting of sanctions in November 1995. [4775]

  Mr. Nelson
  The data are published monthly by HM Customs and Excise in Business Monitor MM20, "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom with countries outside the European Community (Extra-EC Trade)".

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on proposals to extend the terms of the European Union agricultural generalised system of preference scheme to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [4772]

  Mr. Nelson
  The European Commission is committed, under the terms of the new generalised system of preferences regulation for agricultural products, to bring forward a proposal to examine the application of the agricultural GSP arrangements that will apply from 1 January 1997 to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. No proposal has yet been received from the European Commission.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the planning of a promotional event to encourage trade with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [4774]

  Mr. Nelson
  My Department has taken a number of initiatives to promote trade with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Theses include organising a successful major trade promotion event in London in June which coincided with the visit of the Federal Minister of Trade. Over 160 business representatives were present; my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim), the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in this Department, was the UK keynote speaker. Last month, in association with the London chamber of commerce and industry, my Department mounted trade promotion events to coincide with the visits to the UK of the British ambassador to Belgrade and a trade delegation from Montenegro led by the Montenegrin Prime Minister. Both events were well attended. The ambassador also spoke at a series of events outside London organised by my Department to strengthen UK-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia trade and commercial links. Other events are planned for the future to build on the momentum already generated; these include a trade mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia early in 1997.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans there are for the European Union to conclude a trade agreement with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and if the trade conditions of the 1982 trade and co-operation agreement between the European Community and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be extended to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [4773]

  Mr. Nelson
  EU Foreign Ministers have agreed that trade and co-operation agreements can be concluded in due course with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and certain other countries in south-eastern Europe, subject to the fulfilment of political and economic conditions. The Commission is currently undertaking exploratory contacts with the countries concerned, including FRY.
  579
  The Commission has recently proposed to the Council that the trade preferences contained in the 1982 agreement, which have been operating since February 1992 following suspension in November 1991, should now be extended to cover FRY. This is welcomed by the Government.

  Gas Cylinder Sales (Safety)
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he proposes to take to ensure that companies which sell gas cylinder bottles are held responsible for their safe return. [4271]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 15 November 1996]: There are voluntary arrangements, promoted by gas suppliers and by the Liquid Petroleum Gas Association and local authorities, to ensure the return of used liquid petroleum gas cylinders. I have no plans to introduce mandatory requirements.

SCOTLAND

  Minimum Sentences
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effects of his proposals to introduce minimum sentences in Scotland with particular reference to the safety of the public. [3462]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The proposals in the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill for automatic life sentences for repeat sexual or violent offenders and for a minimum sentence of seven years for a third conviction for trafficking in class A drugs demonstrate our determination to provide the public with the protection they deserve.

  Tourism
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in the level of tourism in Scotland since(a) 1979 and (b) 1993. [3471]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Comparative figures are not available but, since 1984, total visitor expenditure has increased by 51 per cent.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of local authority spending per head in Scotland relative to the level in English local authorities. [3472]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Planned local authority spending per head of population in the current year is 32 per cent. higher in Scotland than in England.

  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [3481]

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the forthcoming revenue support grant settlement. [3496]
  580
  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend and I met the convention on 8 November and a further meeting is planned for 17 January.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors he takes into account when calculating housing capital allocations to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [3498]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The distribution of available resources for council housing investment reflect an assessment of the relative housing need in each local authority area based on information which authorities provide on such factors as stock condition and homelessness. The allocations take account of the extent to which councils propose to address the national priority issues of condensation and dampness, below tolerable standard housing, homelessness and community care in their planned capital programmes, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness with which they utilise resources and work with Scottish Homes and other housing providers in meeting local needs. Account is also taken of the capacity of each authority to generate capital receipts, part of which can be used to support housing investment.

  Beef Export Ban
  Mrs Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards lifting the ban on the export of beef cattle from Scotland. [3473]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Good progress is being made towards fulfilling the Florence pre-conditions, including elimination of the backlog under the over-30-months scheme in Scotland where some 140,000 animals have been slaughtered.

  Sentencing Policy
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his proposals to make prisoners liable to serve the full terms of their sentences in Scotland. [3474]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill will ensure that sentences mean what they say. In future, prisoners will serve the full sentence of imprisonment pronounced by the court, subject to a small measure of early release—not exceeding 12 days every two months—depending on good behaviour in custody.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on proposed amalgamations of hospital trusts in Scotland. [3475]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no current plans to alter the boundaries or re-configure any of the existing NHS trusts in Scotland.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what private finance initiative schemes he has approved since their inception. [3476]
  581
  Mr. Kynoch
  Private finance initiative schemes with an initial capital value of £70.4 million have been approved by my right hon. Friend or have been taken forward by health service bodies under delegated authority. These projects include the Skye bridge, clinical waste disposal facilities for Lothian, Forth and Northern health boards, the Law hospital health information system and the Ferryfield elderly care facility in Edinburgh. The balance is made up of smaller contracts for care beds, medical analysis equipment and clinical waste disposal.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the chairmen of the health boards to discuss finance. [3477]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend and I meet chairmen of health boards regularly to discuss matters of current interest including finance.

  Frail Elderly People
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of frail elderly people in Scotland who will require NHS hospital beds in the year 2000. [3478]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The level of NHS bed provision and the organisation of community health and social services for the frail elderly are determined by continuous joint assessment of local needs involving health boards and local authorities.

  The aim is to secure the most effective package of services both in hospital and in the community which meets current and future needs.

  Crimes
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crimes were committed in(a) 1979 and (b) the last year for which figures are available. [3479]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the number of crimes committed is not available. The number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland was 346,680 in 1979 and 502,802 in 1995. The results of the Scottish crime survey, a household survey of people's experience of crime, indicate that, between 1981 and 1992 actual crimes increased by only 4 per cent. compared with a 52 per cent. increase in comparable recorded crime over the same period.

  Secondary Schools (Expenditure)
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent per pupil in secondary schools in Scotland in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what the figure was in 1978–79, at constant prices. [3480]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Current expenditure per secondary pupil in 1994–95 was £2,874. That is 37 per cent. higher in real terms than in 1979.

  Dangerous Criminals
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to produce measures to protect the public from dangerous criminals. [3482]
  582
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government are determined to protect the public from dangerous criminals. We have produced several new measures to achieve this in the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill, the most important of which is the automatic life sentence which will apply on conviction for a second serious sexual or violent offence.

  Convicted Offenders (Early Release)
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's proposals in respect of the automatic early release of convicted offenders. [3483]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We will abolish automatic early release in the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill. In future, early release of prisoners will be dependent on their behaviour in custody and will he limited to a maximum of 12 days every two months.

  Devolution
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the report prepared by the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland on the subject of devolution in Scotland. [3484]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I welcome the detailed consideration given by the CBI to this important debate. It is clear that the business community recognises the damage that would be done to the Scottish economy by tampering with the present constitutional arrangements.

  Public Spending
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on public spending by central Government per capita in Scotland. [3485]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Stephen).

  River Clyde (Pollution)
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost of cleaning up pollution in the River Clyde in the last six months. [3486]

  Mr. Kynoch
  No major pollution incidents affecting the River Clyde have been reported to the Scottish Office in the last six months.

  The Scottish Environment Protection Agency does not hold comprehensive data on the cost of general clean-up of lower level pollution in specific rivers or catchments.

  Cattle Cull
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the BSE cull; and if he will make a statement. [3487]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The selective cull is on hold while the new scientific evidence is considered, but of course many animals will have been slaughtered under the over-30-months scheme which would have been identified under the selective cull.

  Salmon Farming
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives from the Scottish Salmon Growers' Association to discuss the salmon farming industry in Scotland. [3488]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I met a wide range of industry representatives at this year's Scottish fish farming conference on 2 October and have maintained regular contact with senior representatives of the industry since then.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what investment from abroad has been attracted to Scotland over the last 12 months. [3489]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Our continuing success in attracting inward investment to Scotland includes announcements during the past 12 months by DuPont, Seiko, Simple Technology, Nikon, Shin Ho Tech, Appryl, Quintiles, Lite-On Technology Corporation, Allied Precision Company, Bermo, Rohr Incorporated, Smart Incorporated and Hyundai among many others.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about inward investment in Scotland. [3494]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Inward investment in Scotland has been running at record levels over the past two years and this success is continuing. Firms like Hyundai, Chunghwa, Lite-On, Quintiles and Rohr recognise that locating in Scotland means locating in one of Europe's most competitive business locations.

  Self-financing Regulatory Organisations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the powers of self-financing regulatory organisations in Scotland. [3490]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend is not aware of any bodies in Scotland for which he has responsibility which fit the description of self-financing regulatory organisations.

  Knives (Assaults)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many assaults with knives there have been in Scotland in each of the last five years. [3491]
  584
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written answer that I gave him on 15 November 1996,Official Report, column 380.

  New Community Hospital, Hawick
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects contracts to be awarded for construction on the proposed new community hospital for Hawick; and if he will make a statement. [3492]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The award of the contract for construction of the proposed new community hospital at Hawick is a matter for Borders Community Health Services NHS trust.

  Maternity Care (Lanarkshire)
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning maternity care in Lanarkshire; and if he will make a statement. [3493]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have received written representations from the Royal College of Midwives and three others.

  Lanarkshire health board's on-going public consultation on its proposals for the reprovision of maternity and related services will continue until 9 December 1996. No final decisions have yet been taken.

  NHS Chairmen and Chief Executives
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the(a) cost and (b) purpose of the recent two-day meeting between NHS chairmen and chief executives. [3495]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I am not aware of such a meeting having been held.

  Homelessness
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on levels of homelessness in Scotland. [3497]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Most recent representations on homelessness have been in connection with the consultation on a draft code of guidance on homelessness, to which just over 140 organisations and individuals responded.

SCOTLAND

  Alcohol
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 years have been diagnosed as alcoholics in Scotland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4412]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information required is not available centrally. However, information on hospitalisation for those patients aged under 18 and those 18 and over who have been discharged with an alcohol dependence syndrome1 during the last five years is set out in the following table:

  Year

  18

  18+

  Total

  1991

  31

  3,535

  3,566

  1992

  20

  4,167

  4,187

  1993

  13

  4,609

  4,622

  1994

  14

  5,169

  5,183

  1995

  16

  5,966

  5,982

  1 "Hospitalisations" refer to in-patient and day case discharges from non-obstetric/non-psychiatric NHS hospitals in Scotland. Out-patient attendances, accident and emergency attendances and general practitioner consultations are excluded from the table. Diagnoses are coded to the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision, ICD.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 have been prosecuted for alcohol-related crime in Scotland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4407]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of prosecutions for alcohol-related crime. The available information is given in the table. Children under the age of 16 would usually be dealt with by the children's hearing system rather than the courts for such offences.

  Number of persons aged under 18 proceeded against where the main offence related to the purchase, consumption or possession of alcohol

  Year

  Number of persons aged under 18

  1990

  70

  1991

  122

  1992

  28

  1993

  27

  1994

  23

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions for selling(a) alcohol and (b) alco-pops to under-age children have taken place in Scotland in each of the last five years; what proportion of prosecutions have involved sales from (i) public houses, (ii) off licences, (iii) supermarkets and (iv) other outlets; and if he will make a statement. [4403]
  586
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The available information is given in the table.

  Persons proceeded against where the main offence was sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years old

  Year

  Number

  1990

  134

  1991

  151

  1992

  80

  1993

  77

  1994

  81

  M77 Extension
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the extension of the M77 on the economies of(a) Renfrewshire and (b) Ayrshire. [4262]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Office carried out the standard cost-benefit analysis of the M77 extension, which revealed that the proposal offered good value for money. In addition, Renfrewshire Enterprise and Enterprise Ayrshire have each prepared economic assessments of aspects of the project. The results of these assessments indicate that the development of the route offers real economic opportunities for neighbouring communities. The local enterprise companies will be looking to exploit those opportunities when the Drumbreck-Malletsheugh section of the M77 opens shortly.

  Tayside Community Business
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the failure rate of firms funded with public money by Tayside Community Business; and if he will make a statement. [4281]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has received two representations about Tayside Community Business. The issues raised are under considerations at present and replies will be sent as soon as possible.

  Electoral Divisions
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the(a) local authority and (b) new parliamentary constituency for each local authority electoral division. [4751]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table.
  587

  Local authority areas showing component electoral wards and parliamentary constituencies

  Local authority

  Component electoral wards

  Parliamentary constituency

  Aberdeen City

  1-12, 19-20, 23-24

  Aberdeen, North

  13-18, 21-22, 25-28, 31-34

  Aberdeen, Central

  29-30, 35-50

  Aberdeen, South

  Aberdeenshire

  1-4, 7-18, 21-24, 35-47

  Banff and Buchan West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  5-6, 19-20, 25-34

  Gordon (part)

  Angus

  1-10, 15-18, 23-26

  Angus (part)

  11-14, 19-22

  North Tayside (part)

  Argyll and Bute

  1-27

  Argyll and Bute

  28-33

  Dumbarton (part)

  Clackmannanshire

  1-12

  Ochil (part)

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1-32

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  33-70

  Dumfries

  Dundee City

  1-18, 13(pt), 14-15, 16(pt), 17(pt), 18, 19(pt) 20(pt), 21-22

  Dundee, West

  9-12, 23-26, 27(pt), 28, 29(pt), 30-34, 35(pt), 36(pt)

  Dundee, East

  13(pt), 16(pt), 17(pt), 19(pt), 20(pt), 27(pt), 29(pt), 35(pt), 36(pt)

  Angus (part)

  East Ayrshire

  1-20

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  21-30

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (part)

  East Dunbartonshire

  1-5

  Clydebank and Milngavie (part)

  6-25

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  26

  Coatbridge and Chryston (part)

  East Lothian

  1-3

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh (part)

  4-18

  East Lothian

  East Renfrewshire

  1–20

  Eastwood

  Edinburgh, City of

  1-2, 25-26, 41-44, 51-52

  Edinburgh, Pentlands

  3-8, 13-14, 23-24

  Edinburgh, West

  9-12, 17-22

  Edinburgh, North and Leith

  15-16, 27-34

  Edinburgh, Central

  35-40, 57-58

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh (part)

  45-50, 53-56

  Edinburgh, South

  Falkirk

  1-10, 21-24, 27-30

  Falkirk, West

  11-30, 25-26, 31-36

  Falkirk, East

  Fife

  1-10, 13-20

  Dumfermline, West

  11-12, 21-34, 73-74

  Dunfermline, East

  35-52

  Kirkcaldy

  53-72

  Central Fife

  75-92

  North-East Fife

  588

  Local authority areas showing component electoral wards and parliamentary constituencies

  Local authority area

  Component electoral wards

  Parliamentary constituency

  Glasgow, City of

  1-9

  Glasgow, Anniesland

  10-15, 19-21

  Glasgow, Kelvin

  16-18, 22-27

  Glasgow, Maryhill

  28-36

  Glasgow, Springburn

  37-39, 43-45, 73-75

  Glasgow, Shettleston

  40-42, 46-51

  Glasgow, Baillieston

  52-57, 70-72

  Glasgow, Govan

  58-66

  Glasgow, Pollok

  67-69, 76-81

  Glasgow, Cathcart

  82-33

  Glasgow, Rutherglen (part)

  Highland

  1-15, 22-24

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  16-21, 25-34, 37-42, 44, 49

  Ross, Skye and Inverness, West

  35-36, 43, 45-48, 50-72

  Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber

  Inverclyde

  1-5

  West Renfrewshire (part)

  6-20

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  Midlothian

  1-3

  Tweedale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (part)

  4-15

  Midlothian

  Moray

  1-14, 17-18

  Moray

  15-16

  Gordon (part)

  North Ayrshire

  1-15

  Cunninghame, South

  16-30

  Cunninghame, North

  North Lanarkshire

  1-15

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  16-20, 41-50

  Airdrie and Shotts

  21-30

  Hamilton, North and Bellshill (part)

  31-40, 66-69

  Coatbridge and Chryston (part)

  51-65

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  Orkney Islands

  1-28

  Orkney and Shetland (part)

  Perth and Kinross

  1-18

  Perth

  19-29

  North Tayside (part)

  30-31

  Ochil (part)

  32

  Angus (part)

  Renfrewshire

  1-5, 16-20, 26-30

  Paisley, North

  6-15, 21-25

  Paisley, South

  31-40

  West Renfrewshire (part)

  Scottish Borders

  1-10, 15-16, 29-46

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  11-14, 17-28, 47-58

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (part)

  Shetland Islands

  1-26

  Orkney and Shetland (part)

  South Ayrshire

  1-10, 16-20

  Ayr

  11-15, 21-25

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (part)

  589

  Local authority areas showing component electoral wards and parliamentary constituencies

  Local authority area

  Component electoral wards

  Parliamentary constituency

  South Lanarkshire

  1-16, 57-61

  Clydesdale

  17-36

  East Kilbride

  37-41, 47-56

  Hamilton, South

  42-46

  Hamilton, North and Bellshill (part)

  62-74

  Glasgow, Rutherglen (part)

  Stirling

  1-12, 15-16, 19-22

  Stirling

  13-14, 17-18

  Ochil (part)

  West Dunbartonshire

  1-11

  Clydebank and Milngavie (part)

  12-22

  Dumbarton (part)

  West Lothian

  1-12

  Linlithgow

  13-27

  Livingston

  Western Isles

  1-30

  Western Isles

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4530]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office has a responsibility for most aspects of the environment in Scotland, which figures as an important consideration in a wide range of Scottish policies and programmes. In these areas, a variety of procedures and processes is used to ensure that decisions are reached giving full weight to the commitments made in the White Papers "Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy", Cm 2246, 1994, and the environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance", Cm 1200, 1990. It is a fundamental objective of the Government to secure a prosperous economy for Scotland, building on and having regard for its considerable natural resources and heritage.

  Within its own estate, the Scottish Office has initiated an environmental auditing procedure in accordance with ISO 14001 accreditation criteria at its largest building, Victoria Quay, in Edinburgh.

  Environmental management procedures piloted at Victoria Quay have refined existing work practices. Further development of waste management and energy efficiency policies will, collectively, result in an overall improvement in environmental performance across the estate, providing additional economic and social benefits, while maintaining staff welfare and comfort.

  The efficiency and effectiveness of business in Scotland is assisted through environmental audit consultancy services such as the European, Community econ-management and auditing scheme sponsored by the Department of the Environment and is promoted by Scottish Office staff through a regional network.

  Promotion of the economic benefits to come from environmental auditing and related processes is a matter largely for the enterprise network of Scottish Enterprise,
  590
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the local enterprise companies. For example, the Scottish Office has worked with Scottish Natural Heritage, a number of local enterprise companies and enterprise trusts and KPMG to sponsor the centre for environment and business in Scotland to produce a catalogue of case studies of good environmental management in companies of all types and sizes.

  The environmental technology best practice programme run in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry concentrates on waste minimisation and cost-effective cleaner technology providing services direct to business. The energy efficiency best practice programme, part of the Government effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, has enabled companies in Scotland, as elsewhere, to reduce their emissions while at the same time making substantial reductions in their energy costs. The Clyde waste minimisation project run by the Glasgow development agency with Dunbartonshire Enterprise, Renfrewshire Enterprise and Enterprise Ayrshire, is another example which has enabled a range of companies to reduce their costs while at the same time bringing benefits to the environment.

  Police Complaints (Injuries)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have officially complained about injuries they have suffered allegedly at the hands of police officers in Scotland in the last two years. [4577]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. The number of complaints of alleged assaults by police officers against members of the public which have been received by the police are as follows:

  Year

  Number of alleged assaults

  1995

  1,010

  1996

  612

  Court Waiting Time
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statistics his Department collates on the interval between a charge being made by the police and appearance in court by the accused for different offences in different parts of Scotland. [4725]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The statistics requested are not collated by the Scottish Office. It is not always necessary for the police to charge an accused before reporting that accused to the procurator fiscal for consideration for prosecution.

  Police Custody (Deaths)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for those who have died in police custody in Scotland in the last two years (i) the location of their death, (ii) the reasons for the deaths ascertained so far, and (iii) what action was taken in respect of the police officer involved; and if he will make a statement. [4576]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the location of and reason for death in respect of persons who have died in police custody or otherwise with the
  591
  police in Scotland since November 1994 is set out in the table. All such deaths are thoroughly investigated by an appointed senior police officer and reported to the procurator fiscal, who decides whether any criminal proceedings are warranted. In all cases where a person dies in legal custody, the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 requires a fatal accident inquiry to be held, in which all the circumstances surrounding the death are subject to examination.

  Location of death

  Reason for death

  Kilmarnock police station

  Acute fatty infiltration of liver. Toxic effects of alcohol.

  Southern general hospital, Glasgow

  Sub-dural haemorrhage.

  Southern general hospital, Glasgow

  Head injury.

  Levenmouth police station, Methil

  Head injuries. Probable alcohol-related fall.

  Gorbals police station, Glasgow

  Hanging.

  Kilbirnie police station, Glasgow

  Head injury with brain damage. Fractured skull.

  Motherwell police station

  Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. Chronic alcoholism.

  Edinburgh royal infirmary

  Fatal dose of dihydrocodeine in liver. Toxic dose of dihydrocodeine in blood.

  Oban police station

  Acute pulmonary congestion and oedema.

  Dalkeith police station

  Acute alcohol intoxication, hypertensive heart disease and coronary atheroma.

  Motherwell police station

  Pulmonary oedema and congestion.

  Western general hospital, Edinburgh

  Blunt force head injury; haemophilia.

  Kirkcaldy police station

  Hanging.

  Hawick police station

  Inhalation of gastric contents; acute intoxication with alcohol.

  Aberdeen royal infirmary

  Heart attack.

  Southern general hospital, Glasgow

  Head injury/fall.

  The Victoria infirmary, Glasgow

  Hanging.

  Aberdeen royal infirmary

  Myocardial infarction (heart attack).

  Southern general hospital, Glasgow

  Head injury.

  Inverclyde royal hospital, Greenock

  Head injury/fall.

  Glasgow royal infirmary

  Pulmonary oedema and congestion.

  Edinburgh royal infirmary

  Undetermined, pending further laboratory investigations.

  Foresterhill hospital, Aberdeen

  Ischaemic heart disease.

  Glasgow royal infirmary

  Not yet known.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to encourage transfer of local authority housing stock to housing associations. [3718]
  592
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Earlier this year, the Scottish Office issued draft guidance on housing stock transfers to local authorities and other interested parties for comments. The comments received are currently being considered and the final guidance will be issued shortly.

  Over the summer, in meetings with housing conveners of Scottish local authorities, I encouraged them to examine the benefits that housing transfers can offer. Scottish Office officials have also been available to discuss the implications of stock transfer with individual authorities.

  In addition, a working group has been set up to look at the regulation and monitoring of new social landlords, such as local housing companies. The group, which comprises representatives from Scottish Homes, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland and funders, is due to hold its first meeting in early December.

  Education Buildings
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much capital expenditure local authorities have been permitted to make on education buildings in Scotland(a) in real and (b) constant prices; and how much has been spent in (i) real and (ii) constant prices in each year since 1979. [4443]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Capital allocations for educational building from 1979–80

  £000's

  Year

  At out-turn prices

  At 1995–96 prices

  1979–80

  53,605

  137,371

  1980–81

  56,678

  122,757

  1981–82

  62,213

  122,861

  1982–83

  53,669

  98,940

  1983–84

  45,755

  80,611

  1984–85

  40,310

  67,621

  1985–86

  50,275

  79,955

  1986–87

  47,480

  73,299

  1987–88

  53,175

  77,941

  1988–89

  61,315

  84,235

  1989–90

  65,555

  84,181

  1990–91

  62,619

  74,465

  1991–92

  73,291

  81,909

  1992–93

  85,647

  91,853

  1993–94

  78,489

  81,826

  1994–95

  72,989

  74,755

  1995–96

  69,258

  69,258

  1. Within the total capital allocations made to authorities, allocations applying to specific programmes are advisory and do not restrict to that figure.

  2. The total allocations for educational building include elements for further education from 1979–80 to 1992–93, and community education from 1985–86 onwards.

  3. These figures include supplementary allocations where appropriate.

  4. As from 1996–97 authorities are given a single allocation covering all their non-housing capital programmes. An advisory for educational building is not separately identified.

  593

  Capital expenditure for educational building from 1979–80

  £000s

  Year

  At out-turn prices

  At 1995–96 prices

  1979–80

  52,926

  135,631

  1980–81

  55,799

  120,853

  1981–82

  64,283

  126,949

  1982–83

  58,159

  107,217

  1983–84

  52,825

  93,067

  1984–85

  51,429

  86,273

  1985–86

  57,522

  91,480

  1986–87

  55,150

  85,140

  1987–88

  59,414

  87,085

  1988–89

  74,102

  101,802

  1989–90

  81,593

  104,776

  1990–91

  78,284

  93,093

  1991–92

  82,046

  91,693

  1992–93

  100,860

  108,168

  1993–94

  104,609

  109,056

  1994–95

  121,942

  124,892

  1995–96

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  1. Compiled from local authority financial returns.

  2. The figures include expenditure on further education from 1979–80 to 1992–93, and community education from 1985–86.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the number of schools in a seriously sub-standard condition in Scotland and of the amount of money needed to repair them; [4444]

  (2) what research he has conducted into the physical condition of schools in Scotland; and what conclusions were reached; [4448]

  (3) how many replacement schools are currently being constructed in Scotland; and where. [4449]

  Mr. Robertson
  The overall management of school buildings is a matter for individual education authorities. Detailed information on the physical condition of schools, or on the progress of individual school building projects, is not held centrally.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on school buildings in Scotland under the private finance initiative. [4445]

  Mr. Robertson
  There has been no such expenditure to date.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which school building projects in Scotland are currently being considered for financing through the private finance initiative. [4446]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend is aware that the following authorities are actively considering the following school building projects through the private finance initiative.Falkirk council: refurbishment of Bo'ness academy; refurbishment of a group of schools including Graeme, Woodlands and Larbert high schools;
  Stirling council: replacement of Balfron high school;
  Aberdeenshire council: construction of new Garioch academy;
  East Renfrewshire council: the extension of St. Ninian's high school; construction of new primary school in Newton Mearns.
  594
  However, he does not collect systematically information from local authorities about school building projects which they may be exploring under the private finance initiative. Authorities are likely therefore to have a number of other projects at earlier stages of consideration.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from(a) the finance industry and (b) the construction industry about the usefulness of the private finance initiative for school building; and what those representations were. [4447]

  Mr. Robertson
  Scottish Office Ministers have had frequent contacts with members of the construction and financial services industries concerning progress with the private finance initiative since its launch in 1992. We welcome constructive ideas from the private sector and encourage local authorities to explore the option of the initiative for suitable projects in all areas of public service for which they have responsibility.

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what stage the recruitment process for the chief executive of the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust has now reached; how much has been spent on this exercise by the trust; which outside agencies have been appointed to assist in the recruitment process; and when an appointment will be made. [5052]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The closing date for applications was 15 November 1996. The only costs have been in advertising the post. No agencies have been appointed by the trust to assist in the recruitment process. The trust expects that an appointment will be made by the latter part of December 1996.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to suspend the recruitment of the chief executive of the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust pending a review of the provision of acute medical services by NHS trusts in Ayrshire. [5053]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. The recruitment process is a matter for the trust.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who is currently carrying out the duties of the chief executive of the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust. [5055]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Mr. Lindsay C. Tolland is the current acting chief executive.

  Acute Medical Services (Ayrshire)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to carry out a review of the current provision of acute medical services within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area with a view to the creation of a single acute NHS trust for Ayrshire. [5054]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have no plans to do so. The organisation of health provision is a matter for the health board and the NHS trusts to agree in accordance with their shared assessment of health needs for the area.
  595
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place between the Scottish Office, the Ayrshire and Arran health board and the South and North Ayrshire NHS trusts relating to the amalgamation of the existing acute NHS trusts to provide a single acute service NHS trust for Ayrshire and Arran. [5050]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There have been no such discussions.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Scottish Office has received in the last three years in respect of the creation of a single acute NHS trust for the Ayrshire and Arran area. [5051]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The only written representations received were from the hon. Member on 27 July and 3 September 1994. The hon. Member also raised the matter during the Scottish Grand Committee debate in Ayr on 10 June 1996.

  Kilwinning Plant Closure
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what types of financial assistance have been given to(a) Robert Wilson and Sons Ltd., (b) Hillsdown Ambient Foods Group Ltd. and (c) their subsidiary companies by his Department during the last five years. [5046]

  Mr. George Kynoch
  None. An offer of regional selective assistance was made to Robert Wilson and Sons (Est. 1849) Ltd. in March 1995 to assist the installation of new machinery to improve produce quality and to help the company to develop into new markets; however, none of this grant has been claimed.

HEALTH

  Edgware General Hospital
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the running costs of the minor accident treatment service unit at Edgware general hospital. [3906]

  Mr. Malone
  The running costs of the minor accident treatment service at Edgware general hospital include overhead costs shared with the accident and emergency department. It is therefore not possible to disaggregate the accurate full costs of the present minor accident treatment service facility.

  Dentists (Sunderland)
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) general dental practitioners and (b) community dental practitioners practise dentistry in Sunderland health authority's area. [4417]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is contained in the table:596

  General dental service and community dental service: number of general dental practitioners1,2,3 at 30 June 1996 and community dentists4 at 30 September 1995 in Sunderland health authority

  Number of general dental practitioners1,2,3 at 30 June 1996

  Number of community dentists4,5 whole-time equivalent, at 30 September 1995

  88

  10

  1 The number of dentists (principals) on the health authority list and their assistants and vocational trainees.

  2 Some dentists have a contract with more than one health authority. All dentists in Sunderland are included.

  3 Excludes hospital dentists.

  4 Figure for community dentists is whole time equivalent and represents the number of staff allocated by Sunderland health commission, priority Healthcare Wearside NHS trust and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS trust.

  5 Figure is rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mental Illness
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of a recent report by the World Health Organisation into the extent of mental illness; and if he will make a statement. [4754]

  Mr. Burns
  I welcome "Mental Illness in General Health Care", edited by T. B. Üstün and N. Sartorious. It is a very useful contribution to our understanding of the importance of primary health care in the development of mental health services. We are already taking a number of steps to improve the ability of general practitioners to understand, diagnose and manage mental illness.

  HIV and AIDS
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount allocated for HIV treatment in each NHS trust. [4716]

  Mr. Horam
  National Health Service trusts receive no central funding for HIV treatment. Funding for HIV treatment, together with all other income, is included in contracts with purchasers.

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4526]

  Mr. Horam
  Internally, the Department operates an effective energy and environment action plan which promotes all aspects of green housekeeping and which is regularly reviewed. Additionally, major energy audits of three of the main London buildings were recently undertaken and the majority of recommendations have already been implemented. Externally, contractors for building and office services are required to demonstrate their own environmental policies when invited to tender and their environmental performance is included in our assessment of their tenders.

  Guidance to the national health service encourages it to engage in pro-environmental measures and to ensure that the environment is given thorough consideration in the development of policies at all levels. For example the NHS's old inefficient incinerators have been closed down

  597
  and replaced with fewer, modern installations which fully comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As part of the target to reduce energy consumption and stabilise carbon dioxide emissions, the NHS has introduced some 200 combined heat and power installations to make more efficient use of fossil fuel, and one of these provided this Department's case study example in response to the United Kingdom round table on sustainable development.

  In 1996, NHS Estates—an executive agency of the Department of Health—introduced an award for the "best environmental initiative" in its health care estate management awards.

  Fostering and Adoption
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation on fostering and adoption in the current Session. [4511]

  Mr. Burns
  The Government will introduce adoption legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. There are no plans to revise fostering legislation at this time.

  Prescriptions
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the (i) percentage and (ii) amount of the NHS prescription charge received on each prescription by pharmacists in(a) 1979, (b) 1984, (c) 1987, (d) 1992 and (e) 1996. [4506]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Year

  Average prescription charge as a percentage of average total cost per prescription

  Average total cost per prescription £

  Average prescription charge during the year (see note 2) £

  1979

  13

  2·43

  0·31

  1984

  35

  4·39

  1·55

  1987

  43

  5·46

  2·35

  1992

  48

  7·60

  3·66

  1995

  60

  8·57

  5·13

  1 The data used are obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority PD1 series of forms and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in England. The number of prescriptions are based on fees.

  2 The prescription charges used to obtain the average prescription charge during each year was as follows:

  1979 : 1 January to 15 July—£0.20, 16 July to 31 December—£0.45; 1984 : 1 January to 31 March—£1.40, 1 April to 31 December—£1.60; 1987 : 1 January to 31 March—£2.20, 1 April to 31 December—£2.40; 1992 : 1 January to 31 March—£3.40, 1 April to 31 December—£.3.75; 1995 : 1 January to 31 March—£4.75, 1 April to 31 December—£5.25.

  3 Information for 1996 is not yet available.

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of all NHS prescriptions issued in Sheffield in the last 12 months for which figures are available were free of charge; and if he will make a statement. [4832]

  Mr. Malone
  In the area covered by the Sheffield family health services authority, 85 per cent. of prescription items were dispensed free of charge to patients in 1995.
  598
  Miss Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future of resale price maintenance for prescription medicines. [4505]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  Resale price maintenance is unlawful under the Resale Prices Act 1976, subject to the possibility of exemption by the restrictive practices court on public interest grounds. The Director General of Fair Trading announced on 18 October that he was seeking leave of the court to apply for a discharge of its 1970 order in respect of resale price maintenance on ethical and proprietary medicines. If leave is given, it will be for the court to decide whether the 1970 order remains in the public interest. The Secretary of State has no statutory role or discretion in relation to the director-general's application or in relation to the court's consideration of the case.

  Limb Lane Secure Unit
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Limb Lane secure unit in Sheffield. [4830]

  Mr. Burns
  The Limb Lane unit is a new eight-place secure unit for children. It is being constructed by Sheffield city council and funded by a grant from the Department of Health. It is part of the national secure accommodation development programme, which will provide an additional 170 places by the middle of next year. The unit is expected to be completed early in the new year.

  Water Disconnection
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will collate centrally information on families that have contracted a disease due to their supply of domestic water being cut off; and if he will make a statement. [5142]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Paediatric Intensive Care Beds
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra(a) general and specialist paediatric intensive care beds and (b) high dependency beds are to be provided this year; and if he will list their locations. [4805]

  Mr. Horam
  The chief executive of the national health service executive reported earlier this year on plans to increase the provision of beds for critically ill children and gave their location by region. Copies of this report, "Paediatric Intensive Care", which was published on 29 May, are in the Library. Most of these additional beds are scheduled to open this year; many are now available and the others will open shortly.

  Learning Disabilities
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total resource allocation for learning disabilities and its percentage of the local budget in each of the last five years [4807]
  599
  Mr. Burns
  There is no specific allocation for services for people with learning disabilities. Health authorities are given general allocations for hospital and community health services to purchase health care services for their resident population.

  Homicides and Suicides (Inquiries)
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many confidential inquiries into homicides and suicides have been undertaken in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to publish an analysis of the results of these inquiries. [4808]

  Mr. Burns
  The confidential inquiry into homicides and suicides by mentally ill people was set up in 1991, funded by the Department and undertaken by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Two reports have been published: "A Preliminary Report on Homicides", in August 1994, analysed 22 cases of homicides; and the "Report of the Confidential Inquiry into Homicides and Suicides by Mentally Ill People", in January 1996, analysed 39 cases of homicide and 240 cases of suicide. Both these reports are available in the Library.

  Registered Homes
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accidents have taken place in homes registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984, broken down by category of home in each of the last five years. [4810]

  Mr. Burns
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 March 1996,Official Report, column 774, concerning capitation formula, what was the date of the latest revision of the formula; what changes were made; and when it came into force. [5072]

  Mr. Horam
  A major review of the national weighted

  £ billion

  Great Britain

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  1995–96

  National Insurance Fund

  Class 1 employee and employer

  Gross

  51·85

  61·70

  69·70

  75·35

  43·95

  C/O rebate

  5·95

  5·85

  5·55

  5·60

  5·25

  Net

  45·90

  55·85

  64·15

  69·75

  38·70

  Class 1A for cars and car fuel

  0·45

  0·55

  0·60

  0·70

  0·45

  Total

  46·35

  56·40

  64·75

  70·45

  39·15

  National Health Service

  Class 1

  5·60

  6·55

  7·35

  7·85

  4·70

  Class 1A

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  0·05

  Total

  5·65

  6·60

  7·40

  7·90

  4·75

  Total all contributions

  Class 1

  Gross

  57·45

  68·25

  77·05

  83·20

  48·65

  C/O rebate

  5·95

  5·85

  5·55

  5·60

  5·25

  Net

  51·50

  62·40

  71·50

  77·60

  43·40

  Class 1A

  0·50

  0·60

  0·65

  0·75

  0·50

  Total

  52·00

  63·00

  72·15

  78·35

  43·90

  600
  capitation formula took place in 1994. As a result, new adjustments for need and cost were introduced in 1995–96 for allocations to regional health authorities. The revised formula was used to inform allocations to health authorities in 1996–97.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 14 November,Official Report, column 337, what information is collected centrally on commitments entered into by NHS trusts arising from private finance initiative projects; and to what extent this information includes data on long-term revenue commitments arising from such projects. [5090]

  Mr. Horam
  Information including trust name, scheme description, capital value of scheme and status of the project is collected centrally on private finance initiative projects with a capital value of £1 million or over that have been approved since November 1992. Estimates on long-term revenue commitments arising from the private finance initiative for each individual trust are not collected centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the combined national insurance contribution income from employers and employees and (b) expenditure on the basic retirement pension and on all benefits, at present contribution rates and levels of benefit, for the years (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2010–11, (iii) 2020–21, (iv) 2030–31 and (v) 1995–96, if the Government Actuary's assumptions for later years are applied to that year and separately identifying for each set of figures (1) health service charges, (2) occupational pension rebates, (3) personal pension rebates and (4) personal pension subsidies. [5306]

  Mr. Heald
  The information requested is in the table:
  601

  £ billion

  Great Britain

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  1995–96

  Rebates for personal pensions

  Total paid in year

  2·10

  2·65

  2·50

  2·15

  11·90

  Benefit expenditure

  Retirement pension (flat-rate)

  29·80

  33·60

  35·20

  41·90

  27·30

  Retirement pension (additional)

  4·20

  8·40

  10·90

  12·00

  2·20

  Other benefits

  8·20

  8·80

  10·30

  9·90

  10·20

  Total

  42·20

  50·80

  56·40

  63·80

  39·70

  Notes:

  1 Includes the 1 per cent. additional rebate.

  2 Calculations are based on assumptions adopted for the report by the Government Actuary on the third quinquennial review under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975 (HC 160), except for 1995–96 where actual figures are shown because it would not be appropriate to use demographic assumptions relating to later years. All figures are discounted to put them in 1994–95 price terms.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from the Benefits Agency and trade unions about staffing levels and resources in the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance. [4515]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what analysis he has undertaken of the impact of the jobseeker's allowance on young widows on benefit; and if he will make a statement. [4575]

  Mr. Evans
  We have in place a long-term programme of monitoring and evaluation of jobseeker's allowance.

  Widows who wish to claim jobseeker's allowance are required to be available for employment. However, a widow whose youngest child is below the age of 16 may claim income support without being available for employment.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the case of Mr. Ron Fisher of Gulston road, Coventry, and the jobseeker's allowance. [4563]

  Mr. 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. Jim Cunningham, dated 19 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will review the case of Ron Fisher of Gulstan Road, Coventry, and the jobseeker's allowance.
  In the interests of confidentiality I have written to you separately about Mr. Fisher's claim to Job Seekers Allowance. I have outlined the background to Mr. Fisher's claim and the action taken by both the Benefits Agency Office and Employment Service Jobcentre.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about liaison between jobcentres and his Department over the jobseeker's allowance. [4564]

  Mr. Evans
  The administration of the payment of the jobseeker's allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  602
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 19 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 about liaison between job centres and his Department over the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).
  JSA was introduced on the 7 October and is delivered jointly by the Benefits Agency (BA) and Employment Service (ES).
  JSA and other relevant services for Jobseekers are being provided from Jobcentres, the majority of which now have BA staff working in them. Day to day liaison between BA and ES is the responsibility of local managers and staff and is working effectively. These local arrangements are supported by formal joint management structures at District, Area and National level and a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Agency Chief Executives.
  Between formal meetings, managers and staff from the two agencies work together on a daily basis to ensure the smooth delivery of JSA.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 November Official Report, column 144, if he will list the representatives of the building societies the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People met on 13 November,
  indicating the building societies to which they belong. [4762]

  Mr. Burt
  I met the director general and other members of staff of the Building Societies Association. The association represents buildings societies in general.

  Single Parents
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 7 November, what factors underlay the scale of increases in the total sums spent on benefit for single parents. [4761]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Expenditure on lone parent benefits rose from £1.8 billion in 1978–79 to £9.5 billion in 1995–96—1995–96 prices. The most significant factor underlying the scale of this increase is the growth of lone parenthood in the general population, and in particular the growth of single, never married lone parents, who are less likely to be in work or receiving maintenance, and therefore more likely to be dependent on income support.

  National Disability Council
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the oral answer by the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) of 12 November Official Report, column 143–44, if he will list the issues on which the National Disability Council has offered advice to Ministers on its own initiative; if he will list the dates on which such advice was offered; and if he will indicate in which cases Ministers (a) accepted and (b) rejected such advice. [4763]

  Mr. Burt
  The Government have regular contact with the National Disability Council. The council has given advice on a wide range of issues relevant to the reduction and elimination of discrimination against disabled people. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires the National Disability Council to provide the Secretary of State with an annual report which he must lay before Parliament and arrange for further publication as he considers appropriate. The annual report for 1995–96 was published on 9 July 1996. Copies were placed in the Library. It records, among other things, advice the council has given during the previous financial year. The council is required to produce a similar report as soon as is practicable after the current financial year.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of applications for disability living allowance or for an upgrade to higher rate disability living allowance an adverse decision is given without the adjudication officer seeking information from the claimant's general practitioner or hospital consultant. [4846]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available in the format requested; the available information is given below.

  A claimant is invited to provide supporting statements with his claim, for example from a GP, carer or social worker. Information from such sources may also be requested by an adjudication officer who may further ask for an examining medical practitioner's report. Information is sought from the most suitable source, and this may not be a GP or hospital consultant if, for example, the claimant has not recently attended for treatment.

  Disability living allowance decisions made April 1992 to October 19961,2

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  Decisions involving any additional evidence other than from a GP or hospital (Thousands)

  Adverse decisions (of col 2) (Thousands)

  Adverse decisions as a percentage of decisions (col 3 as a percentage of col 2)

  Initial claims

  1,568

  3705

  45

  Other decisions4

  1,414

  5955

  68

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.

  Notes:

  1 All figures are rounded and are for decisions based on evidence provided in the claim pack, which may include a GP's statement.

  2 Cases where the type of evidence used is unknown have been excluded.
  604
  3 An adverse decision is one where benefit is refused.

  4 Decisions made for renewal claims, reviews and appeals.

  5 An adverse decision is one where either a previous refusal has been upheld, or where the benefit was previously awarded and the decision is not to increase the level of the award.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5077]

  Mr. Burt
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from PFI contracts. Such information is now being collated. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed PFI contracts would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Child Support Agency
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the Child Support Agency to secure liability orders within a reasonable time on parents who consistently avoid providing maintenance for their children; [4123]

  (2) how many complaints the Child Support Agency has received in the last year about fathers who successfully avoid making any payment due to the mothers of their children, whose cases have been registered by the Child Support Agency. [4125]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Sir Dudley Smith, dated 19 November 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about liability orders and complaints to the Agency about fathers who avoid paying their maintenance.
  The Agency makes every effort to ensure that absent parents meet their maintenance liability, and takes various forms of enforcement action where this does not happen.
  You have specifically asked about liability orders which are applied for through the courts, mainly against non-compliant self employed absent parents. In the period from 1 April 1996 to 30 September 1996 the number of liability orders the Agency applied for was 1,082; this is an increase of 55% on the same period last year.
  Each such case is considered on its merits. Legal action against an absent parent is a serious step and is not taken lightly. Nevertheless, if all other voluntary methods fails and if a deduction from earnings order is not a possibility, then a liability order is applied for. Additionally, since May of this year the Agency has been able to enter liability orders as debts in the County Court Register of Judgments, which may in turn affect credit availability for the absent parent concerned.
  I am afraid I cannot give you an answer to your question about the number of complaints against fathers who do not comply with child support liability. There is no business need for us to categories

  605
  complaints along the lines that you describe. For example, whether they are about one or other party to child maintenance or by gender within that category.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Court Orders (Avoidance)
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines he issues to police forces in respect of obtaining evidence about anyone who consistently avoids their responsibilities under court and official orders by constantly changing their address. [4123]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. This is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Students
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research he has(a) conducted and (b) evaluated about the costs faced by Northern Ireland students who study in Great Britain because of a lack of higher education places in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [3582]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Unemployment
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one period of unemployment since 1979. [3936]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is available only from October 1993. In the three-year period to October 1996, 196,787 people have made at least one new claim for unemployment-related benefit.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the unemployment figures on the basis of the current statistical definition in each of the last 10 years in Northern Ireland. [3944]

  Mr. Ancram
  The unemployment figures on the basis of the current statistical definition in each of the last 10 years in Northern Ireland were as follows:

  Year

  Annual average figure

  Percentage of the work force

  1987

  120,400

  16·4

  1988

  111,100

  15·0

  1989

  103,300

  14·0

  1990

  95,300

  12·8

  1991

  99,100

  12·9

  1992

  104,700

  13·8

  1993

  103,700

  13·7

  1994

  97,100

  12·6

  1995

  88,100

  11·4

  19961

  85,800

  11·1

  1 January to October.

  606
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the population of working age in Northern Ireland were unemployed in each year since 1979. [3945]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information, which is available on a consistent only basis from 1984, is as follows:

  Percentage working age population unemployed (ILO definition)

  Spring

  1984

  12·1

  1985

  11·7

  1986

  11·6

  1987

  11·0

  1988

  10·2

  1989

  9·3

  1990

  8·7

  1991

  9·0

  1992

  9·1

  1993

  9·1

  1994

  8·3

  1995

  8·0

  1996

  7·1

  Source:

  Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey, spring 1984 to spring 1996.

  Carrowdore Village
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what residential developments have been approved for Carrowdore village; how many homes are planned for each development; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the footways to support these developments; what proposals there are to provide increased accommodation at Carrowdore primary school; and if he will make a statement about the future growth of Carrowdore village [3909]

  Mr. Ancram
  The South-Eastern education and library board has no plans to provide additional accommodation at Carrowdore primary school.

  Responsibility for the planning matters raised have 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 to these points.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 18 November 1996:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your recent question about the future development of Carrowdore Village.
  In the last 9 years, a total of 7 residential developments, comprising 121 new houses, have been approved within the development limited of Carrowdore village as follows:

  Location

  Units

  Date approved

  Church Walk

  10

  23 June 1987

  Main Street

  22

  18 January 1988

  Manse Road

  22

  4 April 1990

  New Road

  13

  9 April 1991

  Castle Place

  5

  22 April 1992

  Church Road

  7

  14 September 1995

  Main Street

  42

  13 February 1996

  A monitoring survey carried out in July of this year indicated that to date, 47 of these houses have been built. The adequacy of the footways to support these developments was taken into account in determining the planning applications for these proposals.

  607
  The North Down and Ards Area Plan 1984–1995, which remains the statutory development plan for the area, identifies a development limit for Carrowdore village. Within that development limit, there is scope for further housing other than for that for which planning approval has already been granted. The future growth of the village will be considered when the Area Plan is reviewed.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when Main street in Carrowdore village was last resurfaced; when it is proposed next to resurface the street; and if he will make a statement; [3911]

  (2) what proposals he has to provide a footway from the Manse Court junction with Ballyblack road east to the existing footway at Main street, Carrowdore; and if he will make a statement. [3910]

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

  Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 15 November 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to reply to your questions about the resurfacing of Main Street, Carrowdore and the provision of a footway from the Manse Court junction with Ballyblack Road to the existing footway at Main Street, Carrowdore. In his absence I am replying on his behalf.
  We have no records to indicate the last time Main Street, Carrowdore was resurfaced and can only confirm that it was prior to 1973. Roads Service intends to surface dress the carriageway next summer following the completion of Water Service work in the area.
  We have no proposals to construct a footway at the location in question.

  Job Creation
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been created in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [3938]

  Mr. Ancram
  The creation of jobs over the past 10 years is demonstrated by the rise in the number in employment. The position for each of the last 10 years is set out in the table:

  Northern Ireland civil employment at June of each year

  Year

  Employers in employment

  Self employed

  Civil employed

  Change in civil employed over year

  1986

  501,400

  75,700

  577,100

  —

  1987

  504,100

  83,200

  587,300

  +10,200

  1988

  517,200

  87,000

  604,200

  +16,900

  1989

  525,600

  85,100

  611,700

  +7,600

  1990

  533,200

  90,300

  628,500

  +16,700

  1991

  542,100

  92,200

  634,300

  +5,800

  1992

  543,600

  83,300

  626,900

  -7,400

  1993

  545,400

  80,700

  627,100

  +200

  1994

  557,800

  82,200

  640,000

  +12,900

  1995

  573,000

  82,800

  655,800

  +15,800

  1996

  573,100

  82,800

  655,900

  +100

  Figures rounded to the nearest 100 and may not sum due to rounding. Self-employed estimates for 1996 are currently not available. In accordance with practice the estimate is held constant at the level of the previous year.

  Low Pay
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland currently earn less than £2.50 per hour. [3937]

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on hourly earnings in Northern Ireland is available from the "New Earnings Survey" and relates to the proportion of employees within the earnings band specified. The latest figures available are for April 1995 when 0.9 per cent. of full-time male employees and 1.3 per cent. of full-time female employees earned less than £2.50 per hour.

  Source: New Earnings Survey, April 1995.

  Benefits Expenditure
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the expenditure on benefits paid in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [3943]

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

  Year

  Benefit spend (£ million)

  1985–86

  1,230·7

  1986–87

  1,335·5

  1987–88

  1,403·6

  1988–89

  1,465·6

  1989–90

  1,557·1

  1990–91

  1,707·7

  1991–92

  1,951·1

  1992–93

  2,211·5

  1993–94

  2,469·7

  1994–95

  2,648·2

  1995–961

  2,833·1

  1 Estimated figures.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 years have been diagnosed as alcoholics in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4410]

  Mr. Moss
  The information available is given in the table. The Department of Health and Social Services intends next year to commission a review of its strategy on alcohol misuse.

  The number of in-patients discharged at least once from Northern Ireland mental illness hospitals and psychiatric units with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome is shown in the table:

  In-patients diagnosed

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  All ages

  856

  922

  921

  Aged under 18

  2

  5

  1

  Figures are based on code 303 of the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, alcohol dependence syndrome.

  Anti-social Tenants
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to review
  609
  the Northern Ireland Housing Executive allocation policy to ensure that anti-social tenants can be transferred to new accommodation under a negative points system. [4458]

  Mr. Moss
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and the chief executive has advised me that the transfer of any tenant, including those deemed guilty of anti-social behaviour, is governed by the executive's transfer policy and not its allocation policy. The executive has no powers compulsorily to transfer a secure tenant. A transfer takes place on the basis of a request from, and agreement with, an individual tenant. There are no plans to change this policy.

  In cases where tenants are deemed guilty of anti-social behaviour, the executive, under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, has powers through the courts, to seek repossession of its property. However, before taking such action, the executive will invoke its neighbourhood complaints procedure in an attempt to settle any disputes. For the future, it is envisaged that a draft Northern Ireland Housing Order 1997 will contain provisions strengthening the grounds for repossession where a tenant is guilty of anti-social behaviour, and provide for injunctions, backed by a power of arrest, to be granted in such cases. These provisions are similar to those contained in the Housing Act 1996.

  District Council Client Officers
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the district councils in Northern ireland have their chief officers designated as(a) town clerk, (b) chief executive, (c) town clerk and chief executive and (d) other designation. [4396]

  Mr. Moss
  None of the 26 district councils uses the designation town clerk. Seven councils refer to their chief officer as chief executive, 12 refer to the post-holder as town clerk and chief executive and seven refer to the post-holder as clerk and chief executive.

  Private Clegg
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to refer the case of Private Clegg back to the Court of Appeal. [4288]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend received from Lee William Clegg's solicitors an application that his case be referred to the Court of Appeal for Northern Ireland again under section 14 of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980.

  My right hon. and learned Friend has sought an independent scientific report on the material submitted in support of the application to assist him in deciding whether he would be justified in referring the case to the Court of Appeal.

  Terrorism (Compensation)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many and what occasions and dates he has used his exceptional power to pay criminal injury or damage compensation to(a) terrorists (b) members and (c) former members of illegal organisations. [4453]
  610
  Sir John Wheeler
  In the four and a half years since my right hon. and learned Friend took up his duties in Northern Ireland, the discretionary power to make payments in lieu of compensation where applicants have been disallowed because of convictions for terrorism and/or for membership of unlawful association has been exercised on four occasions and on the basis of the special circumstances of each individual case. All these applicants had previous convictions for terrorism and none for membership of unlawful associations. In 1993–94 there was one payment, in 1994–95 there were two payments and in 1995–96 there was one payment. No payments have been, or are likely to be, made to any applicant who has a continuing membership of an unlawful association.

  Arable Area Scheme
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments were made in Northern Ireland in 1995–96 for set-aside under the arable area scheme(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) £5,001 and £10,000, (c) £10,001 and £15,000, (d) £15,001 and £20,000, (e) £20,001 and £25,000 and (f) over £25,001. [4225]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The information is as follows:

  Value £

  Set-aside payment 1995–96

  0-5,000

  201

  5,001-10,000

  11

  10,001-15,000

  1

  15,001-20,000

  —

  20,001-25,000

  —

  Over 25,000

  —

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments were made in Northern Ireland in 1995–96 under the arable area payments scheme(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) 5,001 and £10,000, (c) 10,001 and £15,000, (d) £15,001 and £20,000, (e) £20,001 and £25,000, (f) £25,001 and £50,000, (g) £50,001 and £75,000, (h) £75,001 and £100,000, (i) £100,001 and £150,000, (j) £150,001 and £200,000 and (k) £200,001 and over. [4226]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: The information is as follows:

  Arable Area Payments 1995–96

  £

  Less favoured areas (LFA)

  Non less favoured areas

  0-5000

  878

  2,198

  5,001-10,000

  12

  66

  10,001-15,000

  2

  54

  15,001-20,000

  2

  28

  20,001-25,000

  —

  19

  25,001-50,000

  —

  27

  50,001-75,000

  —

  —

  75,001-100,000

  —

  —

  100,001-150,000

  —

  —

  150,001-200,000

  —

  —

  200,001-and over

  —

  —

  Total payments

  894

  2,392

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5079]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure which is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

DEFENCE

  Helicopters
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what qualifications are required for service personnel to fly helicopters in each of the services. [4424]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 15 November 1996]: The qualifications required by service personnel to fly helicopters are as follows:

  Royal Navy

  Education—minimum five GCSEs (English and Mathematics) and two A-levels (or equivalent)

  Flying aptitude tests and medical

  Initial officer training

  Army

  Minimum rank Lance-corporal (recommended for Corporal)

  Pre-selection course, including aptitude tests, written tests and medical

  Royal Air Force

  Education—minimum five GCSEs (English and Mathematics) and two A-levels (or equivalent)

  Flying aptitude tests and medical

  Initial officer training

  Elementary flying training

  Basic, advanced and operational helicopter flying training are currently carried out separately by the single services. However, from 1 April 1997 all basic and advanced helicopter training will be provided for the three services by the defence helicopter flying school, a tri-service establishment at Shawbury.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 6 November,Official Report, column 521, what arrangements have been made for industrial participation in respect of the purchase of helicopters. [3664]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As part of the Apache industrial participation arrangements, GKN Westland committed that 50 per cent. of the baseline contract work would be placed in the UK. GKN Westland has now identified how this will be achieved. It has already placed contracts for 35 per cent. and its offshore subcontractors have placed contracts for a further 5 per cent., making a total of 612
  40 per cent. In accordance with MOD policy, the contract awards from the offshore subcontractors are now being audited to verify their claims. GKN Westland is thus well on course to meet its commitment in full.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the paper in The New England Journal of Medicine, reporting the mortality studies of Gulf war veterans conducted by Dr. Han Kang. [4573]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has noted with interest the paper "Mortality among US Veterans of the Persian Gulf War" by Dr. Han Kang and Tim Bullman.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the interim report of the US presidential advisory committee on Gulf war veterans' illnesses. [4571]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has noted the interim report of the US presidential advisory committee, and will examine its final report, when published, with great interest.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the director of the Persian Gulf Veterans Co-ordinating Board in the US concerning research on the illnesses of Gulf war veterans. [4574]

  Mr. Soames
  I visited the US earlier this month, where I held discussions with the senior members of the US Administration and their staff, including the director of the Persian Gulf Veterans Co-ordinating Board, about research into the illnesses of Gulf war veterans. My Department's officials, both here and in Washington, maintain a very close liaison with their US colleagues, including the director of the Persian Gulf Veterans Co-ordinating Board, on research and other issues relating to the health of Gulf war veterans.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the research carried out by the division of epidemiology and scientific graphics laboratory at the South Western medical school in Dallas relating to the causes of illnesses developed by Gulf war veterans. [4572]

  Mr. Soames
  We are aware of research into Gulf health issues being conducted at the University of Texas South Western medical school in Dallas, including the work of Dr. Robert Haley. We will look with interest at the results of Dr. Haley's research when they are published.

  Disbanded and Merged Regiments
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will fund a travelling exhibition to exhibit(a) regimental silver, (b) works of art, (c) colours and (d) trophies for all disbanded and merged Regular and Territorial Army regiments. [4819]

  Mr. Soames
  No. The objects concerned are non-public property, and are not the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. The question of any funding for such a travelling exhibition would therefore be for the regiment(s) concerned to address.
  613
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location of(a) regimental silver, (b) works of art, (c) colours and (d) trophies for all disbanded and merged Regular and Territorial Army regiments. [4820]

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

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet representatives from Sheffield museums to discuss mounting an exhibition to exhibit(a) regimental silver, (b) works of art, (c) colours and (d) trophies of the disbanded and merged Regular and Territorial Army regiments. [4906]

  Mr. Soames
  No. The objects mentioned are non-public property, and are not the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. Museums interested in mounting such an exhibition should therefore approach regiments direct.

  Admiral Sir Peter Abbot
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Admiral Sir Peter Abbot required official clearance of the text of his speech to the Royal United Services Institution on 17 October; and to what extent his speech represents Government policy. [5147]

  Mr. Soames
  Ministerial clearance is not required for addresses given to private bodies such as the Royal United Services Institute, whose purpose is to encourage debate of relevant issues. The speech did not represent Government policy; rather, Admiral Abbot was developing a personal view, contributing to just such an academic debate. The issues raised in the speech are already in the public domain.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5087]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed on the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has had with(a) Robert Wilson and Sons Ltd., (b) Hillsdown Ambient Foods Group Ltd. and (c) their subsidiary companies during the last five years; what was the value of each of these contracts; what goods were supplied; and to what extent these contracts will be affected by the closure of the Robert Wilsons and Sons Ltd. plant in Kilwinning. [5057]
  614
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The data held centrally for MOD headquarters contracts show that the following contracts have been awarded since 1993:

  Robert Wilson and Sons (Est. 1849) Ltd. (part of Hillsdown Ambient Foods Group)

  Value £

  1995

  Produced at Kilwinning

  Canned meats

  333,000

  Retort pouched meals

  1,392,000

  Pouched water

  42,000

  1996

  Produced at Kilwinning

  Canned meats

  222,400

  Retort pouched meals

  4,639,000

  Pouched water

  59,600

  HL Foods (part of Hillsdown Holdings)

  Value £

  1994

  Produced at Kilwinning

  Canned meats

  265,000

  Retort pouched meals

  1,365,000

  Produced at North Walsham

  Baked beans

  38,000

  1995

  Produced at North Walsham

  Baked beans

  49,000

  1996

  Produced at North Walsham

  Baked beans

  66,000

  The following contracts were placed with the former company Haywood Foods Ltd. part of Hillsdown Holdings plc:

  Hayward Foods Ltd. (part of Hillsdown Holdings)

  1993

  Value £

  Produced at Kilwinning

  Canned meats

  244,000

  Canned puddings

  31,000

  Retort pouch meals

  1,491,000

  Produced at North Walsham

  Baked beans

  34,000

  1994

  Produced at Long Sutton

  Tinned carrots

  19,000

  The above companies are subsidiaries of the large Hillsdown Holdings plc group, which includes a large number of household name food, domestic goods, furniture and property companies, for example, and further research on those companies could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Several of the contracts will be completed before the planned closure of the Kilwinning site early next year. Work that is not completed will be novated to another "sister" company within the Hillsdown Group and it is not expected that there will be any adverse effect on the MOD.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that Gurkha soldiers serving in the British Army receive the same pay, pensions, family accommodation and other terms and conditions of service as soldiers in the British Army. [4777]

  Mr. Soames
  A full review of questions relating to Gurkha conditions of service is currently being undertaken by my Department, including questions relating to their pay, family accommodation and other related matters. The review, which has been prompted by the imminent withdrawal from Hong Kong, is examining the existing arrangements with a view to making them more appropriate to the move of the Gurkha home base from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom. All Gurka terms and conditions of service are underpinned by the 1947 tri-partite agreement signed by the Governments of India, Nepal and the United Kingdom, and will continue to be governed by these arrangements. In essence, the rates of pay and pension are based on those paid to the Indian army as stated in the agreement. British Gurkhas do, however, receive a substantial addition to their basic pay which takes into account the cost of living in their duty station.

  Gurkha pensions, while not part of the same review, are, as a matter of routine, reviewed annually. One of the factors taken into account is the rate of inflation in Nepal; another is the rates of pension paid to Indian army Gurkhas as governed by the tri-partite agreement. British Gurkha pensions were increased by 15 per cent. in 1996.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4527]

  Mr. Howard
  The Home Office takes its responsibilities to the environment seriously, and has been represented at each of the green Ministers meetings.

  The policies and programmes of my Department have been assessed as having low direct environmental sensitivity. Thus, the environmental audits undertaken by the Home Office have concentrated on estate management issues where scope for green housekeeping efficiencies has been sought. All local property centres are asked to conduct an annual green housekeeping audit. A programme of energy surveys has been run in response to the target set by the Department of the Environment to reduce energy consumption by 15 per cent. in the period from 1990 to 1995. Notable successes were at the police training centres at Bruche and Cwmbran and at the police scientific development branch premises in Langhurst and Sandridge, where implementing the recommendations of the reviews produced falls in energy consumption of between 16.8 per cent. and 22.9 per cent. over the five years. Where appropriate, the Department adopts the Building Research Establishment environmental
  616
  assessment method as a means of enhancing the environmental performance of new offices and those undergoing major refurbishment.

  Motorways (Objects thrown from Bridges)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by police authority area and by location the number of reported incidents involving objects thrown from motorway bridges at vehicles for each year since 1991 to date, including how many(a) injuries were caused, (b) fatalities were caused, (c) resulted in prosecution and (d) resulted in conviction in each year from 1991 to date. [4695]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collected centrally.

  British Citizenship
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he uses in determining the suitability or otherwise of applicants for British citizenship. [4718]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The criterion applied is whether the applicant meets the statutory requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981 relevant to his or her application.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what official publications inform applicants of the criteria that will be used when determining British citizenship applications. [4717]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The requirements for British citizenship are set out in the British Nationality Act 1981 and in a number of information leaflets, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refusals of applications for British citizenship he has determined since 1992. [4738]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Since 1 January 1992, 32,272 applications for British citizenship have been refused.

  Zoos and Circuses
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the winter quarters regulations apply to animals held by zoos; if he will apply them to animals held by circuses; and if he will make a statement. [4578]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Zoo Licensing Act 1981, but not the winter quarters regulations, applies to the keeping of animals in zoos. Circus animals will continue to be governed by the Performing Animals (Regulations) 1925 and the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

  Alcohol (Minors)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for selling(a) alcohol and (b) alcopops to under-age children have taken place in England and Wales in each of the last five years; what proportion of prosecutions have involved sales from (i) public houses, (ii) off licences, (iii) supermarkets and (iv) other outlets; and if he will make a statement. [4404]
  617
  Mr. Maclean
  The information held centrally does not distinguish between the forms in which alcohol is sold or the types of retail outlet proceeded against.

  The table shows the number of prosecutions for offences of selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18.

  Number of defendants prosecuted for the offence of selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 1 1991 to 1995

  England and Wales

  Prosecutions

  1991

  309

  1992

  195

  1993

  156

  1994

  137

  1995

  198

  1 Section 169(1) Licensing Act 1994.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his policy on people purchasing alcohol on behalf of minors. [4414]

  Mr. Maclean
  I fully support the proposals of my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) to enable the police to confiscate alcohol from people under 18 drinking alcohol in a public place, and to seize alcohol from people who are 18 if it is intended for consumption by under-age drinkers in public.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) people and (b) children under the age of 18 have been prosecuted for alcohol-related crime in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4406]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is possible to distinguish centrally only defendants prosecuted for offences under the intoxicating liquor laws as opposed to alcohol-related crimes.

  Information is given in the table:

  Number of defendants prosecuted for offences under the intoxicating liquor laws by age 1991 to 1995

  England and Wales

  Offence description/age

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Drunkenness, simple

  Under 18

  69

  37

  19

  35

  39

  All ages

  4,503

  3,663

  2,795

  3,349

  3,061

  Drunkenness, with aggravation

  Under 18

  969

  798

  626

  819

  1,034

  All ages

  30,580

  25,893

  21,003

  22,247

  22,153

  Offences by licensed persons etc.

  Under 18

  4

  2

  2

  1

  —

  All ages

  1,008

  863

  686

  516

  629

  Other offences against intoxicating liquor laws

  Under 18

  103

  30

  14

  24

  17

  All ages

  1,106

  843

  558

  446

  383

  Closed Circuit Television Schemes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost per crime averted of the five most expensive closed circuit television schemes installed since 1992; and if he will list these. [4488]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in(a) staff and (b) costs of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years. [4094]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is summarised in the table:

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Average number of staff in post

  381

  386

  414

  458

  466

  Total cost of administration (£ million)

  13.1

  14.2

  17.3

  17.8

  19.3

  Compensation paid (£ million)

  143.7

  152.2

  165.1

  175.4

  179.0

  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, on application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, victims have been paid before a criminal act has been established in the courts in each of the past five years; and what proportion these payments represent of the overall payments made by the board. [4095]

  Mr. Maclean
  The data requested are not available. The compensation arrangements for victims of crimes of violence, whether under the common law damages scheme or the tariff-based one which superseded it on 1 April 1996, do not require the act of violence to have been established in a court of law. Many assailants are unidentified or otherwise untraced. Where, however, a trial is pending, it may be necessary for the final assessment of a claim to be delayed until the outcome of the trial is known, since the proceedings may raise issues of eligibility.

  Drug Traffickers
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums of money have been recovered from drug traffickers since 1 January; and what proportion of this amount is ear-marked for anti-drug abuse projects. [3898]

  Mr. Maclean
  No figures are yet available for 1996. The latest available figures show that, in the last financial year—1995–96—£5,343,241.63 was recovered from convicted drug traffickers. Under present accounting arrangements, all confiscated money is paid directly into the Consolidated Fund, from which Government expenditure generally, including substantial funding for drug-related work, is financed. In addition, sums realised from the enforcement of overseas confiscation orders, asset shares and gifts received as a result of co-operation with other countries are specifically ear-marked for
  619
  spending on anti-drug projects through the seized assets fund, and £168,000 has been made available in this way for spending in 1996–97.

  Prison Service
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an independent audit of the performance of the Prison Service against its key performance indicators for each six-month period of 1995–96 and 1996–97; and if he will make a statement about the accuracy of the information relating to the indicators. [2941]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Prison Service's performance against its key performance indicators—KPIs—for 1996–97 and previous years were published in its corporate plan 1996 to 1999, and I understand that the Director General has written to you with details of performance in the first six months of 1996–97.

  I am satisfied that the overall quality of the KPI data is good. As you know, the definition of the KPIs is agreed with Ministers, and the Prison Service has detailed instructions setting out how the data are to be collected. The Prison Service's own standards audit team is currently auditing data collection for KPIs in individual establishments. Preliminary results confirm that overall quality is good, while suggesting ways in which data definitions could be further tightened so as to improve quality further.

  It is important that there is independent validation of the Prison Service's data, and the Home Office internal audit unit is about to commence an audit which will be external to the agency.

  Crime Prevention
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to meet local authority representatives to discuss crime prevention; and if he will make a statement. [4826]

  Mr. Maclean
  None, but officials of the crime prevention agency are in regular contact with local authority representatives.

  Police Dogs
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much compensation each police force in England and Wales has paid to members of the public following complaints about the use of police dogs in each year since 1985; [3621]

  (2) how many complaints the Police Complaints Authority has received about the use of police dogs in each police force in each year since 1985; [3535]

  (3) how many complaints each police force in England and Wales has received concerning the use of police dogs in each year since 1985; [3534]

  (4) how many times each police force in England and Wales has paid compensation to members of the public following complaints about the use of police dogs in each year since 1985. [3620]
  620
  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of complaints against the police involving police dogs, or cases in which compensation is paid by police forces, is not recorded centrally.

  Sentencing and Detention
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to halve the maximum sentence for burglary and for the maximum period of detention at a youth custody establishment; and if he will make a statement. [4672]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans to reduce the maximum sentence for burglary or the maximum period of detention in a young offender institution.

  Crime (Sentences) Bill
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the likely rise in the prison population as a result of changes to the parole system outlined in the Crime (Sentences) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [4675]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Crime (Sentences) Bill requires the courts to take account of the abolition of parole and the changes in early release arrangements when passing sentence, with a view to ensuring that, in general, prisoners should spend broadly the same length of time in prison as they do now.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that a practice direction is issued on completion of the Crime (Sentences) Bill on the appropriateness of sentence lengths; and if he will make a statement. [4677]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for the Lord Chief Justice to determine whether to issue a practice direction.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 5 November,Official Report, column 434, and 12 November, Official Report, column 119, if he will set out the statistical difference between the number of offenders found guilty or cautioned and the number of offences ending in a conviction or caution. [4977]

  Mr. Maclean
  The number of offenders found guilty or cautioned is a count of the number of occasions on which a finding of guilt is made or a caution administered. On each occasion, an offender may be found guilty of, or cautioned for, more than one offence. For reasons of practicality and cost effectiveness, routine Home Office statistics are offender based and relate to the principal offence—generally the one attracting the highest penalty.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is collated centrally on(a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies accountable to his Department. [5083]
  621
  Mr. Howard
  The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the PFI. Such information is now being collected. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is expected to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published in the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Any other commitments specific to particular projects, including those incurred by the supplier, are monitored by managers responsible for ensuring that satisfactory service is received. Contingent liabilities are reported to Parliament.

  Tote
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow the Horserace Totalisator Board to take bets on lotteries run outside the United Kingdom. [5546]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We will shortly lay an order allowing the Tote to take bets on the outcome of foreign lotteries.

  The Government are also supporting the private Member's Bill introduced in another place to allow the Tote to take fixed odds bets on non-sporting events.

  Convictions and Cautions
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of crimes ending in a court conviction in each police force area of England and Wales in the year to June; [3634]

  (2) if he will list the number of crimes ending in a caution in each police force area of England and Wales in the year to June. [3635]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answers 18 November 1996]: The information requested will not be available until autumn 1997.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department first became aware of the difficulties of calculating remissions for convicted prisoners originally held on remand. [3825]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 14 November 1996]: On four occasions since 1982, the courts upheld the Prison Service's approach to the complex sentence calculations required by section 67 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.

  The Prison Service proposed in July 1995 that work be undertaken to develop a simpler system of sentence calculation. That work led to the new arrangements for determining the effect on release dates of time spent on remand contained in the Crime (Sentences) Bill. This provides that in all cases the judge will determine, when passing sentence, how much remand time will count against the sentence.

  Crime (Clear-up Rate)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of crimes cleared up by the police in each police force area of England and Wales in the year to June. [3636]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: Statistics on clear-ups are published only on a calendar year basis. The latest available data relate to 1995 and were given in the reply to the hon. Member on 12 November, Official Report column 199.

  Knives
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to adopt a knife code along the lines of that adopted in Coventry; [4106]

  (2) What discussions he has had with the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on the introduction of a knife code. [4107]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answers 18 November 1996]: My right hon. and learned Friend has given his full support to the voluntary knife code adopted by retailers in Coventry, and would support its introduction elsewhere. My right hon. and learned Friend has not discussed the code with the hon. Member for Blackburn.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the extent to which crimes involving knives has fallen in Coventry since the knife code was introduced in the City. [4108]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving the use of knives were committed(a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands in each year since 1990; and what was the annual percentage change. [4105]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: For crimes recorded by the police, the information is not available centrally. The best estimate from the 1996 British crime survey is that, in 1995, there were about 160,000 incidents of wounding and robbery in which the offenders had—but did not necessarily use—a knife. Information for previous years covered by the survey—1992 and 1994—cannot reliably be compared.

  Criminal Justice System
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library(a) the raw data used to produce the first chart presented on page 25 of "Digest 3: Information on the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales" and (b) similar statistics with percentages for (i) 1995 and (ii) 1981. [4770]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: Information used to produce the first chart on page 25 of Digest 3 is presented in the table below. Information for 1995 and 1981 is not available in the form requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  623

  Total numbers1

  Percentage of offences committed

  Offences committed

  11,566·7

  100

  Offences reported

  5,457·6

  47

  Offences recorded

  3,089·6

  27

  Offences cleared up

  571·4

  4·9

  Offences resulting in a caution or conviction

  310·3

  2·7

  Offences resulting in a conviction

  225·9

  2·0

  1 Covers criminal damage; theft of a motor vehicle; theft from a motor vehicle (including attempts); bicycle theft; domestic burglary; wounding; robbery; theft from a person.

  State Opening of Parliament
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the police participation in the state opening of Parliament. [4691]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in his reply to the hon. Member on 11 November Official Report, column 32, any additional costs of police staff who took part in the ceremony are not separately costed.

  Sexual Offences (Prosecution)
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 since the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 came into operation. [4795]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: Amendments to section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 were implemented on 3 November 1994.

  Information for prosecutions completed in 1995 is given in the table.

  Number of defendants prosecuted for offences under Section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

  England and Wales, 1995

  Offence descriptions

  Prosecutions

  Buggery or attempted buggery

  By a male of a male under 16

  48

  By a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17

  1

  By a male aged 18-20 with a male aged 16 or 17

  -

  By a male aged 16 or 17 with a male aged 16 or over

  -

  By a male not included above

  7

  By a male with a female under 16

  25

  By a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17

  2

  By a male aged 18-20 with a female aged 16 or 17

  -

  By a male aged 16 or 17 with a female aged 16 or over

  -

  By a male with a female not included above

  19

  With an animal

  3

  West Yorkshire Police Force
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers and (b) civilian staff were employed by the West Yorkshire police force in each year since 1979 to date. [4803]
  624
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: The information is as follows:

  As at March

  Police strength

  Civilian strength

  19791

  4,739

  1,191

  1980

  4,805

  1,199

  1981

  5,084

  1,270

  1982

  5,147

  1,305

  1983

  5,145

  1,238

  1984

  5,109

  1,229

  1985

  4,991

  1,253

  1986

  5,145

  1,275

  1987

  5,142

  1,360

  1988

  5,184

  1,458

  1989

  5,278

  1,613

  1990

  5,260

  1,743

  1991

  5,268

  1,875

  1992

  5,087

  1,821

  1993

  5,037

  1,867

  1994

  5,046

  1,912

  1995

  5,050

  1,965

  1996

  5,142

  2,037

  1As at May.

  Criminal Cases Review Committee
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information was provided by the chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Committee to the selection committee responsible for his appointment in respect of his membership of the freemasons; and if this was regarded by the committee as a personal matter which might cause public embarrassment. [4912]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 19 November 1996]: None. In making its recommendations to my right hon. and learned Friend, the selection committee was guided by the overriding principle of selection based on merit. Sir Frederick was an outstanding candidate.

  Police Assistance
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning insurance cover for special constables, lay visitors and other volunteers providing assistance to the police. [4649]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 November 1996]: Representations have been received from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association on behalf of the Mountain Rescue Council, and from a small number of right hon. and hon. Members.

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

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Chris Davies, dated 20 November 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of places for prisoners in each of the years 1996 to 2006.

  625
  Accommodation is defined as Planning CNA in use, which excludes places taken out of use for refurbishment and simple sanitation projects, and a small operating margin. It represents the total number of uncrowded places estimated to be available in the estate. It is not the operational capacity, which is the number of prisoners the estate can hold without serious risk to good order, security and the proper running of regimes and which allows for overcrowding. At the end of October 1996 Operational Capacity was 58,977 compared to a total prison population of 57,587.
  The latest available accommodation estimate includes new prisons at Fazakerley, Bridgend, and the proposed new prison at Agecroft as well as the re-built Lowdham Grange, all of which will be constructed under the private finance initiative. Also included is the increase in capacity to meet the recent rise in the prison population.
  626
  Over the longer term, further permanent measures will be required to hold the projected prison population. The size of the building programme and funding requirements are under discussion in the current Public Expenditure Round.
  The forecast also excludes additional places to be built as set out in the White Paper to hold the increase in the prison population resulting from the Crime (Sentences) Bill.
  The forecast is shown below.

  Years

  Accommodation

  1995–96

  48,350

  1996–97

  51,450

  1997–98

  54,800

  1998–99

  57,100

  1999–00

  58,550

  2000–01 to 2005–06

  58,550 in each year

  Iran: Human Rights
  Iran: Human Rights
  NATO Enlargement and the Soviet Union
  NATO Enlargement and the Soviet Union
  UN Dues: Arrears
  UN Dues: Arrears
  Heathrow: Facilities for Disabled Passengers
  Heathrow: Facilities for Disabled Passengers
  Bus Services: Quality Indicators
  Bus Services: Quality Indicators
  London Bus Services: Subsidy
  London Bus Services: Subsidy
  House of Lords: Painting
  House of Lords: Painting
  Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
  Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
  Social Security Fraud: Prevention Costs
  Social Security Fraud: Prevention Costs
  Horserace Totalisator Board: Bets on Foreign Lotteries
  Horserace Totalisator Board: Bets on Foreign Lotteries
  Malathion
  Malathion