Written Answers of 13 February 1997

ENVIRONMENT

  Departmental Policies (Bournemouth)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of his Department's policies on the residents of Bournemouth since 1992, with special reference to the effects of changes in the resources provided in real terms. [14952]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The local government review is an opportunity for improved services and more effective local government for the people of Bournemouth. As of 1 April 1997, Bournemouth borough council will be responsible for delivering the full range of local authority services, enabling improved services with efficiency savings.

  Bournemouth borough council's standard spending assessment for the financial year 1997–98 will be £119,120,000. This represents an increase of £1,382,000, or 1.2 per cent. on the comparable figure for 1996–97. The Department does not have data for earlier years with which to calculate a SSA for a unitary Bournemouth so it is not possible to make a like-for-like comparison with 1992–93.

  It is possible to compare the sum of the SSAs per head of Bournemouth borough council and Dorset police authority in 1997–98 with the sum of SSAs per head of Bournemouth borough council, Dorset county council and Dorset police authority in 1992–93. Although this is not entirely accurate, because it approximates to Bournemouth the average SSA per head of the county and police authority rather than the proportion relating to Bournemouth's needs, it is a reasonable approximation. On this basis, the total SSA per head of Bournemouth and the authorities which precept on it was £684 in 1992–93 and £789 in 1997–98. These figures do not take account of changes in local government functions, for example the transfer of further education from local authorities 1993–94.

  Bournemouth borough council was successful in its bid for funding under the pilot capital challenge scheme. The council will receive a credit approval of £1.9 million for environmental works to enhance Bournemouth town square.

  Bournemouth is benefiting from two schemes which have received funding from the Government's single regeneration budget challenge fund.

  Dorset training and enterprise council's bid, "Community Focus—Turlin Moor and Boscombe", was one of 172 schemes awarded funding under round 2 of the challenge fund. "Community Focus—Turlin Moor and Boscombe" is a four-year scheme to meet training and educational needs in two areas which suffer from high
  258
  crime rates and low employment. Over the full four years, it should receive a total of £406,000 in support from the challenge fund. This money, complemented by £395,000 of private sector funding and other public money, should create six jobs; involve 100 employers in collaborative education projects; and benefit 720 young people.

  Bournemouth borough council's bid, "Making Small Firms Big Business—Dorset", was also awarded funding under round 2 of the challenge fund. "Making Small Firms Big Business—Dorset" is a three-year scheme to improve the infrastructure and competitiveness of the tourist industry in Dorset. Over the full three years, it should receive a total of £314,000 in support from the challenge fund. This money, complemented by £312,000 of private sector funding and £177,000 of other public money, should create or safeguard 51 jobs; advise 1,050 businesses; and help 1,100 people to obtain qualifications.

  Residents of Bournemouth who live in houses in multiple occupation such as bedsits, shared houses, hostels and some houses converted into flats, will benefit from measures to improve fire safety and other standards in their homes introduced under the Housing Act 1996. The measures, which will come into force on 3 March, will make it easier for local authorities to ensure that HMOs meet acceptable standards. Bournemouth borough council will also be able to apply to the Department of the Environment for special powers to close down HMOs if they cause a nuisance or annoyance to the neighbourhood and to prevent new HMOs opening if they would be detrimental to the area.

  Local Authority Services (Mergers)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests for assistance his Department has received from neighbouring or overlapping local authorities considering merging their treasurers, legal services and property services departments; what guidance he has issued on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [15012]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  While the Government recognise the value of sensible co-operation between the tiers of local authorities, no specific guidance has been issued. However, as part of the exercise on the extension to compulsory competitive tendering, my Department wrote to local authorities on 18 May 1995 outlining the main statutory framework within which authorities may make joint arrangements. No requests for assistance have been received.

  Metropolitan District Budgets
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the budget of the metropolitan districts for the current financial year, ranking them from the largest increase over the previous year to the smallest; and if he will make a statement. [15232]
  259
  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is as follows:

  1995–96 Budget £million

  1995–96 Adjusted budget1 £ million

  1996–97 Budget£ million

  Percentage change2

  Rotherham

  191.886

  197.234

  204.456

  3.7

  Bury

  119.735

  120.028

  124.278

  3.5

  Doncaster

  218.759

  224.525

  231.721

  3.2

  Solihull

  132.629

  135.811

  140.013

  3.1

  Wigan

  215.282

  215.809

  222.400

  3.1

  Calderdale

  148.223

  153.066

  157.615

  3.0

  Barnsley

  152.626

  157.989

  162.581

  2.9

  Wirral

  261.938

  273.540

  281.336

  2.9

  Wakefield

  219.034

  226.390

  232.768

  2.8

  Bolton

  203.982

  204.591

  210.114

  2.7

  Walsall

  206.172

  212.314

  218.041

  2.7

  Tameside

  165.757

  166.501

  170.989

  2.7

  Dudley

  204.690

  211.519

  217.205

  2.7

  Oldham

  186.594

  187.047

  191.994

  2.6

  St. Helens

  139.371

  144.814

  148.636

  2.6

  Trafford

  149.211

  149.520

  153.437

  2.6

  Knowsley

  146.319

  150.259

  154.007

  2.5

  South Tyneside

  125.289

  128.250

  131.398

  2.5

  Leeds

  523.139

  541.969

  555.234

  2.4

  Birmingham

  924.316

  948.155

  971.119

  2.4

  Sefton

  216.669

  225.553

  230.927

  2.4

  North Tyneside

  148.463

  151.991

  155.538

  2.3

  Sheffield

  392.763

  406.705

  415.883

  2.3

  Gateshead

  163.877

  167.542

  171.093

  2.1

  Kirklees

  286.117

  295.504

  301.671

  2.1

  Manchester

  441.632

  444.664

  453.889

  2.1

  Coventry

  247.102

  253.405

  258.660

  2.1

  Liverpool

  469.714

  485.842

  495.894

  2.1

  Rochdale

  166.918

  167.553

  171.014

  2.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  233.991

  239.336

  244.280

  2.1

  Bradford

  402.125

  413.955

  422.482

  2.1

  Wolverhampton

  209.220

  215.043

  219.466

  2.1

  Sunderland

  231.774

  236.867

  241.695

  2.0

  Salford

  194.050

  195.606

  199.572

  2.0

  Sandwell

  241.733

  249.201

  254.205

  2.0

  Stockport

  196.271

  196.382

  199.761

  1.7

  1 Adjusted to take account of community care special grant payable in 1995–96; the ending of metropolitan rail grant; and the opting-out of passenger transport executives from rail service support.

  2 Calculated based on the adjusted budgets.

  Ceramic Fibres
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on the classification of ceramic fibres in respect of the review by the EU Commission's Technical Progress Committee; and if he will make a statement on the opportunities for ministerial representations to the committee. [15391]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A series of EU technical meetings have examined a number of different possible proposals for the classification of a range of man-made mineral fibres, including ceramic fibres. The meetings have been attended by officials of the Health and Safety Executive who have followed the general policy adopted in these discussions that any proposals should be based on a sound analysis of the scientific evidence.

  The purpose of the meetings is to assist the Commission in the preparation of a formal proposal which will then be submitted to a technical progress committee for a vote. When the proposal is made, it will be examined by Ministers, who will then determine the line to be taken by the UK officials who will attend the Committee and vote on behalf of the UK.

  Poll Tax and Council Tax
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of poll tax currently outstanding for each of the seven west midlands metropolitan authorities; and if he will list the collection costs for the council tax in the last year for which figures are available in each of those authorities. [15492]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Estimates of the levels of community charge arrears for individual authorities are published regularly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The latest information relates to the position at 31 March 1995 and is available in the revenue collection statistics 1994–95 publication in the Library. The figures for the west midlands authorities are as follows:

  £000

  Arrears of community charge at:

  Council tax collection costs budgeted

  31 March 1995

  31 March 1994

  11996–97

  Birmingham

  19,725

  —

  5,604

  Coventry

  14,351

  —

  2,630

  Dudley

  4,752

  —

  1,540

  Sandwell

  11,155

  —

  3,143

  Solihull

  3,505

  —

  1,469

  Walsall

  2—

  12,959

  1,676

  Wolverhampton

  2—

  2—

  1,594

  1Source: Revenue Accounts (RA) 1996–97 return.

  2No information was published by CIPFA for Walsall for 31 March 1995 or for Wolverhampton since community charge was abolished.

  Metropolitan District Staff
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many full-time equivalent employees there are(a) in total and (b) per head of population in the service of each metropolitan district. [15483]

  Mr. Curry
  The information is given in the table.

  The levels of employment in individual authorities are not directly comparable because of variations in population structure, social characteristics, hours worked by part-time staff, and the extent to which they use private firms and contractors or act as agents for other authorities.

  Joint staffing watch—whole time equivalents at June 1996 Metropolitan Districts

  Staff per

  Authority

  Whole time equivalents

  Thousand of population

  Barnsley

  7,926

  35.0

  Birmingham

  35,366

  35.1

  Bolton

  1—

  1—

  Bradford

  16,347

  33.9

  Bury

  5,306

  29.1

  Calderdale

  5,587

  28.9

  Coventry

  11,164

  36.9

  Doncaster

  9,983

  34.1

  Dudley

  8,860

  28.4

  Gateshead

  8,131

  40.2

  Kirklees

  12,119

  31.3

  Knowsley

  5,389

  35.0

  Leeds

  23,839

  32.9

  Liverpool

  18,642

  39.3

  Manchester

  19,877

  46.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11,519

  40.6

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  Joint staffing watch—whole time equivalents at June 1996 Metropolitan Districts

  Staff per

  Authority

  Whole time equivalents

  Thousand of population

  North Tyneside

  6,669

  34.4

  Oldham

  7,578

  34.4

  Rochdale

  6,835

  33.0

  Rotherham

  8,699

  33.9

  Salford

  9,452

  41.0

  Sandwell

  10,309

  35.1

  Sefton

  7,717

  26.4

  Sheffield

  17,252

  32.5

  Solihull

  5,391

  26.7

  South Tyneside

  5,654

  36.1

  St. Helens

  5,872

  32.4

  Stockport

  7,703

  26.4

  Sunderland

  10,977

  36.9

  Tameside|

  7,021

  31.7

  Trafford

  5,683

  26.1

  Wakefield

  11,591

  36.5

  Walsall

  8,611

  32.6

  Wigan

  8,287

  26.7

  Wirral.

  9,618

  28.9

  Wolverhampton

  8,985

  36.7

  Total staff/Average staff per thousand population for metropolitan districts

  369,959

  33.9

  Note:

  1Data not available.

  Source:

  Joint Staffing Watch, June 1966.

  Figures are for staff in general services—that is, excluding law and order services.

  Birds of Prey
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the incidence of the destruction of(a) eggs, (b) nests and (c) breeding habitats of (i) hen harriers and (ii) other birds of prey on privately owned grouse moors. [15643]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. Birds of prey, their eggs and nests are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Offences against wild birds under this Act are not notifiable.

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what were the terms of reference for the BRE Future Group established in December 1995; and how many of its participants are members of the Foundation for the Built Environment; [15613]

  (2) if the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the BRE Futures Group were made available to both shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15621]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The terms of reference of the BRE Futures Group, set up in December 1995, were to support the BRE management board in considering the measures to be taken to improve the efficiency and value for money of the establishment, and the continuing management of change within BRE. The group has not met since the competitive sale of BRE was announced.
  262
  None of the members of the group are members of the Foundation for the Built Environment. No documentation relating to the group was made available to any bidder.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what grounds he decided that new legislation was not required to authorise the privatisation of the Building Research Establishment; [15615]

  (2) under what existing statutory powers he is proposing to privatise the Building Research Establishment. [15616]

  Mr. Jones
  The Building Research Establishment is not a statutory body and has no statutory functions. No statutory powers are therefore required to transfer it to the private sector. The transfer can be effected by way of an ordinary contract of sale.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the first results of their 1997–98 bids, in respect of projects under the partners in technology scheme, were made available to the Building Research Establishment executive agency. [15617]

  Mr. Jones
  My Department wrote to BRE on 14 January listing the partners in technology projects that it is prepared to support subject to contract.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if minutes and working papers of the management board meetings of the Building Research Establishment were made available to both the shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15619]

  Mr. Jones
  Relevant working papers of the management board were made available to both short-listed bidders for BRE. In addition, once the competitive sale of BRE was announced, the Department was required to be represented at all meetings at which decisions might be taken which would materially affect the conduct of the business, including meetings of the BRE management board. In some cases, where the discussion warranted it, a supplementary note was put in the data room for the information of bidders.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will bear the legal liability, or any share of that liability, for claims arising from work carried out or advice given by the Building Research Establishment before its privatisation. [15622]

  Mr. Jones
  Legal liability remains the subject of negotiation between the Department and the preferred purchaser of BRE.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department decided to privatise the Building Research Establishment. [15614]
  263
  Mr. Jones
  My right hon. Friend announced on 7 November 1995 his decision to move the BRE to the private sector and his intention to commission a study of the options for transfer. This decision was confirmed in his announcement on 2 April 1996 of his preferred way forward for effecting the transfer.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements were put in place to ensure a separation of the roles of members of the management bid team at the Building Research Establishment as bidders for the Building Research Establishment and as members of the Building Research Establishment management; when these arrangements were put into effect; and what steps were taken to monitor their effectiveness. [15618]

  Mr. Jones
  The Department issued guidance to the management and BRE staff when permission was given for the management bid team to express an interest in purchasing BRE. This guidance has been updated as necessary as the sale process has progressed. Its operation is overseen by the team of officials establishment by the Department to transfer BRE to the private sector.

  1. Section 2 discretionary awards to post-graduate students

  Academic years 1992–93 to 1994–95 by Government Office Region in England and in Wales1

  Number of awards (000s)

  Total expenditure £ million2

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North East

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.9

  0.5

  0.3

  North West

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  0.6

  0.6

  1.1

  Merseyside

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.7

  0.4

  0.3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0.4

  0.1

  0.1

  0.7

  0.2

  0.2

  East Midlands

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.5

  0.4

  0.1

  West Midlands

  0.5

  0.1

  0.1

  1.6

  0.4

  0.3

  South West

  0.3

  0.2

  0.1

  0.6

  0.5

  0.2

  Eastern

  0.3

  0.0

  0.0

  1.7

  0.0

  0.0

  London

  0.3

  0.2

  0.2

  1.1

  0.4

  0.5

  South East

  0.3

  0.3

  0.3

  0.9

  0.5

  0.6

  Wales

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.8

  0.1

  0.1

  1Made by local education authorities in each region to students normally domiciled in their area.

  2 In 1996–97 prices using the GDP deflator for each year for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) of September of each year for maintenance expenditure.

  2. Section 2 discretionary awards to further education students aged 16 to 18 years1

  Academic years 1992–93 to 1994–95 by Government Office Region in England and in Wales2

  Number of awards (000s)

  Total expenditure £ million3

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North East

  2.9

  7.0

  7.1

  1.4

  4.4

  3.3

  North West

  11.9

  20.8

  20.6

  4.8

  9.8

  8.6

  Merseyside

  4.1

  3.3

  3.7

  1.8

  1.9

  1.3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  17.0

  13.2

  13.1

  5.3

  5.0

  4.9

  East Midlands

  11.9

  6.0

  5.9

  4.2

  3.8

  2.8

  West Midlands

  6.3

  7.1

  8.6

  2.6

  2.2

  2.6

  South West

  9.4

  11.5

  10.7

  6.1

  6.6

  5.8

  Eastern

  8.7

  7.1

  7.8

  6.2

  5.0

  5.2

  London

  9.2

  12.5

  12.7

  4.2

  5.0

  5.3

  South East

  11.6

  22.2

  22.4

  4.3

  8.7

  8.8

  Wales

  13.9

  14.0

  13.5

  7.0

  3.9

  4.0

  1 Data on awards to 16 to 18 year olds were collected only for awards made at less than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate in 1992–93; Table 3 may include some awards made at more than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate to 16 to 18 year olds although, in general, full value awards (made at 50 to 100 per cent. of the mandatory rate) are made to students over 19 years old.

  2Made by local education authorities in each region to students normally domiciled in their area.

  3In 1992–97 prices using the GDP deflator for each year for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) of September of each year for maintenance expenditure.

  264
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if progress reports on the efficiency review of the Building Research Establishment's library service were made available to both shortlisted bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [15620]

  Mr. Jones
  Yes.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Section 2 Awards
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for the last three years for which figures are available(a) the total number and (b) the total value in current prices, of section 2 discretionary awards made to (i) post-graduate students, (ii) students aged 16 to 18 years undertaking further education and (iii) students aged 19 years and over undertaking further education, in each Government region [15447]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is given in the following tables.
  265

  3. Section 2 discretionary awards to further education students aged 19 years and over1

  Academic years 1992–93 to 1994–95 by Government Office Region in England and in Wales2

  Number of awards (000s)

  Total expenditure £ million3

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North East

  4.1

  4.4

  3.6

  7.7

  5.7

  4.1

  North West

  16.9

  10.5

  7.4

  18.8

  13.7

  9.3

  Merseyside

  2.5

  2.4

  1.8

  5.2

  3.9

  2.8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  12.7

  11.1

  5.9

  21.2

  13.4

  9.0

  East Midlands

  11.3

  15.0

  4.3

  16.5

  10.2

  5.8

  West Midlands

  3.5

  4.1

  3.4

  5.9

  4.5

  3.2

  South West

  11.9

  9.6

  4.3

  23.0

  11.1

  6.3

  Eastern

  6.1

  6.7

  6.0

  12.1

  8.3

  7.2

  London

  3.2

  2.9

  2.2

  6.4

  4.5

  3.9

  South East

  9.6

  10.3

  10.1

  16.8

  16.2

  14.0

  Wales

  6.7

  5.2

  4.4

  8.0

  6.3

  3.7

  1 Data on awards to 16 to 18 year olds were collected only for awards made at less than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate in 1992–93; Table 3 may include some awards made at more than 50 per cent. of the mandatory rate to 16 to 18 year olds although, in general, full value awards (made at 50 to 100 per cent. of the mandatory rate) are made to students over 19 years old.

  2Made by local education authorities in each region to students normally domiciled in their area.

  3 In 1996–97 prices using the GDP deflator for each year for fee expenditure and the RPI (excluding mortgage interest payments) of September of each year for maintenance expenditure.

  National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library copies of the submissions made to date to the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education. [15229]

  Mr. Forth
  Copies of papers submitted jointly by the Department for Education and Employment, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland were placed in the Library in July 1996, as was subsequent evidence by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department in November 1996, the Department of Trade and Industry in November 1996 and the Department for Education and Employment earlier this month. It is for the committee of inquiry as an independent body to decide whether or not to make evidence submitted by others publicly available, taking into account any requests for confidentiality.

  University Research
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations she has received relating to capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement; [15266]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the costs involved in replacing obsolete capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15268]

  Mr. Forth
  We have received a number of representations about the cost of updating research equipment from universities and other bodies, including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the Committee of University Chairmen and the Standing Conference of Principals. These representations are reflected in the reports of the joint DfEE—higher education sector working groups submitted to my right hon. Friend and placed in the Library last July. In response to such representations, my right hon. Friend is making available to the Higher Education Funding Council for England additional earmarked funds in both 1996–97 and 1997–98 for research equipment, to be matched with private contributions. In particular, the extra £100 million grant announced at the Budget for the HEFCE in 1997–88 includes £20 million specifically for 266
  research equipment, which is expected to generate matching private funds. The costs of up-dating research equipment are always likely to be high, but the earmarked funds—together with contributions from other funders—represent a significant contribution towards meeting them.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the private finance initiative has met the Government's objectives in respect of capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15267]

  Mr. Forth
  Procurement decisions in the higher education sector rest in the hands of independent, autonomous institutions who may use a range of different financial sources to fund capital projects, including those for research equipment. The overall yield from PFI is therefore dependent on the decisions made by those independent institutions.

  Following the joint DfEE-HE sector working group report on PFI in higher education, the HEFCE is currently considering a second round of bids for pathfinder status focusing on equipment.

  Adult Training Courses
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about the cessation of funding for adult training courses dependent upon the Further Education Funding Council; and if she will make a statement. [15464]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department has received recently a number of representations on the subject of the funding of further education, including adult education training courses. On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I announced on 5 February arrangements for the future funding of further education, and copies of my letter to all further education colleges have been placed in the Library.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessments are made of the extent of skill shortages affecting employers. [15611]
  267
  Mr. Paice
  The Department funds an annual survey of employers' recruitment difficulties and monitors similar surveys carried out by others.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has to improve the accuracy of statistics on illegal drug use. [14189]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 11 November 1996,Official Report, column 1.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in(a) United Kingdom prisons by establishment and (b) (i) Campsfield house, (ii) Harmondsworth, (iii) Haslar, (iv) Meadvale Queens building, Heathrow, and (v) Tinsley house, on the nights of 31 January 1996 and 31 January 1997; and if he will make a statement. [15692]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information available is given in the table.

  Persons recorded as being in detention solely under Immigration Act powers, by establishment

  Establishment

  31 January 1996

  31 January 1997

  Prison Service establishment in England and Wales1:

  Haslar

  118

  2129

  Other establishments

  402

  2347

  520

  4692

  Immigration Service detention centres:

  Campsfield house

  197

  195

  Gatwick Meadvale

  29

  42

  Harmondsworth

  91

  90

  Heathrow Queen's building

  14

  15

  Tinsley house

  3—

  134

  1 Corresponding data for Scottish prisons are incomplete and have been excluded.

  2 Figure relates to 31 December 1996.

  3 Not open at the time.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers were detained for a period of more than 48 hours during 1996; [15583]

  (2) what percentage of asylum seekers were detained in (a) 1996 and (b) 1995. [15584]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Reliable information on the historical flow of persons placed into detention, and on the length of such detention, can be obtained only through examination of individual case records. The information requested is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.
  268
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State Home Department how many of the cases of seekers on hunger strike at Her Majesty's Rochester have been brought for independent before a judicial authority. [15600]

  Miss Widdecombe
  On 12 February 1997, the total number of Rochester immigration detainees refusing food was eight, of whom six have sought asylum at some stage.

  It has been open to all of these detainees to seek bail, habeas corpus or judicial review, and four are known to have done so.

  Street Crime (East Staffordshire)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the effect on the level of street crime in east Staffordshire of the introduction of closed circuit television in Burton and Uttoxeter. [15396]

  Mr. Maclean
  The closed circuit television system in Burton has been operational for 16 months. The local police report that it has led to a reduction in auto-related crime of 95 per cent. and to a significant reduction in the number of public order offences. It has also had social benefits in terms of making people feel safer when visiting the town. Details of the effect of the system on crime levels in the wider east Staffordshire area are not available.

  Although the borough of east Staffordshire was awarded a grant in the second Home Office CCTV challenge competition to assist with the installation of CCTV in Uttoxeter, the system has not yet become operational.

  Surveillance Equipment
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to take disciplinary action against a chief constable responsible for the misuse of surveillance equipment; and what steps he has taken in consequence of such misuse within the last eight years. [15438]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no role in disciplinary proceedings except in that he is the appellate authority for all disciplined police officers. Under the Police (Discipline) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1985, the disciplinary authority for senior officers, including chief constables, lies with police authorities. In the Metropolitan police service, the disciplinary authority is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. We are not aware of any disciplinary action having been taken against a chief constable in respect of alleged misuse of surveillance equipment.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records are kept by(a) Ministers, (b) Home Office officials, (c) the Police Complaints Authority, (d) Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary and (e) chief police officers about the use of surveillance equipment by chief police officers. [15435]

  Mr. Maclean
  Records on the use of surveillance equipment by the police are not held centrally by Ministers or Home Office officials. Each force maintains its own records and these are available for inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. The Police
  269
  Complaints Authority would not hold any information unless it related to an investigation into alleged misconduct.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Home Office guidelines exist for ensuring that surveillance equipment is not misused by police officers and what is the legal force of such guidelines; when were such guidelines first introduced; what happened prior to the introduction of the guidelines; when were the guidelines first published; how are copies of the guidelines obtained by the public; what modifications have been made since the guidelines were first introduced; and when and for what reason each modification was made. [15437]

  Mr. Maclean
  Intrusive police surveillance operations are presently authorised in accordance with guidelines issued by the Home Office in 1984. These guidelines have no statutory force. Formal guidance was first introduced by the Home Office in 1977 and, prior to 1977, police forces operated under the individual direction of their own chief officers. The 1984 Home Office guidelines were made public in a reply to a question from the hon. Member for Berkshire, East (Mr. Mackay) on 19 December 1984,Official Report, columns 157–58, and a copy was placed in the Library. Copies are available to the public on request from the Home Office. The only modification has been the replacement of the 1977 guidance with the current 1984 guidelines.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Transport (MV Cap Afrique)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bovine animals were imported on 23 January on the MV Cap Afrique; if such animals entered and were rested at an EU-approved collection centre operating in full compliance with European law; and what was the age of such animals. [14607]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 6 February 1997]: Forty bovine animals were imported on 23 January on the MV Cap Afrique. They were between 20 and 30 months of age. The animals were rested before being transported to their final destination. The resting place used is also an EC-approved collection centre but it was not operating as such when the animals were rested there.

  BSE
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when specified bovine material was banned in(a) the Irish Republic and (b) each other EU country. [14770]

  Mrs. Browning
  The three other EU member states which have reported cases of BSE in native-born animals—France, Irish Republic and Portugal—all have some form of specified bovine material controls on cattle at slaughter. We understand the following controls apply.

  The Irish Republic introduced legislation on 22 April 1996, prohibiting the use, sale or export of specified bovine material—defined as the bones of the skull, brain, eyes, spinal cord, spleen, thymus, tonsils and intestines
  270
  and mechanically recovered meat obtained from bovine vertebrae excluding the tail—for human consumption unless licensed by the Minister.

  In France legislation came into force on 28 June 1996 requiring the removal at the abattoir and incineration of:
  (a) the brains, spinal cord and eyes of all bovines over six months; and
  (b) the thymus, tonsils, spleen and intestines of cattle born or imported into France before 31 July 1991.

  In addition, legislation introduced in September 1996, amending the June order, prohibits the sale of brains, spinal cord and eyes of bovines over six months.

  In Portugal, legislation came into force on 28 January 1997 banning the use of certain bovine materials—including brains, spinal cord, eyes, tonsils, spleen, thymus and intestines—from any cattle of any age in the preparation of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products and in food.

  No other member states have SBM controls on domestic production. The Government continue to press the Commission on this matter.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee to complete its investigation of possible links between the use of organophosphate warble fly treatments and the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement. [14823]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 February 1997]: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee is not currently investigating the use of organophosphate pesticides and a possible link with BSE. The theory that BSE could have been caused by the exposure of cattle to OP pesticides as a treatment for warble fly infestation has already been considered in detail by scientists in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council. A report from SEAC entitled "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies—A Summary of Present knowledge and Research" (HMSO ISBN 0 11 242 9874) published in 1995 and available in the Library of the House, reviewed a number of alternative theories of BSE, including the OP theory, concluded that none justified extending the current research programme to investigate them further at that stage. The report notes that the original epidemiological investigation considered any possible association between the use of agricultural chemicals, including OP insecticides, and the occurrence of BSE. None was found.

  I am aware of the recent press reports concerning new research carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry on behalf of Mr. Purdey into the use of phosmet and its possible association with BSE. Mr. Purdey has yet to produce any new scientific evidence to support his hypothesis or to cause us to question ours that BSE is of feed origin; a hypothesis that has been established form objective scientific research.
  271
  SEAC will be looking again at the possibility of a link between BSE and the use of certain OPs. Mr. Purdey has been asked to prepare a paper for presentation at a forthcoming SEAC meeting to define the latest theory on organophosphates and a possible link with BSE.

  Turkeys
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps(a) to reduce the incidence of degenerative hip disorders and leg disorders in adult male turkeys, (b) to bring beak-trimming of turkeys to an end and (c) to secure an end to the selective breeding practices in respect of turkeys; and if he will make a statement. [15498]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government endorse the Farm Animal Welfare Council's view that high levels of leg disorders in adult male turkeys should be avoided by the continued application of careful selection and good management practices.

  The Government also support the Farm Animal Welfare Council's view that the long-term aim should be to end the need for beak-trimming. We are funding research into improved rearing methods which will assist in its achievement.

  I cannot agree with the implied suggestion that selective breeding is an inherently undesirable practice.

  I refer the hon. Member to the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of turkeys, and to the Government's response to it, for a fuller assessment of turkey welfare and account of the steps the Government are taking to improve it.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Flander's Folly, Craven Arms
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what powers his Department has in respect of preventing Flander's Folly, Craven Arms from falling into disrepair and dilapidation. [15357]

  Mr. Sproat
  Responsibility for the upkeep of a historic building rests primarily with its owner. In the case of a historic building which has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State looks to the relevant local authority to take statutory action. Local authorities are empowered to serve notice on the owner of a listed building specifying works necessary for its preservation and, in the event of the owner failing to take action, to begin compulsory purchase proceedings. Authorities also have power to carry out works which are urgently necessary for preservation of an unoccupied listed building and recover the costs from the owner.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has similar statutory powers to those of local authorities. Her policy is to treat them as reserve powers, for use only in exceptional cases. On the information available, Flander's Folly, which is listed grade II, seems unlikely to be such a case.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by Benefits Agency region the number of pensioners who also claim income support; and if he will make a statement. [14999]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 12 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list by Benefit Agency region the number of pensioners who also claim income support; and if he will make a statement.
  The latest information available is shown on the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Number of pensioners in receipt of Income Support (IS) by Benefits Agency (BA) Area Directorate

  BA Area Directorate (AD)

  Number of pensioners in receipt of IS as at the end of November 1996

  AD 1 East London and Anglia

  146,954

  AD 2 Chilterns

  129,154

  AD 3 London South

  201,698

  AD 4 West Country

  128,811

  AD 5 Mercia

  135,936

  AD 6 West Midlands

  145,958

  AD 7 Wales

  91,729

  AD 8 North West Coast

  118,553

  AD 9 Greater Manchester

  111,046

  AD 10 Yorkshire

  149,507

  AD 11 Tyne and Tees

  89,541

  AD 12 West of Scotland

  75,212

  AD 13 East of Scotland

  88,823

  The data have been provided by the Benefits Agency's Central Data Unit and is subject to amendment.

  The data relates to customers in receipt of a pensioner premium because the customer or partner is aged not less than 60.

  Jobseeker's Allowance (Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients there are of the jobseeker's allowance in(a) north Devon and (b) Devon; and how many of these are aged under 25 years. [15092]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of jobseeker's allowance 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. Nick Harvey, dated 12 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many recipients there are of the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in (a) North Devon; and (b) Devon; and how many of these are aged under 25 years.
  The information is not available in the format requested. JSA payments are currently made via two computer systems, the JSA computer system (JSAPS) and the National Unemployment Benefit computer system (NUBS). It is expected that all JSA payments will be transferred on to and paid by the JSAPS by December 1997.
  Statistics are not kept by customer age group.

  273
  The available information is in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance (JSA)

  JSA paid via the National Unemployment Benefit computer system (NUBS) during week commencing 24 January 1997 and 31 January 1997

  JSA paid via the JSA computer system as at the end of November 1996

  North Devon1

  2,725

  3,031

  Devon2

  19,487

  4,977

  1 North Devon includes: the Benefits Agency (BA) offices of Barnstaple, Exeter and Newton Abbot; and the Employment Service (ES) offices of Bude, Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe.

  2 Devon includes: the BA offices of Barnstaple, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth Crownhill, Plymouth Durley, Saltash and Torbay; and the ES offices of Bude, Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Axminster, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Okehampton, Sidmouth, Tiverton, Brixham, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Teignmouth, Torquay, Totnes, Buckwell, Devonport, Hoegate, Plympton, Saltash and Tavistock.

  The BA information has been provided by the Central Data Unit. The NUBS information has been provided by the South West Region's Employment Intelligence Unit. Data is subject to amendment.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Sir Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the revenue which will be generated by the removal of the cap on national insurance contributions. [14173]

  Mr. Heald
  If the upper earnings limit on employees' class 1 contributions and the upper profits limit on self-employed class 4 contributions were removed, it is estimated that an extra £3.75 billion would be collected in a full year.1

  Note:
  1 The estimate is based on the assumption that the current 10 per cent. class 1 contribution rate would apply to earnings above the upper earnings limit and that the current 6 per cent. class 4 contribution rate would apply to profits above the upper profits limit.

PRIME MINISTER

  Homelessness (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet representatives of London's homeless. [14167]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing is in regular contact with the voluntary agencies which co-operate with the Government in the rough sleepers initiative. I am kept closely informed on this matter.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 February. [14312]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 February. [14311]
  274
  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Secretary of State for Health
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Prime Minister what responsibilities in respect of the Government's policies towards constitutional matters he has given to the Secretary of State for Health. [15503]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers have collective responsibility for all the Government's policies.

  NHS (Performance)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the performance of the NHS in the United Kingdom(a) since 1979 and (b) between 1974 and 1979. [16142]

  The Prime Minster
  Since 1979, the Government have established a record of significant and sustained improvements to the funding and management of the national health service, to patient services and to the pay and conditions of service of professional staff. For example:spending on the NHS has increased by 75 per cent. in real terms. Between 1974 and 1979, in real terms spending increased by 17 per cent.
  since 1979, capital spending has increased by 66 per cent. in real terms. Between 1974 and 1979, there was real-terms cut of 28 per cent.
  the NHS is now one of the most efficient health services in the world. It treats 25 per cent. more patients per pound, at constant prices, than it did in 1979
  since 1979, the percentage of gross domestic product spent on health in the United Kingdom has risen from 4.7 per cent. to 5.8 per cent. Between 1974 and 1979, the percentage of GDP spent on health in the United Kingdom fell from 4.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent.
  I regret that there was an error in my oral reply of 11 February, Official Report, column 137. The correct figure for general and acute activity between 1974 and 1979, is an increase of 7 per cent. Since 1979, general and acute patient activity has increased by 80 per cent.
  the number of doctors in England has increased by 23,000 since 1979
  the number of qualified nurses and midwives has increased by around 55,000 since 1979
  the number of dentists has increased by more than 6,000 since 1978
  doctors' and dentists' average earnings have gone up by 74 per cent. in real terms compared with 0.1 per cent. between 1974 and 1979
  nurses' average earnings have increased by 71 per cent. in real terms since 1979. Between 1974 and 1979, nurses' average earnings decreased by 3 per cent.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Recorders (Members of Parliament)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many hon. Members
  275
  sit as a recorder or part-time recorder; what are the conditions under which they preside; and what is their remuneration. [15578]

  Mr. Streeter
  There are three hon. Members who sit as recorders; there are none who sit as assistant recorders. I have deposited a copy of the "Terms and Conditions of Service of Recorders" in the House of Commons Library. By custom, Members who are recorders do not either sit in their constituencies or hear cases remitted from their constituencies. As from 1 December 1996, recorders receive a fee of £366 for each day they sit.

  Land Registration Act 1925
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 January,Official Report, column 511, on the joint working party on reform of the Land Registration Act 1925, if he will list the dates on which the joint working party has met. [15450]

  Mr. Streeter
  The joint working party has met on seven occasions, as follows: 27 April 1994, 29 September 1994, 11 November 1994, 16 February 1995, 2 July 1996, 23 July 1996 and 23 October 1996.

  Mr. Colin Balchin
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what factors underlie the delay in paying costs to Mr. Colin Balchin following his acquittal at Kingston crown court, case number TO960656. [14355]

  Mr. Streeter
  The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Sir Julian Critchley, dated 13 February 1997
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the factors underlying the delay in paying costs to Colin Balchin.
  As Mr. Balchin's claim exceeds £4000 it was sent to the Central Taxing Team (CTT) for taxation. The CTT aims to complete taxation within 3 months of receipt of all of the claims in a case. Mr. Balchin's claim was ready for taxation in early September but was not taxed until 31 January. The delay was caused by a 65 per cent. increase in the work of the CTT over the past year which has created a backlog. Efforts are being made to tackle this backlog and the arrears have been reduced since September.

  Departmental Policies (Bournemouth)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the effect of his Department's policies on the residents of Bournemouth since 1992, with special reference to the effects of changes in the resources provided in real terms. [14944]

  Mr. Streeter
  On 2 December 1996, the new Bournemouth combined court centre was opened. The court provides improved facilities for both court users and staff in Bournemouth. This includes the Probate Service, which has previously used accommodation at the magistrates courts.
  276
  More broadly, while some of the policies of the Lord Chancellor's Department may have a particular effect in certain localities, they are generally designed to benefit the population at large.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many members of the Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland there are; how many of these are perceived to be from the Protestant community; and how many are members of(a) the Ulster Unionist party, (b) the Democratic Unionist party, (c) the Social and Democratic Labour Party and (d) the Alliance Party. [14687]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There are currently six members of the Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland, including the chairman. Information is not available on either their political or their religious affiliations.

  Garden Birds (Export)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number and type of British garden birds exported in each year since 1990 by(a) numbers, (b) species and (c) countries of destination. [15579]

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is not available from the United Kingdom overseas trade statistics because the system under which trade is recorded does not separately identify exports of garden birds.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had with the coal industry regarding its future; and if he will make a statement. [15880]

  Mr. Page
  My officials and I are frequently in contact with those engaged in the coal industry on a wide range of issues relating to its current performance and future prospects.

  North-West Konver Working Group
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of the North-west Konver working group. [15612]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Members of the North-west Konver working group are as follows:

  Organisation

  Chair

  Chris France

  Acting Director Europe, Government Office North West

  Secretariat

  Alex Findlay, Carole Lythall, Rob Shipway, Mike Warburton, Vernon Clarke

  277

  Organisation

  Members

  Mark Gallagher

  European Commission

  Pauline Herbert

  Cumbria Training and Enterprise Council

  Sheila Powell

  Lancashire County Council

  Colin Campbell

  Chorley Borough Council

  Tracey Morrison

  Fylde Borough Council

  Eric Hookway

  Cumbria County Council

  Tom Campbell

  Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council

  David Ingham

  Carlisle Borough Council

  Mark Ellison

  Hyndburn Borough Council

  Mike Dowden

  Lancashire Enterprises Ltd. (LEL)

  Roy Smith

  LEL

  Dr. Malcolm Green

  British Aerospace Defence Ltd.

  Harry Knowles

  Furness Enterprise Ltd.

  Michael Damms

  East Lanes Chamber of Commerce

  Roger Munns

  Consortium of East Lanes Colleges

  Jenny Booth

  DfEE ESF Unit

  Marcelle Janssis

  DTI European Cohesion Division

  Iraq (Trade Restrictions)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance has been given by his Department to British companies attending trade fairs in Iraq in 1996. [10748]

  Mr. Nelson
  The DTI offered no support for British companies to attend trade fairs in Iraq in 1996 under the trade fairs support scheme. However, following the limited lifting of UN sanctions in 1996, four licences were issued to a UK exhibition organiser to assist British companies participating in exhibitions covering the water industry, medical equipment, oil and gas and an international trade fair.

  Prohibited Weapons (Export)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to monitor separately the export of those weapons prohibited under the term of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. [14111]

  Mr. Nelson
  My Department does not monitor the subsequent export of licensed goods.

  Privatised Utilities (Information)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what redress is available to shareholders who believe that information given by them to a utility has been revealed without their consent; and if he will make a statement; [15346]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a utility may divulge information given by shareholders for one purpose to a third party to be used for another purpose. [15344]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The privatised utilities are subject to the same laws concerning data protection as any publicly quoted company. Data protection legislation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I understand from him that the use 278
  of computerised personal data, including its disclosure, is governed by the Data Protection Act 1984. Responsibility for supervising and enforcing the Act lies with the Data Protection Registrar, to whom a complaint may be made if there is thought to have been a breach of the law.

  Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column 277, when he expects the completion of the criteria for potential lenders to the loan guarantee scheme; [13000]

  (2) when he expects new specialist lenders in the technology sector to be added to the loan guarantee scheme's list of approved lenders. [12956]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 27 January 1997]: Following detailed consideration, the criteria for new lenders for the loan guarantee scheme have been agreed. We will shortly be writing to potential lenders seeking information, particularly about their experience and expertise in lending within the technology sector.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each year since 1979–80. [15370]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 February 1997]: The number of external consultancy contracts let centrally by the Department of Trade and Industry, 1995–96, plus value—including contract amendments—is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  Value (£)

  1995

  81

  5,600,000

  1996

  45

  1,368,000

  For information on contracts let centrally in 1990 to 1994, I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 18 July 1995, Official Report, column 1219.

  Details for the years 1979 to 1989 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The information given does not include contracts let by the Department's executive agencies, and I have asked the chief executives to reply separately to this question.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 13 February 1997:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about the number of contracts The Insolvency Service has let to consultants and their total cost in each year since 1979–80.
  Prior to 1994 contracts for consultants were let by the Department of Trade and Industry, and information relating to 1992 and 1993 was provided in the answer to Parliamentary Question No.146 put down by Ms Diane Abbott MP and dated 25 January 1994 (Columns 211–217). Information on consultancies prior to 1992 can only now be provided at disproportionate cots.

  279
  Details of those consultants The Service has engaged in each financial year since 1 April 1993, together with their costs, are:

  Year

  Organisation

  Value (including VAT)£

  1993–94

  KPMG

  45,000

  Ernst and Young

  107,800

  BDO Stoy Hayward

  76,670

  1994–95

  Price Waterhouse

  124,800

  BDO Stoy Hayward

  94,154

  Coopers and Lybrand

  60,000

  Bond Pearce

  10,100

  Ernst and Young

  14,776

  Shreeveport

  129,000

  1995–96

  Shreeveport

  460,492

  Bevan Ashford

  35,653

  Bond Pearce

  6,392

  Ernst and Young

  7,284

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 13 February 1997:

  EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS ENGAGED BY THE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AGENCY

  Mr Taylor, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Corporate and Consumer Affairs, has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question about external consultants.

  The number, and cost, of contracts let by the Agency to external consultants since it assumed responsibility from the DTI for doing so is as follows:

  FY 94/95 six contracts valued at £238k;

  FY 95/96 eight contracts valued at £256k;

  FY 96/97 six contracts (to date) valued at £380k.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 13 February 1997:
  You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade on consultancy contracts. I am replying as Chief Executive of Companies House Executive Agency.
  In my letter in response to your similar question tabled on 14 October 1996, I set out the cost, at 1996/97 prices, of consultancy services provided to Companies House since 1992/93. The amounts in cash terms (ie money of the day) were as follows:

  Year

  £ thousand

  1992–93

  293

  1993–94

  172

  1994–95

  122

  1995–96

  199

  I regret that the information for earlier years can only be provided at disproportionate cost, since 1992/93 was the first full year for which Companies House operated its own free standing accounting systems. Companies House's use of consultants is mainly for specialist IT design and implementation and structural building matters. The expenditure is incurred with varying numbers of diverse specialists and the number of contracts with consultants (as opposed to the actual expenditure itself) cannot be determined with any accuracy within the time available. For example, in 1995/96 alone, some 90 payments are recorded on the accounting system. The overall pattern is one of a large number of relatively small payments, and it would take disproportionate effort to allocate each of these to particular contracts over the period.
  280
  Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 13 February 1997:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the contracts his Department has had with consultants.
  1990/91 is the first year for which separate figures for NWML are available and the figures for the years since then are as follows:

  Year

  Number of contracts

  Total cost (£000)

  1990–91

  0

  —

  1991–92

  0

  —

  1992–93

  1

  7

  1993–94

  1

  20

  1994–95

  0

  —

  1995–96

  1

  4

  1996–97

  0

  —

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 13 February 1997:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade about contracts placed with consultants.
  The Patent Office has let 27 such contracts since 1990. The cost in each year has been 1990 £3,500, 1991 £4,700, 1992 £45,000, 1993 £46,000, 1994 £80,000, 1995 £138,000 and 1996 £99,700. I am unable to provide information for years earlier than 1990 without disproportionate cost.

  Local Development Agencies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what guidelines his Department issues to local development agencies in respect of them approaching companies in other areas to propose expansions or relocations away from their home areas; and what proposals he has to change these guidelines; [15645]

  (2) what rules govern the operation of local development agencies. [15655]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  My Department does not provide grants or operate guidelines to local development agencies for domestic promotional activities. It does give grants to regional development organisations in England, whose task is to assist the Invest in Britain Bureau in promoting the benefits of the UK and their regions as a location for inward investment. Where investment grants may be available under the regional selective assistance scheme, there are guidelines which rule out support simply for jobs being transferred from one part of the country to another. Assistance would be available only to eligible expansion projects which led to a net national benefit.

TRANSPORT

  Driving Standards Agency
  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans for establishing the Driving Standards Agency as a trading fund. [16140]

  Sir George Young
  I have today laid an order in draft which, subject to the approval of the House, will establish the Driving Standards Agency as a trading fund from 8 am on 1 April 1997.
  281
  Although driving test fees are set at a level to cover DSA's full costs, the agency currently surrenders all fee receipts to the Consolidated Fund and its expenditure is financed from my Department's vote. As a trading fund, the test fee receipts will become DSA's income.

  Driving test candidates pay test fees several weeks in advance of taking the driving test. The DSA has estimated that it will be liable to conduct £7 million worth of driving tests from 1 April 1997 for which it will have surrendered test fee receipts to the Consolidated Fund. In order to establish the DSA as a trading fund with sufficient assets to cover its liabilities, some £7 million—equivalent to the fees paid in advance and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund—will be paid to the DSA on 1 April before the trading fund order takes effect.

  Parliamentary approval of this payment will be sought in the main estimates for 1997–98 for the Department of Transport vote, class 5, vote 6. Pending that approval, the necessary sum will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  London Underground (Blood Alcohol Tests)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with London Transport Underground management the introduction of the same system of random blood and alcohol level testing of staff members with safety responsibilities as is applied to railway company services. [15465]

  Mr. Bowis
  This is a matter for London Underground, which I understand already has a very comprehensive system of alcohol and drugs testing for employees with safety responsibilities, using breath and urine tests. This includes screening of all new employees as well as a programme of unannounced tests on a selected sample of safety critical staff.

  Thames Bridge Construction
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion his Department has had with Kvaerner about the construction of a Thames bridge to be funded by continuing the tolling on the existing Dartford-Thurrock crossing; and if he will make a statement. [15687]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 10 February,Official Report, column 62.

  Aircraft Safety
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many British-based companies operate(a) passenger aircraft more than (i) 20 years old and (ii) 25 years old and (b) freight aircraft more than (i) 20 years old and (ii) 25 years old; and if he will make a statement; [15272]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the safety record of aircraft operated by British-based companies. [15224]

  Mr. Bowis
  As of 10 February 1997, there were only four aircraft on the UK register of civil aircraft holding current transport category (cargo) certificates of airworthiness. Aircraft with transport category (passenger) certificates of airworthiness may be operated for any 282
  purpose, including the carriage of cargo; for this reason, the table does not distinguish between passenger and freight aircraft.

  Aircraft over 5,700 kg maximum permitted take-off weight with a current transport category certificate of airworthiness

  Construction date

  Number of aircraft

  Number of owners

  1972–76 inclusive

  37

  24

  Pre 1972

  72

  20

  The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the safety regulation of UK registered aircraft. The CAA has comprehensive maintenance requirements which ensure the continued airworthiness of all aircraft and especially older aircraft which may need more intensive maintenance. The CAA has played a major role in identifying maintenance requirements for ageing aircraft and in helping to ensure that these steps are implemented internationally. The very high standards of safety which all UK operators must attain have resulted in a very good aviation safety record.

  Railways (Targets)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in respect of setting targets for(a) increasing rail freight and (b) levels of investment in the railways; and if he will make a statement. [15342]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on the export of military equipment to Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [15203]

  Mr. David Davis
  We fully support United Nations Security Council resolution 1062 which expresses"serious concern about the modernisation and upgrading of military forces"
  on Cyprus. We will therefore grant licences for the export of equipment only to the military forces of either side on the island of Cyprus which we are satisfied does not fall within the following categories as defined by the EU common embargo list:

  (a) Weapons designed to kill and their ammunition; or

  (b) Weapons platforms; or

  (c) Ancillary equipment which is specifically designed for use in conjunction with either (a) or (b).

  Within this context, export licence applications will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  Note: Among other items category (a) includes guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, fire control systems and tanks. Category (b) includes armed and armoured vehicles or vehicles with fitted mountings for arms, vessels of war, aircraft and helicopters.

HEALTH

  Nerve Gas Attack (Japan)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the Department of Health is intending to review and assess the clinical data of the long-term health effects arising out of the nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway and Matsumato in 1994 and 1995. [14417]

  Mr. Horam
  Department of Health officials have examined available published papers on the health outcomes of the incidents in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and will continue to do so as further work appears.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 December,Official Report, column 758, what was the title of the conference attended by the official of his Department in July 1995; who were the organisers of this conference and where this conference was held; when the small working group is expected to finalise the guidance on managing the effects on health of incidents where chemicals have been deliberately released; and if this guidance will be made public. [14416]

  Mr. Horam
  The conference in question was the seminar on responding to the consequences of chemical and biological terrorism. It was sponsored by the United States public health service's office of emergency preparedness and was held at the uniformed services university of health sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. The small working group is aiming to complete its work by the end of July. The intention is to distribute the guidance to the national poisons information service and those who need it in the national health service, including public health and accident and emergency departments.

  Data Collection (Postcodes)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use his Department and its agencies make of postcode areas for the collection of data and in formulas for the distribution of grants and awards; and when such usages were last reviewed. [14799]

  Mr. Horam
  Postcode areas are used in the analysis of data collected centrally in order to identify the health authority or local authority to which the data relates. The national health service uses a patient's postcode to identify which health authority is responsible for funding health care. Different data sets are reviewed on a regular basis, when the business need for the information is fully considered.

  Neither the Department of Health nor any of its agencies use postcode data in formulae for the distribution of grants or awards.

  Mefloquine

  Proguanil and Chloroquine

  Other

  None

  Unknown

  Total

  1987

  0

  61

  166

  304

  165

  696

  1988

  0

  138

  256

  407

  224

  1,025

  1989

  1

  144

  251

  378

  296

  1,070

  1990

  1

  162

  169

  452

  275

  1,059

  GP Fundholder Appeals
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of GP fundholder appeals to the Department of Health in protest against the budgets allocated to them by health authorities between 1990–91 and 1995–96 were upheld. [14846]

  Mr. Malone
  Until April 1996, regional health authorities were statutorily responsible for determining general practitioner fundholder budgets. There was no formal right of appeal to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State against these budgets.

  Lariam
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research trials for the licensing of the drug Lariam were carried out on(a) women, other than service personnel, and (b) tourists going to countries subject to malaria, before the licensing of the drug in 1990; and what trials have been conducted subsequently, indicating the dates. [15195]

  Mr. Malone
  As for other medicines, information from research trials of Lariam (mefloquine) held by the Licensing Authority is confidential. Section 118 of the Medicines Act 1971 precludes the disclosure of confidential information received in pursuance of the Act.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie the delay in publication of the Malaria Advisory Committee's new guidelines for the use of Lariam; what is the revised date of publication; and if he will make a statement. [15196]

  Mr. Horam
  The United Kingdom malaria guidelines are prepared by an informal group of experts. This group has no statutory status. We have been advised that this group of experts is preparing new guidelines. The consultation process is taking longer than anticipated. Publication will take place as soon as possible following finalisation of the consultation process.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has evaluated concerning the number and proportion of patients prescribed Lariam who visit overseas countries where malaria is prevalent and subsequently(a) contract malaria and (b) incur (i) severe and (ii) non-severe side-effects of the drug. [15192]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of cases of falciparum malaria reported in the United Kingdom since 1987 are given in the table. The table is subdivided to give the chemoprophylactic regimen stated in each case but information on compliance with this regimen is not available, nor is information on the number of people taking each different malaria prophylactic regimen.

  Cases of falciparum malaria—excluding mixed infections—by stated chemoprophylactic regimen, reported in the United Kingdom to the Malaria Reference Laboratory:

  285

  Mefloquine

  Proguanil and Chloroquine

  Other

  None

  Unknown

  Total

  1991

  1

  265

  186

  529

  287

  1,268

  1992

  4

  168

  102

  422

  239

  935

  1993

  3

  180

  129

  474

  262

  1,048

  1994

  16

  114

  109

  541

  398

  1,178

  1995

  28

  96

  97

  492

  399

  1,112

  19961

  35

  136

  119

  514

  464

  1,268

  1 1996 data are provisional.

  There are several possible reasons for the changes in the number of cases of malaria occurring with the different prophylaxis regimens. The number of cases may rise either because of increasing resistance by the malaria parasites or because more of the drug is being used and they may fall because of better compliance or because the drug is used by fewer people.

  As for any licensed medicine, the Medicines Control Agency evaluates reports of suspected adverse drug reactions associated with Lariam (mefloquine) from the yellow card reporting scheme. However, often full details of the degree of the severity of side effects are not reported. In addition, worldwide information on adverse drug reactions from published literature, post-marketing studies and safety reports provided by the manufacturer are also evaluated, in order to ensure that the benefits of mefloquine in treating and preventing malaria outweigh the risks of developing an adverse drug reaction.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the scientific reports, with dates of publication, which provided the basis for granting a licence for the sale of Lariam in 1990 and (b) the scientific reports published since 1990 which are relevant to that licence. [15194]

  Mr. Malone
  The decision to grant a licence for Lariam was based on all the available evidence, published or unpublished and whether or not favourable to the application. The data submitted by the company was assessed by the Medicines Control Agency, which sought the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Government's independent safety experts. The CSM were satisfied as to the safety, quality and efficacy of the product, the sole criteria under the Medicines Act 1968.

  A large number of scientific reports are published relating to authorised medicines. As for all medicines, the Medicines Control Agency continuously reviews the published scientific reports in conjunction with other evidence that becomes available to ensure that the benefits of use outweigh the risk of developing adverse reactions.

  Iron Deficiency (Children)
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding iron deficiency in children; and if he will make a statement. [14996]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received one letter since the beginning of the year. The prevalence of anaemia, which is the clinical manifestation of iron deficiency, has been monitored among young children by the "National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of Children Aged 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 286
  1995. Seven per cent. of males and 9 per cent. of females aged one and a half to four and a half years had haemoglobin levels less than 11g/dl.

  On 2 January 1997, fieldwork for the NDNS of young people aged four to 18 years started. This will include measures of iron status. The joint Department of Health-Medical Research Council nutrition research programme will be funding research to help develop better measures of iron status.

  The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy has agreed to convene an expert group to assess the iron status of the population. The group has not yet started work.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists appeared before an NHS tribunal on the grounds that they breached their terms of service in each year since 1990. [15071]

  Mr. Malone
  Information is not collected centrally. However, details of the total number of cases, for all practitioners, is published in the annual report of the Council on Tribunals, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 767, how many deaths from food poisoning occurred in 1996 by category. [15136]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not yet available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) dysentery and (b) food poisoning there were in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and (iv) England in 1996. [15198]

  Mr. Horam
  Data on the number of cases of food poisoning and dysentery notified to the Office for National Statistics for 1996 are not yet available. Provisional figures for the first two quarters of 1996 have been published in "Quarterly Monitor (Series MB2) for Infectious Diseases" and copies are available in the Library. Provisional figures for the third quarter have been placed in the Library.

  Eye Disease Treatment
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued on the availability of the Excimer process to improve vision and laser eye surgery to treat eye disease in the NHS. [15433]
  287
  Mr. Horam
  It is for health authorities to decide what services should be made available to their residents following an assessment of their needs.

  Pepper Gas
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment of the health effects of pepper gas and the possible carcinogenic effects of capsaicin, has been made by the senior medical officers of the Department of Health since 1991; how many published and internal papers have been written by the Department's medical officers on this subject since 1991; and what are the current security classifications of these reports. [14385]

  Mr. Horam
  A single report on pepper spray was prepared by the Department of Health in 1993. This is unclassified. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

  Skin Diseases
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people(a) were treated for and (b) died

  Unit

  Allocation 1996–97 £000

  New Contract start date

  End date

  Dartington Social Research Unit (University of Bristol)

  565

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Personal Social Services Research Unit (University of Kent)

  1,230

  April 1996

  March 2001

  Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit (University of London)

  429

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Clinical Operational Research Unit (University of London)

  210

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Social Medicine and Health Services Research Unit (University of London)

  478

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Thomas Coram Research Unit (University of London)

  702

  January 1996

  December 2000

  National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (University of Manchester)

  1,550

  January 1995

  December 2004

  National Institute for Social Work (University of Manchester)

  417

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Childhood Cancer Research Group (University of Oxford)

  372

  April 1996

  December 2000

  National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (University of Oxford)

  728

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Medical Care Research Unit (University of Sheffield)

  333

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Centre for Health Economics (University of York)

  338

  August 1996

  July 2001

  Social Policy Research Unit (University of York)

  417

  January 1996

  December 2000

  Programmes of work will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the funding allocated by his Department for research into skin diseases for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15270]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health policy research programme has provided funding for research on skin cancer only in each of the last five years as follows:

  Years

  £000

  1992–93

  0

  1993–94

  31

  1994–95

  84

  1995–96

  75

  1996–97

  339

  1997–981

  464

  1 Estimate.

  288
  from (i) skin cancer and (ii) other skin-related ailments in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15335]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on the number of people treated for skin cancer is not available. Data on deaths certified as due to malignant melanoma of the skin (ICD* 172) and other skin cancer (ICD*173), as well as deaths from non-cancerous skin diseases (ICD*680–709), can be found in table 2 of the Office for National Statistics annual publication "Mortality statistics: cause", series DH2, numbers 18 and 19 (for 1991 and 1992) and in tables 3 and 4 of "Mortality statistics: cause" 1993 (revised) and 1994, series DH2, number 21. Copies are available in the Library.

  Research Units
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total funding which each of the research units, funded by his Department, will receive from his Department in 1996–97; and if he will place a copy of each unit's programme of work in the Library and give the start and end dates of each unit's new contract. [15445]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is in the table.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of registered mentally handicapped people in community care in each council area in England; and if he will make a statement. [15319]

  Mr. Burns
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of registered people with learning disabilities—mental handicap—in community care in each council area. The prevalence of severe learning disability in England is estimated as being in the order of three to four per 1,000 members of the general population. The majority live in the community and will receive varying levels of support from the statutory authorities.

  Skin Ailments
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the funding allocated for research into psoriasis for each of the last five years for which figures are available, and if he will make a statement. [15269]
  289
  Mr. Horam
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant in aid from the Department of Trade and Industry. In 1995–96, the MRC gave a project grant of £30,000 to Glasgow university for its "Molecular Genetic Analysis of Familial Psoriasis" project.

  The MRC is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment. The council is always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

  The national health service research and development health technology assessment programme has recently issued a call for proposals for a systematic review of different treatments for severe psoriasis.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority area the number of patients treated for skin ailments in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15334]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health does not collect figures on the numbers of patients treated for a condition or range of conditions. Figures are collected on the number of finished consultant episodes by specific medical condition. These are available from the annual hospital episode statistics published by the Department of Health, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Sheffield Health Authority
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public money was allocated to Sheffield health authority in(a) 1979 and (b) 1996–97. [15340]

  Mr. Horam
  The cash limit for Sheffield area health authority in 1979–80 is not directly comparable with that for Sheffield health authority in 1996–97 due to the reorganisation of the national health service. The final

  Whole-time equivalent number of staff in post at 30 September

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Nursing and Midwifery Staff1 Clwyd:

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  1,537

  1,523

  1,415

  1,446

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  870

  881

  893

  932

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  837

  861

  887

  921

  Clwyd Health Authority

  3,174

  3,270

  3,347

  83

  84

  65

  —

  North Wales Health Authority

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Powys:

  Powys Healthcare NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  1,009

  995

  914

  944

  Powys Health Authority

  1,059

  1,084

  1,044

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Hospital Medical Staff2Clwyd:

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  40

  44

  42

  48

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  150

  160

  170

  165

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  140

  141

  146

  154

  Clwyd Health Authority

  284

  291

  306

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Powys:

  Powys Healthcare NHS Trust

  —

  —

  —

  32

  33

  32

  37

  Powys Health Authority

  32

  29

  33

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1 Excluding pre-registration learners.

  2 Data for 1996 is provisional.

  290
  cash limit for Sheffield area health authority in 1979–80 was £79.177 million. The current cash limit for Sheffield health authority in 1996–97 is £367.130 million.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors in England are routinely working hours above those set out in the "new deal". [15907]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 January 1996, columns 767–68.

  Blood
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much blood from the national transfusion service was sold to the private sector in 1995 and 1996. [15502]

  Mr. Horam
  Blood itself is never sold, although a handling charge is made to hospitals, whether private or national health service, to cover the costs of collecting, testing, processing and delivery blood. Information about the amount of blood supplied to the private sector is not available centrally.

WALES

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses were employed in NHS hospitals in (i) Clwyd and (ii) Powys in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [14890]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the following table. Data for 1990 to 1992 are available only for each former health authority area as a whole while data for later years are shown by individual NHS trusts within the authority boundary. The small number of nursing and midwifery staff employed by North Wales health authority cannot be split into the former Clwyd and Gwynedd authorities. As information for nursing staff working in hospitals is not available separately, total nursing and midwifery staff numbers are given.

  Salmon
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of reports prepared by(a) the National Rivers Authority and (b) the Environment Agency on the impact of drift net fishing off the west coast of Ireland on the salmon population in Wales. [15133]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Reports by the National Rivers Authority and the Environment Agency on the impact of the Irish drift net fishery on salmon stocks in Welsh and English rivers form part of the assessment work being carried out by a joint working party made up of Government fisheries scientists, the Environment Agency and the Irish Department of the Marine. This group is expected to report before the end of the year.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received in respect of the impact of driftnet fishing in the Irish Sea on the number of salmon returning to Welsh rivers; and if he will make a statement. [15135]

  Mr. Evans
  In the period since June 1995, several representations have been received from Welsh salmon fishery organisations and other interested bodies about the impact of the Irish driftnet fishery on salmon in Welsh and English rivers.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact on Welsh rivers of drift netting in the Irish sea. [15066]

  Mr. Evans
  Recent reports indicate that the Irish driftnet fishery does exploit salmon originating from some rivers in Wales and England. The Irish Government have implemented some measures intended to reduce levels of exploitation in the driftnet fishery. Further work to evaluate the levels of exploitation is being carried out by a joint working group which includes the Irish Department of the Marine. The group is expected to report before the end of the year.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on Welsh rivers of the recent measures introduced by the Irish Government relating to fishing in the North sea. [15068]

  Mr. Evans
  It is too early to assess the likely impact of recent measures introduced by the Irish Government to restrict salmon exploitation by commercial netsmen. The situation will be closely monitored.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on trends in the numbers of salmon and trout in Welsh rivers over the last 10 years. [15067]

  Mr. Evans
  Catch data provide an approximate index of the abundance of salmon and migratory trout entering Welsh rivers. Over the 10 year period to 1995 there is evidence of a decline in the declared catches of both these species.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on proposals for confining salmon netting within river headlands. [15237]
  292
  Mr. Evans
  The Environment Agency's salmon management strategy states that exploitation of salmon should take place, as far as possible, where the stock is from a single river. In Wales, the Environment Agency has applied this principle by introducing measures which aim to phase out salmon netting outside river headlands.

  Power Stations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of the(a) PowerGen and (b) National Power power stations in Connah's quay, Deeside. [15148]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Environment Agency monitors the impact of emissions on the local environment. The integrated pollution control register, held by the relevant regional and area offices of the Environment Agency, contains information about each authorisation issued and the results of monitoring required under the terms of the authorisation.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to reduce air pollution. [15141]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Government have put in place a number of mechanisms to control pollution which apply throughout the UK. The Environment Act 1990 introduced two systems for controlling polluting emissions from industry: integrated pollution control, which limits emissions to all environmental media from large installations; and local air pollution control, covering emissions to air from small and medium sized plant.

  The draft UK national air quality strategy, issued in August 1996, sets out the Government's proposals for air quality policy and includes standards and objectives for all the main air pollutants. The Strategy builds on the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 which includes a new system of local air quality management. Under the Act, local authorities will be required to review and assess air quality in their areas. We are preparing guidance for local authorities to assist them with their new air quality management duties.

  Roseate Tern
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment has he made of the numbers of roseate tern in Wales over the last 10 years; what plans he has to encourage the growth of the roseate tern population in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [15062]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Roseate tern numbers are counted annually. The last 10 years data show that numbers have declined to virtual extinction within Wales and an action plan under the biodiversity programme will be prepared.

  Child Care
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of child care facilities for(a) students and (b) staff in further and higher education in Wales; [15130]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the organisation and financing of child care facilities in further and higher education in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [15069]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None. The provision of child care facilities for students and staff in further and higher education is a matter for individual institutions.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the adequacy of provision of(a) short-term sessional and (b) out of school child care schemes for (i) staff and (ii) students at further and higher education establishments in Wales. [15061]

  Mr. Evans
  It is for individual further and higher education institutions to assess the adequacy of child care provision for their staff and students in the light of patterns of recruitment and retention, and the availability of resources.

  Health Authority Finance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the final allocation of finance for health authorities in Wales for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [15394]

  Mr. Hague
  I will announce the 1997–98 health authority allocations very shortly.

  Osiris Network
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answers of 7 February,Official Report, column 757, if Siemens Business Services gave a discount to his Department on computer hardware under the Osiris contract as a consequence of its receipt of the old computer hardware stock of his Department [15690]

  Mr. Hague
  No. The Osiris contract is for the provision of services, not for the supply of hardware.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answers of 7 February,Official Report, column 757, what consultations he had with (a) education institutions and (b) training and enterprise councils before the decision to dispose of his Department's computer hardware stock via Siemens Business Services. [15691]

  Mr. Hague
  None. Some of the equipment is in use within the Welsh Office and will remain so, managed under the Osiris contract. The majority of the personal computers are obsolete, and it would be difficult or impossible to maintain them.

  The equipment does not belong to the Welsh Office: the transfer of assets formed part of the Osiris contract and was reflected in the pricing structure of the contract. Siemens Business Services and the Welsh Office have a joint review process to make sure that the more recent equipment will be redeployed in the most cost-effective way, taking account of the constraints of existing software licences and of security issues. Where possible, Siemens Business Services will use the present computer hardware
  294
  and peripherals as part of, or in support of the Osiris system. Where this is not possible, the equipment wil be made secure for disposal: this entails removing all hard disk drives and software. Any subsequent user would have to purchase new items to replace these. The method of disposal will depend upon the type and age of the equipment, but might include transfer to educational or training bodies where appropriate.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information is available from his Department to grant-maintained schools on(a) addresses of potential pupils in the school's neighbourhood and elsewhere, (b) sources of finance and (c) the nursery voucher scheme. [15582]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Department does not collect names and addresses of pupils/potential pupils of any schools in Wales. Grant-maintained schools are informed of the grants available from the Department for capital and revenue purposes related to the school. No information as to sources of external funding is given.

  In connection with the nursery voucher scheme, grant-maintained primary schools have been sent directly the detailed guide for providers; its update, the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales. "Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning Before Compulsory School Age"; a provider application form and copies of the "Basic Facts for Parents" leaflet. Grant-maintained schools registered for the scheme will also be receiving a registered providers' pack, which will include advice on the interaction of voucher income with their existing funding arrangements. Grant-maintained schools, along with other providers, can also contact the nursery voucher helpline or the department for further advice.

  North Gwent Mental Health Project
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of the north Gwent mental health private finance initiative project. [15689]

  Mr. Hague
  Gwent Community Health NHS trust, with the agreement of Gwent health authority, is discussing a revised, small scheme with the private sector following concerns expressed by local general practitioners about the original proposals.

  Chief Inspector of Schools
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who is to be appointed as chief inspector in the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales, following the retirement of Mr. R. L. James. [16093]

  Mr. Hague
  By Order in Council, which will be laid before the House in the normal way, Miss Susan Lewis has been appointed chief inspector. She will take up her post on 1 June.

  Police Forces (Finance)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on
  295
  council tax rates in Wales of the revenue and capital settlements for 1997–98 for Welsh police forces; and if he will make a statement. [14138]

  Mr. Hague
  For 1997–98, the proportion of settlement spending met by central Government support has increased. This means that the proportion to be met by council tax has decreased. The actual level of council tax set by police authorities will depend on the extent to which they budget above my plans.

  Driftnet Fishing
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Irish Government concerning the potential impact of the changes in driftnet fishing regulations on Welsh anglers; and if he will make a statement. [15138]

  Mr. Hague
  None. I welcome the changes recently announced by the Irish Government on new driftnet fishing regulations which are intended to reduce the level of exploitation of salmon.

DEFENCE

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time soldiers there are in the Royal Irish Regiment; and how many of these serve only in Northern Ireland. [15470]

  Mr. Soames
  The number of full-time trained personnel serving with the Royal Irish Regiment on 1 January 1997 was 3,540.

  Officers

  Soldiers

  Total

  Royal Irish General Service

  119

  614

  733

  Royal Irish Home Service

  101

  2,706

  2,807

  Total

  220

  3,320

  3,540

  The RIHS serve only in Northern Ireland.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the proposal from Belarus and Ukraine for a central and eastern European nuclear free zone at the 1995 extension and review conference of the non-proliferation treaty as an alternative to the eastwards expansion of NATO; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the proposal. [15332]

  Mr. David Davis
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development stated in another place on 18 June 1996, column 22, NATO countries continue to believe that nuclear deterrence makes an essential contribution to preserving peace and stability in Europe. We have made our position clear to both the Ukrainians and the Belarusians. However, NATO Foreign Ministers announced on 10 December 1996 that NATO had no intention, no plan and no reason to deploy nuclear weapons on the territory of new members.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Policies (Bournemouth)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effect of his Department's policies on the residents of Bournemouth since 1995, with special reference to the effects of changes in the resources provided in real terms. [14943]

  Mr. Freeman
  Within the Cabinet Office, the Office of Public Service has responsibility for improving the efficiency of Government and public services for deregulation and for the competitiveness agenda. Clearly, the success of the Government's policies on competitiveness and deregulation impacts on small businesses in the Bournemouth area. Similarly, the citizens charter initiative also impacts on the public services in the area. In 1995, Dorset Health Care NHS trust was awarded a chartermark for its service to the community.

  Notes on Clauses
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will assess the advantages of publishing the notes on clauses relating to Bills. [15230]

  Mr. Freeman
  The notes on clauses prepared for Ministers taking a Bill through the House are, by convention, usually also made available to members of the relevant Standing Committee and to other interested Members. They are not formally published, but are in the public domain and copies can be made available to others on request.

  Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what(a) controls, (b) monitoring and (c) guidance exist in respect of the use of external consultants by non-departmental public bodies. [15610]

  Mr. Freeman
  Non-departmental public bodies are established to operate at arm's length from Government, often under specific statutory powers. An NDPB's governing board is responsible for the management and control of the body's functions.

  Ministers and their Departments are responsible for monitoring the performance of the NDPBs they sponsor, and for ensuring that they operate within the framework of controls set out in the Treasury and Cabinet Office guidance "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments".

  Guidance on best practice on the procurement and management of external consultants is contained in the efficiency unit scrutiny report, "The Government's Use of External Consultants", which is available to all NDPBs.

  House of Commons Disqualification Act
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what purpose it is proposed to alter part IV of schedule 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 to provide for the omission from the schedule of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieutenant for an island area in Scotland. [15575]
  297
  Mr. Bates
  Under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, all lieutenancy areas in Scotland became known as "areas" rather than "island areas" or "regions", with the exception of the four city areas. The amendments proposed to part IV of schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act reflect this and propose consolidating the disqualification provisions relating to lord-lieutenants and lieutenants for island areas in Scotland and lord-lieutenants and lieutenants for the Scottish regions under a single entry. The existing entry of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant and lieutenant for an island area in Scotland could therefore be removed from the schedule.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the proposed amendment to part I of schedule 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 does not add the office of recorder or part-time recorder. [15576]

  Mr. Bates
  The House has accepted, for many years, the position whereby hon. and right hon. Members may also serve as recorders or assistant recorders. It has long been recognised that it is not only compatible with being a Member of Parliament to practice some other profession or occupation, but that it can be a positive advantage both to the individual Member and to the House as a whole.

  Those hon. and right hon. Members who are recorders or assistant recorders, however, do not by custom either sit in their constituencies or hear cases remitted from their constituencies.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which offices of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieutenant are existing offices of disqualification under the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975; and what is the geographical jurisdiction of those offices. [15577]

  Mr. Bates
  Part IV of schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 lists the offices of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenants and lieutenants whose holders are currently disqualified from becoming Members of the House of Commons. The jurisdiction of these offices extend to the county, area or city for which the lord-lieutenant is appointed.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Hepatitis B Vaccination
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the level of incidence of liver diseases in children; what proposals he has to incorporate hepatitis B vaccination in the immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement. [14681]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Information on the incidence of liver disease is not available. However, 43 cases involving persons aged under 16 years were treated in hospital for liver conditions during the year 1995–96. Current policy is to recommend immunisation against hepatitis B in individuals who are at increased risk of hepatitis B because of their lifestyle, occupation or other factors such as close contact with a case or carrier. Any changes in this policy would depend on the advice of the joint 298
  committee on vaccination and immunisation which advises all four UK health Departments on matters concerning immunisation.

  Regent House Grammar School, Newtownards
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the proposals to extend Region House grammar school, Newtownards. [14682]

  Mr. Ancram
  Plans to extend and refurbish the existing school premises are being taken forward by the South-Eastern education and library board. The scheme is approaching final sketch plan stage and, when it has reached that stage, it can be considered for a place in the school building programme in light of the resources available.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many cold weather payments have been made in Northern Ireland during the current winter broken down by the station involved in triggering the payment; [14899]

  (2) if he will list the cost of cold weather payments and the number of recipients of the payments for each weather station in Northern Ireland in each year since 1986; [14900]

  (3) if he will list the weather stations in Northern Ireland which provide data used in determining cold weather payments. [14898]

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

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 11 February 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about Cold Weather Payments.
  There are four Meteorological Office sites in Northern Ireland which supply the data used to determine if a cold weather period has been recorded or is forecast. They are located in Aldergrove and Lisburn, County Antrim, Carmoney, County Londonderry and St. Angelo, County Fermanagh.
  Since the Agency was established in July 1991, the first cold weather period was triggered in the winter of 1995. Unfortunately, statistics on the number and cost of cold weather payments are not available in the format requested and to obtain this information would involve an extensive clerical exercise at a disproportionate cost. I can provide, however, the number of computer issued payments for each Social Security Office in 1995/96 and to date in 1996/97. Tables are attached showing these figures. Statistics on the clerically issued payments are not available.
  The total number of Cold Weather Payments issued in Northern Ireland so far this winter is 134,288 which equates to a cash figure of £1,141,448.

  299
  I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

  Northern Ireland cold weather payment volumes 95–96 Computer issued payments Income support customers

  Social security office

  Number of payments

  Cash total (£)

  Antrim

  3,212

  27,302.00

  Armagh

  3,378

  28,713.00

  Ballymena

  3,667

  31,169.50

  Ballymoney

  2,700

  22,950.00

  Ballynahinch

  1,184

  10,064.00

  Banbridge

  2,412

  20,502.00

  Bangor

  2,986

  25,381.00

  Carrickfergus

  1,671

  14,203.50

  Coleraine

  3,413

  29,010.50

  Cookstown

  2,508

  21,318.00

  Downpatrick

  1,829

  15,546.50

  Dungannon

  4,144

  35,224.00

  Enniskillen

  5,221

  44,378.50

  Larne

  1,723

  14,645.50

  Limavady

  2,165

  18,402.50

  Lisburn

  3,845

  32,682.50

  Folye

  7,099

  60,341.50

  Lurgan

  3,872

  32,912.00

  Magherafelt

  3,349

  28,466.50

  Newcastle

  1,241

  10,548.50

  Newry

  6,761

  57,468.50

  Newtownards

  2,930

  24,905.00

  Omagh

  3,789

  32,206.50

  Portadown

  2,819

  23,961.50

  Strabane

  4,224

  35,904.00

  Kilkeel

  1,154

  9,809.00

  Shaftesbury Square

  3,443

  29,265.50

  Corporation Street

  7,579

  64,421.50

  Shankill

  3,441

  28,398.50

  Knockbreda

  3,938

  33,473.00

  Falls Road

  5,611

  47,693.50

  Holywood Road

  5,386

  45,781.00

  Newtownabbey

  3,343

  28,415.50

  Andersonstown

  5,449

  46,316.50

  Lisnagelvin

  3,472

  29,512.00

  Northern Ireland cold weather payment volumes 96–97 Computer issued payments Jobseeker's allowance customers

  Social security office

  Number of payments

  Cash total (£)

  Antrim

  31

  263.50

  Armagh

  21

  178.50

  Ballymena

  20

  170.00

  Ballymoney

  4

  34.00

  Ballynahinch

  12

  102.00

  Banbridge

  9

  76.50

  Bangor

  29

  246.50

  Carrickfergus

  7

  59.50

  Coleraine

  0

  Nil

  Cookstown

  15

  127.50

  Downpatrick

  11

  93.50

  Dungannon

  30

  255.00

  Enniskillen

  56

  476.00

  Larne

  27

  229.50

  Limavady

  3

  25.50

  Lisburn

  16

  136.00

  Folye

  0

  Nil

  Lurgan

  26

  221.00

  Magherafelt

  22

  187.00

  Newcastle

  14

  119.00

  Newry

  42

  357.00

  Newtownards

  20

  170.00

  Omagh

  39

  331.50

  Portadown

  15

  127.50

  Strabane

  44

  374.00

  300

  Northern Ireland cold weather payment volumes 96–97 Computer issued payments Income support customers

  Social security office

  Number of payments

  Cash total (£)

  Kilkeel

  19

  161.50

  Shaftesbury Square

  12

  102.00

  Corporation Street

  33

  280.50

  Shankill

  22

  187.00

  Knockbreda

  18

  153.00

  Falls Road

  12

  102.00

  Holywood Road

  33

  280.50

  Newtownabbey

  26

  221.00

  Andersonstown

  30

  255.00

  Lisnagelvin

  0

  Nil

  Northern Ireland cold weather payment volumes 96–97 Computer issued payments Income support customers

  Social security office

  Number of payments

  Cash total (£)

  Antrim

  3,208

  27,268.00

  Armagh

  3,916

  33,286.00

  Ballymena

  3,687

  31,339.50

  Ballymoney

  580

  4,930.00

  Ballynahinch

  1,209

  10,276.50

  Banbridge

  2,415

  20,527.50

  Bangor

  3,144

  26,724.00

  Carrickfergus

  1,722

  14,637.00

  Coleraine

  38

  323.00

  Cookstown

  5,027

  42,729.50

  Downpatrick

  1,883

  16,005.50

  Dungannon

  8,565

  72,802.50

  Enniskillen

  10,253

  87,150.50

  Larne

  1,718

  14,603.00

  Limavady

  1,215

  10,242.50

  Lisburn

  3,938

  33,473.00

  Foyle

  0

  NIL

  Lurgan

  4,027

  34,229.50

  Magherafelt

  4,102

  34,867.00

  Newcastle

  1,298

  11,033.00

  Newry

  6,871

  54,403.50

  Newtownards

  3,075

  26,137.50

  Omagh

  7,790

  66,215.00

  Portadown

  2,954

  25,109.00

  Strabane

  8,673

  73,720.50

  Kilkeel

  1,163

  9,885.50

  Shaftesbury Square

  3,572

  30,362.00

  Corporation Street

  7,992

  67,932.00

  Shankill

  3,446

  29,291.00

  Knockbreda

  4,084

  34,714.00

  Falls Road

  5,960

  50,660.00

  Holywood Road

  5,432

  46,172.00

  Newtownabbey

  3,544

  30,124.00

  Andersonstown

  5,907

  50,209.50

  Lisnagelvin

  801

  6,808.50

  Moseys Arch, Killyleagh
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who owns the footway and steps known as Moseys arch between High street and Frederick street in Killyleagh, County Down; how many and which people have made representations to the Housing Executive to have this public right-of-way closed by initiating an extinguishing order; and if he will make a statement. [14840]
  301
  Sir John Wheeler
  I am advised that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive owns most of the footway and steps known as Mosey's arch, but part of the land may be in private ownership.

  The Housing Executive has also advised that the initial request for an extinguishment order came from the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Since then, both the Department and the Housing Executive have received further representations from local residents in support of, or in opposition to, the extinguishment of the right of way.

  The next stage in the process is for the Housing Executive to try to resolve the objections. If that proves impossible, the matter will be referred to the Department, which may then decide to hold a public local inquiry to hear the objections to the extinguishment order.

  Stalking
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many groups and individuals responded to the consultation paper on stalking and if he will list them; and how many and which proposed separate legislation for Northern Ireland. [14836]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responses were received from 11 groups, none of which proposed separate legislation for Northern Ireland. They were:

  Democratic Unionist Party

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation

  Soroptimist International of Dungannon

  Soroptimist International of Downpatrick

  Soroptimist International of Bangor

  Women's Forum Northern Ireland

  Police Federation for Northern Ireland

  The Queen's University of Belfast, Faculty and School of Law

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

  Data Collection (Postcodes)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use his Department and its agencies make of postcode areas for the collection of data and in formulae for the distribution of grants and awards; and when such usages were last reviewed. [14804]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Services collects data broken down by postcode area in relation to patient treatment and the processing of benefit claims. This provides the basis of aggregation for research and issues which have a geographic dimension. Postcodes are used by the Social Security Agency in delineating which areas qualify for special cold weather payments to the elderly. The delineation of areas is reviewed each year.

  The Training and Employment Agency collects most of its programme monitoring data on the basis of postcodes. This process has recently been introduced and therefore has not yet been reviewed.

  The Department of the Environment uses postcode areas for the selection of sampling points for the measurement of drinking water quality and radon levels, and for the collection of data on retail outlet usage, urban
  302
  development grant and the "Making Belfast Work" initiative. The use of postcode areas for these purposes has not been reviewed.

  Drinks Licences
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the numbers of drinks licences in Northern Ireland presently in existence, by type, and specify the annual income received from issue of these licences and the costs of their administration in the last year for which figures are available. [14841]

  Sir John Wheeler
  For the period ended 31 December 1995, the last complete year for which figures are available, the number of drink licences in force in Northern Ireland, by type, was as follows:

  Category of licence

  Number of licences

  Public houses

  1,642

  Off licences

  322

  Hotels

  150

  Restaurants

  294

  Place of public entertainment

  10

  Refreshment room in public transport premises

  13

  Seamen's canteen

  3

  Non-seagoing vessel

  1

  Figures supplied by the Northern Ireland Court Service indicate that a total of £742,559 in fees income was derived from the issue of licences and their associated applications during the financial year April 1995 to March 1996. This total is made up as follows:
  Magistrates court: £692,109
  County court: £50,450.

  I am advised that the cost of administering the grant and renewal of liquor licences is part of the overall cost of civil business in the county and magistrates courts. Costs as between the different types of civil business are not maintained.

  Building Societies and Banks (Employees)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are employed by(a) the Irish Permanent building society, (b) the National bank, (c) the First National building society, and (d) the ICS building society; and how many employees in each of these companies are perceived to be (i) Roman Catholic and (ii) Protestant. [15320]

  Mr. Ancram
  Since none of these companies is currently registered with the Fair Employment Commission, the commission has no figure available to show the number of persons employed by the companies or their perceived religion.

  Benefit Claimants
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many persons in each parliamentary constituency area in receipt of disability living allowance; [15322]
  303
  (2) how many persons in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district council area are in receipt of severe disablement allowance; [15326]

  (3) how many persons in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district council area are in receipt of incapacity benefit; [15330]

  (4) how many persons in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district council area are in receipt of industrial injuries disablement benefit; [15328]

  (5) how many persons in each district council area are in receipt of disability living allowance; [15323]

  (6) how many persons in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district council area have received social fund maternity payments in each of the last three years; [15327]

  (7) how many persons in each (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) district council area are in receipt of one-parent benefit. [15329]

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

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. John Taylor, dated 13 February 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the number of people in receipt of various benefits in each district council area and parliamentary constituency.
  I have attached tables showing the number of people in receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance in each constituency and district council area. Unfortunately, information on Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, One Parent Benefit and Social Fund Maternity Payments is not held in the format requested.
  I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

  Number of people in receipt of various social security benefits by constituency

  Constituency

  Severe Disablement Allowance (August 1996)

  Incapacity Benefit1(August 1996)

  Disability Living Allowance (August 1996)

  Strangford

  652

  4,508

  4,080

  Belfast East

  547

  3,703

  4,213

  North Down

  646

  3,778

  3,721

  South Down

  1,061

  6,228

  5,980

  Lagan Valley

  702

  4,841

  6,063

  South Antrim

  1,054

  4,630

  5,025

  North Antrim

  795

  4,731

  4,002

  East Antrim

  677

  4,756

  4,670

  East Londonderry

  979

  5,399

  4,992

  Mid-Ulster

  1,091

  6,910

  7,195

  Newry and Armagh

  1,130

  6,352

  6,596

  Upper Bann

  821

  6,760

  7,256

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  936

  4,676

  5,327

  Foyle

  1,243

  8,179

  10,157

  Belfast South

  482

  3,412

  3,822

  Belfast West

  860

  6,350

  10,397

  Belfast North

  745

  5,893

  7,436

  Unknown2

  624

  3,070

  3,515

  1 Includes customers in receipt of credits only.

  2 Benefit recipients which cannot be assigned to a particular constituency.

  304

  Number of people of various social security benefits by district council area

  District council

  Severe disablement allowance (August 1996)

  Incapacity Benefit1(August 1996)

  Disability living allowance (August 1996)

  Ards

  438

  3,256

  2,907

  Belfast

  2,568

  18,911

  25,363

  Castlereagh

  439

  2,982

  3,042

  Down

  543

  3,059

  3,293

  Lisburn

  685

  4,634

  5,901

  North Down

  504

  2,702

  2,598

  Antrim

  719

  2,232

  2,732

  Ballymena

  412

  2,710

  2,174

  Ballymoney

  227

  1,274

  1,136

  Carrickfergus

  261

  1,700

  1,657

  Coleraine

  403

  2,166

  1,963

  Cookstown

  286

  2,341

  2,248

  Larne

  231

  1,514

  1,321

  Magherafelt

  365

  2,223

  1,811

  Moyle

  156

  747

  703

  Newtownabbey

  520

  3,940

  4,037

  Armagh

  593

  3,010

  3,028

  Banbridge

  264

  2,083

  1,806

  Craigavon

  673

  5,467

  6,088

  Dungannon

  446

  2,754

  3,353

  Newry and Mourne

  939

  5,721

  5,703

  Derry

  1,045

  6,779

  8,438

  Fermanagh

  490

  1,922

  1,985

  Limavady

  269

  1,459

  1,564

  Omagh

  501

  2,810

  3,049

  Strabane

  444

  2,710

  3,313

  Unknown2

  624

  3,070

  3,547

  1 Includes customers in receipt of credits only.

  2 Benefit recipients which cannot be assigned to a particular district council area.

  Handguns
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which type or make of centre-fired pistols or revolvers cannot be readily dismantled; and how many of these are licensed in Northern Ireland. [15247]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government accept that handguns in general can be disassembled with varying degrees of practicability. This will depend not only on the design of the gun but also on the skill and dexterity of the owner. At the end of November 1996, there were 12,808 licensed centre-fire handguns in Northern Ireland.

  Department of the Environment (Compensation)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many persons in each parliamentary constituency have successfully claimed for compensation against the Department of Environment in the last three years; [15324]

  (2) how many persons in each district council area have successfully claimed for compensation against the Department of Environment in each of the last three years. [15325]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is not feasible to identify claims against the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) by parliamentary or district council area. However, throughout Northern Ireland, the following numbers of claimants against the Department of the Environment were successful.
  305

  Settlements (prior to court hearing)

  Court awards

  Total

  1993–94

  936

  174

  1,110

  1994–95

  1,256

  141

  1,397

  1995–96

  1,029

  113

  1,142

  Hospital and Nursing Home Beds
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1979 the numbers of(a) registered beds and (b) occupied beds in (i) registered private hospitals/clinics, (ii) registered private nursing homes and (iii) all registered establishments in Northern Ireland, showing separately those which were for (1) acute specialties, (2) mental illness, (3) people with learning difficulties, (4) people with physical disabilities, (5) maternity and (6) other purposes. [15457]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Details of occupied beds in nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics are not available centrally. The first table shows the number of available beds in private hospitals and clinics from 1991. These are the earliest dates for which the information is available centrally. These figures do not include bed availability for

  Voluntary and private residential accommodation

  Mental illness

  Learning disability

  Voluntary

  Private

  Voluntary

  Private

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  1979

  0

  0

  69

  69

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1980

  0

  0

  69

  69

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1981

  0

  0

  69

  69

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1982

  0

  0

  69

  69

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1983

  0

  0

  69

  69

  9

  7

  0

  0

  1984

  4

  4

  69

  67

  9

  8

  0

  0

  1985

  4

  3

  69

  63

  9

  8

  0

  0

  1986

  4

  3

  58

  54

  34

  25

  0

  0

  1987

  4

  4

  59

  42

  33

  33

  12

  12

  1988–89

  0

  —

  71

  —

  87

  —

  28

  —

  1989–90

  0

  —

  75

  —

  127

  —

  138

  —

  1990–91

  63

  —

  76

  —

  158

  —

  193

  —

  1991–92

  75

  —

  113

  —

  251

  —

  124

  —

  1992–93

  177

  —

  104

  —

  332

  —

  284

  —

  1993–94

  261

  —

  125

  —

  419

  —

  308

  —

  1994–95

  275

  —

  128

  —

  413

  —

  244

  —

  1995–96

  259

  —

  96

  —

  432

  —

  250

  —

  Physically disabled

  Others

  Voluntary

  Private

  Voluntary

  Private

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  1979

  69

  25

  0

  0

  1,802

  1,473

  0

  0

  1980

  69

  20

  0

  0

  1,804

  1,431

  0

  0

  1981

  71

  21

  0

  0

  1,838

  1,441

  0

  0

  1982

  63

  17

  0

  0

  1,737

  1,408

  0

  0

  1983

  63

  16

  0

  0

  1,706

  1,407

  0

  0

  1984

  78

  19

  0

  0

  1,643

  1,237

  0

  0

  1985

  78

  15

  0

  0

  1,512

  1,223

  0

  0

  1986

  56

  14

  0

  0

  1,447

  1,293

  0

  0

  1987

  56

  13

  0

  0

  1,399

  1,229

  0

  0

  1988–89

  51

  —

  0

  0

  1,303

  1151

  0

  0

  306
  acute specialties and maternity services provided by private hospitals and clinics, which are not collected centrally.

  The second table lists the number of available beds in voluntary and private residential accommodation since 1979 and the numbers of occupied beds in voluntary and private residential accommodation up to and including 1987, the last year for which central figures on occupied beds in this category were collected, other than in the case of children's homes.

  Available beds in nursing homes and private hospitals and clinics

  Nursing Homes

  Private Hospitals/Clinics

  1985

  751

  —

  1986

  1,072

  —

  1987

  1,564

  —

  1988

  2,450

  —

  1989

  3,751

  —

  1990

  5,269

  —

  1991

  6,770

  78

  1992

  7,103

  78

  1993

  8,829

  78

  1994

  8,837

  78

  1995

  9,339

  78

  — not available centrally. Available beds are at 31 December each year up to and including 1991. Thereafter figures refer to the number of available beds at 31 March each year.
  307

  Physically disabled

  Others

  Voluntary

  Private

  Voluntary

  Private

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  Available beds

  Occupied beds

  1989–90

  91

  —

  0

  0

  1,152

  1148

  0

  0

  1990–91

  91

  —

  0

  0

  1,107

  1142

  0

  0

  1991–92

  91

  —

  0

  0

  919

  1145

  0

  0

  1992–93

  83

  —

  0

  0

  1,118

  1130

  0

  0

  1993–94

  79

  —

  0

  0

  1,052

  1132

  0

  0

  1994–95

  62

  —

  0

  0

  1,111

  1125

  0

  0

  1995–96

  62

  —

  0

  0

  1,089

  1111

  0

  0

  Note:

  1 From 1988–89 occupancy figures are only available centrally for children's homes.

  Information for 1995–96 is provisional.

  The "Other" category comprises voluntary and private residential accommodation for the elderly, and voluntary children's homes. Figures are at 31 December each year up to and including 1987. Thereafter figures refer to the average available beds during the year except for children's homes which reflect the position at 31 March each year.

  Local Government Finance
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a relief scheme to assist non-domestic ratepayers whose bills will be increased following revaluation. [16173]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government intend to assist small businesses which have experienced relatively large increases in rateable value. To qualify for relief, a business will have to meet two criteria. First, the net annual value of the property shown in the valuation list on 1 April 1997 must not exceed £10,000. Secondly, the rate bill which would be levied on the property in each of the three years following revaluation must, before any rate relief is applied, be at least 25 per cent. higher than it would have been in that year—the base year—if the revaluation had not taken place.

  Relief will be available during the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The amount of relief allowed in any individual case will be based on the difference between the rate bill which is actually received by the ratepayer and an amount 25 per cent. or more above the base year amount—the revaluation effect. The full revaluation effect will be abated in the first year of the scheme, two thirds in the second year and one third in the third year. The full rate will be payable in the fourth year after the revaluation.

  Rate accounts for 1997–98 will be adjusted before issue to reflect any relief to which ratepayers are entitled. No ratepayer will need to apply for relief under the scheme.

SCOTLAND

  Judicial Reviews
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many decisions by his Department were challenged through judicial review in Session 1995–96; and in how many cases(a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [14374]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: During session 1995–96, 10 decisions were challenged by judicial review in the Court of Session; and (a) two decisions were upheld by the court; (b) and (c), one of these decisions was not
  308
  defended by the Secretary of State and accordingly the judicial review petition was successful; and (d) none were appealed. Of the remaining seven cases, four judicial review petitions were withdrawn and three are yet to be decided by the court.

  Scottish Charities Office
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the powers of the Scottish Charities Office to recover funds which may have been inappropriately used by registered charities. [14925]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The Charities Office has no power under the legislation to recover funds. The Court of Session may make an order requiring any bank or other person holding money or securities on behalf of a recognised charity or of any person concerned in its control and management not to part with the money or securities without the court's approval. The full powers of the Court of Session are set out in section 7 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.

  Songbirds
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the summer use of(a) organophosphates and (b) pyrethroids on the numbers and range of songbirds. [14677]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 12 February 1997]: The Department of the Environment and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee commissioned a consortium, comprising Oxford University and a number of nature conservation organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, to carry out a review of available information on the indirect effects of pesticides on farmland birds. The results are expected to be published later this year.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to strengthen the law in relation to the protection of rights of way in Scotland. [15668]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Government wish to promote responsible access to Scotland's countryside and considers that this can better be achieved through voluntary arrangements than by legislation. Established rights of way are already protected in law. In general,
  309
  other access issues are better tackled through initiatives such as the access concordat concluded last year, and Scottish Natural Heritage's "Paths for All" project.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he proposes to introduce to ensure the take-up of nursery vouchers in remote areas with small numbers of pre-school children. [15500]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Information so far is that take-up of pre-school vouchers in the four pilot areas has been extremely high—over 97 per cent. overall, and higher in the remoter Argyll and Bute and Highland pilot areas. About 93 per cent. of parents with vouchers are also using them. In the pilots, playgroups have often been key providers in rural areas, and we are taking action, specially through activity by national development officers and support to the Scottish Pre-School Play Association, to help rural playgroups meet the stringent quality standards which we require before they may redeem vouchers.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the Stirling university study of pilot nursery voucher schemes about the(a) take-up of vouchers and (b) availability of nursery places within the scheme in remote areas with small numbers of pre-school children. [15501]

  Mr. Robertson
  The four pre-school voucher pilot schemes are proving highly successful: over 97 per cent. of parents there have taken up vouchers, and despite a low level of provision before the pilots began, 93 per cent. of these have been able to use them. The formal independent evaluation of the pilots commissioned from Stirling university has, in accordance with my commitments to the House last year, given priority to operational matters. I welcome the December interim report of the evaluation. Although results are as yet provisional, this shows a very positive response from parents, and has enabled us to make some significant improvements to procedures before national implementation. Though the pilots cover a range of rural areas, including Caithness, Badenoch and Strathspey, parts of Argyll and Bute and Arran, the researchers have not yet addressed issues relating to rural provision. They are expected to do so before submitting their final report in August 1997.

  Feudal System (Abolition)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Lord Advocate has given approval to the Scottish Law Commission to give high priority in its fifth programme to the abolition of the feudal system; and if he will make a statement. [15495]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The Scottish Law Commission has been considering abolition of the feudal system as part of its fourth programme of law reform. I understand that my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has, at my request, said to the Scottish Law Commission that this should be treated as a matter of priority in any fifth programme. Until such time as the Scottish Law Commission's fifth programme of law reform has been presented to Parliament, it would not be proper for me to make a statement on its contents.
  310
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has received from the Scottish Law Commission as to the likely time for the receipt of its final recommendations on the abolition of the feudal system. [15496]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I expect the Scottish Law Commission's fifth programme of law reform to be presented to Parliament in the near future. A timetable for the completion of the commission's report on the abolition of the feudal system will be part of the programme but, until such time as the programme has been presented to Parliament, it would not be proper for me to make a statement on its contents.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding he is making available for research into the farming of different fish species; where such work is being conducted; and what findings have been received to date. [15497]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Scottish Office spends around £1 million a year at the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen on research into the farming of different fish species, including the control of diseases and parasites. Research findings are described in the Marine Laboratory's published annual reviews.

  European Council
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of European Union Council meetings held in each year from 1979 to 1996, indicating the number(a) attended by Ministers from the Scottish Office and (b) at which Ministers from the Scottish Office are minuted as having spoken. [13892]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 31 January 1997]: The information is as follows:

  Total number of Council Ministers meetings1

  Scottish Office Minister attendance

  1979

  60

  —

  1980

  63

  —

  1981

  62

  —

  1982

  70

  —

  1983

  80

  —

  1984

  80

  —

  1985

  73

  —

  1986

  79

  —

  1987

  81

  —

  1988

  77

  5

  1989

  87

  4

  1990

  91

  4

  1991

  84

  5

  1992

  90

  8

  1993

  98

  8

  1994

  94

  8

  1995

  81

  7

  1996

  88

  15

  1 Information obtained from the press office of the Council of the European Union.

  Records of the meetings attended by Scottish Office Ministers between 1979 and 1988 were not collated and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The records of Council meetings do not attribute individual contributions.

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on income tax levels. [14183]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have received a number of representations welcoming the income tax cuts in the Budget. We now have the lowest headline rate of tax for 60 years and more than a quarter of all taxpayers pay tax at only 20p in the pound.

  Tax Allowances (Teachers)
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding tax allowances for teachers who carry out work at home. [14184]

  Mr. Jack
  A limited number of representations have been received from teachers.

  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to maintain mortgage tax relief at existing levels; and if he will make a statement. [14185]

  Mr. Jack
  As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his 1995 Budget speech, mortgage interest relief will remain unchanged for the lifetime of this Parliament. Beyond that, the level of mortgage interest relief is a matter to be considered each year in the Budget.

  Business Investment
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about prospects for business investment in 1997. [14187]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The prospects for business are excellent. The Government's policies have produced low inflation and steady growth, and low interest and tax rates. Demand has strengthened and profitability is high. The latest CBI and British chambers of commerce surveys show that companies are expecting to increase investment in plant and machinery in 1997. The current climate is one in which businesses can expand and invest with confidence.

  Business Taxation
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of current levels of business taxation. [14188]

  Mr. Jack
  In 1995–96, total tax on business raised £63.2 billion, 25 per cent. of total taxes and social security contributions. The UK tax burden on business is the lowest of the major European economies and is among the lowest in the G7. Low tax rates help to make the UK the No. 1 destination for inward investment into the EU.

  VAT (Fuel)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenues from VAT on fuel for each of the first two quarters of 1997–98. [14190]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  No forecasts are made of VAT receipts at this level of disaggregation.

  Taxation
  Mr. Legg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact on the United Kingdom economy of the level of taxation in the United Kingdom relative to that in other major EU countries. [14191]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The overall burden of taxation on the economy in the United Kingdom was 35.75 per cent. of GDP in 1995–96. This represents one of the very lowest levels in Europe and is below that of France, Germany and Italy.

  The Government are committed to low taxation and a tax system that raises revenue in ways that do least damage to the economy and encourage enterprise.

  Investment
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Chancellor Exchequer if he will make a statement on current investment levels in the United Kingdom. [14192]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  UK businesses have invested more in relation to GDP in the 1990s than in the 1980s, having invested more in the 1980s than in the 1970s. In setting the right climate of low inflation and steady growth, the Government's economic policies are encouraging business to expand and invest with confidence.

  Single Currency (Convergence Criteria)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic consequences to the United Kingdom of entering a single currency in circumstances when the convergence criteria have not been fully met by each of the participating countries. [14194]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  For the single currency area to be successful, there must be a high degree of sustainable economic convergence among the countries participating. If the single currency were to proceed without reliable convergence, we would not be part of it.

  Mortgage Interest Relief
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he expects to be the cost of the mortgage interest relief at source scheme in the current year; and if he will make a statement. [14195]

  Mr. Jack
  In 1996–97, the estimated total cost of mortgage interest relief is about £2.3 billion, of which £2.2 billion is given through the MIRAS scheme.

  These figures are provisional. They are based on the assumption, by convention, of no change from the current estimated average building society interest rate of 6.43 per cent.

  VAT
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's current estimate of revenue from VAT for the current financial year. [14196]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The most recent forecast of VAT receipts for 1996–97 published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" is £47.5 billion.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the scope of VAT. [14177]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Value added tax in the UK applies to about 60 per cent. of consumer expenditure on goods and services.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional tax that would be raised if VAT were imposed on(a) private education fees and (b) public health provision charges. [14870]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 February 1997]: Based on information in HM Treasury's "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs", the estimated revenue costs of (a) the VAT exemption of private education fees and (b) the zero rating of drugs and medicines on prescription are approximately £1,050 million and £750 million respectively in 1996–97. The estimates exclude the effect of behavioural changes and may tend to overestimate the extra revenue from withdrawing the exemption of zero rating.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been collected by HM Customs and Excise since April 1992 as a result of the extension of VAT to domestic fuel. [14197]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Domestic fuel and power has been subject to VAT only since April 1994. The total revenue raised from VAT on domestic fuel and power since the 8 per cent. was introduced is estimated to be as follows:

  1994–95: £850 million

  1995–96: £1,100 million

  Cumulative Debt
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cumulative debt as a percentage of gross domestic product of(a) Britain and (b) other major EU countries. [14198]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Budget forecast of the ratio of gross general Government debt (GGGD) to gross domestic product (GDP) was 55¼ per cent. at end-March 1997. The latest European Commission estimates of the corresponding ratios of GGGD to GDP in Germany, France, Italy and Spain at end-December 1996 are 61½ per cent., 56 per cent., 124½ per cent. and 673¾per cent. respectively. The European Commission estimates that Luxembourg is the only EU country with a lower ratio of GGGD to GDP than the UK.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's ability to meet stage 3 of EMU. [14174]
  314
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I believe that the United Kingdom economy is highly likely to satisfy the economic conditions of low inflation, low fiscal deficit and a low burden of public debt required to contemplate stage 3 of EMU.

  VAT (Food)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the European Community has for the harmonisation of taxation with special reference to VAT on food. [14186]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  There are no specific EC plans for harmonisation of VAT on food. The European Commission aspires more generally to further harmonisation of VAT rates as part of its suggested programme for a common system of VAT. There are no legislative proposals on rates on the table and the UK's zero rates—including that for food—are fully safeguarded under existing EC agreements. These cannot be changed without our approval.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the real take-home pay of a family on average earnings in(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1996–97. [14193]

  Mr. Jack
  Real take-home pay in 1996–97 prices for a family on average earnings around £296.40 per week in 1991–92 and £311.05 per week in 1996–97. This same family should be around £370 better off next year.

  UK Economy (Growth Prospects)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the prospects for growth in the United Kingdom economy for the first six months period of the present calendar year, with particular reference to(a) consumer spending, (b) spending on net new domestic capital formation from all sources and (c) the estimated impact of major public sector infrastructure schemes; and if he will make a statement. [14310]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The prospects for growth are excellent. The UK economy is now well into its fifth year of sustained expansion, and all forecasters share the Government's view that 1997 will see another year of healthy growth. Growth is expected to continue to be broadly based, with faster growth in consumers' expenditure, accelerating investment and rising exports. Lower public sector capital expenditure during 1997–98 will be offset by rising capital expenditure under the private finance initiative.

  European Single Currency
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of how adherence to the criteria for joining the European single currency would affect the United Kingdom economy. [14175]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Maastricht convergence criteria of low inflation and sound public finances make sound economic sense in their own right, with or without EMU. They will continue to form the basis of the Government's policies to ensure future growth, job creation and rising living standards.

  Factor 8 (VAT)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total revenue raised from the imposition of value added tax on recombinant factor 8 used in the treatment of haemophiliacs. [15386]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 12 February 1997]: The application of the standard rate of VAT to recombinant factor 8 is common to all manufactured drugs. It is estimated to raise approximately £1 million per year.

  Paymaster
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the privatisation of the Paymaster agency. [16092]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Conditional agreements for the sale of both the pensions and banking businesses of Paymaster, together with its IT support and its building in Crawley, were exchanged with a joint venture between EDS and Hogg Robinson yesterday. These are subject only to Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment Regulations 1981) consultations, which can begin with the company at once.

  The £22.7 million consideration agreed with the purchasers represents a good outcome for the taxpayer. The purchasers have made it clear that they intend to develop the business through the winning of new contracts and the transfer-in of other existing business, and to continue operations from its current Crawley and Basingstoke locations, so the outcome is equally good for the agency's staff and customers.

  On the pensions side, the schemes will, of course, continue to be funded and have their rules set by sponsoring Government Departments, which will also remain responsible for ensuring service levels; only the administrative functions are being contracted out to the privatised agency.

  On the banking side, I announced on 31 October 1996, Official Report, column 255, the creation of a new Office of HM Paymaster General as a separate statutory body within the National Investment and Loans Office to maintain control over the Paymaster General's accounts at the Bank of England. The privatised agency will supply transaction services to this office on behalf of its departmental and other public sector customers.

  I believe that this is an excellent outcome for all. The purchasers are eager to keep the present business intact and to build on the service improvements introduced in recent years by the current management. They bring formidable IT and transaction-processing expertise to support those efforts, combined with a powerful private sector pensions reputation and marketing experience. Paymaster can look forward to becoming a player of repute in the private sector market that was previously closed to it, and customers can expect even higher service levels and more competitive prices in future.

  Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have for the disposal of their shareholding in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. [15223]
  316
  Mr. Jack
  The Government own some 12.4 million shares in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, representing around 13.9 per cent. of the company's issued share capital. The Government have no immediate plans for the sale of their holding.

  Arms Supplies (Rwanda)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1996,Official Report, columns 636–37, if he will place in the Library copies of pages 2 to 4 of the letter of 30 November 1995 from the chairman of the United Nations special commission on arms supplies to Rwanda to the international liaisons section of United Kingdom Customs and Excise. [14961]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The letter of 30 November 1995 indicates that the attachment accompanying the letter was a copy of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1013 (1995). That was the sole content of pages 2 to 4 of the fax. A copy of that resolution is already held in the Library.

  "Social Trends" Data
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tables and graphs in "Social Trends" that make use of data drawn from the general household survey. [14686]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dennis Roberts to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 13 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking for a list of the tables and graphs in Social Trends which make use of data drawn from the General Household Survey. The Director has asked me to reply in his absence.
  The tables and graphs which use data from the General Household Survey in the 1997 edition of Social Trends are shown in the list below.

  Number

  Title

  2.2

  Households by size

  2.3

  Households: by type of household and family

  2.5

  People in households and communal establishments: by type of household and family in which they live

  2.9

  Families headed by lone parents as a percentage of all families with dependent children

  2.10

  Percentage of dependent children living in different family types

  2.12

  Percentage of women cohabiting

  2.19

  Women remarrying: by year, and length, of separation, 1993–1995

  2.28

  Contraception: by method used

  4.10

  Percentage of full-time employees who started their current job in the previous 12 months

  5.26

  Membership of a current pension scheme: by gender and earnings, 1995–96

  6.10

  Households with consumer durables

  7.4

  Chronic sickness: by age, 1974 and 1995–96

  7.19

  Adult cigarette smoking: by gender

  7.22

  Consumption of alcohol: by gender 1984 and 1994–95

  8.15

  Site of NHS GP consultation

  8.18

  Sight tests: by source of funding and socio-economic group, 1994–95

  317

  Number

  Title

  8.20

  Use of selected personal social services: by age, 1994–95

  10.2

  Owner-occupation: by socio-economic group, 1981 and 1995–96

  10.3

  Tenure: by age of head of household, 1995–96

  10.4

  Household composition: by tenure, 1995–96

  10.7

  Type of dwelling: by tenure, 1995–96

  10.8

  Type of dwelling: by construction date, 1995–96

  10.9

  Under-occupation and overcrowding: by type of household, 1995–96

  10.15

  Length of time at current address: by tenure, 1995–96

  13.5

  Participation in home-based leisure activities: by gender

  13.20

  Participation in the most popular sports, games and physical activities: by gender

  2001 Census
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the draft religious questions which are being tested for inclusion in the 2001 census are being phrased in such a way as to identify each of the main Christian denominations. [14389]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The question on religious affiliation to be asked in the 1997 census test in England and Scotland will include pre-coded tick-boxes for Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, Jewish and Sikh, but 318
  will not identify the main Christian denominations. The census test in Northern Ireland will include a different question, which is worded to meet the local requirements for information, and which does identify the main Christian denominations present in the Province.

  The final choice of questions to be included in the census will be made after a full evaluation of the results of the census test, further research, and a further extensive round of consultation. All this information will be taken into account when the Government publish their proposals for questions to be included in the 2001 census in a White Paper in mid-1998. The White Paper will invite comment. The census order paper will be debated in Parliament.

  Car Production
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the United Kingdom's balance of payments of Ford Escort production being transferred overseas. [15099]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  Identifying the change in the balance of payments following the transfer of car production overseas would be a major research task, which could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  NATO Enlargement
  NATO Enlargement
  Riyadh Bombing, November 1995
  Riyadh Bombing, November 1995
  Liberia: Elections
  Liberia: Elections
  Asylum Seekers
  Asylum Seekers
  Blood, Meat and Bone Meal Fertilisers
  Blood, Meat and Bone Meal Fertilisers
  CFE Treaty
  CFE Treaty
  Sea Ferret Missile
  Sea Ferret Missile
  Peaceful Uses of Space: WEU/ESA Collaboration
  Peaceful Uses of Space: WEU/ESA Collaboration
  HELIOS II and Horus Satellites
  HELIOS II and Horus Satellites