Written Answers of 26 February 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Rehabilitation)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much time per month since January 1992 was spent by prisoners undergoing rehabilitation aimed at addressing their offending in(a) each prison, (b) each prison type and (c) the whole prison estate; [15988]

  (2) how many rehabilitation courses aimed at addressing the causes of prisoners' offending were available in each month since January 1992 in (a) each prison, (b) each prison type and (c) the whole prison estate. [15969]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the availability of offending behaviour courses in prisons.
  The information you requested on offending behaviour programmes by month and prison is not available. The Service provides core offending behaviour programmes which are designed centrally and delivered across the estate. The national totals of these programmes delivered each year are recorded centrally. The available figures are listed in the attached tables.
  As well as the core programmes there are other offending behaviour programmes run in prisons according to need and resources. Records of these are not kept centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  The Prison Service has a key performance indicator for the number of prisoners completing offending behaviour programmes which have been accredited as being effective in reducing offending behaviour. The sex offender treatment programme and the cognitive behaviour programmes have been accredited and the numbers of prisoners completing these programmes are being recorded for counting towards the key performance indicator. There is a continuing process of accreditation of offending behaviour programmes and as new programmes achieve accreditation records will become available of the details of these courses and the numbers of prisoners completing them.
  Additionally, a wide range of educational and vocational courses are run which are designed to increase the skills and job prospects of offenders, thus assisting with their rehabilitation.
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  Prison service core offending behaviour programmes—completions since 1992–93

  Year

  Number completed

  Hours per programme

  Total hours

  Sex offender treatment (SOTP) core programme—programme revised and extended with effect from April 1995

  1992–93

  284

  80

  22,720

  1993–94

  439

  80

  35,120

  1994–95

  554

  80

  44,320

  1995–96

  406

  180

  73,080

  SOTP relapse prevention/booster programme—piloted in 1995–96

  1995–96

  33

  56

  1,848

  Enhanced thinking skills—piloted in 1993–94—revised in April 1996 to 40 hours

  1993–94

  46

  28

  1,288

  1994–95

  241

  28

  6,748

  1995–96

  631

  28

  17,668

  Reasoning and rehabilitation—piloted in 1993–94

  1993–94

  63

  70

  4,410

  1994–95

  44

  70

  3,080

  1995–96

  115

  70

  8,050

  Prison Ship
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was made to purchase a prison ship; what account was taken of experience in using ships for detaining asylum seekers; when Parliament was notified of the decision to purchase; what are(a) the total purchase costs and (b) the estimated running costs; and if he will make a statement. [15782]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking when the decision was made to purchase a prison ship; what account was taken of past experience in using ships for detaining asylum seekers; when Parliament was notified of the decision to purchase; what are the total purchase costs and the estimated running costs.
  In order to respond to the rapid rise in the prisoner population several options were considered including the purchase or charter of a prison ship. The decision to purchase the prison vessel "Resolution" (to be renamed the "Weare") was made on 15 January.
  We are aware of the difficulties experienced in using the "Earl William" for immigration detainees at Harwich in 1987. However, the "Earl William" was a converted ferry: the "Resolution"/"Weare" is a purpose-built vessel. It has been decided not to use the "Weare" to hold immigration detainees.
  Parliament has not been formally notified of the decision to purchase the prison vessel, however Ministers have been kept fully informed. The cost of purchasing the floating prison is about £3.7 million and the cost of transporting it to the UK is about £800,000. It will provide a total of 400 places. We expect the cost per prisoner place to be approximately £16,200 which compares with an average figure for the category C estate of £16,500 (for the period April—September 1996).
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  Leyhill Prison (Escape)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order an immediate inquiry, reporting in public, into the escape of James Mynott from Leyhill prison. [16740]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Michael Stern, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the abscond of James Mynott from Leyhill prison.
  In accordance with our normal practice the governor of Leyhill prison has been instructed to conduct an inquiry into the abscond of James Mynott on 14 February 1997. The reports of such inquiries are not normally made public.

  Military Corrective Training Centre
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Health and Safety regulations will still apply to the military corrective training centre after its partial conversion to a high-intensity regime. [16868]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Crown's responsibilities under health and safety law are unaffected by the establishment of Colchester young offender institution at the military corrective training centre. Those responsibilities are the same in both the military and Prison Service parts of the site.

  Prisoners (Ethnic Background)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prison population by ethnic background for remand and convicted prisoners. [16870]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what is the current prison population by ethnic background for remand and convicted prisoners.
  The information requested is contained in the attached table.

  Population of Prison Service Establishment by Ethnic Origin, 31 January 19971

  Ethnic origin

  Remand

  2Sentenced

  Total

  All ethnic groups

  11,500

  46,100

  57,600

  White

  9,310

  38,030

  47,340

  Black

  1,530

  5,540

  7,070

  South Asian

  330

  1,310

  1,640

  Chinese and other

  330

  1,220

  1,550

  1 All figures are provisional.

  2 Figures include those committed in default of payment of a fine.

  Prisons (Drugs Testing)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 214
  29 January, Official Report, columns 211£12, when he intends to write to the hon. Member in respect of mandatory drug testing; and if he will make a statement. [16983]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I hope to write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Ms R. McAliskey will be able to have her child with her in HM prison, Holloway should it be born while she is still remanded in custody in the United Kingdom. [17410]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The matter is being carefully considered.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent report by Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary on No. 5 area (south-west) of the Metropolitan police. [17971]

  Mr. Maclean
  Yes. I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with the responses of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the police authority responses, which take into account the advice my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received from the Metropolitan police committee.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made in each month since September 1994 by prisoners within special secure units concerning(a) alleged ill-treatment and (b) sleep deprivation. [16354]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 20 February 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Home. Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about complaints by prisoners in special secure units.
  Prisoners may make complaints through a variety of channels. The detailed information required to answer your question could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) further to his answer of 23 January,Official Report, column 736, at what level of the Prison Service the decision was made to introduce a closed-loop video system for use in the prisoners' strip search room at Long Lartin prison; what external legal advice was sought prior to its introduction; and at what date Ministers were informed; [16629]

  (2) who carried out the evaluation of the closed-loop video system for use in the prisoners' strip search room at Long Lartin prison; and if he will list the principal conclusions of that evaluation; [16630]
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  (3) pursuant to his answer of 23 January, Official Report, column 736, when prisoners who had their earnings stopped or deducted on adjudication for refusing to undergo video-recorded strip searches received (a) an explanation and (b) an apology following the quashing of the adjudication; [16631]

  (4) when prisoners at HM prison, Long Lartin were informed of the discontinuation of the closed-loop video system introduced for use in the prisoners' strip search room; when the cameras were removed; and how many prisoners were subject to disciplinary measures for refusing to be strip searched on the grounds that the search would be video-recorded; [16632]

  (5)on what precise date video tapes recording random strip searches of prisoners at HM prison, Long Lartin in 1996 were destroyed; on what dates their destruction was ordered; and what grade of officer was instructed to supervise this process; [16633]

  (6) if he will conduct an inquiry to establish whether unauthorised copies of the video recording of intimate body searches at Long Lartin were made. [16659]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answers 20 February 1997]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 26 February 1997.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the use of video recording during the strip searching of prisoners at Long Lartin prison, its withdrawal from use and disciplinary measures taken against prisoners who refused to under video-recorded strip searches.
  The Woodcock and Learmont reports indicated that much greater use should be made of CCTV and video in prisons as aids to security and safety, including during searching procedures.
  The use of video during the strip searching of prisoners at Long Lartin was one of a number of new uses of video and/or CCTV introduced as part of the upgrading of dispersal prisons recommended by Sir John Woodcock. The overall upgrading programme was approved by me. Legal advice was not sought before the introduction of any new uses of video or CCTV. Ministers were kept informed in general terms of progress on the implementation of the Woodcock recommendations. They were not advised on the detailed operational aspects of implementation including the specific uses of video and CCTV.
  The use of video during the strip searching of prisoners at Long Lartin was evaluated after four months of operation. The evaluation, carried out by the Directorate of Dispersals and Security Group at Prison Service Headquarters, concluded that the use of video recording did not provide sufficient improvement in the degree of protection to prisoners or staff to justify its continuance at Long Lartin or its introduction elsewhere.
  The first prisoner to challenge his adjudication and have the result quashed was given an explanation on his complaint and request form in October 1996. The procedure for informing prisoners was then reviewed and each subsequent prisoner received a letter during December 1996 explaining that the Director of Dispersals had reviewed their case and since the study was a pilot the disciplinary awards had been quashed.
  Each prisoner was also contacted to inform them what this would mean in their individual case.
  A general notice to prisoners concerning the discontinuation of video recording during strip searches was not published. Prisoners were informed of the discontinuation on an individual basis. The cameras have not yet been physically removed, they have been disconnected and the recording facility has been removed. The system is therefore inoperative.
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  Ten prisoners were subject to disciplinary measures for refusing to be strip searched on the grounds that the search would be video recorded.
  The video tapes which recorded the strip searches have not been destroyed. The tapes have been properly stored in a sealed bag and placed in a safe. The tapes will be incinerated in due course under properly supervised conditions.
  No unauthorised copies of video recordings were made at Long Lartin prison. The authorised video recordings which took place were of strip searches not of intimate body searches.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees have been transferred from HM prison Haslar to HM prison Rochester in each of the last three months; and if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the transfers. [17401]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: During the period 1 November to 31 January, a total of 10 immigration detainees were transferred from Haslar to Rochester. There were two such transfers in November 1996, three in December 1996 and five in January 1997.

  Detainees may be transferred for a variety of reasons, but a number of transfers in early February resulted from planned refurbishment work at Haslar, which has now been postponed.

  Magistrates Courts (Psychiatric Reports)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases heard in magistrates courts in England and Wales during 1995 and 1996 were adjourned for psychiatric reports; and in how many instances applications for adjournments were turned down. [16871]

  Mr. Streeter
  I have been asked to reply.

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

ENVIRONMENT

  Hazardous Materials (Departmental Buildings)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the presence of(a) hazardous materials and (b) ozone-depleting substances within those buildings his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16309]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Registers recording the presence and treatment of asbestos, and any other hazardous materials, are maintained in the Department of the Environment's buildings. Assessments are carried out in accordance with current regulations.

  Our procurement policy requires that no products containing ozone-depleting substances are purchased, and this was one of the aims of the contracts let in relation to the Department's two new headquarters buildings. Both buildings have been designed to achieve the highest standards in environmental performance; Eland house was recently awarded a very good BREEAM—Building

  217
  Research Establishment environmental assessment method—rating, and Ashdown house is also expected to achieve a similar rating in due course.

  British Agrochemicals Association Ltd.
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what meetings he has had with British Agrochemicals Association Ltd. in the past 12 months; what was the subject of the meetings; and if he will make a statement; [16290]

  (2) what representations he has received from British Agrochemicals Association Ltd. in the past 12 months; what was the subject of those representations; and if he will make a statement. [16285]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has not met nor received representations from the British Agrochemicals Association in the last 12 months.

  At the initiative of the BAA, officials in my Department and the Health and Safety Executive have met and corresponded with the BAA on a number of occasions in the last 12 months. Topics covered include organophosphate insecticides, the annual pesticide incidents report and the review of the European Community fifth environmental action programme. HSE officials also meet representatives of BAA at regular tripartite meetings under the aegis of the Health and Safety Commission and at other meetings on the operation and funding of the pesticide approval arrangements.

  Energy-Efficient Housing
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he proposes in respect of dwellings identified by the English house condition survey as not physically capable of being made energy efficient at reasonable cost; and if he will make a statement; [16580]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure the replacement of the least energy-efficient housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [16613]

  Mr. Clappison
  It is the responsibility of housing authorities and other owners to determine whether replacement is the best course of action for the least energy-efficient housing stock, having regard to its efficiency and other physical and social factors. However, the survey indicates that for most dwellings, including many of those not capable of being brought up to current building regulation standards, improvement to a more moderate level of energy efficiency is likely to be the most cost-effective course.

  Environmental Protection and Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors underlie the increased provision for environmental protection and water in the spring supplementary estimates; and if he will make a statement. [16881]
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  Mr. Clappison
  A spring supplementary estimate has been proposed to take provision of £500,000 to cover pressure on rural water and sewerage grants, £76,000, and assisted areas sewerage grants £424,000, which are demand led. In addition, it is proposed to vire £578,000 from environmental publicity and the small company environmental and energy management assistance scheme into rural water and sewerage grants.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency set up by his Department since the start of April 1992. [16967]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The only executive agency for which the Department of the Environment is responsible which has been set up since the start of April 1992 is the Planning Inspectorate executive agency. It was set up on 1 April 1992 to continue the duties already being carried out by the Planing Inspectorate. The only costs involved were administrative costs. These would have been minimal; no figures are available.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each financial year from 1994–95 to 1997–98 the change in the level of grants paid to Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council by the Government due to changes in the formulae used for standard spending assessments since the 1993–94 distribution(a) expressed in pounds, (b) divided by the band D tax base for council tax setting and (c) as a proportion of that tax base and scaled by ratio of each tax band to band D. [17212]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The effect of changes of methodology in the formulae for the revenue support grant is approximated by the effect of such changes on the standard spending assessment. The SSAs are adjusted to be comparable with the SSA of the subsequent year. Changes in methodology also give rise to SSA reduction grant which reduces the effect of changes on council tax payers. The amounts for Wolverhampton are given.

  Effect on SSA

  SSA reduction grant

  £ million (a)

  £/Band D property (b)

  £ million (c)

  £/Band D property (d)

  1994–95

  -14.5

  -219

  10.6

  160

  1995–96

  -1.0

  -15

  6.4

  96

  1996–97

  -0.8

  -12

  3.0

  44

  1997–98

  -0.2

  -2

  0

  0

  The figures in columns (b) and (d) are then multiplied by the standard ratios 6/9:7/9:8/9:11/9:13/9:15/9:18/9 to derive equivalent figures for property bands A:B:C:E:F:G:H respectively.

  219

  Effect on SSA

  Year

  Band A

  Band B

  Band C

  Band E

  Band F

  Band G

  Band H

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  1994–95

  -146

  -170

  -195

  -219

  -317

  -365

  -438

  1995–96

  -10

  -12

  -13

  -15

  -21

  -25

  -30

  1996–97

  -8

  -9

  -11

  -12

  -17

  -20

  -24

  1997–98

  -2

  -2

  -2

  -2

  -4

  -4

  -5

  SSA reduction grant

  Year

  Band A

  Band B

  Band C

  Band E

  Band F

  Band G

  Band H

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  1994–95

  107

  124

  142

  160

  231

  267

  320

  1995–96

  64

  74

  85

  96

  138

  159

  191

  1996–97

  30

  35

  39

  44

  64

  74

  89

  1997–98

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects a suitable large-scale fire test for large insulated sandwich panels to be developed. [17281]

  Mr. Clappison
  I expect such a test, providing a harmonised European method, to be available in about two years. The International Standards Organisation is developing a still larger scale test, but I understand this may take three to five years to perfect.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to approve the removal of any fire safety legislation currently within local Acts of Parliament only where he is satisfied that there is equivalent national legislation affording the public the same degree of protection from fire. [17282]

  Mr. Clappison
  Fire safety provision in local Acts will be repealed where these overlap or conflict with the provision of the building regulations.

  Local Authorities (Legal Costs)
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to local authorities on the use of their funds for the legal costs of councillors or officers criticised by the district auditor; and if he will make a statement. [17637]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None. The use of funds to meet such costs is a matter for individual authorities.

  Abondoned Mines (Water Pollution)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to consult on the contents of pre-abandonment notices which mine operators will be required to prepare when section 58 of the Environment Act 1995 is brought into force. [17910]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I have issued a consultation paper today, inviting comments on our proposals for regulations.

  These proposals are designed to enhance the Environment Agency's ability to tackle water pollution from abandoned mines. They set out the precise contents
  220
  of the notification, which mine operators will have to send to the agency at least six months in advance of any intended abandonment.

  The notification will include a range of information including the operator's opinion as to the consequences of the proposed abandonment. Variations to the timing and information requirements of the notice will apply where abandonment follows an emergency, and in certain cases of insolvency.

  The prior notification to the agency of any intended abandonment will allow measures to be identified and implemented at the appropriate time to prevent or reduce water pollution after abandonment. Where a phased programme of abandonment is planned, this could be notified at one time, so as to reduce the burden of notification on the operator.

  The scale of the problem of discharges from abandoned mines had to be set in context. Some 200 km of river length is affected by discharges from abandoned coal mines and some 400 km by discharges from abandoned metal mines. This, though, only represents 0.5 per cent. and l per cent. respectively of total river length monitored by the Environment Agency. Pollution caused by abandoned mines is a rather specialised and local problem but, where it occurs, its impact on the aquatic environment can be serious.

  British Waterways Board
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the 1996–97 external financing limit for the British Waterways Board. [18136]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Grant in aid to the British Waterways Board is being increased by £1.233 million for 1996–97 to enable it to carry out additional major repairs to the canal network and other urgent maintenance. This increases the British Waterways Board's external financing limit to £51.033 million. It will be funded by savings on the vote and therefore does not represent an increase in public expenditure.

  Noise Pollution
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the nature and terms of reference of the work commissioned by his Department
  221
  to study the impact of noise pollution in the countryside; who has the contract for this work; when it commenced; and when he expects a report to be (a) completed and (b) made public; [16850]

  (2) at which locations and for which activities testing for noise has taken place in South Yorkshire as part of his Department's investigations into the impact of noise pollution in the countryside; [16851]

  (3) what plans his Department has to consult local environmental groups in areas where his Department is testing for noise pollution. [16852]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answers 24 February 1997]: In March 1996, the Building Research Establishment was contracted by my Department to recommend a suitable technique for the measurement and assessment of noise from clay target shooting, taking into account its impact on local communities. The recommended technique will be incorporated into a new code of practice on minimising noise from clay target shooting being prepared by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and the British Shooting Sports Council.

  The research involves the measurement of noise from 16 shooting sites in England, together with surveys of the reaction to the noise of residents living close to the sites. In South Yorkshire, measurements and surveys have been undertaken in Grenoside, Sheffield. The research does not involve consultation with local environmental groups.

  The work is expected to be completed by the end of March 1997. My Department's policy is that, unless there are overriding reasons to the contrary, research findings are published as soon as possible after completion of the project.

  Groundwater Levels
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on current levels of groundwater in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the possibility of water shortages in summer 1997. [17273]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The main aquifers are in England and north Wales. January 1997 levels in the sandstone were commonly the lowest on record. Levels in the chalk were also very depressed. Levels in the small aquifers of Scotland and Northern Ireland are within normal variation.

  My Department receives weekly reports from the Environment Agency on the water resources position in England and Wales. In view of the predominantly dry weather during much of the winter, we have commissioned from the Environment Agency a report on the prospects for public water supplies this year, to be based on the water resources position at 28 February. We expect to receive this in mid-March.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has for improving the home energy efficiency scheme. [17430]
  222
  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Construction, Planning and Energy Efficiency announced last December that this popular grant scheme, which has already improved more than 2 million homes occupied by the most vulnerable families, is to be upgraded. The changes, due to take effect in July this year, will make the scheme more flexible and capable of delivering even greater social and environmental benefits. The key feature of the new scheme will be the ability of eligible householders to select a package of work best suited to their own homes from a wider range of energy-efficiency measures.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Contracts
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list Government contracts and commitments which are(a) contractually and (b) non-contractually linked to the retail prices index. [17359]

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not held centrally, and may be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Prince's Trust
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to increase the participation of civil servants in Prince's Trust volunteers schemes. [18077]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government are committed to increasing the civil service contribution to the Prince's Trust target of 25,000 volunteers annually by the year 2000. To this end, I have set a civil service-wide benchmark of 3 per cent. of civil servants aged 16 to 25 participating in PTV schemes by the same year. This compares to current participation running at a little under 1 per cent.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) of 3 February,Official Report, columns 458–59, on the new parliamentary building, what estimate he has made of the additional costs arising from the delay. [17197]

  Sir Raymond Powell
  There are too many imponderables at this stage to be able to give a reliable forecast of the costs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply
  223
  has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16797]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  A list of the number of written and oral parliamentary questions answered by this Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, has been placed in the House Library. Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available.

  The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportional cost.

  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will pursue again with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees the question of a further tranche of funding for the programme for national persecutees by the German Government referred to in the answer of 30 June 1993,Official Report, column 497. [17143]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The UNHCR wound up its indemnification hardship fund for national socialist persecutees in 1993. We do not intend to pursue the question of further funding with the UNHCR or the German Government.

  UK Students (Foreign Residence Restrictions)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions apply to the length of time United Kingdom students may reside in(a) Australia, (b) Canada, (c) New Zealand and (d) South Africa; and what permits are required. [17354]

  Mr. Hanley
  Visa and immigration policy is a matter for the Governments of the countries concerned. I recommend that questions on entry clearance matters should be addressed to the appropriate high commission.

  Albania
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many projects in Albania and at what cost have been supported by the Westminster Foundation on application from the Conservative party. [17285]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 February,Official Report, column 579–80.

  Internal Market Advisory Committee
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the specific complaints his Department has raised at the Internal Market Advisory Committee since May 1995. [17111]

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department's action single market—formerly the single market compliance unit—has arranged for 22 new cases to be raised at the Internal Market Advisory Committee since May 1995. These have covered:
  224

  Greek restrictions on cruises involving yachts registered and flagged outside Greece;

  delays in the refunding of VAT by the Luxembourg authorities;

  French refusal to accept international quality assurance certification;

  restrictions on the organisation of sales and markets in Spain;

  German ban on azo pigments;

  Greek restrictions on the television advertising of toys;

  German "Ü" marking requirements for steel construction products;

  German re-testing requirements for engineering equipment;

  French fire resistance certification requirements;

  alleged ineffective enforcement in other member states of a directive concerned with dangerous imitations of foodstuffs;

  French restrictions on the use of certain fuel tanks on commercial vehicles;

  German "GS" marking requirements for medical products;

  Irish mutual recognition failure in respect of plug standards;

  discriminatory operation of the Finnish alcohol monopoly;

  additional testing requirements for mobile cranes in several member states;

  a discriminatory Finnish confectionery tax;

  Dutch restrictions on the sale of blended edible oils;

  non-recognition in France of British ski instructor qualifications;

  Spanish marking of fuel for fiscal purposes;

  a Dutch prohibition on the marketing of a particular type of saw;

  Belgian restrictions on the use of air cleaning equipment;

  Spanish type approval requirements for glass etching equipment.

  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the outcome of the single market complaints raised by his Department's single market compliance unit raised by his Department's single market compliance unit with the Internal Market Advisory Committee. [17112]

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Of the 36 cases raised by action single market—formerly the single market compliance unit—at the Internal Market Advisory Committee, 12 have been resolved. The resolved cases are those concerned with:

  Italian taxation of cars over 2 litres;

  Dutch waste water regulations;

  requirements for stack gas analysers to be tested to German standards;

  Greek regulations on the content of soft drinks;

  Dutch requirements involving the double-testing of electric fencing;

  Portuguese requirements concerning lighting devices on tractors;

  German requirements for re-testing of samples for liquid density standards;

  delays in the refunding of VAT by the Luxembourg authorities;

  French refusal to accept international quality assurance certification;

  German "Ü" marking requirements for steel construction products;

  French fire resistance certification requirements;

  French restrictions on the use of certain fuel tanks on commercial vehicles.

  225
  Action single market is continuing to press for the successful resolution of the other cases which it has raised at the Internal Market Advisory Committee.

SCOTLAND

  Easterhouse Police Office
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Strathclyde police's statement regarding an alleged assault in a cell in Easterhouse police office on 14 February. [17114]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand that a man has been charged with attempted murder following the assault and that a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal in Glasgow and that the matter is under further investigation. It would be inappropriate, therefore, to comment further at present.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency set up by his Department since the start of April 1992. [16970]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The work involved in establishing my Department's executive agencies has been undertaken mainly by officials as part of their

  Deaths in Scotland by month 1987 to 1996

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  All ages

  January

  5,741

  5,609

  5,976

  6,884

  6,014

  5,894

  5,762

  6,008

  5,793

  6,607

  February

  5,197

  5,385

  4,944

  4,958

  5,218

  5,274

  4,913

  4,884

  4,964

  4,817

  March

  5,943

  5,539

  5,507

  5,091

  5,046

  5,343

  6,084

  5,355

  5,507

  4,570

  April

  5,112

  5,088

  4,827

  5,276

  5,451

  5,040

  5,361

  4,744

  4,722

  4,893

  May

  4,704

  5,387

  5,328

  5,144

  4,974

  4,666

  5,049

  4,937

  5,232

  4,742

  June

  5,109

  4,825

  5,010

  4,685

  4,466

  4,962

  4,948

  4,706

  4,684

  4,066

  July

  4,758

  4,488

  4,689

  4,805

  4,861

  4,684

  4,571

  4,345

  5,663

  4,689

  August

  4,585

  5,075

  4,823

  4,734

  4,500

  4,630

  4,921

  4,753

  4,571

  4,325

  September

  4,753

  4,689

  4,622

  4,198

  4,453

  4,710

  4,722

  4,786

  4,371

  4,219

  October

  5,137

  4,891

  5,158

  5,211

  5,328

  4,960

  4,930

  4,854

  5,046

  4,818

  November

  5,191

  5,329

  5,659

  4,960

  5,024

  5,117

  6,531

  4,710

  5,086

  4,364

  December

  5,784

  5,652

  8,564

  5,581

  5,706

  5,657

  6,257

  5,246

  5,861

  5,350

  Total

  62,014

  61,957

  65,017

  61,527

  61,041

  60,937

  64,049

  59,328

  61,500

  57,460

  Age 65 and over

  January

  4,399

  4,332

  4,509

  5,425

  4,771

  4,692

  4,597

  4,802

  4,576

  5,339

  February

  4,047

  4,171

  3,841

  3,858

  4,142

  4,228

  3,908

  3,853

  3,970

  3,828

  March

  4,605

  4,298

  4,327

  4,027

  4,001

  4,204

  4,885

  4,274

  4,408

  3,611

  April

  3,863

  3,953

  3,762

  4,078

  4,314

  4,000

  4,269

  3,776

  3,797

  3,828

  May

  3,563

  4,117

  4,131

  3,972

  3,863

  3,639

  4,005

  3,883

  4,105

  3,671

  June

  3,914

  3,668

  3,854

  3,603

  3,449

  3,830

  3,840

  3,638

  3,672

  3,172

  July

  3,628

  3,410

  3,618

  3,665

  3,757

  3,630

  3,615

  3,356

  4,663

  3,635

  August

  3,457

  3,828

  3,667

  3,636

  3,447

  3,623

  3,862

  3,694

  3,555

  3,349

  September

  3,610

  3,503

  3,592

  3,231

  3,431

  3,634

  3,657

  3,737

  3,399

  3,270

  October

  3,955

  3,771

  4,018

  4,082

  4,179

  3,886

  3,905

  3,812

  4,002

  3,727

  November

  3,924

  4,051

  4,316

  3,928

  3,957

  4,043

  5,377

  3,691

  4,041

  3,446

  December

  4,455

  4,320

  7,134

  4,422

  4,470

  4,528

  5,031

  4,202

  4,787

  4,237

  Total

  47,420

  47,422

  50,769

  47,927

  47,781

  47,937

  50,951

  46,718

  48,975

  45,113

  226
  normal duties. Estimates of the effort involved could at this stage be calculated only at disproportionate cost. In the case of the Fisheries Research Services, which is to become an agency on 1 April 1997, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for industry and local government to the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) on 15 January 1997, Official Report, columns 277–78.

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Scotland for each of the past 10 years in terms of(a) numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over the age of 65 years, (ii) single parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) other; [17202)]

  (2) what have been the excess mortality rates in Scotland for each of the past 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages. [17442]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is no universally accepted definition of excess winter deaths and it would not be possible to calculate a rate for these. Details of family status, income support and disability are not collected at registration of death, the source of these statistics. The total number of deaths, and the number of deaths of those over the age of 65 years, by month for each of the past 10 years are given in the tables. The figures for 1996 are still provisional.
  227
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths there were in each January from 1992 to 1997 from(a) influenza, (b) pneumonia and (c) bronchitis. [17116]

  Deaths in January from selected causes, 1992–96

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  (a) Influenza1

  12

  3

  5

  3

  27

  (b) Pneumonia2

  469

  401

  508

  420

  742

  (c) Bronchitis3

  43

  38

  33

  30

  32

  1 WHO International Classification of Diseases, code 487.

  2 WHO International Classification of Diseases, codes 480–486.

  3 WHO International Classification of Diseases, codes 466, 490–491.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the excess weekly mortality rates in Scotland for(a) December 1996 and (b) January 1997 in terms of numbers; and what were the average weekly figures for similar periods in the previous five years. [17204]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is no universally accepted definition of excess mortality. The number of deaths in Scotland in December and January for the years 1992 to 1997 are given in the table. The 1996 and 1997 figures are still provisional. The average weekly deaths for 1992 to 1996 are also given.

  Deaths in Scotland in December and January by week 1992 to 1997

  Week beginning

  Number

  1991–92

  2 December 1991

  1,127

  9 December 1991

  1,235

  16 December 1991

  1,313

  23 December 1991

  1,357

  30 December 1991

  1,335

  6 January 1992

  1,388

  13 January 1992

  1,275

  20 January 1992

  1,297

  27 January1992

  1,351

  1992–93

  7 December 1992

  1,217

  14 December 1992

  1,237

  21 December 1992

  1293

  28 December 1992

  1,403

  4 January 1993

  1,354

  11 January 1993

  1,454

  18 January 1993

  1,391

  25 January 1993

  1,283

  1993–94

  6 December 1993

  1,296

  13 December 1993

  1,389

  20 December 1993

  1,498

  27 December 1993

  1,454

  3 January 1994

  1,494

  10 January 1994

  1,368

  17 January 1994

  1,293

  24 January 1994

  1,242

  31 January 1994

  1,267

  228
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total number of deaths in January from the specified causes is given in the table. The figures for 1996 are still provisional and figures for 1997 are not yet available.

  Deaths in Scotland in December and January by week 1992–1997

  Week beginning

  Number

  1994–95

  5 December 1994

  1,213

  12 December 1994

  1,189

  19 December 1994

  1,245

  26 December 1994

  1,323

  2 January 1995

  1,330

  9 January 1995

  1,301

  16 January 1995

  1,281

  23 January 1995

  1,229

  30 January 1995

  1,194

  1995–96

  4 December 1995

  1,296

  11 December 1995

  1,399

  18 December 1995

  1,454

  25 December 1995

  1,738

  1 January 1996

  1,823

  8 January 1996

  1,541

  15 January 1996

  1,364

  22 January 1996

  1,293

  29 January 1996

  1,207

  1996–97

  2 December 1996

  1,127

  9 December 1996

  1,195

  16 December 1996

  1,281

  23 December 1996

  1,364

  30 December 1996

  1,594

  6 January 1997

  1,626

  13 January 1997

  1,593

  20 January 1997

  1,401

  27 January 1997

  1,271

  Average weekly deaths in Scotland 1992 to 1996

  1992: 1,172

  1993: 1,232

  1994: 1,141

  1995: 1,163

  1996: 1,150

  Cold-related Illnesses
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland received treatment by NHS doctors for cold-related illnesses for the periods December 1996 and January 1997; and what was the average figure for similar periods in each of the past 10 years. [17216]
  229
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the excess winter treatment rates for cold-related illnesses in hospitals in Scotland for(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients for each of the last 10 years. [17215]

  Admissions to hospital with a main diagnosis of influenza, pneumonia or bronchitis for the periods March 1985 to February 1986 to March 1995 to February 1996

  Influenza Number of admissions

  Pneumonia Number of admissions

  Bronchitis Number of admissions

  Period March to February

  Rest of year March to November

  Winter period December to February

  Excess winter admissions ratio1

  Rest of year March to November

  Winter period December to February

  Excess winter admissions Ratio1

  Rest of year March to November

  Winter period December to February

  Excess winter admissions ratio1

  1985–86

  174

  155

  2.7

  5,193

  2,669

  1.5

  3,185

  1,839

  1.7

  1986–87

  121

  96

  2.4

  5,232

  2,088

  1.2

  2,322

  1,739

  2.2

  1987–88

  118

  32

  0.8

  5,293

  2,111

  1.2

  2,472

  1,074

  1.3

  1988–89

  98

  99

  3.0

  5,286

  1,982

  1.1

  2,894

  1,339

  1.4

  1989–90

  202

  451

  6.7

  5,544

  2,981

  1.6

  2,130

  2,294

  3.2

  1990–91

  114

  56

  1.5

  5,501

  2,499

  1.4

  2,040

  1,295

  1.9

  1991–92

  83

  123

  4.4

  5,739

  2,606

  1.4

  2,662

  2,297

  2.6

  1992–93

  77

  56

  2.2

  5,638

  2,447

  1.3

  2,229

  1,902

  2.6

  1993–94

  501

  90

  0.5

  7,158

  2,822

  1.2

  3,257

  2,114

  1.9

  1994–95

  78

  34

  1.3

  6,323

  2,846

  1.4

  2,019

  2,139

  3.2

  1995–96

  163

  237

  4.4

  6,772

  3,481

  1.5

  2,331

  2,574

  3.3

  Total 1985–96

  1,729

  1,429

  2.5

  63,679

  28,532

  1.3

  27,541

  20,606

  2.2

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland received hospital treatment as(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients for cold-related illnesses for the period December 1996 and January 1997; and what was the average figure for similar periods in the past 10 years. [17219]

  NHSiS—Admissions to hospital with a main diagnosis of influenza, pneumonia or bronchitis

  Periods December and January 1985 to 1996

  Influenza December

  Pneumonia December

  Bronchitis December

  Year

  December

  January

  December

  January

  December

  January

  Total

  1985–86

  42

  79

  847

  1,041

  596

  350

  2,955

  1986–87

  9

  35

  662

  713

  226

  435

  2,080

  1987–88

  11

  12

  736

  742

  155

  173

  1,829

  1988–89

  46

  39

  771

  676

  522

  229

  2,283

  1989–90

  369

  58

  1,413

  913

  590

  798

  4,141

  1990–91

  14

  16

  848

  923

  230

  236

  2,267

  1991–92

  23

  57

  831

  960

  654

  634

  3,159

  1992–93

  12

  11

  791

  862

  331

  492

  2,499

  1993–94

  47

  35

  1,098

  990

  846

  613

  3,629

  1994–95

  12

  6

  994

  1,044

  717

  627

  3,400

  1995–96

  143

  72

  1,414

  1,244

  903

  761

  4,537

  Ambulance Service Training Courses
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in respect of the Scottish ambulance service management training courses at Barony castle,(a) how many people have participated in the courses, (b) what guidelines are issued to those participating, (c) what provision there is for opting out of courses or part of courses and (d) what equipment is available in the event of medical emergencies. [17134]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:
  230
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In-patient admissions with a main diagnosis of cold-related illness—influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis—for the months of December to February and for the rest of each of the past 10 years are given in the table, together with the ratio of the December to February figures to the three-monthly average for the rest of the year. Information on out-patients is not held centrally.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on in-patient admissions with a main diagnosis of cold-related illness—influenza, pneumonia or bronchitis—for December 1996 to January 1997 is not yet available. The table provides information for the 10 year period to January 1996. Information on out-patients is not held centrally.

  (a) Forty-two operational managers have completed 10 or 12-day classroom-based management training courses, which include a two-day outdoor module; a further 20 operational managers participated in the most recent course, which was suspended on 15 February.

  (b) Course participants receive a comprehensive two-hour briefing for the two-day outdoor module. This includes guidance on safety, communication arrangements, map reading skills and the country code.

  (c) The Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trust attaches the highest priority to the need for formal management training where previously there was none. Accordingly, it would normally expect operational ambulance managers to take part in its management training programme. The leadership element of the course was designed by external consultants

  231
  to be physically achievable, even by those of moderate fitness. Despite this, students are encouraged to express any doubts or concerns they may have about participating in the outdoor activities and there have been occasions when alternative arrangements have been made at the request of individuals unable to complete this element of the course.

  (d) During the outdoor module each of the walking groups is accompanied by a safety supervisor who has a first aid kit consisting of dressings and plasters, a walkie-talkie radio, mobile phone, flares, strobe light and portable cooker. Every member of each group is also equipped with various items of survival equipment. The groups use as a base a cottage equipped with modern amenities and a patient transport vehicle carrying emergency response equipment and drugs, a stretcher and blankets. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is also available at the cottage.

  The trust has suspended the course and is carrying out a full review of it, in light of the death of one of the participants on 15 February.

  M74
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 February,Official Report, columns 481–82, on junctions on the M74 motorway, how many entry-exit junctions are planned to be included over the proposed M74 route from Carlisle to Glasgow. [17046]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There will be a total of 19 junctions on the completed motorway between the M6 junction 44 at Carlisle and the Maryville interchange, inclusive.

  Braer Oil Spill
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current estimate of the costs incurred by his Department and agencies for which his Department is responsible in the clearing-up operation which followed the grounding of the MV Braer on Shetland in January 1993. [17699]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The clearing-up operation was undertaken on behalf of the Government by the Department of Transport. The costs incurred by my Department related primarily to testing and monitoring for traces of oil and amounted to some £900,000.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the current number of electors in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland. [17539]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  For the latest information held centrally I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Donohoe) on 6 February 1997,Official Report, columns 690–93.

  Law Reform Projects
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals the Scottish Law Commission has for future law reform projects. [18210]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Lord Advocate has recently agreed with the Scottish Law Commission a fifth programme of law reform. This was presented to Parliament yesterday and is published today. Copies have 232
  been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The new programme, which supersedes the existing four programmes, describes the short, medium and long-term projects on which the commission will be working between now and the end of 1999. Timetables are set for the short and medium-term projects.

  The centrepiece of the projects in the fifth programme is the commission's work on property, including feudal tenure reform and reform of the law of the tenement. Recommendations on the law of the tenement are expected before the end of 1997 and on feudal tenure reform before the end of 1999. Other matters on which recommendations are expected before the end of 1997 include diligence on the dependence and admiralty arrestments and unjustified enrichment.

  The Government welcome this programme which concentrates on a number of important ant timely law reform projects. The fixing of priorities and timetables is particularly welcome and will help all of those with an interest in law reform to keep track of and prepare for changes in the law which the commission might recommend.

  Leasehold Casualties
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of state for Scotland what plans he has to reform the law on leasehold casualties in Scotland. [18244]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  In view of the difficulties which are being caused to some tenants by the operation of the existing law on leasehold casualties, my right hon. Friend has formally written to the Scottish Law Commission asking commissioners:"To consider the law on leasehold casualties and advise on possible reforms".
  I hope that the commission will be able to consult and report by March 1998.

  Homelessness
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were accepted as homeless by each local authority in Scotland for each year since 1990. [17230]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The available information is set out in the table.

  Households accepted as homeless under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

  Local authority

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Berwickshire

  15

  22

  30

  36

  21

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  22

  33

  49

  51

  38

  Roxburgh

  58

  44

  80

  92

  126

  Tweeddale

  31

  36

  42

  30

  31

  Clackmannan

  206

  131

  116

  70

  81

  Falkirk

  613

  400

  606

  486

  510

  Stirling

  284

  322

  423

  448

  586

  Annandale and Eskdale

  57

  27

  47

  52

  32

  Nithsdale

  256

  186

  152

  88

  85

  Stewartry

  85

  55

  81

  85

  78

  Wigtown

  101

  123

  120

  152

  84

  Dunfermline

  191

  295

  294

  169

  162

  Kirkcaldy

  492

  659

  581

  439

  331

  233

  Households accepted as homeless under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

  Local authority

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North East Fife

  187

  253

  247

  259

  193

  Aberdeen

  941

  1,296

  1,354

  1,243

  713

  Banff and Buchan

  202

  302

  347

  357

  272

  Gordon

  183

  249

  239

  227

  220

  Kincardine and Deeside

  44

  33

  81

  108

  117

  Moray

  101

  127

  155

  135

  352

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  19

  31

  15

  32

  16

  Caithness

  6

  11

  12

  22

  9

  Inverness

  174

  141

  121

  155

  331

  Lochaber

  46

  63

  66

  49

  58

  Nairn

  19

  26

  38

  17

  27

  Ross and Cromarty

  80

  101

  119

  83

  49

  Skye and Lochalsh

  22

  32

  30

  17

  18

  Sutherland

  7

  14

  5

  2

  —

  East Lothian

  328

  324

  314

  237

  238

  Edinburgh

  2,195

  2,364

  2,704

  2,635

  2,342

  Midlothian

  71

  76

  148

  148

  220

  West Lothian

  200

  486

  804

  440

  575

  Argyll and Bute

  164

  138

  156

  164

  112

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  51

  24

  34

  32

  39

  Clydebank

  207

  233

  224

  133

  57

  Clydesdale

  188

  301

  292

  233

  118

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  219

  228

  178

  178

  141

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  47

  54

  81

  96

  88

  Cunninghame

  230

  258

  227

  187

  168

  Dumbarton

  449

  474

  439

  301

  334

  East Kilbride

  350

  382

  373

  364

  408

  Eastwood

  8

  9

  8

  9

  17

  Glasgow

  4,609

  5,429

  5,881

  6,629

  6,145

  Hamilton

  192

  176

  251

  206

  97

  Inverclyde

  143

  140

  121

  139

  137

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  118

  106

  110

  98

  77

  Kyle and Carrick

  308

  316

  245

  251

  239

  Monklands

  112

  138

  102

  199

  225

  Motherwell

  254

  134

  165

  231

  218

  Renfrew

  694

  923

  753

  583

  513

  Strathkelvin

  237

  287

  233

  217

  166

  Angus

  212

  239

  281

  224

  227

  Dundee

  430

  380

  350

  339

  400

  Perth and Kinross

  303

  332

  815

  468

  327

  Orkney

  21

  19

  25

  32

  87

  Shetland

  39

  102

  55

  47

  35

  Western Isles

  35

  90

  124

  167

  143

  Total

  16,856

  19,174

  20,943

  19,891

  18,433

  Notes:

  1. The term "accepted" has been taken to include households assessed as homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days for whom the local authority secured that accommodation was available. The figures given include cases where the authority has taken action to ensure that the household can retain or return to its present or previous accommodation.

  2. The figures given are taken from detailed individual case returns which are available for around 95 per cent. of applications, though the proportion varies between local authorities.

  Source:

  Local authorities.

  Offshore Installations
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals the Government have to require operators to clean up the sea bed around offshore installations on the UK continental shelf. [17000]
  234
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: Removal of installations and any debris will be addressed at end of field life in the abandonment programme approved by the Department of Trade and Industry. In addition, part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 includes powers to take action in response to instances of illegal dumping.

  In relation to operational discharges from offshore installations, a recent study funded jointly by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association and the Department of Trade and Industry identified a range of options for dealing with drill cuttings piles at the decommissioning stage. All the options require further investigation and the Government are considering how this might best be undertaken.

  Human Growth Hormone
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland(a) before 1 July 1977 and (b) after 1 July 1977 have (i) received human growth hormone treatment, (ii) died as a result of human growth hormone treatment, and (iii) been diagnosed as ill as a result of human growth hormone treatment; and how many court actions have been raised, or are currently pending, as a result of death or illness following such treatment. [17261]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 25 February 1997]: The Institute of Child Health holds and is continuing to develop a UK register of patients treated with pituitary-derived human growth hormone. The current register does not identify separately whether treatment took place before or after 1 July 1977. In total, 144 patients received pituitary-derived human growth hormone at treatment centres in Scotland. Four of these have subsequently died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. None of the remaining patients is currently known to be suffering from the disease. I am not aware of any legal actions on this mater raised in the Scottish courts. Two actions including an appeal are currently pending at the High Court in England.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Rape and Sexual Violence (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General what factors underlie the recent decline in prosecutions for rape and sexual violence; and if he will make a statement. [16656]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service's case work statistics do not separately record the number of prosecutions for offences of rape and sexual violence. The table shows the Home Office statistics for prosecutions of offences in rape, indecent assault on a female, unlawful sexual intercourse and buggery in England and Wales. The total number of prosecutions in 1995 was 5,715, compared with 6,276 in 1994.

  The reason for this reduction is not known. The Home Office is conducting a major research project into rape cases.
  235

  Table A: Persons prosecuted at the magistrates' courts for specific casual offences—1985 to 1995

  England and Wales

  Buggery

  Rape

  Indecent assault on a female

  USI1 with girl under 13

  USI1 with girl under 16

  1985

  289

  844

  2,556

  138

  407

  1986

  266

  927

  2,592

  129

  368

  1987

  329

  1,048

  3,131

  155

  360

  1988

  423

  1,288

  3,414

  165

  345

  1989

  376

  1,400

  3,646

  139

  290

  1990

  413

  1,467

  3,804

  146

  292

  1991

  402

  1,711

  3,659

  155

  254

  1992

  426

  1,648

  3,627

  112

  254

  1993

  371

  1,704

  3,639

  97

  189

  1994

  410

  1,782

  3,794

  88

  202

  1995

  245

  1,641

  3,557

  77

  195

  1 Unlawful sexual intercourse

  Source:

  Crime and Criminal Justice Unit (CCJU), Home Office.

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16792]

  The Attorney-General
  A list of the number of written and oral questions answered by my Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, has been placed in the House Library. Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available.

  The number of replies given by my Department stating that information could be provided only at disproportionate cost, or was not available centrally, was eight in the Session 1995–96, plus five instances where part of the information requested was available. Details of replies given in previous Sessions could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies during the past 12 months, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [17059]

  The Attorney-General
  Information on items stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the 12 months to 31 January 1997 is as follows for my Departments and agencies:Crown Prosecution Service

  1. Non-IT equipment and furniture:

  Eleven items were stolen, at a total cost of £1,884.

  Five items were otherwise unaccounted for, at a total cost of £85.

  2. IT equipment:

  Fifteen items were stolen (including one file server valued at £5,000), at a total cost of £21,755.

  236

  Serious Fraud Office

  Two non-IT items were reported as stolen or otherwise unaccounted for, at a total value of £140.

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Two non-IT items were stolen, at a total value of £60.

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  One lap-top computer was stolen, cost £2,000.

  Government Property Lawyers

  Nil.

TREASURY

  Short-term Financial Assets
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present total of short-term financial assets held by the Government; if he will list the major categories of such short-term financial assets held; and if he will make a statement. [17183]

  Mr. Jack
  Identifiable short-term financial assets of central Government were over £8 billion at the end of September 1996. These assets consisted of sterling bank deposits, £6.7 billion; foreign currency bank deposits, £500 million; and holdings of short-dated bills by the issue department of the Bank of England, £900 million. Non-identifiable short-term financial assets include a proportion of the official reserves—the total value of which was £28½ billion at the end of September 1996—and of Government holdings of local authority and public corporation debt—£42 billion and £21 billion, respectively. Figures for the maturity structure of these assets could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Government debt, net of financial assets, was reduced by nearly £6 billion in January. This was the largest repayment of debt in a single month for eight years.

  Money Supply and Inflation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his assessment of the relationship between the money supply and the future rate of inflation. [17647]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Government consider all the relevant information when assessing the prospects for inflation up to two years ahead. The growth of the money supply is just one of the many indicators examined when making this assessment. The relationship between money growth and inflation has varied considerably in the past, for instance when financial markets were liberalised in the 1980s.

  Privatisation (Advertising)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost has been of advertising each privatisation since 1979. [17642]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 February 1997]: The table shows the cost to the Government of advertising in each privatisation or secondary sale since British Telecom, in 1984. The overall cost represents 0.29 per cent. of aggregate proceeds from these sales. Information on advertising costs of earlier sales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  237

  Advertising costs in privatisations

  Share offer

  Year

  Costs (ex VAT) £ million

  BT1

  1985

  9.7

  Britoil

  1985

  3.0

  Cable and Wireless

  1985

  2.2

  British Aerospace

  1985

  1.7

  British Gas

  1986

  21.4

  British Airways

  1987

  2.8

  Rolls Royce

  1987

  1.6

  BAA

  1987

  4.9

  BP

  1987

  18.3

  British Steel

  1988

  4.9

  Water

  1989

  17.3

  Regional Electricity Companies

  1990

  20.6

  Generating Companies 1

  1991

  8.1

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  1991

  5.3

  BT2

  1991

  14.7

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  1993

  1.1

  BT3

  1993

  11.9

  Generating Companies 2

  1995

  8.0

  Railtrack

  1996

  4.4

  British Energy

  1996

  4.1

  Deaths (Respiratory Illness)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 17 February,Official Report, columns 376–77, on what approximate date he expects the completed figures for January 1997 deaths from pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis to be available; and if he will make arrangements for the completed figures to be placed in the Library. [17254]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question concerning the approximate date when he expects the completed figures for January 1997 deaths from pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis to be available, and whether he will make arrangements for the completed figures to be placed in the Library.
  Final figures on monthly deaths from pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis will not be available in published form until the end of 1998. Reasonably usable (unpublished) data for deaths in January 1997 from these conditions should be available by the end of March 1997. These should differ only slightly from the definitive figures to be published next year.
  Whereas it would be possible to give a virtually complete figure for deaths registered in January 1997, figures for actual occurrences in January would be low because of the delay between the event and its registration. The registration figures for January would include deaths that occurred in the preceding December and earlier.
  I hope this reply has been helpful.
  238

  Full-time Permanent Jobs
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many full-time permanent jobs have been(a) lost and (b) created in each of the past 10 years; [17455]

  (2) what is his Department's estimate of the number of full-time permanent jobs which will be created over the next five years. [17468]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent questions in which you asked about the number of full-time permanent jobs lost or created in each of the last ten years together with projection for the next five years.
  Information is available only for the net change in employees between 1986 and 1996. This is provided in the attached table. The Office for National Statistics does not produce projections of employment levels.

  Full-time permanent employees in Great Britain: at spring

  (Unadjusted, thousands)

  Level

  Net change

  1986

  15,792

  —

  1987

  15,750

  -42

  1988

  16,316

  566

  1989

  16,704

  388

  1990

  16,879

  175

  1991

  16,529

  -350

  1992

  15,626

  -904

  1993

  15,322

  -303

  1994

  15,232

  -91

  1995

  15,355

  123

  1996

  15,451

  97

  Source:

  ONS, Labour Force Survey.

  Gastroschisis
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the incidence of gastroschisis per 1,000 births for each health authority area for the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [17276]

  (2) if he will list the number of cases of gastroschisis per 1,000 births in each year since 1970. [17278]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question concerning the number of cases of gatroschisis per 1,000 births in each year since 1970.
  The table below shows data for Anomalies of Abdominal wall (International Classification of Diseases 9th revision code 756.7) which include exomphalos, gastroschisis and prune belly

  239
  (syndrome). Gastroschisis figures are only available separately at a disproportionate cost. The data are shown from 1979, as before then it was not available on a comparable basis. The rates are calculated per 10,000 live/stillbirths.

  Number of cases and rates1 for anomalies of abdominal wall in England and Wales, 1979 to 1993

  Year

  Number of cases

  Rates1

  1979

  188

  2.9

  1980

  184

  2.8

  1981

  166

  2.6

  1982

  162

  2.6

  1983

  168

  2.7

  1984

  122

  1.9

  1985

  126

  1.9

  1986

  125

  1.9

  1987

  134

  2.0

  1988

  147

  2.1

  1989

  133

  1.9

  1990

  174

  2.5

  1991

  165

  2.3

  1992

  144

  2.1

  1993

  149

  2.2

  1 Rates per 10,000 live/stillbirths.

  You also asked for the incidence of gastroschisis per 1,000 births for each health authority area for the most recent year for which figures are available. This information is available in Table 4A of the Annual Reference Volume publication: Series MB3 no. 9 Congenital Malformation Statistics 1993, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.
  The table shows data for Anomalies of abdominal wall (International Classification of Disease 9th revision code 756.7) under the heading of exomphalos, gastroschisis. Again, figures dealing solely with gastroschisis are not available except at disproportionate cost.
  I hope this reply has been helpful.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Civil Disturbances (Deaths)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were killed in Northern Ireland due to the civil disturbances between 12 August 1970 and 11 February 1992; and how many of these deaths have been attributed to the Provisional IRA. [15341]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Deaths due to the security situation between 12 August 1970 to 11 February 1992 totalled 2,952.

  Attribution to specific organisations is not available, but 1,746 of the above deaths have been attributed to republican organisations.

  Hazardous Materials (Departmental Buildings)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department had made of the presence of(a) hazardous materials and (b) ozone-depleting substances within those buildings his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16313]

  Mr. Moss
  The policy statement on green housekeeping for all Northern Ireland Departments published in March 1993 requires the removal of all materials containing asbestos products from Northern Ireland civil service buildings whenever they present a240
  hazard and also requires the use of alternative materials in all future building projects carried out for the service. It also requires that the use of products containing chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride or 1.1.1. trichloroethane are eliminated in the Northern Ireland civil service. Additionally, suppliers of goods and services are required to comply with the guidance set out in the publication "Selling to Government" produced by the Department of the Environment. This contains specifications about hazardous materials and ozone-depleting substances and all Departments are obliged to comply with these requirements.

  Departments have in place safety management systems which promote the concept of risk assessment. Within this system, premises are assessed for hazardous materials.

  Specific assessments include compliance with:

  1. COSHH
  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995.

  2. Asbestos
  Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988.

  The assessments are reviewed on an annual or bi-annual basis to ensure that they are valid.

  The policy of NI Departments on ozone-depleting substances is that they are no longer purchased and that they be reduced and ultimately their use in government buildings eliminated. Fire extinguishers containing halon are being removed, disposed of safely and replaced with ozone-friendly alternatives. There is a programme of replacement of fridges and freezers which contain CFCs and only CFC-free insulation materials are used.

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16786]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Figures for the Sessions 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available. A list of the number of written and oral Parliamentary questions answered by this Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, has been placed in the Library.

  The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Area Plans
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 5 November 1996,Official Report, column 478, when the reviews and work on the area plans in respect of the Down and Newry and Mourne district council areas will take place. [16992]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  241
  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 26 February 1997:
  Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your Question about when the review and work in respect of the area plans for the Down and Newry and Mourne District Council areas will take place.
  The Area Plan programme for 1997/98 has not yet been finalised. However, I can assure you that the matter is being actively considered, and a decision is expected shortly. I will, of course, write to you when the programme has been agreed, to let you know the position.

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what have been the excess weekly mortality rates in Northern Ireland for(a) December 1996 and (b) January 1997 in terms of numbers; and what was the average figure for similar periods in the past five years; [17205]

  (2) what have been the excess mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages; [17433]

  (3) what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in terms of (a) excess numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over

  Table 1: January and December excesses in average weekly mortality rates

  Rates per 1,000 population

  Year

  December average weekly mortality rate

  January average weekly mortality rate

  Annual average weekly mortality rate

  Excess December rate

  Excess January rate

  Winter 1994–95

  0.19

  0.20

  0.17

  0.02

  0.03

  Winter 1993–94

  0.22

  0.21

  0.17

  0.05

  0.04

  Winter 1992–93

  0.19

  0.18

  0.18

  0.01

  0.00

  Winter 1991–92

  0.19

  0.19

  0.17

  0.02

  0.02

  Winter 1990–91

  0.22

  0.23

  0.17

  0.05

  0.06

  Your second and third questions (359 and 363, tabled on 20 February) asked, what have been the excess mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages, and, what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in terms of (a) excess numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over the age of 65 years, (ii) single parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) all other people not included in the above.
  The mortality rates requested are shown in Tables 2, 3 and 4 below. For the purpose of this exercise winter has been taken to mean the four month period extending form December to March.

  Table 2; Excess winter mortality rates—all persons

  Rates per 1,000 population

  Year

  Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March

  Average mortality rate per 4 month period

  Excess mortality rate over Winter period

  Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly average

  Winter 1994–95

  3.34

  3.06

  0.29

  9

  Winter 1993–94

  3.4

  3.06

  0.35

  11

  Winter 1992–93

  3.19

  3.18

  0.01

  0

  Winter 1991–92

  3.38

  3.07

  0.31

  10

  Winter 1990–91

  3.66

  3.09

  0.57

  18

  Winter 1989–90

  4.11

  3.15

  0.96

  31

  Winter 1988–89

  3.38

  3.40

  -0.02

  -1

  Winter 1987–88

  3.69

  3.30

  0.39

  12

  Winter 1986–87

  3.43

  3.26

  0.16

  5

  Winter 1985–86

  4.01

  3.39

  0.62

  18

  242
  the age of 65 years, (ii) single-parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) others. [17472]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its chief executive, Mr. E. F. Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 26 February 1997:
  You recently tabled three questions asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for information on excess deaths in Northern Ireland as a result of winter hardship.
  The first of these questions (347, tabled on 19 February) asked, what have been the excess weekly mortality rates in Northern Ireland for (a) December 1996 and (b) January 1997 in terms of numbers; and how these compare with the weekly death rates for the same period in each of the previous five years.
  As deaths data from 1996 onwards have still to he finally collated, I am unable to supply you with the information you have requested for the months of December 1996 and January 1997.
  Average weekly mortality rates for the months of December and January in the five years previous to those specifically requested are shown in Table 1 below. This table also details the annual average weekly mortality rates over the period in question and the resultant excess rates for January and December.

  Table 3: Excess winter mortality rates—persons over the age of 65 years

  Rates per 1,000 populations

  Year

  Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March

  Average mortality rate per 4 month period

  Excess mortality rate over Winter period

  Excess winter deaths as a percentage 4 monthly average

  Winter 1994–95

  22.26

  19.98

  2.28

  11

  Winter 1993–94

  22.4

  19.81

  2.59

  13

  Winter 1992–93

  20.95

  20.66

  0.30

  1

  Winter 1991–92

  22.38

  20.07

  2.31

  11

  Winter 1990–91

  24.28

  19.98

  4.30

  22

  Winter 1989–90

  28.57

  20.88

  7.69

  37

  Winter 1988–89

  22.53

  22.74

  -0.21

  -1

  Winter 1987–88

  24.70

  21.65

  3.05

  14

  Winter 1986–87

  22.88

  21.44

  1.44

  7

  Winter 1985–86

  27.41

  22.39

  5.02

  22

  Table 4: Excess winter mortality rates—persons aged 0–65 years

  Rates per 1,000 population

  Year

  Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March

  Average mortality rate per 4 month period

  Excess mortality rate over Winter period

  Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly savings

  Winter 1994–95

  0.77

  0.76

  0.01

  2

  Winter 1993–94

  0.83

  0.79

  0.04

  6

  Winter 1992–93

  0.78

  0.81

  -0.03

  -4

  243

  Table 4: Excess winter mortality rates—persons aged 0–65 years

  Rates per 1,000 population

  Year

  Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March

  Average mortality rate per 4 month period

  Excess mortality rate over Winter period

  Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly savings

  Winter 1991–92

  0.81

  0.78

  0.04

  5

  Winter 1990–91

  0.89

  0.82

  0.06

  8

  Winter 1989–90

  0.95

  0.86

  0.09

  11

  Winter 1988–89

  0.91

  0.91

  0.00

  0

  Winter 1987–88

  1.00

  0.95

  0.05

  5

  Winter 1986–87

  0.96

  0.96

  0.00

  0

  Winter 1985–86

  1.08

  1.01

  0.07

  7

  The mortality rates shown in these tables are based on date of occurrences of death and broadly take account of deaths registered within one year of death. In Tables 2, 3, and 4 1996 death registrations for deaths occurring in 1995 have been estimated.
  There is no information available on death rates for single parents, people in receipt of income support or people with disabilities.
  I trust this information is sufficient and if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Prospect Downs Development
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when work commenced on the housing development known as Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus; and when house building on this estate was completed. [17047]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department or by any of its agencies. Information received from the building control department of Carrickfergus borough council, however, indicates that development in the Prospect area of Carrickfergus commenced late in 1975 and continued through to late 1994. The works were carried out in several phases by a number of different developers.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish a breakdown of expenditure by the(a) Department of Education, (b) Department of Economic Development, (c) Department of the Environment, (d) Department of Health and Social Services and (e) Department of Finance and Personnel in each parliamentary constituency in each of the past three months; [17303]

  (2) if he will publish a breakdown of proposed expenditure by the (a) Department of Education, (b) Department of Economic Development,
  244
  (c) Department of the Environment, (d) Department of Health and Social Services and (e) Department of Finance and Personnel in each parliamentary constituency for the next two months. [17304]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nature Reserves (Contracting Out)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) job numbers, (b) consistency of management, (c) management expertise, (d) the United Kingdom's commitment to biodiversity made at the Rio summit and (e) accountability of the contracting out of the management and maintenance of Northern Ireland's national nature reserves. [17387]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its chief executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Eric Illsley, dated 26 February 1997:
  As Chief Executive of the Environment and Heritage Service, I am responsible for operational aspects of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland's work on nature reserves.
  I am therefore responding to the Parliamentary Question which you put down in the House of Commons:
  "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) job numbers, (b) consistency of management, (c) management expertise, (d) the United Kingdom's commitment to biodiversity made at the Rio Summit and (e) accountability of the contracting out of the management and maintenance of Northern Ireland's National Nature Reserves."
  The Prior Options Study leading to the creation of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) as a next steps agency took into consideration the four strategies published in January 1994 as apart of the government's follow-up action to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro. The Study determined that it was not inconsistent with those strategies to explore whether any non-government body would have the expertise to manage and maintain Northern Ireland's National Nature Reserves.
  Management/Operational plans for each Reserve are currently being devised following which those bodies which have declared an interest will be assessed to determine whether they have the expertise to carry out the plan effectively, efficiently and economically. No property will be transferred unless I and my Directors are satisfied that the transferee has the necessary expertise and capacity to care for the property. Accountability for management and maintenance will remain with the EHS.
  No jobs will be lost as a result of any transfer.
  245

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the current number of electors in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland. [17538]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Mr. Marshall) on Monday 24 February 1997,Official Report, columns 95–96.

  Magheramorne Landfill Project
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which individual or organisation his Department is paying the costs associated with the hire of the consultant mentioned in his answer to the hon. Member for East Antrim (Mr. Beggs) of 27 January,Official Report, columns 53–54; and what those costs are. [17628]

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

  Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Jim Dowd, dated 26 February 1997:
  As Chief executive of the Environment and Heritage Service I am responsible for all operational aspects of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland's environment policies.
  I am therefore responding to the Parliamentary Question No. 376 which you put down in the House of Commons:
  "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to which individual or organisation his Department is paying the costs associated with the hire of the consultant mentioned in his Answer to the honourable member for East Antrim of 27th January, Official Report, columns 53–4; and what those costs are."

  The successful competitive tender for the contract for the provision of Preliminary Waste Strategy and Site Audit Specification was Haul Waste Ltd who nominated a single consultant to carry out the work. Payments for the services of that individual are made to Haul Waste Ltd at a rate of £9,500 per four months.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Swan Hunter (Privatisation)
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade under what statutory basis the Swan Hunter shipbuilding yard was privatised; and if he will make a statement on the degree of indemnity given to(a) the new owners, (b) the shareholders and (c) the new company officials against claims for (i) faulty design and (ii) poor construction conducted on vessels built during the period of public ownership. [15567]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  The Swan Hunter shipbuilding yard was privatised under the terms of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977, as amended by the British Shipbuilders Act 1983, which regulates the activities of British Shipbuilders. An indemnity was given 246
  by British Shipbuilders to the purchasers of Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd. on 20 January 1986. This indemnity, in brief, relates to demands, claims, liabilities, costs and expenses relating to vessels constructed by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd. prior to completion of privatisation, and other work carried out prior to completion, excluding work in progress. The indemnity does not cover the new company officials at Swan Hunter.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the proposal of the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) in relation to low pay expressed in the debate on the Queen's Speech of 23 October 1996,Official Report, column 87. [16070]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government share the view of my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton that statutory pay fixing, such as a national minimum wage, would destroy many thousands of jobs. However, the proposal that low-paying employers could face legal sanctions would also place an unacceptable burden on companies and damage employment. We believe that pay is a matter to be decided by the parties concerned in light of their particular local circumstances. Businesses are best able to judge what they can afford to pay and what rates are needed to recruit, retain and motivate suitably qualified staff.

  Overspill Surveillance Flights
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the overspill surveillance flights carried out on behalf of his Department. [18139]

  Mr. Page
  For the month of January 1997, no oil at all was detected by the surveillance aircraft employed by the DTI. Two hundred and eighty-four installations were surveyed during this time with aircraft and equipment capable of detecting, by day or by night, spills as small as a few litres. These results are confirmation of the offshore industry's continued good environmental performance.

  The total amount of oil from positive detections in 1996 from 3,336 overflights was 5.67 tonnes. This is to be compared with natural seepage into the North sea of 1,000 tonnes each year and discharges from rivers amounting to about 30,000 tonnes.

  Balance of Trade (European Union)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade with which European Union countries the United Kingdom had a surplus in trade in goods and trade in services, transfers and investment income in each of the most recent three years for which figures are available. [15935]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: The information requested is given.
  247
  Countries with which the UK had a surplus in each of the past three years and the year(s) of surplus:

  Trade in goods

  Years of surplus

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Greece

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Ireland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Netherlands

  —

  —

  1995

  Portugal

  1993

  —

  1995

  Spain

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Austria

  —

  1994

  1995

  Source:

  ONS—Geographical breakdown of the balance of payments economic trends October 1996.

  Trade in services

  Years of surplus

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Denmark

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Germany

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Ireland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Italy

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Netherlands

  1993

  —

  1995

  Sweden

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Finland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Source:

  ONS—Geographical breakdown of the balance of payments

  Transfers

  Years of surplus

  Germany

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Greece

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Sweden

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Finland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Source:

  ONS—Geographical breakdown of the balance of payments economic trends October 1996.

  Investment income

  Years of surplus

  Denmark

  —

  —

  1995

  Germany

  —

  1994

  1995

  Greece

  1993

  —

  —

  Ireland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Italy

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Portugal

  —

  1994

  1995

  Sweden

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Finland

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Source:

  ONS—Geographical breakdown of the balance of payments economic trends October 1996.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will rank the European Union countries by their balance in trade in goods with the rest of the European Union, based on figures for the latest available year (i) in pounds sterling and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product. [15936]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: The information requested is in the following table. For completeness, information is also included on the UK's balance of trade in services and in goods and services combined. For trade in services, data are not yet available for 1995 and the figures shown relate to 1993, which is the latest year for which an analysis of services earning by partner country is available. The country composition
  248
  of the tables reflects EU membership at the time. Overall, the current account is close to balance and at its strongest for a decade.

  EU countries balance of trade with other members of the European Union

  Trade balance in goods (1995)

  Ranked according to:

  £billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  Netherlands

  28.6

  Ireland

  18.4

  Germany

  19.8

  Netherlands

  11.4

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  11.4

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  6.3

  Ireland

  7.5

  Finland

  3.3

  Italy

  5

  Germany

  1.3

  Finland

  2.6

  Sweden

  1.2

  Sweden

  1.8

  Denmark

  0.9

  Denmark

  1.0

  Italy

  0.7

  Portugal

  -3.7

  France

  -0.5

  UK

  -4.2

  UK

  -0.6

  France

  -5.3

  Spain

  -1.8

  Spain

  -6.4

  Austria

  -5.4

  Greece

  -6.8

  Portugal

  -5.9

  Austria

  -7.9

  Greece

  -9.3

  Trade balance in services (1993)

  £billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  Spain

  6.9

  Greece

  4.2

  France

  4.8

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  3.1

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  4.6

  Spain

  2.1

  Greece

  2.0

  Netherlands

  0.9

  Netherlands

  1.8

  Portugal

  0.6

  Italy

  1.3

  France

  0.6

  Portugal

  0.3

  Italy

  0.2

  Denmark

  —.1

  Denmark

  -0.1

  UK

  —1.0

  UK

  -0.2

  Germany

  -15.2

  Germany

  -1.2

  Ireland

  n/a

  Ireland

  n/a

  Trade balance in goods and services (1993)

  £ billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  Netherlands

  19.4

  Netherlands

  9.4

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  13.1

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  8.9

  Italy

  6.8

  Denmark

  2.2

  France

  2.1

  Italy

  1.0

  Denmark

  2.0

  Spain

  0.5

  Spain

  1.6

  France

  0.3

  Portugal

  -3.6

  Germany

  -0.5

  Greece

  -3.6

  UK

  -0.8

  UK

  -5.3

  Portugal

  -6.2

  Germany

  -5.8

  Greece

  -7.4

  Ireland

  n/a

  Ireland

  n/a

  Sources:

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  Eurostat International Trade in Services.

  HM C and E Business Monitor MA20.

  OECD Main Economic Indicators.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will rank the European Union countries by their balance in trade in goods with countries outside the
  249
  European Union based on figures for the latest available year (i) in pounds sterling and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product. [15937]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: The information requested is in the following table. For completeness, information is also included on the UK's balance of trade in services and in goods and services combined. For trade in services, data are not yet available for 1995 and the figures shown relate to 1993 which is the latest year for which an analysis of services earning by partner country is available. The country composition of the tables reflects EU membership at the time. Overall the current account is close to balance and at its strongest for a decade.

  EU countries balance of trade with countries outside the European Union

  Trade balance in goods (1995)

  Ranked according to

  £ billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  Germany

  22.2

  Finland

  5.5

  France

  12.8

  Sweden

  5.3

  Italy

  12.2

  Denmark

  2.1

  Sweden

  7.7

  Italy

  1.8

  Finland

  4.4

  Austria

  1.7

  Austria

  2.5

  Germany

  1.5

  Denmark

  2.3

  France

  1.3

  Ireland

  0.1

  Ireland

  0.3

  Greece

  -2.1

  Spain

  -0.8

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -2.5

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -1.4

  Portugal

  -2.5

  UK

  -1.5

  Spain

  -2.9

  Greece

  -2.9

  UK

  -10.4

  Portugal

  -4.0

  Netherlands

  -17.4

  Netherlands

  -6.9

  Trade balance in services (1993)

  £billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  France

  7.2

  Greece

  4.1

  UK

  7.1

  Denmark

  1.9

  Greece

  2.0

  UK

  1.1

  Denmark

  1.7

  France

  0.9

  Spain

  1.5

  Spain

  0.5

  Portugal

  0.2

  Portugal

  0.4

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -0.1

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -0.1

  Netherlands

  -0.8

  Italy

  -0.2

  Italy

  -1.1

  Netherlands

  -0.4

  Germany

  -16.3

  Germany

  -1.3

  Ireland

  n/a

  Ireland

  n/a

  Trade balance in goods and services (1993)

  £billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  France

  13.0

  Denmark

  4.2

  Italy

  7.4

  France

  1.6

  Denmark

  3.8

  Italy

  1.1

  Germany

  -0.8

  Germany

  -0.1

  Greece

  -1.4

  Spain

  -0.6

  Portugal

  -1.8

  UK

  -1.2

  Spain

  -1.8

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -1.5

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  -2.1

  Greece

  -2.8

  UK

  -7.3

  Portugal

  -3.1

  250

  Trade balance in goods and services (1993)

  £ billion

  As a percentage of GDP

  Netherlands

  -10.3

  Netherlands

  -5.0

  Ireland

  n/a

  Ireland

  n/a

  Sources:

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  Eurostat International Trade in Services.

  HM C and E. Business Monitor MM20.

  OECD Main Economic Indicators.

  Reinsurance Companies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries the Serious Fraud Office has carried out(a) on its own behalf and (b) on the behalf of non-United Kingdom police and regulators into the affairs of Dai Ichi Kyoto, Kobe Reinsurance, North America Fidelity and CRM Insurance Services. [16946]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: I understand that it is the policy of the Serious Fraud Office not to give operational details of inquiries it may make or be asked to make pursuant to mutual legal assistance arrangements relating to alleged fraud.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many managing agents for reinsurers are located in the United Kingdom. [16942]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: A figure for the number of managing agents of reinsurance companies is not readily available.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what investigations his Department has carried out into the London managing agency CRM Insurance Services; and what conclusions were reached; [16945]

  (2) what investigations his officials have carried out into the reinsurance companies, Dai Ichi Kyoto, Kobe Reinsurance and North American Fidelity; and what conclusions were reached. [16947]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answers 24 February 1997]: My Department will always consider carefully any information brought to its attention which may be relevant to its regulatory responsibilities for insurance; but it is the Department's policy not to confirm or deny whether it has carried out an investigation into the affairs of particular companies.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) which bodies have regulatory responsibility for the London reinsurance industry and its managing agencies; and by what means they report to Parliament; [16943]

  (2) what recent reviews he has conducted of the regulation of United Kingdom managing agents for offshore reinsurers. [16941]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answers 24 February 1997]: Reinsurance companies which carry on insurance business in the United Kingdom in the terms of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 are required to be authorised and regulated by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who is directly accountable to Parliament. Managing agents are not subject to regulation separate from that applied to the reinsurance company or companies they

  251
  represent. Agents who are registered brokers are, however, subject to control by the Insurance Brokers Registration Council, which is an independent statutory body. There is no requirement on it to report to Parliament but the Secretary of State has responsibility for approving its rules and for the appointment of five of the 17 members of the Council. Members of Lloyd's and Lloyd's managing agents are regulated by the Council of Lloyd's under the Lloyd's Acts 1871 to 1982.

  My Department is currently considering what, if any, further measures might be appropriate in relation to the provision of insurance in the UK by overseas reinsurers or insurers which are neither authorised under UK legislation nor entitled to provide insurance in the UK on a services basis on the basis of an authorisation issued in another European Economic Area member state.

  Success rates percentage

  AFRC project1

  AFRC programme1

  BBSRC project1

  BBSRC programme1

  SERC

  EPSRC

  ESRC1

  MRC project1

  MRC programme1

  NERC2

  PPARC1

  1979

  45

  1980

  41

  1981

  33

  1982

  37

  1983

  58

  31

  1984

  51

  39

  1985

  54

  35

  1986

  26

  53

  29

  1987

  36

  44

  34

  1988

  40

  50

  30

  37

  1989

  33

  47

  29

  40

  1990

  27

  35

  34

  39

  1991

  33

  36

  27

  40

  1992

  30

  34

  40

  27

  35

  1993

  32

  31

  38

  24

  30

  62

  27

  1994

  30

  28

  37

  20

  26

  36

  23

  50

  1995

  24

  36

  44

  27.5

  30

  59

  23

  60

  1996

  334

  42

  1 Data are for financial years.

  2 NERC does not classify grants as project/programme. The figures given are for non-thematic grant applications.

  3 Provisional.

DEFENCE

  Range Facilities
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 January,Official Report, columns 228–30, if the calculations of income, operating cost and range use were prepared on the same basis for both the Eskmeals and Shoeburyness ranges; and if he will make a statement. [16955]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Dr. John Cunningham, dated 25 February 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your follow-up question about the income, operating cost and range use figures for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) ranges at Eskmeals and Shoeburyness, since as Chief Executive of DERA this is a matter for which I am responsible.
  The figures which I gave in my letters of 14 January on these issues were prepared on the same basis.
  I hope this is helpful.
  252

  Research Councils
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the success rates for applications for project and programme grants to each research council in each year since 1979. [17364]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: This information is not available for all councils for some of the earlier years. There has been some increase in the number of grant applications, fuelled by the increase in numbers of researchers in the system, both as a result of the change of status of the "new" universities and increasing numbers of contract researchers drawn into the "old" universities by the growth in research funding in the university system. The success rates by number of grant applications are as follows:

  Gulf War-related IIlness
  Mr. Tracy
  To ask Secretary of the State for Defence when he expects to make available to the House the findings of the further investigation into the advice given to Defence Ministers concerning organophosphate pesticide used during the Gulf war, announced by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 10 December 1996,Official Report, column 122. [18140]

  Mr. Soames
  The further investigation has now been completed. It came to the following conclusions:

  (a) The answers to six PQs in 1994 concerning pesticide usage during Operation Granby were incorrect because Ministers were given flawed advice by Service and Civil Service staff, who had obtained and used inaccurate information when preparing the draft answers.

  (b) The submission of flawed advice concerning pesticides to Ministers in July 1994 and again in November 1994, together with repeated submissions of the same inaccurate information at later dates, constituted a fundamental failure of the working practices adopted by Service and Civil Service staff within the area of MOD concerned.

  253

  (c) As a result of internal confusion about the subject, MOD gave incomplete information to the HCDC in a memorandum dated 9 December 1994 concerning the non-OP pesticides which had been used during Operation Granby.

  (d) In the course of 1995, MOD Service and Civil Service staff received a number of indications that during the Gulf War British troops might have obtained locally and also used some OP pesticides, but this information was neither assessed nor followed up properly.

  (e) No later than early June 1996, some MOD Service and Civil Service staff knew that OP pesticides had been used more extensively during Operation Granby than had previously been reported and that this new information would embarrass the Department. However, appropriate action was not taken.

  (f) Although new information concerning OP pesticide usage during Operation Granby had emerged much earlier, MOD Service and Civil Service staff failed to provide Ministers with appropriate written advice on the subject until 25 September 1996. Thereafter Parliament was informed at the earliest opportunity that incorrect statements had been made.

  The investigation also identified an additional occasion, in March 1995, when a ministerial private office received advice which included material relating to possible OP pesticide use in the Gulf war. A memorandum concerning the investigation is being published today and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House, together with a copy of my letter to the Chairman of the Defence Select Committee dated 20 February 1997.

  Taken together, the six conclusions constitute serious failures in the formulation of advice within the MOD. I must once again apologise for the way in which flawed advice was presented to Parliament.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on seeking costs in respect of action for compensation for undiagnosed Gulf war-related illnesses taken by ex-service men and women; what plans he has to review that policy in respect of Gulf war veterans ineligible for legal aid; and if he will make a statement. [17675]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department's general policy is to seek to recover its costs where a case is successfully defended only where claimants are not legally aided. There are no plans to review this policy in respect of Gulf war veterans. However, if illness or injury can be shown—to the satisfaction of a court if necessary—to have resulted from MOD negligence in individual cases which are legally aided, and the same particular circumstances can be shown to apply to non-legally aided claimants, those individuals will not be forced by the MOD to enter into litigation to establish their own right to compensation.

  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the terms of reference of his organophosphate pesticide investigation team; and if he will make a statement on its work. [17676]

  Mr. Soames
  I wrote to the right hon. Member on 18 February, enclosing a copy of the terms of reference of the organophosphate pesticide investigation team. A copy of that letter was also placed in the Library of the House.
  254

  Pilots (Flying Hours)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of hours flown by RAF fast jet pilots in each of the last three calendar years; and how many hours are funded for 1997. [16805]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is shown. Funded hours are calculated on the basis of financial years; total funded hours per pilot for 1996–97 are therefore given.

  Calendar year

  Aircraft type

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Funded in 1996–97

  Harrier

  203.25

  210.89

  212.18

  232

  Jaguar

  225.53

  201.21

  189.89

  222

  Tornado F3

  214.59

  211.94

  190.09

  222

  Tornado GR

  224.36

  222.35

  212.93

  222

  Hawk: 100 Squadron only

  n/a

  n/a

  291

  280

  The Hawk fleet is primarily used for fast jet pilot student training at RAF Valley. Hours flown by students and instructors are dependent on the length of the training programme. The figures shown above for Hawk refer only to 100 Squadron, which provides a target towing capability; data prior to 1996 are not readily available in the form requested and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of hours flown per annum by Royal Navy Sea Harrier pilots in each of the last three calendar years; and how many hours are funded for 1997. [16804]

  Mr. Soames
  The average annual number of hours flown per pilot by Royal Navy Sea Harrier pilots in each of the last three calendar years is as follows:

  1994: 170 hours

  1995: 160 hours

  1996: 165 hours.

  The funded level for financial year 1996–97 was 215 hours. The funded levels for 1997–98 have not yet been finalised.

  Joint Service Command and Staff College
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost of providing a joint service command and staff college at Shrivenham. [17056]

  Mr. Soames
  The estimated cost of contractor-provided permanent facilities and services for the joint service command and staff college at Shrivenham, as proposed by the Defence Management Consortium, is approximately £500 million—undiscounted and VAT inclusive—for a 30-year period. This covers provision of teaching and residential accommodation for some 650 students at a time—to meet a total annual throughput of over 2,000 students—facilities management and some academic support.

  Cadets
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current level of funding for the air cadets. [17427]
  255
  Mr. Soames
  The level of funding for the air cadet organisation for the financial year 1996–97 is £18.735 million.

  Submarine Reactor Cores
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been average annual running cost of transporting used submarine reactor cores over the past 10 years. [17635]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The average annual running cost to MOD of transporting used submarine reactor fuel, using used core transport packages prior to 1992, was approximately £200,000 per year. The average cost after that time is higher at approximately £780,000 per year. The cost increase is due both to the smaller capacity of our current fuel transport flasks, and an increase in reactor core movements.

  New fuel transport flasks being constructed by British Nuclear Fuels, which are larger than the current design, will be introduced into service at the end of 1998.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards introducing the new core transport package flasks for the transport of submarine reactor cores.[17634]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer to the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 6 June 1996,Official Report, columns 521–22, to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell). Satisfactory progress is being made towards introducing the new used core transport package flasks for the transport of submarine reactor cores at the end of 1998.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Financial year 1994–95

  1995–96

  11996–97

  EDS

  58

  66

  72

  47

  31

  Andersens

  9

  6

  1

  nil

  2

  BMI

  nil

  1

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Capita

  nil

  1

  nil

  6

  nil

  Sema

  9

  6

  6

  6

  3

  1 To January.

  The data do not include contracts placed by MOD agencies. I have asked chief executives to write to the hon. Member separately if they hold relevant information.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) to your question asking for a list of contracts awarded to EDS, Andersons, BMI, Capita and Sema since 1992 together with the function of the contractor and value of contract in each case.
  I am afraid that it is not our practice to give details of individual contracts, either by function or value, as this information is commercially confidential but I list below the numbers of contracts placed by DERA with Anderson, Capita, EDS and Sema since 1992 and the approximate total value of the contracts for each company. DERA has placed no contracts with BM1 since 1992.
  256
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location of each of the used reactor cores from his Department's nuclear-powered submarines. [17636]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Currently, 45 used submarine reactor cores are held in long-term storage at BNF plc Sellafield and three are held in temporary storage—one each at Rosyth dockyard, Devonport dockyard and the naval reactor test establishment at Dounreay.

  MOD policy is to remove all used submarine reactor cores to long-term storage at BNF plc Sellafield as soon as possible after defuel. The cores currently in temporary storage will be removed at the first available opportunity.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to(a) EDS, (b) Andersens, (c) BMI and (d) Capita and (e) Sema since 1992 and the broad function to be carried out by the contractor and the value of the contract in each case. [17611]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The table summarises the number of contracts recorded on my Department's headquarters contracts database for each of the companies and each of the years requested. Because of the way in which the information is recorded, this is shown by financial year ending 31 March, rather than calendar year. I am withholding under exemption 7 of the code of practice on access to government information details of individual contract values and, when there are only a few contracts, total values.

  To list each contract individually and research even the broad function of each could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

  Company

  Number of contracts

  Total value £ million

  Anderson

  2

  0.2

  Capita

  6

  0.2

  EDS

  412

  39.0

  Sema

  126

  8.0

  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about contracts awarded to EDS, Andersens, BMI, Capita and Sema since 1992, as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office.
  Of the companies you list the Meterological Office has, since 1992, awarded:-

  (a) a software development contract to EDS Defence Ltd valued at £27K, VAT exclusive

  257

  (b) a contract for consultancy support for the introduction of a new Management Information System placed with Capita Recruitment, with a value of £72K, VAT exclusive.

  I hope this answers your question.

  Letter from Michael R. Pack to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  1. You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question about contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence to a number of commercial companies.
  2. For the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Defence Agency, the issues raised fall within the responsibilities delegated to the Chief Executive, Rear Admiral J P Clarke. In the normal course of events, Admiral Clarke would have replied to you personally but he is at present absent from the Office on official duty so I am replying on his behalf.
  3. Before 31 March 1996, contracts were not let by the Hydrographic Office but by the appropriate contract branch within the Ministry of Defence. Since becoming a Trading fund on 1 April, however, we have let one small contract with EDS to provide training in a software package for the management of geographic data; and a more substantial contract to provide post design services for the document management and geographic management systems themselves. The former is complete; the latter ongoing.
  5. As regards the value of the contracts I am sure you appreciate that such information is commercially sensitive.

  Ion Exchange Resin
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many modified magnox flasks and resin catch tanks are being used at Rosyth and Devonport to store ion exchange resin. [17633]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Ships Support Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. V. Babington to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 26 February 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the numbers of modified magnox flasks and resin catch tanks presently being used at Rosyth and Devonport to store ion exchange resin, as this is related to my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency.
  The details you have requested are:
  Rosyth Royal Dockyard: Thirty nine resin catch tanks are presently being used;
  Devonport Royal Dockyard: Twenty eight resin catch tanks and eleven modified magnox flasks are presently being used.

  Territorial Army Centre, Cardiff
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on the recent refurbishment of the Territorial Army centre in central Cardiff; and what compensation arrangement has been negotiated as a result of the changes required by the proposals for the new national stadium. [17411]

  Mr. Soames
  The total cost of the rebuild of the Territorial Army centre at Park street, Cardiff, which was completed in July 1994, was £2.041 million. In return for our vacating this site to allow for the redevelopment of the national stadium, the Welsh Rugby Union will make provision for facilities for the Army cadet force detachment within the new stadium complex and construct a new TA centre elsewhere within Cardiff. This will be larger than the current site and will, therefore, be capable of housing an additional unit. Its construction will 258
  be at no cost to the Ministry of Defence. The Welsh Rugby Union has also indicated that it will provide an advertising hoarding within the national stadium for reserve force recruiting for a period of 10 years.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the performance of grant-maintained schools. [16069]

  Mr. Forth
  The performance of pupils attending grant-maintained schools has improved year on year.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applicants for the jobseeker's allowance have been denied benefit since the inception of the allowance. [16071]

  Mr. Forth
  An estimated 96,000 claims for jobseeker's allowance have been refused since 7 October 1996.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance have placed restrictions on their availability for work by virtue of(a) physical and mental limitations and (b) caring responsibilities. [17601]

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

  Letter from Robert Horne to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about the number of people who are currently claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and who have placed restriction on their availability for work by virtue of physical or mental condition or caring responsibilities.
  Unfortunately, we do not hold information on the number of people, with either a physical or mental condition or who have caring responsibilities, who have agreed with an employment adviser a pattern of availability which included restrictions. The only information held is on the number of claims referred to the adjudication authorities where there is a doubt on availability because of a restriction and the number of decisions made.
  This information, together with statistics on the other adjudication officer decisions and disallowance rates, is contained in a published document entitled "Analysis of Adjudication Officer Decisions". This provides information on all the main entitlement questions arising on claims. The latest information related to the quarter ending 30 September 1996. The first information relating to Jobseeker's Allowance will be in the publication for the quarter ending 31 December 1996. This is expected to be published by the end of March 1997 and copies will be placed in the Library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what benefit sanction will be imposed on a jobseeker's allowance claimant who is given a jobseeker's direction to apply for a specific part-time vacancy of less than 24 hours per week if(a) he refuses to apply for the vacancy in question, (b) he agrees

  259
  to apply but is not offered the job and (c) he is offered the job which he then refuses; and if she will make a statement. [17624]

  Mr. Forth
  A fixed-length sanction of loss of benefit for two weeks—or four weeks if a separate fixed-length sanction has already been imposed within the previous 12 months—will be imposed if, without good cause, a JSA claimant refuses or fails to carry out a reasonable jobseeker's direction to apply for a particular job of less than 24 hours per week. No sanction will be imposed if the jobseeker carries out the direction but is not offered the job, nor if he is offered the job and then refuses it.

  Guidance is issued to Employment Service jobcentres that staff should be particularly careful before giving a jobseeker's direction in respect of a job of less than 24 hours a week. Jobseekers should be directed to apply for such jobs only if this would improve their prospects of finding further work, or the job is sufficiently well paid to enable them to leave JSA altogether.

  Schools Funding (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on schools funding in East Sussex in 1997–98. [16072]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  East Susssex's 1997–98 education standard spending assessment is £151.4 million—an above average increase of some £7 million, or 4.8 per cent. It is up to the authority to ensure that the increase in spending power that we are providing reaches its schools.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the change in the number of children in primary classes of over 30 since 1992; and what is the current figure as a percentage of all children in primary classes. [16073]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  From 1992 to 1996, the number of children in single-teacher primary classes of over 30 rose by 358,000. In 1996, 31.8 per cent. of primary children were in such classes, compared with 35.3 per cent. in 1979.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to increase the number of grammar schools. [16074]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government's policy is to encourage more grammar schools wherever parents want them, because that will promote choice, diversity and higher standards.

  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received regarding the future of grammar schools. [16082]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend receives a range of views on this as on other matters. The Government welcome the high standards which many grammar schools achieve. They are committed to retaining the existing 260
  grammar schools, and supporting the development of new ones, as an important element in promoting diversity and choice for parents.

  School Repairs
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to tackle the repairs backlog in schools. [16075]

  Mrs. Gillan
  It is for local education authorities and school governors to assess the need for maintenance work in respect of school premises which they own and maintain.

  Employment Policy
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the implications for employment policy of the changing balance between part-time and full-time work. [16076]

  Mr. Forth
  Both full and part-time jobs are increasing. We shall continue with the policies under which 900,000 more jobs have been created and unemployment has fallen by over 1 million since 1992.

  Dyslexia
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provisions she has made for the proper teaching of children with dyslexia. [16077]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The special educational needs code of practice offers guidance on the assessment of a dyslexic child. The Department supports training for teachers of dyslexic pupils through the grant for education support and training programme and is consulting over the national curriculum for initial teacher training, which has a particular focus on literacy.

  School Transport
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received from education authorities on the provision of school transport under the recent standard spending assessment settlements; and if she will make a statement. [16078]

  Mrs. Gillan
  None.

  Capital Borrowing Allocation (Birmingham)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the capital borrowing allocation to Birmingham(a) for 1997–98 and (b) 1996–97.20. [16079]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Birmingham's annual capital guideline for education for 1997–98 is £1.06 million, and for 1996–97 is £5.38 million.

  In addition, the authority has received a supplementary credit approval of £0.1 million for 1997–98, and £1.28 million for 1996–97.
  261

  School Discipline
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to ensure that high standards of discipline are upheld in schools. [16081]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson).

  School Performance (Harrow)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the performance of maintained schools in the Harrow East division of the London borough of Harrow in respect of the league table system and exam and assessment measurements. [16083]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The 1996 secondary school performance tables show that 53 per cent. of pupils attending the six maintained secondary schools in East Harrow obtained five or more A*-C GCSE grades, against an England average of 44.5 per cent. National curriculum assessment results are not published centrally for individual schools, although key stage 2 results will be published shortly in the primary school performance tables.

  Premature Retirement (Education)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards premature retirement in educational institutions. [16085]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Government's policy is that education employers should be accountable for the cost of their decisions on premature retirement. The Government intend premature retirement to continue to be available as a management tool, and have made funds available for that purpose.

  Grammar School Leavers (Unemployment)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the number of people who have left grammar schools in the last three years who are registered as unemployed. [16087]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department does not collect the information requested.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the assisted places scheme in enabling poorer parents to provide their children with a private education; and if she will make a statement. [16088]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The assisted places scheme gives able children from low-income families the opportunity of an independent education that they would not otherwise have had.
  262

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the impact of the jobseeker's allowance on rural areas; and if she will make a statement. [16089]

  Mr. Forth
  We have commissioned a full evaluation of JSA policy from the centre for research in social policy at Loughborough university. The Employment Service itself will be carrying out local monitoring of delivery.

  Lone Mothers
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to extend job opportunities for lone mothers. [16090]

  Mrs. Gillan
  A flexible labour market without unnecessary regulations creates job opportunities for all groups, and the United Kingdom has more of its people in work than any other major EU country.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the level of unemployment as measured by the claimant count. [16068]

  Mr. Forth
  Claimant unemployment has fallen by over 1.1 million since December 1992.

  Permanent Jobs
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to encourage the creation of more permanent jobs. [16091]

  Mr. Forth
  This Government will continue with the policies of reducing burdens on business and creating the framework for economic growth, which have resulted in the creation of nearly 900,000 jobs and a reduction in unemployment of over 1 million since the recovery began in December 1992.

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many questions were tabled for reply by her Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16806]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A list of the number of written and oral parliamentary questions answered by the Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information system unit, has been placed in the Library. Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–92 are not available.

  The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  263

  Education (Humberside)
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment the Office for Standards in Education has made of the quality of education delivered by the former Humberside county council, relative to the national average. [17045]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is primarily a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools. However, I understand that the former Humberside county council was not among the authorities which have been reviewed by Ofsted, and it has not therefore made any assessment of this kind.

  Items of miscellaneous equipment/furniture not accounted for

  Items of IT equipment stolen

  Items of IT equipment not accounted for

  Total value £

  Items valued: £5,000 or over

  DfEE HQ

  2

  6

  1

  8,845

  nil

  Employment service

  0

  269

  0

  484,000

  4 network fileservers

  Computer Software Courses
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will conduct a survey of employers' attitudes to the quality of computer software courses available at different educational institutions. [17645]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. This is the responsibility of the institutions and examining bodies concerned.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State forEducation and Employment what information she has collated on the number of children excluded from(a) primary and (b) secondary schools (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) in other OECD countries; and if she will make a statement. [17662]

  Mr. Forth
  The latest figures on exclusion from schools in England relate to the school year 1994–95. These show that 1,365 pupils permanently excluded from primary schools, and 9,197 from secondary schools; a further 522 were excluded from special schools.

  Data on exclusions from schools in other parts of the United Kingdom are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Information on exclusions in other OECD countries is not available.

  Teachers (Staffordshire)
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers were employed by Staffordshire county council in each of the past 15 years. [17509]

  Mr. Forth
  The number of teachers employed by Staffordshire LEA are shown in the following table. Staff in grant-maintained schools are excluded.
  264

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from her Department and its agencies during the past 12 months, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [17061]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following information details the number of items stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the 12-month period from 1 February 1996 to 31 January 1997:

  Full-time equivalent (fte) numbers of teachers in the LEA maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special education sector

  January

  Fte

  1982

  10,380

  1983

  10,170

  1984

  10,070

  1985

  9,800

  1986

  9,480

  1987

  9,130

  1988

  9,120

  1989

  9,030

  1990

  9,100

  1991

  9,290

  1992

  9,250

  1993

  8,740

  1994

  8,430

  1995

  8,400

  1996

  8,500

  Early Retirement (Teachers)
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers in East Sussex retired before the age of 60 years other than for reasons of health or disability in each of the past six years. [17598]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Teachers from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector in East Sussex, who took premature retirement on grounds other than ill-health or disability from 1990–91 to 1995–96, are shown in the following table.

  Financial year

  1Number of premature retirements

  1990–91

  61

  1991–92

  41

  1992–93

  47

  1993–94

  67

  1994–95

  46

  1995–962

  58

  1 Excludes those last recorded in sixth form colleges.

  2 Provisional.

  265

  Jobmatch Scheme
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of(a) the costs and (b) the numbers gaining if the national jobmatch scheme for under 25-year-olds was available on the same basis to (1) unemployed people of any age who have been unemployed for (i) at least six months, (ii) at least one year and (iii) at least two years and (2) unemployed people over the age of 50 years who have been unemployed for (A) at least six months, (B) at least one year and (C) at least two years. [17600]

  Mr. Forth
  The jobmatch programme is an intensive measure designed to help very long-term unemployed people to leave unemployment for a part-time job. We have developed a range of measures designed to meet the diverse needs of unemployed people, with the most intensive such as jobmatch targeted on those who need the most help to get back to work. It would not be a cost-effective use of the taxpayer's resources to make jobmatch available to shorter-term unemployed people.

  From April, jobmatch will be available to those young people aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for two years or more. We estimate that the costs of making jobmatch available, on the same basis, to all people unemployed for two years or more would be some £47 million in 1997–98; and the costs of making it available to those aged over 50 who have been unemployed for two years or more would be some £11 million in 1997–98.

  It is not possible accurately to estimate the programme costs of a national jobmatch scheme for groups of people who have been unemployed for less than two years. That is because jobmatch has been piloted only among very long-term unemployed people, and it cannot be assumed that take-up of the scheme among shorter-term unemployed people would be the same.

  Hearing-impaired Children (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in each London borough provide specific teaching for children with hearing difficulties; and if she will make a statement. [17589]

  Mrs. Gillan
  There are five special schools maintained by local education authorities in London which cater specifically for children with hearing impairments—one school in each of Camden, Haringey, Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth. The majority of hearing-impaired children are educated in mainstream schools, with specialist support. Records of this provision are not maintained centrally.

  LEAs have a duty to place children with special educational needs in mainstream schools where this is compatible with the wishes of parents, the needs of the child, the needs of other children at the school, and with the efficient use of resources. The Government also recognise a continuing need for special school provision where that is necessary and where parents want it.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new nursery 266
  voucher places for four-year-olds have been created in each of the four pilot local education authority areas; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [16139]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The nursery education voucher scheme has already stimulated an encouraging expansion of places in the phase 1 areas, as described in paragraphs 8.21 to 8.25 of the Department's report on phase 1, copies of which have been placed in the Library. I expect that expansion to continue in phase 2.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice she plans to issue to pre-school providers on the admission of four-year-olds who do not have a nursery education voucher from April 1997. [16056]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department has sent advice to all providers who will participate in the nursery education voucher scheme from April, and additional guidance to LEAs and maintained primary schools.

  Foreign Language Teaching
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to encourage the teaching of foreign languages in primary schools; and if she will make a statement. [16080]

  Mrs. Gillan
  We have promised no further change to the national curriculum until 2000. Primary schools which have the necessary staffing and other resources are free to teach foreign languages now, and many do. For the present, our priority is to ensure that all secondary schools pupils learn a modern language to a worthwhile level of competence. This is where available resources must be directed for the time being.Your second and third questions (359 and 363, tabled on 20 February) asked, what have been the excess mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages, and, what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in terms of (a) excess numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over the age of 65 years, (ii) single parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) all other people not included in the above.
  The mortality rates requested are shown in Tables 2, 3 and 4 below. For the purpose of this exercise winter has been taken to mean the four month period extending form December to March.

HEALTH

  Oral Contraceptives (Safety)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the report on the role played by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in his announcements on the safety of third generation combined oral contraceptives in October 1995. [17141]

  Mr. Malone
  The announcement to which the hon. Member refers was made by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The role of the CSM is as an expert advisory committee to the licensing authority, as embodied in the Medicines Act 1968 There is no report on its role in the announcement. The advice given by the CSM in October 1995 still stands and is published in the British National Formulary.
  267

  Lariam
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 284 what proposals have been made by the Medicines Control Agency to end the delay in reporting full details of the degree of severity of side effects of the drug Lariam; [17208]

  (2) if he will list the terms of reference and membership of the Malaria Advisory Committee; what reports have been made to the Medicines Control Agency and his Department since 1990 by this committee (a) involving and (b) not involving the use of the drug Lariam; and when the latest malaria guidelines were published by this committee. [17206]

  Mr. Malone
  The guidelines of the use of malaria prophylaxis are prepared by an informal group of experts who have no formal terms of reference or fixed membership. The group does not report to the Medicines Control Agency The guidelines are aimed at health professionals and have been published in the British Medical Journal—most recently, 1993; 306:1247–1252 and 1995; 310: 709–7144—where they are available to all those with an interest. These reports include advice on the use of mefloquine, Lariam, and give the names of those who have collaborated in drawing up the guidelines. Copies of the journal are in the Library.

  Residential Care (Coventry)
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 February,Official Report, columns 161–62, if he will ascertain the occupancy rates of local authority homes, voluntary sector residential homes and private sector residential homes in Coventry; and if he will henceforth publish data on occupancy separately for private and voluntary sector nursing homes. [17055]

  Calender year

  IT items (number)

  IT items (estimated cost)

  Other items (number)

  Other items (estimated cost)

  1996

  131

  £35,410

  10

  £1,065

  Vacant Consultant Posts
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant posts were vacant in the Northern and Yorkshire regions in each specialty according to the medical and dental work force census in September 1994, 1995 and 1996. [17486]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on hospital medical and dental consultant vacant posts by region and by speciality for 1994 and 1995 is available in "Hospital Medical Staff—England and Wales: Consultant, Staff Grade, Senior Registrars and Senior House officers—Regional Whole Time Equivalent and Vacant Posts, Table R5", copies of which are available in the Library. Data for 1996 will be available later this year.

  NHS Audits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS audit activity was devoted to probity audits in(a) 1990 and (b) 1996. [17685]
  268
  Mr. Burns
  The latest information with which to calculate occupancy rates of residential homes was published in "Residential Accommodation Statistics 1996"—Statistical Bulletin 1996/25—and is summarised in the table. Data collected centrally do not separately identify private and voluntary sector nursing homes.

  Registered beds, occupied beds and occupancy rates in residential and nursing homes in Coventry, at 31 March 1996

  Numbers and percentages

  Residential homes

  Local authority homes

  Voluntary sector

  Private sector

  Nursing homes

  Registered beds

  490

  160

  1,280

  570

  Occupied beds

  450

  150

  1,160

  480

  Occupancy rate

  92 per cent.

  91 per cent.

  91 per cent.

  84 per cent.

  Note:

  The number of registered and occupied beds are shown here rounded to the nearest 10. Occupancy rates are calculated on the unrounded figures.

  Source:

  Department of Health annual statistical returns RAC5, KO36.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies during the past 12 months, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [17064]

  Mr. Horam
  For the purposes of the table, items of equipment and furniture stolen and otherwise unaccounted for are combined because it is not possible in all cases to distinguish one from the other. There are no items valued at £5,000 or more. The Department constantly reviews its security measures in the light of losses.

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not held centrally. The examination of probity forms one part of the work carried out by internal and external auditors, and cannot readily be quantified.

  NHS Waiting Lists (Patients off Sick)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of days patients are off sick while waiting for treatment on the NHS in each of the last five years. [17863]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  NHS Hospitals
  Sir George Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals there were in the
  269
  United Kingdom in (a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and how many cottage hospitals there were in each of those years. [17532]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Blood Pressure Control Products
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the expenditure per head of population in each health district on blood pressure control products prescribed by GPs and recorded in the prescribing analyses and costs systems for the last three years for which information is available. [17537]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Strokes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of(a) stroke and (b) death from stroke in each health district in England in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [17597]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on deaths from stroke—cerebrovascular disease—in 1993, 1994 and 1995 for each health authority in England is published by the Department of Health in the "Public Health Common Data set 1996" copies of which have been placed in the Library. Data on the precise incidence of stroke are not collected centrally.

TRANSPORT

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16791]

  Mr. Bowis
  A list of the number of written and oral parliamentary questions answered by my Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, has been placed in the Library. Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available.

  The remainder of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Greenwich Exhibition Site
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the additional costs of constructing the station at the Greenwich exhibition site so that it can cater for visitors to the exhibition. [17646]

  Mr. Bowis
  The additional road traffic arising from the development of the millennium exhibition site requires the access road to the station to be constructed to dual carriageway standard, at an additional cost of £700,000.270
  This cost will be met from developer contributions. No design changes to the station itself are expected, based on current forecasts for demand arising from the exhibition.

  Coaches and Minibuses (Seat Belts)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review his policy in respect of children's travel on school trips on coaches built prior to 1988; and if he will make a statement. [17687]

  Mr. Bowis
  From 10 February next year, coaches first used before 1 October 1988 will have to be provided with seat belts if they take children on organised trips. These older coaches have been allowed an extra year to have belts fitted for children because it was recognised that some of them would require extensive strengthening work in order to meet the new requirements. Minibuses and coaches already have one of the best safety records of any form of road transport and the new seat belt regulations will improve this even further. I have no plans to review the policy.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce an inspection system to ensure that seat belts used in coaches and minibuses comply with EEC directive EEC/76/115. [17688]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. Not all seat belts in coaches and minibuses have to comply with the seat belt anchorage directive EEC/76/115.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the inspection regime in respect of recent seat belt legislation applicable to coaches and minibuses. [17689]

  Mr. Bowis
  We take the issue of the adequacy of seat belt installations very seriously and have issued technical advice on what we consider to be "best practice" for seat belt installers. We have also stressed the importance of good installation in advice we have issued for users and operators.

  I have decided that these belts should be examined as a part of the annual MOT test and we shall be consulting on the details of this. I have also decided that the Vehicle Inspectorate will include the condition of minibus and coach seat belts in the other enforcement checks they carry out during the year.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a requirement for new minibuses and van conversions to be fitted with seat belt anchorage systems which have passed Vehicle Certification Agency witnessed teats to M2 level. [17690]

  Mr. Bowis
  Manufacturers of line built vehicles already have seat belt anchorages approved using a destructive test on an example of their vehicle. Such an approval requirement would be inappropriate for low-volume or specialist conversions.

  Road Network (Dual Carriageways)
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the secretary of State for Transport how may towns and cities in England with a population of between 75,000 and 100,000 are connected by dual carriageway to the national motorway network; and if he will list them. [17310]
  271
  Mr. Watts
  There are 30 towns and cities with a population of between 75,000 and 100,000 that are connected via a dual carriageway to the national motorway network. They are:

  Ashford

  Barnsley

  Birkenhead

  Burnley

  Cheltenham

  Chester

  Chesterfield

  Crawley

  Dartford

  Darlington

  Gateshead

  Gillingham

  Gloucester

  Gravesham

  Grimsby

  Hove

  Lewes

  Redditch

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Scunthorpe

  Stevenage

  Stockton

  Taunton

  Wakefield

  Watford

  Welwyn Hatfield

  Wigan

  Worcester

  Worthing

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the roads in England which have been designated part of the trans-European networks which are not currently dualled; and what percentage these non-dualled roads are of the total mileage of the trans-European networks within England. [17311]

  Mr. Watts
  The trans-European road network within the United Kingdom is 4,111 miles long. Of that length, 1,220 miles—29.7 per cent.—are single carriageway. Figures for the constituent parts of the United Kingdom are not readily available.

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many towns and cities in England with a larger population than that of Norwich are not connected by dual carriageway to the national motorway network; and if he will list them. [17312]

  Mr. Watts
  There are two towns with a population larger than that of Norwich which are not connected by dual carriageway to the national motorway network. They are Huddersfield and Poole. The trunk road programme includes schemes to complete the dualling of the All to Norwich.
  272

  North London Railway Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the total planned investment in track renewal, bridge repairs and station refurbishment on the Barking to Gospel Oak branch of the North London line; [15997]

  (2) what reports he has received on the condition of bridges on the Barking to Gospel Oak branch of the North London line; and if he will make a statement. [15998]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: These are operational matters for Railtrack. However, Railtrack has confirmed that the bridge over the River Lea at South Tottenham was closed for safety-related repair work during the period 7 to 10 February. Further information can be obtained from Railtrack.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire will receive a reply to his letter written in response to the Minister's letter, reference 095/23361/1355l. [16917]

  Mr. Sproat
  A reply will be sent to the hon. Member shortly.

  National Lottery Grants
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list for each county in England and Wales and each region of Scotland, the total amount of national lottery grants awarded, expressed as an amount per head of population. [15245]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, 12,657 awards totalling more than £1.9 billion have been announced for projects in England, Wales and Scotland. The list for amount per head of population is as follows:

  Amount per head of population

  Population

  County

  Total amount £

  £ per head

  England

  968,094

  Avon

  108,061,143

  111.62

  543,483

  Bedfordshire

  6,710,452

  12.35

  770,308

  Berkshire

  12,131,727

  15.75

  669,212

  Buckinghamshire

  26,888,719

  40.18

  698,368

  Cambridgeshire

  47,800,351

  68.45

  982,342

  Cheshire

  10,108,422

  10.29

  556,220

  Cleveland

  19,673,233

  35.37

  487,612

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  13,263,066

  27.20

  493,459

  Cumbria

  20,697,508

  41.94

  953,301

  Derbyshire

  9,722,129

  10.20

  1,059,887

  Devon

  23,706,467

  22.37

  676,739

  Dorset

  14,558,982

  21.51

  603,539

  Durham

  9,792,761

  16.23

  727,615

  East Sussex

  13,241,143

  18.20

  1,573,758

  Essex

  12,024,318

  7.64

  547,335

  Gloucestershire

  20,145,207

  36.81

  2,578,000

  Great Manchester

  144,138,497

  55.91

  1,603,935

  Hampshire

  92,482,563

  57.66

  699,072

  Hereford and Worcester

  26,315,782

  37.64

  999,759

  Hertfordshire

  19,418,043

  19.42

  885,693

  Humberside

  12,106,463

  13.67

  273

  Amount per head of population

  Population

  County

  Total amount £

  £ per head

  126,881

  Isle of Wight

  5,181,576

  40.84

  1,559,630

  Kent

  16,009,050

  10.26

  1,424,924

  Lancashire

  39,407,384

  27.66

  914,376

  Leicestershire

  12,846,303

  14.05

  608,598

  Lincolnshire

  9,818,129

  16.13

  6,933,000

  London

  712,559,631

  102.78

  1,441,000

  Merseyside

  31,372,831

  21.77

  773,747

  Norfolk

  12,430,983

  16.07

  741,501

  North Yorkshire

  21,938,940

  29.59

  606,123

  Northamptonshire

  8,883,261

  14.33

  310,232

  Northumberland

  4,524,150

  14.58

  1,031,671

  Nottinghamshire

  28,832,643

  27.95

  592,260

  Oxfordshire

  11,017,405

  18.60

  419,955

  Shropshire

  10,190,117

  24.26

  480,251

  Somerset

  8,322,893

  17.33

  1,306,000

  South Yorkshire

  88,429,729

  67.71

  1,064,481

  Staffordshire

  28.609,281

  26.88

  670,843

  Suffolk

  12,323,008

  18.37

  1,034,568

  Surrey

  17,116,585

  16.54

  1,138,000

  Tyne and Wear

  64,345,205

  56.54

  2,102,000

  West Yorkshire

  49,971,022

  23.77

  494,168

  Warwickshire

  5,972,310

  12.09

  2,634,000

  West Midlands

  155,465,585

  59.02

  729,540

  West Sussex

  4,817,727

  6.60

  596,166

  Wiltshire

  31,728,011

  53.22

  Scotland

  105,300

  Borders

  3,668,909

  34.84

  272,900

  Central

  5,946,806

  21.79

  147,900

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,390,051

  29.68

  351,200

  Fife Region

  8,678,082

  24.71

  528,100

  Grampian

  20.592,282

  38.99

  206,900

  Highland

  43,961,585

  212.48

  753,900

  Lothian

  91,709,918

  121.65

  19,760

  Orkney Isles

  4,863,270

  246.12

  22,830

  Shetland Isles

  397,018

  17.39

  2,286,800

  Strathclyde

  103,302,676

  45.17

  395,200

  Tayside

  15,557,328

  39.37

  29,410

  Western Isles

  1,827,102

  62.13

  Wales

  415,900

  Clwyd

  19,514,221

  46.92

  351,500

  Dyfed

  45,414,923

  129.20

  450,300

  Gwent

  5,815,737

  12.92

  240,200

  Gwynedd

  14,386,880

  59.90

  544,300

  Mid Glamorgan

  11,057,187

  20.31

  119,900

  Powys

  7,189,213

  59.96

  413,200

  South Glamorgan

  56,868,014

  137.63

  371,200

  West Glamorgan

  6,680,958

  18.00

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the contracts awarded by her Department to(a) EDS, (b) Andersens, (c) BMI, (d) Capita and (e) Sema since 1992, and the broad function to be carried out by the contractor and the value of the contract in each case. [17612]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage has awarded one contract to Sema Group from 1993, for outsourced IT service provision, valued at about £1 million per annum, and one non-IT consultancy contract to Capita in 1994 worth about £30,000. The Department has not awarded any contracts to the other companies mentioned.
  274

  University and College Sport
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many universities and colleges have applied for lottery funding in order to improve their provision for sport. [17406]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, 96 applications have been made for a total of £162 million. These figures include successful, unsuccessful, withdrawn and lapsed applications, and those currently under consideration.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many universities and colleges have successfully applied for lottery funding in order to improve their provision for sport. [17407]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, the national lottery distributing bodies have announced 43 awards for the provision of sport in universities and colleges, for a total of £26.2 million.

  British Academy of Sport
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the current position of the planning of the British Academy of Sport. [17413]

  Mr. Sproat
  We announced on 25 February that the preferred site for the British Academy of Sport will be chosen from three contenders: the Central Consortium, the Heyford Consortium and the Sheffield Consortium. These proposals will now be considered in more detail by the United Kingdom Sports Council and my Department.

WALES

  Minimum Age Requirements
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15926]

  Mr. Hague
  There is no specific legislation for minimum age requirements which applies only to Wales.

  "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales, 1994–95"
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a breakdown of the £3.5 billion described as "All Other Revenues" raised by the Government in Wales in section 6 of the Welsh Office publication "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales, 1994–95", allocating the revenues to the headings set out in appendix B of that document. [16270]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Estimated general Government receipts, Wales, 1994–95

  "Other revenues" by source

  £ million

  Corporation tax

  924

  Capital gains tax

  39

  Inheritance tax

  50

  Stamp duties

  65

  Petrol, derv, etc.

  562

  275

  Estimated general Government receipts, Wales, 1994–95

  "Other revenues" by source

  £ million

  Cigarettes and tobacco

  388

  Alcoholic drink

  238

  Betting and gaming

  62

  Customs duties

  84

  Agricultural levies

  7

  Air passenger duty

  4

  Motor vehicle excise duty

  174

  Other taxes and royalties

  244

  Interest and dividend receipts

  213

  Gross trading surpluses and rent

  223

  Imputed charge for capital consumption

  176

  Other receipts (including insurance premium tax)

  52

  Total

  3,505

  Powered Wheelchairs
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make available powered wheelchairs to all those disabled in Wales who request them. [16620]

  Mr. Hague
  An additional £500,000 will be available each year from 1 April 1997 to provide indoor-outdoor powered wheelchairs. Up to 300 will be provided in 1997–98. The artificial limb and appliance service will be consulting relevant bodies about the criteria for their issue.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will inform family doctors in Wales that they should draw to the attention of their patients' possible entitlement to disability living allowance; and if he will make a statement. [16624]

  Mr. Hague
  Family doctors are independent contractors—responsible for providing general medical services only. However, family doctors have access to a wide range of information about possible entitlement to social security benefits through leaflets, which are available in both English and Welsh, and may if they wish bring these to the attention of patients.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many community hospitals there were in the NHS in Wales in April 1992; what is the current number; and what will be the numbers, on the basis of current plans, in April 1998. [16626]

  Mr. Hague
  There were 93 NHS community hospitals—excluding major acute, psychiatric and specialist hospitals—in the NHS in Wales in April 1992, the number at present is 88. It is not possible to speculate on the number of community facilities that will exist in 1998.

  Inward Investment (South-west Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what incentives he proposes for companies to locate new projects in(a) the south-west of Wales and (b) the western part of the coalfield valleys; and if he will make a statement. [16625]
  276
  Mr. Hague
  Significant incentives are already available to companies wishing to locate in these areas through regional selective assistance, the Welsh Development Agency's various programmes and its promotion of the area for inward investment.

  I want to see the benefits of our success in attracting inward investment spread more widely and have therefore announced that I shall be setting new and more demanding targets for the agency with the aim of securing a greater proportion of jobs and investment in those areas of Wales which are outside the eastern M4 and A55 corridors. I have also said that I will be asking the agency, within European Commission and other limits, to recognise the extra cost of locating in those areas.

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Cancer Facility
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the cancer facility for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd; and what additional finance will be made available by the Welsh Office to the North Wales health authority to meet these costs. [16616]

  Mr. Hague
  The capital cost of the centre is estimated at £20 million and will be met by the Welsh Office.

  North Wales health authority estimates that, over the first 17 years of operation, the revenue cost of the cancer centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd will be £92.3 million, at 1996–97 prices. The Welsh Office will contribute an additional £36.9 million through revenue support and capital charge funding.

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16787]

  Mr. Hague
  A list of the number of written and oral parliamentary questions answered by my Department in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the POLIS unit, has been placed in the House Library. Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available.

  The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency set up by his Department since the start of April 1992. [16969]

  Mr. Hague
  No executive agencies for which the Welsh Office has sole or lead responsibility have been set up from that date.

  Bryn Y Neuadd Hospital (Advocacy Schemes)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will re-establish direct Welsh Office funding for
  277
  advocacy schemes at Bryn Y Neuadd long-stay hospital for those with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the future of the schemes. [16958]

  Mr. Hague
  Local authorities have for some time had flexibility in determining which local projects should receive funding under the Welsh mental handicap strategy. In 1997–98 we are beginning the process of transferring financial accountability for these funds to authorities. This underlines our view that decisions as to which projects for people with a learning disability should be supported from the funds available are best taken at the local level. This is not a principle with which I would now wish to interfere.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest planned expenditure for Health in Wales for 1997–98; and how this figure differs in real terms from that planned for 1997–98 when the figure was first included in the Welsh Office forward financial programme. [17187]

  Mr. Hague
  Planned expenditure for 1997–98 for health and personal social services was first included in the Welsh Office departmental report 1995–96 to 1997–98 (Cm 2815). This was £2,321 million at 1995–96 prices and including forecast gross domestic product inflation as at November 1994. The 1997–98 provision for health and personal social services is £2.368 million at 1997–98 prices, including forecast GDP inflation as at December 1996. On a common price basis, 1997–98 provision represents a real-terms increase of £53 million over the earlier plans figure.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies during the past 12 months, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [17069]

  Mr. Hague
  For the Welsh Office and its agency the information is:

  Non IT

  IT material

  Number

  Value

  Number

  Value

  (a) Items of equipment and furniture stolen:

  1996–97

  3

  £8,778.03

  nil

  —

  (b)Items of equipment and furniture unaccounted for:

  1996–97

  3

  £138.11

  nil

  —

  There were no individual items valued at £5,000 or more.

  River Dee Estuary
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the environmental protection measures he has taken in respect of the River Dee estuary. [17533]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The River Dee estuary has been classified as a special protection area under the EC wild birds directive in recognition of its internationally 278
  important populations of wintering and passage wildfowl, and designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention.

  Power Station Vapour Plumes (Deeside)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on Deeside of power station vapour plumes; and if he will make a statement. [17507]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None. The regulation of emissions from power stations is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cash Limits
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are proposed to the cash limit for class III vote 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for 1996–97. [18138]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The cash limit for class III vote 2 for 1996–97 will be reduced by £20,000,000 from £912,586,000 to £892,586,000 to offset increased non-cash limit expenditure for class III vote 1—the Intervention Board executive agency. This reduction comes from a mixture of savings on BSE-related schemes in the current financial year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Policy Initiatives
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to which policy initiative he has devoted most funding in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on progress with each initiative. [15243]

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's priorities are: to ensure that the overall cost of delivering the social security programme does not outstrip the nation's ability to pay; to bear down on fraud and abuse; to focus benefits on those who need them most; to improve incentives to work and save; and to encourage personal responsibility.

  In order to meet these priorities, the following key initiatives have been launched over the last five years.

  The Child Support Agency was launched in April 1993 to ensure both parents take financial responsibility for their children whenever they can afford to do so and is now securing consistently higher levels of maintenance for many thousands of lone parents.

  Incapacity benefit was introduced in April 1995 to simplify the structure of provision for the sick and disabled and improve the targeting of resources on the long-term sick. The reforms are expected to reduce benefit expenditure by over £2 billion in the long term.

  In July 1995, my right hon. Friend launched the security strategy to combat benefit fraud, putting new emphasis on prevention and deterrence whilst continuing to strengthen detection measures. The strategy has

  279
  produced year on year record savings and, under the "spend to save" initiative in the Budget, we expect to save a total of £7 billion over the next three years.

  The Pensions Act 1995 introduced major reforms to both state and private pensions. The equalisation of state pension age at 65 for men and women will strike the right balance between working population and pensioners. The reforms in private pension provision, most of which will come into force in April, will improve the security of pension funds without placing excessive burdens on employers, and strengthen the whole system of pension provision.

  Jobseeker's allowance was introduced in October 1996 to help people back into work by providing more assistance in their search for a job and work incentives such as the back to work bonus, and to target resources on those most in need.

  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is the first legislation of its kind anywhere in Europe. From 2 December 1996, the Act makes it unlawful for an employer with 20 or more staff—employers with fewer than this number are exempt from the Act's employment provisions—unjustifiably to treat a disabled employee or prospective employee less favourably than other people for a reason relating to his or her disability and for service providers to deny disabled people access to their services. The Act also creates new powers to set minimum access standards for new buses, taxis, trains and trams. The Act also established the National Disability Council to advise the Government on matters relating to the elimination of discrimination against disabled people and the operation of the Act.

  A three-year pilot of the earnings top-up scheme was launched in October 1996 to help people without dependant children enter and remain in work. We are also investing £20 million in our "parent plus" initiative which, from April, will offer help and advice to lone parents who want to work. A range of options will be tested over three years, including the involvement of the private sector.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the number gaining and (b) the annual cost of extending payments of incapacity benefit for four weeks once a claimant has found a job. [15796]

  Mr. Burt
  Information on which to base such an estimate will not be available until early 1998 when results are due from the current survey of people leaving incapacity benefit.

  Benefits (Effects of Study Rule)
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the annual cost and (b) the numbers gaining, broken down by benefit for (i) under-19-year-olds, (ii) those between 19 years and 25 years and (iii) over-25-year-olds of allowing a 21 hours per week study rule across all means-tested contributory and non-contributory benefits. [15868]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  There is insufficient information on which to base an estimate.
  280
  Allowing a 21-hour study rule would affect only the income-related benefits and both the income-based and contribution-based routes into jobseeker's allowance because other benefits already allow study of up to 21 hours without loss of entitlement, or place no restrictions on hours of study generally.

  Minimum Age Requirements
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15920]

  Mr. Burt
  The minimum age at which social security benefits become payable, and liability for national insurance contributions commences, is usually 16 years. Other minimum ages are given in the table.

  Benefit description

  Minimum age (years, unless stated otherwise)

  Category A and B retirement pension; graduated retirement benefit

  65 (men)

  60 (women)

  Category C and D retirement pension

  80

  Age addition

  80

  Widow's pension

  45

  Attendance allowance

  65

  Disability living allowance:

  Care component;

  three months

  Mobility component.

  five months

  Jobseeker's allowance (JSA)

  116

  JSA pensioner premium

  Claimant or partner aged 60

  JSA enhanced pensioner premium

  Partner aged 75

  JSA higher pensioner premium

  Partner aged 80 if awarded on age grounds, or claimant or partner aged 60 if awarded on disability or incapacity grounds

  Industrial injuries disablement benefit

  No minimum age specified

  Retirement allowance

  65 (men)

  60 (women)

  Industrial injuries benefit

  No minimum age

  Income support

  18—available from age 16 for certain vulnerable groups

  Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit pensioner premium

  Claimant or partner aged 60

  Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit enhanced pensioner premium

  Claimant or partner aged 75

  Income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit higher pensioner premium

  Claimant or partner aged 80 if awarded on age grounds, or 60 if awarded on disability or incapacity grounds

  War disablement pensions: age allowances

  65

  War widow's pension: age allowances

  65, 70 and 80

  Higher rate of war widow's pension

  40, if childless and capable of self support

  War pensions: higher allowance to child "over the age limit" and incapable of self support

  18

  Child benefit

  None

  One parent benefit

  None

  281

  Benefit description

  Minimum age (years, unless stated otherwise)

  Guardian's allowance

  None

  Earnings top-up2

  18

  Council tax benefit

  18

  1 For income-based jobseeker's allowance 16 to 17-year-olds have no entitlement to benefit as such because the Government guarantee a place on training or in education. Certain vulnerable 16 to 17-year-olds are able to claim under the severe hardship provisions.

  2 Earnings top-up is being piloted in eight areas of the country, for three years from October 1996. It is an income-related benefit for those without dependent children (single people and couples) who work 16 hours a week or more.

  Housing and Council Tax Benefits
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on representations received by the Social Security Advisory Committee about the changes announced on 26 November 1996 in housing benefit and council tax benefit; and when he expects to announce his conclusions on this consultation. [16170]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Social Security Advisory Committee will be reporting by the end of this month on the housing benefit changes which were announced on 26 November 1996. We will consider carefully the report before taking final decisions.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of(a) the cost and (b) the number gaining if free school meals were extended to those in receipt of family credit. [16672]

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

  Cost and number gaining from extending entitlement to free school meals to families receiving family credit 1997–98

  Estimated cost

  £150 million

  Number of families gaining

  540,000

  Number of dependants gaining

  1 million

  1. Costs are rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  2. Gainers are rounded to the nearest 5,000

  Income Support
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what has been the number and value of(a) overpayments and (b) underpayments of income support in each year since its introduction; and what projections he has made of future errors; [17524]

  (2) what action has been taken to correct incorrect income support payments; and what amount has been(a) recovered, and (b) compensated; [17525]

  (3) if he will list his Department's estimate of the extent of incorrect income support payments by (a) region and(b) area. [17526]

  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.
  282
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alan Milburn, dated 25 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what has been the number and value of (a) over-payments and (b) under-payments of Income Support (IS) in each year since its introduction; and what projections he has made of future errors; what action has been taken to correct incorrect IS payments; and what amount has been (a) recovered, and (b) compensated; and if he will list his Department's estimate of the extent of incorrect IS payments by (a) region and (b) area.
  The number and value of over-payments and under-payments of IS in each year since its introduction and future projections are shown at Appendix A.
  Incorrect IS payments are identified and corrected by means of routine checks and case-reviews, or in response to customer queries and appeals.
  In addition to routine procedures outlined above, there have been a number of special exercises, both national and local, to identify and correct errors made in specific categories of cases. Two major exercises for which specific records have been kept are a scrutiny of all mortgage cases and as a result of this exercise £77,865,018 million was recovered and £7,640,614 refunded to customers; and a scrutiny of live cases with potential entitlement to Severe Disability Premium and as a result of this exercise arrears of approximately £90 million were paid to customers.
  Since April 1991, the total of IS overpayments recovered is £345,180,580. These figures apply to overpayments resulting from a variety of causes, including fraud and customer error. Overpayments arising solely from official error are not normally recovered.
  Compensation is given for many reasons including misleading advice and delayed payment of benefit. Records were not kept prior to the inception of the Benefits Agency in April 1991. Since April 1991, the Agency has issued compensation of £18,659,361.87 to IS customers over and above normal benefit entitlement.
  Figures are provisional and subject to change.
  The estimate of the extent of incorrect IS payments by (a) region and (b) area is not available in the format requested. Information is available by Benefits Agency Area Directorates and Territories not by regions and is shown at Appendix B.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix A: National Audit Office figures for income support error

  Overpayments £ million

  Underpayments £ million

  Total number of cases found to be in error

  1988–891

  125

  35

  587,925

  1989–90

  87.6

  57.2

  626,256

  1990–91

  115.5

  69.7

  609,008

  1991–92

  231.7

  86.8

  850,070

  1992–93

  465.2

  136.2

  925,025

  1993–94

  540.1

  76.6

  972,888

  1994–95

  546.1

  182.7

  925,911

  1995–96

  485.4

  167.5

  879,357

  1996–97

  363.5

  131.7

  —

  1 These figures include income support errors, classed by the National Audit Office, as "non-cash" errors, which represent no overall financial loss or gain to the department, as they are offset by under or overpayments of another benefit. Figures for subsequent years exclude non-cash errors.

  Figures for 1988–89 to 1995–96 are National Audit Office estimates.

  Figures for 1996–97 are a benefits agency projection.

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  283

  Appendix B: Percentage of income support payment found to be accurate (1996–97 year to date)

  Area directorates (AD)

  Accuracy performance Per cent.

  AD 1 East London and Anglia

  76.4

  AD 2 Chilterns

  78.0

  AD 3 London South

  76.3

  AD 4 West Country

  80.1

  AD 5 Mercia

  81.6

  AD 6 West Midlands

  82.0

  AD 7 Wales

  85.3

  Southern territory total

  79.4

  AD 8 North West Coast

  80.9

  AD 9 Greater Manchester

  81.2

  AD 10 Yorkshire

  81.5

  AD 11 Tyne Tees

  84.1

  AD 12 West of Scotland

  83.6

  AD 13 East of Scotland

  84.8

  Northern territory total

  82.6

  Estimates of monetary value of error are not statistically valid at area level. Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Monetary value of error for 1996–97 projected by the benefits agencies quality support teams

  Underpayments £ million

  Overpayments £ million

  Total £ million

  Percentage of programme expenditure

  Southern Territory

  100.6

  287.3

  387.9

  3.5

  Northern Territory

  31.1

  76.2

  107.3

  1.6

  National

  131.7

  363.5

  513.4

  2.8

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the conclusion of his review of income support direct payments announced on 19 July. [17970]

  All recently retired pensioner units average income breakdown by quintile

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Income source

  1990–91 £

  1992 £

  11994–95 £

  1990–91 £

  1992 £

  11994–95 £

  1990–91 £

  1992 £

  11994–95 £

  Investment income

  4.50

  21.80

  4.70

  8.10

  9.10

  7.20

  18.10

  23.20

  11.20

  Occupational pension

  5.70

  9.40

  7.20

  12.70

  14.10

  21.50

  33.40

  37.50

  41.00

  Gross income

  96.60

  121.80

  105.60

  114.00

  124.70

  137.70

  162.50

  176.10

  170.00

  Net income

  84.70

  95.90

  97.20

  102.60

  115.20

  127.10

  143.40

  158.60

  156.50

  1 Denotes a small sample size these estimates should be used with particular caution.

  1. The figures provided are subject to statistical variability and should be used with caution.

  2. All incomes quoted are rounded to the nearest 1op, at July 1994 prices. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated. Components may not sum, due to rounding.

  3. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA. A recently retired pensioner unit is defined as a pensioner unit where the head of the benefit unit is less than five years older than SPA.

  4. Due to inadequate sample sizes, information cannot be given for recently retired pensioners by decile groups and recently retired pensioner couples for 1992 and 1994–95.

  5. The family expenditure survey does not separately identify income from either personal pensions or state earnings-related pensions. Any personal pension details are recorded as investment income.

  6. Quintiles have been constructed based on the equivalised before housing costs net income distribution. This is consistent with table 5 of "The Pensioners' Income Series 1994–95."

  7. Comparisons of estimates from different years may not give reliable results. It is recommended that these estimates are used to indicate trends over time and that year on year comparisons should be avoided.
  284
  Mr. Lilley
  I have completed my review of direct payments for fuel and water, which included consultation with over 60 interested groups including the regulators, utility companies and consumer groups.

  I have concluded that the direct payments scheme continues to play an important role in protecting benefit recipients who might otherwise be at risk of having their fuel or water supply disconnected, and for whom no alternative payment methods are suitable, but it is clear that the scheme is used by some people who are capable of making their own arrangements with the utility company. Those who are capable of managing their own financial affairs should be encouraged to do so. I therefore intend to maintain the scheme for the foreseeable future, as a last resort measure to avoid disconnection, but to make more explicit the circumstances whereby direct payments remain appropriate.

  I intend to introduce amending regulations to define more clearly the eligibility conditions for the scheme, and to agree with each utility industry a new code of practice on the application of the new rules.

  Copies of the report of my review are available in the Library.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate for newly retired(a) pensioners and (b) pensioner couples in 1990–91, 1992 and 1994–95 (i) average nvestment income by quintile and by decile, (ii) average occupational pension income by quintile and by decile, (iii) average personal pension income by quintile and by decile, (iv) average state earnings-related pension scheme income by quintile and by decile and (v) average income from all sources by quintile and by decile. [17474]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
  285

  Income source

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  1990–91 £

  1992

  11994–95

  1990–91

  1992

  11994–95

  1990–91

  1992

  1994–95

  Investment income

  42.00

  42.50

  27.20

  146.80

  130.30

  118.10

  43.80

  45.30

  33.50

  Occupational pension

  63.10

  68.90

  78.00

  131.60

  169.30

  186.50

  49.20

  59.80

  66.60

  Gross income

  234.80

  242.90

  238.20

  462.80

  507.70

  529.80

  213.90

  234.50

  235.60

  Net income

  201.20

  215.80

  210.00

  370.00

  411.50

  418.80

  180.20

  199.30

  201.40

  1 Denotes a small sample size these estimates should be used with particular caution.

  1. The figures provided are subject to statistical variability and should be used with caution.

  2. All incomes quoted are rounded to the nearest lOp, at July 1994 prices. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated. Components may not sum, due to rounding.

  3. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA. A recently retired pensioner unit is defined as a pensioner unit where the head of the benefit unit is less than five years older than SPA.

  4. Due to inadequate sample sizes, information cannot be given for recently retired pensioners by decile groups and recently retired pensioner couples for 1992 and 1994–95.

  5. The family expenditure survey does not separately identify income from either personal pensions or state earnings-related pensions. Any personal pension details are recorded as investment income.

  6. Quintiles have been constructed based on the equivalised before housing costs net income distribution. This is consistent with table 5 of "The Pensioners' Income Series 1994–95."

  7. Comparisons of estimates from different years may not give reliable results. It is recommended that these estimates are used to indicate trends over time and that year on year comparisons should be avoided.

  Recently retired pensioner couples average income breakdown by quintile, 1990–91

  Income source

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Investment income

  6.00

  14.20

  23.20

  50.40

  171.40

  53.00

  Occupational pension

  8.40

  18.60

  44.20

  74.40

  179.70

  65.00

  Gross income

  112.30

  147.60

  198.90

  276.20

  563.30

  259.50

  Net income

  97.80

  132.60

  175.90

  237.20

  450.80

  218.70

  Notes:

  1. The figures provided are subject to statistical variability and should be used with caution.

  2. All incomes quoted are rounded to the nearest lop, at July 1994 prices. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated. Components may not sum, due to rounding.

  3. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA. A recently retired pensioner unit is defined as a pensioner unit where the head of the benefit unit is less than five years older than SPA.

  4. Due to inadequate sample sizes, information cannot be given for recently retired pensioners by decile groups and recently retired pensioner couples for 1992 and 1994–95.

  5. The family expenditure survey does not separately identify income from either personal pensions or state earnings-related pensions. Any personal pension details are recorded as investment income.

  6. Quintiles have been constructed based on the equivalised before housing costs net income distribution. This is consistent with table 5 of "The Pensioners' Income Series 1994–95."

  7. Comparisons of estimates from different years may not give reliable results. It is recommended that these estimates are used to indicate trends over time and that year on year comparisons should be avoided.

  Divorcees' Pension Rights
  Sir Roger Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish his proposals for the treatment of pension rights on divorce. [18137]

  Mr. Lilley
  The Government published a Green Paper on this topic in July 1996. We promised that, following the consultation period, a White Paper would be published in the spring. I have today published the White Paper "Pension rights on Divorce" (Cm 3564). Copies are available in the Library.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make changes to the administration of the discretionary social fund. [17969]
  286
  Mr. Roger Evans
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is introducing minor amendments to his directions and guidance on the help available from the discretionary social fund. These changes, which will take effect from 7 April, include amendments in consequence of the introduction of the Housing Act 1996 and the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, in England and Wales, and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. They also include a range of other minor improvements, the need for which we have identified in the course of our routine monitoring of the social fund.

  Details of these changes have been placed in the Library.

  Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
  Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
  Pension Rights on Divorce
  Pension Rights on Divorce
  The Arts: Tax Treatment of Corporate Donations
  The Arts: Tax Treatment of Corporate Donations
  Longer Term Road Schemes, Scotland and Northern Ireland
  Longer Term Road Schemes, Scotland and Northern Ireland
  Retention of Case Papers
  Retention of Case Papers
  Evidence Acquired by Intrusive Surveillance
  Evidence Acquired by Intrusive Surveillance
  Firearms Dealers: Compensation
  Firearms Dealers: Compensation
  Paedophilia
  Paedophilia
  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Dr. Jawad Hashim: Payments to Counsel
  Dr. Jawad Hashim: Payments to Counsel
  Gulf War: Use of Organophosphate Pesticides
  Gulf War: Use of Organophosphate Pesticides
  Armed Forces: Honorary Consultants and Doctors
  Armed Forces: Honorary Consultants and Doctors
  Joint Strike Fighter: MoD Officials' Employment
  Joint Strike Fighter: MoD Officials' Employment
  Defence Medical Services Organisation
  Defence Medical Services Organisation