Written Answers of 27 February 1997

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Courts (Induction Loop Systems)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many courts in England and Wales provide induction loop systems for people with hearing impairments; and what steps his Department has taken to raise awareness in the courts of the special needs of dual-sensory-impaired people. [17117]

  Mr. Streeter
  There are 40 courts in the Court Service with induction loop or infra-red systems for people with hearing impairments. Our records do not enable us to identify separately how any magistrates courts have induction loop systems, but we have provided grant funding to allow at least 50 courts to have induction loop or infra-red systems for people with hearing impairments.

  Through various building guides and published standards, we have made staff, local authorities and magistrates courts committees aware of the features to be included in new buildings and, subject to building constraints and funding availability, in older buildings, to meet the requirements of disabled people. Training courses for all new managers in the Court Service include sessions on disability awareness and managers are expected to raise these issues among their staff. Each court has customer liaison officer who is available to help disabled court users. The Court Service is currently producing an action plan to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Under section 22A(6) of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979, all magistrates court committees are required to have regard to the needs of court users who are disabled in discharging their responsibilities for the administration of the magistrates courts. My officials are currently working, in collaboration with a variety of disability organisations, on the production of a good practice guide covering disabled court users which is aimed at magistrates courts committees. The aim of the guide is to raise awareness in the magistrates courts of the special needs of all court users with disabilities. The guide will be published later in the year.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Servants (London Supplement)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the annual cost of paying a London supplement to civil servants working in London in the last year for which figures are available. [17686]

  Mr. Freeman
  The London weighting allowance was abolished on 1 October 1994. At that time, there were three levels of London weighting paid to non-industrial staff: inner London £1,776 per person per annum;288
  intermediate zone £1,015; and outer London £736. On the basis of where staff were employed on 1 April 1994, the total annual cost of the London allowances was £151 million. Since 1 April 1994, Departments and agencies have had delegated authority to determine the pay and allowances of their own staff.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Drug Tests)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what circumstances video recording occurs of prisoners giving urine samples for random drug tests; [16357]

  (2) how many prisoners have (a) been fined, (b) lost remission and (c) been subject to other disciplinary sanction for refusing to co-operate with a random drug test before a video camera. [16358]

  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. Kevin McNamara, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the circumstances under which video-recording occurs of prisoners giving urine samples for random drug testing; and disciplinary sanctions resulting from prisoners refusing to co-operate with such a test before a video camera.
  There are no circumstances under which a prisoner has given a sample of urine for the purposes of drug testing while being video-recorded. Consequently, no prisoners have been disciplined for refusal to co-operate with such conditions.

  Prison Visits (Recording)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the video recording of legal visits at(a) Belmarsh, (b) other prisons and (c) legal visiting rooms; [16049]

  (2) on what statutory basis the video recording of legal visits is permitted; [16050]

  (3) in what circumstances audio recording of legal visiting rooms is permitted. [16051]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answers 26 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. Tam Dalyell, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about video and audio recording of legal visits.
  I shall deal with your second and third Questions first. Prison Rule 37 provides that legal visits shall take place out of hearing but in the sight of an officer.
  One way to achieve this is to use CCTV without sound, recording the CCTV image on video tape to allow an officer to review the visit at a convenient time. The camera facilities used do not allow any documentation that may he open on the visits table to be read.
  The Prison Service does not permit the audio recording of legally privileged visits.

  289
  Belmarsh prison uses video-recorded CCTV without sound in the legal visits facility in its special secure unit (SSU). A system similar to that used in the SSU at Belmarsh is used in the other SSUs at Full Sutton and Whitemoor. CCTV without sound is used in the non-SSU legal visits rooms at Full Sutton, Long Lartin, Frankland and Wakefield, and can be video recorded if necessary. Information about the rest of the estate is not held centrally and accurate information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Belmarsh Prison
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours per day on average over the past 12 months prisoners in special secure units at Belmarsh prison have been confined to their cells; and if he will make a statement. [17309]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 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. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the hours prisoners have been confined to their cells in the special secure units (SSU) at Belmarsh prison.
  Prisoners are confined to their cells at all times outside of the core day. The core day at Belmarsh SSU is from 0830 to 2030 hours. In addition, during the core day prisoners are confined to their cells for the following periods of time:

  On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for 3 hoursjy40 minutes.

  On Wednesday for 6 hours and 15 minutes.

  On Saturday and Sunday for 5 hours and 25 minutes.

  The figures quoted are averages calculated over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been received from the solicitor representing Brian McHugh about the confidentiality and conditions for him to interview his client at Belmarsh prison; and if he will make a statement. [17368]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 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. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about representations received from the solicitor representing Brian McHugh.
  Mr. McHugh has been categorised as an exceptional risk Category A prisoner. Such prisoners are held in special secure units and are subject to closed visits. In exceptional circumstances an open visit may be allowed with the approval of the Director of Dispersal Prisons. The Prison Service has received a number of representations from the solicitor representing Mr. McHugh in support of applications for open legal visits.

  Prisons (Special Secure Units)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to put into practice the proposals contained in the report on health in the special secure units at Full Sutton, Whitemoor and Belmarsh prisons; and if he will make a statement. [17405]
  290
  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 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 Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 27 February, 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the implementation of the proposals contained in the report on health in the special secure units at Full Sutton, Whitemoor and Belmarsh prions.
  Sir Donald Acheson's review of the possible effects on the health of prisoners of the regime in the special secure units contained nine recommendations. Eight of these recommendations endorsed existing policy or have since been implemented through amendments to the SSU Operating Standards.
  We cannot accept the recommendation that prisoners in SSUs should have access to open visits with members of their immediate families. The recommendation was qualified by the assertion that it should be possible for the Prison Service to devise a system of open visits which prevented the passage of unauthorised items. The policy of closed visits was introduced in 1995 precisely because it represented—after analysis of the options and taking into account humanitarian concerns—the only guaranteed means of preventing the passage of such items.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are to be made to ensure that, if she gives birth while still in detention, Roisin McAliskey is not separated from her child; and if he will ensure that, if Ms McAliskey is extradited, she and her baby will not be separated. [17625]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 25 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 A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your Question about the arrangements to be made if Ms Roisin McAliskey gives birth while still in detention.
  Careful consideration is being given to the care of Ms McAliskey's baby should she give birth while detained in prison custody. No decisions have yet been taken. If Ms McAliskey is extradited to Germany, care arrangements will be matters for the German authorities.

  Firearms (Amendment) Bill (Administration)
  Sir Jerry Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra staff are to be taken on to administer the Firearms (Amendment) Bill following its enactment. [17452]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A new firearms compensation section is to be set up within the Home Office on a short-term basis and will initially comprise 50 staff. Their specific task will be to process claims from those persons who surrender their lawfully held handguns which become prohibited under the Act. Payments will also be made in respect of ancillary equipment used solely in connection with those handguns, and to owners of small calibre pistols who choose not to, or are unable to, join a licensed pistol club. In addition, there will be some new
  291
  work arising from the granting of licences for the new pistol clubs. It is expected that this work can be accommodated within existing resources.

  Foreign Students (Residence Restrictions)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions apply to the length of time students from(a) Australia, (b) Canada, (c) New Zealand and (d) South Africa may reside in the United Kingdom; and what permits are required. [17355]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  There is no upper limit on the time an overseas student may remain in the United Kingdom. A student who fully satisfies the requirements of the immigration rules will normally be given leave for the period of his course.

  The criteria for leave to enter or remain as a student are set out in the "Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules", HC 395, as amended, at paragraphs 57 to 62, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa do not need to obtain a visa before travelling to the United Kingdom as students. However, they may apply for an entry certificate should they wish to do so.

  Criminal Case Papers
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provisions on the retention of case papers in the code of practice prepared under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996. [18375]

  Mr. Howard
  I published a draft code on 4 July 1996 for consultation, modified it in the light of representations received, and laid it before Parliament on 18 December. The draft code required each chief police officer to develop his own policy on the retention of case papers, taking account of certain specified criteria. I received representations that the code should prescribe a national policy on this issue so that each police force followed the same practice. The version of the code which I laid before Parliament on 18 December contains a national policy in that it requires each police force to retain all material obtained by the police in the course of a criminal investigation which might be relevant to the investigation at least until the conclusion of the trial; and if the case resulted in a conviction following a not guilty plea, to retain the material for a further minimum period of one year following summary conviction or three years following conviction on indictment.

  At present, police forces are not subject to any statutory requirement to retain material for any specified period. Each police force has its own policy and there is no common practice. The effect of the provisions in the code is to increase protection for defendants by inserting a statutory minimum retention requirement where none exists at present. These provisions leave untouched the current ability of the police to retain material for any length of time beyond that. In very serious and high-profile cases, I would expect the police to continue to retain material for a long time, as they have tended to do under the informal arrangements which currently exist.
  292
  Nevertheless, in the light of concerns expressed recently about these provisions, I have concluded that the interests of justice would be better served by an alternative set of requirements. Accordingly, I intend to amend the code of practice so as to require the police to retain material at least until the end of the trial and then, in the event of a conviction, either until the convicted person is released from custody, if the court imposes a custodial sentence, or until six months from the date of conviction, if the court imposes a non-custodial sentence. Where a convicted person is given a short custodial sentence and would be released within six months of conviction, material would still have to be retained for at least six months. If an appeal is in progress at the end of one of these periods, or an application is being considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the period will be extended until the appeal is concluded or the commission makes a decision on the application.

  I will lay an amended code of practice before Parliament today.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Deregulation
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he received following the recent DTI consultation exercise on proposals made by the deregulation task force in respect of employment rights in small firms; which organisations submitted responses; and how the results of the exercise will be made available. [17490]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department received representations from some 90 organisations, businesses and individuals expressing a range of views which we are currently considering. I shall be placing a list of the organisations which replied in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Regional Services
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff directly employed by the DTI were providing DTI services to the regions in each year from 1990 to date. [17305]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The table shows the number of permanent staff—full-time equivalents—directly employed in the Department's regional offices between 1990 and 1993. In 1994, my Department's regional offices integrated with those of the Departments of the Environment, of Transport and of Employment, as it then was, and the table shows the number of permanent staff employed by DTI in the integrated Government offices from 1994. DTI staff in the GOs may carry out work for other Departments; similarly, staff in the GOs employed by other Departments may provide DTI services.1 April 1990: 1,004
  1 April 1991: 1,013
  1 April 1992: 996.5
  1 April 1993: 980.5
  1 April 1994: 988
  1 April 1995: 880.5
  1 April 1996: 796.1
  1 January 1997: 704.4
  293
  Prior to 1 April 1995, part-time staff were counted as 0.5 of a full-time equivalent. Staff working fewer than 10 hours per week were excluded from the count. From 1 April 1995, the full-time equivalent of all part-time staff was based on actual hours worked.

  Institute of Food Research
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total expenditure of the Institute of Food Research in each year since 1986 in(a) cash and (b) constant prices. [17658]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The figures are shown in the table.

  Institute of Food Research expenditure—1986–96

  Year

  Current cash expenditure £000

  At constant cash prices3£000

  Capital cash £000

  1986–87

  11,541

  17,838

  1,927

  1987–88

  12,473

  18,304

  1,380

  1988–89

  13,321

  18,322

  1,307

  1989–90

  13,810

  17,754

  3,123

  1990–911

  13,580

  16,168

  4,564

  1991–922

  14,083

  15,757

  1,200

  1992–93

  14,834

  15,927

  1,334

  1993–94

  14,676

  15,314

  1,119

  1994–95

  15,162

  15,545

  1,022

  1995–96

  15,448

  15,448

  1,417

  Notes:

  1 Bristol site closed.

  2 Move to Whiteknights site at Reading (Shinfield site closed).

  3 Using November 1996 GDP deflators.

  Genetic Testing (Insurance)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the new guidelines issued by the Association of British Insurers relating to the use of the results of genetic testing. [17366]

  £ million

  Cost of advisors

  1995–96 Budgeted passenger revenue

  Budgeted support to BR for whole year

  Including administered profit1

  Support paid at franchising (year 1)

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Intercity West Coast

  1.96

  251.80

  92.53

  19.12

  76.800

  68.362

  56.091

  53.675

  52.254

  North London Lines

  1.12

  64.30

  54.87

  4.87

  48.600

  35.501

  29.627

  26.415

  23.040

  Thameslink

  1.02

  82.10

  16.43

  5.34

  2.500

  -6.748

  -16.204

  -22.466

  -23.224

  Central Trains1

  1.14

  75.80

  198.10

  7.64

  187.549

  173.365

  153.681

  145.794

  140.922

  North West Regional

  Railways1

  1.42

  54.30

  191.90

  6.77

  184.900

  168.900

  153.411

  140.815

  134.828

  Regional Railways North

  East1

  1.40

  76.30

  223.20

  7.80

  224.539

  197.054

  175.791

  164.311

  156.327

  ScotRail1

  1.31

  117.70

  292.30

  11.17

  280.100

  264.841

  250.539

  234.911

  220.351

  Total

  9.37

  722.30

  1,069.33

  62.71

  1,004.99

  901.28

  802.94

  743.46

  704.50

  Savings on BR support

  64.34

  168.06

  266.39

  325.88

  364.83

  Cumulative savings

  64.34

  232.40

  498.79

  824.67

  1,189.50

  294
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: I welcome the statement by the Association of British Insurers outlining its current position on genetic testing and the use of genetic information in the underwriting process. The Government have been urging the ABI to make constructive proposals to deal with public concern on this important issue and I am pleased that some progress has been made. The prospect of a wider range of genetic tests becoming available in the future, with greater sophistication in the interpretation of test results, means that the implications for insurance must be kept under constant review. My Department, with the Department of Health, has established the Human Genetic Advisory Commission to examine this sort of issue, taking account of continuing development in genetic science.

  Industrial Action and Trade Unions
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library copies of the views submitted in response to the Green Paper on industrial action and trade unions (Cm 3470). [17920]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I shall arrange for a list of respondents to the Green Paper to be placed in the Library of the House shortly after the end of the consultation period on 28 February. Since respondents were not asked to indicate whether they were willing for their comments to be published, it would not be appropriate to make the responses themselves available. However, some respondents may be willing to supply copies of their comments on request.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each franchise let since 13 January the details of payments to or from the franchisee in the same format as his answer of 13 January,Official Report, columns 119–20, indicating the support previously paid to British Rail for the franchises and the amounts of administered profit included within such support. [17191]

  Mr. Watts
  The information is set out in the tables.
  295

  £ million

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Year 13

  Year 14

  Year 15

  Intercity West Coast

  -3.885

  -52.705

  -55.840

  -72.029

  -126.625

  -151.557

  -167.600

  -184.528

  -202.194

  -220.305

  North London Lines

  19.968

  16.919

  15.805

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Thameslink

  -27.015

  -28.434

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Central Trains1

  136.638

  132.645

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  North West Regional Railways1

  129.745

  125.518

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Regional Railways North East1

  150.493

  145.579

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  ScotRail1

  209.254

  202.494

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Total

  615.20

  542.02

  -40.04

  -72.03

  -126.63

  -151.56

  -167.60

  -184.53

  -202.19

  -220.31

  Savings on BR support

  454.13

  527.31

  187.44

  164.56

  219.16

  244.09

  260.13

  277.06

  294.72

  312.84

  Cumulative savings

  1,643.63

  2,170.94

  2,358.38

  2,522.94

  2,742.09

  2,986.18

  3,246.31

  3,523.37

  3,818.09

  4,130.93

  Notes:

  1 The BR support figures for these franchises have been restated on a comparable basis to the franchise agreement and include budgeted payments from the passenger transport executives.

  2 Not covered by the franchise.

  The year 1 franchise payment is the amount to be paid for 1997–98. Any amounts to be paid in 1996–97 have been excluded from this table.

  It is expected that these franchises will commence between 2 March and 1 April 1997.

  Payments to the franchising director appear as negative amounts.

  All payments are real amounts.

  Advisor costs are correct to January 1997.

  This table makes no assumption about the potential for cost savings if the franchisees had remained in BR ownership.

  Contracts
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the contracts awarded by his 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. [17607]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information requested is set out in the table. The value of individual contracts has not been revealed on the grounds that this information is commercially confidential.

  Contractor

  Nature of Contract

  1992

  Capita

  Financial Reporting Review

  1993

  BMI

  Health Screening

  Capita

  Financial Services

  Capita

  Financial Reporting Review

  Capita

  Market Testing

  Capita

  Financial Adviser

  EDS

  Provision of Computer Services

  EDS

  Provision of Computer Services

  EDS

  Provision of Computer Services

  EDS

  Provision of Computer Services

  Sema

  Office Systems Feasibility Study

  1994

  EDS

  Phase I of IS Strategy

  Sema/BAE

  Study of new and combined Technologies and Optical Technique in Variable Message Signs

  Sema

  IT Consultancy

  1995

  Capita

  Marketing Support for Staff Welfare

  1996

  Capita

  Administration of Driving Theory Test

  Capita

  Advice on the production of a new Resource Accounting and Management Information System

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  Contractor

  Nature of Contract

  Capita

  Development of Training Strategy

  Capita/RAS

  General Recruitment Services

  EDS

  Phase II of IS Strategy

  Freight Facilities Grants
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlie the overestimate in the budget for freight facilities grants for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [16526]

  Mr. Watts
  The 1994–95 freight grants budget was £13.347 million. This was notionally split into £3.347 million freight facilities grants and £10 million for the new track access grants. Spend on FFG at year end was £2,803 million. The shortfall was caused by two large claims not being submitted until the following year.

  The 1995–96 freight grants budget was £14,415 million, notionally split into £3.415 million for FFG and £11 million for TAG. FFG spend was £4.007 million.

  The provision made for TAG in these years was based on independent consultancy assessment of rail freight traffic likely to face difficulty in meeting newly introduced Railtrack track access charges. The first TAG awards were made during 1996 and payments are now being made.

  Pescado (Sinking)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the marine accidents investigation branch report into the sinking of the fishing vessel Pescado; and if he will make a statement. [17938]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Secretary of State has not yet received the report of the marine accidents investigation branch inspector's inquiry into the sinking of the fishing vessel Pescado. Normally, such a report would be submitted within one year of the incident. The delay in this case was due to the criminal prosecution of the operator of
  297
  the Pescado and subsequent appeals. Now that criminal proceedings are at an end, the MAIB will complete the process prior to publication of the report, which is required by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994 and will submit the report to the Secretary of State for him to consider in due course. In line with the requirements of these regulations, the Secretary of State normally publishes reports into incidents shortly after they have been received.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to amend the Highways Agency's 1996–97 key business plan targets. [18334]

  Mr. Watts
  I have reviewed the Highways Agency's key targets and decided that the business plan should be amended to reflect decisions taken during the year.

  The following 1996–97 targets are deferred, reflecting the new timing or priority of these schemes. They should be deleted from annex D of the plan: "Roads Programme Completion, Starts and Other Milestones":
  A650 Hard Ings Road Improvement: (Public Inquiry)
  A40 Gypsy Corner Improvement: (Award of Contract)
  A40 Western Circus Junction Improvement: (Award of Contract)
  London Primary Route Signing Project: (Award of Contract)
  A30/A36/A46/A303: (DBFO Tender Invitation).

  Milestones which are added to annex D are:
  Al Tempsford Junction Improvement: (Publication of Orders).

  A copy of the Highways Agency business plan 1996–97 is in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  South Yorkshire Supertram
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 319, what estimate he has made of the effect of the further £20 million in credit approvals on the South Yorkshire supertram, on council tax rates of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster following his announcement; and if he will make a statement. [17511]

  Mr. Curry
  The £20 million supplementary credit approval offered to South Yorkshire passenger transport authority will allow it to set a lower levy in 1997–98. We estimate that each £20 million in the levy is equivalent to around £56 in council tax for band D two-adult households in each of the four South Yorkshire districts.

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund (Wythenshawe)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of and implications for Wythenshawe of the announcement made by the Minister of State for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration in Manchester on 18 February in relation to round 2 of the estates renewal challenge fund; and if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the announcement. [17289]
  298
  Mr. Curry
  My announcement of the successful bids for funds from round 2 of the estates renewal challenge fund is good news for the residents of Wythenshawe. Manchester have been allocated almost £21 million towards the costs of the regeneration of 7,000 properties in the Wythenshawe area. If the tenants agree, their homes will transfer to a new local housing company and will then benefit from an estimated additional £64 million of investment, beyond what would be possible if the housing stayed with the council. This area is already a successful bidder for Government support under the single regeneration budget so the estate transfer will enable a comprehensive area renewal policies to be pursued by public-private sector partnership. The text of the announcement on the estates renewal challenge fund has been published in the Official Report. I refer the hon. Member to column 420 on Monday 17 February.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the licences issued in 1996 by his Department for the destruction of wild birds. [17836]

  Mr. Clappison
  Details of licences issued by my Department to kill wild birds are contained in the report by the United Kingdom to the European Community on derogations under article 9 of the directive on the conservation of wild birds, 79/409/EEC. The latest report for which figures are available covers 1995. Figures are not yet available for 1996, but when the report has been prepared a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Terrorism
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance he intends to provide towards the costs of clearing up after the terrorist attacks on London docklands and Manchester city centre on 9 February 1996 and 15 June 1996. [18142]

  Mr. Curry
  The Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report No. 26 has today been laid before the House. The report provides for grant—up to a total of £2.5 million—to be made available to the London borough of Tower Hamlets, Manchester city council and Greater Manchester Police Authority towards the costs of dealing with the aftermath and loss of income suffered as a consequence of the terrorist attacks of 9 February 1996 on south quay on the Isle of Dogs and of 15 June 1996 on Manchester city centre.

  Subject to the approval of the House, grant will be payable on those costs necessarily incurred by each authority in the six months following the explosions as a direct result of responding to and clearing up after the incidents. The authorities will also receive some recompense for loss of income during the same period directly or indirectly attributable to the explosions. Insurable expenditure or loss of income will not, however, be eligible for grant; nor will costs which are eligible for other grants or credit approvals.

  Direct Labour (Wolverhampton)
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the response of Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council to the
  299
  notice served on it on 11 September 1996 in respect of its decision to assign highway maintenance, winter maintenance and street lighting work to its direct labour organisation. [18141]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has considered the response made by the authority on 10 October. He has today served a direction on the authority because it still appears to him that the authority acted in an anti-competitive manner in assigning work to its direct labour organisation. He took this view because of the way in which the authority undertook the evaluation of bids. The effect of the direction is to require the authority to seek consent if, when it retenders the work at the end of the current assignment, it wishes to continue to carry it out in-house.

  Granny Annexes
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response was received to the consultation paper on proposed changes in the treatment of granny annexes and similar self-contained units of accommodation when they form part of a larger property. [18376]

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I proposed changing the ways in which council tax is assessed for self-contained units of accommodation when they form part of a larger property. We consulted with local authorities and organisations representing the elderly and disabled. The list of responses received has been placed in the Library of the House. The responses were overwhelmingly positive. We have accepted the views of many respondents that our objectives can be achieved more simply by means of an exemption.

  We now propose that from 1 April 1997 any part of a property, such as an annexe, which is occupied by a dependent relative of the family in the other part of the building, will be an exempt dwelling, where "dependent" means:

  (a) aged 65 years or more,

  (b) severely mentally impaired within the meaning given in paragraph 2 of schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992, or

  (c) substantially and permanently disabled (whether by illness injury, congenital deformity or otherwise).

  and "relative" means: spouse, parent, grandparent, child, stepchild, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece, or the parent or child of such a relative, including a relationship by marriage and of the half-blood.

  These changes will apply in England and in Wales.

  Landlord and Tenant Report
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in the light of the Law Commission's report, "Landlord and Tenant: Responsibility for State and Condition of Property Law", Com. No. 238. [18377]

  Mr. Clappison
  I am grateful to the Law Commission for its very full and helpful analysis of this area of the law in England and Wales.
  300
  Of the commission's four main recommendations for change, we agree that the law should be amended so that, in respect of new leases, etcetera created after the commencement of the new provisions:
  there should be implied into every lease, subject to the exceptions listed below, a covenant that the landlord shall keep the premises in repair, to a standard which is appropriate having regard to the age, character and prospective life of the premises and to their locality. This would not apply to a lease of a dwelling house for a term of less than seven years: to a lease of an agricultural holding; to a farm business tenancy; or to an oral lease. Nor would it apply in cases where there was an express repairing covenant in the lease, or the implied covenant was expressly excluded in the lease. Where the premises which are leased form part only of a building, and the landlord has an interest in other associated premises within the building, a similar repairing covenant would apply in respect of the associated premises.
  a court should have a power to decree specific performance of a repairing obligation in any lease or tenancy
  the law of waste should not longer apply in most cases, and the implied covenant that a tenant will use premises let to him in a tenantlike manner should be abolished. Instead, an implied statutory covenant or duty should be created by which any tenant or licensee would undertake to take proper care of the premises, including any common parts of the building; to make good any damage wilfully done to them by him or by others with a right to be on the premises; and not to carry out works to the property which would be detrimental to the landlord's or licensor's interest.

  The commission also recommended that, with certain exceptions, there should be implied into a lease of a dwelling house for a term of less than seven years a covenant by the lessor that the dwelling is fit for human habitation at the start of the lease and that the lessor will keep it fit during the lease. We are not yet able to come to a view on this recommendation, since a review of the fitness standard is currently taking place.

  Once that review is complete, we will resume consideration of the commission's recommendation on fitness of dwellings and, when we have reached a decision, seek a suitable legislative opportunity for the implementation of the agreed proposals.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for extending the non-fossil fuel obligation subsidy to facilities which operate anaerobic digestion and energy recovery. [17520]

  Mr. Page
  I have been asked to reply.

  Energy recovery facilities which employ anaerobic digestion have been eligible to bid for contracts under the non-fossil fuel obligation. NFFO policy will be reviewed before the next order, NFFO5, is announced.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Appointments
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will name the members of the independent appointment panels or committees
  301
  established to advise on appointments to non-departmental public bodies made by her since July 1995. [10275]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The first Department of National Heritage public appointments advisory panel was held in September 1996. The following are advisory panel members:

  Professor Dawn Ades

  Dr. Eric Anderson

  Dr. John Ashworth

  Averil Burgess OBE

  Professor Averil Cameron

  Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll DBE

  Matthew Evans

  The right hon. Lord Faringdon

  Professor Sir Brian Follet

  Sir Christopher France GCB

  Sir Ernest Hall OBE

  Sir Denys Henderson

  Dr. Anne McLaren DBE

  Michael Moriarty CB

  John Neill CBE

  Dennis Stevenson CBE

  Sir Rodney Walker

  Sir David Wilson

  Sports Clubs and Recreational Charities
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidance has been issued to valuation officers when assessing the rateable values of premises occupied by voluntary sports clubs and recreational charities; and if she will make a statement. [18276]

  Mr. Sproat
  Following consultations with the National Playing Field Society and the Central Council for Physical Recreation, the Valuation Office agency has issued additional guidance to valuation officers about the rating of premises occupied by voluntary sports clubs and recreational charities. This further guidance has been agreed with the representative bodies I have mentioned, and gives advice on a number of rating valuation aspects including ability to pay and lottery funding. In addition, it should assist with the speedier settlement of any appeals by occupiers of the type of property in question.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mrs. Knight) is the Treasury Minister responsible for the Valuation Office agenda and she, like me, welcomes this useful step which in some circumstances should be of benefit to voluntary sports clubs and recreational charities.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Overseas Aid
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries currently contribute 0.7 per cent. or more of gross domestic product to overseas aid; and if he will make a statement. [17739]
  302
  Dr. Liam Fox
  Four Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries—Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands—contribute 0.7 per cent. or more of gross national product to overseas development assistance. In 1995, the UK provided 0.28 per cent. of GNP for development assistance-above the average for all donors of 0.27 per cent.

  The UK was second only to the Netherlands in total—public and private—resource flows to developing countries, contributing 1.38 per cent. of GNP—ahead of the UN target of 1 per cent.

  International Fund for Agricultural Development
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the final outcome of the negotiations to replenish the international fund for agricultural development; and what will be the United Kingdom contributions. [18275]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development announced that agreement was reached last week on the fourth replenishment of the international fund for agricultural development. With pledges of around $360 million from the developed countries, some $100 million from the oil producers and developing countries together, the release by the developed countries of some $16 million from the third replenishment, and anticipated reflows and investment income, IFAD should be able to maintain a very satisfactory level of annual lending commitments over the next three years.

  The UK's contribution to the fourth replenishment will be $22.01 million—£13.6 million—for which parliamentary approval will be sought in due course. In addition, we will release our share—rather less than $1 million—of the funds previously blocked under the third replenishment: this is not a new financial commitment, promissory notes for the amount having already been lodged.

  I am pleased to say that the UK, as convenor of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development group, the largest of the donor groups, played an influential role in securing agreement on the fourth replenishment.

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the first year revenue which would be raised by the Exchequer from a 50 per cent. rate of income tax on taxable incomes of over £100,000 per annum. [16564]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated first year yield at 1997–98 income levels of introducing a new rate of 50 per cent. on taxable incomes above £100,000 is £660 million; the full year yield is £1.4 billion. It does not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the new rate of tax.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [16790]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The table gives the number of written and oral questions answered by Treasury Ministers since 1982–83. Figures for earlier years are not available.

  Session

  Written

  Oral

  1982–83

  1,343

  283

  1983–84

  2,743

  591

  1984–85

  2,225

  498

  1985–86

  1,680

  381

  1986–87

  1,340

  157

  1987–88

  3,244

  464

  1988–89

  2,694

  330

  1989–90

  2,145

  338

  1990–91

  1,465

  251

  1991–92

  859

  148

  1992–93

  2,857

  402

  1993–94

  1,742

  217

  1994–95

  2,031

  246

  1995–96

  1,621

  251

  1996–971

  1,048

  120

  1 To 25 February.

  Table 1: Number of deaths which occurred in England and Wales

  Weeks ending

  3rd January

  10th January

  17th January

  24th January

  31st January

  January average

  1992

  13,848

  13,846

  12,985

  12,301

  12,668

  13,130

  1993

  15,568

  13,545

  12,510

  11,740

  11,481

  12,969

  1994

  13,495

  13,256

  12,497

  12,239

  11,662

  12,630

  1995

  12,894

  13,025

  12,483

  12,267

  12,296

  12,593

  19961

  15,879

  14,964

  13,204

  12,109

  12,243

  13,680

  19971

  16,612

  17,255

  15,699

  13,774

  12,012

  15,070

  1 Death occurrences for 1996 and 1997 are provisional. Figures for 1997 are the latest available. They will be incomplete owing to some January deaths waiting to be registered and added to the ONS database.

  You also asked a related question on three-weekly numbers of deaths. The highest numbers of three-weekly death occurrences in England and Wales for each of the past five years are provided in Table 2 on the following page. Table 1 above shows the average weekly deaths for each January in England and Wales.

  Table 2: Highest figures of three-weekly deaths in England and Wales

  Figure

  1992

  38,787

  1993

  40,926

  1994

  37,992

  1995

  44,235

  19961

  42,831

  1 Death occurrences for 1996 are provisional. I hope this reply has been helpful.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the five most recent occasions prior to 10 January when the weekly death rate recorded in England and Wales exceeded 19,000. [16906]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 20 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.
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  The analyses sought of questions not answered substantively are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Death Rate
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the death rate for(a) the weeks ending 3 January, 10 January, 17 January, 24 January and 31 January and (b) the nearest equivalent week in each of the previous five years; [16905]

  (2) if he will list for each of the past five years (a) the highest three-weekly death rate recorded by the registrar-general and (b) the average weekly death rate for each January. [16767]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 20 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 27 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question asking how many deaths occurred in (a) the week ending 3rd January, 10th January, 17th January, 24th January and 31st January and (b) the nearest equivalent week in each of the previous five years. The numbers of deaths in England and Wales are provided in Table 1 below.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr Rhodri Morgan, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question asking if he will list the five most recent occasions prior to 10th January when the weekly deaths recorded in England and Wales exceeded 19,000. This figure is close to the provisional number of death registrations in the week ending January 10th 1997. A search of similar weekly registrations produced the figures listed in the table below.

  Week ending: published

  Recorded number of death registrations in England and Wales, by ONS (OPCS)

  January 6th 19621

  19,522

  January 2nd 19701

  25,007

  January 9th 19701

  20,914

  305

  Week ending: published

  Recorded number of death registrations in England and Wales, by ONS (OPCS)

  December 22nd 19891

  19,180

  January 1st 1994

  24,375

  1 These figures are from the Registrar-General's Weekly Return which was discontinued in January 1994.

  The closure of Register Offices over holiday periods will affect numbers of death registrations. The week following a closure results in offices receiving a backlog of registrations from the previous week. This may contribute to high figures found in the week following a holiday period.
  I hope this reply has been helpful.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [17062]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information is as follows for the Treasury, the revenue departments and the Chancellor's agencies—all values being approximate:HM Treasury
  Seventeen items of equipment and furniture valued at £1,300 were recorded as stolen or unaccounted for and 17 IT items valued at £15,600 were recorded as stolen or unaccounted. None of the items was valued over £5,000.
  Inland Revenue
  Three hundred and eighty-eight items of equipment (or components) with a total value of £460,000, were reported lost or stolen. This includes one item over £5,000, an Escala server valued at £19,000.
  HM Customs and Excise
  Two hundred and fourteen items of equipment and furniture valued at £87,000 were recorded as losses. Of these, 97 were stolen and 117 were not accountable; 125 IT items valued at £121,000 have been recorded as losses. Of these, 109 were stolen and 16 were not accountable.
  Valuation Office
  Eleven items of furniture and equipment with a total value of £600 were reported stolen; 72 IT items were recorded stolen, valued £78,700. No items were valued over £5,000.
  Paymaster
  No equipment or furniture stolen or unaccounted for
  The Royal Mint
  Three items were unaccounted for with a total of £820. No items have been recorded stolen.
  Office for National Statistics
  No items of furniture and equipment were reported stolen or unaccounted; 73 IT items were recorded stolen which valued £24,000. No items recorded were valued over £5,000.
  National Savings
  One item was recorded stolen with a value of £750.

  Inheritance Tax (Access to Works of Art)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions his Department has taken over the last three years to make the public aware of their rights of access to homes containing works of art granted exemption from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement. [17185]

  Mr. Jack
  Since January 1994, the Inland Revenue has issued quarterly press releases publicising the public's right of access, by appointment, to those works of art that are not on general public display and which are listed on the computerised register of conditionally exempt items. Since December 1996, the register has been available on the Internet. The Inland Revenue has also issued a new leaflet, IR 156, "Our heritage—your right to see tax exempt works of art", and a poster to make people aware of their right of access. Copies are available in the Library. The leaflet is available from tax inquiry centres and about 500 museums and public galleries throughout the UK. Copies of the leaflet and poster have also been sent to all chief librarians and to more than 40 university and college art history departments.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals who have visited each home where there are works of art exempted from inheritance tax in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [17186]

  Mr. Jack
  No such estimate has been made. The current arrangements are designed to ensure that qualifying objects are preserved, that public access is available, and that people are aware of their right to view items not on general public display. There is no statutory power to require owners of conditionally exempt chattels to keep statistics of the number of people exercising that right.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual revenue cost to the Exchequer of exemption from inheritance tax for works of art for which public access is granted; and if he will make a statement. [17184]

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 29 January,Official Report, column 234.

  National Savings
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about his plans for use of the private finance initiative in respect of the National Savings agency; [17211]

  (2) what plans he has to privatise the National Savings agency; [17210]

  (3) for what reasons it is proposed to put National Savings agency functions out to tender under the private finance initiative. [17209]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  As I said in my statement of 22 January 1997, there are no plans to privatise National Savings. Our plans are to make sure that National Savings
  307
  continues to provide cost-effective funding of the Government's debt through savings products which customers want.

  National Savings is exploring whether private finance initiative options could assist the agency further, to become a more modern high-performance organisation, improving value for money for the taxpayer and the service offered to customers. No decisions have been taken about the scope of private sector involvement.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional tax would be raised if pension funds were subjected to full normal taxation. [17272]

  Mr. Jack
  I regret that a reliable estimate cannot be made.

  Pensions Misselling
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have been prosecuted for pensions misselling. [15752]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 25 February 1997]: I am not aware of any company to date having been prosecuted for the misselling of pensions. Certain firms, however, have been fined or otherwise disciplined.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net cost to public funds of abolishing inheritance tax. [17859]

  Mr. Jack
  Receipts from inheritance tax are forecast to be £1.6 billion in 1997–98.

  Statistics (Rounding)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Economic Secretary had seen a copy of page 37 of the second edition of "Plain Figures" prior to her answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 19, concerning rounding; and if she considered enclosing a copy with her answer. [17908]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Yes, and no.

  Married Couple's Tax Allowance
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of allowing the married couple's tax allowance to be claimed at(a) 20 per cent. and (b) 23 per cent. [17860]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated full-year Exchequer cost at 1997–98 income levels of allowing the married couple's allowance and linked allowances, which includes the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance, to be claimed at 20 per cent. is £1.0 billion and at 23 per cent. is £1.5 billion.

  Food Poisoning
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many food poisoning notifications there were to the 308
  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (a) in each year since 1982 and (b) in 1996 to the latest available date. [17652]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Gavin Strang, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question asking for the number of notifications of food poisoning to the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys from 1982 to 1996.
  The figures you have requested are published annually in the Series MB2 "Communicable disease statistics", copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library for the years up to 1994. Copies of the Series MB2 Quarterly Monitors are also available up to the June quarter of 1996.
  The 1995 national data were published in the March 1996 Monitor, whilst the annual total for 1996 is still only provisional. They cover cases notified under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988, and earlier regulations.
  Annual notifications of food poisoning for England and Wales

  1982: 14,253

  1983: 17,735

  1984: 20,702

  1985: 19,242

  1986: 23,948

  1987: 29,331

  1988: 39,713

  1989: 52,557

  1990: 52,145

  1991: 52,543

  1992: 63,347

  1993: 68,587

  1994: 81,833

  1995: 82,041

  1996: 83,664 (provisional)

  I hope this reply has been helpful.

  Tax Law Rewrite Steering Committee
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Tax Law Rewrite Steering Committee established last December. [18076]

  Mr. Jack
  The steering committee had its first meeting yesterday. Copies of the minutes of this and future meetings will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as they are available.

  This bipartisan committee has a key role in the rewrite project which will deliver real benefits to all taxpayers.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total amount paid in national insurance contributions, at 1995–96 prices, and as a percentage, by employees with(a) more than 200 per cent., (b) between 150 per cent. and 200 per

  309
  cent., (c) between 100 per cent. and 150 per cent., (d) between 50 per cent. and 100 per cent. and (e) below 50 per cent. of the average earnings of men and women combined in (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1989–90, (iii) 1994–95 and (iv) 1995–96; and what was the distribution of total earnings in these years between these groups. [13879]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available is in the table.

  1989–90

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Class 1 employee contributions (£ billion)1,2

  14.2

  17.9

  18.9

  Percentages in each band

  (a) More than 200 per cent, of average earnings3

  11.3

  12.5

  12.8

  (b) Between 150 per cent, and 200 per cent, of average earnings3

  16.5

  17.4

  17.7

  (c) Between 100 per cent, and 150 per cent, of average earnings3

  34.8

  34.1

  34.2

  (d) Between 50 per cent, and 100 per cent, of average earnings3

  32.3

  31.1

  30.5

  (e) Below 50 per cent, of average earnings3

  5.1

  4.9

  4.8

  Distribution of earnings for each band4

  (a) More than 200 per cent, of average earnings3

  18.6

  19.6

  20.3

  (b) Between 150 per cent, and 200 per cent, of average earnings3

  16.3

  16.9

  16.8

  (c) Between 100 per cent, and 150 per cent, of average earnings3

  30.6

  29.6

  28.9

  (d) Between 50 per cent, and 100 per cent, of average earnings3

  28.3

  27.5

  27.5

  (e) Below 50 per cent, of average earnings3

  6.2

  6.4

  6.5

  Notes:

  1Source: Government Actuary's Department.

  2Excludes contributions paid by HM forces.

  3Average earnings of both full-time and part-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period is unaffected by absence: £224.92 for 1989–90, £283.49 for 1994–95 and £294.33 for 1995–96.

  4Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the revenue consequences of abolishing the upper limit on employee national insurance contributions in Wales. [17870]

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

  If the limit were removed for Great Britain, it is estimated that the employees affected would pay an extra£3.3 billion1 in contributions in a full year.

  Note:

  1 Assumes that the current 10 per cent. contributions rate would apply to earnings above the upper earnings limit.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Donohue
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has beeen the cost to public funds of the attendance of(a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department at meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee in Scotland since December 1994; and if he will list the
  310
  meetings of the Committee which (a) and (b) have attended, indicating the cost of attendance and the names of those who attended. [16573]

  Mr. Lilley
  Ministers attend Scottish Grand Committee meetings as part of their normal parliamentary duties and officials do so as part of their normal departmental duties. Expenditure falling to my Department has been limited to travelling costs. I attended the Scottish Grand Committee meeting on 20 May 1996 in Dunfermline and has officials in attendance as necessary.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what process he plans to oversee the clinical standards of service provided by contractors providing medical services for the Benefits Agency. [17620]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 February,Official Report, column 591.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which private sector companies took part in the Benefits Agency medical services partnering project; on what basis they were chosen; and if he will place a copy of their reports in the Library. [17618]

  Mr. Burt
  The private sector companies which took part in the partnering project were BMI, Capita and Serco. Seventeen companies responded to an advertisement in the national press and were sent a questionnaire which was designed to identify specific strengths and formed the basis of a formal sift. Particular emphasis was placed upon practical experience, commitment to quality and customer service.

  The companies reports are commercial in confidence and will not be placed in the Library. To do so would prejudice the effective conduct of commercial activities.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information has been(a) requested and (b) obtained by his Department from each of the private companies contracting to provide medical services to the Benefits Agency concerning (i) safeguarding the records of benefit claimants and (ii) the broad business objectives of the contractors. [17616]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 February,Official Report, columns 203–4.

  The broad business objectives of the successful contractor(s) in relation to the delivery of a medical service to the Department must conform to the objectives of the Benefits Agency. The shortlisted companies have provided copies of policy statements relating to specific areas of the business to be contracted out.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to start an evaluation of the performance of contractors providing medical services to the Benefits Agency; and by what methods this evaluation will be carried out. [17619]

  Mr. Burt
  The formal contract management procedure to evaluate performance will be in place at the time of the handover of the business to the successful contractor(s). The procedure is currently in the process of development.
  311
  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what net savings he expects to accrue from the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical service. [17615]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 7 November 1996,Official Report, column 681.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to begin the process of system audits and computer audits in each site used by contractors providing medical services to the Benefits Agency; and at what intervals he plans to repeat these audits. [17617]

  Mr. Burt
  Audits of the IT systems will commence when the medical service is handed over to the successful contractor(s). The procedure is currently in the process of development.

  Pensioners
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) pensioners and (b) pensioners aged over 80 years had access to a (i) freezer, (ii) fridge, (iii) telephone, (iv) car, (v) washing machine, (vi) television, (vii) video and (viii) central heating in (1) 1979 and (2) the latest year for which figures are available. [17483]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the tables:

  Percentages

  All pensioners

  Pensioners aged over 80

  Type of durable goods

  1979

  1993–94

  1979

  1993–94

  Freezer or fridge freezer

  32

  81

  20

  68

  Fridge or fridge freezer

  88

  99

  79

  98

  Telephone

  57

  94

  50

  92

  Car/Van

  34

  53

  18

  31

  Washing machine

  64

  83

  46

  66

  Video

  n/a

  51

  n/a

  26

  Central heating

  46

  81

  43

  76

  Access to a Television

  (percentages)

  All pensioners

  Pensioners aged over 80

  Type of durable goods

  1979

  1991–92

  1979

  1991–92

  Television

  96

  99

  92

  98

  1. Information in the tables is derived from the households below average income datasets, which is based on information from the family expenditure survey. The latest available estimates, for 1993–94, are for two financial years data combined. Figures for 1991–92 are for two calendar years combined.

  2. From 1993 onwards, information on access to televisions has not been collected in the family expenditure survey, as reported access to televisions had reached almost 100 per cent. The latest figures for access to televisions are therefore for 1991–92.

  3. For HBAI analyses of the possession of consumer durables, it is assumed that members of the same household share common facilities. The percentages given in the reply represent the proportion of individuals in pensioner benefit units with access to each of the specified consumer durables within their household.

  312

  4. In HBAI, a single pensioner benefit unit is defined as a single adult of state pension age or above (65 for men, 60 for women). A pensioner couple benefit unit is one in which the man of the benefit unit is aged 65 or over. For the purpose of the over 80 years analysis, the same definition applies, except the age threshold is over 80.

  5. Information on access to video recorders was not reported in the 1979 family expenditure survey.

  6. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints have been made by claimants about their medical examinations in connection with incapacity benefit in the Yorkshire and Humberside region since April 1995. [16047]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many complaints have been made by claimants about their medical examinations in connection with Incapacity Benefit in the Yorkshire and Humberside region since April 1995.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are kept for each Medical Services Centre (MSC). Yorkshire and Humberside is dealt with by Leeds MSC. The Leeds MSC covers the Yorkshire Area Directorate and South Humberside District, part of Mercia Area Directorate. Statistics on complaints have only been kept by MSCs since September 1995 and are not broken down by Benefits Agency districts.
  From September 1995 to December 1996 the Leeds MSC received 285 complaints, during which time it dealt with 111,164 examinations. These figures are provisional and subject to change.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times has(a) a warning been issued, (b) disciplinary action been taken and (c) dismissal occurred (i) as a result of claimants' complaints and (ii) otherwise since the incapacity benefit we introduced. [16048]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many times has (a) a warning been issued, (b) disciplinary action been taken and (c) dismissal occurred (i) as a result of claimants' complaints and (ii) otherwise since the Incapacity Benefit (IB) was introduced.
  I have assumed your question refers to doctors involved in providing medical advice in connection with IB. The information is in the attached table.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  313

  Benefits agency medical services doctors subject to disciplinary action April 1995 to date

  As a result of customer complaints

  Other

  Warnings issued

  1

  3

  Other disciplinary action

  0

  1

  Dismissal

  1

  1

  Figures are provisional and subject to change. This excludes contracted self-employed, fee paid doctors for whom no formal disciplinary procedures exist.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used by the Benefits Agency in determining whether a claimant has deliberately disposed of income or capital in order to qualify for income-based jobseeker's allowance. [17943]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is contained in the jobseeker's allowance and income support adjudication officer's guide, part 33 paragraphs 33570–3589 and part 34 paragraphs 34805–34846. A copy of the guide is available in the Library.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what national insurance contribution conditions carers have to meet in order to qualify for contribution-based jobseeker's allowance. [17942]

  Mr. Evans
  Under jobseeker's allowance, the national insurance contribution conditions for carers are the same as for other jobseekers. As with the previous unemployment benefit scheme, entitlement to the contribution-based element of jobseeker's allowance is based on the individual's national insurance contributions in the last two full tax years before the year of the claim to jobseeker's allowance.

  There are two contribution conditions. The first condition which a person must satisfy is to have paid class 1 contributions of 25 times the lower earnings limit—currently £61—in one of the two relevant tax years. The second condition is that class 1 contributions must have been paid or credited of at least 50 times the lower earnings limit—currently £61—in both the two relevant tax years on which the claim is based. The relevant tax years are the last two complete tax years before the benefit year—starting in January—in which the claim is made.

  However, the linking provisions have been amended under jobseeker's allowance to provide extra help for carers. For the first time, periods in receipt of invalid care allowance are included in the jobseeker's allowance linking provisions. This ensures that a person's benefit position at the end of a period of invalid care allowance will be the same as when it started. Therefore, if a person's contribution record immediately prior to a period in receipt of invalid care allowance is sufficient to qualify the individual for contribution-based jobseeker's allowance, that record will apply to any claim for jobseeker's allowance which is made when invalid care allowance ceases.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Albania
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what official gifts his Department received from the Albanian President; [16407]

  (2) what official gifts he has received from the Albanian President. [16404]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Gifts received by Ministers in their official capacity are dealt with in accordance with the procedures set out in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". The details are not made public.

  European Summit (Cardiff)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made with the Cardiff county council for the funding of refurbishment and conversion work at the city hall for the European summit conference in June 1998. [17916]

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many children in British independent schools are being paid for by the Hong Kong Government; and what is the average payment per child; [17941]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the suitability of the Quantock school, Somerset, to receive money from the Hong Kong Government; and if parents who are employees of the Hong Kong Government with children at that school have been provided with the recent Office for Standards in Education report; [17940]

  (3) what checks are made by the Hong Kong Government on the suitability of independent schools in Britain before payment is made. [17930]

  Mr. Hanley
  Policy on the payment of education fees for the children of employees of the Hong Kong Government is a matter for the Hong Kong Government.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if in his recent official visit to Hong Kong he had meetings concerning party finances; and if he will make a statement. [17825]

  Mr. Rifkind
  I attended a meeting of Conservatives Abroad in Hong Kong on Sunday 16 February. This was not a fund-raising event.

  Political events may be included in Ministers' official programmes overseas, so long as no additional costs are incurred. There were no additional costs involved in this case and no Foreign Office official accompanied me to the reception.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be taken on the application made to the United Kingdom post in
  315
  Islamabad by Mrs. Rukhsana Kausar (Ref: HO A525156; IMM/C4652) to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [17902]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  I have asked the high commission at Islamabad for details and will have a substantive reply sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  European Council
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for March and (b) major EU events for the next six months. [17959]

  Mr. David Davis
  Monthly Forecast of business for March 1997

  The following Councils are scheduled:

  March 1–2: Development Aid Council (Informal)

  March 2–3: Education Council (Informal)

  March 3–4: Environment Council

  March 6: Telecommunications Council

  March 10: Internal Market Council

  March 11–12: Transport Council

  March 14–15: Social Affairs Council (Informal)

  March 17: Ecofin Council

  March 17–18 Agriculture Council

  March 24–25: General Affairs Council.

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  March 1–2: Development aid council (informal)

  There is no formal agenda.

  March 2–3: Education council (informal)

  There is no formal agenda.

  March 3–4: Environment council

  Adoption of the agenda.

  Approval of the list of "A" items.

  Community Strategy on Climate Change: Council Conclusions.

  Commission Communication: Implementing Community Environmental Law: Policy Debate.

  Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the signing and conclusion of an International Agreement between the European Community, Canada and the Russian Federation on Humane Trapping Standards: Progress report on negotiations with Third Countries.

  Amended proposal for a Council decision on a Community action programme promoting non-governmental organisations primarily active in the field of environmental protection-legal basis proposed by the Commission: article 130S(1)): common position.

  Future strategy for the control of atmospheric emissions from road transport taking into account the results from the auto/oil programme:

  Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Council Directive 93/12/EEC:

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles and amending Council Directives 70/156/EEC and 70/220/EEC;

  Second auto/oil programme: policy debate.

  Proposal for a Council directive on the reduction of emissions of organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain industrial activities: policy debate.

  Presentation by the Commission: possible items.

  316

  Proposal for a directive on energy taxes;

  Proposal for a framework directive on water.

  Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on environmental agreements: policy debate.

  Other Business:

  Commission communication on environmental taxes and charges in the single market: presentation by the Commission;

  Proposal for a directive on landfill: presentation by the Commission (possible item);

  Report on the workshop for the preparation of the informal ministerial meeting on small and medium-sized undertakings and the environment: Presidency statement;

  Re-examination of directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms: statement by the Austrian delegation;

  Taxation of energy and in particular kerasene: Statement by the Austrian delegation;

  Situation regarding the European agreement on CO2 emissions from cars: French delegation request for information from the Commission;

  First European Conference on the sustainable development of the islands (Menorca, 23 to 26 April 1997): information from the Spanish delegation.

  March 6: Telecommunications Council

  Adoption of the provisional agenda.

  Adoption of the list of "A" points (possible item).

  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment (replacing European Parliament and Council Directive 95/62/EC): common position (legal basis proposed by the Commission: article 100A).

  Ongoing Co-decision procedures with the European Parliament interconnection directive, TENS Telecoms, licensing directive, satellite S-PCS decision.

  Action plan from the Commission on satellite communications: presentation by the Commission (with reference to action plan on space).

  UMTS (next generation of mobile communications): report by the Commission.

  Other business:

  WTO negotiations: report by the Commission; Implementation of telecoms directives.

  March 10: Internal Market Council

  PARNUTS (Foodstuffs for particular nutritional uses).

  Miscellaneous additives (possible item).

  March 11–12: Transport Council

  Proposed amendment to directive 92/14 on phase-out of noisy aircraft: for political agreement on common position.

  Aviation fuel duty: debate on resolution calling for Commission study on effects of imposition.

  Proposal for mandate for Commission to negotiate Community membership of European Aviation Safety Authority: for debate.

  Proposal for mandate for Commission to negotiate Community membership of EUROCONTROL: debate.

  Proposed amendment to regulation 3821/85 to allow for new digital tachograph: common position.

  lnteroperability of road pricing technology: adoption of resolution.

  Proposed regulation on pilot actions for combined transport for political agreement on common position.

  Proposed directive on heavy goods vehicle charging and taxes: debate.

  317

  Proposed eighth directive on summer time: for common position.

  Negotiations with Switzerland: debate.

  Other Business:

  Report on transport research and development.

  Report on the work of the high-level group on public private partnerships/TENS.

  March 14/15: Social Affairs Council (informal)

  There is no formal agenda.

  March 17: Ecofin Council

  Preparation of stage III of EMU.

  Convergency programme of France.

  Convergence programme of Germany.

  Annual report of the Court of Auditors and budget discharge

  Taxation of energy products.

  Solvency ratio direct for credit institutions (mortgages) (possible item).

  March 17–18: Agriculture Council

  Beef labelling/cattle identification.

  Olive oil (possible item).

  Arable penalties (possible item).

  Agriculture price fixing (possible item).

  Veterinary and phytosanitary equivalence agreements.

  Structured dialogue with central and eastern European countries.

  Fruit grubbing-up scheme (possible item).

  Honey (possible item).

  Agrimoney compensation for appreciable revaluation's (possible item).

  March 24–25: General Affairs Council

  First draft agenda—likely to change.

  Former Yugoslavia.

  Albania.

  Middle East peace process.

  Relations with Turkey.

  Pakistan.

  Commercial questions: conclusion of an agreement on information technology.

  Relations with South Africa.

  Preparation of the 23rd ACP-EC Council of Ministers (24–25 April 1997).

  Relations with Australia.

  Mediterranean policy.

  European observatory on racism and xenophobia.

  Transatlantic relations.

  Russia.

  Baltic states: European agreement.

  VIIth ministerial meeting between the EU and the Rio group.

  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
  318

  European Calendar: March to August 1997

  Dates

  Location

  Event

  1–2

  Amsterdam

  Development Aid Council (informal)

  2–3

  Amsterdam

  Education Council (informal)

  3–4

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  6

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  10

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  10–14

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  11–12

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  13

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  14–15

  Rotterdam

  Social Affairs Council (informal)

  15–16

  Apeldoorn

  Gymnich (informal)

  17

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  17–18

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  24–25

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council (and IGC Ministerial)

  April 1997

  4–6

  Noordwijk

  Ecofin Council (Informal)

  6–8

  Maastricht

  Informal meeting of Cultural Affairs Ministers

  7–10

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament plenary

  9–11

  The Hague

  Ministerial conference on social integration

  10

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  10

  Luxembourg

  Consumer Council

  14–15

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  17

  Luxembourg

  Social Affairs Council

  18–19

  Maastricht

  Post-Lomé ministerial meeting

  18–20

  Amsterdam

  Environment Council (informal)

  20–22*

  Warsaw

  Meeting of EU and PHARE— Country Education Ministers

  21–22

  The Netherlands

  Political Committee

  21–22

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  23

  Brussels

  European Parliament plenary

  24

  Luxembourg

  Industry Council

  24–25

  Luxembourg

  ACP/EU ministerial conference

  24–25

  The Hague

  International Conference on Innovative Research, and Appropriate health care for the people of Europe

  24–26

  The Hague

  Ministerial conference on trafficking in women

  25

  Brussels

  European Parliament plenary

  29–30

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (and IGC ministerial)

  May 1997

  6–7

  Strasbourg

  Council of Europe ministerial

  12

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  12–13

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  12–13

  Paris

  WEU ministerial

  12–16

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament plenary

  14–15

  Brussels

  Research Council

  15

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  20

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  22

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  25–27

  Domburg

  Agriculture Council (informal)

  26

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  28–29

  Brussels

  European Parliamentary plenary

  29

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  June 1997

  2–3

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (and IGC ministerial)

  5

  Luxembourg

  Health Council

  5

  Luxembourg

  Development Council

  5–6

  The Hague

  K4 Committee

  9

  Luxembourg

  Ecofin Council

  9–10

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  9–13

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament plenary

  10

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (tbc)

  12

  Luxembourg

  Social Affairs Council

  f
  319

  European Calendar: March to August 1997

  Dates

  Location

  Event

  16–17

  Amsterdam

  European Council

  17–18

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  19

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  20–22

  Denver

  G7

  23

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  23

  Luxembourg

  Ecofin Council (tbc)

  23–24

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  European Parliament plenary

  26

  Luxembourg

  Education Council

  26

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  30

  Luxembourg

  Culture Council

  July 1997

  1

  Luxembourg Presidency begins

  7

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  10–11

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  12–13

  Luxembourg

  Labour and Social Affairs Council (informal)

  14–18

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  21–22

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  22–23

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  24

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  August 1997

  There are no events scheduled for August.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Personal Injury Actions
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many representations he has received since 1993 urging the amendment of the Limitation Act 1980 so far as it relates to time limits for actions in respect of personal injuries; what proportion of these refer to allegations of sexual abuse of the complainant or litigant when the latter was a child; and if he will make a statement. [16990]

  Mr. Streeter
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 1993, my Department has received about 10 inquiries, including questions asked by hon. Members, about possible reform of the law of limitation as it applies to personal injury cases. These have related to the limitation period applicable when there is an allegation that an adult's illness is the result of intentional harm he suffered many years before. In 1995, the Law Commission undertook a comprehensive review of the law of limitation period s with a view to its simplification and rationalisation, and the commission expects to publish a consultation paper this summer.

  Stubbing and Others v. the United Kingdom
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Attorney-General what(a) representations he has received on and (b) assessment he has made of the (i) dissenting and (ii) partly dissenting opinions of judges in the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Stubbing and others v. the United Kingdom. [16991]

  Mr. Streeter
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has received no representations on any of the opinions expressed by the court in Stubbings and others v. United Kingdom. My Department has studied all
  320
  the opinions closely, as has the Law Commission, which expects to publish a consultation paper on the law of limitation this summer.

PRIME MINISTER

  Letters to Shareholders
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the source of the information on shareholder identities which he used to send his letter of 28 January to shareholders in privatised companies; [17954]

  (2) under what statutory provisions he obtained the information on shareholder identities which he used to send letters to shareholders of privatised companies; and if he will make a statement. [17955]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government were not involved in obtaining the information which came from published sources.

  Engagements
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 February. [16553]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 February. [16638]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 February. [16639]

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

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [16794]

  The Prime Minister
  A list of the total number of oral and written parliamentary questions answered by Government Departments in the Sessions 1982–83 to 1995–96, as supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Figures for 1979–80 to 1981–82 are not available. My Office estimates that over the past year approximately 1 per cent. of the total number of parliamentary questions were not answered because of disproportionate costs or because the information requested was not held centrally.
  321

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Feed
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates action was taken to ban the feeding of ruminant remains to ruminant animals(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in other European Union countries and (c) in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. [17661]

  Mrs. Browning
  The feeding of ruminant protein to ruminants was prohibited in Great Britain in 1988 and in Northern Ireland in 1989. Community decision 94/381 of 27 June 1994 required all member states to ban the feeding of mammalian protein to ruminants. In member states with a system which makes it possible to distinguish between protein from ruminant and non-ruminant species—such as Denmark—the ban is limited to the feeding of ruminant proteins to ruminants. We do not have detailed information on legislation in place in all of the member states but are aware that Ireland introduced a ban on feeding mammalian protein to ruminants on 13 August 1990, that is, before Community decision 94/381. We do not have information on the controls introduced by all OECD members. However, we do know that Switzerland prohibited the feeding of ruminant protein to ruminants in December 1990. Canada is proposing to introduce a ban on feeding mammalian proteins to mammals, and the USA is proposing a ban on feeding ruminant proteins to ruminants.

  Salmon
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the Irish authorities about the action the Irish Government are taking to secure the escape of early-running salmon. [17516]

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been no recent discussions with the Irish authorities on this issue.

  Private Employment Agencies
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the private employment agencies used by his Department and its agencies in each of the last three years for which figures are available, indicating(a) the names of the agencies, (b) the numbers employed by the agencies in work for his Department, (c) the total cost to his Department of using employment agencies and

  MAFF

  ADAS

  CSL

  VLA

  VMD

  PSD

  MHS

  IT equipment

  Number of items

  37

  Figures not available

  nil

  22

  nil

  nil

  3

  Cost of items (£)

  35,000

  —

  —

  Amount not available

  —

  —

  759.00

  Other equipment

  Number of items

  7

  —

  nil

  —

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Cost of items (£)

  8,680.31

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Items over £5,000

  Ford Transit

  5,500.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  322
  the median cost paid to the agency per person recruited and (d) the average length of contract for persons recruited via such agencies. [16186]

  Mr. Boswell
  From information held centrally, the answers to the questions are as follows:

  1994

  1995

  1996

  (a)

  Manpower1

  Manpower1

  Manpower1

  Reed Employment

  Kelly Services

  Kelly Services

  Anne Pettengell

  Adecco (formerly

  Adecco (formerly

  CBR Group

  ECCO

  ECCO

  Country Bureau

  Employment)

  Employment)

  Hays Accountancy

  Reed Employment

  Reed Employment

  Anne Pettengell

  Hays Accountancy

  Hays Accountancy

  Pertemps

  Anne Pettengell

  Back-up

  Labstaff

  Pertemps

  Baxter

  Office Angels

  Baxter

  Office Angels

  Three Tees

  Office Angels

  Labstaff

  Labstaff

  Plum Personnel

  Accountancy

  Northern

  Personnel

  Recruitment

  (b)

  362

  689

  995

  (c)

  £530,801

  £845,564

  £2,414,0672

  (d)

  4 weeks

  6 weeks

  6 weeks3

  Notes:

  1 A number of recruitment agencies have been used over the last three years. Those listed are the ones with significant expenditure. Some local agencies are used by MAFF and agency offices to recruit a small number of staff at different locations, making it impossible to extract the required information without disproportionate cost.

  2 It is not possible to show the median cost paid to each agency per person recruited as to do so would have involved disproportionate cost.

  3 The overall average length of contract shows an average of averages. Requirements across MAFF and its agencies vary. It is therefore impossible to identify any particular period of contract as being representative of the needs of MAFF and its agencies as a whole.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [17074]

  Mr. Boswell
  The table details the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from MAFF 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.
  323

  North-east Drift Net Fishery
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the Environment Agency about the opening date of the north-east drift net fishery. [17399]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 26 November 1996,Official Report, column 137. I have not had any more recent discussion with the chairman of the Environment Agency about the opening date of this fishery.

  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department first received a report proposing a delay in the opening of the north-east salmon drift net fishery; and if he will make a statement. [17517]

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been a number of proposals to delay the opening date of his fishery. The report on salmon net fisheries presented to Parliament by the then Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State for Scotland in October 1991 invited the National Rivers Authority to consider delaying the opening date until 1 May so as to reduce the level of exploitation of spring-running salmon. The NRA decided not to implement this proposal on the ground that any action on spring salmon needed to be part of a wider programme embracing rod and net fisheries in England and Scotland. In June 1995, the then Minister asked the NRA to reconsider its decision, in the light of the Salmon Advisory Committee's report, "Run Timing of Salmon", which recommended that consideration be given to protection of early-running fish, including additional control of exploitation in both commercial and sport fisheries. The Environment Agency, the successor to the NRA, is still considering this request.

  Earlier this month, the task force set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a management strategy for Scottish salmon fisheries recommended that the opening date for the north-east coast drift net fishery be postponed until 1 June. The Government have issued the task force's report for consultation, and will consider this recommendation together with the task force's other recommendations.

  Veterinary Service
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by the State Veterinary Service in each year from 1979 to the present. [17629]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of veterinary surgeons employed by the State Veterinary Service at 1 January each year since 1980 is detailed in the table. Since 1980, the structure of the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The Central Veterinary Laboratory, which previously formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. From 1 June 1990 the figures do not include the CVL. The Veterinary Investigation Service became part of the VLA on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures from that date.
  324

  Year

  Number of vets

  1980

  580.5

  1981

  563.5

  1982

  557.0

  1983

  549.0

  1984

  539.5

  1985

  527.5

  1986

  506.5

  1987

  464.5

  1988

  444.5

  1989

  422.0

  1990

  430.5

  1991

  408.0

  1992

  414.5

  1993

  420.0

  1994

  408.3

  1995

  394.5

  1996

  301.2

  1997

  289.5

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinary investigation centres are currently operating; what plans there are to develop these centres; how many there were in each year from 1979–80; and if he will make a statement. [17630]

  Mr. Hogg
  I have asked the chief executive of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Dr. T. W. A. Little, to reply on my behalf.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. Gavin Strang, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on Veterinary Investigation (VI) Centres.
  Since October 1995 the VI Centres have been part of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). There are fourteen Centres and they play a vital role in fulfilling VLA's surveillance responsibilities for MAFF.
  You asked how many Centres there were in each year from 1979 to the present, this is set out below:

  Year

  Number of VI centres

  1979 to 1985

  24

  1986 to 1990

  19

  1991

  16

  1992

  15

  1993

  14

  Research and Development
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons are employed in his Department's research and development programme; and how many there were in each year from 1979–80. [17631]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Some figures have been published in the statistical supplement to the "Forward Look"—"Science, Engineering and Technology Statistics 1996,
  325
  issued as a separate document in May 1996"—reflecting the position since 1984–85. The entry for MAFF was as follows:

  Total personnel engaged on R&D within MAFF (full-time equivalents)1

  Year

  Number

  1984–85

  2,264

  1985–86

  2,062

  1986–87

  1,924

  1987–88

  1,919

  1988–892

  2,201

  1989–90

  1,801

  1990–913

  2,514

  1991–92

  2,420

  1992–93

  2,512

  1993–94

  2,529

  1994–95

  2,497

  1 This table refers to personnel engaged in R&D, according to the Frascati definition. Figures for personnel quoted in the departmental reports may include those engaged in other forms of science and technology.

  2 Staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, included form 1998–99.

  3 Staff at non-departmental public bodies included from 1990–91.

  These figures cover, in the main, staff directly involved in research at the Ministry's agencies, plus Horticulture Research International and Kew. However, the Department does not keep statistical information on the large numbers of headquarters staff involved in the development of research to meet policy needs and its commissioning, monitoring and evaluation. Nor has it figures for the numbers of personnel working for external contractors who carry out MAFF-funded research. This latter group includes public sector research establishments—such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council research institutes—universities and other private contractors.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's total research and development expenditure was in each year from 1979 to the present in(a) cash and (b) constant prices. [17632]

  Mr. Hogg
  My Department's total research and development expenditure for each year from 1981–82 in cash and constant prices is set out in the following table.

  £ million

  Year

  Cash

  Constant prices1

  1981–82

  106.8

  211.2

  1982–83

  113.9

  210.2

  1983–84

  118.6

  209.2

  1984–85

  119.4

  200.5

  1985–86

  118.4

  188.5

  1986–87

  118.3

  182.8

  1987–88

  113.8

  167.0

  1988–89

  115.0

  158.2

  1989–90

  112.2

  144.2

  1990–91

  119.1

  141.8

  1991–92

  121.5

  135.9

  1992–93

  132.9

  142.7

  1993–94

  135.0

  140.9

  1994–95

  137.2

  140.7

  1995–96

  139.7

  139.7

  1996–972

  137.6

  134.2

  1 Using the GDP deflator (1995–96 =100).

  2 Provisional.

  Figures for 1979–80 and 1980–81 are not available.

  326
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many commissions his Department placed with the Agriculture and Food Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in each year from 1979 to the present; how many such commissions he expects to place this year; and what was the value of those commissions in(a) cash and (b) constant prices. [17656]

  Mr. Hogg
  My Department issued a single commission each year up to 1994–95 for its R and D requirements from the institutes of the Agriculture and Food Research Council and its successor, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. In 1995–96, the commission was replaced with umbrella contracts with each of the BBSRC institutes. Details of the total amounts spent in cash and constant prices are set out. In addition to funding through the commissions and umbrella contracts, MAFF has funded research with the BBSRC institutes through separate contracts, the majority of which have been let by competition since 1994–95.

  £ million

  Year

  Cash

  Constant Prices1

  1979–80

  30.4

  78.0

  1980–81

  37.4

  81.1

  1981–82

  44.3

  87.6

  1982–83

  48.6

  89.7

  1983–84

  51.3

  90.5

  1984–85

  52.8

  88.7

  1985–86

  51.8

  82.5

  1986–87

  47.9

  74.0

  1987–88

  44.2

  64.9

  1988–89

  46.4

  63.8

  1989–90

  46.0

  59.1

  1990–91

  45.6

  54.3

  1991–92

  34.5

  38.6

  1992–93

  34.8

  37.4

  1993–94

  36.0

  37.6

  1994–95

  34.6

  35.5

  1995–96

  34.7

  34.7

  1996–972

  29.3

  28.6

  1 Using the GDP deflator (1995–96 = 100).

  2 Provisional.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans for a green paper on quarantine. [17818]

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish details of his review of the current quarantine regulations. [17832]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government's review of the current quarantine regulations is continuing, and further analysis is needed before it can be finalised.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 20 February,Official Report, column 660, on quarantine premises (1) if he will list the four premises which have indicated that they do not wish to comply with the voluntary code of practice at this stage; [17842]

  (2) if he will list the premises inspected by the State Veterinary Service, indicating which have complied with the standards required for the voluntary code of practice. [17843]
  327
  Mrs. Browning
  As soon as the programme of inspections has been completed a list of premises complying with the code will be included in the literature sent by Agriculture Departments to prospective clients of quarantine premises. I will place a copy of the literature in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 20 February,Official Report, column 660, if he will list the ports and airports which have facilities for holding animals prior to them being taken into quarantine. [17844]

  Mrs. Browning
  Animals may be landed only at the following ports and airports prior to their being taken into quarantine:

  Ports

  Dover Eastern Docks

  Harwich, Parkeston Quay

  Hull

  Portsmouth

  Southampton.

  Airports

  Birmingham

  Edinburgh

  Gatwick

  Glasgow

  Heathrow

  Leeds

  Manchester

  Prestwick

  Belfast.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy as regards the export of live farm animals for slaughter or further fattening in non-EU member states whose welfare standards do not match Community standards; and if he will make a statement. [17827]

  Mrs. Browning
  We have a long-standing policy of permitting the export of animals for further fattening, or slaughter only to those countries with standards at least equivalent to those in force within the European Union on the protection of animals during transport and at slaughter.

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the outbreaks of sheep scab in each month from 1993 to date. [17813]

  Mrs. Browning
  Official recording of the number of outbreaks of sheep scab was discontinued after deregulation of compulsory controls in 1992.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what progress he has made towards implementing compulsory treatment for sheep scab; and if he will make a statement; [17814]

  (2) if he will make sheep scab a notifiable disease. [17815]
  328
  Mrs. Browning
  The public consultation on draft legislation to introduce new measures to deal with sheep scab ended on 7 February 1997 and the comments received are now being considered. The proposed new measures would enable local authorities to deal with sheep scab on common or open grazing and will introduce criminal offences for failing to treat animals affected with sheep scab and for moving affected animals.

  The proposals do not include a re-introduction of compulsory national treatment.

  Sheep scab remains within the meaning of "disease" in section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and is therefore still technically notifiable to a police constable. However, our proposals do not include making sheep scab notifiable to the Ministry or local authorities.

  Parasiticides
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent research he has commissioned into parasiticides. [17816]

  Mrs. Browning
  The focus of research commissioned into parasiticides in respect of animal health is on sustainable disease control and research to develop alternatives to pharmaceutical control. The main sponsor for research of this kind in relation to helminths is the Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department which is currently funding the following significant programme of research on nematode parasites in livestock—mainly sheep.

  £110,000: Biological properties of nematode resistance

  £730,000: Host response to challenge

  £210,000: Control strategies.

  Full details of its research is published in its "Programme of commissioned research and development 1996–97" obtainable from SOAEFD' s scientific advisor's unit at Pentland house, Edinburgh.

  In addition, the Central Veterinary Laboratory has just finished a three-year project to determine the effects of counter selection on reversion to anthelmintic susceptibility. A further small project is currently being funded to validate a commercial product to enable farmers to detect anthelmintic resistance. Beginning in 1997–98, a three-year project at CVL aims to develop a means of predicting whether anthelmintic resistance is likely to appear on a farm.

  A major project at Compton is investigating immunity to coccidia which should eventually facilitate the development of immunological means of control if significant resistance does develop.

  To mitigate development of resistance by sheep scab mites, MAFF is also supporting research aimed at controlling sheep scab other than by pharmaceutical means. Other MAFF research relating to developing alternatives to parasiticides includes work involving livestock flies.

  Surveillance on anthelmintic resistance is ongoing via MAFF's Veterinary Investigation Service.
  329

  Pigs
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many piglets of less than 12 weeks of age were exported for production or breeding during 1996; [17839]

  (2) if the consignment of piglets exported on 24 January on the MV Cap Afrique was accompanied by an export health certificate as worded in model 111 of the annexe to Council directive 64/432/EEC; [17838]

  (3) how many pigs were exported for slaughter during 1996. [17840]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 24 February 1997,Official Report, columns 76–77.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Taoiseach (Meeting)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next plans to meet the Taoiseach to discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland. [16367]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have no plans to seek a meeting.

  I have frequent meetings with Mr. Spring, which I value.

  Airport Tax (Effect on Tourism)
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the impact on tourism in Northern Ireland of the airport tax. [16368]

  Mr. Ancram
  It is right to consider the impact of fare levels on tourism. Since the duty was first introduced in 1994, Northern Ireland has experienced record tourism figures.

  Beef Markets
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in developing new markets for beef which was previously exported. [16370]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Since the ban on the export of beef was imposed, the Government have assisted the industry's marketing effort by setting up a red meat strategy group supporting promotions at UK and international exhibitions, making presentations on the traceability and quality of Northern Ireland beef to retailers and encouraging the development of marketing partnerships between producers, processors and retailers. The Northern Ireland Livestock and Meat Commission received £250,000 of EU money for marketing.

  Long-term Unemployment
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the trends in long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland. [16371]
  330
  Mr. Ancram
  At 9 January 1997, there were 34,441 long-term unemployed in Northern Ireland, a reduction of 8,297, or 17.8 per cent., compared with a year earlier.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to celebrate the millennium in Northern Ireland. [16373]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government's aim is to ensure that people throughout the community can be involved and participate in both local and UK-wide events. No specific plans have yet been finalised.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland. [16374]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The murder of Lance Bombardier Restorick and the continuing attacks on the police and Army are evidence of the continuing serious terrorist threat in Northern Ireland, principally from the Provisional IRA. Terrorism from whatever quarter will continue to meet with the undiminished determination of the security forces and the Government to root it out.

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning admitting Sinn Fein to the peace negotiations. [16375]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  A wide range of views have been expressed, extending from never admitting Sinn Fein to admitting them at once.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the integrity of the process of compiling electoral registers in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [16376]

  Mr. Ancram
  Reassessment of the methods used to effect accuracy is a constant feature of compiling the Northern Ireland electoral register. Uniquely in the UK, Northern Ireland's registration process is not dependent upon a postal return, as all registration forms are collected personally by canvassers. In addition, the Northern Ireland registration form, in contrast to the rest of the UK, seeks previous addresses to enable entries on the register to be cross checked. Also, over the past three years, the chief electoral officer has developed a computerised absent vote register to identify possible abuses of the system.

  Cross-border Co-operation
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of cross-border co-operation on security issues. [16377]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Security co-operation is regularly assessed against the increasing terrorist threat. The continuous close working relationship between the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Garda plays a vital and effective role in opposing terrorism in all its forms.
  331
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet a representative of the Irish security forces to discuss the fight against terrorism. [16383]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government regularly discuss security matters with the Government of the Republic of Ireland. It would be inappropriate to reveal the nature, scope and membership of such discussion, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the security forces on both sides of the border have maintained excellent co-operation and will continue to do so.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the oral answer of 30 January,Official Report, columns 498–99, when he expects to complete his consideration of the case of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. [16378]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The terms of Mr. Justice Girvan's recent judgment require the cases to be looked at afresh and for new information to be obtained and taken into account. I cannot say at this stage precisely when the process will be completed. However, I can assure the hon. Member that the cases of the two guardsmen will be considered as expeditiously as possible consistent with the terms of the judgment.

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on providing an electricity interconnector between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom mainland. [16379]

  Mr. Ancram
  Progress on the interconnector proposal depends on the promoters receiving planning approval. Northern Ireland Electricity plc intends to submit a second planning application in respect of the Northern Ireland element, possibly in late February or early March 1997.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has announced that he is minded to grant planning permission for the Scottish element of the project, subject to sections of the proposed overhead line being placed underground. Comments submitted by interested parties are being considered and a final decision will be made in due course.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the interconnector with Scotland on the electricity needs of the Province during the next decade. [16388]

  Mr. Ancram
  None. This is a matter for Northern Ireland Electricity plc, a private company, which has the obligation under its licence to arrange for Northern Ireland's electricity requirements to be met economically. The company is supervised in the discharge of this responsibility by the independent Director General of Electricity Supply. I am informed that, under the terms of the agreement entered into between Northern Ireland Electricity plc and Scottish Power plc, approximately 20 per cent. of the demand on the Northern Ireland electricity system could be met by the Interconnector, when fully operational.
  332

  Peace Process
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest situation in respect of the peace process. [16380]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton), and for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan).

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policies to reduce levels of paramilitary violence in the Province. [16381]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government's first priority in Northern Ireland is to eradicate terrorism from whichever section of the community it comes. To this end, the Government will continue to ensure that the Royal Ulster Constabulary, supported by the armed forces, has both the resources and the legal powers it needs to combat terrorism effectively. Already this year, the security forces have achieved a number of significant successes, with 22 people being charged with terrorist-related offences and significant terrorist activity disrupted.

  Terrorist Suspects (Recording of Interviews)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce the audio recording of interviews with terrorist suspects; and if he will make a statement. [16382]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government believe, taking into account the views of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, that a move to audio recording at this time would not necessarily be in the overall interests of justice. The special circumstances in Northern Ireland mean that, for the time being, audio recording would be unacceptable on security grounds. Indeed, it its entirely possible that people's lives would be put at risk if the contents of recorded interview were made public in a court.

  However, the Government do see benefits, both for interviewees and for the police, in facilitating silent video recording of interviews. A public consultation exercise on the draft code of practice to which the new system will operate has been completed, and it is hoped that the scheme will be up and running later this year.

  Local Authority Powers
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met representatives of local government in Northern Ireland to discuss extending powers to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [16384]

  Mr. Ancram
  I and my ministerial colleagues have frequent discussions with district councillors on a range of subjects. These have included the powers of local authorities. The Government continue to keep the arrangements for local government under review. At present, we see no case for extending powers to local authorities. To act now would be to pre-empt the outcome
  333
  of the multi-party negotiations, strand one of which will consider the issue of local administration in Northern Ireland.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what responses he has received to his consultation on the adjudicatory functions of a parades commission as recommended in the North report. [16385]

  Sir John Wheeler
  We have received a number of written submissions and meetings are being set up as part of the consultation exercise announced in my right hon. and learned Friend's statement of 30 January.

  Sectarian Intimidation
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received regarding sectarian intimidation. [16386]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend and other Ministers have received representations from, and had a number of meetings with, local church leaders, Members of Parliament and councillors on the subject of sectarian intimidation across Northern Ireland.

  Rating and Valuation
  Sir James Molyneaux
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review arrangements for valuation and rating in Northern Ireland. [16387]

  Sir John Wheeler
  A non-domestic revaluation has recently been carried out in Northern Ireland and a new valuation list will come into effect on 1 April 1997. A review of rating and valuation matters is planned for the new financial year.

  Action for Community Employment
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the reduction in the number of ACE posts in 1995–96 and 1996–97 to date. [16369]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Rev. Martin Smyth) earlier today.

  Northern Ireland electoral register claims and objections

  Register year

  Received

  Allowed

  Additions to register

  Claims

  Objections

  Claims

  Objections

  1974

  5,928

  5,851

  1975

  9,378

  9,334

  1976

  5,441

  5,105

  1977

  5,361

  5,495

  1978

  6,494

  4,177

  1979

  5,814

  2,632

  1980

  6,108

  3,322

  1981

  5,504

  2,959

  1982

  5,076

  2,642

  1983

  7,452

  3,426

  334

  Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pages of legislation have been(a) passed and (b) repealed in each of the last three years. [16372]

  Sir John Wheeler
  As regards Acts of Parliament extending exclusively to Northern Ireland, there were no such Acts in 1994, in 1995 there were eight pages enacted and none repealed and in 1996 there were 66 pages enacted and 100 repealed. As regards orders in council in 1994 300 pages were enacted and 53 repealed; in 1995 1,145 pages were enacted and 463 repealed; and in 1996 1,199 pages were enacted and 951 repealed.

  North Report
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the North report. [16361]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government accepted a number of the report's recommendations immediately, including the need for an independent commission. The report's recommendation that the commission should have an adjudicatory function is currently the subject of public consultation. A draft order was published for public consultation on Tuesday to make amendments to the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. We hope to announce the names of members of the commission shortly. Work is proceeding on a code of conduct.

  Electoral Count (Objections)
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many objections were lodged with the electoral court in each calendar year from 1980 to 1996; and how many of the objectives were upheld. [16468]

  Mr. Ancram
  The statistics required by the hon. Gentleman are not kept in the precise form he has requested. The table provided gives the most detailed information available and covers the whole period for which records have been kept. Claims and objections are determined at electoral hearings, not courts, and the statistics are compiled on the basis of the registration cycle and not a calendar year. All the information reproduced is obtainable from the annual reports of the chief electoral officer, which are available in the Library of the House.

  The objections referred to in the table are those lodged to names included in the draft register of electors, which is published in November each year.
  335

  Northern Ireland electoral register claims and objections

  Register year

  Received

  Allowed

  Additions to register

  Claims

  Objections

  Claims

  Objections

  1984

  5,524

  1,679

  1985

  4,108

  1,154

  1986

  4,100

  846

  1987

  3,730

  785

  1988

  1,108

  204

  1989

  1,021

  231

  1990

  456

  195

  1991

  816

  180

  620

  125

  1992

  956

  81

  634

  49

  1993

  1,000

  67

  806

  63

  1994

  630

  25

  436

  14

  1995

  471

  44

  330

  17

  1996

  443

  56

  298

  24

  1997

  1,169

  252

  770

  134

  Under continuous registration, there is also the facility for objections to be made to any claim lodged for inclusion in the published register of electors. Such objections have occurred only in 1981 when there were 22, and in 1982 when there were 60.

  Prospect Downs Development
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when road works, storm drainage and sewage disposal arrangements at the Prospect downs development, Carrickfergus, will be completed to the adoption standard of the Department of the Environment. [17048]

  (2) what action has been taken by the Department of the environment to persuade the site developer at Prospect downs, Carrickfergus, to bring roads, storm drainage and sewerage systems up to adoption standard; [17050]

  (3) if the bond held by the Department of the Environment in respect of outstanding work at Prospect downs, Carrickfergus, is sufficient to meet the cost of completion of roads, drainage and sewage disposal arrangements to the adoption standard of the Department. [17049]

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

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 26 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State had asked me to respond to your 3 recent PQs about the Prospect Downs development at Carrickfergus.
  The Prospect Downs development consists of 20 phases. Storm drainage and sewerage disposal arrangements have been completed to adoption standards in phases 1–9 and have been adopted. The
  336
  roadworks associated with phase 1 have also been adopted but problems exist in relation to the other phases. Roads Service has been in contact with the two developers involved on a number of occasions with a view to having the necessary works carried out but without success. Enforcement action is therefore under consideration in order to bring the matter to a conclusion.
  With the exception of one of the phases bonds exist in relation to the outstanding work. it is not possible to say at this stage whether or not the amounts bounded would be sufficient to complete the works buy nevertheless the Department can recover any shortfall from the developers.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the approved budget of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools for 1996–97 and 1997–98; and what reductions are being required in its administrative budget. [17668]

  Mr. Ancram
  The total recurrent and capital budget for CMS in 1996–97 was £1.627 million. The equivalent budget for 1997–98 has still to be finalised, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Teachers (redundancies)
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of teachers in primary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland likely to be declared redundant in 1997–98 in(a) controlled schools and (b) maintained schools. [17664]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information sought is not available. Under the local management of schools arrangements, the number of teachers to be employed is a matter for schools' boards of governors.
  337

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Further Education Funding
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the likelihood that capital grants to further education colleges will have to be repaid to the European regional development fund, where the grant was conditional on an increase in student numbers which was to be funded through the demand-led element of further education funding. [17271]

  Mr. Paice
  Payments under the European regional development fund depend on project performance and delivery outputs. For projects involving the provision of training infrastructure, outputs may include vocational qualification gained or trainees trained. These outputs do not necessarily require a net increase in student numbers in all cases.

  School Security (Sheffield)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been allocated to Sheffield over the planning period for grants for school security measures; and if she will make a statement. [17738]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government will support extra expenditure of £66 million on school security measures in England over the next three years. This is in addition to spending on security from local education authorities' and schools' normal budgets. The extra funding will be allocated to authorities through the Department's grants for education support and training programme and to grant-maintained schools by the Funding Agency for Schools.

  Under the 1997–98 GEST programme, the security grant for Sheffield LEA will support expenditure of £184,900. Grant allocations for future years will be decided in due course.

  Vacancies (Follow-up)
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a benefit sanction may be applied for failure to follow up the vacancy where a claimant identifies a vacancy himself and requests an in-work benefit calculation from an Employment Service adviser. [17865]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about whether a benefit sanction may be applied for failure to follow up the vacancy where a claimant identifies a vacancy himself and requests an in-work benefit calculation from an employment service
  338
  adviser. This falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Employment Service (ES).
  Where the jobseeker identifies a vacancy themselves and discusses it with an ES adviser, it is considered to be notified to the jobseeker. Provided the jobseeker's suitability for the job has been established, if they do not apply for the job, or do not attend for the interview, or refuse the job, the case may be referred to the Sector Adjudication Officer (SAO). If the SAO decides the job, the case may be referred to the Sector Adjudication Officer (SAO). If the SAO decides the jobseeker has acted without good cause, a sanction of up to 26 weeks could be imposed.
  For these, as with all vacancies notified to the jobseeker, an in-work benefit calculation can be done by an ES adviser.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Jobseekers (Minimum Wage)
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances an Employment Service adviser may use an in-work benefit calculation to encourage a jobseeker to lower his minimum wage as indicated in question 16 of the ES2 form. [17864]

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

  Letter from Robert Home to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about the circumstances when an Employment Service Adviser may use an in-work benefit calculation to encourage a jobseeker to lower their minimum wage.
  All Employment Service (ES) offices provide a structured and coherent advisory and information service which is aimed at helping jobseekers back into work as soon as possible.
  As part of this service, our advisers provide information about in-work benefits, either at the request of the jobseeker or, where appropriate, as part of New Jobseeker Interviews and Restart Interviews. In relevant circumstances, Advisers also provide jobseekers with personal in-work benefit calculations to show how they can be better off in work, either for a particular job or for a range of wages.
  The "Helping You Back To Work" (ES2) form is generally used when the jobseeker initially makes a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). In discussing question 16, the adviser determines whether the jobseeker's salary expectation is realistic in the light of opportunities in the labour market. If the expected salary appears unrealistic, then the adviser will make the jobseeker aware of in-work benefits they may be able to claim if they accept a job with a lower wage.
  I hope this clarifies the position.

  Modern Apprentices
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each training and enterprise council(a) the number of modern apprentices and (b) the number in each occupational sector. [17919]

  Mr. Paice
  The information requested is given in the table.
  339

  Modern apprenticeship England and Wales—trainees in each sector as at 5 January 1997

  Numbers and per cent.

  England and Wales

  Bedfordshire

  Cambridgeshire

  North Derbyshire

  South Derbyshire

  Total number in training

  66,700

  400

  400

  400

  1,000

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  1

  —

  0

  —

  0

  Business Administration

  13

  6

  10

  27

  11

  Chemical Industry

  1

  1

  0

  1

  —

  Child Care

  3

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  6

  7

  5

  5

  16

  Engineering Manufacturing

  19

  43

  10

  17

  21

  Engineering Construction

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Information Technology

  1

  —

  3

  0

  1

  Marine Engineering

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Polymers Sector

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  7

  5

  6

  2

  2

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Construction

  8

  0

  15

  5

  2

  Plumbing

  1

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  2

  1

  0

  3

  5

  Air Transport

  —

  4

  16

  —

  0

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Engineering Services

  —

  3

  —

  0

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  0

  0

  —

  1

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Glass

  —

  0

  —

  5

  —

  Hairdressing

  7

  8

  2

  9

  13

  Healthcare

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  6

  —

  18

  4

  2

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  0

  1

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Printing

  1

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Sports and Recreation

  1

  0

  2

  —

  —

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Motor Industry

  9

  7

  3

  13

  10

  Health and Social Care

  3

  10

  2

  4

  1

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  340 341

  Numbers and per cent.

  Leicester

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk and Waveney

  Northants

  Greater Nottinghamshire

  Total number in training

  900

  900

  1,300

  700

  1,300

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  0

  5

  1

  2

  —

  Business Administration

  4

  24

  19

  22

  18

  Chemical Industry

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Childcare

  —

  3

  —

  —

  4

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  6

  3

  15

  4

  13

  Engineering Manufacturing

  32

  19

  20

  9

  6

  Engineering Construction

  —

  0

  —

  —

  1

  Information Technology

  3

  0

  —

  2

  7

  Marine Engineering

  —

  1

  —

  0

  —

  Polymers Sector

  0

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  8

  6

  —

  6

  12

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Construction

  4

  6

  30

  1

  5

  Plumbing

  0

  2

  —

  1

  2

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  5

  4

  1

  10

  3

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Engineering Services

  —

  0

  —

  0

  0

  Estate Agencies

  0

  1

  —

  0

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Hairdressing

  0

  7

  —

  7

  7

  Healthcare

  —

  1

  —

  0

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  4

  3

  5

  8

  1

  Knitting and lace

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  5

  0

  2

  2

  2

  Road Haulage

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Sports and Recreation

  —

  0

  2

  0

  —

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  0

  0

  0

  Motor Industry

  27

  7

  7

  22

  13

  Health and Social Care

  0

  5

  —

  0

  3

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  342 343

  Numbers and per cent.

  North Nottinghamshire

  Greater Peterborough

  Suffolk

  County Durham

  Northumberland

  Total number in training

  600

  500

  700

  1,400

  600

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  0

  3

  9

  1

  0

  Business Administration

  13

  19

  6

  23

  34

  Chemical Industry

  0

  —

  —

  0

  2

  Childcare

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  7

  3

  3

  1

  1

  Engineering Manufacturing

  26

  24

  15

  28

  17

  Engineering Construction

  0

  —

  2

  1

  —

  Information Technology

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Marine Engineering

  7

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Retailing

  4

  4

  3

  5

  7

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  4

  2

  1

  1

  Construction

  8

  —

  18

  10

  8

  Plumbing

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  1

  8

  3

  1

  1

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  1

  1

  —

  0

  1

  Estate Agencies

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  5

  3

  7

  6

  10

  Healthcare

  2

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  3

  8

  13

  2

  2

  Knitting and lace

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  —

  1

  0

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  1

  0

  Sports and Recreation

  5

  —

  1

  0

  1

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Motor Industry

  10

  11

  8

  9

  4

  Health and Social Care

  2

  6

  7

  3

  6

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Horses

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  344 345

  Numbers and per cent.

  Teeside

  Tyneside

  Sunderland City

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  Bradford

  Calderdale/Kirklees

  Total number in training

  1,200

  1,500

  700

  900

  500

  1,000

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial

  Horticulture

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  0

  Business Administration

  11

  24

  22

  12

  6

  7

  Chemical Industry

  1

  0

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Childcare

  4

  —

  —

  0

  7

  3

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  4

  2

  2

  7

  4

  8

  Engineering Manufacturing

  21

  2

  17

  15

  25

  30

  Engineering Construction

  20

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  4

  8

  0

  2

  1

  1

  Marine Engineering

  1

  12

  —

  —

  0

  3

  Polymers Sector

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Retailing

  12

  15

  9

  11

  3

  7

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  2

  1

  2

  2

  1

  4

  Construction

  3

  0

  13

  9

  13

  5

  Plumbing

  1

  0

  2

  1

  3

  1

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  8

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  0

  7

  1

  5

  0

  3

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  0

  1

  —

  0

  —

  Builders Merchants

  —

  1

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  1

  0

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Estate Agencies

  —

  2

  —

  0

  —

  0

  Fire Services

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  1

  Hairdressing

  1

  3

  4

  10

  2

  3

  Healthcare

  1

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  7

  1

  2

  3

  11

  5

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  1

  0

  1

  0

  4

  1

  Road Haulage

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  0

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  0

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  4

  7

  16

  13

  5

  5

  Health and Social Care

  0

  7

  6

  1

  1

  0

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement

  Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden

  Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  346 347

  Modern apprenticeship England and Wales—trainees in each sector as at 5 January 1997

  Numbers and per cent.

  Humberside

  Leeds

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  Wakefield

  Total number in training

  2,200

  900

  600

  800

  300

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  2

  0

  1

  —

  —

  Business Administration

  14

  19

  13

  10

  15

  Chemical Industry

  3

  —

  —

  0

  6

  Childcare

  0

  1

  1

  3

  2

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  4

  15

  3

  4

  6

  Engineering Manufacturing

  15

  9

  23

  20

  5

  Engineering Construction

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  2

  8

  2

  1

  1

  Marine Engineering

  1

  1

  0

  —

  —

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  3

  6

  2

  10

  5

  Steel Industry

  0

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Steel Industry

  1

  —

  2

  1

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  2

  11

  0

  2

  Construction

  18

  6

  11

  13

  18

  Plumbing

  1

  0

  2

  1

  3

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  2

  3

  2

  2

  4

  Air Transport

  —

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Bus and Coach

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Engineering Services

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Estate Agencies

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  0

  1

  —

  0

  2

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Hairdressing

  14

  7

  3

  7

  14

  Healthcare

  0

  —

  6

  19

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  0

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  1

  3

  6

  3

  2

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  0

  3

  1

  0

  2

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Tell Communications

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  14

  13

  2

  3

  9

  Health and Social Care

  2

  —

  3

  —

  2

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  348 349

  Numbers and per cent.

  North Yorkshire

  Bolton/Bury

  Normidtec

  South and East Cheshire

  Cumbria

  Total number in training

  900

  1,000

  900

  600

  1,300

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  9

  —

  0

  *

  3

  Business Administration

  8

  15

  26

  *

  11

  Chemical Industry

  —

  0

  19

  *

  —

  Childcare

  1

  6

  1

  *

  14

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  4

  4

  9

  *

  11

  Engineering Manufacturing

  9

  20

  10

  *

  15

  Engineering Construction

  —

  3

  —

  *

  —

  Information Technology

  1

  0

  6

  *

  1

  Marine Engineering

  —

  0

  —

  *

  13

  Polymers Sector

  0

  0

  0

  *

  —

  Retailing

  12

  9

  4

  *

  6

  Steel Industry

  0

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  0

  —

  *

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  2

  0

  *

  0

  Construction

  21

  14

  7

  *

  5

  Plumbing

  3

  2

  —

  *

  0

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Accounting

  5

  2

  3

  *

  1

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Bakers

  —

  2

  —

  *

  0

  Builders Merchants

  1

  —

  —

  *

  0

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Electricity

  3

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Engineering Services

  0

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  0

  —

  *

  —

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  *

  0

  Hairdressing

  4

  7

  2

  *

  2

  Healthcare

  —

  0

  2

  *

  1

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  5

  1

  3

  *

  6

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Printing

  2

  0

  0

  *

  —

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  —

  1

  —

  *

  0

  Tell Communications

  —

  2

  —

  *

  —

  Timber Trade

  0

  0

  —

  *

  —

  Motor Industry

  9

  7

  4

  *

  7

  Health and Social Care

  1

  2

  2

  *

  1

  Newspapers

  —

  0

  —

  *

  0

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  0

  0

  *

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Floristry

  —

  0

  —

  *

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Plumbing

  0

  0

  —

  *

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  1

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  350 351

  Numbers and per cent.

  Eltec

  Lawtec

  Manchester

  Merseyside

  Oldham

  Total number in training

  1,500

  1,900

  2,100

  1,900

  500

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Business Administration

  24

  15

  25

  7

  12

  Chemical Industry

  —

  0

  0

  —

  0

  Childcare

  2

  —

  5

  1

  1

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  4

  3

  10

  5

  1

  Engineering Manufacturing

  20

  30

  13

  14

  30

  Engineering Construction

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  1

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Marine Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Polymers Sector

  —

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Retailing

  5

  2

  4

  18

  10

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  —

  1

  4

  0

  2

  Construction

  8

  12

  10

  16

  6

  Plumbing

  3

  3

  0

  2

  2

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  1

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  0

  0

  0

  —

  1

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Bus and Coach

  4

  2

  —

  0

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  —

  1

  2

  0

  1

  Estate Agencies

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Fire Services

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  4

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Glass

  0

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Hairdressing

  4

  3

  9

  11

  9

  Healthcare

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Hotel and Catering

  1

  5

  1

  3

  1

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  0

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Paper and Board

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  1

  —

  0

  0

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  1

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  9

  9

  7

  10

  2

  Health and Social Care

  5

  5

  1

  9

  11

  Newspapers

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  352 353

  Numbers and per cent.

  Rochdale

  St. Helens CC&T

  Stockport and High Peak

  Metrotec

  Cewtec

  Birmingham

  Total number in training

  500

  600

  500

  600

  700

  1,600

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial

  Horticulture

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Business Administration

  21

  14

  9

  14

  6

  17

  Chemical Industry

  —

  4

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Childcare

  4

  3

  11

  —

  0

  10

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  7

  8

  5

  7

  4

  1

  Engineering Manufacturing

  19

  32

  42

  21

  27

  16

  Engineering Construction

  —

  2

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  2

  —

  1

  1

  2

  3

  Marine Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Polymers Sector

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  2

  0

  8

  3

  5

  11

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  —

  1

  1

  1

  0

  4

  Construction

  15

  5

  1

  15

  13

  6

  Plumbing

  1

  7

  —

  6

  —

  —

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  2

  1

  2

  2

  1

  —

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  0

  Engineering Services

  —

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  —

  0

  2

  —

  0

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Glass

  —

  4

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  10

  7

  6

  4

  6

  6

  Healthcare

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  3

  1

  3

  1

  6

  6

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  —

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Road Haulage

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  3

  2

  —

  0

  0

  —

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  6

  5

  7

  13

  4

  6

  Health and Social Care

  3

  —

  —

  3

  5

  13

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  354 355

  Numbers and per cent.

  Central England

  Coventry

  Dudley

  Hawtec

  Sandwell

  Total number in training

  300

  1,000

  500

  600

  400

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  2

  —

  —

  5

  —

  Business Administration

  8

  11

  9

  7

  10

  Chemical Industry

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Childcare

  3

  1

  8

  4

  0

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  8

  8

  11

  6

  0

  Engineering Manufacturing

  42

  39

  32

  20

  37

  Engineering Construction

  1

  0

  —

  —

  25

  Information Technology

  —

  1

  3

  1

  0

  Marine Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Retailing

  11

  4

  3

  14

  1

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  2

  4

  —

  0

  —

  Construction

  2

  4

  6

  1

  2

  Plumbing

  —

  0

  11

  1

  —

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  1

  2

  3

  7

  2

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Builders Merchants

  —

  1

  —

  0

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  9

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Engineering Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Glass

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  8

  8

  3

  9

  1

  Healthcare

  —

  0

  —

  1

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  1

  3

  2

  8

  —

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  —

  0

  —

  0

  1

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  —

  0

  —

  4

  —

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  10

  5

  7

  6

  5

  Health and Social Care

  —

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  356 357

  Numbers and per cent.

  Shropshire

  Staffordshire

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  Mid Glamorgan

  Total number in training

  500

  1,100

  400

  500

  900

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  1

  5

  —

  0

  3

  Business Administration

  6

  7

  13

  18

  10

  Chemical Industry

  —

  —

  0

  3

  0

  Childcare

  0

  4

  —

  —

  0

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  9

  8

  13

  7

  5

  Engineering Manufacturing

  28

  21

  32

  24

  25

  Engineering Construction

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Marine Engineering

  2

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Polymers Sector

  3

  —

  2

  —

  1

  Retailing

  3

  11

  2

  6

  2

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  4

  2

  —

  0

  Construction

  1

  4

  8

  5

  7

  Plumbing

  1

  0

  —

  —

  3

  Wool Textiles

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Accounting

  6

  10

  —

  2

  2

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Builders Merchants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  0

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Estate Agencies

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  0

  —

  —

  —

  o

  Glass

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  3

  14

  5

  11

  6

  Healthcare

  0

  1

  —

  0

  0

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Hotel and Catering

  4

  1

  2

  14

  2

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  1

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Road Haulage

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  0

  —

  —

  1

  Sports and Recreation

  0

  —

  6

  3

  3

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Motor Industry

  27

  7

  11

  5

  12

  Health and Social Care

  —

  —

  3

  —

  1

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  1

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  358 359

  Numbers and per cent.

  South Glamorgan

  Gwent

  North East Wales

  North West Wales

  West Wales

  Total number in training

  700

  1,000

  800

  500

  1,600

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  *

  2

  5

  2

  5

  Business Administration

  *

  6

  17

  9

  6

  Chemical Industry

  *

  —

  3

  0

  0

  Childcare

  *

  0

  1

  25

  0

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  *

  4

  13

  5

  3

  Engineering Manufacturing

  *

  15

  25

  16

  20

  Engineering Construction

  *

  0

  0

  —

  0

  Information Technology

  *

  —

  3

  1

  1

  Marine Engineering

  *

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Polymers Sector

  *

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Retailing

  *

  2

  4

  3

  6

  Steel Industry

  *

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  *

  9

  4

  —

  9

  Travel Service

  *

  1

  3

  1

  0

  Construction

  *

  25

  3

  7

  15

  Plumbing

  *

  4

  1

  4

  3

  Wool Textiles

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  *

  11

  1

  1

  12

  Accounting

  *

  3

  3

  1

  0

  Air Transport

  *

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  *

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Bakers

  *

  —

  0

  1

  Builders Merchants

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  *

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Engineering Services

  *

  1

  0

  2

  0

  Estate Agencies

  *

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  *

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Glass

  *

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Hairdressing

  *

  5

  2

  5

  6

  Healthcare

  *

  —

  0

  1

  1

  Horticulture (amenity)

  *

  1

  0

  1

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  *

  3

  1

  3

  1

  Knitting and lace

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  *

  —

  0

  0

  1

  Paper and Board

  *

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Printing

  *

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Road Haulage

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  *

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Security

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  *

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Tell Communications

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  *

  9

  7

  6

  3

  Health and Social Care

  *

  0

  1

  2

  3

  Newspapers

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  *

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Museums

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rail

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  *

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  360 361

  Numbers and per cent.

  Westec

  Devon and Cornwall

  Dorset

  Gloucestershire

  Somerset

  Wiltshire

  Total number in training

  1,400

  2,200

  900

  700

  600

  400

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial

  Horticulture

  —

  4

  0

  2

  4

  4

  Business Administration

  15

  7

  3

  12

  9

  4

  Chemical Industry

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Childcare

  1

  1

  5

  4

  4

  6

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  7

  7

  3

  5

  3

  4

  Engineering Manufacturing

  19

  19

  15

  20

  34

  46

  Engineering Construction

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  3

  0

  0

  1

  1

  —

  Marine Engineering

  1

  5

  1

  5

  —

  10

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Retailing

  11

  3

  4

  5

  2

  6

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  1

  2

  1

  0

  1

  —

  Construction

  1

  21

  0

  4

  7

  0

  Plumbing

  1

  3

  —

  1

  —

  0

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  2

  4

  1

  3

  3

  —

  Air Transport

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Bakers

  —

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Builders Merchants

  0

  0

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  1

  —

  0

  1

  —

  —

  Estate Agencies

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Glass

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Hairdressing

  13

  0

  13

  13

  11

  0

  Healthcare

  2

  3

  1

  —

  8

  1

  Horticulture (amenity)

  0

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  2

  4

  13

  2

  1

  3

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  2

  1

  0

  2

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  0

  Sports and Recreation

  1

  0

  4

  2

  —

  0

  Tell Communications

  0

  —

  —

  0

  —

  1

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  14

  13

  22

  15

  7

  5

  Health and Social Care

  0

  1

  10

  0

  3

  8

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Operating Department Practice

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement

  Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden

  Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  362 363

  Modern apprenticeship England and Wales—trainees in each sector as at 5 January 1997

  Numbers and per cent.

  Essex

  Hampshire

  Heart of England

  Hertfordshire

  Kent

  Total number in training

  2,000

  1,700

  500

  900

  1,900

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  —

  —

  0

  —

  1

  Business Administration

  13

  6

  13

  9

  13

  Chemical Industry

  0

  —

  —

  1

  0

  Childcare

  4

  3

  0

  12

  0

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  9

  6

  15

  4

  7

  Engineering Manufacturing

  22

  17

  26

  21

  5

  Engineering Construction

  0

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Information Technology

  1

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Marine Engineering

  —

  7

  —

  —

  1

  Polymers Sector

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  Retailing

  7

  9

  8

  11

  13

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  2

  2

  4

  3

  1

  Construction

  3

  4

  1

  0

  2

  Plumbing

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  1

  2

  4

  0

  1

  Air Transport

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Builders Merchants

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  0

  0

  0

  —

  0

  Engineering Services

  0

  0

  2

  —

  —

  Estate Agencies

  0

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  —-

  —

  Hairdressing

  7

  12

  7

  3

  25

  Healthcare

  9

  0

  1

  —

  2

  Horticulture (amenity)

  1

  0

  —

  1

  Hotel and Catering

  12

  10

  7

  20

  6

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Printing

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  0

  0

  —

  0

  Tell Communications

  —

  —

  —

  1

  0

  Timber Trade

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  6

  14

  6

  11

  6

  Health and Social Care

  2

  3

  2

  —

  4

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  0

  1

  —

  —

  Horses

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  0

  —

  —

  1

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  -

  Plumbing

  —

  0

  —

  —

  0

  Rail

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  364 365

  Numbers and per cent.

  Milton Keynes

  Surrey

  Sussex

  Thames Valley

  Aztec

  Total number in training

  400

  800

  1,200

  1,400

  400

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture

  —

  1

  0

  —

  —

  Business Administration

  32

  3

  10

  15

  17

  Chemical Industry

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Childcare

  —

  5

  6

  10

  4

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  1

  9

  7

  11

  10

  Engineering Manufacturing

  24

  12

  2

  8

  2

  Engineering Construction

  —

  0

  —

  —

  1

  Information Technology

  3

  —

  1

  2

  1

  Marine Engineering

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  4

  8

  9

  25

  21

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  0

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Construction

  0

  2

  7

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  1

  3

  0

  2

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Welsh Manufacturing Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  14

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Air Transport

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  3

  0

  Builders Merchants

  —

  1

  0

  —

  0

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Engineering Services

  —

  —

  1

  0

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  —

  1

  —

  5

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Glass

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  1

  3

  7

  4

  16

  Healthcare

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  4

  16

  14

  6

  4

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Man-made fibres

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Printing

  0

  1

  3

  5

  0

  Road Haulage

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Sports and Recreation

  —

  J

  1

  1

  3

  Tell Communications

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Timber Trade

  —

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  13

  12

  10

  6

  6

  Health and Social Care

  —

  15

  11

  —

  —

  Newspapers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  1

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  0

  —

  0

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  366 367

  North London

  North West London

  Cilntec

  Central London

  London East

  Solotec

  West London

  Total number in training

  1,000

  500

  700

  400

  900

  900

  800

  Percentage in:

  Agriculture and Commercial

  Horticulture

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  Business Administration

  8

  2

  14

  13

  3

  13

  —

  Chemical Industry

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Childcare

  2

  7

  2

  4

  —

  4

  7

  Electrical Installation

  Engineering

  1

  5

  15

  16

  6

  12

  —

  Engineering Manufacturing

  0

  1

  4

  —

  86

  "

  13

  Engineering Construction

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  0

  —

  0

  1

  0

  o

  1

  Marine Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Polymers Sector

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Retailing

  13

  14

  8

  21

  —

  12

  1

  Steel Industry

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Steel Industry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Travel Service

  2

  1

  0

  5

  —

  7

  —

  Construction

  2

  —

  6

  1

  4

  2

  Plumbing

  0

  1

  1

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Wool Textiles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Welsh Manufacturing

  Engineering

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Accounting

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  0

  —

  Air Transport

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts and Entertainment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Builders Merchants

  0

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bus and Coach

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  0

  Carpet Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electricity

  0

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Engineering Services

  —

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Estate Agencies

  —

  0

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Fire Services

  —

  —

  _

  —

  —

  Furniture Manufacturing

  16

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Glass

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hairdressing

  1

  3

  11

  —

  10

  0

  Healthcare

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Horticulture (amenity)

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hotel and Catering

  36

  31

  2

  16

  0

  5

  55

  Knitting and lace

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Man-made fibres

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Meat training

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Paper and Board

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Printing

  0

  —

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  Seafish

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sports and Recreation

  4

  7

  0

  6

  —

  —

  0

  Tell Communications

  2

  —

  0

  1

  —

  —

  0

  Timber Trade

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motor Industry

  7

  11

  13

  3

  —

  6

  2

  Health and Social Care

  1

  5

  —

  1

  —

  3

  2

  Newspapers

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Operating Department Practice

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physiological Measurement

  Technicians

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Banking Services

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Floristry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Horses

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Insurance

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Museums

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Plumbing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rail

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agriculture and Garden

  Machinery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Farriery

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. As the information on the sector breakdown is from the MA Database, it is only possible to give percentages, not actual numbers.

  2. "—" = less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  MA Database; TEC Management Information.
  368 369

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she plans changes to cash limits and running cost limits on votes within her responsibility for 1996–97. [14254]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1997, c. 397–98]: The cash limit for class I, vote 3: Employment Service will now be decreased by £19,553,000 rather than £20,303,000. Therefore, the new cash limit will be £1,269,42,000 not £1,268,674,000. This change has arisen because the funding of annual compensation payments for early departures between the Employment Service and the Cabinet Office will now be made by direct payment rather than a departmental transfer between votes.

  Service family quarters charge for last five years

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  Officers

  41.30

  43.12

  47.04

  53.48

  56.07

  Other ranks

  26.46

  27.74

  29.68

  34.02

  35.93

  Additionally, all service personnel pay a contribution in lieu of council tax. Some of the quarters are occupied by civilians and these charges are based on market rents which are assessed by local defence lands service offices.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the percentage increases per annum in rents for service family quarters in each of the past five years; what are the planned increases in each year of the planning period; and if he will make a statement. [17936]

  Mr. Soames
  The average percentage increases recommended by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and accepted by the Government for service family quarters are as follows:

  1993–94: 1.5 percent.

  1994–95: 5 per cent.

  1995–96: 5–8 per cent.

  1996–97: 10–25 per cent.

  1997–98: 2.7–9.1 percent.

  Charges are recommended annually by the AFPRB, which has always followed the principle that charges levied on service personnel should compare fairly with the costs civilians have to incur for comparable housing. The higher percentage increases this year are for the largest, best-quality officer housing.

  Admissible Schools List
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the current version of the admissible schools list showing the number of pupils supported by his Department at each school. [17934]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 1996,Official Report, column 196.
  370
  The running costs provision for class IX, vote 3 will therefore be decreased by £2,243,000 rather than £2,993,000 to £907,908,000 and not £907,158,000. The gross running costs limit for the Department for Education and Employment is increased by £4,402,000 to £1,281,816,000.

DEFENCE

  Married Quarters (Rent)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current average rent per week in service married quarters; and what was the average in each of the last five years. [17935]

  Mr. Soames
  The average weekly charges for service family quarters are given in the table, and are based on furnished accommodation in England, Scotland and Wales and of the most commonly occupied type of accommodation.

  Proof and Experimental Work
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on proof and experimental work carried out overseas, broken down by the countries in which this work takes place, in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of this work which could be carried out at range facilities in the United Kingdom. [17673]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A preliminary survey, however, indicates that in the past five years more than £8 million has been spent on proof and experimental work in a range of overseas countries. Such work is conducted overseas when it provides better value for money, or when no suitable range is available in the UK, or when extreme climate conditions are required.

  Eskmeal and Shoeburyness Ranges
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency study on the future of the Eskmeals and Shoeburyness ranges; and if he will make arrangements for the report to be made publicly available. [17674]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  An interim report was completed by DERA at the end of January. It did not make firm recommendations for the closure of either Eskmeals or Shoeburyness but suggested further detailed work into how the costs of the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation land ranges might be reduced. Given the report's interim nature, I do not believe it appropriate for publication at present, but as soon as DERA has completed consultations with its MOD customers on the implications of the proposals, DERA intends to publish a
  371
  consultative document setting out the options and proposing a way ahead. This will be circulated to DERA staff, trade unions and those with an interest. I expect to approve the release of this document within the next few weeks.

  Guards (Hours)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent changes his Department has made to the hours and shifts worked by service personnel acting as guards on(a) HMS Raleigh, (b) HMS Drake and (c) Stonehouse barracks. [17939]

  Mr. Soames
  There have been no recent changes to the hours and shifts for service personnel on guard duty at Stonehouse barracks or HMS Drake. At HMS Raleigh, the usual five-week shift pattern was replaced on 2 January 1997 by a four-week pattern to overcome a temporary manpower shortage. This will not increase the length of the normal 12-hour shifts—including stand-by time—and personnel will receive approximately two weeks' leave in every four weeks.

  BSE
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 February(Official Report column 715, if he will list the BSE-related material which (a) is and (b) has been stored at RAF Quedgely. [17835]

  Mr. Soames
  There is currently no BSE-related material stored at RAF Quedgely. BSE pelleted material was stored between May and August 1996 until removed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [17073]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A central record is not kept of individual items unaccounted for. All such cases are thoroughly investigated with a view to establishing the facts and preventing a recurrence. Where a loss has occurred and recovery proves impracticable, the items in question are written off, and the relevant appropriation account noted accordingly. Items over £100,000 value are reported and noted individually.

  Twenty items of equipment have been reported as stolen in the past 12 months, with an estimated value of £75,300. Two thermal imagers and related items valued together at £69,589 were the only items valued at more than £5,000.

  In addition, 29 items of information technology equipment have been reported as stolen in the past 12 months, with an estimated value of £31,043. None of these had an individual value of £5,000 or more.

  No thefts of furniture have been reported.
  372
  This information does not include any losses from defence agencies, I have asked the chief executives to write direct to the hon. Member with relevant information.

  Letter from J. A. Trewby to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been (a) stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months insofar as it applies to the Naval Bases and Supply Agency (NBSA) as this matter falls within my area of responsibility.
  The NBSA launched in December 1996 and is formed from a number of different management areas within the MOD. The exact information you have requested is not readily available due to system changes, but the following information is available for this financial year:

  (a) Three items have been stolen with a total value of £7,937.48 (VAT inclusive). None of these were information technology items. No single item involved was valued in excess of £5,000.

  (b) Material losses authorised this financial year amount to 907 items with a total value of £2,709,597.09 (VAT inclusive). This figure includes losses caused by damage to equipment. There were no losses of information technology equipment. Eleven of these cases involved items with an individual item value in excess of £5,000; these are listed below.

  Item description

  Value £ (VAT inclusive)

  Fixed probe assembly

  9,839.45

  Gyro and card set kit

  14,414.90

  Rudder servo (quantity 2)

  20,201.77

  Fan centrifugal (quantity 2)

  11,376.35

  Filter module

  5,254.60

  Actuator rotary

  9,770.13

  Regulator assembly

  8,328.40

  Lifting/load

  7,032.38

  Vector voltmeter

  5,876.18

  Transmitter

  10,250.00

  Radar platform

  6,164.69

  Letter from R. H. Kyle to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  Items of equipment and furniture that have either been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for in the Royal Air Force Maintenance Group Defence Agency
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen, lost or unaccounted for during the past 12 months because this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Maintenance Group Defence Agency. A list of all such items with an individual value exceeding £5,000 is given at Annex A. Actual losses are rare; when compared with the amount of equipment issued (more than 1 million items), the figure of 29 represents only 0.003% of the total number. There have been no losses of information technology equipment.

  Annex A: RAF MGDA equipment and furniture losses

  Serial number

  Item

  Value of the item £

  Stolen yes/no

  1

  Flight compass 1081706

  7,925

  No

  2

  Value 118 7884

  7,407

  No

  3

  Transformer receiver 10D 9550582

  9,666

  No

  4

  Fairing assembly 1560 99 6131360

  6,462

  No

  5

  Screwjack assembly 1680 1591069

  5,202

  No

  6

  Pole assembly 26LX 6414634

  6,487

  No

  373

  Annex A: RAF MGDA equipment and furniture losses

  Serial number

  Item

  Value of the item £

  Stolen yes/no

  7

  Box assembly 26VC 23304

  7,166

  No

  8

  Coupling port 36DE 7752541

  7,597

  No

  9

  Leading edge 1560 99 6120145

  6,221

  No

  10

  Skin panel 26VC 8705542

  11,005

  No

  11

  Emruno 22MK2 11A 6345911

  14,699

  No

  12

  Nose cone 1560 01 2951228

  35,849

  No

  13

  Airbrakes Pt 1560 14 0416316

  5,686

  No

  14

  Housing 2915 14 419517

  7,782

  No

  15

  Nozzle port 26VN 7775986

  6,035

  No

  16

  Rodsighting 26DL 6011375

  6,389

  No

  17

  Brake unit 27G 1501909

  5,948

  No

  18

  Fan 5UD 4390830

  5,695

  No

  19

  Inverter 4F 513039

  10,446

  No

  20

  Jack airbrake 1650 99 733 9589

  9,392

  No

  21

  Fairing starboard 26VA 6057455

  10,680

  No

  22

  Standcocking 12A 9635240

  6,130

  No

  23

  Pump37S 11568

  18,495

  No

  24

  Indicator B 110Q 6274221

  8,187

  No

  25

  Shaft assembly port 26VA 6049508

  6,213

  No

  26

  HPU fuel pump 4320 12 1931468

  6,905

  No

  27

  Case 136MG 379347

  14,141

  No

  28

  Batteries and transmitter

  7,969

  Yes

  29

  Message processor and video receiver 1195 01 255823

  21,900

  Under investigation

  Letter from W. E. E. Boreham to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about stolen and unaccounted equipment and furniture, as this falls into my area of responsibility as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence police Agency.
  During the last twelve months I have identified the theft of one laptop computer, ten expandable batons, and one pair of handcuffs complete with pouch. The total value of the stolen equipment was some £2,290,00.

  Letter from P. R. Wildman to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for by his Department and its agencies as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Military Survey Defence Agency.
  One item of IT equipment has been stolen in the past twelve months with an estimated value of £500. No IT equipment was lost.
  A small number of miscellaneous items were lost during the past twelve months. All cases were investigated and where recovery was impracticable the items were written off. No item was valued at £5,000 or more.
  No thefts of furniture have been reported.
  This information is exclusive to Military Survey Defence Agency.

  Letter from A. J. Stables to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:

  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency.
  There have been 30 items of equipment and furniture stolen during the period, for which the total estimated value was £20,048. This includes a vehicle and its contents valued at £14,851.
  374
  Four items of information technology material valued at a total of £993 were unaccounted for, as were 378 other items of equipment and furniture valued at a total of £13,610. In addition, a number of low cost cutlery items with a total estimated value of £1,032 were also unaccounted for.

  Letter from W. H. J. Kelly to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked the Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) to reply to your Parliamentary Question, about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months within the NRTA. I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive in his absence.
  18 items of equipment have been reported as stolen in the past 12 months with an estimated total value of £2,896.84. Two of these items were furniture and one item was IT equipment. 101 items of equipment with an estimated value of £67,169.83 are unaccounted for, however, none of these had an individual value of £5,000 or more.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Letter from David G. Wadsworth to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence seeking information about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that (a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months, insofar as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Service Children's Schools Agency.
  During the past 12 months there have been 3 separate reported incidents of theft of equipment from schools within British Forces Germany. The stolen equipment comprised of 8 individual items of classroom based Information Technology equipment at a total estimated value of £5,400 and 3 individual items of classroom based audio visual aids at a total estimated value of £500. These incidents were investigated by the Royal Military Police; however none of these items have since been recovered.
  There has been no unaccounted losses to report against your point (b).

  Letter from M. I. Laurie to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning lost or stolen equipment as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre.
  During the previous 12 months, three items of equipment have been stolen, with a total value of £3670. Two of these items were laptop computers valued at £1736 each.

  Letter from G. Jones to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the cost and numbers of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and agencies during the past 12 months, as these matters fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Defence Agency. Specifically, you asked for a listing, by name, of any such items valued at £5000 or more, with information technology material shown separately.
  During the last 12 months, 7 items, with a total value of £2848.10, have been unaccounted for at the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment. None of the items were information technology material.
  375
  Letter from R. V. Babington to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying in part to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about equipment and furniture that has been stolen or unaccounted for, in relation to my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency.
  In the last twelve months there have been four items of information technology material stolen, at a value of £800. Two items of information technology material have also been lost or damaged during an attempted theft, at a value of £900.

  Letter from John R. Prince to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about stolen and unaccounted items of equipment and furniture, as this matters falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA).
  From a capital asset base of approximately 10,000 lines, we have still to account for 2 items as follows:

  Item

  Value

  1 video camera

  1,000

  1 notebook computer

  1,000

  These are currently the subject of Ministry of Defence Police investigations. The asset base excludes furniture, which we do not generally account for as it tends to be of low value.

  Letter from P. D. Foxton to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence on office equipment and furniture that has been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the last twelve months, for those areas that fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA).
  To the best of my knowledge, following enquiries throughout the whole of ABSDA, office equipment to the value of £305 remains unaccounted for, made up in the main of minor items such as calculators and mains adapters. There is no proof of theft and there have therefore, been no criminal prosecutions. There have been no instances of information technology material going missing.
  As a whole, office equipment in ABSDA, including information technology material, is well documented, highly visible and as a result, appropriately safeguarded.
  I hope this fully answers your query.

  Letter from J. R. Drew to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture stolen from, or unaccounted for by, his department and its agencies over the past 12 months. As this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO), I am replying in respect of this agency.
  Thirteen items of IT equipment valued at £14,595 were written off in FY96/97. These were stolen in one incident at one of our Contract Repair Offices. This included a PC Server which originally cost £9,178. A full investigation by the police failed to shed any light on the burglary or the perpetrators and gave no prospect of recovery.
  There is no consolidated figure yet available for all stores losses in FY 96/97. The total amount written off in FY 95/96 for all reasons was £24,545 covering 211 individual items.
  376
  Letter from C. A. Gordon to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about losses and thefts of equipment and furniture form this Agency over the last 12 months, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Deputy Chief Executive of the Army Individual Training Organisation.
  Records are maintained of all equipment and furniture stolen, irreparably damaged or unaccounted for, but they do no invariably distinguish between these losses where the sums involved are small. Within these limits, the information you have requested is shown below. You may, however, like to note that a large number of the items included in the Damaged or Unaccounted For column are small items of cutlery etc of little intrinsic value.

  Numbers of items:

  Total

  Individual items valued at

  Stolen

  Damaged or unaccounted for

  value

  over £5000

  79

  1,960

  149,448

  (1) Victaulic pipe (£41,049)

  (2) 110v power tools (£10,143)

  (3) Night vision Goggles (£13,438

  (4) Digital master unit (£9,151)

  Included in the above are three items of IT equipment with a total value of £5243, which have all been stolen.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from I. G. Mclntyre to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence/Her Majesty's Government about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or are otherwise unaccounted for during the last 12 months, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency.
  Equipment and furniture lost or unaccounted for with the Defence Dental Agency is listed below:

  (a) Miscellaneous Medical/Dental Equipment items x 32 = £2561.87

  (b) Information Technology Material = £ NIL

  I hope this is of help.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I have been asked to reply, on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), to your question asking for information about property stolen or otherwise unaccounted for during the last twelve months.
  DERA procedures identify two categories of equipment, items valued at more than £10,000 and items valued at less than £10,000. The responsibility for maintaining registers, safeguarding equipment and investigating any losses relating to items valued at less than £10,000 is devolved to a working level. There are more than 600 such registers kept within DERA. Items valued at more than £10,000 are recorded centrally, are routinely checked and any loss or damage investigation is notified centrally.
  No items valued at £10,000 or more have been reported centrally as lost, stolen or damaged during the past twelve months. Because of the devolved nature of the records held on equipment valued at less than £10,000 it has not been possible to collect this information in the time available.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.
  377
  Letter from Ron Smith to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the loss of equipment and furniture by Defence Agencies as this matter, in respect of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA), falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the DSCA.
  In the DSCA there were, in the last twelve months, 355 items unaccounted for to a total value of £11,644; of these, it is believed none were stolen. In addition, there were three items of IT equipment unaccounted for (total value £2,200) and six IT items which we believe were individually valued at £5K or over.

  Letter from W. E. Speadbury to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  In the absence on duty of the Chief Executive, I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen and are otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months.
  I am pleased to report that during this period no equipment or furniture has been stolen or is otherwise unaccounted for.

  Letter from F. A. Bush to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, about stolen and unaccounted for equipment and furniture, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Acting Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive Agency.
  During the last 12 months, we have identified the loss of 97 International Standards Organisation (ISO) containers, which are missing following operations over the past 4 years in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Their value is approximately £174K and within this total there are 7 refrigerated containers, each valued at £5000 or more.

  Letter from B. E. Nimick to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have either been stolen or otherwise unaccounted for as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency.
  No such equipment or furniture has been reported stolen or unaccounted for over the past 12 months.

  Letter from J. C R. Hunt to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or unaccounted for during the last 12 months, as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office.
  The type and value of equipment and furniture stolen from the Meteorological Office in the last year is as follows:

  Dell Pentium PC and network card valued at £2,000

  HP Laserjet 5 printer valued at £3,000

  Dell PC valued at £1,500

  Laptop stolen from employees' care valued at £2,000.

  No other items are unaccounted for.

  I hope this gives you the information you need.

  378
  Letter from Mr. S. R. Hill to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 27 February 1997:

  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that (a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for during the past 12 months, as this matter falls within my area of repsonsibility as Chief Executive of the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO).

  2. Four items only have been stolen, amounting to a total value of £294.23.

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in each of the past five years the royal yacht has been used for private journeys; where and by whom these journeys were made; and what payment for each voyage was received. [16911]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 20 February 1997]: During the past five years, Her Majesty's yacht Britannia has been used for private journeys on the following occasions:

  Dates

  Embarked

  From/to

  6–18 August 1992

  The Queen

  Portsmouth/Aberdeen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Duke of York

  The Princess Royal

  The Prince Edward

  5–16 August 1993

  The Queen

  Portsmouth/Aberdeen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Duke of York

  The Princess Royal

  The Prince Edward

  1994

  nil

  3–14 August 1995

  The Queen

  Portsmouth/Aberdeen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Prince Edward

  7– 17 August 1996

  The Queen

  Portsmouth/Aberdeen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Princess Royal

  Captain Timothy

  Laurence

  The voyage in August 1995 included an official visit by Her Majesty the Queen to Oban. The voyage in August 1996 included an official visit by Her Majesty the Queen to Stranraer. Provision for HMY Britannia is currently made from defence votes, and payments are not made by individual users. Following the Government's decision to commission a replacement for Britannia, the Queen has indicated that she and other members of the royal family wish to make repayment on a basis to be agreed for any personal use made of the new royal yacht.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern whether a voyage made by the royal yacht is official or private. [16890]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 20 February 1997]: Official voyages by HMY Britannia include public duties, both royal and commercial, and her regular activities such as training. Private voyages are any that do not include public duties.

HEALTH

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each quarter since March 1988 the mean

  Estimated mean and median waiting times of patients on waiting lists for elective admission

  NHS hospitals, England

  Figures shown in days

  Ordinary admissions

  Day cases

  All cases

  Financial year

  Position on last day of

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  Median

  1987–88

  March 1988

  295

  164

  219

  96

  281

  153

  1988–89

  June 1988

  300

  168

  217

  101

  285

  156

  September 1988

  302

  171

  219

  103

  287

  158

  December 1988

  298

  169

  218

  98

  283

  156

  March 1989

  300

  217

  97

  284

  156

  1989–90

  June 1989

  294

  166

  217

  96

  278

  152

  September 1989

  294

  166

  214

  98

  277

  153

  December 1989

  285

  212

  95

  269

  147

  March 1990

  279

  159

  205

  90

  263

  144

  1990–91

  June 1990

  276

  159

  202

  94

  260

  145

  September 1990

  273

  160

  196

  91

  256

  145

  December 1990

  257

  152

  189

  87

  242

  137

  March 1991

  248

  151

  172

  85

  230

  135

  1991–92

  June 1991

  247

  151

  173

  85

  229

  133

  September 1991

  237

  145

  178

  84

  222

  128

  December 1991

  211

  131

  150

  80

  195

  114

  March 1992

  170

  116

  119

  75

  197

  97

  1992–93

  June 1992

  166

  122

  121

  79

  153

  105

  September 1992

  163

  121

  121

  80

  151

  104

  December 1992

  157

  116

  119

  78

  145

  99

  March 1993

  149

  114

  115

  79

  138

  97

  1993–94

  June 1993

  156

  122

  120

  82

  144

  105

  September 1993

  158

  123

  124

  82

  146

  105

  December 1993

  158

  122

  125

  82

  146

  104

  March 1994

  151

  116

  122

  82

  140

  98

  1994–95

  June 1994

  154

  120

  122

  83

  141

  102

  September 1994

  152

  119

  121

  82

  139

  99

  December 1994

  147

  112

  117

  80

  134

  92

  March 1995

  134

  101

  108

  76

  122

  86

  1995–96

  June 1995

  136

  107

  110

  79

  124

  90

  September 1995

  134

  104

  107

  77

  122

  87

  December 1995

  130

  98

  104

  76

  118

  85

  March 1996

  122

  94

  99

  74

  111

  83

  1996–97

  June 1996

  127

  100

  105

  78

  116

  86

  September 1996

  130

  100

  106

  78

  118

  86

  Note:

  Ordinary cases are those involving an overnight stay.

  Source:

  Korner aggregate returns submitted from providers of hospital services in the NHS.

  Lariam
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 284, what research trials of Lariam have been carried out by (a) drug companies and (b) other bodies since 1990; and if the Medicines Control Agency has reviewed the results of those trials since that date. [17207]
  380
  and median waiting times for (a) in-patient admission to hospital, (b) day case treatment and (c) all admissions from waiting lists to hospital in England. [15446]

  Mr. Horam
  Estimated mean and median waiting times for patients waiting for treatment on an in-patient or day case basis and for all patients waiting at the end of each quarter since March 1988 are given in the table.

  Mr. Malone
  As stated in my reply of 13 February, information on research trials held by the Licensing Authority is confidential. The Medicines Control Agency evaluates the results of studies and other relevant data.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the contracts awarded by his
  381
  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. [17613]

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  EDS

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  13,029.21

  Andersens

  nil

  nil

  nil

  36,783.87

  293.75

  BMI

  nil

  78.40

  246.75

  nil

  4.389.50

  Capita

  37,653.81

  62,971.10

  29,789.51

  1,815.38

  71,468.26

  Sema

  nil

  9,213.18

  52,628.25

  27,927.40

  nil

  Figures for 1991–92 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Local Authority Social Services
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he uses to assess the performance of local authority social services departments; if he will publish a list of social services departments ranked by their performance according to these criteria; and if he will make a statement. [17671]

  Mr. Burns
  We recently published "Better Value For Money in Social Services", a national overview of trends and costs in social services in England over the last decade or so. Copies are available in the Library. This report, together with other published data, should assist local authorities to assess their own efficiency to ensure their services give value for money. We do not define centrally criteria which would form a basis for the performance of individual social services departments to be measured and ranked. Performance indicators for all services provided by local authorities are published annually by the Audit Commission.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy in respect of public inquiries into the actions of social services departments in alleged cases of child neglect; and if he will make a statement. [17663]

  Mr. Burns
  Section 81 of the Children Act 1989 provides that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held into any matter connected with the social services committee of a local authority, in so far as those functions relate to children. Section 84 of the Children Act provides that if my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that a local authority has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any of the duties imposed under the Children Act, he may make an order declaring the authority to be in default with respect to that duty. The order may contain directions for the purpose of ensuring that the duty is complied with. It is unlikely that it would be appropriate to use section 84 to investigate an individual's case.

  Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 requires local authorities to act under the general guidance of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the exercise of their social services functions. The guidance called "Working Together under the Children Act 1989" was issued under section 7. Part 8 of that guidance requires that, whenever an individual case involves an incident leading to the death of a child where child abuse is confirmed or suspected, or a child protection issue likely to be of major public concern
  382
  Mr. Horam
  Information regarding the numbers and nature of contracts awarded by this Department could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The total sums paid to those suppliers listed are as follows:

  arises, there should be an individual review by each agency and a composite review by the area child protection committee.

  Dental Services (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified dentists provide national health service dental treatment in the London borough of Wandsworth. [17590]

  Mr. Malone
  One hundred and sixty-three dentists with practices in the London borough of Wandsworth were on the health authority list at 31 December 1996. This covers principal dentists, their assistants and vocational trainees.

  District Health Authorities (Purchasing)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the purchasing plans of district health authorities for 1997–98. [17680]

  Mr. Malone
  Regional offices of the national health service executive assess the purchasing plans of health authorities for consistency with national policies and priorities for the NHS, in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring his Department has undertaken of the purchasing policies of district health authorities. [17681]

  Mr. Malone
  Regional offices of the national health service executive manage health authorities' performance to ensure progress against national policies and priorities for the NHS, in the light of local circumstances.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to lift the ban on relatives of CJD victims being blood donors. [17543]

  Mr. Horam
  There are no plans to alter the national blood service guidelines which exclude relatives of people who have suffered from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from giving blood. This exclusion is in line with Council of Europe guidelines. I should emphasise, however, that this is a precautionary measure only. There is no epidemiological evidence of transmission of CJD through blood or blood products.

  Influenza Immunisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 February,Official Report,

  383
  columns 73–74, (1) what percentage of those suffering from (a) chronic respiratory disease, (b) chronic heart disease, (c) kidney failure, (d) diabetes and (e) diseases and treatment suppressing the immune system were immunised against influenza in the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [17925]

  (2) what percentage of those in long-term residential care were vaccinated against influenza in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [17927]

  (3) what percentage of (a) nursing homes and (b) residential homes had their residents immunized against influenza in each of the last years for which figures are available. [17922]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not held centrally. The recommendations for influenza immunisation broadly outline the underlying diseases which put people at risk of serious illness should they develop influenza. However, it is ultimately for the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned whether to offer vaccine to an individual patient. The doctor will take into account the likelihood of that patient developing a complication of influenza such as pneumonia, or of their underlying disease being aggravated, as in asthma. They will vary between patients. General practitioners are recommended to identify their patients who are likely to need influenza immunisation and order the vaccine as necessary; they are encouraged to increase the uptake of immunisation in their areas each year. Immunisation requirements for people in long-term residential care and nursing homes are determined locally.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) general practitioners as a whole, (b) general practitioner fundholders, (c) general practitioner non-fundholders, (d) equity partners, (e) non-equity partners, (f) salaried assistants and (g) general practitioner registrars in vocational training were (i) male and (ii) female in each of the last five years. [17929]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. Information is not available on equity and non-equity partners.

  Hospital Travel Costs Scheme
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the number of claims received anc (b) the average fare reimbursed per claim under the hospital travel costs scheme in the most recent year for which figures are available. [17913]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Elderly Care Costs
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the costs to local authorities of(a) care assessment and (b) care management for services for elderly people for each year since 1989–90 for which information is available. [17824]
  384
  Mr. Burns
  For 1994–95, the latest year for which information is available, the figures of total local authority expenditure on care assessment/care management for elderly people may be found in table 6 of the statistical bulletin "Personal Social Services current and capital expenditure in England: 1994–95", copies of which are available in the Library. Separate data on care assessment and care management, and expenditure data for these services for elderly people in earlier years are not available.

  Food Poisoning
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many laboratory reports of salmonella in foodstuffs were provided to the public health laboratory service in England and Wales in each year since the introduction of the new reporting system; what is the number to date in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [17653]

  Mr. Horam
  The figures are given in the following table.

  Salmonella

  England and Wales annual totals—human food isolates

  Year

  Total

  1991

  1,937

  1992

  1,098

  1993

  859

  1994

  2,076

  1995

  981

  1996

  1,002

  19971

  69

  Source:

  Public Health Laboratory Service—Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens.

  Notes:

  1 Up to 21 February.

  1. Salmonella figures encompass the identification of salmonellas from samples taken by environmental health officers as part of their routine inspection and sampling procedures and salmonellas found in foodstuffs sampled in structured food surveys and also salmonellas identified in foodstuffs investigated following an outbreak of clinical illness.

  2. The new reporting system was introduced in January 1992 when data from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and the Central Public Health Laboratory were combined to produce the PHLS Salmonella Common Data Set and also when the new outbreak reporting system for gastro-intestinal disease commenced. Neither of these could have changed practices in relation to laboratory reports on Salmonella in foodstuffs.

  3. The figures cover isolates referred to the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens by both PHLS and non-PHLS laboratories for confirmation and typing.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many laboratory reports of(a) E. coli and (b) listeria in foodstuffs were provided to the public health laboratory service in England and Wales in each year since 1979. [17654]

  Mr. Horam
  The figures are given in the following table:
  385

  Listeria monocytogenes and escherichia coli 0157 England and Wales annual totals Human food isolates

  Year

  Listeria monocytogenes1

  VT producing E. coli 0157

  1979

  0

  —

  1980

  0

  —

  1981

  0

  —

  1982

  0

  —

  1983

  0

  —

  1984

  0

  —

  1985

  0

  —

  1986

  2

  —

  1987

  473

  —

  1988

  639

  —

  1989

  1,405

  —

  1990

  1,193

  —

  1991

  1,621

  0

  1992

  445

  13

  1993

  467

  8

  1994

  507

  18

  1995

  350

  13

  1996

  349

  78

  19972

  3

  0

  Source:

  Public Health Laboratory Service.

  Notes:

  1 Figures include isolates referred to the PHLS by non-PHLS laboratories.

  2 Figures on Listeria monocytogenes are up to 24 February, figures on Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli 0157 are up to 21 February.

  1. Surveys of cheeses and pate were undertaken in the late 1980s and early 1990s to assess the problems of contamination and have been repeated in more recent years to assess the improvements in the microbiological quality of such foodstuffs.

  2. The first human isolation of E. coli 0157 in England and Wales was made in 1982 and no food isolation was made by the PHLS until 1992.

  Hospitals (Military Personnel)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent medically qualified military personnel are used in NHS hospitals. [16230]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Defence Secondary Care Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  General Government expenditure in Wales and the UK, 1994–95

  Wales

  United Kingdom

  Wales as percentage

  £ billion

  Percentage share of GGE

  £ billion

  Percentage share of GGE

  of UK

  (i) Identifiable

  12.3

  78.7

  219.6

  74.3

  5.6

  of which:

  Welsh Office

  6.4

  41.1

  Social Security

  5.1

  32.9

  89.2

  30.2

  (ii) Non-identifiable (estimated)

  1.7

  11.2

  40.2

  13.6

  4.4

  (iii) Other (estimated)

  1.6

  10.1

  35.7

  12.1

  4.4

  of which:

  Debt interest

  1.0

  6.3

  22.5

  7.6

  Total GGE (excluding privatisation

  proceeds)

  15.6

  100.0

  295.5

  100.0

  5.3

  Privatisation proceeds

  -0.3

  -6.3

  4.2

  Total GGE (including privatisation

  proceeds)

  15.3

  289.2

  5.3

  GDP (1994)

  4.2

  Population (1994)

  5.0

  Source:

  Government Expenditure and Revenue—Wales, 1994–95.
  386
  Letter from Mr. Ron Smith to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 27 February 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the extent to which medically qualified military personnel are used in the NHS as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA).
  Amongst the hospitals which comprise the DSCA, three Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) at Peterborough, Frimley Park near Camberley and Derriford, Plymouth are situated in NHS Trust hospitals. The MDHUs and their military staff are not separate from the civilian hospitals but fully integrated in the day-to-day business of patient care. A total of 504 medically qualified staff work in the MDHUs. In addition, a further 90 military medical personnel from the DSCA and other parts of the Defence Medical Services are currently seconded to NHS hospitals for specialist training.

WALES

  Fiscal Deficit and Government Expenditure
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the fiscal deficit in Wales for the most recent year available; [17866]

  (2) what was the gross Government expenditure in Wales broken down into (a) identifiable, (b) unidentifiable and (c) other expenditure in the last year for which figures are available. [17872]

  Mr. Hague
  The latest available information for Wales is shown in the tables:

  The "fiscal deficit" in Wales and the UK, 1994–95

  Wales

  United Kingdom

  Wales as percentage of UK

  General Government

  expenditure (£ billion)

  15.6

  295.5

  5.3

  General Government

  revenue (£ billion)

  9.9

  247.6

  4.0

  General Government

  borrowing requirement

  (£ billion)

  5.7

  47.9

  11.9

  GGBR as percentage of

  GDP

  20

  7

  Source:

  Government Expenditure and Revenue—Wales, 1994–95.

  Tax
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much tax was raised in Wales broken down by(a) income tax, (b) VAT, (c) corporation tax and (d) other tax in the last year for which figures are available.[17873]

  Mr. Hague
  The latest available information for Wales is shown in the table:

  The estimate for corporation tax, which is not shown separately in the table, is £924 million.

  Estimated General Government Receipts in Wales 1994–95

  United Kingdom £ billion

  Welsh estimates £ billion

  Estimated share of UK Per cent.

  Income tax

  63.1

  2.2

  3.5

  Social security

  contributions

  42.1

  1.8

  4.2

  Value added tax

  41.8

  1.7

  4.1

  Local authority

  revenues

  22.4

  0.6

  2.9

  All other revenues

  78.2

  3.5

  4.5

  Total

  247.6

  9.9

  4.0

  Source:

  Government Expenditure and Revenue—Wales, 1994–95.

  Motorways
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many kilometres of motorway are currently(a) open, (b) under construction, (c) planned in Wales, (i) as new motorway or (ii) as existing motorway being widened. [17275]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Some 126 km of M4 motorway is open; no new motorway is under construction; The M4 Magor-Coldra widening has been completed, although final surfacing is to be carried out in April; 24.2 km of new motorway is planned; 12.7 km of existing motorway is to be widened.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been raised from the sale of council houses in Wales since 1979; what percentage of this money is still held in reserve by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [17132]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  At 31 March 1996, the total amount raised by local authorities from the sale of council houses since the inception of the right to buy scheme in 1981 was £993 million. It is not possible from local authority returns to separate the amounts held in reserve from the sale of council houses from other capital receipts held in the housing revenue account. Capital receipts held in the housing revenue account at 31 March 1996, both set aside against credit liabilities and usable-as defined in section 60 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989—totalled £246 million.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the recent outbreak of meningitis C in Nefyn, Gwynedd. [17592]
  388
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I are aware of the two cases of meningococcal septicaemia in Nefyn Gwynedd, whether appropriate control measures have been adopted by North Wales health authority to prevent the further spread of infection.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 24 February,Official Report, columns 91–92, how many investigations are currently proceeding in each health authority into allegations of transfer by multiple pharmacies from one pharmacy for processing in another health authority to maximize payments of professional allowances. [17921]

  Mr. Hague
  Inquiries made of health authorities in Wales indicate that one such investigation is under way.

  Influenza Immunisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what percentage of(a) nursing homes and (b) residential homes had their residents immunized against influenza in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [17923]

  (2) what percentage of those suffering from (a) chronic respiratory disease, (b) chronic heart disease, (c) kidney failure, (d) diabetes and (e) diseases and treatment suppressing the immune system were immunised against influenza in the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [17924]

  (3) what percentage of those in long-term residential care were vaccinated against influenza in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [17926]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sole practitioner GPs there were in the Welsh NHS in each of the last five years; and what proportion they constituted of the aggregate GP work force in Wales. [17914]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is shown in the table:

  Single handed practitioners

  Percentage of unrestricted principles who are single handed

  October 1992

  126

  7.5

  October 1993

  129

  7.6

  October 1994

  130

  7.6

  October 1995

  130

  7.6

  March 1996

  129

  7.5

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relative outcomes of treatments carried out by GPs in group practice who (i) have and (ii) do not have personal lists. [17917]
  389
  Mr. Hague
  While there are a number of research projects in primary care, there are none which address this topic.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of(a) general practitioners as a whole, (b) general practitioner fundholders, (c) general practitioner non-fundholders, (d) equity partners,

  Total GPs1

  Equity partners

  Non-equity partners

  Assistants

  Trainees

  Male

  align="right">Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  October 1992

  77.4

  22.6

  79.4

  20.6

  60.0

  40.0

  54.2

  45.8

  57.9

  42.1

  October 1993

  76.3

  23.7

  78.5

  21.5

  36.4

  63.6

  50.0

  50.0

  55.6

  44.4

  October 1994

  74.4

  25.6

  76.7

  23.3

  55.6

  44.4

  45.0

  55.0

  47.5

  52.5

  October 1995

  74.4

  25.6

  75.9

  24.1

  58.3

  41.7

  60.0

  40.0

  54.8

  45.2

  March 1996

  73.1

  26.9

  75.3

  24.7

  70.0

  30.0

  40.7

  59.3

  43.6

  56.4

  1Unrestricted principals, restricted principals, assistants and trainees.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of general practitioners in group practices maintained personal lists in each of the last five years; and what proportion this was of the aggregate general practitioner work force. [17918]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  European Summit (Cardiff)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State of Wales what arrangements he has made with the Cardiff county council for assistance with refurbishment works at(a) Cardiff city hall, (b) Cardiff Central station and (c) other areas of essential infrastructure in preparation for the European summit conference in June 1998; and if he will make a statement. [17915]

  Mr. Hague
  I have allocated under the Welsh capital challenge scheme £1.5 million to Cardiff county council for the refurbishment of the city hall as well as a further £2 million for improvements to Cardiff central square. My officials are in discussions with the county council about these and other projects which will improve the city centre for the European Council in June 1998.

SCOTLAND

  Data Collection (Postcodes)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what use his Department and its agencies make of postcode areas for the collection of data and in formulas for the distribution of grants and awards; and when such usages were last reviewed. [14807]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:
  390
  (e) non-equity partners, (f) salaried assistants and (g) general practitioner registrars in vocational training were (i) male and (ii) female in each of the last five years. [17928]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is shown in the table. Data for general practitioner fundholders and non-fundholders are not centrally available by gender.

  Collection of data:

  Postcodes are used for collating data in the following cases:
  compilation of the Scottish Register of Employment, a register of manufacturing units in Scotland with 11 or more employees;
  analysis of further education college students by geographical origin—eg Scottish, rest of UK;
  as a building block by general register office in the collection of statistics on vital events and in the census of population.

  In general, statistical surveys conducted by the Scottish Office will incorporate post code units as a geographic indicator. These will be used primarily to aggregate the data into higher order statistics—eg local authorities.

  Distribution of grants:

  For the purpose of rural grant schemes, the definition of rural Scotland relies to some extent on post code sectors. The definition is used with the proviso that people can still apply for grants if their locality is distinctly rural even if, by the arbitrary application of post codes, their area is classed as urban. Rural grants schemes are currently under review.

  Although support to local authorities is not distributed on the basis of postcode areas, some limited data, originally collected by other departments and agencies by postcode area and then aggregated to local authority units by the Scottish Office, are used in the calculation of certain grant-aided expenditure assessments. Such processes are continually reviewed by the Department and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  Motorways
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kilometres of motorway are currently(a) open, (b) under construction and (c) planned in Scotland (i) as new motorway and (ii) as existing motorway being widened. [17267]
  391
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In Scotland, 449 kilometres of motorway are open, 2 kilometres are under construction, 79 kilometres of new motorway are planned and 2 kilometres of existing motorway are planned to be widened.

  Road Markings and Signposting
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve road markings and signposting; and if he will make a statement. [17362]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The placing and maintenance of road signs and markings is the responsibility of the traffic authority—in Scotland, the local traffic authority for local roads, and the Scottish Office Development Department on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland for trunk roads and motorways. The signs and markings used are required to conform with regulations, principally the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions—TSRGD—1994, made jointly by the Secretaries of State for Transport, for Scotland and for Wales, or to be specially authorised by the Secretary of State. The Department of Transport is currently preparing a statutory instrument to amend the TSRGD to include new sign designs in response to changing traffic management needs and techniques. Work is also in hand to update the joint guidance published by the three Departments on the correct design and use of signs.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the financial memorandums which govern the payments made to owners and occupiers of SSSFs who have notified Scottish Natural Heritage of intent to damage an SSSI, to ensure greater value for money. [17489]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Government plan to issue a consultation paper on a Great Britain basis later this year on possible changes to the financial guidelines for management agreements in SSSIs.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the expenditure on electronic tagging in Scotland to date. [17692]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There has been no expenditure on electronic tagging in Scotland. Expenditure on pilot projects will not commence until such time as the relevant provisions of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill have been enacted.
  392

  Holocaust Denial
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of the Lord Advocate in respect of the prosecution of holocaust denial material. [17540]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate informs me that he has no policy specifically directed to the prosecution of holocaust denial material. In relation to any police reports containing allegations of holocaust denial, the Crown will follow the same approach as it does with other allegations of criminal conduct. The decision whether to take proceedings, and the nature of any proceedings, will be determined by an assessment of the available evidence and the public interest, having regard to the whole circumstances of the offence. Proceedings could be taken only where there is sufficient evidence that (1) the person who published or distributed the "holocaust denial material" intended thereby to stir up racial hatred or, having regard to all the circumstances, racial hatred was likely to be stirred up thereby, and (2) the material was threatening, abusive or insulting.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many prosecutions relating to holocaust denial material there have been in Scotland in each year since 1979; [17541]

  (2) how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in Scotland since 1979. [17542]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate informs me that the information requested is not available.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Written Questions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1), pursuant to his answer of 18 February,Official Report, columns 535–36, if he will list the reasons for the records on the costs of answering parliamentary questions not being retained; and if he will make a statement; [17593]

  (2), pursuant to his oral answer of 20 February, Official Report, column 1054, if he will list the 10 questions which cost the most to answer since 1989; which hon. Members asked them; and what was the cost. [17594]

  Mr. Newton
  There is no arrangement for systematically estimating the cost of answering every individual parliamentary question.

  EU Council: Forthcoming Business
  EU Council: Forthcoming Business
  Central Africa: Refugees
  Central Africa: Refugees
  Central Africa: Refugees
  Central Africa: Refugees
  Great Lakes Region: Peace Negotiations
  Great Lakes Region: Peace Negotiations
  NATO
  NATO
  Democracy in Europe: US Role
  Democracy in Europe: US Role
  IAEA Enhanced Safeguards System
  IAEA Enhanced Safeguards System
  Mr. Metin Goktepe
  Mr. Metin Goktepe
  International Fund for Agricultural Development: Replenishment
  International Fund for Agricultural Development: Replenishment
  Scottish Law Reform Projects
  Scottish Law Reform Projects
  Paedophiles: ACPO Representations
  Paedophiles: ACPO Representations