Written Answers of 29 July 1997

PRIME MINISTER

  Data Protection
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will require(a) MI5, (b) MI6 and (c) GCHQ to register under the Data Protection Act 1984. [10686]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The Government are considering this matter.

  Joint Consultative Cabinet Committee
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will define the terms of reference of the new Joint Consultative Cabinet Committee. [10580]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: Terms of reference will be announced to the House in due course.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the precedents for the new Joint Consultative Cabinet Committee; what will be its membership; who will provide the secretariat; what charge it will make on public funds; how often it will meet; to whom it will report, and at what intervals; and if he intends that it should serve for the duration of this Parliament. [10582]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: There are several precedents for the new Committee, including the 1931 Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. A later example was the Sub-Committee on Air Defence Research (1935–37). The membership of the Committee will be announced in due course. The secretariat will be provided by the Cabinet Secretariat. Costs related to the Committee are expected to be small and will be met from existing resources. The Committee will meet on a regular basis and, like other Cabinet Committees, its deliberations will be reported to Cabinet as necessary. I expect it to continue indefinitely.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK—Yemen relations. [11339]

  The Prime Minister
  We enjoy good relations with the Yemen. At their meeting in London on 17 July, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed with the Yemeni Foreign Minister ways in which we might improve co-operation between our two countries.

  Ministers (Complaints about the Media)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 2 May on which Ministers or persons acting on behalf of Ministers have complained to the media about the reporting of the Government's activities, indicating in each case the name of the Minister or person concerned. [10779]
  114
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: No central record exists.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what account was taken of the relative priority of the responsibilities of the Minister without Portfolio for(a) Labour party and (b) Government matters in calculating his remuneration from public funds. [10774]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Account was taken only of his responsibilities within the Government.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the meetings and events since 2 May at which the Minister without Portfolio has represented the Government. [10780]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Since 2 May my hon. Friend has had a wide range of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Adjournment debate on Wednesday 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, whether he will ask a Scottish Lord Justice of Appeal in Ordinary to consider the validity or otherwise of the Crown Office information concerning two Libyans connected with the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, and report to him. [11073]

  The Prime Minister
  No. Consideration of the evidence in a criminal case is a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that animals exported from the United Kingdom receive(a) the mid-journey break and (b) the 24-hour break, required by directive 95/92/EC, after they have left the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [10280]

  Mr. Morley
  Enforcement of the rest period requirements of EU directive 95/29 is the responsibility of the authorities of the member state in which a rest is required to take place. For our own part, the Government will not hesitate to use the sanctions provided by the directive against transporters who are shown to have made false declarations about the journeys they have undertaken.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the animal welfare implications of importing exotic animals into the United Kingdom for commercial purposes; and if he will make a statement. [10788]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: This Government give high priority to the welfare of all animals, whatever their origin.
  115
  The Protection of Animals Act 1911 protects domestic and captive animals from cruelty. Exotic animals kept for farming purposes are further protected by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 which makes it an offence to cause or allow unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress. The keeping of certain exotic species is also subject to the licensing requirements of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

  Calf Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Commission on ending the current calf slaughter scheme. [11323]

  Mr. Rooker
  The UK has made a number of representations to the Commission about the future operation of the calf processing aid scheme and the early marketing scheme for veal, which were introduced by the Commission with the objective of reducing beef production. Under EU law, member states are obliged to operate one or both of the schemes. In May, the Commission undertook to provide the Council of Agriculture Ministers with a further report on the effectiveness of both schemes in the light of experience. I understand that the report is likely to be submitted to the Council of Agriculture Ministers in September.

  Regional Panels
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what method of communicating with farmers will be adopted by his Department to replace the regional panels. [11333]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 25 June 1997,Official Report, column 540.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission on increased flexibility on non-food crops to be grown on set-aside land which qualifies for integrated administration and control system, IACS, payments. [11334]

  Mr. Rooker
  A wide range of crops may be grown on set-aside land for specific non-food uses. The European Commission has recently amended the detailed rules which apply to this aspect of the arable area payments scheme to make them more flexible in some respects. The Commission regulation concerned is expected to be published shortly and interested parties have been advised of the changes to the rules.

  Cattle Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of(a) the backlog of cattle awaiting slaughter under the over-30-months scheme as a result of the reduction in the number of designated abattoirs and (b) the total loss to farmers through being unable to get cattle slaughtered before the new price and weight regime applies in August. [11252]
  116
  Dr. John Cunningham
  There is no backlog of over-30-months scheme cattle awaiting slaughter as a result of the reduction in the number of abattoirs. In the months of July and August, around 15,000 over-30-months cattle are normally slaughtered each week, and the Intervention Board has made available the capacity to handle 16,000 OTMS cattle a week in the scheme abattoirs.

  The reduction in the rate of compensation and the introduction of a weight limit, which are effective from 4 August, has resulted in significantly increased demand for the scheme because some farmers have brought forward their cull plans to try and benefit from the existing compensation arrangements. The Intervention Board has increased the amount of scheme slaughtering capacity by around 20 per cent. in the two weeks immediately preceding the rate change to assist producers, and has also issued instructions to scheme abattoirs to ensure, as far as possible, that producers are treated equitably and fairly. It is inevitable that some producers will be disappointed, but it would have been self-defeating for the Government to support a reduction in the scheme rate, and at the same time, take steps to minimise the number of cattle adversely affected by it.

  The effect of the change in the scheme rate and the introduction of a weight restriction will reduce the return for a dairy cow weighting 560 kg by around £40, and for a suckler cow weighing 620 kg by around £80.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs are authorised in England and Wales to carry out slaughtering of cattle under the over-30-months scheme; and if he will list the abattoirs which charge for haulage and the amounts charged in each case. [11246]

  Dr. Cunningham
  Following a recent tender, the Intervention Board has let contracts to 22 abattoirs in England and Wales to slaughter animals under the over-30-months scheme. The contracted abattoirs collectively carry more than sufficient capacity for the number of animals expected to enter the scheme, with reserve capacity available to deal with seasonal fluctuations.

  The fee paid to the abattoirs covers the slaughter and subsequent dressing of the animals to the agency's specification, and the administration costs involved in handling OTMS animals. It does not include the cost of transporting cattle to the point of slaughter, which remains the responsibility of the farmer. Most abattoirs provide a chargeable service, on request.

  Information about these charges is currently being collated as part of the contract process and the chief executive of the Intervention Board will write to the right hon. Member shortly to provide the information requested.

  Tuberculosis
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the outcome of the Krebs inquiry. [11123]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 17 July,Official Report, column 277.

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the annual report and accounts for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency is due to be published. [11624]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Veterinary Laboratories Agency's annual report and accounts was published on 29 July 1997. Copies are available in the Library of the House. The report demonstrates the continuing progress and success of the organisation as a next steps agency.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants there are on each pay band in his Department. [8969]

  Mr. Morley
  In the Department, only staff in the senior civil service are currently paid within pay bands. The number of SCS staff in each pay band is as follows:

  Pay band number

  Number of core maff senior civil service staff

  Total including agencies senior civil service staff

  1

  26

  31

  2

  32

  37

  3

  8

  9

  4

  7

  11

  5

  4

  5

  6

  6

  8

  7

  1

  1

  8

  2

  2

  9

  0

  0

  Permanent secretary

  1

  1

  The pay for other staff in MAFF and the Pesticides Safety Directorate is currently determined by reference to 195 pay ranges and pay spines for individual grades. These are to be rationalised into 13 main pay ranges as part of the Department's 1997 pay offer, which has yet to be agreed.

  As pay and grading arrangements are different in the other MAFF agencies, I have asked the chief executives of the agencies to reply direct about their staff other than SCS staff.

  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning the number of civil servants there are on each payband.
  Excluding the Senior Civil Service, to which a separate reply has been given, the numbers of staff in CSL who fall into each of the CSL paybands is as follows:

  Payband number

  Number of staff

  CSL Level 1

  217

  CSL Level 2

  273

  CSL Level 3

  66

  CSL Level 4

  36

  CSL Level 5

  17

  118
  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the number of Civil Servants in each pay band.
  The details of those members of VLA who are in the Senior Civil Service have already been given in the response to your original PQ.
  VLA currently has 30 grades and details of the numbers of staff in each grade are attached. These grades will be rationalised into seven main pay bands shortly as part of the Review of Pay and Grading undertaken at VLA.

  Number of VLA staff by grade

  Grade

  Number

  Grade 6

  11

  Grade 7

  13

  Senior Research Officer II (SROII)

  12

  Senior Veterinary Investigation Officer (SVIO)

  14

  Veterinary Research Officer (VRO)

  25

  Veterinary Investigation Officer (VIO)

  45

  Senior Scientific Officer (SSO)

  46

  Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

  7

  Senior Librarian (S. Lib)

  1

  Farm Manager (FM)

  1

  Higher Scientific Office (HSO)

  67

  Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

  9

  Librarian (Lib)

  1

  Higher Photographic Officer (HPO)

  1

  Deputy Farm Manager (DFM)

  1

  Scientific Officer (SO)

  126

  Executive Officer (EO)

  27

  Stores Officer Grade D (SOG.D)

  1

  Assistant Librarian (ALib)

  1

  Photographic Officer (PO)

  1

  Process and General Supervisory Grade "D"

  7

  Typing Manager (TM)

  1

  Assistant Scientific Officer (ASO)

  260

  Administrative Officer (AO)

  55

  Personal Secretary (PS)

  7

  Support Grade Band 1 (SGB1)

  36

  Process and General Supervisory Grade "E"

  1

  Administrative Assistant (AA)

  89

  Typist (Typ)

  34

  Support Grade Band 2 (SGB2)

  158

  Total

  1,058

  Figures include permanent and casual staff at 18 July 1997.

  Letter from J. M. Rutter to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the number of civil servants on each payband in his Department, insofar as it relates to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which is a Next Steps Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
  As the Minister explained in his reply, only staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are paid on paybands. The VMD employs two SCS Staff in payband 1, and one in payband 4. These three staff were included in the Minister's reply.
  The pay for all other VMD staff is currently determined by reference to the same pay ranges and pay spines used within core-MAFF. These will be rationalised in line with the Department's 1997 pay offer, which has yet to be agreed.

  Letter from P. J. C. Holden to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  I am replying on behalf of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA) and its Chief Executive who is absent from the office on leave.
  The Parliamentary Secretary (Commons) has asked Chief Executives to reply to your question about how many civil servants, other than Senior Civil Service (SCS) staff there are on paybands in

  119
  MAFF Agencies. I can confirm that like core-MAFF only SCS staff in FRCA are currently defined within paybands. The remainder of the Agency's staff are currently paid within 22 pay ranges.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your Parliamentary Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring how many civil servants there are on each pay band has been passed to me to reply; with regard to this Executive Agency.
  As you may be aware the MHS was established on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). It took over responsibility from local authorities for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed fresh meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales.
  The MHS employs over 1,000 meat inspection and veterinary staff. The majority of these staff transferred to the MHS from local authorities under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Legislation. The MHS does not have paybands equivalent to those in the Civil Service. I therefore list below the number of staff employed by the MHS according to various salary bands. This also includes the administrative and management staff of the Agency.

  Salary band

  Number of MHS staff

  £0–5,000

  1259

  £5,001–10,000

  52

  £10,001–15,000

  618

  £15,001–20,000

  467

  £20,001–25,000

  31

  £25,001–30,000

  11

  £30,001–35,000

  16

  £35,001–40,000

  6

  £40,000+

  8

  1 This includes casual staff.

  I hope that this is helpful.

  Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 29 July 1997:
  I refer to your Parliamentary Question to the Minister.
  I have been asked to reply separately concerning the staff in this Executive Agency who are not in the Senior Civil Service.
  Apart from the two members of the Senior Civil Service, staff rates of pay are determined by pay ranges and spines relating to grades. Details of the numbers of staff and the pay for the grades are enclosed with this letter.

  CEFAS grades and salary bands

  Salary

  Current grade/science group

  Total

  Minimum (£)

  Maximum (£)

  Grade 6

  10

  28,975

  49,474

  Grade 7

  32

  25,392

  40,268

  Senior executive officer

  1

  19,215

  26,200

  Senior scientific officer

  52

  16,650

  30,706

  Higher executive officer

  3

  15,363

  21,377

  Higher professional and technical officer

  1

  13,491

  24,266

  Librarian

  1

  13,491

  24,266

  Higher scientific officer

  58

  13,491

  24,266

  Professional and technical officer

  5

  11,606

  20,741

  Graphics officer

  1

  11,606

  20,471

  Scientific officer

  73

  11,606

  20,741

  Technical grade 1

  2

  10,977

  18,439

  Assistance scientific officer

  51

  9,723

  18,439

  Support grade band 1

  1

  9,621

  11,731

  Executive officer

  14

  9,229

  17,090

  120

  CEFAS grades and salary bands

  Salary

  Current grade/science group

  Total

  Minimum (£)

  Maximum (£)

  Personal secretary

  3

  9,287

  13,046

  Administrative officer

  35

  7,988

  12,613

  Shore industrial

  26

  7,825

  9,531

  Support grade band 2

  7

  7,685

  10,596

  Typist

  9

  7,247

  10,650

  Administrative assistant

  16

  6,304

  10,650

  Marine staff

  Marine superintendent

  1

  28,975

  49,474

  Master

  4

  30,903

  38,544

  Chief engineer

  3

  28,572

  35,676

  1st officer

  4

  23,299

  26,750

  Senior fishing mate

  3

  23,299

  26,750

  2nd engineer

  1

  21,921

  25,335

  Junior fishing mate

  2

  20,540

  23,342

  Chief steward

  2

  188.03

  1210.79

  Cook/steward

  2

  165.19

  1188.03

  Leading hand

  2

  165.19

  1188.03

  3rd engineer

  2

  165.19

  1188.03

  4th engineer

  1

  160.02

  1160.2

  Deck hand

  10

  145.93

  1151.66

  Assistant cook

  1

  145.93

  1151.66

  Assistant steward

  1

  145.93

  1151.66

  Total

  442

  1 Weekly pay.

  Cattle Carcase Incineration Sites (Kent)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many proposals he has been notified of for cattle carcase incineration sites in Kent. [10357]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Intervention Board, which administers the over-30-months slaughter scheme, has issued one letter of intent for cattle carcase incineration in Kent following a tender last autumn. Contracts will depend on the operators obtaining all necessary licences and consents.

  Four bids for cattle carcase incineration in Kent have been received under a subsequent tender which is at evaluation stage.

  Food Advisory Committee
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the members of(a) the Food Advisory Committee and (b) the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, indicating the qualifications for membership and the relevant remunerated interests of each member. [10516]

  Mr. Rooker
  Both the Food Advisory Committee and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, which is appointed by the chief medical officer, publish annual reports which give information on the wide range of work carried out during the year. These reports contain details of the committees' full membership and list the relevant remunerated interests of each member. Copies of the committees' most recent reports are available in the Library of the House.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to lay the statutory instruments to give powers to exclude European beef from sale in this country, if it has not been processed with specified bovine material removed. [11322]

  Mr. Rooker
  At the July Agriculture Council, a simple majority of member states supported Commission proposals for EU-wide controls on specified materials from cattle, sheep and goats. As a result, the way is now clear for the Commission, acting on its own competence, to adopt the measure which will come into force on 1 January. It is therefore no longer necessary for the UK to introduce any unilateral measures in this area as all European beef will be subject to rigorous controls similar to those that we already have in the UK.

  Halal Slaughter (Poultry)
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the number of poultry slaughtered according to halal tradition other than in licensed premises in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the health risk associated with unregulated slaughter; [11254]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of poultry being slaughtered by halal traditional methods in the United Kingdom. [11253]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Data are not held separately for poultry slaughtered by traditional halal methods.

  I am concerned about the possible health risks associated with the production of poultry meat in unlicensed premises. That is why we have undertaken a review of the exemptions under the Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995, as announced on 19 June 1997, Official Report, column 443.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet representatives of the Halal Food Authority to discuss poultry slaughter methods. [11245]

  Dr. Cunningham
  The Halal Food Authority wrote to me on 3 June about, among other things, the law as it relates to slaughter by the halal method. It has been invited to set out in more detail the nature of its concerns.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11383]

  Mr. Morley
  Total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work is as follows:

  (a) 1995–96: £35,150,000

  (b) 1996–97: £39,260,000

  The estimate of future years expenditure is as follows:

  (c) 1997–98: £34,425,000

  (d) 1998–99: £26,027,000

  (e) 1999–00: £25,765,000

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the savings to the United Kingdom per capita as a result of reforms to the CAP during the past three years. [11238]

  Mr. Rooker
  There have been no reforms to the CAP during the past three years which were designed to reduce budgetary expenditure. However, reforms to the rice regime in 1995 and to the fruit and vegetables regime in 1996 will progressively reduce price support, with consequent benefits for consumers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Gazumping
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans his Department has to outlaw the practice of gazumping in the property market. [10240]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are determined to tackle the problems of gazumping and gazundering. Work is in hand across a number of Departments, steered at ministerial level, to improve the home-buying process generally, and specifically to address the issue of gazumping. This work will lead to detailed proposals which will be in the interests of everyone involved in the sale and purchase of homes.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Indonesia (Arms Exports)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish his legal opinion in the case of arms exports to Indonesia. [11079]

  The Attorney-General
  It is the established convention that the advice of the Law Officers is not disclosed, nor whether they have advised on a given question.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10741]

  The Attorney-General
  The personnel branch of the Treasury Solicitor's Department handles the payroll for that Department and for the legal secretariat to the Law Officers. It calculates the pay entitlement of staff including basic pay, allowances, overtime, voluntary deductions and deductions under court orders. Payments are made by Chessington Computer Services Ltd. which also processes statutory deductions and the deductions of properly authorised trade union subscriptions.
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  Similar functions are carried out for the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Government Property Lawyers by those departments' pay sections and by Chessington.

  The standard payroll input and retrieval system—SPIRE—is used.

  Payments to Chessington for payroll services and approximate in-house staff costs in the financial year 1996–97 were as follows (in £000):

  Chessington

  In-house costs

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  20.4

  38.2

  Legal Secretariat

  1.7

  1—

  Crown Prosecution Service

  380

  415

  Serious Fraud Office

  20.5

  33.1

  Government Property Lawyers

  6.9

  18.9

  1 Included in figure for Treasury Solicitor's Department.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Dining Room
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Council for what reasons the hot and cold buffet was not available in the Members' Dining Room on Thursday 24 July; and who was responsible for this decision. [11198]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  This is a matter for the Catering Committee once it is set up.

HEALTH

  Hospital Procedures
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collates on costs per hospital procedure in each trust. [10420]

  Mr. Milburn
  A limited amount of information is available on average specialty costs but this is not attributable to individual procedures or individual trusts.

  Information on the prices of extra-contractual referrals has been collated at regional level for several years and is available on a trust by trust basis from the relevant regional office. The current year—1997–98—is the first year that this information has been collected nationally. The prices for surgical activity are based on costed health care resource groups—HRGs—which are a way of categorising patient treatments below specialty level. Each HRG contains a set of treatments that are clinically similar and should use roughly the same level of resources.

  Extra-contractual referrals account for a small percentage of the overall activity of the national health service. These prices do not necessarily reflect the costs of activity provided through purchaser/provider agreements. In general, it is expected that ECR costs would be higher.

  On occasions, procedure-based information is requested on a sample basis, to support specific initiatives.

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has collated in respect of individual trusts' plans for hospital waiting times. [10421]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is not collated by the Department on individual trusts' plans for hospital waiting times. The Government have inherited a situation where 39 of 100 health authorities have contracted for longer maximum waiting times in 1997–98 than in 1996–97, whereas only three have contracted for shorter maximum waiting times. The Government have made clear the priority they attach to waiting lists, and to safeguarding emergency admissions.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what date the national health litigation authority has compiled on medical negligence cases and claims. [10411]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Litigation Authority holds data on all cases reported to it in respect of the clinical negligence scheme for trusts and on cases falling within the existing liabilities scheme where approval has been sought from the authority to settle claims. The information is principally concerned with the handling of claims, but the authority has commissioned work to provide a comprehensive database system which will contain individual claims by type, size and level of legal costs.

  NHS Employees (Contracts)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown by NHS trust of the number of NHS employees who have employment contracts with waiver clauses. [10591]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected. The specific terms and conditions of individual employment contracts of staff working in national health service trusts are negotiated by the employer and the employee. NHS trusts have the power to offer local terms and conditions to new staff and to existing staff employed under General Whitley Council national terms and conditions. General and senior managers with short-term rolling contracts are excluded from the redundancy and premature retirement provisions in General Whitley Council agreements.

  Clinical Services
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on which services are to be defined as clinical services in respect of proposed private finance initiative schemes. [10482]

  Mr. Milburn
  As part of the review of the private finance initiative, we will be considering what services may be included in PFI projects and are aiming to produce a list of these by the end of the year.

  Community Unit (Knaresborough)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the community unit for the elderly in Knaresborough is built without further delay; and on what date it will be completed. [10472]

  Mr. Boateng
  The national health service executive is maintaining close contact with Harrogate Health Care national health service trust about the Knaresborough community unit for the elderly. Work on site is expected to begin in August, with completion in June 1998. It is expected that the unit will open in summer 1998.

  Hyperkinetic Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of children identified as suffering from hyperkinetic disorder; and what percentage this is of his estimate of the total number of persons suffering from this disorder. [10549]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the number of children identified as suffering from hyperkinetic disorder is not collected centrally.

  Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the 10th annual report of the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. [11517]

  Ms Jowell
  Shortly. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's latest assessment of the effectiveness of dopamine-releasing agents with special reference to Ritalin, in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; if he will assess the use currently made of such treatment in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement. [10550]

  Mr. Boateng
  We recognise that the more severe forms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be treated with Ritalin or other appropriate medication. Such medication should be part of a comprehensive treatment programme which may also include psychological, educational and social measures designed to stabilise children with the condition. There is a widespread view among clinicians in this country that a higher percentage of such children are treated with medication in the United States than is desirable or necessary.

  Skin Transplants
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards(a) the establishment of a national skin bank and (b) the inclusion of skin on donor cards. [10765]

  Mr. Boateng
  Recent research has shown that most people do not like the idea of putting "skin", "bone" or other specified tissues—as distinct from internal organs—on the donor card or national health service organ donor register form because of fears about disfigurement of the body. However, we are very much aware that in the 126
  sensitive area of transplantation approaches to donation must command public confidence. We shall continue to review all aspects of organ and tissue donation to see how improvements in supply may be achieved.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11380]

  Ms Jowell
  The estimated total expenditure on computer-related current and capital work in the Department of Health headquarters and its agencies for the years requested is as follows:

  (a) £39,044,000

  (b) £29,559,000

  (c) £29,606,000

  (d) £29,449,000

  (e) £30,355,000

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health authorities on the use of beta interferon for multiple sclerosis sufferers. [11113]

  Mr. Milburn
  Management guidance—executive letter EL(95)97—on the introduction of beta interferon into the national health service was issued in November 1995, together with clinical guidance approved by the standing medical advisory committee. Copies are available in the Library.

  Hearing Checks
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department provides to health authorities on the screening programmes for detecting hearing impairments among babies; and what information his Department collates by(a) health authorities and (b) hospitals in respect of such programmes. [11125]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department of Health does not currently give guidance to health authorities on neonatal screening for hearing impairment, nor does it collect information centrally. We are aware that there is scope for considerable improvement in neonatal screening procedures for hearing impairment and will be examining the latest research evidence on this subject.

  NHS Finances
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the present cumulative deficit of all hospital trusts, health authorities and other NHS bodies for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [11394]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the 1997–98 income and expenditure positions of trusts and health authorities will be provided in due course.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) if(a) lead, (b) cadmium and (c) organo-tins will be used as heat stabilisers for the construction of the millennium dome; [10688]

  (2) what stabilisers will be used in the PVC used on the millennium dome; [10690]

  (3) if phthalate softeners will be used in the construction of the millennium dome. [10687]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: PVC-coated polyester is the safest and most environmentally sound fabric available for the dome covering. The covering will use phthalate plasticisers and the heat stabilisers will primarily be zinc and barium salts. The New Millennium Experience Company is still negotiating with PVC suppliers but has confirmed that an order will be placed only when it is satisfied that all European and UK environmental and safety standards will be met or exceeded.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  State Education Expenditure
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average level at current prices of state education expenditure per pupil in each of the regions of Great Britain in(a) 1979 and (b) 1997. [11197]

  Mr. Byers
  The average net institutional expenditure per pupil in 1997–98 prices in LEA-maintained schools, excluding special schools, in England was £1,388 in 1979–80 and £1,909 in 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available.

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  DfEE departmental expenditure

  Current

  22.9

  24.9

  21.1

  21.0

  21.0

  Capital

  7.4

  5.5

  5.5

  5.5

  5.5

  Employment Service expenditure

  Current

  134.9

  88.3

  69.4

  70.2

  71.0

  Capital

  52.9

  29.5

  11.3

  8.6

  8.3

  The current expenditure of both DfEE and the Employment Service include staff costs. The significant change in expenditure in the Employment Service from 1995–96 to 1996–97 reflects the introduction of JSA and the resultant changes in expenditure patterns.

  Computer-related expenditure in schools is not reported separately. Since 1995–96 support for expenditure on information technology has been available through the school effectiveness component of the GEST programme. However, it is mainly for schools to determine how much to spend on information technology in the light of their own needs and priorities. In further education none of the funding provided by the Department is hypothecated to
  128
  Information on expenditure per pupil in Scotland and Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales respectively.

  Higher Education Funding
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Eeducation and Employment if it is his policy that all of the additional money raised by the proposed changes in higher education(a) tuition fees and (b) maintenance arrangements will be made available for the financing of higher education, in addition to planned budgets; and if he will make a statement. [11187]

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the additional resources raised by the proposed changes to the higher education funding system will be specifically directed to this sector. [11051]

  Dr. Howells
  It will take time for the Government's proposals to begin to generate additional money because the increase in the cost of loans will initially offset the yield from the introduction of fees but, as my right hon. Friend said in his statement to the House on 23 July,Official Report, columns 949–62, the Government will ensure that savings are used to improve quality, standards and opportunity for all in further and higher education.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11385]

  Dr. Howells
  Not all computer-related expenditure is separately identified. Identified expenditure and plans for expenditure include:

  IT, but the Further Education Funding Council has announced two initiatives this year: through the QUILT programme of staff development the FEFC will contribute £1.9 million over the five-year period from February 1997. For networking and other technical developments broadly recommended by the Higginson committee, the FEFC will contribute £575,000 over three years from October 1997. The Higher Education Funding Council for England gives higher education institutions a block grant for both recurrent and capital purposes; it is for it to decide how much to spend on computer-related current and capital work. However, the HEFCE has also provided specific grants on computer-related current and capital

  129
  work of over £100 million in the three years ending 1997–98. There is also computer-related expenditure in training and enterprise council programmes and careers libraries, but this is not separately identified.

  The Department is currently undergoing a comprehensive review of all its spending, and plans for future years may therefore change as a result of its findings.

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will require the assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of children suspended from school more than three times; and if he will make a statement. [10551]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Decisions on whether to assess children for statements of special educational need are for schools and local education authorities. In the autumn we shall consult on guidance to LEAs on their duty under the Education Act 1997 to draw up, consult upon and publish a plan setting out the arrangements they make for pupils with behavioural difficulties. We will also consult on revised guidance to LEAs and schools on exclusions. This will confirm that, when deciding whether to exclude, head teachers should consider whether a child's disciplinary problems might be a sign of an emerging emotional and behavioural difficulty giving rise to special educational need. There are no plans to advise head teachers to look for particular disorders.

  Teachers' Pension Scheme
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of responses to the further consultation exercise on proposals for changes to the early retirement provisions of the teachers' pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [11695]

  Mr. Byers
  After considering the responses to the consultation exercise, my right hon. Friend has decided to introduce with effect from 1 September 1997 two improvements to the existing provisions of the teachers' scheme. The first will improve the arrangements for teachers who step down to posts of lower responsibility to preserve the level of their retirement benefits. A particularly useful feature of the new provisions is that they will apply where an individual changes employer.

  The second improvement is to the calculation of pension benefits for regular part-time teachers. These arrangements will mean that the average salary on which the pension is based is the same as it would have been if the teacher had been employed in a full-time capacity.

  In the autumn, we shall invite representatives of teachers and their employers to join us in an examination of the teachers' pension scheme for the longer term, looking at a range of issues suggested by teachers' unions, teachers' employers and others.

  We have decided not to introduce at this time the option of actuarially reduced pensions for teachers as a new form of retirement. This proposal will be looked at again in the longer-term examination.

  Copyright
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to ensure compliance with copyright law; and if he proposes to take out a photocopying licence with the Copyright Licensing Agency. [10991]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The Department has a number of procedures within its library service and reprographic centres to ensure compliance with copyright law and librarians and photocopying staff receive formal instruction on the need to operate within the copyright law. The Department has no plans at present to take out a photocopying licence with the Copyright Licensing Agency.

TREASURY

  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what informal meetings the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe attended on Budget matters in the Treasury before the Budget statement. [10456]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: No informal meeting took place to make Budget decisions that involved the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe.

  Windfall Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will change the calculation of the windfall tax liabilities by entity in order to put these on a constant price basis; and if he will make a statement. [11370]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  No. The Chancellor gave very careful consideration to the tax base in framing his proposals for the windfall tax.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10736]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The payroll service for the Treasury is provided by Chessington Computer Services Ltd. using the standard payroll input and retrieval system—SPIRE. The costs to the Treasury of the Chessington service for 1997–98 is £57,000 inclusive of VAT. Monthly salary changes are processed and input to SPIRE within the Treasury by two payroll clerks and one payroll administration manager at an annual salary cost for the three staff of £48,079. Under the terms of the contract, Chessington Computer Services Ltd. is responsible for making payments to staff using the bankers automated clearing service—BACS—and for making deductions such as tax and national insurance contributions.
  131
  The Treasury does not have any co-operative arrangements with other Departments for the provision or administration of payroll services.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to implement the transfer to the Treasury of the Bank of England's responsibilities for debt management, the sale of gilts, oversight of the gilts market and cash management. [11625]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government today published a proposal for consultation on the arrangements for Government debt and cash management. We propose to establish an agency of the Treasury to implement the annual borrowing programme, to liaise and deal with participants in the gilts market and to manage the Exchequer's cash position. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Unpaid Work
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics the Office for National Statistics compiles on the value of unpaid work to the economy. [10660]

  Mrs. Liddell
  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 Mrs. Jackie Ballard, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question on statistics ONS compile on the value of unpaid work to the economy.
  ONS publishes no direct estimates of unpaid labour. It plans, however, to publish an experimental account of household production in the ONS publication Economic Trends in the next few months, based on time use surveys. An article describing the approach was published in Economic Trends in July 1996.
  The above publication is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Strikes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working days were lost as a result of strikes in each year between 1974 and 1997. [11348]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. John Bercow, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many working days have been lost as a result of strikes in each year between 1974 and 1997.
  Annual data are only available up to 1996. Data for 1974 to 1996 are shown in the attached table.
  132

  Number of working days lost in the United Kingdom due to labour disputes

  Working days lost (thousands)

  1974

  14,750

  1975

  6,012

  1976

  3,284

  1977

  10,142

  1978

  9,405

  1979

  29,474

  1980

  11,964

  1981

  4,266

  1982

  5,313

  1983

  3,754

  1984

  27,135

  1985

  6,402

  1986

  1,920

  1987

  3,546

  1988

  3,702

  1989

  4,128

  1990

  1,903

  1991

  761

  1992

  528

  1993

  649

  1994

  278

  1995

  415

  1996

  1,303

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working days have been lost as a result of strikes in each year since 1974. [10887]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Philip Hammond, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many working days have been lost as a result of strikes in each year since 1974.
  The data requested are in the attached table.

  Number of working days lost in the United Kingdom due to labour disputes

  Working days lost (thousands)

  1974

  14,750

  1975

  6,012

  1976

  3,284

  1977

  10,142

  1978

  9,405

  1979

  29,474

  1980

  11,964

  1981

  4,266

  1982

  5,313

  1983

  3,754

  1984

  27,135

  1985

  6,402

  1986

  1,920

  1987

  3,546

  1988

  3,702

  1989

  4,128

  1990

  1,903

  1991

  761

  1992

  528

  1993

  649

  1994

  278

  1995

  415

  1996

  1,303

  Health Authority Populations
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) male and (b) female population of each health authority by gender. [10663]

  Mrs. Liddell
  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 Mrs. Jackie Ballard, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as the Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question asking for the population of each health authority by gender. The data you requested are attached.
  It is the ONS' policy to publish population estimates rounded to at least the nearest 100 persons. When estimates are provided as they are here, in units, this is in order to facilitate further calculations e.g. mortality rates. Unit estimates cannot be accurate to that level of detail.

  Estimated population mid-1995 Health areas that come into effect on 1 April 1996

  Regional office health authority

  Total persons

  Total male

  Total female

  Bradford

  482,694

  237,678

  245,016

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  580,963

  284,484

  296,479

  County Durham

  607,670

  297,874

  309,796

  East Riding

  576,993

  283,581

  293,412

  Gateshead and South

  Tyneside

  358,118

  174,512

  183,606

  Leeds

  724,967

  357,634

  367,333

  Newcastle and North

  Tyneside

  477,068

  231,970

  245,098

  North Cumbria

  318,081

  156,638

  161,443

  Northumberland

  307,296

  149,979

  157,317

  North Yorkshire

  730,636

  355,352

  375,284

  Sunderland

  295,829

  144,201

  151,628

  Tees

  559,160

  273,839

  285,321

  Wakefield

  317,148

  156,868

  160,280

  Northern and Yorkshire

  6,336,623

  3,104,610

  3,232,013

  Barnsley

  226,711

  111,395

  115,316

  Doncaster

  292,877

  144,511

  148,366

  Leicestershire

  923,001

  458,290

  464,711

  Lincolnshire

  611,846

  299,089

  312,757

  North Derbyshire

  371,084

  183,103

  187,981

  North Nottinghamshire

  391,738

  193,815

  197,923

  Nottingham

  640,201

  315,722

  324,479

  Rotherham

  255,751

  126,469

  129,282

  Sheffield

  528,518

  262,356

  266,162

  Southern Derbyshire

  555,060

  275,647

  279,413

  South Humber

  312,198

  153,495

  158,703

  Trent

  5,108,985

  2,523,892

  2,585,093

  Bedfordshire

  545,660

  272,079

  273,581

  Berkshire

  783,231

  392,439

  390,792

  Buckinghamshire

  665,878

  330,396

  335,482

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  442,390

  219,457

  222,933

  East Norfolk

  614,669

  301,149

  313,520

  Northamptonshire

  599,284

  296,459

  302,825

  North West Anglia

  409,177

  202,314

  206,863

  Oxfordshire

  598,354

  298,904

  299,450

  Suffolk

  565,809

  323,142

  333,667

  Anglia and Oxford

  5,315,452

  2,636,339

  2,679,113

  Barking and Havering

  385,789

  188,654

  197,135

  Barnet

  312,431

  151,757

  160,674

  Brent and Harrow

  455,401

  224,815

  230,586

  134

  Estimated population mid-1995 Health areas that come into effect on 1 April 1996

  Regional office health authority

  Total persons

  Total male

  Total female

  Camden and Islington

  359,402

  174,496

  184,906

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  652,162

  321,046

  331,116

  East and North Hertfordshire

  491,050

  243,330

  247,720

  East London and The City

  600,575

  299,359

  301,216

  Enfield and Haringey

  474,679

  233,717

  240,962

  Hillingdon

  245,295

  121,379

  123,916

  Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster

  349,165

  170,768

  178,397

  North Essex

  878,770

  430,861

  447,909

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  448,411

  219,644

  228,767

  South Essex

  698,739

  341,951

  356,788

  West Hertfordshire

  520,167

  256,229

  263,938

  North Thames

  6,872,036

  3,378,006

  3,494,030

  Bexley and Greenwich

  431,653

  210,300

  221,353

  Bromley

  293,385

  142,045

  151,340

  Croydon

  330,933

  162,133

  168,800

  East Kent

  587,118

  283,360

  303,758

  East Surrey

  411,163

  200,057

  211,106

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  730,864

  346,600

  384,264

  Kingston and Richmond

  315,756

  153,722

  162,034

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  733,397

  357,216

  376,181

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  618,657

  300,743

  317,914

  West Kent

  964,143

  474,528

  489,615

  West Surrey

  633,195

  311,454

  321,741

  West Sussex

  731,482

  350,533

  380,949

  South Thames

  6,781,746

  3,292,691

  3,489,055

  Avon

  982,343

  484,177

  498,166

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  482,688

  234,051

  248,637

  Dorset

  678,668

  326,998

  351,670

  Gloucestershire

  552,731

  272,525

  280,206

  Isle of Wight

  125,111

  60,163

  64,948

  North and East Devon

  468,749

  225,973

  242,776

  North and Mid Hampshire

  543,260

  269,400

  273,860

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  539,007

  265,029

  273,978

  Somerset

  481,041

  234,626

  246,415

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  534,407

  264,376

  270,031

  South and West Devon

  590,030

  286,160

  303,870

  Wiltshire

  590,610

  292,677

  297,933

  South and West

  6,568,645

  3,216,155

  3,352,490

  Birmingham

  1,017,458

  502,404

  515,054

  Coventry

  303,555

  149,969

  153,586

  Dudley

  312,453

  154,916

  157,537

  Herefordshire

  164,519

  80,551

  83,968

  North Staffordshire

  472,199

  233,834

  238,365

  Sandwell

  293,701

  144,148

  149,553

  Shropshire

  419,880

  207,676

  212,204

  Solihull

  202,882

  99,220

  103,662

  South Staffordshire

  584,249

  290,662

  293,587

  Walsall

  262,770

  130,045

  132,725

  Warwickshire

  498,662

  246,411

  252,251

  Wolverhampton

  244,335

  120,342

  123,993

  Worcestershire

  529,759

  260,644

  269,115

  West Midlands

  5,306,422

  2,620,822

  2,685,600

  Bury and Rochdale

  389,489

  191,519

  197,970

  East Lancashire

  512,864

  252,206

  260,658

  135

  Estimated population mid-1995 Health areas that come into effect on 1 April 1996

  Regional office health authority

  Total persons

  Total male

  Total female

  Liverpool

  470,826

  229,214

  241,612

  Manchester

  432,641

  213,111

  219,530

  Morecambe Bay

  308,403

  149,808

  158,595

  North Cheshire

  311,196

  153,654

  157,542

  North West Lancashire

  466,713

  226,720

  239,993

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  333,880

  163,160

  170,720

  Salford and Trafford

  448,798

  221,029

  227,769

  Sefton

  290,971

  138,791

  152,180

  South Cheshire

  666,893

  327,403

  339,490

  South Lancashire

  310,255

  152,098

  158,157

  Stockport

  290,569

  141,810

  148,759

  West Pennine

  473,287

  232,244

  241,043

  Wigan and Bolton

  575,228

  283,776

  291,452

  Wirral

  331,518

  158,557

  172,961

  North West

  6,613,531

  3,235,100

  3,378,431

  Bro Taf

  726,893

  356,784

  370,109

  Dyfed Powys

  475,558

  233,078

  242,480

  Gwent

  556,322

  272,751

  283,571

  Morgannwg

  500,911

  244,521

  256,390

  North Wales

  657,098

  318,360

  338,738

  Wales

  2,916,782

  1,425,494

  1,491,288

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the(a) percentage increase and (b) average annual increase in the retail prices index between (i) March 1974 and April 1979 and (ii) May 1979 and April 1997. [10892]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Christopher Fraser, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question about the increase in the Retail Prices Index.
  Between March 1974 and April 1979 the percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index was 108.8 per cent for the period. This compares with 185.6 per cent for the period May 1979 to April 1997.
  The average annual increase in the Retail Prices Index for the period March 1974 to April 1979 was 15.3 per cent per annum. This compares with 6.0 per cent for the period May 1979 to April 1997.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of(a) casualties and (b) fatalities caused by the interaction between prescribed and illegal drugs in each of the last three years. [11016]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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.
  136
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent parliamentary question on drug casualties and fatalities. However, this information is not held centrally.
  The ONS collects and compiles information on the cause of all deaths registered in England and Wales. In the case of deaths due to any form of poisoning by drugs or drug abuse, the death will be certified by a coroner following an inquest. The coroner's certificate of cause of death, used to register these deaths, includes a short section on the cause (in the format of the medical certificate of cause of death recommended by the WHO), the verdict and certain details about the circumstances of accidental deaths. The level of information therefore normally received by the ONS would include the names of all the drugs known to have been taken or found in toxicological analyses. When more than one drug is mentioned on the certificate, it is not usually stated which was responsible for the death, nor whether any interaction between them was suspected or proven.
  Whether a drug was prescribed for the deceased or another person, bought over the counter or obtained illicitly is not normally recorded on the death certificate. The coroner's verdict may state that the death was due to dependence on or abuse of a drug or drugs. However. many certificates of deaths due to poisoning with controlled drugs do not mention abuse or dependence, and may have accidental, suicidal or open verdicts. Many controlled drugs can be legitimately prescribed for therapeutic purposes. A very small number of deaths are certified as due to adverse reactions to therapeutic drugs in normal use, with either an accidental or therapeutic misadventure verdict. In addition to controlled and prescription only drugs, those taken therapeutically may include over the counter preparations.
  A greater level of detail may be recorded in the coroner's inquest reports, but these are not routinely collected, coded or analysed nationally.
  The ONS does not collect figures on admissions to hospital, patients seen in accident and emergency departments or cases notified to poisons advice centres.

  Life Span
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the expected life span of a child born in(a) 1979 and (b) 1997. [10906]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent parliamentary question on the expectation of life at birth in the United Kingdom.
  The data you requested, according to the mortality rates experienced in the year in question, are as follows:

  Males

  Females

  1979

  70.0

  76.2

  19951

  74.0

  79.3

  1 Latest year for which data are available. Figures supplied by the Government Actuary's Department.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in unemployment levels in each former parliamentary constituency in Great Britain between(a) December 1992 and (b) December 1997. [11244]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Luff, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the change in unemployment levels in each former parliamentary constituency in Great Britain.
  The measure of unemployment, derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS), is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. However, largely because it is a sample survey, information is not available from the LFS in as much geographical detail as from the claimant count measure described below.
  ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployed-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work. Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign are counted, irrespective of whether they are actually receiving benefit.
  The information you have requested is only available from the claimant count, as the Labour Force Survey does not give details down to constituency levels as explained.
  Information on the levels of claimant count by former Parliamentary Constituency are based on the 1981 Census which are only available up to March 1996. Parliamentary Constituency data from April 1996 were based on the new 1991 Census. All this information can be obtained from the NOMIS database at the House of Commons Library.

  Temporary Contracts
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of people currently employed on temporary contracts in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Spain and (d) Italy; and to what extent this has changed since (i) 1987 and (ii) 1992. [10891]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Christopher Fraser, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the proportion of people currently employed on temporary contracts in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy.
  Numbers of temporary employees and all employees are published in the Eurostat publication Labour Force Survey Results which is available in the House of Commons Library. The most recent edition is for 1995. The proportions for spring of each of the years 1987, 1992 and 1995 are shown in the table below. The latest figure for the United Kingdom, for winter 1996/7, is also shown.
  138

  Heading employees as a proportion of all employees (per cent.)

  United Kingdom

  France

  Spain

  Italy

  Spring 1987

  6.2

  7.1

  15.6

  5.4

  Spring 1992

  5.4

  10.4

  33.5

  7.6

  Spring 1995

  6.8

  12.2

  35.0

  7.2

  Winter

  1996–97

  7.4

  —

  —

  —

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the changes in levels of(a) manufacturing productivity and (b) overall productivity between (i) March 1974 and April 1979 and (ii) May 1979 and April 1997. [10888]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Philip Hammond, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question regarding changes in levels of manufacturing and whole economy productivity.
  Information is not available for the dates requested but is given for the nearest period in the table below.

  Sector

  Period

  Percentage change

  Manufacturing

  Q1 1974 to Q1 1979

  5.7

  Q2 1979 to Q1 1997

  83.5

  Whole economy

  Q1 1974 to Q1 1979

  9.4

  Q2 1979 to Q1 1997

  36.7

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was manufacturing output in the United Kingdom in each year between 1979 and 1997 in terms of(a) volume and (b) value at current prices. [10959]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Dominic Grieve, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on manufacturing output in the United Kingdom in each year between 1979 and 1997.
  The index of the volume of manufacturing output at constant prices for each year between 1986 and 1996 can be accessed as Series DVZK on the ONS databank by the House of Commons Library. Data for 1997 is not yet available. The indices for the years 1979 to 1985 are given in the table below:

  Year

  Volume of manufacturing output at constant prices

  1979

  90.6

  1980

  82.8

  1981

  77.7

  1982

  77.6

  1983

  79.2

  1984

  82.2

  139
  Data on the value of manufacturing output at current prices is available for the complete range of years between 1979 and 1996 and can be accessed as series CFLV on the ONS databank by the House of Commons Library. Data for 1997 is not yet available.

  Exports
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value at current prices of United Kingdom exports of(a) goods, (b) services and (c) all items in each year since 1979. [10961]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 28 July 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. Dominic Grieve, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the total value at current prices of United Kingdom exports.
  Estimates for imports and exports of goods and services, investment income, transfers and the total balance of payments current account back to 1975 will be published in Table 1.4 of the 1997 edition of United Kingdom Balance of Payments: The Pink Book to be published by The Stationery Office on 8 August, a copy of which will be available in the House of Commons Library. The data to be published in the Pink Book is already available through the ONS databank which can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Next Steps Agencies
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that the definition of the relationship between operational and policy decisions is made according to the function and framework brief of each next steps agency. [10522]

  Dr. David Clark
  It is the responsibility of the departmental Minister, having set the framework within which the Department's executive agencies operate, to ensure that this is reflected, as necessary, in the conduct of business. The framework documents for next steps agencies seek to set out as precisely as possible those matters assigned by Ministers to chief executives and for which the chief executives are responsible to Ministers, recognising that it is impracticable to predict every eventuality that may arise in the life span of individual framework documents.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to review the regional operation of next steps agencies following the publication of proposals on the regional development agencies; and if he will make a statement. [10520]

  Dr. Clark
  This is a matter for the departmental Ministers responsible for individual executive agencies.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce guidelines requiring next steps agencies to produce key performance indicators which are comparable between agencies; and if he will make a statement. [10521]
  140
  Dr. Clark
  I have asked colleagues to pay particular attention to selecting the most appropriate key performance indicators for their agencies and to setting stretching targets for them. However, most agencies produce outputs which are not directly comparable with those of other agencies. Even where similar outputs are produced, for example in those concerned with prisons, social security and public records, direct comparisons may be misleading because the agencies concerned have different customers, operate in differing social or economic environments, or work within different legislative frameworks. The Minister concerned is best placed to decide the key performance indicators taking into account individual circumstances.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management system purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10738]

  Dr. David Clark
  For this purpose, I have responsibility for the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of Public Service and its agencies and the Central Office of Information.

  Pay for non-industrial staff 1996–97

  The collation and processing of pay data, including rates of basic pay, overtime and allowances—by internal pay sections.

  Method of transfer of pay data from internal pay section to subcontractor—computer link known as SPIRE.

  Tax, national insurance and other deductions are net payments to staff made by subcontractor—Chessington Computer Services Ltd.

  Departmental internal costs—£201,000.

  Cost of service level agreement with subcontractor—£217,000.

  Pay for industrial staff 1996–97

  The collation of pay data, including rates of basic pay, overtime and allowances—by internal pay sections.

  Method of transfer of pay data from internal pay section to subcontractor—computer disk or paper-based systems where numbers are small.

  Processing of pay data. Tax, national insurance and other deductions and net payments made to staff by subcontractor—Ministry of Defence, Pay and Personnel Agency.

  Departmental internal costs—£115,000.

  Cost of contact with subcontractor—£74,000.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the monthly changes in total civil service numbers for each month since 1 January. [11155]

  Mr. David Clark
  Civil service staffing figures are compiled quarterly. Information for the latest available four quarters is as follows:

  Permanent staff

  Casual staff

  All staff

  1 July 1996

  492,100

  21,800

  513,900

  1 October 1996

  486,800

  22,300

  509,100

  141

  Permanent staff

  Casual staff

  All staff

  1 January 1997

  482,800

  23,400

  506,200

  1 April 1997

  475,700

  19,600

  495,300

  Figures for 1 July 1997 will be published at the end of August.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11387]

  Dr. David Clark
  Estimates of the total departmental expenditure on computer-related work by the Cabinet Office, the Office of Public Service and its agencies and the Central Office of Information are:

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Current

  3.25

  4.78

  5.56

  Capital

  4.15

  4.89

  3.55

  Total

  7.40

  9.67

  9.11

  Expenditure plans for 1998–99 and 1999–00 have not yet been finalised.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Ashford Great Park Development Project
  Mr. Stuart Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the reports from the audit committee of the Church Commissioners about the commissioners' involvement in the Ashford Great Park development project. [11515]

  Mr. Straw
  I have received these reports and have placed copies of them in the Library.

  Juveniles
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the incidence of physical and sexual abuse by inmates in respect of juveniles in detention in the last year. [9279]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: In the last financial year, there were 292 cases of assault where the victim was a juvenile. Only four of these assaults were of an alleged sexual nature.

  Immigration
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued on the target waiting time for calls to the telephone inquiry bureau of the immigration directorate; and what steps he has taken to reduce waiting times. [10483]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Waiting time and staff productivity targets are reviewed regularly. Productivity targets are either met or exceeded but the need to divert staff to deal with personal callers in the public inquiry office has resulted in some failure to meet waiting time targets. Priority at busy times will continue to be given to 142
  personal callers but extra staff are being recruited to cover the telephones. Immigration applicants are being encouraged to make telephone inquiries to the case worker handling their case.

  Mohammed Riaz and Quayyun Raja
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the tariffs to be served by Mohammed Riaz and Quayyun Raja were last reviewed; and what was the outcome of the review. [10875]

  Ms Quin
  The tariffs for these two mandatory life sentence prisoners were last reviewed by Ministers in 1995–96. The outcome of that review was that the tariffs were set afresh at the same level as they had been before they were quashed by the divisional court in December 1994–20 years for Mohammed Riaz and 25 years for Quayyun Raja. Following recent representations, we have agreed to look again at the circumstances of these cases.

  Sunlight
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the variations in the duration of sunlight in the United Kingdom since 1977. [10951]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Following a preliminary survey in 1987, the Home Office commissioned a survey of interest groups in 1988 into options for summer time arrangements. The views of respondents and the arguments that were advanced were reviewed in the 1989 Green Paper "Summer Time: A Consultation Document", Cm 722.

  Responses to the Green Paper showed that there was a lack of consensus about the merits of the United Kingdom moving to central European time, also known as single/double summer time. A private Member's Bill, The British Time (Extra Daylight) Bill, which would have achieved such a move did not attract enough support for a Second Reading when it was debated on 19 January 1996. The debate illustrated the strength of feeling and diversity of opinion on the issue.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the recommendations made by Sir Donald Acheson in his report on special secure units indicating which have been implemented; and if he will make a statement. [11098]

  Ms Quin
  Sir Donald Acheson's report contained nine recommendations. Action has been taken on these as follows:"1. Given the short duration of the present regime, it is premature to come to a firm conclusion on its impact on prisoners' health. We therefore advise that the general health of prisoners detained in special secure units (SSUs) be reviewed at regular intervals, taking into account their degree of susceptibility to psychological symptoms.

  Response
  The SSU Operating Standards have been amended to require that medical officers should undertake formal reviews of the health of prisoners detained in SSUs every three months.

  143
  2. A standard set of procedures applicable to all SSUs should be devised, circulated to all parties and enforced to ensure the most expeditious transfer of prisoners requiring emergency treatment to National Health Service hospitals.

  Response
  The Operating Standards have been amended to emphasise the importance of prompt action.
  3. SSUs should be provided with the same level of first aid and emergency aid equipment as other wings in the prison. Personnel trained in using this equipment should be on duty in the SSU at all times.

  Response
  Healthcare in SSUs is comparable to that elsewhere in the Prison Service. Arrangements exist to ensure that first aid be administered immediately to prisoners in SSUs.
  4. Prisoners should be held in SSUs for as short a period as possible.

  Response
  This is existing policy.
  5. Prisoners should be informed when their cases are coming before the SSU committee and be given the opportunity to submit written representations. When feasible, an indication as to how long prisoners will be required to stay in the SSU system should be given.

  Response
  This is existing policy.
  6. Sentence planning should be introduced as with other long term prisoners.

  Response
  The overriding consideration is determining the length of time a prisoner spends in a special unit must be security. However, the Operating Standards have been amended to provide that regular reviews are undertaken of prisoners' behaviour, attitude and other relevant issues. Review arrangements ensure that the necessary information is collected on the prisoner to inform my future sentencing planning.
  7. More opportunities for mental stimulation and physical exercise should be provided, including the provision of meaningful activity.

  Response
  This is existing policy. Opportunities for constructive activity have increased.
  8. It is the unanimous view of the group that, in the interests of health, prisoners in the SSUs should have access to open visits with members of their immediate family. We believe that it should be possible for the Prison Service to devise visits which prevent the passage of unauthorised items whilst at the same time retaining the advantages to the prisoners of physical contact possible only in open visits. Given the logistics involved in conducting secure open visits, it is for the Prison Service to determine their frequency and management.

  Response
  This recommendation has not been accepted although the policy is under review.
  9. Staff should be encouraged to form relationships with prisoners, yet remain sufficiently detached to maintain objectivity and resist being compromised.

  Response
  This is existing policy."

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action was taken against Metropolitan police officers involved in a disturbance outside minicab offices on the Holloway road in north London on 17 March 1996. [9963]
  144
  Mr. Michael
  The commissioner informs me that two Metropolitan police officers are to face a disciplinary board on charges of abuse of authority and two other officers were admonished as a result of the investigation.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by the Metropolitan police in each year since 1979. [11156]

  Mr. Michael
  I am advised by the Metropolitan police service that the number of officers employed by it from 1979 is as follows:

  1979: 22,786

  1980: 23,691

  1981: 25,161

  1982: 26,350

  1983: 26,806

  1984: 26,844

  1985: 26,783

  1986: 27,005

  1987: 27,438

  1988: 28,009

  1989: 28,267

  1990: 28,364

  1991: 28,455

  1992: 28,229.7

  1993: 28,045.3

  1994: 28,070.6

  1995: 27,719.4

  1996: 27,420.4

  These figures are as at 31 December—end of year figures—and do not include any officers on secondment to or from the Metropolitan police service. Figures for 1992 onwards show a full-time equivalent figure and take account of part-time work; there were no part-time workers prior to 1992.

  HMP Belmarsh
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards providing prisoners detained in the special secure unit at Her Majesty's prison Belmarsh with four hours of education a day on request. [9964]

  Ms Quin
  Prisoners in the special secure unit at Belmarsh prison can, if they wish, attend formal education classes for up to three hours a day. This exceeds the number of hours of education available in the main prison and, given the extremely low take-up of education by SSU prisoners, there are no plans at present to increase further the number of hours available.

  In addition to formal education classes, prisoners can study in their cells if they so wish. In the past, a number of SSU prisoners have participated in Open university courses in this way.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on provision of adequate ventilation for cells and recreation areas within the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh. [9965]
  145
  Ms Quin
  Adequate ventilation is available in cells in the special secure unit at Belmarsh. It has, however, been accepted by Belmarsh that the ventilation of the association areas needs to be improved during periods of hot weather.

  To facilitate this, Belmarsh has recently changed procedures to allow prisoners to keep open cell doors and windows at times when they are out of their cells. It has also installed large fans. These measures have greatly increased the ventilation of the association areas, improving matters significantly.

  Diarmuid O'Neill Investigation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Police Complaints Authority has completed its investigation into the shooting of Diarmuid O'Neill on 23 September 1996; and if he will make a statement. [9962]

  Mr. Straw
  The Police Complaints Authority's investigation is continuing. I understand that some of the evidence in the case may also be relevant to the forthcoming trial of the men arrested with Mr. O'Neill and that the Police Complaints Authority's investigation will not be completed until their trial is over, lest its inquiries prejudice the trial.

  Disabled People (Access to Polling Stations)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for making an assessment of the recommendations in the SCOPE report, "Polls Apart 2", with specific reference to(a) increasing the grant to local authorities for providing temporary ramps for polling stations and (b) increasing the grant for low-level accessible polling booths. [10471]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government are considering SCOPE's report, which we welcome. At present, 50 per cent. grants are available towards the cost of purchasing temporary ramps and 80 per cent. grants are available for polling screens adapted for use by electors in wheelchairs. Funds for such grants are not capped and since 1992 a total of £213,000 has been spent towards the provision of temporary ramps. Separate figures are not kept on the purchase of specially adapted polling screens.

  We are looking very carefully at the arrangements for future funding for this equipment.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter dated 11 June, ref. No. 9675/97, regarding a constituent. [11081]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am writing today to my hon. Friend.

  Prison Places
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison places were available in each year since 1979. [11250]

  Ms Quin
  The information required is given in the table.
  146

  Certified normal accommodation—CNA—30 June

  CNA

  1979

  37,881

  1980

  38,472

  1981

  38,747

  1982

  38,653

  1983

  38,783

  1984

  39,033

  1985

  39,804

  1986

  40,811

  1987

  41,994

  1988

  44,179

  1989

  45,427

  1990

  42,804

  1991

  43,875

  1992

  46,239

  1993

  46,646

  1994

  48,291

  1995

  50,239

  1996

  53,152

  1997

  56,329

  Source:

  Prison statistics England and Wales 1989 and 1995.

  Figures for 1996 and 1997 strategic planning section, HM Prison Service.

  Note:

  Accommodation excludes places taken out of use for refurbishment. It represents the total number of uncrowded places estimated to be available in the prison estate.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the percentage change in recorded crime in the last four years. [11127]

  Mr. Michael
  Between 1992 and 1996, total recorded crime fell by 10 per cent.

  However, over the same period, total recorded violent crime rose by 21 per cent. and total recorded crime today is 31 per cent. higher than it was 10 years ago. We have begun a determined onslaught on crime and the causes of crime. Our strategy places the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system and aims to tackle what has become an unacceptable level of crime and neighbourhood disorder.

  Firearms Compensation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of departmental expenditure on firearms compensation and related costs in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–00 and how these figures differ from those assumed in the departmental spending plans contained in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98"; and if he will make a statement. [11248]

  Mr. Michael
  The expected costs of the compensation for firearms and ancillary equipment was set out at the time of the parliamentary debates on the compensation scheme and the current Firearms (Amendment) Bill.

  The present estimate of expenditure on compensation and related costs arising from the implementation of the

  147
  Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and the Firearms (Amendment) Bill is as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Compensation payments

  115

  45

  Administrative costs

  5

  1

  Total

  120

  46

  No expenditure is expected in 1999–00.

  No specific provision was made for firearms compensation in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" although the cost of compensation was identified as a potential claim on the reserve.

  New Technology
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been invested at current prices by the Government in each year since 1979 in new technology to help the police deal with crime. [11355]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is not available in the form requested. In the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively, the Home Office budget for central scientific and technical support for the police is £48.9 million, £51.9 million and £59.4 million at 1997–98 prices. It should be noted that these are aggregate figures and will cover such items as the general operating costs of the police national computer.

  One of its next steps agencies, the Forensic Science Service, has invested or will invest the following over the same period: £3 million, £3.1 million and £3.4 million on capital investment in new technology, and £3.5 million, £2.9 million and £3 million on research and development activity, excluding equipment, all at 1997–98 prices.

  Police (Staff)
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of(a) police officers and (b) police civilian staff workers in each year since 1979. [11157]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  As at March

  Police

  Civilians

  1979

  111,133

  34,598

  1980

  114,543

  35,420

  1981

  118,102

  37,143

  1982

  119,973

  37,170

  1983

  121,003

  37,373

  1984

  121,053

  37,818

  1985

  120,116

  38,497

  1986

  120,848

  39,351

  1987

  122,236

  40,592

  1988

  124,080

  41,786

  1989

  125,631

  42,767

  1990

  126,777

  44,525

  1991

  127,495

  46,361

  1992

  127,627

  47,336

  1993

  128,290

  49,518

  1994

  127,897

  50,229

  148

  As at March

  Police

  Civilians

  1995

  127,222

  51,096

  1996

  126,878

  52,933

  1997 (Provisional)

  127,158

  53,011

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers were in post in each year since 1979. [11251]

  Ms Quin
  The information required is given in the table.

  Prison officers in post each year since 1979

  Number

  1979

  11,138

  1980

  11,225

  1981

  12,192

  1982

  12,198

  1983

  12,312

  1984

  12,713

  1985

  13,022

  1986

  13,336

  1987

  119,072

  1988

  18,039

  1989

  19,629

  1990

  20,785

  1991

  21,421

  1992

  23,029

  1993

  23,994

  1994

  23,756

  1995

  24,237

  1996

  24,398

  1997

  223,058

  1 The increase between 1986 and 1987 reflects the change in prison officer working practices and the reduction in their hours worked.

  2The reduction from 1996 to 1997 can be partly explained by the fact that prison officers left under the voluntary early severance scheme.

  Prisons
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) new prisons have opened and (b) prisons have closed in each year since 1979. [11249]

  Ms Quin
  Table A details new prison establishments that have been brought into use—short-term conversions of, for example, Army camps are not included—since 1979. Table B details those which have been taken out of use since 1979.

  Table A: New prisons opened by year since 1979

  Year

  Name of prison

  Current role

  1979

  Wymott

  C

  1980

  —

  —

  1981

  —

  —

  1982

  Frankland

  Dispersal

  1983

  Castington

  YOI

  1984

  —

  —

  1985

  Featherstone

  C

  Lindholme

  C

  Wayland

  C

  Stocken

  C

  Thorn Cross

  Open YOI

  149

  Table A: New prisons opened by year since 1979

  Year

  Name of prison

  Current role

  1986

  —

  —

  1987

  Full Sutton

  Dispersal

  1988

  Littlehey

  C

  The Mount

  C

  Swaleside

  B

  Garth

  B

  1989

  Downview

  C

  1990

  —

  —

  1991

  Belmarsh

  Local/Dispersal

  Moorland

  YOI/Audit Male Trainer/Audit

  Remand

  Whitemoor

  Dispersal

  Brinsford

  YOI

  1992

  Elmley

  Local/Trainer

  Bullingdon

  Local

  Wolds

  Remand Centre

  Holme House

  Local

  Woodhill

  Local

  High Down

  Local

  1993

  Lancaster Farms

  YOI

  Blakenhurst

  Local

  Doncaster

  Local

  1995

  Buckley Hall

  C

  YOI: young offenders institution.

  Table B: Prisons taken out of use since 1979

  Year taken out of use

  Name of prison

  1981

  Appleton Thorn

  1982

  Moor Court

  1983

  Gaynes Hall

  1987

  Medomsley

  1988

  Gringley

  1989

  Ashford

  1989

  Buckley Hall

  1991

  Campsfield House

  1992

  Lowdham Grange

  1992

  Northeye

  1996

  Finnamore Wood

  1996

  Oxford

  1996

  Pucklechurch

  Three of locations—Appleton Thorn, Buckley Hall and Gaynes Hall—are now the sites of new prisons; HMYOI Thorn Cross, HMP Buckley Hall and HMP Littlehey respectively. In addition, Lowdham Grange is currently being rebuilt and another, Pucklechurch, is to be rebuilt during 1998–99. Planning clearance also exists to build a new prison on the site of what was Ashford remand centre.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of public spending in current prices on the Prison Service was in each year since 1979. [11356]

  Ms Quin
  Expenditure by the Prison Service in England and Wales for each year from 1979–80 is set out in the table at 1996–97 prices. These figures include expenditure borne on the Property Services Agency vote up to 1987–88 for the capital costs of new prisons. Because of the nature of the Government accounting system, some other costs attributable to the running of the prison system, for example superannuation, rates and common services, were charged to other votes during some of the earlier years in the table.
  150

  £ million

  1979–80

  790.5

  1980–81

  898.6

  1981–82

  900.2

  1982–83

  949.5

  1983–84

  1,002.0

  1984–85

  1,022.7

  1985–86

  1,070.6

  1986–87

  1,105.0

  1987–88

  1,167.9

  1988–89

  1,284.1

  1989–90

  1,482.4

  1990–91

  1,640.1

  1991–92

  1,680.3

  1992–93

  1,621.6

  1993–94

  1,617.1

  1994–95

  1,687.1

  1995–96

  1,712.9

  1996–97 (provisional)

  1,604.9

  Police Force (Government Spending)
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much in real terms Government spending on the police force has changed since 1979. [11158]

  Mr. Michael
  On the basis of the latest gross domestic produce deflator figures issued by the Treasury, total spending on the police in England and Wales will have increased in real terms by 100.4 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1997–98.

  Police (Wales)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on each of the four Welsh police forces in each year since 1979. [11191]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is set out in the table.

  Expenditure

  £ million

  Dyfed Powys

  Gwent

  North Wales

  South Wales

  1978–79

  7.615

  8.511

  11.672

  26.219

  1979–80

  10.016

  10.971

  15.362

  35.086

  1980–81

  11.698

  12.826

  17.233

  41.527

  1981–82

  13.709

  15.014

  20.060

  49.634

  1982–83

  15.052

  16.379

  22.314

  55.399

  1983–84

  16.301

  18.455

  25.200

  59.667

  1984–85

  19.134

  20.120

  27.838

  66.756

  1985–86

  18.813

  20.619

  27.567

  68.001

  1986–87

  20.699

  22.213

  30.257

  72.723

  1987–88

  23.831

  24.096

  32.961

  78.957

  1988–89

  25.293

  27.170

  36.812

  86.312

  1989–90

  29.522

  30.444

  41.084

  97.275

  1990–91

  30.878

  33.286

  44.725

  106.257

  1991–92

  35.150

  36.682

  50.700

  118.537

  1992–93

  38.896

  38.965

  55.897

  127.300

  1993–94

  41.518

  41.406

  58.387

  130.885

  1994–95

  44.381

  42.951

  61.156

  130.371

  1995–96

  46.534

  49.907

  66.185

  154.710

  1996–97

  48.813

  62.752

  69.339

  151.524

  1997–98

  50.481

  65.162

  72.039

  156.800

  Information from police grant claim forms, except: 1995–96 and 1996–97—Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy estimates. 1997–98—revenue budgets and additional police grant.

  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the eighth annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee. [11516]

  Mr. Michael
  I have today placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the annual report for 1996 of the complaints audit committee of the immigration and nationality directorate; and if he will make a statement. [11623]

  Mr. Straw
  A copy of the report, publication of which was delayed by the election, has been placed in the Library. It is a wide-ranging and informative document and I am grateful to the committee for its comments and recommendations. These are already receiving careful consideration.

  Probation Officers
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future qualifications and training arrangements for new probation officers. [11816]

  Mr. Straw
  I hope to proceed quickly to develop a diploma in probation studies, located in higher education and combined with a national vocational qualification, which will become the qualification for new probation officers. I intend that the new arrangements should be employment led and delivered by a consortium of probation services that will manage the recruitment and selection of trainee probation officers.

  The combined diploma and NVQ will offer a mixture of academic teaching and work-based supervised practice, all based on the occupational standards that will be developed for probation officers. The new qualification should be delivered through flexible teaching methods that take account of trainees' previous work, academic qualifications and experience so that a wide range of recruits can be attracted to the probation service.

  I have decided that training for new probation officers should no longer be linked to social work education. I will be supporting the development of a new and separate diploma in probation studies, which will equip the probation officers of the future to play their full part in this Government's plans for an integrated approach to working with offenders. It will focus on probation's top priority role of protecting the public and reducing crime through effective work with offenders. There will, therefore, be no further funding or support from the Home Office for the diploma in social work.

  These arrangements will be developed in partnership with probation service organisations and higher education institutions to provide high-quality training for high-quality recruits.

  EU Framework and Workplace Directives
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the general fire safety aspects of the EU framework and workplace directives. [11817]

  Mr. George Howarth
  After consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I announced on 16 July that we proposed to implement the outstanding fire safety elements of the European community framework and workplace directives. Today, I have signed and laid before Parliament the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 made under the European Communities Act 1972 to apply throughout Great Britain. A compliance cost assessment is attached to the regulations showing that the estimated costs to employers attributable to these regulations will be less than £30 million. I have placed copies of these documents in the Library. To assist employers, there will be a package of user-friendly guidance comprising a handy, free card summarising the regulations and employers' rights and a short booklet, both of which will be widely available.

  The regulations take into account the views expressed in the many responses received during the consultation exercise carried out last year and the representations received since then from business interests and the fire service. I am grateful to business and fire service representatives for the assistance they have given to my officials during the drafting of the regulations and supporting guidance.

  Where appropriate, the regulations have been drafted using copy-out language. This ensures that there is full compliance with the directives but that no unnecessary costs are imposed on business.

  The regulations put the primary responsibility for fire safety in the workplace on employers. It is for them to determine and provide the measures they believe to be necessary to meet the risk from fire identified in their premises. In this way, what is provided will be appropriate to the risks and tailored to the specific circumstances of the workplace. The regulations incorporate a new approach to fire safety enforcement. Most significant breaches of the regulations can be dealt with by civil sanctions with the onus of proof on the fire authority rather than the employer.

  However, to emphasise the importance of fire safety, criminal sanctions will remain for serious risks.

  The regulations include some of the user-friendly enforcement safeguards of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They will be enforced by the fire authority, who will use the employer's own assessment of the risk from fire as a starting point. The fire service have an important role to play. It will offer employers advice and assistance in meeting their obligations and avoiding over-provision.

  The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations will come into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 December 1997 and will make explicit what is already implicit in United Kingdom law. In light of the existing general duties of care employers owe to their staff, business should, for the most part, already have in place what these regulations require of them. As standards of fire safety in the workplace are already generally high in

  153
  Great Britain, most businesses will have little to do and this is reflected in the total estimated compliance costs of less than £30 million. This is significantly lower than the previous estimate—more than £1.7 billion—associated with earlier drafts of the regulations.

  Forensic Science Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will lay before Parliament the annual report and accounts for the Forensic Science Service. [11818]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service annual report and accounts for 1996–97.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the results of the review of defence sales criteria before the House rises for the summer Adjournment. [10388]

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to publish his policy statement on defence exports. [10642]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29.

  Venezuela
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Venezuelan Government took in response to the British ambassador's request for medical checks for Paul Loseby on 10 April and 10 July. [10436]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Mr. Loseby had a routine medical examination on 5 May. He has not yet seen a doctor about the specific medical concern which prompted our ambassador to write to the Venezuelan authorities. The Venezuelan court has issued an order for Mr. Loseby to be seen by a doctor, but the visit has not yet taken place.

  Our consular staff will continue to press the Venezuelan authorities to organise a medical visit.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if James Miles has received medical checks since his detention in Venezuela in November. [10437]

  Mr. Lloyd
  James Miles received a medical check on 5 May 1997. When he was last visited by our consular staff on 9 July, Mr. Miles had no complaints about his health.

  Sudan
  Rev. Martyn Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Sudanese Government following the peace agreement signed in April 1997. [11122]
  154
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The April 1997 agreement contains positive elements, notably the commitments to self-determination and to respect for human rights, but the main southern group, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, is not a party. We remain concerned about Sudanese policies in three main areas; human rights, support for terrorism and the civil war, but we welcome the Sudanese Government's acceptance of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development's declaration of principles as the basis for talks with the SPLA and look forward to early negotiations. We and our EU partners fully support IGAD' s efforts to bring peace to Sudan and are ready to consider any way to help that process.

  Chechnya (Kidnapped Britons)
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the whereabouts of Camilla Carr and Jon James, kidnapped in Chechnya; and what steps are being taken to ensure their safety. [10957]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are concerned about the safety of Camilla Can and Jon James. Since their abduction in Grozny on 3 July, no one has claimed responsibility. Their whereabouts are unknown. We are in touch with the Russian and Chechen authorities, who have undertaken to do what they can to help. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary expressed our concern to the Russian Foreign Minister on 14 July. Consular division is in daily contact with the families of the couple, to keep them informed of developments.

  Conciliation and Arbitration Convention
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the Government will ratify the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe convention on conciliation and arbitration; [10754]

  (2) for what reasons the United Kingdom has not yet ratified the OSCE convention on conciliation and arbitration; and what objections it has raised to the convention. [10756]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Possible UK accession to the OSCE convention on conciliation and arbitration will be considered shortly. I shall write to my hon. Friend with a considered response as soon as possible thereafter.

  Somali Nationals (Family Reunion)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Somali nationals applied for family reunion at the British embassy at Addis Ababa in(a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997; and how many of these applications were (i) successful and (ii) refused. [10876]
  155
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The number of Somali nationals who applied for family reunion at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 were as follows:

  Applications received

  Granted

  Refused

  1994

  1—

  1,228

  1—

  1995

  1—

  654

  1—

  1996

  670

  359

  21,020

  1997

  366

  207

  2402

  1 The number of applications received and refused in 1994 and 1995 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  2 In 1996 and 1997 the refusal numbers exceed the applications received due to the build up of a large backlog from previous years.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many OSCE participating states have ratified the convention on conciliation and arbitration. [10755]

  Mr. Lloyd
  As at 24 July 1997, 22 of the 54 OSCE participating states had ratified or acceded to the convention on conciliation and arbitration.

  Russia (Baby Seal Cull)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British embassy in Moscow last contacted the Russian authorities about the cull of baby seals in the White sea. [10946]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The British embassy in Moscow last contacted the Russian authorities about the number of Greenland seal pups taken from the White sea on 28 May. It was advised then that the quota for the 1997 cull was broadly the same as for 1996–31,000—but that the final figure was not yet available. The embassy will approach the Russian authorities again in September.

  Scientific Equipment Exports
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ban exports of scientific equipment to research institutes in(a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) China, (d) Russia and (e) Israel suspected of nuclear weapon development; and if he will make a statement. [11015]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: It is not the intention of the present Government to embargo the export of scientific equipment to any country, other than to fulfil a binding commitment made in an international forum.

  It is our policy not to grant licences for the export of items of scientific equipment controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, Council Regulation (EC) 3381/94, and related Council decision 94/942/CFSP as amended, or the Dual Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996 as amended, where to do so would risk the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or of missiles capable of delivering them.

  Russia (Religious Freedom)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what 156
  representations he (a) has made and (b) proposes to make to the Russian Government about the restrictions of religious freedoms in Russia. [10764]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are acting in concert with our EU partners.

  The EU troika ambassadors in Moscow carried out a démarche on Mr. Sidorov, the Deputy Foreign Minister, on 9 July. The démarche called upon President Yeltsin not to allow the law to come into effect in its present form. He vetoed it on 22 July.

  We shall consider any further action in the light of developments.

  Rwanda and the Congo
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the entry of Rwanda into the Commonwealth. [10797]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Decisions on membership are taken by Commonwealth Heads of Government on the basis of consensus. The Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh will consider a report on Commonwealth membership criteria and look at Rwanda's application in the light of this. We believe that among other conditions, it is important for any applicant to the Commonwealth to have had a former constitutional link with a Commonwealth country and to comply with the Harare declaration on human rights and democracy.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards military assistance to(a) Rwanda and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [10796]

  Mr. Lloyd
  We do not at present provide any military assistance to Rwanda or to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's military assistance to(a) Rwanda and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last three years. [10798]

  Mr. Lloyd
  We have provided no military assistance to Rwanda or the Demcratic Republic of the Congo in the last three years.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government have given to private companies investing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last two months. [10799]

  Mr. Lloyd
  I met a number of UK private companies who have experience of the great lakes region on 17 June, to discuss commercial prospects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This Department and the Department of Trade and Industry continue to advise British business on possible commercial opportunities.

  British Council
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the real terms change in the Government grant in aid to the British Council between 1979 and 1997. [11260]
  157
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The real terms change in this Department's grant in aid to the British Council between 1978–79 and 1997–98 was an increase of 21 per cent. This does not take into account the grant in aid received by the British Council from the Department for International Development—formerly the Overseas Development Administration—during this period.

  European Union Legislation
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the change in volume of EU legislation since 1990 as a result of application of the principle of subsidiarity. [11235]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of proposals for primary legislation has fallen from 61 in 1990 to 16 in the pipeline for 1997. It is clear that the principle of subsidiarity is now widely accepted, including by the Commission.

  UN Arms Control Reports
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to make known to(a) hon. Members and (b) others details of progress reports on the UN conventional arms register and the UN small arms panel which are expected to be available during the summer Adjournment. [11309]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The recommendations of the panel of experts on the UN register of conventional arms and the UN small arms panel are expected in August and will be presented to the UN Secretary-General in time for the 52nd UN General Assembly in September. We shall place a copy in the Libraries of the House as soon as they have been published.

  We shall need to consider their recommendations of the panel carefully and will inform the House how we propose to take these forward.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the change in spending in real terms on the BBC World Service between 1979 and 1997. [11161]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Funding for the World Service has increased by approximately 50 per cent. in real terms since 1979.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11389]
  158
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Estimates are given in the table. They include staff and related costs. Those for 1997–98 are based on present budgets. Figures for 1998–99 and 1999–00 are provisional.

  Expenditure on information systems

  £ million

  Financial year

  Current

  Capital

  1995–96

  116.1

  118.7

  1996–97

  114.8

  111.2

  1997–98

  215.2

  226.7

  1998–99

  215.8

  214.5

  1999–2000

  216.4

  215.6

  Total

  278.4

  286.8

  1 Actual.

  2 Planned.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades and Marches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision she will make to ensure that residents whose streets have been blocked to enable church parades, are themselves able to attend their own churches. [8775]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 1997]: It is of course most regrettable if on any occasion those who wish to go to and from their chosen place of worship by their chosen route are unable to do so. It is for the Royal Ulster Constabulary to do its best to ensure that worshippers are able to get to and from their church unhindered. There are occasions, however, when the security situation in Northern Ireland causes disruption to these plans. When this happens, the RUC endeavours to keep these disruptions to the minimum necessary to meet the security requirement.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many marches were applied for in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 up to 12 July 1997 by (i) the Orange Institution, (ii) the Black Institution, (iii) the Apprentice Boys of Derry, (iv) the Ancient Order of Hibernians and (v) the Legion of Mary; and how many took place. [9976]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not readily available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. I can, however, give details of the number of marches held during that period which are described as either loyalist, nationalist or other:

  Marches held in 1996 and from 1 January 1997 to 12 July 1997

  1 January 1996 to 31 December 1996

  1 January 1997 to 12 July 1997

  Loyalist

  2,405

  1,495

  Nationalist

  230

  112

  Other

  527

  248

  The 1997 statistics may be subject to minor adjustment.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications to march were received in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 up to 12 July 1997 for the purposes

  159
  of band parades; and how many were perceived to be (i) unionist/loyalist, (ii) nationalist/republican and (iii) neither. [9977]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not readily available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

  Fishery Harbour Authority
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons no appointments were made following interviews for places on the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority; and when appointments will be made. [10297]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The appointment process did not comply fully with the guidance within the code of practice for public appointments and the interviews are being rescheduled with the involvement of an independent panel member.

  The Department of Agriculture hopes to fill the vacancies by early September 1997.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on Government policy on the future of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority. [10299]

  Mr. Murphy
  The Government continue to regard the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority as the appropriate body to operate, maintain and develop the three fishery harbours at Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie. There are no plans to alter the statutory position of the authority.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons representing fishing interests are represented on the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority. [10298]

  Mr. Murphy
  There are two persons from the fishing community on the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority.

  Crime and Disorder Bill
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the provisions of the proposed Crime and Disorder Bill will extend to Northern Ireland and if she will make a statement. [10274]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are currently finalising the content of the Crime and Disorder Bill. An assessment is being made of the applicability of its provisions to Northern Ireland and the most appropriate legislative means of introducing those considered suitable.

  I will ensure that hon. Members are informed when we have reached a considered view.

  Judicial Reviews
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the cases of judicial review taken against her Department in 1996, indicating the name of the plaintiff, the subject, if legal aid was granted and how much in each case, and the result of the review. [10276]
  160
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This information is not readily available in the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments as no central record is kept of applications for judicial reviews.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate(a) the number of mis-sold personal pensions in Northern Ireland and (b) the number of members in public sector schemes who took out such pensions; and what steps are being taken to ensure reinstatement for those who transferred out of public sector schemes. [10312]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  For the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, the information is as follows:

  (a) The numbers are not available.

  (b) The details requested are not held centrally, but the number of members who have opted out of public service occupational pension schemes is somewhere in the region of 2,000 to 2,500. It is not possible to be more specific nor is it possible to identify what proportion of this number switched or transferred out to personal pension providers.

  In keeping with Government policy, Departments responsible for public service schemes have introduced, or are in the process of introducing, amendments which allow current employees who were victims of mis-selling to re-enter their occupational pension schemes. The amendments will also facilitate members' restoration to a financial position equivalent to what would have been the case if mis-selling had not occurred.

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made to carry out reviews of the Driver and Vehicle Testing and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland agencies. [11696]

  Dr. Mowlam
  Under the arrangements for quinquennial reviews for next steps agencies, it has been decided to carry out a combined review of both agencies together with the associated functions carried out by the transport licensing and enforcement branch of the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland). Consultants will shortly be invited to tender for this combined review.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful national lottery bids from the parliamentary constituency of Selby, indicating for each successful bid the value of the award, since the inception of the national lottery. [9971]

  Mr. Banks
  To date, more than £3.7 billion has been awarded to 24,631 projects throughout the UK. Of these 23 awards worth £1,557,916 have been made to projects in Selby. Details of these are set out in the table. The second table lists successful applications where it is possible to do so, though not all distributing bodies keep such records.
  161

  Table A: Successful applications

  Distributing body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title/Desc.

  Award Amount £

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  15 May 1996

  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

  Askham Bog, South West of York

  16,750

  5 February 1997

  St Matthews Church, Naburn PCC

  St Matthews Church, Naburn—Restoration

  165,000

  12 February 1997

  Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial

  World War II T2 Hangar, Elvington

  135,800

  Heritage Lottery Fund total

  317,550

  Sports Council

  5 June 1995

  Selby Rugby Union Football

  New archery range

  7,820

  6 June 1995

  North Yorkshire County Council

  Tadcaster Grammar School floodlit artificial pitch

  60,000

  7 June 1995

  West Selby Miners Welfare Scheme

  Multi-sport hard surface area and sand filled, floodlit artificial grass

  32,136

  20 September 1995

  Selby Bowling Club

  Provision of two additional indoor bowling rinks and ancillary facilities

  184,138

  8 January 1996

  Copmanthorpe and District Recreation Centre

  Proposal to build a 1 badminton court sports hall (16.5m x 9m x 8.3m) with MF indoor and outdoor changing rooms; activity room; 2 store rooms

  70,000

  11 January 1996

  Tadcaster Lawn Tennis Club

  Complete re-building 2 hard courts which are currently not level or safe

  13,779

  6 February 1996

  Selby District Council

  Upgrade of Tadcaster Leisure Centre (sports hall; changing facilities; fitness suite; reception; to include full access for disabled users)

  206,790

  11 March 1996

  Woodhouse Grange Cricket Club

  Pavilion extension to include extra changing rooms; umpires room; new toilets; kitchen extension and new equipment store plus gang mowers for 2nd ground

  18,452

  20 March 1996

  Dunnington and Grimston Playing Fields

  Extension to sports club facilities including pavilion and changing facilities

  210,592

  22 April 1996

  Cawood Parish Council/Cawood Tennis Club

  Up-grading 3 courts for bitmac to playdeck. Up-grading/additional floodlighting 2 courts and practice wall area.

  14,000

  27 November 1996

  Bolton Percy Cricket Club

  Upgrade of existing pitch and a new practice pitch

  14,060

  5 February 1997

  Selby Lawn Tennis Club

  Upgrading of tennis courts and replacement of fencing

  17,184

  Sports Council total

  848,951

  National Lottery Charities Board

  20 November 1995

  Cygnet Housing Group

  Resettlement Community Support for Ex Residents, Rent/Bond Guarantee Scheme.

  44,850

  11 August 1996

  Copmanthorpe Pre-School Playgroup

  To purchase a versatile, collapsible playhouse to encourage communication and social development through play.

  1,000

  11 August 1996

  Hambleton Luncheon Club

  Running costs and purchase of items used by a luncheon club for pensioners.

  3,914

  17 December 1996

  Multiple Sclerosis Society, Selby Branch

  This one year grant will be used to purchase a specially adapted replacement mini-bus for people with multiple sclerosis who live in Selby.

  29,158

  17 December 1996

  Selby District Crossroads

  The project is to expand the group's home-based respite care service and provide training for care attendants.

  87,823

  162 163

  Table A: Successful applications

  Distributing body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title/Desc.

  Award Amount £

  17 December 1996

  Brunswick Organic Nursery

  This group provides horticultural and craftwork daytime activities and training to adults with learning difficulties.

  196,500

  17 December 1996

  Selby Fuller Life Action Group

  This group provides a social club for people with disabilities and their carers.

  2,720

  17 December 1996

  York Coronary Support Group Trust

  The project will improve the physical condition and general health of coronary patients following a heart attack or heart surgery.

  25,450

  National Lottery Charities Board total

  391,415

  Table B: Unsuccessful applications

  Distributing body

  Unsuccessful applicant

  Arts Council of England

  Burton Salmon County Primary Friends of Selby Music Centre University of York Music Press

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  Streeton Hall, South Milford St. Mary the Virgin, Hemingbrough Hemingbrough Minster Restoration

  English Sports Council

  North Yorkshire County Council Copmanthorpe Bowls Club

  North Yorkshire County Council/Fulford School

  Whitley Bridge Cricket Club

  Millennium

  1—

  Commission

  Charities Board

  224 Unsuccessful bids

  1 The Millennium Commission does not record unsuccessful projects by constituency.

  2 The Charities Board does not release details of unsuccessful bids.

  Theatres
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of Government funding for theatres will be given to theatres outside London next year; and if he will make a statement. [10488]

  Mr. Fisher
  It is a matter for the Arts Council of England, with the 10 regional arts boards, to take decisions on the balance of funding between art forms and the support of individual arts organisations.

  Live Performances
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are the terms of reference of the Arts Council's inquiry into how to disseminate live performances from lottery funded projects to wider audiences. [10088]

  Mr. Fisher
  Following a review of the lottery capital programme undertaken by Adrian Ellis Associates in 1996, the Arts Council of England decided to explore the scope for wider access to performances as a result of the recording and subsequent transmission of performances in lottery funded venues.
  164
  The Arts Council commissioned a study to explore the recording of live performances of drama, music, opera and lyric theatre and dance, relating to the following issues:

  Legal:

  ownership of rights to recordings;

  the treatment of income generated by recordings;

  the impact of existing union agreement.

  Technical and design issues:

  design specifications for performing arts spaces;

  current best practice in design guidelines;

  future trends in recording.

  Artistic issues:

  capturing live performance through recording;

  sources of artistic and production values.

  Hydra Associates was commissioned by the Arts Council of England to carry out this study and it is expected to report its findings in August.

  Tourism Industry
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what share of United Kingdom gross domestic product the tourism industry accounted for in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97. [10833]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Expenditure by tourists was equivalent to between 5 and 6 per cent. of GDP in both 1978 and 1996.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were employed in the United Kingdom tourism industry in(a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [10834]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: In September 1979 there were 1.3 million people employed in tourism-related industries in Great Britain. In 1996 this figure was 1.8 million.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many films for theatre distribution were made in Britain in each year since 1979. [10823]
  165
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The number of films made for theatrical release in the United Kingdom for the years 1979–96 was as follows:

  Year

  Number of films produced

  1979

  61

  1980

  31

  1981

  24

  1982

  40

  1983

  51

  1984

  53

  1985

  54

  1986

  41

  1987

  55

  1988

  48

  1989

  30

  1990

  60

  1991

  59

  1992

  47

  1993

  67

  1994

  84

  1995

  78

  1996

  128

  Source:

  BFI/Screen Digest.

  Mr. Fabricant:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the level of cinema admissions in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. [10829]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The levels of cinema admissions in the United Kingdom in the film industry for the years 1979–96 were as follows:

  Year

  Admissions (millions)

  1979

  112

  1980

  101

  1981

  86

  1982

  64

  1983

  66

  1984

  54

  1985

  72

  1986

  78

  1987

  79

  1988

  84

  1989

  95

  1990

  97

  1991

  100

  1992

  103

  1993

  114

  1994

  124

  1995

  114

  1996

  124

  Source:

  BFI/Screen Digest.

  Overseas Visitors
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many overseas visitors came to Britain in each year since 1979. [10835]
  166
  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The number of visits made by overseas residents to the United Kingdom in each year from 1979 is as shown in the following table.

  Year

  Visits made to the UK by overseas residents

  1979

  12,486,000

  1980

  12,421,000

  1981

  11,452,000

  1982

  11,636,000

  1983

  12,464,000

  1984

  13,644,000

  1985

  14,449,000

  1986

  13,897,000

  1987

  15,566,000

  1988

  15,799,000

  1989

  17,338,000

  1990

  18,013,000

  1991

  17,125,000

  1992

  18,535,000

  1993

  19,863,000

  1994

  21,034,000

  1995

  24,008,000

  1996

  26,070,000

  Source:

  International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics.

  Association of Business Sponsorship of the Arts
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the arts received from the ABSA partnership scheme in current prices in each year since its establishment. [10825]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The amount of public funding made available to the arts through the national heritage arts sponsorship scheme since its inception, in cash terms and at current prices, is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Pairing scheme grant (Cash)

  Pairing scheme grant (1996–97 prices)

  1984–85

  0.40

  0.69

  1985–96

  1.25

  2.04

  1986–87

  1.75

  2.78

  1987–88

  1.85

  2.79

  1988–89

  2.50

  3.53

  1989–90

  3.00

  3.96

  1990–91

  3.50

  4.28

  1991–92

  3.50

  4.02

  1992–93

  4.50

  4.96

  1993–94

  4.50

  4.82

  1994–96

  4.80

  5.07

  1995–96

  5.55

  5.70

  1996–97

  5.05

  5.05

  The business sponsorship incentive scheme was launched on 1 October 1994. It was relaunched in February 1995 as the national heritage arts sponsorship scheme—the "pairing scheme".

  Department Name Change
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the total cost of renaming his Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; what sums have been paid for new departmental logos or designs; and if he will make a statement. [11184]
  167
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To date, costs of £400, plus VAT, have been incurred in amending the existing logo for use on departmental computers and in altering signs in the Department's headquarters. Designs for a new departmental logo and other materials are being sought with the help of the Design Council. Value for money will of course be a prime consideration in adopting new designs later this year. I do not expect any additional expenditure as a result of the name change in 1998–99.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what were the costs of changing the title of the Department of National Heritage to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. [11180]

  Mr. Smith
  To date, costs of £400, plus VAT, have been incurred in amending the existing logo for use on departmental computers and in altering signs in the Department's buildings.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons he did not include a reference to tourism in the new title of his Department. [11177]

  Mr. Smith
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a large number of responsibilities, not all of which could be included in the name of the Department. The tourism industry is a very important contributor to the economy of this country, and central to my Department's interests.

SCOTLAND

  Pre-payment Prescriptions
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many annual prescription pre-payment certificates were purchased in Scotland in each year since 1989; how many of these were refunded during the first month of validity during each year(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the total; and if he will make a statement. [7763]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 10 July 1997]: The information requested is available for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97 only and is set out in the table below. This information is not held centrally as responsibility for the sale of prepayment certificates and any refunds claimed lies with health boards.

  All aspects of Government expenditure are being scrutinised as part of the comprehensive review of Government spending. Prescription charges will be examined as part of the review process.

  Year

  Number of a annual prescription prepayment certificates purchased

  Number of annual prescription prepayment certificates refunded

  Per cent.

  1994–95

  45,525

  209

  0.46

  1995–96

  45,602

  233

  0.51

  1996–97

  33,928

  154

  0.45

  Obesity
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new initiatives his Department is planning in respect of obesity; and if he will make a statement. [8744]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: The association of obesity with cardiovascular disease and other diseases was recognised in "Eating for Health—A Diet Action Plan for Scotland", implementation of which is now in train. Further action to improve diet in Scotland will be informed by data from the Scottish health survey, which will be published shortly.

  Domestic Home Care
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision each council has made for new clients to receive domestic home care in the current year expressed as hours of support available. [9614]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Homosexuals (Age of Consent)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation to create an equal age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual relationships. [9220]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 21 July 1997]: The Government have long held the view that this is a matter for Parliament to decide on the basis of a free vote.

  Asthma
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the net ingredient cost for preparations used in treatment of asthma, in total and per health authority, for each of the last four years. [10224]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information by health board and Scotland for financial years 1993–94 to 1996–97 is set out in the table. The costs shown are based on the value of ingredients before the addition of dispensing fees or deduction of any discount or patient charges.

  The cost relates to inhaled and oral adrenoceptor stimulants, inhaled steroids, inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilators and theophylline preparations.

  Cost £ million

  Health board

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Argyll and Clyde

  3.206

  3.575

  3.867

  4.120

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3.470

  3.972

  4.373

  4.665

  Borders

  0.880

  0.949

  0.999

  1.036

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1.078

  1.195

  1.293

  1.412

  Fife

  2.377

  2.627

  2.892

  3.122

  Forth Valley

  2.004

  2.275

  2.490

  2.697

  Grampian

  3.546

  3.960

  4.337

  4.643

  Greater Glasgow

  7.198

  8.099

  8.841

  9.251

  Highland

  1.248

  1.401

  1.557

  1.752

  Lanarkshire

  4.448

  5.074

  5.706

  6.050

  Lothian

  5.237

  5.652

  6.091

  6.461

  Orkney

  0.109

  0.130

  0.144

  0.149

  Shetland

  0.100

  0.111

  0.128

  0.141

  Tayside

  3.435

  3.936

  4.388

  4.741

  Western Isles

  0.142

  0.172

  0.201

  0.215

  Scotland

  38.478

  43.128

  47.307

  50.455

  169
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of prescriptions for the treatment of asthma, in total and per health authority, for each of the last four years. [10225]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This information by health board and Scotland for the financial years 1993–94 to 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  The numbers relate only to inhaled and oral adrenoceptor stimulants, inhaled steroids, inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilators and theophylline preparations.

  Number of prescription items

  thousands

  Health board

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Argyll and Clyde

  292

  307

  319

  324

  Ayrshire and Arran

  294

  312

  321

  322

  Borders

  79

  83

  85

  86

  Dumfries and Galloway

  107

  116

  119

  123

  Fife

  220

  231

  239

  246

  Forth Valley

  190

  199

  205

  209

  Grampian

  314

  331

  343

  349

  Greater Glasgow

  675

  709

  736

  747

  Highland

  123

  130

  136

  139

  Lanarkshire

  413

  434

  459

  467

  Lothian

  449

  465

  481

  482

  Orkney

  10

  11

  12

  12

  Shetland

  13

  13

  14

  14

  Tayside

  274

  286

  293

  298

  Western Isles

  16

  17

  18

  18

  Scotland

  3,469

  3,644

  3,780

  3,836

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the cost to the NHS of providing acute care to adults suffering from occupational asthma attacks in each of the last five financial years; [10226]

  (2) what was the cost to the NHS of treating adult occupational asthma sufferers, in each year since 1989–90; [10227]

  (3) what was the NHS expenditure on the treatment of asthma, in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of the total NHS budget this represents; [10231]

  (4) if he will provide a breakdown of NHS expenditure on the treatment of asthma in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of this expenditure was on prescriptions. [10232]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I regret that the information currently available from health boards and NHS trusts does not separately identify the cost of treating patients suffering from occupational asthma. The statistics we do collect indicate that the estimated cost of hospital care for asthma to be in the region of £7.5 million for the year 1995–96. This is 0.17 per cent. of the total NHS budget. Unfortunately, there is no information available on the cost of treating asthma in the community/primary care setting. Expenditure on ingredient cost for drugs used in the treatment of asthma is £47.3 million, again for the year 1995–96.
  170
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated loss of time from work caused by asthma in the last year for which figures are available. [10228]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This information is not collected by The Scottish Office. However, of some 25,000 employed adults from every part of the UK who responded to a survey conducted for the National Asthma Campaign in 1996, about time off due to asthma in the last 12 months, the following percentages were:

  Per cent.

  Not able to work at all

  9.0

  More than five weeks off work

  4.0

  Three-four weeks off work

  4.5

  One-two weeks off work

  7.5

  Four-seven days off work

  9.0

  One-three days off work

  15.0

  Never off due to asthma

  51.0

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expenditure on general practitioner prescribed anti-asthma medication and preparations in each health authority broken down to show(a) net ingredient costs and (b) net ingredient costs per capita in the last year for which figures are available. [10229]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information by health board and for Scotland for the financial year 1996–97 is set out in the table. The costs shown are based on the value of the ingredients before the addition of dispensing fees or the deduction of any discount or patient charges.

  The cost relates only to inhaled and oral adrenoceptor stimulants, inhaled steroids, inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilators and theophylline preparations.

  Health board

  Cost of medication £ million

  Cost per patient on GP list (£)

  Argyll and Clyde

  4.120

  9.39

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4.665

  11.91

  Borders

  1.036

  9.56

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1.412

  9.21

  Fife

  3.121

  8.80

  Forth Valley

  2.697

  9.27

  Grampian

  4.643

  8.59

  Greater Glasgow

  9.251

  9.33

  Highland

  1.752

  8.15

  Lanarkshire

  6.050

  10.32

  Lothian

  6.461

  7.93

  Orkney

  0.149

  7.38

  Shetland

  0.141

  6.12

  Tayside

  4.741

  11.57

  Western Isles

  0.215

  7.27

  Scotland

  50.455

  9.40

  Kidney Transplants
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of patients awaiting kidney transplants on NHS lists in Scotland in each of the last 10 years. [10599]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Because of the way the data are collected by the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority, it is not possible to give the
  171
  information in exactly the form requested. The table shows the number of patients on the active waiting list at hospitals in Scotland for a kidney transplant at the end of each year from 1990 onwards:

  Year

  Number on waiting list

  1990

  386

  1991

  416

  1992

  412

  1993

  442

  1994

  413

  1995

  442

  1996

  482

  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kidney transplant operations were undertaken in each of the last 10 years. [10600]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of transplants

  1987

  75

  1988

  119

  1989

  170

  1990

  184

  1991

  139

  1992

  161

  1993

  155

  1994

  170

  1995

  146

  1996

  142

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many intensive care beds were available in NHS hospitals in Scotland in each of the last 10 years. [10597]

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

  Year ending 31 March

  Number of intensive care beds1

  1988

  166

  1989

  182

  1990

  189

  1991

  198

  1992

  219

  1993

  230

  1994

  250

  1995

  247

  1996

  266

  19972

  303

  1 Figures for the years 1988 to 1996 show the average available staffed beds in the specialty of intensive therapy unit. The figure for 1997 shows the average staffed beds in facilities of intensive care unit and cardiac care unit and is not fully comparable with those shown for earlier years.

  2 Provisional.

  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the degree of correlation between the number of intensive care beds available within the NHS in Scotland and the number of organs available for transplant. [10598]
  172
  Mr. Galbraith
  The relationship between intensive care beds and organ donation is complex, but there is no evidence to suggest that the number of intensive care beds in Scotland is a constraint on organ transplantation programmes. As one of a number of issues designed to increase organ donation awareness amongst staff in intensive care units, The Scottish Office Department of Health has funded publication and dissemination to ITUs of the protocols for retrieval of organs. In recognition of the current shortage of organs for transplantation, the acute services review being undertaken by The Scottish Office Department of Health is investigating organ donation and kidney transplantation.

  Quangos
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quangos within his Department's responsibility which he has to date announced his intention(a) to abolish and (b) to make subject to a significant element of democratic accountability. [9676]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: My Department will be participating in the review of quangos, with a view to reducing their number, which was announced to the House on 4 June, Official Report, column 192, and in consideration of measures towards greater democratic accountability which will be addressed in the forthcoming White Paper on better government to be published by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. I have already announced a review of the Scottish water industry with a view to returning the Scottish water authorities to local democratic control.

  Scottish Parliament White Paper
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the measures relating to the environment contained in the White Paper on the powers of a Scottish Parliament. [9374]

  Mr. McLeish
  As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement to the House on 24 July,Official Report, columns 1041-63, matters relating to the environment will be devolved.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Adjournment debate of 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, how many senior officials of the Crown Office have been involved in the Lockerbie case since (a) 1989, (b) 1991, (c) 1993 and (d) 1995. [11076]

  Mr. McLeish
  Different officials of the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service have been involved at different times. Between 1989 and 1991 not less than three, but at one stage four, senior officials were involved in the case and between 1993 and 1996 two senior officials were involved in the case on a day to day basis. At present three senior officials are involved in the Lockerbie case on a day to day basis.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Adjournment debate of 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, how many visits have been

  173
  made in (i) May, (ii) June and (iii) July (a) to Frankfurt and (b) to the office of the public prosecutor by the Dumfries and Galloway constabulary. [11075]

  Mr. McLeish
  None.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Adjournment debate of 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, if the reference by the Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution to sundry third parties covers (i) the Scottish Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (ii) Judge David Edward QC, (iii) judges of the Court of Appeal in England and (iv) judges in the European Community. [11074]

  Mr. McLeish
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend on 23 July 1997,Official Report, columns 994–1022.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information is collated by her Department as to the geographic allocations of ATP. [9695]

  Clare Short
  All projects are listed under the relevant recipient country. Other headings include the project title, the company undertaking the project, the year the agreement was concluded, the export value and the ATP value. Lists of all projects since the inception of ATP have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will ensure that the interaction of changes in the allocation of ATP arising from any review with adverse sterling exchange rate movements is assessed prior to final decisions being taken on the ATP programme. [9697]

  Clare Short
  We will ensure that any effects of sterling exchange rate movements are taken into account during the review on the aid and trade provision currently being undertaken.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many ATP allocations and at what cost have been made in each of the last two years banded by amount. [9694]

  Clare Short
  Eight ATP agreements were concluded in 1995 with a total ATP value of £48.018 million. Another eight agreements were concluded in 1996 with a total ATP value of £30.518 million. A list of relevant projects has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the nature of the projects by type which were supported by ATP in the last two years. [9696]

  Clare Short
  In 1995, agreements were concluded for three power, four transport and one water sector projects supported under ATP. In 1996, agreements were concluded for two education, four transport and one water sector projects and one project with a number of components involving more than one sector. A list of all projects has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which her Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10747]

  Clare Short
  My Department has on-line payroll system supplied under contract by the Ministry of Defence's Pay and Personnel Agency. The total cost in 1996–97 was £47,400.

  We have an in-house payroll system which processes the pay and allowances of technical co-operation officers serving under the aid programme in overseas countries. The cost of the systems and processes in 1996–97 was £64,500.

  Wild Animal Habitats
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies her Department has to promote the protection of habitats for wild animals in the developing world. [11006]

  Clare Short
  My Department aims to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor through the sustainable use and management of wildlife resources and habitats. Our conservation and wildlife activities are therefore developed with particular reference to rural people and their needs in the context of sustainable resource management.

  We assist developing countries to maintain wildlife reserves and protect habitats and wildlife through better management and training. Recently we have also encouraged the management by local communities of habitats and wildlife.

  We work with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the convention on biological diversity and assistance to other countries on their plans, strategies and activities for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. We provide support through the bilateral development assistance programme and are responsible for UK contribution to the global environment facility, which is the interim financial mechanism for the biodiversity convention.

  We have also recently agreed to help the European Commission to develop guidelines on the conservation of wildlife and management of protected areas in co-operation with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

  Fresh Water Management
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she will take to facilitate progress in international co-operation on a policy for fresh water management. [9349]

  Clare Short
  We fully recognise the importance of sustainable fresh water management, the rapidly increasing pressure on the resource and that water is a basic requirement for life.
  175
  My Department, with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is actively involved in an EU initiative to promote a more strategic approach to fresh water management, which will be considered during the next session of the UN commission on sustainable development in 1998. We will use the UK's EU presidency to promote this initiative. The UK also plays a leading role in the global water partnership, which promotes co-operation and improved water management as well as in other international forums.

  We recognise that the critical actions must be at the basin level, be that local, national or regional, and that international co-operation needs to focus on promoting and supporting sound management principles and raising awareness.

  Rwanda and Congo
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the levels of UK Government aid to(a) Rwanda and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the current financial year. [10800]

  Clare Short
  Since April 1997, we have disbursed £1 million to Rwanda and almost £0.5 million to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in bilateral emergency and rehabilitation assistance. We expect to provide a further £4.9 million to Rwanda in 1997–98 to help fulfil a pledge of £8 million made in 1996. We shall continue to provide emergency assistance to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as needs arise. Britain has also provided £95 million to the region since 1994 through the EU.

  £ million

  Year and amount

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Capital

  2.1

  6.1

  3.0

  3.0

  3.0

  Recurrent

  0.5

  1.8

  1.4

  0.6

  0.6

  Total

  2.6

  7.9

  4.4

  3.6

  3.6

  The development and maintenance of information systems is essential for the continued effective administration of the aid programme. Capital expenditure on computer-related work was relatively high in 1996–97 because of the need to replace obsolescent equipment, the introduction of Windows and the introduction of the systems required for resource accounting and budgeting. Recurrent expenditure in 1996–97 and 1997–98 is relatively high because of the costs of training staff in the operation of the new systems. Among other things, the new systems will facilitate improved communications and lead to better access to information.

  Central Europe (Flooding)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid her Department has given to central European countries in respect of the

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding is presently committed from her departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–00 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and whether she will make a statement. [11377]

  Clare Short
  Funding committed to resolving the year 2000 problem is as follows:

  1997–98
  £145,000, consisting of £100,000 for purchasing assistance and £45,000 of departmental staff time working on year 2000 issues.

  1998–99
  £65,000 of departmental staff time testing changes.

  1999–00
  None.

  The Department for International Development has already commenced the task of making its corporate systems ready for the year 2000. These systems have been changed, or will be by November 1997, and changes tested by October 1998. Problems with other, smaller, departmental systems have been identified. Costs of correcting these will be met from the £100,000 in the 1997–98 budget. Estimates for external help in 1998–99 have not yet been made but they are unlikely to be significantly higher than in 1997–98.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if she will make a statement. [11381]

  Clare Short
  The total actual and estimated future capital and associated administration costs of computer-related work for the years in question is as follows:

  recent flooding (a) for immediate relief and (b) for reconstruction; and what expert (i) military and (ii) civilian personnel Her Majesty's Government have provided. [11119]

  Clare Short
  The UK has provided £100,000 and £60,000 in response to the floods in Poland and the Czech Republic respectively for medical supplies, food, hygiene parcels, drinking water, blankets and detergents. We have no plans for bilateral assistance towards reconstruction in the flood affected countries of central Europe.

  The possible use of military and civil defence assets to assist the relief effort is being co-ordinated by the United Nations department of humanitarian affairs. Offers of UK civil support are being considered.

DEFENCE

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what directions he has given to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in respect of replies to parliamentary questions. [8009]

  Mr. Spellar
  The chief executive of the Defence Research Agency is required to answer parliamentary questions in accordance with Government policy and Departmental instructions and guidance. I am placing a copy of the departmental instructions in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Budgets
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, following the recent Budget, he will give his estimate of the total real level of his Department's budget, in 1995–96 prices, in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; if he will estimate what such figures were for (1) 1997–98 and (2) 1998–99 following the November 1996 Budget on the basis of the estimates of the GDP deflator contained in that Budget; and if he will make a statement. [8301]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: The information is as shown in the following table:

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Current spending plans (cash)

  21,822

  22,276

  Plans at 1995–96 prices (July 1997 GDP deflators)

  20,668

  20,533

  Plans at 1995–96 prices (November 1996 GDP deflators)

  20,872

  20,889

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new plans he has to introduce cuts and savings in his Department as a result of the effect on his Department's budgets for 1997–98 and 1998–99 of the upward revisions to the GDP deflator in the Budget on 2 July; and if he will make a statement. [8302]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 28 July 1997, Official Report, column 14.

  UK-US Joint Strike Fighter Project
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if consideration of the continued participation in, and future purchase of, the United Kingdom/American joint strike fighter project will form part of the strategic defence review. [9517]

  Mr. Spellar
  Yes.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the procedures for informing foreign Governments if an accident involving British-controlled nuclear weapons had happened on their soil, or within their territorial waters, before 26 September 1986. [10402]
  178
  Dr. Reid
  If it had ever been necessary to inform a foreign Government of an accident involving a UK nuclear weapon we would have employed normal diplomatic procedures and bilateral defence contacts under the auspices of arrangements governing the stationing of UK forces. The ratification of the International Atomic Energy Agency convention on early notification of a nuclear accident on 26 September 1986 gave formal acknowledgement to the procedures which we would have adopted.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors led his Department to compile a central record of accidents involving nuclear weapons controlled by Britain or the USA on British territory in 1993. [10401]

  Dr. Reid
  The creation of such a record followed a specific recommendation contained in the report by Professor Sir Ronald Oxburgh on the safety of UK nuclear weapons, published in July, 1992. A copy of the report was placed in the Library of the House at the time.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hospitals have been designated since 1967 to treat casualties following an accident involving British-controlled nuclear weapons(a) on Ministry of Defence land and (b) elsewhere. [10947]

  Dr. Reid
  There are and have been no hospitals specifically designated to receive casualties following a nuclear weapon accident. Decisions on the hospitals to be used would be a matter for the responding ambulance service in consultation with the hospitals.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances staff from the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston are sent to investigate an accident involving British-controlled nuclear weapons. [10945]

  Mr. Spellar
  The atomic weapons establishment would deploy a team of technical, scientific and other support specialists to the area of an accident involving a British nuclear weapon in response to a request from the Ministry of Defence's nuclear accident response organisation.

  Armed Forces (Northern Ireland)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the current levels of armed forces personnel will be maintained in Northern Ireland following the announcement of the IRA ceasefire. [10559]

  Dr. Reid
  Force levels are kept under regular review to ensure that they are matched to the degree of support the Royal Ulster Constabulary needs. For the time being they are being maintained at current levels.

  Services Museums
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the services museums are housed in his Department's properties. [10752]
  179
  Dr. Reid
  The following 33 regimental and corps museums are located on Ministry of Defence property:

  Royal Dragoon Guards

  King's Royal Hussars (Winchester)

  Royal Armoured Corps and Royal Tank Regiment

  Royal Regiment of Artillery

  Corps of Royal Engineers

  Royal Corps of Signals

  Foot Guards

  Royal Highland Fusiliers

  Black Watch

  Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Winchester)

  Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Bury)

  Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  Cheshire Regiment

  Royal Regiment of Wales (Brecon)

  Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (Gloucester)

  Staffordshire Regiment

  Light Infantry (Winchester and Bodmin)

  Royal Irish Regiment (Ballymena and Armagh)

  Royal Green Jackets

  Parachute Regiment

  Gurkhas

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  Royal Army Dental Corps

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  Royal Army Chaplains Department

  Adjutant General's Corps (Royal Military Police)

  Army Physical Training Corps

  Household Cavalry

  Royal Logistic Corps.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's continued funding for services museums. [10748]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department is acutely aware of the need to maintain a network of regimental and corps museums as instruments for projecting a positive image of the Army to the public and to underpin the Army's esprit de corps. An Army museums panel has recently been constituted whose responsibilities include reviewing the allocation of public funds that are applied to the operation of these museums.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which(a) scientific journals and (b) other open publications staff from the atomic weapons establishment at Aldermaston have published papers since 1992; and if he will list the dates on which the papers appeared in each of the journals and publications. [10948]
  180
  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1992 staff from the atomic weapons establishment at Aldermaston have published papers in the following scientific journals and other publications.

  1992

  Applied Radiation and Isotopes Volume 43 number 1–2

  Engineering Management Journal Volume 2, number 6

  Fusion Technology Volume 21 number 2

  Geophysical Journal International Volume 108 number 1, Volume 110 number 1

  IEEE Transaction on Nuclear Science Volume 39.5

  Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 97, B 10

  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Volume A317

  Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Volume 34 number 13

  Proceedings of IEEE Volume 80 number 6

  Science Progress Volume 76, number 299

  Thermochimica Acta Volume 221

  Proceedings—9th Topical conference on high-temperature plasma diagnostics

  Proceedings—Workshop, Physics of compressible turbulent mixing

  1993

  British Ceramics Transactions Volume 92 number 1

  Electronic Letters Volume 29 number 3

  Geophysical Journal International Volume 114 number 2

  Glass Technology Volume 34 number 3

  Journal of Materials Science Volume 27 number 28 number 11

  Journal of Phase Equilibria Volume 14 number 2

  Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiactive Transfer Volume 51 number 1–2

  Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Volume 172:2

  Radiation Protection Dosimetry Volume 46 number 4

  Thermochimica Acta Volume 217

  1994

  Applied Radiation and Isotopes

  Journal of Materials Science Volume 29 number 24

  Journal of Nuclear materials Volume 28 number 1–2

  Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology Volume 12.5

  Laser and Particle Beams Volume 12 number 4

  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Volume A339

  Optics Letters Volume 19 number 6

  Physical Review E Volume 49

  Proceedings of the SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering) Volumes 2114, 2273

  Radiation Protection Dosimetry Volume 53 1–4, 55 1

  Radiological Protection Bulletin (UK) Volume 150

  AIP Conference Proceedings Volume 309

  Proceedings, 23rd DOE/NRC Nuclear Air Cleaning Conference

  Proceedings—Symposium on radiations and their effects on component and systems

  Proceedings—Symposium on the non-proliferation experiment results and implications for test ban treaties.

  1995

  Advances in Science and Technology Vol. 3c

  Applied Optics Vol. 34 no 20

  Fusion Technology Vol. 28 no 3

  IEE Proceedings—Microwaves, Antennas and propagation Vol. 142. No 1

  International Journal of Impact Engineering Vol. 17 no 1–3

  181

  Journal de Physique IV Vol. 5 No c4

  Journal of Materials Science Col. 30 no 4

  Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer Vol. 54 No 1–2

  Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry V 198:1

  Nuclear Materials Management Vol. 24

  Proceedings of the SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering) Vol. 2633

  Radiochimcia Acta Vol. 69:4

  Proceedings 36th annual meeting, Institute for Nuclear materials Management

  Proceedings—IEE Colloquium, Pulsed Power

  Institute of Physics Conference series Vol. 140

  Key Engineering Materials Vol. 108–110

  Laser Interaction with Matter, 23rd European Conference Proceedings

  Proceedings, Conference on Electronics Beam Melting and Refining

  Proceedings, 5th International Conference, Nuclear Criticality Safety

  Proceedings 31st International MATADOR Conference

  Conference proceedings, Superplastics–60 years

  1996

  Geophysical Journal International Vol. 123. No 2

  Journal of the Chemical Society No 5

  Journal of Materials Science Vol. 31 No 5

  Journal of Radiological Protection Vol. 16:4

  Laser and Particle Beams Vol. 14 no 2

  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Vol. A369

  Physical Review E Vol. 54:5

  Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors Vol. 96 no 4

  Proceeding of the SPIE (International Society for Optical Engineering) Vols. 2870, 2714

  Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics Vol 21 no 1

  Proceedings 12th International Conference, Laser interaction and related plasma phenomena

  Proceedings 24th European Conference on laser interaction with matter

  AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 370

  Proceedings—IEE Colloquium, Pulser Power

  1997

  Geophysical Journal International Vol. 128. No 3

  Geophysical Journal International Vol. 129, No 3

  Review of Scientific Instruments Vol. 68, no PTA

  Proceedings—IEE Colloquium, Pulsed Power

  Records
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will open for public inspection the file with the classmark AIR 2/16857 at the Public Record Office. [10949]

  Mr. Spellar
  AIR 2/16857 has recently been reviewed as part of the Ministry of Defence's on-going review of records closed for more than 30 years. Sensitivity having lapsed sufficiently, arrangements are at an advanced stage to transfer the file into the custody of the Public Record Office.

  Brigadier Michael Calvert
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the court martial of Brigadier Michael Calvert. [10941]

  Dr. Reid
  Major Calvert was tried by general court martial in Hanover in July 1952. He was found guilty of three charges relating to indecency and was dismissed from Her Majesty's service. The case was subsequently referred to the Court Martial Appeal Court, at which Major Calvert was represented by Queen's Counsel. The appeal was dismissed on 11 May 1953.

  Submarine Crews (Travel Arrangements)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department has made bookings abroad for Royal Navy submarine crews via private travel agencies; and if such arrangements have been made in respect of Trident submarine crews. [10315]

  Dr. Reid
  When accommodation is required abroad for visiting submarine crews, including those of Trident submarines, arrangements are usually made through selected private travel agencies. An individual posing as a naval officer recently obtained unauthorised information from one such agency in Faslane. The incident was reported to the appropriate authorities and is being investigated.

  Conventional Submarines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for phasing out conventional submarines; and over what time scale. [10996]

  Dr. Reid
  We have no conventional submarines in service. The withdrawal from service of the RN's most recent class of conventional submarine, the Upholder class, was completed in 1994. The Royal Navy's submarine flotilla currently comprises 12 Swiftsure and Trafalgar class nuclear-powered submarines.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what present military deployments are as a result of international treaty obligations; and if these deployments form part of the strategic defence review; [10998]

  (2) what treaty obligations are exempt from the strategic defence review. [10938]

  Dr. Reid
  The strategic defence review is being conducted in accordance with the policies set out in the Government's election manifesto, including continuing co-operation with the United States, our European allies and other like-minded nations, and security built on the principle of collective defence. No United Kingdom forces are currently deployed on operations as a result of international treaty obligations. All deployments will, however, be examined during the review.

  Animal Experimentation (Gulf War Syndrome)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests will be conducted on animals during his Department's research into Gulf war syndrome; and which animals will be tested. [11000]
  183
  Dr. Reid
  A document outlining the strategy of the research and a proposed work programme has been drafted by CBD Porton Down. The programme of work has yet to be agreed with MOD and, therefore, it is not yet possible to detail precisely the tests that will be conducted using animals.

  Reserve Forces (Cost)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 401, what is the current cost of the reserve forces, by type. [11023]

  Dr. Reid
  The information for financial year 1996–97 is in the table. These figures exclude provision for those items whose costs cannot be identified separately from those purchased for the regular services.

  £ million

  Cost

  Royal Fleet Reserve

  0.04

  Royal Naval Reserve

  17.51

  Royal Marines Reserve

  8.33

  Army Reserve

  0.58

  Territorial Army

  335.95

  Royal Air Force Reserve

  0.40

  Royal Auxiliary Air Force

  8.40

  Departmental Land
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the land held by his Department has not been used in the last year. [11001]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Aircraft Stationing (Germany)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities the German Government have offered for the permanent stationing of RAF aircraft. [10997]

  Dr. Reid
  Accommodation requirements arising out of the stationing of the RAF, or indeed other British forces, in Germany are met by the German Government in accordance with the NATO status of forces agreement. Those requirements are notified to the German Government and agreement reached with them on the provision and use of that accommodation, which then remains at the disposal of British forces until it is no longer required. The responsibility therefore rests with the British forces to make the initial approach to the German Government. As reflected in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1996," Cm 3223, the RAF is to withdraw from RAF Laarbruch in 1999 and from RAF Bruggen in 2002, after which there will be no RAF aircraft permanently stationed in Germany.

  Gurkha Regiment
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the Gurkha regiment. [10999]
  184
  Dr. Reid
  Currently, the first battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is serving as part of the joint rapid deployment force in 5 Airborne Brigade; other elements units support the Field Army in the United Kingdom. The second battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is deployed as the Brunei garrison. The strategic defence review, launched on 28 May, will decide how our armed forces should be structured, equipped and deployed to meet out nation's interests and commitments. It would be premature to assess the likely outcome of the review before the process is complete.

  Military Bands
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are members of military bands of the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11169]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of personnel who were members of military bands as at 1 July 1997—the latest figures available—was:

  Number

  (a) Royal Navy

  0

  (b) Army

  1,139

  (c) RAF

  204

  (d) Royal Marines

  295

  Total

  1,638

  Additionally, there are 864 personnel serving in Territorial Army bands. These are not fully funded, but receive grants from public funds.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military bands in the(a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines are fully funded by his Department. [11168]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are 30 Regular Army, five Royal Marines and four RAF bands that are fully funded by my Department. The Royal Navy as such does not have any fully funded bands, but uses the Royal Marines bands for ceremonial and other occasions.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to his Department of maintaining the military bands of the(a) Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11170]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Worthy Down
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of running the Worthy Down training centre in 1996–97; what is the projected cost for 1997–98; what types of training courses it offered; how many participants there were on these courses in 1996–97; and what are the projected numbers for 1997–98; [11300]
  185
  (2) what is the current asset value of Worthy Down; what is the cost per trainee of providing each type of training course at Worthy Down; what steps his Department has taken to market test the provision of training currently provided at Worthy Down; and if he will publish his Department's studies into the value for money of training at this establishment. [11301]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11393]
  186
  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated departmental expenditure on major and medium scale computer-related systems and their associated communications capabilities, including planned capital expenditure and operating costs, but excluding manpower costs, is:

  £ million

  1995–96

  Figures not centrally collated

  1996–97

  1,130

  1997–98

  941

  1998–99

  1,030

  1999–00

  997

  These figures do not include the cost of minor purchases made under local financial delegated powers, which are not collated centrally and could be obtained only through a major survey at disproportionate cost.

  The Department places great importance on the exploitation of computer-related systems to improve both military effectiveness and administrative efficiency.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the United Kingdom's share of the international arms export market in each year since 1979. [11264]

  Mr. Spellar
  Detailed records of the UK's share of the world defence export market have been maintained only since 1988. Defence export orders placed with British industry since then have represented the following estimated share of the world market:

  1988: 11 per cent.

  1989: 14 per cent.

  1990: 14 per cent.

  1991: 17 per cent.

  1992: 20 per cent.

  1993: 17 per cent.

  1994: 16 per cent.

  1995: 19 per cent.

  1996: 25 per cent.

  Armed Forces Pay Bill
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the real terms change in the armed forces pay bill between 1979 and 1997. [11255]

  Dr. Reid
  Measuring the movement in earnings in the armed forces between 1979 and 1997 by reference to real terms changes to the annual pay bill over the same period would not produce an appropriate comparison because of reductions in the strength of the armed forces. However, a comparison of the overall annual percentage increases in the total pay bill of the armed forces since 1979, with the corresponding increases in the retail prices index for 1979 to 1997, shows that in real terms the former has risen against the latter by 35.4 per cent. This takes account of staging of pay awards where they have occurred, but does not of course reflect a universally applicable figure for any given rank.

  Training
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training establishments exist for initial training; at which locations; how many personnel have been trained at each in the last year; and at what cost. [10993]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is as follows. In all cases the costs quoted have been rounded to the nearest £ million.

  Royal Navy

  Training establishment and location

  Numbers trained in financial year 1996–97

  Cost £ million financial year 1996–97

  Britannia Royal Naval College

  Dartmouth

  Devon

  (New Entry RN Officer Training)

  229

  11

  HMS Raleigh

  Torpoint

  Cornwall

  (New Entry RN Recruit Training)

  2,077

  21

  1. The personnel figures are the number of new entrants who completed training successfully.
  188
  2. BRNC's and HMS Raleigh's activities are not confined to new entry training but include other training for their own personnel, foreign and Commonwealth service personnel and cadet forces. Separate identification of new entry training could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The costs given are the establishment costs which take account of receipts in respect of foreign and Commonwealth training.

  3. The costs exclude trainees' pay.

  Royal Marines

  Training establishment and location

  Numbers trained in financial year 1996–97

  Cost £ million financial year 1996–97

  Royal Marines School of Music

  Gibraltar block

  HMS Nelson

  Portsmouth

  Hampshire

  (RM New Entry Musician Training)

  40

  1

  Commando Training Centre Royal

  Marines

  Lympstone

  Near Exmouth

  Devon (RM Young Officer and Recruit Training)

  383

  23

  1. The personnel figures are the number of new entrants who completed their training successfully.

  2. The costs are presented at full cost level. The costs exclude trainees' pay but account for young officers and recruits who failed to meet the standard.

  3. Due to reductions in the size of the RM band service there was a temporary reduction in the requirement for trainees during 1996–97 at the Royal Marines school of music. The requirement during 1997–98 has risen to 58 trainees; 60 is the number which is normally budgeted for on an annual basis. It should be noted that the forecast requirement for 1998–99 is 75 trainees.

  Army

  Training establishment and location

  Numbers trained in financial year 1996–97

  Cost £ million financial year 1996–97

  ATR Pirbright

  3,023

  12

  ATR Glencorse

  979

  5

  ATR Bassingbourne

  2,075

  9

  ATR Lichfield

  1,133

  6

  ATR Winchester

  1,558

  7

  Army Apprentices College, Arborfield

  580

  7

  1. In addition, apprentices are trained at the Army school of catering, Aldershot where 148 apprentices passed out in financial year 1996–97, and the apprentices training wing, royal school of military engineering, Minley, where the numbers were 213. In both these last two cases, costs could be isolated from the general running costs of the establishments only at disproportionate cost.

  2. The costs shown are those for running the whole establishment, which will include some non-training costs.

  3. The costs exclude trainees' pay.

  Royal Air Force

  Training establishment and location

  Numbers trained in financial year 1996–971

  Cost £ million financial year 1996–972

  RAF Halton (Airmen/women initial training)

  2,537

  9

  RAF Honington (RAF regiment gunner)3

  225

  2

  RAFC Cranwell (Initial officer training)4

  5470

  15

  189

  Royal Air Force

  Training establishment and location

  Numbers trained in financial year 1996–971

  Cost £ million financial year 1996–972

  RAFC Cranwell (Airmen aircrew training)6

  93

  2

  1 The numbers of personnel quoted include recoursees.

  2 Excludes trainees' salaries.

  3 RAF regiment gunners undertake some initial specialist training during initial recruitment training.

  4 Includes recruited internally and externally.

  5 The numbers given include 15 non-RAF personnel trained on a spare capacity basis.

  6 Personnel, recruited internally and externally, to be NCO aircrew.

  Defence Sales Review
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the defence sales policy review covers all countries. [10365]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Yes. The new criteria, announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July, Official Report, columns 26–29, will apply to licence applications for conventional arms to all destinations.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the medical and scientific review of qualifications for war pensions in respect of noise-induced hearing loss(a) the expected completion date and (b) the cost of conducting the review. [8247]

  Mr. Denham
  I have been asked to reply.

  The review will be chaired by the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Kenneth Calman, and four independent experts on hearing loss. Due to availability, it will not be possible for the group to meet before September.

  The findings of the review will be published in due course and it is estimated that the cost of the review will be around £2,000.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Old Coalfield Areas
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a further statement about his proposals following his visits to the old coalfield areas. [9356]

  Mr. Prescott
  The nation owes a debt to the coalfield areas. We are looking urgently at what is being done in these areas and what more we can do. As a start, I intend to look at the problems and opportunities in and around my hon. Friend's constituency—to see which measures work and which are less successful. I want then to broaden the discussion to bring in other coalfield communities, with a view to a national conference next spring.

  Minimum Wage
  10. Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Her Majesty's Government will take into account the likely cost to local authorities when setting a level for the minimum wage. [9357]

  Ms Armstrong
  The independent Low Pay Commission will be asked to take into account all economic circumstances, including the likely impact on employers, before reaching a recommendation on the level at which the national minimum wage might be set.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to reduce the gap between those benefiting most and least in respect of the standard spending assessment formula-funded mechanism to determine local authorities' revenue support grant levels. [9358]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This is a matter which will be discussed on 30 July when officials from my Department and local government representatives consider proposals from Barnsley metropolitan borough council and others. We shall carefully consider any views expressed on this issue.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the financial allocations for the unitary authorities. [9355]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under the local government reorganisation costs scheme, resources in the form of supplementary credit approvals are made available to reorganising authorities to cover transitional costs. Final bids under the scheme for 1996–97 are being evaluated and I expect to announce my decisions before the end of September.

  We have invited bids for the mid-year review stage of the 1997–98 scheme, and expect to respond to these by the end of October.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from local authorities about the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit and its impact on revenue support grant levels. [9362]

  Ms Armstrong
  My hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from the Local Government Association which represents local authorities in England and Wales. I have received correspondence from Cambridgeshire county council.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect of recent interest rates rises on local authorities. [9368]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In overall terms, the impact on local authorities will be small and will be more than offset by increased interest receipts. Changes in interest rates will be taken into account in the formula for distributing grant under the local government finance settlement for 1998–99.
  191
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account has been taken of the effect on councils of the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit in his Department's spending plans. [9370]

  Ms Armstrong
  Steps are being taken to establish the impact on local authority pension funds following the next actuarial valuation of the fund in 1998. This information will be taken into account in determining the level of local authority provision for that and subsequent years.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the effect of recent interest rate rises on local authorities. [9371]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In overall terms, the impact on local authorities will be small and will be more than offset by increased interest receipts. Changes in interest rates will be taken into account in the formula for distributing grant under the local government finance settlement for 1998–99.

  London Strategic Authority
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for which areas of current local government the strategic authority for London would have responsibility. [9360]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have today published a Green Paper setting out our proposals for a Greater London authority, which lists the range of functions the Greater London authority will have and considers how they can be delivered effectively. Copies of the Green Paper are available in the House Libraries.

  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs of establishing and running a strategic authority for London. [9363]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our Green Paper, published today, sets out proposals and seeks views on a range of options for the nature and functions of the new strategic authority for London. It is not possible to make firm estimates of the cost of establishing and running the authority until we are clearer, following this consultation, on the final form that the new arrangements will take. Our overriding objective is that the new strategic authority should improve the efficiency with which pan-London activities are carried out. We intend that any additional spending on setting up the new authority will be offset by longer-term savings.

  Planning Policy
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the general development order to extend those categories of development which are subject to planning application and public inquiries. [9361]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for a variety of mostly minor 192
  developments, subject to limits and conditions designed to protect amenity and the environment. We have no immediate plans to amend the order by bringing certain classes of permitted development within full planning control.

  Asthma (Environmental Pollutants)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to reduce those environmental pollutants which have been demonstrated to contribute to the incidence of asthma. [9364]

  Angela Eagle
  No pollutants have been demonstrated to contribute to the incidence of asthma, but sulphur dioxide, ozone, particles and possibly nitrogen dioxide may cause a worsening of symptoms in asthmatics. The Government recognise the health effects of air pollution and are committed to rapid implementation of the national air quality strategy in order to improve air quality across the United Kingdom.

  Water Charges
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with water companies on the subject of charging arrangements in substitution for the present system based on rateable values. [9365]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Deputy Prime Minister and I have met representatives of the water companies at the water summit and at other times. We shall consider their views alongside all others in the Government's review of the water charging system.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what arrangements the boards of directors of the regional development agencies will be appointed. [9366]

  Mr. Caborn
  In the short term, we expect the boards of the regional development agencies to be appointed by the Secretary of State for he will wish to be guided by the needs and wishes of the regions.

  Sustainable Development
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the range of organisations placed under the requirement to take Agenda 21 on sustainable development as an instrumental part of their responsibilities. [9367]

  Mr. Meacher
  There is no mandatory requirement on any organisation to take on Agenda 21. However, a wide range of organisations, including central and local government, business and the voluntary sector, are committed to take forward the Agenda 21 agreement on sustainable development.

  The Government accept their leadership role and are determined to implement sustainable development

  193
  through their policies. We are introducing a new series of measures which will deliver this effectively throughout central Government Departments.

  In relation to local government, last month, at the UN special session on the environment in New York, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of local authorities in promoting Local Agenda 21 and called on all UK local authorities to adopt Local Agenda 21 strategies by 2000. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister followed this up at last week's Local Government Association conference by announcing that a joint central-local government document will be produced giving practical guidance on how to put such strategies in place.

  Businesses are subject to a range of environmental regulations which themselves are part of the UK Government's whole sustainable development package. We are working with them in other ways to promote sustainable development in the business sector. Extensive support to help companies improve their environmental performance is freely available through the Government's energy efficiency and environmental technology best practice programmes and network of regional contacts. The uptake of formal environmental management systems—that is International Standard Organisation 14001 and eco-management and audit scheme—has also been extensively promoted and leading companies are responding positively. We should like all UK businesses with over 250 employees to have a publicly declared environmental policy and report to their stakeholders on progress.

  Global Temperature Changes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of global temperature changes. [9369]

  Mr. Meacher
  Information on global temperature changes is assessed and published regularly on behalf of the Government by the UK Meteorological Office in conjunction with the climatic research unit at the university of East Anglia. The latest data available for 1997 show that the global surface temperature for the first half of the year was approximately 0.33 deg C above the 1961–90 average. Global temperatures are, on average about 0.5 deg C warmer now that they were at the end of the last century.

  Preservation of the Countryside
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the preservation of the countryside. [9372]

  Angela Eagle
  We have received a large number of representations about a range of issues affecting the countryside. The countryside is one of our great national assets and we are carefully reviewing rural policy to ensure its improved protection and stewardship.

  Community Initiative Power
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will bring forward proposals for a power of community initiative in local government. [9373]

  Ms Armstrong
  We intend to consult the Local Government Association and all other interested parties on the proposed new duty for councils to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area as we implement our manifesto programme for good local government.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the regulation of Railtrack. [9382]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government are reviewing the regulation of railways generally and of Railtrack in particular, with a view to establishing a more effective and accountable regime.

  London Underground
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to increase the use of the private finance initiative on the London Underground. [9383]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We support use of private finance to improve the underground through projects like the proposed power PFI deal. We are determined to attract more private finance to tackle the investment backlog in the underground's key assets, such as track, signalling and civil engineering structures. That is why we are reviewing public-private partnership options for the underground as a matter of urgency.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of private investment in London Underground. [9399]

  Ms Jackson
  London Underground is negotiating two PFI contracts—power and prestige—and awaiting bids for a third—connect. London Underground is also developing proposals for a number of other PFI projects. The Government are also considering public-private partnership options for London Underground as a matter of urgency.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding at current prices the Government provided to London Underground in each year since 1979. [11297]

  Ms Jackson
  Government funding is provided to London Transport, rather than its constituent businesses. The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Ltd. and its other businesses is a matter for LT, subject to the ring fencing of support for Jubilee line extension. Total annual grant in constant 1997–98 prices provided to London Transport since 1979 is shown in the table.
  195

  Grant to London Transport since 1979 (1997–98 prices)

  Year

  Total grant £ million

  1979

  396

  1980

  493

  1981

  447

  1982

  602

  1983

  629

  1984–85

  592

  1985–96

  536

  1986–87

  475

  1987–88

  310

  1988–89

  242

  1989–90

  332

  1990–91

  600

  1991–92

  669

  1992–93

  988

  1993–94

  754

  1994–95

  840

  1995–96

  943

  1996–97

  963

  1997–981

  759

  1 Estimated outturn.

  The table excludes Docklands light railway grant, but from 1996–97 onwards it includes Croydon tramlink grant.

  Channel Tunnel (Leeds Service)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimated time scale for the introduction of a direct channel tunnel service from Leeds. [9386]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that Eurostar (UK) Ltd. has no plans to introduce a direct international service from Leeds. However, a service between Glasgow and Paris should start later this year, and passengers from Leeds will be able to join that service at Doncaster.

  Passenger Comfort Standards
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require public transport operators to improve standards of passenger comfort; and if he will make a statement. [9387]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The fundamental review of transport policy will consider measures to raise the quality of public transport. As my right hon. Friend said in answering an earlier question, encouraging greater use of public transport is a key objective and passenger comfort is an aspect of this.

  Liquid Petroleum Gas
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy towards the use of liquid petroleum gas in cars. [9389]

  Dr. Strang
  The Government recognise the potential of road fuel gases for significantly lowering emissions, as was demonstrated by the Chancellor's recent announcement of a freeze on duty on road gas fuels and 196
  his undertaking at least to maintain the current duty differential versus diesel for the lifetime of the current Parliament.

  National Air Traffic Control Service
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to implement the Government's plans for the future of the national air traffic control service. [9390]

  Dr. Strang
  We are reviewing the options for the future of the National Air Traffic Services. We shall make an announcement of our intentions in due course.

  Traffic-free City Centres
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the viability of traffic-free city centres. [9391]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government believe that properly designed vehicle restricted areas can improve the local environment while sustaining or enhancing economic vitality. Decisions on whether to exclude traffic from town centres are a matter for the judgment of the local authority.

  Freight Transport
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to encourage the transportation of goods by rail as opposed to road. [9392]

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to increase the proportion of freight carried by rail. [9398]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government want to see a greater proportion of freight go by rail rather than by road. Our White Paper on integrated transport policy, to be published next spring, will consider ways of achieving this objective.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list in percentage terms the movement of freight within the United Kingdom by(a) road, (b) rail and (c) water for each year from 1970 to 1996. [11117]

  Ms Jackson
  The information requested is given in the following table; full 1996 data are not yet available.

  Freight traffic by mode: Great Britain1

  Per cent. of billion tonne kilometres

  Year

  Road2

  Rail

  Water

  1970

  63

  18

  17

  1971

  64

  16

  16

  197

  Freight traffic by mode: Great Britain1

  Per cent. of billion tonne kilometres

  Year

  Road2

  Rail

  Water

  19723

  65

  15

  21

  1973

  63

  16

  22

  1974

  63

  15

  22

  1975

  66

  15

  20

  1976

  65

  14

  20

  1977

  58

  12

  24

  1978

  56

  11

  27

  1979

  55

  11

  30

  1980

  53

  10

  31

  1981

  54

  10

  31

  1982

  53

  9

  33

  1983

  52

  9

  33

  1984

  55

  7

  33

  1985

  55

  8

  31

  1986

  56

  9

  29

  1987

  58

  9

  28

  1988

  59

  8

  27

  1989

  62

  8

  26

  1990

  62

  7

  26

  1991

  61

  7

  27

  1992

  61

  7

  26

  1993

  64

  7

  24

  1994

  65

  6

  24

  1995

  66

  6

  23

  1 The percentages in the table do not add to 100 because of freight movements by other modes, notably pipeline.

  2 All goods vehicles, including those under 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

  3 Figures from 1972 onwards are not comparable with earlier years. From 1972, water includes all UK coastwise and one-port freight movements by sea and inland waterway traffic. Earlier years include only GB coastwise traffic and internal traffic on British Waterways Board waterways.

  Car Dependency
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to encourage local authorities to take measures to reduce car dependency. [9393]

  Dr. Strang
  Government planning and transport guidance sets local authorities the objective of developing policies that encourage less reliance on the private car.

  A3 (Hindhead)
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the necessity of improving the A3 at Hindhead. [9394]

  Dr. Strang
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations both supporting and opposing an improvement of the A3 at Hindhead since preparatory work on that scheme stopped in November 1995. The scheme is included in the trunk road programme which is the subject of a fundamental review approved on 19 June.

  Mrs. Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if she will make a statement on measures taken to relieve traffic congestion on the A3 at Hindhead. [10294]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Preparation work on proposals to improve the A3 at Hindhead was stopped in November 1995. The scheme will be included in the trunk roads 198
  review announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 19 June. The aim is to announce a decision next year on the outcome of the review.

  Small Boat Safety
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that small boat safety is improved. [9395]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Coastguard agency actively promotes the safe use of recreational craft through national campaigns and local publicity. A national education campaign, sea smart, which was launched on 21 July, is aimed at primary and secondary school children in a co-ordinated campaign along the south coast. A series of local coastguard initiatives will concentrate on the sea and shoreline safety problems in particular areas. The agency has invited comments from organisations in this field on a consultative document about measures to improve the safety of non-regulated pleasure vessels without legislation. The sea safety liaison group, set up by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and including the Coastguard and the Marine Safety Agency, also promotes this work. The group has produced a range of leaflets targeted at small boat safety and further literature and advertising campaigns are planned.

  West Coast Rail Services
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he next expects to meet officials of Railtrack to discuss improvements to west coast services. [9396]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I met Richard Branson of the Virgin Rail Group on 10 July and will be meeting the chief executive of Railtrack on 12 August. The Virgin Rail Group has committed to service improvements on the west coast main line through its franchise agreement with the franchising director, including improved reliability and increased capacity on the line from 2002. These depend to a great extent on the upgrading of the line on which the franchising director concluded an agreement with Railtrack in 1996. I understand that the Virgin Rail Group is currently discussing further upgrading options with Railtrack.

  Fenchurch Street Line
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on the standard of service on the Fenchurch Street line. [9397]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Neither my Department nor the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising have received any representations about London, Tilbury, Southend Rail, the operators of the Fenchurch Street line, since this Government took office.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Budget measures on carbon dioxide emissions. [9359]
  199
  Mr. Meacher
  The combined effect of increasing the road fuel duty escalator from 5 to 6 per cent. reducing VAT on domestic fuels to 5 per cent. and the reduction in the gas levy will be to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 0.2 million tonnes of carbon in 2000 and by 2.3 million tonnes in 2010.

  Central European Time
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on traffic accidents and casualties of the adoption of central European time. [9385]

  Dr. Strang
  The Transport Research Laboratory has estimated that there could be net savings in road casualties in Great Britain were central European time to be adopted. Further work is in progress to refine these estimates and I expect to receive a report shortly.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much at current prices has been awarded from the single regeneration budget; what was the total level of investment at current prices supported by the single regeneration budget; and how many jobs the single regeneration budget has created or safeguarded, in each United Kingdom region, in each year since the single regeneration budget was established. [11305]

  Angela Eagle
  The single regeneration budget was formed in 1994 by bringing together 20 regeneration programmes in England. Details of the expenditure and the outputs achieved under each programme are set out in the departmental reports issued each year—Department of the Environment annual report 1997, Cmd 3607. Since 1995–96, new regeneration schemes have been funded through the SRB challenge fund. The table gives the regional breakdown of expenditure and jobs created for 1995–96, the first year of the challenge fund, and provisional figures for 1996–97, its second year.

  1995–96 actual

  Region

  SRB challenge fund 1997–98 prices £000

  Total scheme expenditure 1997–98 prices £000

  Jobs created/preserved Number

  Eastern

  2,614

  16,455

  498

  East Midlands

  8,259

  57,341

  2,863

  London

  37,847

  105,517

  7,165

  Merseyside

  11,501

  76,661

  1,978

  North East

  18,296

  56,377

  2,729

  North West

  18,087

  116,993

  8,627

  South East

  5,541

  16,937

  1,624

  South West

  4,077

  17,380

  1,425

  West Midlands

  16,937

  86,183

  5,318

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  19,446

  123,946

  7,009

  England

  142,605

  673,790

  39,236

  200

  1996–97 Provisional

  Region

  SRB challenge fund 1997–98 prices £000

  Total scheme expenditure 1997–98 prices £000

  Jobs created/preserved Number

  Eastern

  5,712

  27,744

  600

  East Midlands

  16,524

  93,942

  6,500

  London

  69,972

  242,760

  16,800

  Merseyside

  21,828

  105,060

  1,400

  North East

  30,294

  117,402

  5,600

  North West

  38,046

  265,812

  13,800

  South East

  12,138

  86,088

  2,000

  South West

  7,956

  35,802

  1,900

  West Midlands

  39,168

  206,040

  16,200

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  41,412

  189,924

  13,000

  England

  283,050

  1,370,574

  77,800

  River Water Quality
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of river water was of good or fair quality in each year since 1987. [11159]

  Angela Eagle
  There has been a net upgrading in chemical quality of 25.8 per cent. of the total monitored length of rivers and canals in England and Wales between 1990 and 1996. The proportion of rivers and canals classified as good or fair quality under the Environment Agency's general quality assessment for the years in which surveys were carried out since 1987 is as follows:

  Good

  Fair

  1990

  47.0

  37.5

  1992

  52.6

  34.4

  1995

  59.5

  31.5

  1996

  58.6

  31.5

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the savings at current prices achieved in each year since the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering for local government services as a result of such tendering. [11303]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Research commissioned by the Department has looked at both the financial and service quality impact of CCT on blue-collar services covered by the Local Government Act 1988. This has shown average annual savings on contract prices of blue-collar services of 6 per cent. for the first round of tendering under the Act, and 9 per cent. for the second round. It also shows that the savings have been accompanied by only minor improvements in service standards, and that more attention needs to be given to the development of local performance indicators.

  Other research, commissioned outside the Department, suggests a wide variation on estimates of savings depending upon the way in which social costs and benefits are treated.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the critical uses of methyl bromide which his Department has evaluated. [11106]

  Angela Eagle
  The phaseout date for methyl bromide, and the criteria for the critical use exemption after phaseout, will be considered at the ninth meeting of the parties to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, in September. Any evaluation of the critical uses of methyl bromide will depend on the criteria that are set, and the availability of suitable alternatives after phaseout.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by company, the alternatives to methyl bromide which his Department has evaluated. [11107]

  Angela Eagle
  In 1996, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food commissioned ADAS to review the use of methyl bromide in horticulture, and to consider what alternatives are available. Its report identifies a range of alternatives which are either being developed, or already being used in the UK, but does not identify the individual companies involved. In April 1997, the United Nations environment programme's technical and economic assessment panel and methyl bromide technical options committee produced a report on alternatives to methyl bromide worldwide. Copies of this report, and the ADAS report, will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Capital Challenge
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding at current prices has been attracted from the private and voluntary sectors under the pilot capital challenge funding scheme for local authorities in each year since it was introduced. [11160]

  Angela Eagle
  Support for local authorities' capital expenditure is available through the capital challenge pilot scheme in three financial years: 1997–98; 1998–99; and 1999–00. Estimates for support for successful projects from the private and voluntary sectors are available only for the three-year period as a whole, and are as follows:

  Voluntary Sector: £20 million

  Other Private Sector: £678 million.

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he has set the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre executive agency for 1997–98. [11698]

  Network enhancement projects 1997–98

  Scheme

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Start

  Completion

  North

  M5 Jct 16 (A38) Imp

  0.150

  January 1998

  March 1998

  M11 Jct 4 Sign Gantries

  0.065

  December 1997

  February 1998

  M25 Jct 24–25 Nearside Safety Fencing

  0.071

  August 1997

  September 1997

  M25 Jct 24–25 Nearside Safety Fencing

  0.071

  August 1997

  September 1997

  M25/M23 Southbound Merge

  0.095

  Autumn 1997

  Spring 1998

  M27 Moorlands/Moorgreen Drainage

  0.053

  Autumn 1997

  Spring 1998

  202
  Mr. Raynsford
  The agency's principal targets for 1997–98 are to achieve total revenue of £7.12 million and to achieve a minimum contribution to the Exchequer of £555,000.

  The agency's other main targets are:
  To achieve at least six out of the following seven targets:

  (a) to increase the proportion fo events with more than 200 delegates to 30 per cent.

  (b) to increase the proportion of target room hire revenue achieved six months in advance to 55 per cent.

  (c) an overall score for quality of service in client questionnaires of at least 77 per cent.

  (d) 98 per cent. of clients completing the client questionnaire to report that they would use the centre again;

  (e) the number of complaints to be received to be less than four per hundred events;

  (f) an average response time in dealing with complaints of less than eight working days;

  (g) an overall score for quality of service provided by the catering staff of at least 80 per cent.

  Road Projects
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the network enhancement schemes and control projects to be undertaken during the financial year 1997–98 indicating the likely cost, start and completion dates. [10131]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has asked me to reply to your request to list the trunk road enhancement schemes and network control projects to be undertaken during the financial year 1997–98, and to give an indication of the likely cost, start and completion dates.
  I have enclosed with this letter a copy of the Highways Agency's 1997–98 Business Plan which lists at Annex E the network enhancement projects (NEPS) and network control projects which the Highways Agency intends to undertake this financial year. I have attached a list showing the costs and seasonal start and finish dates for these schemes, as you requested.
  Network enhancement projects cover various improvements including local safety schemes, traffic calming measures and environmental schemes and start and finish dates can be affected by external matters, some of which are outside the Highways Agency's control, such as statutory procedures or urgent statutory undertakers works or the weather. In the circumstances, it is difficult to be precise with the actual timing.
  The Agency is also undertaking a number of smaller projects, and may add or substitute alternative schemes to the list published in the Business Plan as priorities change and where circumstances do not permit all the named schemes to proceed as planned.
  203

  Network enhancement projects 1997–98

  Scheme

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Start

  Completion

  A1 Elkesley Lighting (Nottinghamshire)

  0.100

  January 1998

  March 1998

  North of Morpeth Route Action Plan

  0.100

  September 1997

  November 1997

  A1 Angel junction

  0.300

  March 1998

  Summer 1998

  A2(W) Little Chef, Cobham

  0.099

  March 1998

  April 1998

  A3 Wisley Cyclist Facilities

  0.070

  Autumn 1997

  Spring 1998

  A4 Thornbury Road

  0.119

  November 1997

  February 1998

  A5 Lilbourne Crossroads Lighting (Warkwickshire/Northamptonshire)

  0.070

  Winter/Spring 1998

  Winter/Spring 1998

  A52 Accident Reduction Trials

  0.190

  October 1997

  Spring 1999

  A12 Hatfield Peverel CRSF

  0.278

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A13/A406 Junction Resignalling (LB Newham)

  0.106

  September 1997

  December 1997

  A14 Levington Link Road

  0.700

  September 1997

  December 1997

  A19 Selby Town Centre Traffic Calming (LSS)

  0.076

  January 1998

  March 1998

  A20 Lydden Spout Layby

  0.080

  January 1997

  March 1997

  A27/B2144 Junction MOVA

  0.027

  Autumn 1997

  Spring 1998

  A27 Ranscome Lane

  0.080

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A27 Chichester, Bognor Bridge

  0.470

  December 1997

  May 1998

  A30 Cannonstown Phase 2

  0.010

  September 1997

  October 1997

  A30 Woodleigh Junction Phase 2

  0.092

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A31 St. Leonards Footbridge

  0.676

  January 1998

  July 1998

  A34 Cannock-Stoke on Trent Speed Cameras (Staffordshire)

  0.065

  Autumn 1997

  Winter/Spring 1998

  A34 Great Wryley Traffic Calming (Staffordshire)

  0.099

  Autumn 1997

  Winter/Spring 1998

  A36 West Wellow Calming Phase 2

  0.082

  Autumn 1997

  Spring 1998

  A41 Berryfield Right Turn (Aylesbury)

  0.160

  December 1997

  March 1998

  A41 Chester Road, Hootton

  0.175

  January 1998

  March 1998

  A43 Evenly Crossroads (Northants)

  0.350

  October 1997

  March 1998

  A45 Ryton to Tollbar End CRSF

  0.170

  November 1997

  march 1998

  A47 Toll Bar Junction at A1 (Cambridgeshire)

  0.158

  September 1997

  November 1997

  A49/A5 Bayleys Roundabout, Shrewsbury-Pelican Crossing (Salop)

  0.080

  October 1997

  Winter/Spring 1998

  A57/A618 Mansfield Road, Rotherham

  0.350

  February 1998

  June 1998

  A66 Penruddock, Kemplay, Threlkeld-County B'ry

  0.150

  October 1997

  November 1997

  A140 Route Treatment Phases I and II (Suffolk/Norfolk)

  0.409

  November 1997

  March 1998

  A259 Redoubt Way

  0.275

  October 1997

  January 1998

  A303 Burton Jct Imp (Wiltshire)

  0.101

  November 1997

  December 1997

  A312 Cranford High Street Improvement

  0.179

  January 1998

  March 1998

  A316 Whitton Roundabout Signalization

  0.149

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A449 Gorse Corner-Right Turn Lane (Staffordshire)

  0.090

  Winter 1997

  Winter/Spring 1998

  A585 Skipool Roundabout

  0.198

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A638/B6428 Offley Lane Roundabout, Wakefield

  0.432

  October 1997

  December 1997

  A663 Middleton Road

  0.666

  November 1997

  March 1998

  A5036 Switch Island Phase 1

  1.227

  September 1997

  September 1998

  A6120 Weetwood Lane Improvement

  0.210

  November 1997

  March 1998

  Red Light and Speed Cameras (1997–98 Programme)

  0.393

  April 1997

  March 1998

  Red Light and Speed Cameras (Balance of 1996–97 Programme)

  0.055

  April 1996

  March 1998

  Closed Circuit TV (Balance of 1996–97 Programme)

  0.051

  April 1996

  March 1998

  Closed Circuit TV Enforcement (1997–98 Programme)

  0.110

  April 1997

  march 1998

  Software Enhancements (Balance of 1996–97 Programme)

  0.005

  April 1996

  March 1998

  Urban Traffic Control systems (1997–98 Programme)

  0.270

  April 1997

  March 1998

  Variable Message Signs (Balance of 1996–97 Programme)

  0.025

  April 1996

  March 1998

  Network control projects

  Scheme

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  Start

  Completion

  M6 Staffs Comms. Upg.

  0.080

  November 1997

  December 1997

  Introduction of motorway control system at Leicester Police Control Office

  0.070

  November 1996

  October 1997

  Midlands Driver information System Phase 1

  0.213

  With QS

  Midlands Security System

  1.000

  Autumn 1997

  Midlands DIS (e)

  0.150

  September 1997

  January 1998

  MIDAS Phase 2

  2.820

  December 1997

  Summer 1999

  Stafford Control Office

  0.110

  November 1997

  December 1997

  Chigwell Police Control Office. Dynamic Display Equipment

  0.487

  Winter 1997

  Summer 1998

  0.090

  September 1997

  Phase 1-

  M4 Heston COBS Upgrade Associated Works

  November 1997

  M4/M5/M32/A48/A49 Avon and Somerset CCTV Upgrade

  2,340

  October 1996

  September 1997

  M4/M5/M32 NMCS2 Infrastructure and COBs

  7,000

  March 1995

  September 1997

  Shadow Tolling
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, column 494, concerning shadow toll payment mechanisms, what factors are being considered in the development work on payment mechanisms. [10680]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The development work is exploring the feasibility of a refined payment mechanism, the reward structure, appropriate allocation of risk, and the implications for the value for money which might be on offer under a refined mechanism.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, column 494, whether, if the development work on payment mechanisms is successful, such mechanisms can be applied to roads which have already been approved by him. [10679]

  Ms Jackson
  No. The terms of signed contracts cannot be modified in this way.

  Environmentally Conscious Driving
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential environmental benefits of advising motorists to turn their engines off when stationary; what estimate he has made of the relative benefits in respect of cars whose engines are(a) warm and (b) cold; what assessment he had made of the success of such advice in other European countries with particular reference to Germany; and if he will make a statement. [10562]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Advice is regularly given to drivers in official publications, particularly with regard to environmentally conscious driving. In general, benefits can be gained in terms of reduced emissions and savings in fuel by switching a vehicle's engine off if the vehicle is likely to be stationary in traffic for more than two minutes. The Department has drawn up research proposals to assess the benefits of instructing drivers to switch engines off while waiting at, for example, traffic lights. Under some circumstances, such as when an engine is still cold following a very short journey, it is possible that re-starting could result in higher emissions than would occur had the engine remained idling. The research will therefore identify the engine parameters under which emissions reductions will be achieved. No assessment has been made of the success of advice in Germany or other European countries.

  M25 Widening
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) contracts have been let and (b) other liabilities entered into in respect of works, plans or surveys relating to or implementing the proposal to widen the M25 to 10 to 12 lanes between junctions 12 and 15; and if he will make a statement. [10644]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
  206
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London asked me to reply to your recent question about contracts let, and liabilities entered into, for the M25 Junctions 12 to 15 widening.
  The only contract existing for the M25 Junctions 12 to 15 Widening Scheme is the preliminary design commission with consultants Howard Humphreys and Partners.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the total tonnage of rail freight and the total net tonne miles carried by rail in Great Britain for the year up to 31 March 1997 and for each of the previous three years. [11330]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Goods lifted—million tonnes

  103

  97

  101

  101

  Goods moved—billion tonne kilometres

  13.8

  13.0

  13.1

  1—

  1 This figure is not yet available.

  Aston Clinton Bypass
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the proposed Aston Clinton bypass; and if 2002 remains the intended construction date. [10469]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: We have received a small number of representations about the A41 Aston Clinton bypass. This scheme will be considered in the strategic review of the roads programme. Pending the conclusions of the review, which we hope to announce next spring, it would be premature to indicate when the scheme might be constructed.

  Road Traffic Regulations
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the conclusion of his consultations regarding road traffic regulation law as it affects rights of way across school premises. [10630]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: I hope to make a statement on what was a very wide-ranging review of road traffic regulation law later this year.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and if he will extend the compulsory fitting of seat belts to vehicles(a) on normal scheduled services and (b) used mainly for providing transport for the general public which carry schoolchildren. [11321]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have no plans to extend the compulsory fitting of seat belts to vehicles used for these purposes. There are significant technical difficulties in fitting seat belts in buses, which are normally the type of
  207
  vehicle used to provide these services. In addition, the length and nature of passenger journeys on scheduled services is such that the likelihood of seat belts being used is far less than on faster long-distance journeys. However, it should be remembered that the existing requirements for seat belts to be provided for children on organised trips in minibuses and coaches will ensure that they are available in thousands of vehicles that otherwise would not have had them fitted.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what body is responsible for ensuring the seat belts in vehicles carrying schoolchildren have been correctly fitted. [11175]

  Ms Jackson
  Responsibility for ensuring that a seat belt assembly has been correctly fitted must ultimately rest with the seat belt installer. It is proposed that the Vehicle Inspectorate will include the condition of all minibus and coach seat belts in the random roadside inspections that it carries out. It is also proposed to include checks on minibus and coach seat belts in the annual MOT test. We hope to consult on details shortly.

  Air Transport (Nuclear Material)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recommendations by the International Atomic Energy Agency that individual states stop the air transport of plutonium materials in type B packages pending the development of packages conforming to new standards; and if he will make a statement. [11230]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department is unaware of the IAEA making such a recommendation.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the hazards of mixed oxide fuel in severe air transport accidents; and if he will provide details of such studies. [11231]

  Ms Jackson
  The Department contributed to the study, made by the Advisory Committee on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials—ACTRAM, an independent body charged with advising the then Secretary of State for Transport and the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission—and reported in "The Transport of Civil Plutonium by Air", ISBN 0 11 550871 6, 1988. ACTRAM concluded that"the health risk to people from the current transport of civil plutonium by air to and from the UK is [also] extremely remote and acceptable"
  and that
  "plutonium dioxide mixed with uranium dioxide in the form of ceramic pellets constitutes no significant inhalation hazard".
  A copy of ACTRAM's report is held in the Library.

  Rail Travel
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage air passengers on domestic and short-haul flights to convert to rail travel. [11152]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The fundamental review of transport policy now under way will be considering how all modes of transport can contribute to a more 208
  environmentally sustainable integrated transport system. This will include consideration of ways of ensuring that there is a proper balance between modes.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the environmental impact of substituting 10 per cent. of domestic and shorthaul flights with rail travel over the next 10 years. [11154]

  Ms Jackson
  We have no readily available information on this question, which would require detailed study. Environmental aspects of changes in travel patterns will be an important part of the fundamental review of transport policy.

  Runway Slot Allocation
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the system of allocating runway slots. [11185]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Slot allocation at European Community airports is governed by EC regulation 95/93. We are currently awaiting proposals from the Commission for revision of the regulation, which will then be the subject of discussion in Transport Council.

  National Airlines (Subsidies)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the competitive position of United Kingdom airlines of the provision by European Union Governments of state subsidies to their national airlines. [11178]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  State subsidies to national airlines are approved by the European Commission on a case-by-case basis. The impact of such aid on the competitive position of United Kingdom airlines is assessed by the United Kingdom Government following publication of the individual Commission decision in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage other European Union countries to end state subsidies to their national airlines. [11179]

  Ms Jackson
  Approval of state subsidy to national airlines is a matter for the European Commission. The United Kingdom has consistently opposed such aid since it threatens to distort competition and penalise efficient operators. The Commission has stated that its recent approval of aid to Alitalia is likely to be the last for a state-owned airline.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of deregulation of landing charges at regional airports. [11181]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Landing charges at all larger airports in Great Britain are subject to regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority under the Airports Act 1986. The Department of Trade and Industry is now reviewing the
  209
  system of regulation of utilities, and this may produce conclusions of relevance to future policy on regulation of airports.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the proportion of international flights to and from English regional, Scottish and Welsh airports in comparison with London airports. [11176]

  Ms Jackson
  Where flights operate it is normally determined by the commercial decisions of airlines. The majority of the UK's bilateral air services agreements permit carriers to serve all points in the United Kingdom. Where there are restrictions, we seek to remove them so that all airports can compete fairly for traffic.

  Heavy Vehicles
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy not to increase the maximum axle weight of lorries beyond 40 tonnes. [11120]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The existing maximum axle weight for lorries is 10.5 tonnes which, in certain cases, will increase to 11.5 tonnes from 1 January 1999. The existing general gross weight limit for articulated vehicles with five or more axles is 38 tonnes and 44 tonnes for certain six-axle vehicles in combined road/rail movements. From 1 January 1999, we will allow an increase in the weight limit from 38 to 40 tonnes for articulated vehicles with five or more axles on international journeys. With regard to allowing 44 tonne lorries generally, I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 July,Official Report, columns 788–89.

  London Transport (Complaints)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last reviewed with(a) London Regional Transport, (b) London Buses and (c) London Underground their compliance with the recommendations of the Wilcox committee report on the handling of complaints. [10995]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has not undertaken such a review. London Transport handles complaints using established procedures which are broadly consistent with the recommendations of the citizen's charter task force.

  Rail Fare Increases
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the average increase in real terms in rail fares between 1979 and 1997; [11256]

  (2) what were the annual increases in real terms in rail fares in each year since 1979. [11257]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information for each year between 1979 and 1996 inclusive is in the table. Figures for 1997 are not available.

  Key commuter and leisure fares are regulated by the franchising director. For three years from 1 January 1996 annual increases in regulated fares are capped in line with the retail prices index from the June 1995 price base. For
  210
  four years from 1 January 1999, increases are capped at RPI minus 1 per cent. There is some limited scope for individual commuter fares—in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Greater Manchester—to exceed the cap where these are balanced by other regulated fares being held below the cap.

  Rail fare index

  Rail fare index 1979=100 (a)

  RPI 1979=100 (b)

  Real rail fare index 1979=100 (c)

  Annual increase in real rail fares

  1979

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  1980

  124.2

  118.0

  105.3

  5.3 per cent.

  1981

  142.1

  132.0

  107.8

  2.2 per cent.

  1982

  163.1

  143.4

  113.8

  5.7 per cent.

  1983

  171.8

  149.9

  114.6

  0.7 per cent.

  1984

  173.6

  157.4

  110.3

  -3.8 per cent.

  1985

  184.6

  167.0

  110.6

  0.3 per cent.

  1986

  197.1

  172.7

  114.2

  3.3 per cent.

  1987

  207.3

  179.9

  115.2

  0.9 per cent.

  1988

  221.7

  188.7

  117.5

  2.0 per cent.

  1989

  241.9

  203.3

  119.0

  1.2 per cent.

  1990

  263.1

  226.1

  118.4

  -2.2 per cent.

  1991

  290.5

  235.6

  123.3

  5.8 per cent.

  1992

  311.7

  244.5

  127.5

  3.4 per cent.

  1993

  333.6

  248.3

  134.3

  5.3 per cent.

  1994

  348.4

  254.4

  137.0

  2.0 per cent.

  1995

  363.9

  263.2

  138.3

  0.9 per cent.

  1996

  377.6

  269.5

  140.0

  1.3 per cent.

  Percentage change from 1996 to 1979 40.0 per cent.

  1 (c) = 100* (a)/(b).

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Airport Infrastructure Investment
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much at current prices was invested in airport infrastructure in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. [11261]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The available figures for investment in airport infrastructure and air traffic control for Great Britain are given. Information was not compiled on a consistent basis before 1983–84.

  £ million

  1983–84

  198

  1984–85

  223

  1985–86

  216

  1986–87

  219

  1987–88

  250

  1988–89

  291

  1989–90

  379

  1990–91

  578

  1991–92

  461

  1992–93

  432

  1993–94

  504

  1994–95

  639

  1995–96

  576

  1996–97

  624

  American Airlines (Heathrow)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of passengers flying with American Airlines through Heathrow airport in 1996; and what is the projected number of passengers in 2005. [10851]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number of passengers who flew with American Airlines through Heathrow airport in 1996 was 1.4 million. American Airlines predicts that this will increase to 2.3 million in 2005 assuming 6 per cent. growth, an open skies agreement and the capacity to use larger aircraft.

  Airports (Access)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to introduce bus priority lanes to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. [10855]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 29 July 1997:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what proposals there are to introduce bus priority lanes to Heathrow & Gatwick Airports.
  The Highways Agency, in partnership with Heathrow Airport Limited, are currently implementing a scheme to provide a dedicated bus and coach lane on the M4 Spur Road to Heathrow Airport. It will reduce journey times for the large number of buses and coaches that use the Spur as well as further encouraging the use of public transport for journeys to and from the airport. Work started on 27 June and is expect to take two months to complete.
  There are no plans at the present time to introduce bus priority lanes on the approaches to Gatwick Airport.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to allow only coaches and other multiple-occupancy vehicles in the outside lanes of motorways on approaches to major airports to reduce congestion. [10856]

  Ms Jackson
  For safety reasons, coaches and buses have been generally banned from the outside, or overtaking lane of motorways with three or more lanes since 1 January 1996 because newer buses and coaches are restricted to 65 mph by their speed limiters. We will be reviewing this ban in 1998, once there has been a full two years operation.

  Exceptionally, the Highways Agency is building an extra offside lane in addition to the existing three lanes on a 0.9 mile stretch of the M4 spur to Heathrow airport, which will be specifically restricted to buses and coaches. This lane is on the offside to accommodate traffic flows at the roundabout at either end of the spur road. The £1 million cost is being met by BAA plc. We have no immediate plans to introduce similar measures at other airports but will be watching the effects of this experiment with interest.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve public transport access to airports. [10854]
  212
  Ms Jackson
  My Department will be studying options for increasing the contribution that public transport can make to access airports, as part of preparation for the integrated transport White Paper.

  London Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive a report from the inspector at the terminal 5 inquiry. [10804]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is not known at this stage precisely when the report will be submitted. The public inquiry into the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow airport is not scheduled to finish until the second half of 1998, after which the inspector will prepare his report on the applications before the inquiry.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the use of reduced separation at Heathrow and Gatwick have been logged in the watch logs at West Drayton during(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [10805]

  Ms Jackson
  I refer to my answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 132. The specific information is not available. The recording of the number of occasions when reduced separation is used is not an operational requirement and is not part of the trial procedure.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of passengers flying with British Airways and its franchisees through Heathrow airport in 1996; and what are the projected numbers in 2005. [10852]

  Ms Jackson
  The number of passengers who flew with British Airways and its franchisees through Heathrow airport in 1996 was 25.4 million. British Airways predicts that this will increase to 32.7 million in 2005.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the loss of flight capacity at Heathrow airport form the closure of the cross-wind runway. [11071]

  Ms Jackson
  The cross-wind runway remains open, and I have made no estimate of the potential capacity loss were it to close.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual passenger capacity for the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow airport on the day of opening; and when he expects it to reach a capacity of 30 million passengers. [10853]

  Ms Jackson
  I have made no such estimates. These are matters for BAA plc as promoter of the scheme, and are being examined by the public inquiry currently under way.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for how many movements and what percentage of movements the cross-wind runway at Heathrow airport has been used in the last five years. [10850]
  213
  Ms Jackson
  Data provided by National Air Traffic Services Ltd., show that in the five-year period from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1996 the cross-wind runway at Heathrow was used as follows:

  Year

  Movements

  Percentage of total movements (all runways)

  1992

  1,347

  0.33

  1993

  255

  0.06

  1994

  136

  0.03

  1995

  256

  0.06

  1996

  241

  0.05

  Railways Act 1993
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make greater use of section 4 of the Railways Act 1993. [11114]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Section 4 of the Railways Act 1993 places a number of duties on the Secretary of State and the Rail Regulator. One of the key powers available to the Secretary of State under the Act, which is covered by these duties, is the power to issue objectives, instructions and guidance to the franchising director. The Government are currently reviewing the franchising director's objectives, instructions and guidance and will make an announcement in due course.

  Transport Projects (Valuation Formula)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the cost-benefit analysis formula used for determining the value of road projects to give greater weight to(a) air pollution, (b) destruction of the natural environment, (c) noise pollution and (d) the existence of public transport alternatives. [11108]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The COBA method does not assess the factors listed by the hon. Member. The effects of a road scheme on air and noise pollution and its impact on the natural environment are set out in the environmental impact assessment, which serves with COBA to determine the value of a road project. Public transport alternatives are considered at an early stage in the development of a scheme when assessing the options to remedy the problems identified.

  The hon. Member will wish to note, however, that the Government, as part of their consultation document "What Role for Trunk Roads in England?", have invited

  Reported injury accidents on the Norfolk section of the A11

  1995

  1996

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Roundabouts

  0

  3

  8

  11

  0

  4

  9

  13

  Dual carriageways

  0

  7

  10

  17

  1

  6

  19

  26

  Single carriageways

  4

  20

  51

  75

  1

  10

  34

  45

  Total

  4

  30

  69

  103

  2

  20

  62

  84

  214
  comments on how the appraisal system might be broadened, including the weighting of environmental factors against economic and safety considerations.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to incorporate safety standards and environmental impact considerations into the formula for calculating the expected rate of return for rail projects; and if he will make a statement. [11109]

  Ms Jackson
  The Department is carrying out a fundamental review of transport policy with the aim of providing a balanced transport system which is efficient, environmentally sustainable and safe, which meets the needs of all sections of society and which provides genuine choice to meet people's future transport needs. The contribution of rail and other modes in achieving these objectives will be carefully examined, together with the implications for how projects should be assessed.

  Bus Services (Subsidy)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the level of public subsidy for bus services outside London in each year since 1984. [112898]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following table shows the level of public transport revenue support for bus services in Great Britain outside London:

  At current prices (£ million)

  At 1995–96 prices (£ million)

  1984–85

  364

  596

  1985–86

  352

  547

  1986–87

  305

  461

  1987–88

  229

  329

  1988–89

  221

  297

  1989–90

  212

  266

  1990–91

  210

  249

  1991–92

  237

  264

  1992–93

  232

  249

  1993–94

  218

  227

  1994–95

  217

  222

  1995–96

  226

  226

  A11 (Accidents)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the trends in road accident figures on the Norfolk section of the A11 over the last two years; and what representations he has received in respect of dualling further sections of the road. [9605]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Road accident figures for the last two years on the Norfolk section of the A11 are shown in the following table.
  215
  A number of representations from hon. Members about the dualling of the All have been received and there have also been representations supporting the dualling of the entire length of the A11. There has also been a campaign conducted by the local media known as "Complete the DuAlling".

  London Transport (Investment)
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much, at current prices, was invested by London Transport in(a) network maintenance and improvements and (b) rolling stock in each year since 1979. [11258]

  £ millions (1995–96 prices)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  National roads

  1,146

  1,136

  1,237

  1,351

  1,243

  1,336

  1,289

  1,326

  1,394

  Local roads

  2,244

  2,245

  2,176

  2,312

  2,362

  2,725

  2,777

  2,821

  696

  Total

  3,390

  3,381

  3,413

  3,662

  3,605

  4,060

  4,067

  4,147

  2,091

  £ millions (1995–96 prices)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  National roads

  1,360

  1,719

  2,120

  2,070

  2,108

  2,140

  2,087

  1,760

  1,573

  Local roads1

  801

  662

  668

  798

  898

  984

  1,001

  897

  713

  Total

  2,161

  2,381

  2,788

  2,868

  3,006

  3,124

  3,088

  2,657

  2,286

  1 For 1979–80 to 1986–87, the entries comprise local authority expenditure on roads. For 1987 onwards, because of a change in expenditure classification, the entries comprise central Government support for local authorities in terms of grant and credit approvals—which do not reflect the total sum of local authority expenditure on roads.

  Railways (Funding)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total level of(a) Government financial support and (b) public subsidies for the railways in each year since 1979 at current prices. [11242]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table provides details of British Rail's external finance requirement for each year from 1980 to 1993–94.

  Year

  £ million (1996–97 prices)

  1980–81

  1,759

  1981–82

  1,949

  1982–83

  1,607

  1983–84

  1,469

  1984–85

  1,803

  1985–86

  1,488

  1986–87

  1,233

  1987–88

  821

  1988–89

  531

  1989–90

  939

  1990–91

  1,317

  1991–92

  1,682

  1992–93

  2,276

  1993–94

  1,569

  The table provides details of the passenger grants paid by the franchising director to train operating companies in each of the three years since the industry was restructured on 1 April 1994.
  216
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is not readily available in the form requested.

  Roads Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the Government spent on roads in each year since 1979 at current prices. [11243]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Road expenditure information is published annually in the "Transport Report". Summary information for years prior to 1985–86 was published in the Government's expenditure plans.

  The expenditure figures requested are as follows:

  align="right">£ million 1996–97 prices

  Year

  Grants paid to private sector TOCs

  Grants paid to TOCs owned by British Rail

  Total grants paid by Franchising director

  1994–95

  —

  1,883

  1,883

  1995–96

  20

  1,696

  1,716

  1996–97

  552

  1,257

  1,809

  Source:

  Figures for 1980–81 to 1986–85 are derived from figures published in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1986–87 to 1988–89". Figures for 1985–86 to 1993–94 are derived from figures published in British Rail's annual reports and accounts. Figures for 1994–95 to 1996–97 are derived from figures published in the "Transport Report 1997", with extra detail provided by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much was invested by British Rail in new rail rolling stock in each year since 1979 at current prices; [11241]

  (2) how much the Government invested in the rail network in each year since 1979 in current prices. [11240]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table shows public sector investment in railway rolling stock, together with total public sector investment in the rail network, for each year between 1979 and 1996–97.
  217

  £ million 1996–97 prices

  Public sector rolling stock investment

  Total public sector investment

  1980

  279

  977

  1981

  219

  831

  1982

  190

  713

  1983

  135

  786

  1984–85

  140

  1,028

  1985–86

  137

  899

  1986–87

  128

  841

  1987–88

  156

  951

  1988–89

  294

  982

  1989–90

  309

  1,173

  1990–91

  359

  1,113

  1991–92

  521

  1,486

  1992–93

  592

  1,628

  1993–94

  452

  1,249

  1994–95

  342

  1,183

  1995–96

  85

  930

  1996–97

  —

  16

  Notes:

  1. Investment directly funded by passenger transport executive is not included.

  2. Figures for 1984–85 cover a 15-month period.

  3. Figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 include investment undertaken by Railtrack, EPS and Union Railways while they were publicly owned but not part of BR. BR rolling stock investment was £212 million in 1994–95 and £29 million in 1995–96, both in 1996–97 prices. Total investment numbers for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are not directly comparable with figures for previous years due to the adoption of a new accounting practice by Railtrack.

  4. The figure for 1996–97 covers British Rail only, excluding any investment undertaken by Railtrack, EPS and Union Railways during the few weeks at the start of the year when they were publicly owned. No separate details of rolling stock investment are available.

  Source:

  Annual reports and accounts of British Rail, Railtrack, European Passenger Services and Union Railways.

  Wyre Piddle Bypass
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on traffic flows in the village of Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire. [9384]

  Dr. Strang
  The latest figures supplied to the Department by Hereford and Worcester county council in July 1996 relate to flows in 1994. They show an annual average daily traffic flow on the main road in the village of between 10,500 and 11,500 with the percentage of heavy commercial vehicles standing at between 11 and 12 per cent.

  London Bus Service Targets
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter to London Transport Buses relating to the new quality of service targets. [10994]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have now placed a copy of my letter to the chairman of London Transport in the Library.

  Wrexham Central Station
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the notices given by the train operator and Railtrack to the franchising director relating to the proposed closure of Wrexham Central station. [11128]
  218
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. The Railways Act 1993 requires the franchising director to publish notices of his acceptance of closure proposals. That has been done in this case. The Railways Act does not require the franchising director to publish the notices given to him by operators or Railtrack. Nor are these items which the franchising director is required to place on his public register.

  Transport Investment (London)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total public investment, at current prices, in transport in London in each year since 1979. [11194]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Figures are not readily available in this form. "Transport Statistics for London 1996" reports total investment in road and rail in London and the south-east for the past 10 years. Transport investment is reported annually in the "Transport Report". Summary information for the years prior to 1985–86 was published annually in the Government's expenditure plans.

  Freight Facilities Grant
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding the Government have provided for the freight facilities grant in each year since the scheme was established. [11302]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following table lists the grants awarded and, where available, the spend in each year since 1975–76 in Great Britain.

  Year

  Award £

  Spend £

  1975–76

  1,038,000

  —

  1976–77

  3,332,000

  —

  1977–78

  6,536,000

  —

  1978–79

  6,967,000

  —

  1979–80

  4,930,000

  —

  1980–81

  8,078,000

  —

  1981–82

  5,077,000

  —

  1982–83

  3,863,000

  —

  1983–84

  9,465,000

  —

  1984–85

  6,213,000

  —

  1985–86

  8,994,000

  7,055,000

  1986–87

  1,945,000

  5,739,000

  1987–88

  1,212,000

  4,205,000

  1988–89

  440,000

  1,600,000

  1989–90

  4,087,000

  1,000,000

  1990–91

  1,188,000

  3,500,000

  1991–92

  1,771,000

  1,200,000

  1992–93

  7,602,000

  1,700,000

  1993–94

  403,000

  5,798,000

  1994–95

  2,912,000

  2,800,000

  1995–96

  7,773,000

  4,000,000

  1996–97

  4,359,000

  3,453,000

  The time needed to construct or procure capital assets means that there is inevitably a lag between award and payment of grant. In some cases where grant has been awarded, the applicant has decided not to proceed with the scheme.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much inward investment, in terms of(a) jobs and (b) total spending in current prices has gone to each region of the United Kingdom in each year since 1979. [11349]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Consistently comparable figures for jobs and capital expenditure are available only from 1985–86 onwards. According to information notified to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the figures are included in a table, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) US, (b) Japanese, (c) French, and (d) German companies have located in Britain since 1979. [11346]

  Mr. McCartney
  According to figures notified to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the number of projects that have located in Britain since 1979 are as follows:

  Total associated jobs (new/safeguarded) by UK region

  Year

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  North-east

  North-west

  Y. Humber

  1979–80

  2,757

  854

  2,794

  1,466

  379

  1,176

  1980–81

  4,474

  3,332

  2,760

  2,923

  913

  890

  1981–82

  5,756

  1,986

  2,429

  1,021

  1,177

  167

  1982–83

  2,258

  901

  1,893

  539

  1,291

  104

  1983–84

  8,567

  4,029

  1,740

  1,786

  1,823

  847

  1984–85

  8,253

  9,412

  6,400

  2,574

  4,544

  1,385

  1985–86

  10,422

  4,139

  2,078

  4,486

  4,380

  5,265

  1986–87

  2,608

  6,559

  3,428

  4,593

  2,575

  786

  1987–88

  9,892

  6,974

  2,712

  4,005

  8,190

  2,913

  1988–89

  5,575

  6,259

  4,257

  3,289

  6,368

  1,956

  1989–90

  8,397

  9,277

  11,395

  5,407

  13,092

  3,358

  1990–91

  6,629

  8,421

  2,743

  2,811

  11,537

  11,391

  1991–92

  4,775

  10,829

  1,096

  6,166

  9,982

  3,462

  1992–93

  8,686

  7,321

  4,099

  5,522

  4,775

  6,815

  1993–94

  12,274

  6,564

  3,631

  6,237

  4,739

  6,327

  1994–95

  10,795

  5,235

  5,259

  9,651

  7,564

  7,019

  1995–96

  11,605

  9,031

  4,451

  13,508

  5,665

  9,531

  1996–97

  11,997

  12,653

  7,205

  7,563

  3,075

  5,333

  Total

  135,720

  69,911

  70,370

  83,547

  92,069

  68,725

  Year

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  East

  South-east

  South-west

  1979–80

  864

  1,174

  n/a

  908

  1,938

  1980–81

  1,040

  276

  n/a

  1,046

  1,008

  1981–82

  425

  290

  n/a

  967

  2,199

  1982–83

  100

  848

  n/a

  1,300

  1,295

  1983–84

  4,380

  1,019

  n/a

  5,703

  909

  1984–85

  2,280

  961

  n/a

  7,412

  2,084

  1985–86

  8,231

  1,134

  n/a

  9,945

  2,077

  1986–87

  7,534

  382

  n/a

  3,513

  973

  1987–88

  10,699

  902

  51

  16,559

  1,158

  1988–89

  8,792

  3,260

  50

  3,344

  513

  1989–90

  15,778

  8,080

  320

  1,330

  1,538

  1990–91

  12,132

  2,061

  1,188

  25,227

  580

  1991–92

  5,648

  424

  4,801

  3,393

  2,980

  220

  Number

  France

  237

  Germany

  471

  Japan

  498

  USA

  2,241

  Figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest. There is no requirement to notify the Department so the figures include only those projects where the IBB and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the number of new jobs created or safeguarded in each region of the United Kingdom attributed to inward investment in each year since 1979. [11196]

  Mr. McCartney
  Consistently comparable figures are available only from 1984–85 onwards. According to my Department's Invest In Britain Bureau, the figures are as follows:
  221

  Year

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  East

  South-east

  South-west

  1992–93

  4,237

  588

  10,995

  7,340

  1,280

  1993–94

  46,439

  3,428

  1,713

  6,866

  2,177

  1994–95

  12,266

  11,670

  2,462

  18,195

  2,093

  1995–96

  11,501

  2,364

  2,253

  21,798

  5,060

  1996–97

  19,738

  6,076

  1,395

  9,657

  9,032

  Total

  172,084

  44,937

  25,228

  144,503

  38,894

  n/a = (Not Available) Eastern Region figures counted within south-east figures before 1997–98.

  Safeguarded job figures counted only from 1983–84 onwards.

  All figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the IBB and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much inward investment the United Kingdom attracted in each year since 1979 in terms of(a) total investment expenditure at current prices, (b) the number of individual inward investment projects and (c) the number of jobs created or safeguarded as a result. [10979]

  Mr. McCartney
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Consistently comparable figures are available only from 1984–85 onwards. According to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau the number of inward investment successes are as follows:

  Year

  Number of projects

  Total number of jobs

  Total investment £ billion (at current prices)

  1984–85

  349

  44,972

  1.4

  1985–86

  420

  52,157

  1.8

  1986–87

  356

  32,951

  1.5

  1987–88

  363

  64,060

  2.2

  1988–89

  348

  43,633

  2.8

  1989–90

  374

  77,992

  5.4

  1990–91

  364

  84,720

  3.8

  1991–92

  353

  53,626

  3.2

  1992–93

  334

  61,667

  2.5

  1993–94

  433

  100,395

  4.3

  1994–95

  454

  92,048

  8.3

  1995–96

  495

  97,782

  7.5

  1996–97

  483

  93,724

  9.3

  Project successes recorded: The figures above are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the IBB and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.

  Total investment figures: The total investment figure is based on the information provided by companies. However, some companies do not wish to provide this information. Therefore, the figures above are not complete and only an indicator of the amount of investment into the UK.

  Minimum Wage and Social Chapter
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the minimum wage rates in each of the

  Expenditure on the Science Budget 1979–80 to 1997–98

  £ million

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Cash

  329.4

  394.0

  439.4

  468.7

  503.2

  535.4

  571.0

  602.7

  658.2

  706

  1997–98 prices

  891.8

  901.6

  916.7

  912.9

  936.7

  948.9

  959.5

  983.1

  1,019.3

  1,025.1

  222
  EU and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, expressed in sterling, at (a) current exchange rates and (b) as a percentage of average wages in that country; and what is the current unemployment rate in each country. [11347]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The information requested about wages is not routinely collected by my Department. All the latest figures available to me are set out in the table.

  Country

  Minimum wage £1

  Percentage of average wage2

  Unemployment rates3

  Belgium

  699 monthly

  60

  9.6

  Canada

  £2.17 hourly

  n/a

  9.5

  France

  621 monthly

  50

  12.6

  Greece

  12 daily

  62

  9.7

  Japan

  26 daily

  n/a

  3.6

  Luxembourg

  732 monthly

  56

  3.7

  Netherlands

  651 monthly

  55

  5.4

  New Zealand

  2.45 hourly

  n/a

  5.9

  Portugal

  191 monthly

  45

  7.2

  Spain

  8.84 daily

  32

  20.8

  USA

  2.85 hourly

  39

  4.8

  Notes:

  NA=Not Available.

  1 Converted at current exchange rates 25 July 1997.

  2 Dolado et al Economic Policy No. 23

  3 Eurostat and OECD for May 1997 except Netherlands (May) New Zealand (Q4 1996) and Greece (1996)

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the business organisations that have made representations to her supporting the minimum wage and the social chapter. [11345]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 5 June 1997,Official Report, column 235.

  Science Budget
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money in current prices the science budget received in each year since 1979. [11343]

  Mr. Battle
  Details of the science budget since 1979–80 are set out below.
  223

  £ million

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Cash

  814.4

  902.0

  935.6

  1,056.4

  1,163.1

  1,220.5

  1,295.1

  1,319.1

  1,330.4

  1997–98 prices

  1,104.9

  1,133.1

  1,104.7

  1,197.2

  1,280.9

  1,324.1

  1,367.5

  1,355.4

  1,330.4

  1. Data are taken from appropriation accounts and supply estimates.

  2. Expenditure has been repriced to 1997–98 prices using the GDP deflator.

  3. Between 1992–93 and 1994–95 there was a phased transfer of funds from the higher education funding councils to the research councils amounting to £154 million in 1994–95, which was associated with the transfer of responsibility to research council project grants of any remaining direct costs except academic staff salaries and the cost of premises and central computing and an overhead contribution assessed at 40 per cent. of total direct staff costs.

  4. Between 1988–89 and 1994–95 certain expenditure of the Agriculture and Food Research Council and its successor council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, totalling some £53 million was met from the receipts from the sale of the Plant Breeding Institute and the National Seed Development Organisation.

  Radio Advertising (Wealth Warnings)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will assess the need for wealth warnings on radio advertising. [11121]

  Mr. Griffiths
  I shall shortly issue a consultation paper on the possibility of dispensing with wealth warnings in the broadcast media, along with a number of other proposals for simplifying and clarifying the Consumer Credit Act.

  I need to ensure that any changes could be made without removing necessary consumer protection or adversely affecting competition among the various media.

  Royal Greenwich Observatory
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the income from work carried out under contract at the Royal Greenwich observatory; if this is taken into account in the projected savings resulting from its closure; and if she will make a statement. [11077]

  Mr. Battle
  The expected income from work carried out under contract by the Royal Greenwich observatory in 1997–98 is £1.97 million. Expected income in the period 1998–99 to 2001–02 was evaluated and taken into account when the long-term benefit to the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council's programme of restructuring and co-location was determined.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the full costs of redundancy payments resulting from the closure of the Royal Greenwich observatory. [11078]

  Mr. Battle
  The Particle Physics and. Astronomy Research Council's report "Future Management of the Observatories" estimated redundancy costs of £5.085 million arising from the restructuring of the royal observatories. The PPARC has indicated that it will minimise redundancies wherever possible.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding(a) the conducting of a full market test of the Royal Greenwich observatory and (b) the consideration of a management-led buy-out of the Royal Greenwich observatory; and if she will make a statement. [11299]

  Mr. Battle
  I have received one representation supporting a market test of the Royal Greenwich observatory and representations from three sources supporting a management-led buy-out. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has made clear 224
  its interest in seeing any proposals which the current RGO management might wish to bring forward for continuing and developing much of the work currently undertaken at the RGO which will not be transferred to the new astronomy technology centre.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact on small businesses of the changes to computer equipment required to accommodate the year 2000. [9533]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 July 1997]: The century date change problem is a serious issue which will affect many businesses, large and small.

  Every business should consider whether its crucial business functions depend on IT systems and take action to deal with those systems. The impact will be much more serious if a business fails to take action where action is necessary. Chief executives must take this issue on board now and ensure that the survival of their business is not compromised.

  Industry and Government need to work together to raise awareness and understanding of this problem and I shall be doing all I can to inject a sense of urgency across as wide a section of the industry and commerce as possible.

  My Department is closely involved with Taskforce 2000, a body set up by the Confederation of British Industry and the IT industry, with our financial support, to spread awareness and co-ordinate action. I have asked officials to explore, with the taskforce and industry, what more can be done to help the private sector to tackle the problem.

  On 22 July I hosted the millennium IT skills summit to tackle the shortage in skilled IT staff and I have called for a report on new initiatives in September.

  Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her letter to the right hon. Member for Wokingham on the views of the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs when in opposition, if such views are permitted to be expressed when they conflict with Government policy. [10460]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: I shall not determine my policy on the issues currently being considered by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in respect of the holiday travel trade until I have received

  225
  the report and had a full opportunity to consider it. My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) had made it clear that he would approach the MMC report with an open mind, but he decided to stand aside from its consideration to ensure that the report would clearly be seen to be considered fairly.

  British Telecommunications plc
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what licence changes the Government propose for BT. [10463]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The Government, in consultation with Oftel, are currently considering the way forward on questions relating to the licence restrictions on BT and other public telecommunications operators, and would expect to publish proposals in the autumn for extensive consultation.

  Internet (Schools)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the issue of the restriction on BT's business currently before the regulator is linked to the question of an Internet connection for every school. [10464]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The Government are considering the issue of the regulatory restrictions which apply to BT, Mercury, Kingston and some other national public telecommunications operators. At the same time, Oftel is in discussion with the whole industry on options for delivering the Government's manifesto commitment to wire up schools to the information superhighway. Both of these issues are of key importance in the development of the UK's information society.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she expects British Telecommunications plc to offer a free Internet connection to every school. [10462]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 25 July 1997]: The Government welcome BT's proposal of a special deal for schools, which aims to link schools to the information superhighway with no connection charge, and provide access to advanced on-line services at affordable and predictable rates. The results of Oftel's current consultation on the proposal will help it to decide how to take the proposal forward so as to get the best possible deal for schools without harming competition. Whatever the final form of the proposal, the same package will be available to all schools who wish it.

  It is of course up to individual institutions to decide whether and how to connect to on-line services, and to decide which services are most appropriate for them. The issue for Government is to make the options available, and to inform schools' choices. This will be promoted by the creation of the national grid for learning, on which we shall be consulting shortly.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the Council of Ministers meetings which took matters handled by her Department since 1 May, and the Ministers who represented the United Kingdom at each. [10326]
  226
  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: The Minister for Science, Energy and Industry attended the Research Council on 15 May and the Energy Council on 27 May.

  The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe attended the Internal Market Council on 20 May.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade and Industry attended the Telecoms Council on 27 June.

  The Minister of State, with Ministers from the Department for Education and Employment attended the Social Affairs Council on 27 June and an informal Social Affairs Council on 3 to 6 July.

  General Affairs Councils have taken trade issues but no DTI Minister has attended since 1 May.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned to take DTI business up to the end of October 1997; and which DTI Ministers will be attending each. [10327]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: Ministerial attendance at Council meetings is dependent on the agenda for each meeting.

  A Telecommunications Council may take place on 2 October, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade and Industry would plan to attend.

  An informal Internal Market Council is planned to take place on 3–4 October, which the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe plans to attend.

  There is a Social Affairs Council planned for 7 October, which may take issues relevant to the DTI, in which case the Minister of State may attend.

  General Affairs Councils are planned for 15–16 September and 6–7 October at which trade policy issues may be taken. No decision has yet been taken on attendance by DTI ministers.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she had made of the impact of a single currency meeting the Maastricht requirements on British business. [10923]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: As the Treasury booklet "EMU Practical Information for Business" makes clear, a single currency would be bound to have an impact on British business, whether or not we join. The Government will examine the impact on Britain's national economic interest, to which British business is central, whenever a decision about joining is considered.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of current sterling levels relative to those 12 months ago on UK competitiveness. [10925]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The Government understand and share the concerns of exporters about the current strength of sterling.

  227
  Competitiveness, however, depends on a range of factors. I am working together with industry to ensure that the whole environment for business in Britain is as favourable as possible.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the advisory group on competitiveness will first meet; and what will be on the agenda. [10927]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The first meeting of the advisory group on competitiveness is expected to take place in September. The discussion will focus on taking forward the Government's "Competitiveness UK" initiative.

  Manufacturing Exports
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received concerning the state of manufacturing exports in the last three months. [10926]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: Ministers and officials in my Department hold regular meetings with members and representatives of the UK business community. Exports are often discussed, and all concerned are keen to see them prosper.

  Advisory Bodies
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the key functions of the technology foresight steering group; when the group was established; by what authority; and if she will list the names of the chairman and secretary. [9635]

  Mr. Battle
  The steering group was set up by the then Minister for Science in 1993 to oversee the planning and subsequent development of the technology foresight programme. Since his appointment in 1995, it has been chaired by the chief scientific adviser, Sir Robert May. The secretariat is provided by the Office of Science and Technology.

  Business Links
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 14 July,Official Report, column 70, what limitations apply under European Community state aid rules in relation to business links support for small firms. [9304]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 23 July 1997]: European Community state aid rules in relation to business link support for small firms apply to those businesses falling within the European Commission's definition of small and medium-sized enterprises.

  SMEs as a whole are defined as having fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover up to 40 million ECUs or an annual balance sheet total up to 27 million ECUs. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are defined as small, with either an annual turnover up to 7 million ECUs or an annual balance sheet total up to 5 million ECUs. In both cases, they should not be more than 25 per cent. owned by a larger enterprise. Finally, the Commission recognises micro enterprises as those businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
  228
  Within this definition, there is no restriction on the level of support to SMEs via the business link network where that support comprises either general information services or initial counselling.

  More substantial assistance, such as consultancy, in-depth counselling or specific skills training, can be funded only up to 50 per cent. of the total cost of that assistance.

  Routine or regular assistance with, for example, accountancy or taxation cannot be supported from public funds as the Commission regards this as part of the normal running costs of a company.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the names and positions of those involved in the UK working party on the European directive relating to patenting and biotechnologies; what timetable they are working to; and what will be the nature of the consultation process relating to this work. [10638]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: Delegations to the Council working group dealing with the Commission's proposed directive on legal protection of biotechnical inventions consist of officials from the Patents Office. Personnel may vary according to agenda items under discussion.

  The European Parliament produced its first opinion on the Commission's proposal at its vote on 16 July, and is seeking some 70 amendments to the Commission's text. We expect the Commission to respond with an amended proposal. When this emerges it will be put before the Council working group for discussion. The current presidency, Luxembourg, of the European Union has outlined its programme for meetings of the working group as 10–11 September, 6–7 and 27–28 October, and 6–7 November 1997, although these may vary depending upon the availability of the Commission's amended proposal.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to boost biotechnology-based business in the United Kingdom. [10076]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is fully committed to strengthening our highly successful UK biotechnology industry. This will be achieved by both securing greater exploitation of our science base and by raising the awareness of opportunities offered by biotechnology to a wide range of industrial sectors.

  On 11 July, my Department announced a second call for proposals under two initiatives, with the aim of improving competitiveness in the sector. The business mentoring and incubator challenge is designed to encourage intermediaries to address the management and business skills required by emerging biotechnology companies. The biotechnology exploitation platforms challenge aims to retain the benefits of publicly funded bioscience research in the UK, by promoting better management and exploitation of intellectual property.

  In addition, my Department continues to promote biotechnology research and development in industry through a range of schemes, including SMART, LINK and EUREKA, which are targeted at small firms and collaborative research projects.
  229
  These departmental initiatives help companies to profit from the results of more than £500 million per annum currently spent by the public sector on biotechnology-related research.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which her Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10743]

  Mr. Griffiths
  The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for all its payroll functions. In discharging these responsibilities the Department utilises a combination of an in-house pay operations unit for gross pay purposes and external contractors for net pay, Chessington Computer Services Limited, and accounting purposes—CSL Managed Services. The information on the costs of systems and processes would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what percentage of employees in her private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9580]

  Mrs. Beckett
  It is not normal practice in my Department to answer questions about small numbers of staff, in order to preserve personal confidentiality unless individuals are content for this information to be provided. Of the 12 staff in my private office two or 17 per cent. are of Asian origin and two or 17 per cent. are of Afro-Caribbean origin.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to change the system of industrial tribunals; and if she will make a statement. [10310]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The Government are fully committed to the industrial tribunals system, which plays an important role in resolving employment rights disputes. It is important that, where we can, we take steps to improve both the services offered by the tribunals and the system of dispute resolution. To this end the Government are giving their full support to a Bill which Lord Archer of Sandwell introduced in the House of Lords on 9 July 1997. The Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill, which received its Second Reading on 25 July, will streamline certain tribunal procedures and will promote voluntary alternative forms of dispute resolution, such as arbitration. These changes, which have been the subject of full consultation, will improve the service offered by the tribunals and give those involved in employment rights disputes additional methods of resolving their disputes.

  Information Society
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies have been commissioned, and 230
  what legislation is under consideration, by the European Commission concerning (a) social cohesion and social exclusion and (b) regional cohesion in respect of the information society; and if she will make a statement. [10199]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 22 July 1997]: Details of the European Commission's activities in these areas are set out in the Commission's Communications COM(96) 607 final "Europe at the Forefront of the Information Society: Rolling Action Plan", and COM (97) 7 final "Cohesion and the Information Society", as well as in its Green Paper COM(96) 389 final "Living and Working in the Information Society: People First", all of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Commission's High Level Expert Group on the Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society has recently presented a report to the Commission entitled "Building a European Information Society for us all".

  Before 1999, the Commission will propose revised regulations or amendments to regulations for structural and cohesion funds. Elements of the structural funds are used to support projects related to the information society.

  Power Stations
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy towards new applications for(a) oil-fired, (b) solid fuel and (c) gas-fired power stations. [11097]

  Mr. Battle
  When assessing applications made under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 we will address local issues and ensure consistency with the wider objectives of secure, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices and meeting of environmental targets.

  Solar Power
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to increase the proportion of electricity in the United Kingdom generated by solar power. [11285]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 10 June 1997,Official Report, column 417. We are currently reviewing policy in this area, including what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010. The Government's support for solar energy will be considered in the context of this review.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the share of the global market in solar power held by British companies. [11229]

  Mr. Battle
  The solar energy—photovoltaic—industry has estimated in its draft strategy, as part of the Government's foresight energy initiative, that UK-based companies currently have 9 per cent. of the world market across the wide variety of PV applications.

  Non-status Lending
  Mr Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will bring forward legislation to implement the guidelines issued by the Director General of Fair Trading on non-status lending. [11183]

  Mr. Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmore Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 18 July 1997,Official Report, column 372.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will list those local authorities in England which fully disregard war pensions when calculating council tax benefits and housing benefit; [9141]

  (2) if she will list those local authorities in England which do not fully disregard war pensions when calculating council tax benefit and housing benefit, indicating the level of disregard applied in each case. [9140]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I have been asked to reply.

  We do routinely collect information on discretionary local schemes for housing and council tax benefits as any such scheme must be funded from an authority's own resources and, therefore, the decision to operate such a scheme is entirely for local authorities. The information requested is therefore not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Commercial Lobbyists
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) on what dates since 1 May(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met commercial lobbyists to discuss matters relating to the business of his Department; and if he will introduce a register of such meetings; [8059]

  (2) on what dates since 1 May (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have attended meetings with organisations representing (i) commercial and (ii) non-commercial interests organised by commercial lobbying firms; and if he will introduce a register of such meetings. [8060]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  It is not my intention to hold or attend meetings solely for the purpose of discussing Members' interests and I therefore have no plans to introduce a register.

  Devolution Referendum
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 509, concerning the referendum on Welsh devolution, what steps his Department will take to ensure that blind and partially sighted voters are aware of the availability of postal votes before the proposed referendum. [9422]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department will liaise with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and will make information available via the various "talking newspapers" in Wales on the timetable for making applications for postal or proxy votes.

  Employment Advertisements
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how often since 1992 his Department has been responsible for employment advertisements that contained age restrictions on those who could apply. [9498]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Not at all.

  "A Voice for Wales"
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if "A Voice for Wales" represented Government policy. [9881]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I published the White Paper, "A Voice for Wales", on 22 July 1997: it represents the proposals of Her Majesty's Government for a Welsh Assembly and reflects the clear manifesto pledge on which the Labour party in Wales won 34 out of 40 seats in the general election.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the potential level of saving relating to non-departmental public bodies under a Welsh Assembly that could not be achieved under present arrangements; [9903]

  (2) if he will invite the National Audit Office to validate estimates of savings that can be made in non-departmental public bodies and public services by the Welsh Assembly. [9880]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Our plans for a Welsh Assembly provide both for the rationalisation of non-departmental public bodies in Wales before it is established and the power for the Assembly to continue this process afterwards. I expect that both elements will yield long-term savings in the form of economies of scale, reduced duplication of effort and lower administration costs. However, it is impossible at this early stage to provide a quantified estimate of such savings, particularly as future decisions will be in the hands of the Assembly itself. Our proposals are in line with the election manifesto.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, columns 638–39, if he will ask the National Audit Office to review the estimates and the assumptions used to make them relating to the establishment and running costs of a Welsh assembly. [11164]

  Mr. Davies
  No. As I said in my answer of 23 July to my right hon. Friend, the figures I published are estimates of what the Assembly itself might decide to spend, not Government expenditure plans, and I have clearly set out the assumptions used. It would not be appropriate to ask the National Audit Office to investigate such matters.

  Departmental Payroll
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with
  233
  other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10737]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  In 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, the Department's pay section and finance division collated and processed payments in respect of its own staff and the staff of the office of Her Majesty's chief inspectorate of schools in Wales, including basic pay, tax and other deductions, overtime, and so on.

  Staff employed on a casual basis and a number of miscellaneous payments for services were paid by the finance division, all other staff were paid by the Chessington Computer Services Ltd., via the SPIRE system—standard payroll input and retrieval system.

  The total cost of providing this service in 1996–97 was £269,000.

  Quangos
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the quangos for which his Department is responsible and indicate the size of their budgets and the names, dates of appointment and retirement and salaries of all paid appointees. [10749]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The non-departmental public bodies for which the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible are listed, together with total gross expenditure budgets and numbers of board appointments, in the annual Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". Further details of appointments, including names, dates of appointment and retirement and salaries are published in the quarterly publication "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales".

  Copies of both publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funding is presently committed from his Departmental budget for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–00 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and whether he will make a statement. [11378]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  There is at present no specifically dedicated budget for this purpose. The Department's main information systems platform is not affected. Remedial work needed on earlier systems is being assessed and any costs will be met from future information systems budgets.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [11382]
  234
  Mr. Davies
  Present plans for expenditure are as follows:

  Current

  Capital

  1995–96

  2,289,835,55

  919,099.59

  1996–97

  2,384,779.31

  1,741,681.88

  1997–98

  4,897,000.00

  1,000,000.00

  1998–99

  4,897,000.00

  600,000.00

  1999–00

  4,897,000.00

  600,000.00

  Expenditure on computer-related work is kept under review to ensure that it meets my Department's operational needs.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was public spending per head in Wales as a percentage of public spending per head in England in 1996–97. [11358]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Information for 1996–97 will be published in the Treasury's public expenditure statistical analysis in March 1998. Identifiable general Government expenditure per head in Wales was 16 per cent. higher than in England in 1995–96.

  Some 42 per cent. of identifiable Government expenditure in Wales is social security, where a number of economic factors result in high levels of social security expenditure in relation to England.

  Owner-Occupation
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of homes in Wales were owner occupied in each year since 1979. [11192]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information on the proportion of owner occupied homes in each year from 1979 is given in the following table:

  Proportion of owner-occupied homes in Wales1

  Owner occupied homes (per cent.)

  1979

  59.3

  1980

  59.7

  1981

  62.4

  1982

  63.8

  1983

  64.6

  1984

  65.1

  1985

  66.0

  1986

  66.7

  1987

  67.8

  1988

  69.1

  1989

  70.5

  1990

  70.8

  1991

  70.9

  1992

  71.0

  1993

  71.1

  1994

  71.1

  1995

  71.2

  1996

  71.3

  1 At 31 December. The breakdown of dwelling stock by tenure is estimated from census information, local authority returns and housing association
  returns.

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what investment Dwr Cymru has made in the water and sewerage system(a) in total and (b) per household in each year since 1987. [11190]

  Dwr Cymru—total capital investment

  £ million

  (1996–97 prices)2

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–971

  Total 1990–97

  Water service

  105.0

  117.1

  116.7

  112.9

  116.5

  110.0

  —

  678.3

  Sewerage service

  84.9

  97.5

  105.5

  82.6

  87.7

  114.6

  —

  572.7

  Total investment

  189.9

  214.6

  222.2

  195.6

  204.2

  224.6

  253.0

  1,504.0

  Notes:

  1 Only total investment in 1996–97 is available in the public domain.

  2 Retail prices index used to obtain 1996–97 prices.

  Source:

  Office of Water Services.

  Dwr Cymru—total capital investment per household

  £/connected property

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–973

  Total 1990–97

  Water service1

  8.4

  9.3

  9.3

  9.0

  9.3

  8.8

  —

  54.0

  Sewerage Service2

  6.6

  7.6

  8.2

  6.5

  6.9

  9.0

  —

  44.8

  Total Investment

  15.0

  17.0

  17.5

  15.5

  16.1

  17.7

  19.9

  98.8

  Notes:

  1 Calculated on the basis of the total number of properties—domestic and non-domestic—connected to the distribution system at the end of the year.

  2 Calculated on the basis of the total number of domestic properties connected to the sewerage system at the end of the year.

  3 Only total investment in 1996–97 is available in the public domain.

  Source:

  Office of Water Services.

  LG Investment
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much LG has announced that it will invest in Imperial park, Newport; and how many jobs this will create. [11263]

  Mr. Hain
  When the project was announced on 10 July last year, LG confirmed its intention to invest £1.7 billion at Imperial park in a project that will create 6,100 new direct jobs.

  Students on further and higher education courses in Wales1

  Academic year

  Open University courses2

  Higher education courses at University of Wales3

  Higher education courses at further and higher education institutions3

  Total higher education courses

  Further education courses at further and higher education institutions

  Total higher education and further education courses

  1979–80

  n/a

  20,789

  12,980

  33,769

  60,712

  94,481

  1980–81

  n/a

  21,667

  13,722

  35,389

  57,783

  93,172

  1981–82

  n/a

  21,300

  14,973

  36,273

  61,668

  97,941

  1982–83

  2,858

  20,888

  15,782

  39,528

  60,158

  99,686

  1983–84

  2,988

  20,050

  17,537

  40,575

  64,751

  105,326

  1984–85

  3,006

  20,486

  18,083

  41,575

  62,257

  103,832

  1985–86

  3,170

  21,520

  19,134

  43,824

  62,821

  106,645

  1986–87

  3,257

  22,674

  19,774

  45,705

  66,981

  112,686

  1987–88

  3,416

  22,886

  20,207

  46,509

  69,837

  116,346

  236
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information is set out in the following tables. Full report year investment data are not available from 1987–88 to 1989–90. Total investment figures for these years in respect of the Welsh Water authority are given in "Waterfacts 93" published by the Water Services Association, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Higher and Further Education
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students were enrolled in(a) higher education and (b) further education for each year since 1979. [11189]

  Mr. Hain
  Figures related to the number of students on further and higher education courses in Wales since 1979–80 are provided in the following table:
  237

  Students on further and higher education courses in Wales1

  Academic year

  Open University courses2

  Higher education courses at University of Wales3

  Higher education courses at further and higher education institutions3

  Total higher education courses

  Further education courses at further and higher education institutions

  Total higher education and further education courses

  1988–89

  3,492

  23,167

  21,314

  47,973

  74,622

  122,595

  1989–90

  3,607

  24,577

  22,455

  50,639

  78,813

  129,452

  1990–91

  3,852

  26,170

  23,938

  53,960

  80,270

  134,230

  1991–92

  3,980

  29,487

  27,775

  61,242

  85,004

  146,246

  1992–93

  4,182

  33,112

  33,005

  70,299

  89,688

  159,987

  1993–94

  4,376

  36,390

  37,022

  77,788

  92,851

  170,639

  1994–95

  4,441

  3—

  79,323

  83,764

  100,506

  184,270

  1995–965

  n/a

  3—

  91,022

  n/a

  125,928

  n/a

  1996–975

  n/a

  3—

  93,508

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Notes:

  1 At November or December for further education colleges, higher education institutions or universities depending on the source. At January for the Open university. Excludes courses run by the Workers Educational Association, the Young Men's Christian Association, sponsored institutions and adult education centres.

  2 Data not available prior to 1982–83 and for 1995–96 or 1996–97.

  3 In the autumn 1994 higher education was collected on a United Kingdom basis by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for all higher education institutions (including universities). Data for 1996–97 exclude higher education courses at further education colleges.

  4 Includes Coleg Harlech from 1992–93 and sixth form colleges from 1993–94. Data for 1996–97 are not available.

  5 Data are provisional.

  Sources:

  Further Education Students Record, Open University, Universities Statistical Record, Higher Education Statistics Agency and the Further Education Funding Council for Wales.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much at current prices was spent on the NHS in Wales in each year since 1979. [11193]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information is as follows:

  1996–97 prices

  Year

  Net expenditure (£ million)

  Uplift factor

  Net expenditure (£ million)

  1978–79

  397.8

  3.075

  1,223.4

  1979–80

  465.5

  2.635

  1,226.6

  1980–81

  598.6

  2.227

  1,333.1

  1981–82

  682.1

  2.031

  1,385.1

  1982–83

  750.2

  1.896

  1,422.1

  1983–84

  796.2

  1.812

  1,442.4

  1984–85

  861.0

  1.725

  1,485.1

  1985–86

  919.5

  1.635

  1,503.7

  1986–87

  988.2

  1.587

  1,568.6

  1987–88

  1,097.5

  1.507

  1,654.1

  1988–89

  1,220.5

  1.413

  1,724.1

  1989–90

  1,324.4

  1.320

  1,748.8

  1990–91

  1,490.6

  1.223

  1,822.4

  1991–92

  1,710.1

  1.149

  1,965.3

  Inward investment into Wales

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Year

  Projects

  New jobs

  Safe jobs

  Capital investment £ million

  Based on 1996–97 constant prices £ million

  1983–84

  29

  3,185

  1,956

  222,128

  402,406

  1984–85

  50

  4,993

  2,742

  134,060

  231,242

  1985–86

  69

  5,496

  1,433

  151,692

  248,061

  1986–87

  100

  4,578

  3,027

  213,771

  339,335

  1987–88

  103

  8,475

  1,933

  371,638

  560,118

  1988–89

  96

  11,924

  1,527

  1,115.461

  1,575.732

  1989–90

  120

  6,359

  5,986

  593,523

  783,694

  1990–91

  147

  8,907

  6,064

  585,139

  715,381

  1991–92

  208

  9,133

  7,646

  1,155,224

  1,327,615

  238

  1996–97 prices

  Year

  Net expenditure (£ million)

  Uplift factor

  Net expenditure (£ million)

  1992–93

  1,912.9

  1.103

  2,109.8

  1993–94

  1,986.6

  1.072

  2,129.2

  1994–95

  2,076.6

  1.056

  2,192.6

  1995–96

  2,178.3

  1.028

  2,238.5

  1996–97

  2,291.3

  1.000

  2,291.3

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was(a) the total value of inward investment in current prices, (b) the number of inward investment projects and (c) the number of jobs created or safeguarded in Wales by inward investment in each year since 1983. [11262]

  Mr. Hain
  The following table provides details of inward investment into Wales on a financial year basis since 1983–84. The figures are based on information provided by the companies at the time of the decision to invest. They take no account of any subsequent developments.
  239

  Inward investment into Wales

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Year

  Projects

  New jobs

  Safe jobs

  Capital investment £ million

  Based on 1996–97 constant prices £ million

  1992–93

  201

  6,627

  7,231

  949,462

  1,047,174

  1993–94

  169

  8,081

  5,856

  765,143

  820,054

  1994–95

  131

  5,603

  3,563

  920,742

  972,160

  1995–96

  122

  6,800

  5,848

  976,174

  1,003.138

  1996–97

  136

  13,798

  3,059

  2,954.552

  2,954.552

  Total

  1,681

  103,959

  57,871

  11,108.709

  12,980.52

  Source:

  Columns 1 to 4—Inward investment database managed by the Welsh Development Agency.

  Column 5—Calculations made by the Welsh Office's EcAD.

  Benefit Dependence
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each county council, and for Wales, the latest numbers of those of working age estimated to be dependent on benefits, and comparative figures for the United Kingdom. [8218]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 15 July 1997]: I have been asked to reply.

  Our objectives are to promote work incentives, to strengthen community and family life, and to reduce poverty and welfare dependency.

  The information requested is not available. However, the number in receipt of income support, the safety net benefit of last resort in Great Britain, Wales and counties in Wales is shown in the table:

  Income support claimants aged under 60

  All

  Claimants

  Partners

  Great Britain

  4,524,000

  3,879,000

  644,000

  Wales

  249,000

  211,000

  38,000

  Clwyd

  30,000

  26,000

  4,000

  Dyfed

  28,000

  23,000

  5,000

  Gwent

  39,000

  33,000

  6,000

  Gwynedd

  20,000

  16,000

  3,000

  Mid Glamorgan

  54,000

  45,000

  9,000

  Powys

  5,000

  4,000

  1,000

  South Glamorgan

  37,000

  33,000

  4,000

  West Glamorgan

  35,000

  30,000

  5,000

  Notes:

  1. For the analysis, working age has been defined as below the age of 60.

  2. If the claimant is of working age then the partner, if present, is counted regardless of their age.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and as such totals may not tally.

  4. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  5. Figures include unemployed people who received income support at August 1996 (pre-dating the introduction of jobseeker's allowance in October 1996).

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1995.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to amend the regulations to allow those on attendance allowance, but ineligible for disability living allowance, to qualify for mobility allowance. [1290]

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it her policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if she will make a statement. [1668]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government recognise the importance of disability living allowance in enabling individuals to enjoy greater dignity and independence. We wish to ensure that the benefits system provides appropriate support to those in greatest need. We are planning to review provision in this area and will announce the scope of this review in due course.

  The mobility element in disability living allowance is intended to reflect the identified need of those who suffer disability before retirement. The extension of the mobility component to those aged over 65 years, the age at which one may be eligible for attendance allowance, would cost an estimated £4 billion for 1997–98 and in the current circumstances it would be unlikely that such a significant extension of entitlement would attract priority.

  Notes:

  1. Estimate is for the full year 1997–98 and is in 1997–98 prices.

  2. Estimate is based on disability living allowance case load statistics and the disability survey 1985.

  3. Estimate is subject to a considerable margin of error and should be treated with caution.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the legislative and regulatory provisions relating to entitlement to war pensions in respect of noise-induced hearing loss in addition to the medical and scientific review. [3565]

  Mr. Denham
  The independent review arises solely from our desire to show that the scientific evidence is clear and unambiguous for the purposes of assessing disablement under the existing legislation. We have no plans to review the legal provisions themselves.
  241
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the discretion which local authorities have to vary the level of war pension which is disregarded when calculating housing and council tax benefit. [9142]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The present arrangements for disregarding war pensions aim to strike a balance between acknowledging the special reasons for payment of the pension and the proper use of public funds. War pensioners already receive preferential treatment and benefit from many advantages over their social security counterparts.

  The discretion that local authorities have to disregard a war disablement pension or a war widow's pension combined with the statutory disregard afford a special treatment to war pensioners and war widows.

  We have no plans to review the present arrangements for disregarding war pensions.

  Poverty
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the estimated number of pensioner households officially living in poverty in(a) Britain,
  (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) the Gedling parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years ago; [4383]

  (2) what is the estimated number of families officially living in poverty in (a) Britain, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) the Gedling parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years ago; [4382]

  (3) what is the estimated number of children living in poverty in (a) Britain, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) the Gedling parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years ago. [4384]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is not available. The policies of the previous Administration led to poverty and social division throughout Britain. The Government are committed to mounting a concerted attack against the worklessness which is causing social and economic inequality and welfare dependency.

  Information on those with low incomes is available in the Government Statistical Service publication, "Households Below Average Income". This annual report seeks to measure potential living standards derived from goods and services financed from disposable income. It provides a range of statistics monitoring the characteristics of people at various points in the income distribution, and describes how changes in income over time have affected particular groups. Complementary information is provided on possession of consumer durables and on household expenditure.

  "Households Below Average Income" was last published in November 1996, and a copy is in the Library.

  UK Pensioners Overseas
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what policy she will adopt on the payment of annual increments to United Kingdom pensioners living overseas. [6155]
  242
  Mr. Denham
  The Government have no plans at present to change the policy that state retirement pensions are uprated only within the European Economic Area and in certain countries with which the United Kingdom has a social security agreement which provides for uprating.

  It would cost some £255 million per year fully to unfreeze those pensions which are not uprated—that is, to bring them up to the rate which would be paid if the pensioners were in the UK. There are competing demands and constraints on social security spending, and it would be wrong to raise expectations that uprating these pensions would be likely to attract priority in current circumstances.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the workings of the compensation recovery unit. [6874]

  Mr. Denham
  We plan to bring the provisions of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 into force on 6 October. The Act will reform the compensation recovery scheme following a report of the Social Security Select Committee. The Act will ensure that compensation in respect of pain and suffering cannot be reduced on account of recovery of social security benefits. It will also protect public funds by ensuring that all recoverable benefits paid as a consequence of accident, injury or disease are repaid by the compensator.

  We will monitor the effects of the reformed scheme and consider whether any further changes are appropriate. In doing so we will have regard to the rights and responsibilities of all parties affected by the benefit recovery process.

  Claimants From Overseas
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who are the subject of sponsorship undertakings have had(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit (i) refused and (ii) curtailed under the rules brought in by SI 1996 No. 30 Social Security (Persons From Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996. [7172]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to a wide-ranging review of the major components of the social security system: our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

  The information requested is not available as data held on sponsored immigrants' benefits do not specify the reason for the refusal of benefit.

  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people subject to sponsorship undertakings have been awarded(a) income support, as an urgent case, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit, due to the death of their sponsor. [7180]

  Mr. Bradley
  We are committed to a wide ranging review of the major component of the social security system: our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:
  243
  Between May 1996 and April 1997, one person was awarded income support due to the death of their sponsor.

  Information on the number of people awarded housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available.

  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary for Social Security how many asylum seekers have had child benefit (i) refused and (ii) curtailed under the rules brought in by SI 1996 Nos. 2327 and 2530 on child benefit since 7 October 1996. [7173]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we shall consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.

  Restrictions, to all persons subject to immigration control and not just to asylum seekers, are applied under section 146A of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. The statutory instruments referred to provide exemption from the general restriction for certain categories.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers whose child benefit claims have been disallowed since 7 October 1996 is not available.

  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers have had(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit, (d) disability living allowance, (e) attendance allowance, (f) family credit, (g) severe disablement allowance, (h) invalid care allowance and (i) disability working allowance 1. refused and 2. curtailed under the provisions of SI 1996 No. 30 Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations. [7174]

  Mr. Bradley
  We are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we will consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available on asylum seekers is in the table.

  Income support claims from asylum seekers: May 1996 to April 1997

  Income support

  Numbers

  In-country asylum claimants refused income support1

  1,309

  Income support claims from asylum applicants curtailed2

  936

  Notes:

  1 Figures are for those claimants refused income support past the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Regulations 1996.

  2 Figures are for those applicants whose income support claims are curtailed as a result of a negative decision by the Home Office on their asylum application post the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Regulations 1996.

  Source:

  Clerical management statistics (not validated).
  244
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the costs to the Benefits Agency resulting from the repeal of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. [7558]

  Mr. Bradley
  We are committed to a wide- ranging review of the major components of the social security system. Our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.

  We have made clear that we are committed to a wide-ranging review of social security. With the Home Office, the Department of Health and other Departments, we will consider all arrangements for asylum seekers to ensure they are dealt with fairly and promptly.

  Earnings Limits
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to alter the limit set in 1988 on earnings allowed before such earnings are taken into account in calculations of benefits. [7239]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. Our welfare to work objectives are to provide work incentives, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to strike a new balance between rights and responsibilities.

  Over the next few months we shall be looking closely at all the features of the benefit system which might have an impact on work incentives. A key priority will be to consider carefully support which enables people to make the transition from benefit into employment. We need to encourage those who wish to do some part-time work without creating a disincentive to take up full—time work. This is exactly the sort of issue we will be looking at as part of our welfare-to-work measures.

  Local Councillors
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the treatment of local councillors' attendance allowances for the purposes of(a) income support and (b) other benefit entitlement. [7445]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Councillors already receive more favourable treatment in income support and jobseeker's allowance compared with most other claimants, including an exemption from the remunerative work rules. However, we shall be looking at all features of the benefit system as part of our review of social security.

  Pensioner Incomes Review
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the review of pensioners' incomes will operate; and how much it will cost. [7560]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Pollock (Mr. Davidson) on 17 July,Official Report, columns 239–41.

  In keeping with our commitment to manage within current cash targets, the cost of the pensions review will be absorbed within the Department's existing running costs limit.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to abolish the jobseeker's allowance. [7564]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age, and our welfare-to-work objectives are to provide work incentives, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to strike a new balance between rights and responsibilities. An extensive programme of monitoring and evaluation is under way to enable us to ensure that jobseeker's allowance is achieving these objectives.

  Unemployed People (Borrowing)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to let unemployed people begin borrowing against future earnings; and what estimate she has made of the cost of the scheme in each of the next three years. [7562]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. Our welfare-to-work objectives are to provide work incentives, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to strike a new balance between rights and responsibilities.

  Over the next few months we shall be looking closely at all the features of the benefit system which might have an impact on work incentives. A key priority will be to consider carefully support which enables people to make the transition from benefit into employment.

  Family Credit Take-up
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase the take-up of family credit; and how much she estimates this will cost. [7557]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to streamlining and modernising the tax and benefit systems to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community and family life.

  We launched the first phase of the new deal for lone parents on 21 July in eight areas across England, Scotland and Wales.

  This will offer lone parents whose youngest child is at school an interview with a personal adviser which will include personalised advice on in-work benefits and in particular family credit.

  We also recently announced that Martin Taylor, chief executive of Barclays plc, will lead a Whitehall task force to review this area.

  Single Room Rent Allowance
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much she estimates that her changes to housing benefit regulations will cost. [7561]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  My. right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 June her intention to revoke the extension of the single room rent allowance to 246
  single people between the ages of 25 and 59. This measure was inherited from the previous Administration and they estimated that the savings were £6 million 1997–98, £47 million in 1998–99 and £69 million in 1999–00. The revocation of the measure will therefore cost these sums.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which rates of non-dependant charges will be increased to fund the withdrawal of the single room rent allowance for single people aged 25 to 59 years living in the private rented sector; and what the increase for each non-dependant rate will be; [10932]

  (2) when non-dependant charges will be increased to fund the withdrawal of the single room rent allowance for single people aged 25 to 59 years living in the private rented sector; and what the transitional protection arrangements will be. [10933]

  Mr. Bradley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced, as part of our commitment to keep spending within the planned ceiling for social security expenditure, our decision to adjust the levels of non-dependant deductions from April 1998, and our intention to protect those in greatest need. A final decision on the levels of deductions will not be taken until our annual review of benefit rates is completed later in the year. We will announce the outcome of the review on non-dependant deductions at that time.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the withdrawal of the single room rent allowance for single people aged 25 to 59 years living in the private rented sector is to be funded solely by increasing non-dependant charges. [10934]

  Mr. Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 2 July 1997,Official Report, columns 207–09.

  The measures announced will ensure that we meet our commitment to keep spending within the planned ceiling for social security expenditure.

  Pensions Entitlement
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost of introducing a pensions entitlement. [7563]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Pollock (Mr. Davidson) on17 July,Official Report, columns 239–41.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the effect on Government revenues in a full year of(a) a £10 and (b) a £100 increase in the real level of the national insurance contribution ceiling. [8199]
  247
  Mr. Denham
  The estimated effects on national insurance contribution revenue for 1998–99 are +£190 million and +£1,505 million respectively.

  Notes:

  1. The figures assume that the weekly upper earnings limit on employees' class 1 contributions would be increased by an additional £10 and £100 from April 1998, and that corresponding increases would be made to the upper profits limit on class 4 contributions paid by self-employed people.

  2. The figures also assume that the additional increases would not be applied to the upper earnings limit used for the calculation of employee and employer contracted-out rebates, that the current 10 per cent. class 1 contribution rate would apply to earnings above the present upper earnings limit and that the current 6 per cent. class 4 contribution rate would apply to profits above the present upper profits limit.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the effect on Government revenues in a full year of(a) a freeze and (b) a £10 reduction in the level of the 5 per cent., 7 per cent. and 10 per cent. thresholds for employers' national insurance contributions. [8201]

  Mr. Denham
  The estimated effects on national insurance contribution revenue for 1998–99 are +£125 million and +£355 million respectively.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the main taxable benefits in kind which are not subject to national insurance contributions. [8202]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table:

  Type of taxable benefit

  Net amount chargeable to tax (1995–96)

  Private medical insurance

  £650 million

  Ownership of cars and property transferred to employee

  £200 million

  Beneficial loans

  £200 million

  Living accommodation

  £170 million

  Notes:

  1. This figure is likely to include some payments by employers made to third parties on behalf of employees which are subject to class 1 NICs.

  2. Regulations exclude payments in kind, services, facilities and accommodation from class 1 NICs. These are not identical with taxable benefits declared on the P11D but the two are broadly similar and therefore the figures on the right hand side give a good indication of the amounts of taxable benefits not subject to NICs.

  Source:

  Inland Revenue—taxable benefits specifically reported on form P11D.

  Statutory Sick Pay
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost to(a) employers and (b) the Exchequer of extending entitlement to statutory sick pay to employees with earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions assuming that (i) entitlement is at the standard rate of SSP
  248
  and (ii) entitlement is limited to a replacement of normal earnings, giving figures (1) gross and (2) net of any savings in other benefits. [8197]

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

  We aim to ensure a measure of financial help for people during short periods of sickness; to support employers, particularly small businesses, in their administration of the statutory sick pay scheme; and to secure value for taxpayers' money.

  Based upon Government Actuary's Department best estimates of SSP case load, it is estimated that providing sickness cover to employees earning below the lower earnings limit equivalent to the standard rate of SSP would cost approximately £120 million at 1996–97 levels.

  Statutory Maternity Pay
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the effect on Government revenues in a full year of a 1 per cent. change in the employers' standard recovery rate for statutory maternity pay. [8200]

  Mr. Denham
  We aim to help women balance their careers and family responsibilities; to support employers, particularly small businesses, in their administration of the statutory maternity pay scheme; and to ensure value for taxpayers' money.

  The standard recovery rate of SMP for large employers is 92 per cent. It is estimated that a 1 per cent. adjustment in the standard rate would lead to a change in Government revenues of £5 million in 1998–99. Small businesses are able to recover SMP costs in full.

  Accommodation Costs Review
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will give for the review of regulations restricting the eligibility of single claimants other than young people to accommodation costs(a) the expected completion date and (b) the cost of conducting the review. [8255]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The decision to revoke the regulations, which would have restricted housing benefit for single claimants aged 25 to 59, was announced on 18 June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  The draft regulations to bring about the change were referred, in accordance with the statutory requirement to do so, on 11 July to the social security advisory committee and the local authority associations for their consideration. Subject to their views, the regulations will be made and laid as soon as possible.

  The review was conducted as part of the Government's overall review of the package of measures we inherited from the previous Administration. It was an internal review, carried out as part of the Government's day-to-day business. I am therefore unable to give a cost which relates specifically to this issue.

  Stationery
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much her Department spent on stationery provision in respect of paper items in each of the last five years. [8868]

  Mr. Field
  Information is not available in the format requested.

  Details of departmental expenditure on printing and stationery in the last five years are as follows:

  1992–93: £45,405,909

  1993–94: £53,417,645

  1994–95: £53,741,136

  1995–96: £64,162,566

  1996–97: £58,229,968.

  Notes:

  1. Departmental expenditure on printing of forms, leaflets etc. and procurement of desk top equipment such as staplers, pens, calculators and paper is brought to account against one general heading of "printing and stationery".

  2. The production costs of instruments of payment—such as order books and girocheques—are not included as a general printing and stationery expense.

  Housing Benefit (Blackpool)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently claiming housing benefit in Blackpool. [8681]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  At the end of November 1996, there were 14,910 recipients of housing benefit in Blackpool. A recipient may be a single person or a couple.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, quarterly 100 per cent. case load count with and without income support taken at the end of November 1996.

  Benefit Disregards
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to vary benefit disregards for the disabled. [8909]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to a review with the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and promoting work incentives. Provision for disabled people will form part of that review.

  Industrial Injury Benefit
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997 as they relate to the backdating of industrial injuries disablement benefit, with particular references to the award of benefit to claimants suffering industrial injury from asbestosis or mesothelioma; and if she will make a statement. [8933]

  Mr. Denham
  In our manifesto we promised to build a modern welfare state. The publication of the Social Security Bill on 10 July 1997 was a key step towards this aim.

  We are determined that making a claim should be a straightforward matter for those entitled to benefit. The Social Security Bill provides for equal treatment when claiming social security benefits, including industrial injuries disablement benefit, with entitlement for a past
  250
  period restricted to one month. Those suffering from asbestos related diseases have benefited from improvements to the rules that came into force from 9 April 1997, which include the removal of the 90-day waiting period for sufferers from mesothelioma and the widening of the range of occupations covered for this disease.

  State Earnings-related Pensions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will give an undertaking that the value of SERPS will be uprated in exact line with prices during the lifetime of the present Parliament. [8991]

  Mr. Denham
  We have announced a wide-ranging review of all aspects of pensions. Our long-term objective is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build up an adequate pension to guarantee security in retirement. We will retain SERPS for those who wish to remain in it and introduce a citizenship pension to help people who lose out on pension entitlements because they assume responsibility as carers.

  We aim to build a society in which there is a wide consensus on the future for pensions, both now and tomorrow, and to provide dignity in retirement for the whole nation.

  The Government have no plans to bring forward in the review proposals to change the uprating of SERPS.

  State Pension (Age Addition)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of raising the addition to the basic state pension for those aged 80 years or over from 25p to(a) £3 per week and (b) £5 per week, assuming no change in the thresholds for means-tested benefits. [9320]

  Mr. Denham
  We believe that all pensioners should share fairly in rising national prosperity and are committed to examine the means of delivering more help to the poorest pensioners—many of whom are over 80. We will retain the basic state pension as the foundation of pension provision, increasing it at least in line with prices.

  The estimated net cost of increasing the 25p age addition paid to those pensioners aged 80 years and over is £200 million and £350 million a year respectively.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Source:

  Gross costs provided by Government Actuary's Department. Net costs taking account of income related benefit offsets have been calculated by the Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the extra 25p to pensioners over the age of 80 years; what was the cost of its administration in each year since 1992; and what estimate she has made of the cost of each in each of the next five financial years. [11072]

  Mr. Denham
  We have announced a wide-ranging review of all aspects of pensions. Our long-term objective is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build up an adequate pension to guarantee security in retirement.
  251
  We aim to build a society in which there is a wide consensus on the future for pensions, both now and tomorrow, and to provide dignity in retirement for the whole nation.

  The 25p age addition is paid automatically to all those in receipt of a state retirement pension when they reach age 80; administration costs are therefore minimal.

  The cost of the age addition paid to pensioners over 80 since 1992 and for the next five years is given in the table.

  Year

  Estimated expenditure on age addition £ million

  1992–93

  29

  1993–94

  30

  1994–95

  31

  1995–96

  31

  1996–97

  32

  1997–98

  32

  1998–99

  31

  1999–00

  31

  2000–01

  32

  2001–02

  33

  1. Estimates have been prepared by the Government Actuary's Department. Recipients of retirement pension, non-contributory retirement pension and industrial industries death benefit are included. Estimates for past years are based on the actual numbers over 80 on each benefit in question.

  2. Estimates are in cash prices and rounded to the nearest £1 million. They relate to the gross cost of the addition, i.e. any income-related benefit effects of not paying the addition are not taken into account.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of employees in her private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9583]

  Mr. Denham
  The total percentage of staff working in the Department of Social Security private office who are of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin is 13.3 per cent.

  Our code of practice on ethnic origin surveys prevents our giving information which will identify individuals; I am therefore unable to provide a further breakdown.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (i) single men, (ii) single women and (iii) married couples aged(a) 65 to 69, (b) 70 to 74,
  (c) 75 to 79 and (d) 80 years or over are failing to take up their entitlement to income support; and what amount is unclaimed by each group. [9319]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The position under the previous Administration when up to 1 million pensioners did not claim the income support to which they are entitled cannot be allowed to continue. We are commissioning research to find out whey they did not claim income support.

  The number of benefit units with a head over 60 not claiming the income support to which they are entitled is estimated to be between 810,000 and 1,100,000. The total amount unclaimed is estimated to be between £590 million and £800 million.
  252
  Estimates for the age groups specified for 1994–95 are in the table.

  Numbers not claiming their entitlement to income support (rounded to the nearest 10,000)

  Age

  Single men

  Single women

  Couples

  65 to 69

  10,000

  70,000

  30,000

  70 to 74

  20,000

  150,000

  40,000

  75 to 79

  20,000

  170,000

  40,000

  80 and over

  40,000

  310,000

  40,000

  Amount of income support unclaimed (rounded to the nearest £10 million)

  Age

  Single men

  Single women

  Couples

  65 to 69

  Less than £10 million

  £30 million

  £40 million

  70 to 74

  Less than £10 million

  £80 million

  £30 million

  75 to 79

  Less than £10 million

  £90 million

  £30 million

  80 and over

  £30 million

  £240 million

  £40 million

  1. It should be noted that the true figures may be higher or lower.

  2. Estimation methods are described in "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 1994–95", a copy of which is in the Library.

  3. The estimates for single men and for couples should be treated with particular caution as they are based on small samples.

  4. All estimates relate to 1994–95.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the value of income support for a single pensioner aged 80 years or over as a percentage of average earnings; and what it will be in(a) 2000, (b) 2010, (c) 2020, (d) 2030 and (e) 2040, assuming real earnings growth of (i) 1.5 per cent., (ii) 2 per cent. and (iii) 2.5 per cent. and upratings in line with the retail prices index. [10115]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 24 July 1997]: The policies of the previous Administration have created real poverty, growing inequality and widespread insecurity for pensioners. We believe that pensioners should share fairly in the increasing prosperity of the nation. Our review of pensions is looking at the central areas of pensions insecurity for elderly people. Pensions are of key importance to people's lives and it is vital to build a sustainable consensus on the way forward so that everyone can look forward to a secure and dignified retirement.

  The information requested is in the table:

  Single pensioner's (over 80) income support as a percentage of estimated average earnings

  Real growth of average earnings per year

  Date

  1.5 per cent.

  2.0 per cent.

  2.5 per cent.

  April 1997

  20.6

  20.6

  20.6

  April 2000

  19.7

  19.4

  19.2

  April 2010

  17.0

  15.9

  15.0

  April 2020

  14.6

  13.1

  11.7

  April 2030

  12.6

  10.7

  9.1

  April 2040

  10.9

  8.8

  7.1

  1. April 1997 data based on current benefit rates and the estimated gross weekly earnings of full-time employees from the Office for National Statistics.

  2. The estimates for the future are based on the assumption of no growth in real terms in the value of income support for a pensioner over 80.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit in the Bolton, West constituency. [9685]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government strongly believe that for people of working age, work is the best form of welfare. We are committed to giving opportunities to sick and disabled who have some capacity for work to do so. Some £200 million from the windfall levy has been set aside to fund this important programme of work and other measures.

  The information is not available in the format requested.

  As at 28 February 1997, the number of people in receipt of incapacity benefit in the Benefits Agency Bolton, West district was 13,7601.

  Notes:

  1. This figure is based on the 5 per cent. sample of the pensions strategy computer system—INCAP—and does not include some clerical cases which are not held on the system.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 519, on incapacity benefit, if the sum of £200 million will cover measures unrelated to helping sick and disabled people enter the work force. [11166]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are committed to increasing opportunities to work for people who are disabled or who have long-term health problems. Some £200 million from the windfall levy has been set aside to fund this important programme and other measures. The University for Industry will receive £5 million as start-up funding from the "other measures" element of the package. We are currently considering how to help most effectively those sick and disabled people who want training or work, and will make announcements in due course.

  Asthma
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many registered days of certified incapacity due to sickness and invalidity caused by asthma there were in 1995; and what estimate she has made of the cost in terms of benefits. [10230]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for East Devon (Sir P. Emery) on 22 July,Official Report, columns 576–77.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on the code of practice for the purposes of identifying fraudulent claims for benefit; and if she will make a statement. [10394]

  Mr. Denham
  We have, in consultation with other Government Departments been developing a draft departmental code of practice on datamatching. We have undertaken to publish this voluntary code of practice before using new sources of data allowed by the Fraud Act. In line with a previous commitment, we will be offering the draft code to the Data Protection Registrar for discussion before publishing a final code.

  Computer-related Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–00; and if she will make a statement. [11391]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The bulk of the Department of Social Security's information technology-related expenditure is accounted for by the Information Technology Services Agency which exists to provide IT services both to DSS and to certain other Government Departments. ITSA's total actual and estimated expenditure on the provision of such IT services is set out in the table.

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Current expenditure

  354.126

  359.251

  356.463

  Capital expenditure

  81.370

  24.100

  23.384

  Of this expenditure, the Department recovers the following sums mainly in respect of services provided to other Government Departments.

  1995–96: £94.573 million

  1996–97: £50.532 million

  1997–98 (estimated): £35.192 million

  Additional departmental IT expenditure, not accounted for by ITSA, is as follows:

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Current expenditure

  8.655

  6.846

  7.751

  Capital expenditure

  18.529

  19.612

  18.084

  Detailed spending plans for 1998–99 and 1999–00 have not yet been finalised.

  Compensation Recovery Scheme
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made towards introducing regulations to reform the compensation recovery scheme. [11697]

  Mr. Denham
  We have announced today that the provisions of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 will come into force on 6 October. We expect to lay the regulations made under the provisions of the Act in early September. Together, the Act and the regulations will make compensators liable to repay benefits which have been paid as a result of an accident, injury or disease;
  allow compensators to reduce compensation payments to take account of benefit recovery but only where the benefits and compensation meet the same need;
  ensure that compensation paid for pain and suffering cannot be reduced; and
  remove the current small payments limit of £2,500 at or below which benefit recovery does not apply.

  Taxation
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish data in the manner of the tax benefit model tables for families whose head is a full-time employee with ranges of gross earnings from £50 to £310 in bands of £20 for(a) a lone parent owner occupier with one child under five years, assuming no child care costs, (b) lone parent owner occupier with one child under five years, assuming child care costs of £40 per week and (c) married couple owner occupier with two children aged under five years and aged five-10 years, assuming no child care costs. [8515]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 17 July 1997]: The information has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents currently take advantage of the £60 per week disregard for child care costs in family credit, and of these how many she expects to take advantage of the £100 per week disregard introduced in the Budget. [10794]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: As at February 1997, the latest date for which information is available, there were 28,400 lone parents receiving help with child care costs in family credit. Of these, 2,000 lone parents with two or more children have child care costs of more than £60 per week.
  256
  The increase in the maximum allowed child care costs will help those already claiming with two or more children, some further lone parents already working will be drawn into entitlement, and will ensure that work pays for some lone parents not currently working. It is not possible to quantify these behavioural effects with any certainty.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will raise the maximum family credit ceiling; and what is her estimate of the number of families which will benefit from the increase in the maximum allowed child care costs. [10918]

  Mr. Bradley
  [holding answer 28 July 1997]: The maximum family credit ceiling is reviewed in the uprating order each year.

  As at February 1997, the latest date for which information is available, there were approximately 2,200 families with two or more children with child care costs of more than £60 per week claiming family credit.

  The increase in the maximum allowed child care costs will help those already claiming with two or more children, some further families already working will be drawn into entitlement, and will ensure that work pays for some families not currently working. It is not possible to quantify these behavioural effects with any certainty.

  Iraqi Military Personnel in the UK
  Iraqi Military Personnel in the UK
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Control of Arms Provision
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Control of Arms Provision
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Weapons and Training Provision by UAR
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Weapons and Training Provision by UAR
  Arms Exports
  Arms Exports
  NAAFI
  NAAFI
  Gulf War Illness: Research at DERA
  Gulf War Illness: Research at DERA
  Parked or Broken Down Vehicles: Accidents
  Parked or Broken Down Vehicles: Accidents
  Blackwall Tunnel Closures
  Blackwall Tunnel Closures
  Railway Land: Clearance of Litter
  Railway Land: Clearance of Litter
  Roads Programme
  Roads Programme
  Bus and Coach Drivers: Use of Mobile Phones
  Bus and Coach Drivers: Use of Mobile Phones
  "Highway Code": Personal Security
  "Highway Code": Personal Security
  House of Lords Members' Interests
  House of Lords Members' Interests
  Firearms Administration in Scotland: Inspectorate's Report
  Firearms Administration in Scotland: Inspectorate's Report
  Smoking and Asthma
  Smoking and Asthma
  Osteoporosis Report: Implementation
  Osteoporosis Report: Implementation
  Osteoporosis in Men
  Osteoporosis in Men
  Osteoporotic Fractures
  Osteoporotic Fractures
  BSE
  BSE
  Parliament: Visitor Statistics
  Parliament: Visitor Statistics
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research Grants
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research Grants
  Scottish Devolution and the Union Flag
  Scottish Devolution and the Union Flag
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  Firearms Consultative Committee: Annual Report
  Firearms Consultative Committee: Annual Report
  Probation Officers: Training and Qualification
  Probation Officers: Training and Qualification
  Ashford Great Park Development: Church Commissioners' Report
  Ashford Great Park Development: Church Commissioners' Report
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Fire Safety Regulations
  Fire Safety Regulations