Written Answers of 17 March 1997

TREASURY

  Arms to Iran Affair
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the official inquiry by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise into BMAR has found evidence of knowledge or involvement in illegal arms exports to Iran by the right hon. Member for South Thanet (Mr. Aitken). [17903]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Customs' investigation is not yet complete—the result of some overseas inquiries is still awaited. It is not normally the practice of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to comment on investigations of individuals or companies not yet accused of criminal offences. To do so could risk prejudicing any on-going inquiries or future criminal proceedings. I can, however, say in the particular circumstances of this investigation that inquiries to date have not produced any evidence which would support any criminal proceedings against any person, including my right hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) in relation to the exports by BMARC which were alleged to have ended up in Iran.

  Government Receipts (Scotland)
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the estimated Government receipts in Scotland by source for the last year for which figures are available. [19499]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 10 march 1997]: The table shows the figures requested. With the exception of corporation tax receipts, these figures were published by the Scottish Office in table 10 of "Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland 1994–95".

  Estimates of General Government Receipts in Scotland, 1994–95

  £ billion

  Income tax

  5

  Social security contributions

  3.7

  VAT

  3.6

  Council tax and non-domestic rates

  2.1

  Corporation tax

  1.8

  All other receipts1

  5.9

  Total receipts1

  22.1

  1 Excluding North sea revenues.

  Fiscal Deficit (Scotland)
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the fiscal deficit in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available. [19498]

  Mr. Waldergrave
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: Excluding privatisation proceeds and North sea revenues, the general Government deficit in Scotland is estimated to have been £8.2 billion in 1994–95.
  358

  Government Expenditure (Scotland)
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was general Government expenditure in Scotland in(a) identifiable, (b) non identifiable, (c) programme and (d) other expenditure categories, in the last year for which figures are available. [19553]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: Total expenditure on services by country and function for 1994–95 is given in table 7.7 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1996–97" Cm 3201.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest available figures for(a) GDP and (b) GDP per head, for the four countries of the United Kingdom, including the continental shelf, in (i)current and (ii)1996–97 prices; what proportion of GDP for the United Kingdom continental shelf is ascribed to each country in these figures; and what would be the equivalent figure for Scottish GDP and Scottish GDP per head if 90 per cent. of the United Kingdom continental shelf were in the Scottish totals. [19406]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The table shows the figures available. Estimates of GDP at factor cost by region are available only in current prices. The continental shelf is treated in the regional accounts as a separate region, and hence its estimated GDP can not be ascribed to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

  Estimates of GDP and GDP per head at factor cost in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Continental Shelf, 1995(current prices)

  GDP(£ million)

  GDP per head (£)

  England

  504,893

  10,324

  Scotland

  50,713

  9,872

  Wales

  24,618

  8,440

  Northern Ireland

  13,868

  8,410

  Continental shelf

  10,348

  —

  Notes:

  1. Ninety per cent. of the GDP of the continental shelf is equal to £9,313 million.

  2. Since there is no resident population in the continental shelf region GDP per head for the continental shelf cannot be calculated.

  3. The GDP for the UK continental shelf comprises profits and stock appreciation which cannot be assigned to regions of the UK. The income from employment of continental shelf employees is, however, allocated to the region of residence of the employee and cannot be separately identified within the regional GDP estimates.

  4. Estimates of GDP by region at factor cost are only available in current prices, which means that an increase over time reflects inflation as well as real growth. There are no regional price indices which could be used to remove the effect of inflation from the figures. Constant price estimates could be made using UK price indices, but these would be misleading if prices and price changes had varied significantly between different parts of the UK.

  Source:

  Economic Trends, January and February 1997 edition.

  Personal Pensions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount which has been paid in compensation to people who were mis-sold personal pensions. [20016]
  359
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Figures published by the Personal Investment Authority, the regulator responsible for most of the firms involved in the review of personal pensions mis-selling, estimates that about £60 million of compensation had been made in the period up to 31 December 1996.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the companies which have mis-sold personal pensions. [19945]

  Mrs. Knight
  It is not possible to compile such a list at this stage.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been mis-sold personal pensions. [19946]

  Mrs. Knight
  It is not yet possible to provide a reliable estimate of the number of people who have been mis-sold a personal pension.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total cost of compensation likely to be paid to people who were mis-sold personal pensions. [20022]

  Mrs. Knight
  There is no reliable estimate available of the total cost of compensation that is likely to be paid to people who have been mis-sold personal pensions.

  Domestic Fuel (VAT)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of value added tax on domestic fuel. [20107]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: VAT was applied to domestic fuel for sound environmental and revenue reasons, which continue to apply. The Government have no plans to change the current rate of 8 per cent. VAT, which applies to domestic fuel. The yield from this measure is about £1.1 billion a year.

  Suicides and Fatal Accidents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of the population have(a) committed suicide and (b) suffered a fatal accident in each of the last seven years; and if he will make a statement. [20037]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 13 March 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 John Fox to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Director of the Office for National Statistics to reply to your recent question asking how many and what percentage of the population have (a) committed suicide and (b) suffered a fatal accident in each of the last seven years. The Director has asked me to reply in his absence.
  360
  The figures for England are provided in the table below.

  Year

  Suicides (ICD91)codes E950–E959 and E980–E989 excl.E988.8)

  Suicides per 100,000 population

  Fatal accidents (ICD91 codes E800–E929)

  Fatal accidents per 100,000 population

  1989

  5046

  10.6

  11111

  23.2

  1990

  5240

  10.9

  10597

  22.1

  1991

  5183

  10.8

  9944

  20.6

  1992

  5126

  10.6

  9516

  19.7

  1993

  4929

  10.2

  9617

  19.8

  1994

  4780

  9.8

  9417

  19.3

  1995

  4816

  9.8

  9369

  19.2

  1 International Classification of Diseases, ninth Revision

  Married Couples (Tax Allowances)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission a report from the Inland Revenue on arrangements for allowing a husband and wife to elect(a) to transfer between them the personal tax allowances to which each is entitled and (b) to set the tax allowances and the amounts chargeable at the lower and basic rates of income tax to which both are entitled against the sum of their total incomes; and if he will ask the Inland Revenue to assess (i) the advantages and disadvantages of these arrangements,(ii) their cost to the Exchequer,(iii) a timetable for their introduction and (iv) the tax treatment of married couples in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. [20377]

  Mr. Jack
  The tax system already provides a special allowance for married couples, and the Government believe that, by rewarding hard work through reducing tax rates, married couples with continue to benefit under their policies. Nearly two thirds of the income tax package in the 1996 Budget will benefit married couples directly. Against that background, I have asked the Inland Revenue to produce a report about the arrangements that my hon. Friend mentions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 76, on the national police management training policy for Indonesia; if he will place a copy of the submission from the head of eastern Asia department in the Library. [20699]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  In my answer of 24 February,Official Report, column 76, I undertook to write to the hon. Member about the release of this document. I did so on 12 March and a copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Decentralisation Support
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries received support from his Department for financial decentralisation in 1991. [20170]
  361
  Dr. Liam Fox
  The promotion of economic reform and other good government policies in developing countries and in the countries of central and eastern Europe and central Asia is one of the key aims of the UK development assistance programme. ODA funds are commonly used to promote public service reform, which includes delegated management. As a result, support for projects in this area, including for financial decentralisation, is a common feature of almost every bilateral assistance country programme. Precise details of the sort requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Great Lakes
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of his Department's budget was allocated to the Great Lakes area of Africa in the last year(a) bilaterally and (b) multilaterally; and if he will make a statement. [20103]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Timms) on 27 January,Official Report column 14.

  Trade Union Movements (Aid)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for 1991 those countries whose trade union movements received support from his Department. [20105]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Under the joint funding scheme, the following countries and regions received support during the funding period 1990–91 to 1991–92:

  Tanzania

  Uganda

  Kenya

  Southern Africa (Regional)

  Caribbean (Regional).

  Under the workers group development scheme, the following countries and regions received support during the funding period 1991–92 to 1993–94:

  South Africa

  Namibia

  Botswana

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe

  Africa (Regional)

  India

  Occupied Territories

  Barbados

  Montserrat

  Guyana

  Caribbean (Regional).

  In 1991, information about support for trade union movements drawing on other funding sources was not recorded centrally. It would involve disproportionate cost to collate such information now.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had 362
  with the Rwandan Government concerning international assistance for returning refugees; and if he will make a statement. [20104]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  HM ambassador in Kigali has regular discussions with the Government of Rwanda, international aid agencies and non-governmental organisations on Rwanda's rehabilitation needs, including assistance for the resettlement of returning refugees. Since 1995 we have committed nearly £20 million bilaterally in support of Rwanda's rehabilitation programme and £18.5 million as our contribution to EU rehabilitation assistance.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Romford (Sir M. Neubert) of 3 March,Official Report, column 497, on the millennium exhibition, if he will make a statement on the methodology by which the figure of 10 million expected visitors was determined. [19834]

  Mr. Freeman
  A MORI poll conducted by the operating company before Christmas indicated potential visitor numbers of 13.5 million could be achieved if efforts were made to maximise attendance. The original indicative budget produced by Millennium Central Limited was prepared on this basis. As part of the process of refining the indicative budget, the amount to be expended on maximising visitor numbers was reduced and the estimate of visitor numbers was reduced accordingly to 10 million.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance he has issued to non-departmental public bodies following the Cadbury and Greenbury reports; and if the guidance reflects all the recommendations in those reports. [20432]

  Mr. Freeman
  Following the publication of the Cadbury report and its recommended code of best practice, the Treasury prepared a model code of best practice for board members of public bodies, which was issued in June 1994. This applied the Cadbury principles, where appropriate, to members of public bodies such as executive non-departmental public bodies. The model code has recently been revised and replaced by guidance on codes of practice for board members of public bodies, which was published by the Cabinet Office (OPS) in February 1997 in the White Paper "The Governance of Public Bodies: A Progress Report", Cm 3557. New or revised codes, taking account of the guidance and tailored to the particular circumstances of the body, should be in place for all executive NDPBs by 1 June 1997.

  No specific guidance has been issued to NDPBs following the Greenbury report. Responsibility for the pay and conditions of service of chairmen and board members of executive NDPBs is primarily a matter for sponsor Departments. Remuneration of chairman, board member and chief executive appointments to NDPBs is published in "Public Bodies 1996", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
  363
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that non-executive directors appointed to non-departmental public bodies do not have previous contractual arrangements with the body concerned. [20431]

  Mr. Freeman
  Previous contractual arrangements with a non-departmental public body should not automatically debar a candidate from subsequent appointment to it. Whether any potential conflicts of interest exist is a matter which should be determined by the selection procedure for the appointment in question, for example by a selection board during an interview of the candidate. The Commissioner for Public Appointments will be considering whether this matter should be covered in his revised guidance, which is due to be published in July 1997. Guidance to NDPBs on handling conflicts of interest has recently been revised as part of the guidance on codes of practice for board members of public bodies, published last month in the White Paper "The Governance of Public Bodies: A Progress Report", Cm 3557.

  Open Government
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the operation of the code of practice on access to Government information during 1996. [20732]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today announced the publication of the Government's report on the operation of the code of practice during 1996, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Record Office
  Sir Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the future of the public record office in Chancery lane. [20745]

  Mr. Freeman
  The public record office in Chancery lane will shortly be vacated.

  Discussions are taking place with the Victoria and Albert museum about the possibility of relocating the national art library and the Victoria and Albert archive of art and design to this building, but it is too early to say whether these will lead to a successful conclusion.

  The Government are aware of the heritage of this building and will make every effort to ensure its preservation.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Dance and Drama School Places
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the new interim scheme to assist young people to take up places at dance and drama schools. [20824]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  On 14 October, I announced plans to help more students take up places at accredited dance and drama training schools in England using funding from the national lottery and the Department of Education and Employment, in partnership with local authorities. I am delighted that the Arts Council of England has now announced the operational details of the 364
  interim scheme, following close consultation with local authority associations and representatives of the dance and drama constituencies. I am sure that the House shares my pleasure that, through the lottery, it has been possible to create an opportunity for more talented students to pursue their training.

  International Sporting Events
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to attract major international sporting events to the United Kingdom. [20753]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government are strongly committed to providing promotional and diplomatic support for the bidding for and staging of major international sporting events in this country. The United Kingdom Sports Council, which was established on 1 January 1997, has, as one of its priority tasks, to help attract to this country major international sporting events. To ensure that there is a clear and co-ordinated UK strategy for all major events, we have asked the United Kingdom Sports Council to take the lead. Additionally the Government have demonstrated their commitment in a number of practical ways.

  My Department chairs a wide-ranging working group to assist Manchester in organising a successful 2002 Commonwealth games, and to ensure that the event has the greatest possible impact, both nationally and internationally, in terms of sporting, tourism, economic and other benefits. The Welsh Office chairs a working group to ensure the success of the 1999 rugby world cup. I am also encouraging the British Tourist Authority to work closely with the organiser of events to ensure synergy, for example between the rugby world cup 1999 and the cricket world cup 1999, with a view to maximising the tourism benefits. Building on the success of Euro 96, the Government are strongly backing the Football Association's bid to host the 2006 world cup. We have already hosted two receptions on behalf of the FA, and I am chairing a co-ordinating group of FA and Government officials to ensure that we are assisting the FA as far as we are able.

  To assist further, the sports councils have recently launched their national revenue grants programmes, one of which is designed to attract and stage those events which are of genuine major significance to the UK. The UK Sports Council advises the four home nation sports councils on the distribution of national lottery funds in support of bids for, and the staging of, major events in this country as well as on the facilities required to stage them.

  All of these initiatives underline the importance which the Government attach to attracting and staging major events in this country.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court Fees
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of new county court fees to be charged on debtors under the provisions of the County Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [19494]
  365
  Mr. Streeter
  Following the judgment in R v. the Lord Chancellor ex parte Witham, the Lord Chancellor has decided that litigants in the county courts and in family proceedings should be placed on the same footing as litigants in non-family proceedings in the Supreme Court. He has therefore made orders restoring the exemption and remission provisions which applied before 15 January 1997. As a result, most debtors on low incomes will not be liable to pay court fees.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the estimated projected annual income the Court Service will receive from levying new charges for(a) fee numbers (1)2C(ii) application by debtor to vary judgment,(iii)2C(2) application to set aside judgment,(3)2C(iv) application to district judge,(4)2C(vi) application to circuit judge,(5)4(i)(c)second or subsequent warrant and (6)4(ix) application to suspend warrant and (b) entering a counter claim against the plaintiff. [19502]

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

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 17 March 1997:
  PQ/304: Projected income from new court fees.
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the projected annual income the Court Service will receive from new court fees.
  These estimates do not take account of the possible impact of the judgment in R v the Lord Chancellor ex-parte Witham.

  Fee number and type of process

  Projected income £ million

  2C(ii) and (ii) application to vary or set aside judgment1

  0.975

  2C(iv) application to district judge or circuit judge ex-part or by consent

  8.3

  2C(v)(vi) application to district judge and circuit judge1

  2.0

  4(i)(c) request for second or subsequent warrant

  2.3

  4(ix) application to suspend warrant

  0.865

  Entering a counterclaim against the plaintiff2

  No projection has been made

  1 This is a combined projection for the two fees.

  2 The new fee payable on entering a counterclaim is the same as if separate proceedings were being issued for that amount.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review(a) the Supreme Court Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996, (b) the County Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996 and (c) the Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20641]

  Mr. Streeter
  The Lord Chancellor is in the process of implementing wide-ranging reforms to the civil justice system following the publication of Lord Woolf's final report. As part of this process, the current fees structure 366
  will be subject to review to ensure that fees are charged at an appropriate level and at appropriate points in the progression of a case.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the expected savings from each element of the(a) Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996, (b) County Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996 and (c) Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20643]

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

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 17 March 1997:
  PQ 97/318: Expected savings from court fees
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question on expected savings from court fees.
  The estimated additional income from the three fees orders is as follows:
  Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996: £8.8 million
  County Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996: £24.6 million
  Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) order 1996: £6 million
  These estimates do not take account of the possible impact of the judgment in Regina v the Lord Chancellor ex parte Witham.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received(a) in favour and (b) against the (i)Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996,(ii)County Court Fees (Amendment) order 1996 and (iii)Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20642]

  Mr. Streeter
  According to our records 91 representations have been received by Ministers relating to the Fees (Amendment) orders 1996, three in the form of parliamentary questions and 88 in the form of letters from Members of Parliament. The representations made have expressed concerns about the effect of particular fees rather than views on each order as a whole.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to reverse recent increases in civil justice court fees in accordance with the decision in R v. the Lord Chancellor ex parte Witham; and if he will make a statement. [20640]

  Mr. Streeter
  The judgment in R v. the Lord Chancellor ex parte Witham reinstates the former fee exemptions and remissions in the Supreme Court. It does not relate to the increases in civil court fees. To place county court and family proceedings litigants on the same footing as litigants in the Supreme Court, the Lord Chancellor has made orders reintroducing provisions for fee exemption and remission in these proceedings as well, and has made refunds available to those eligible.

  County Courts
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on the extent to which decisions of county courts are not implemented; and if he will make a statement. [18852]
  367
  Mr. Streeter
  The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. William O'Brien, dated 17 March 1997:

  PQ 97/308: Representations received about county courts decisions that are not implemented The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of representations received about county court decisions that are not implemented.
  I have not received any representations in person but written representations have been received by the Court Service. However the information requested is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 692–93, what factors led him to revise the expenditure on the Principal Registry Family Division (Central London Accommodation) pFI project to nil. [20411]

  Mr. Streeter
  That project is no longer proceeding via the PFI procurement route.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people have received legal aid in each of the last 10 years to take action against(a) the Labour party, (b) the Conservative party, (c) the Liberal Democrat party and (d) any other political party. [20286]

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

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by nationality the number of applications for legal aid made by non-British citizens, showing those which have been successful, in each of the last three years. [20624]

  Mr. Streeter
  Information as to an applicant's nationality is not collected and is therefore not available.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria apply to overseas applicants for legal aid; and what are the procedures by which the Legal Aid Board checks the accuracy of applications. [20626]

  Mr. Streeter
  All applications for legal aid, from whatever source, must undergo statutory means and merits tests. A special financial application form must be used by applicants not resident in the UK. The Legal Aid Board makes its decisions based on information supplied by the applicant through their solicitor, and where this is insufficient or inconsistent further investigations will be made. The special investigations unit, set up in 1996, investigates the means of applicants with complex financial affairs, which may include foreign nationals.
  368

  Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer from the Secretary of State for Transport to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Hawkins) of 27 November 1996,Official Report, columns 271–72, what legal action the Official Solicitor plans to take in respect of his duty as trustee of the BEST pension fund; and when he plans to take it. [20505]

  Mr. Streeter
  NBC Pension Trustees Ltd. is trustee of the BEST pension fund of which the Official Solicitor is sole shareholder. The Official Solicitor has appointed two of his staff as directors. I am informed that the trustee, NBC Pension Trustees Ltd., intends to issue proceedings seeking recovery of the pension funds paid to the Secretary of State for Transport. Allen and Overy, who have advised the former directors for several years, were instructed by the present directors when they assumed responsibility. Allen and Overy have now relinquished their retainer as there is a potential conflict of interest. The trustee has recently instructed Taylor Joynson Garret in order to carry forward the matter as quickly as possible.

  Administration Orders
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the financial limit in relation to administration orders; and if he will list the dates on which the working party set up to assess section 13 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 has met to discuss this matter. [20644]

  Mr. Streeter
  An administration order currently provides a mechanism for a debtor who has a county court judgment and not more than £5,000 worth of debts to apply to a county court to take over the management of his or her debts. Section 13 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 would put into effect changes recommended by the civil justice review, including the removal of the £5,000 ceiling. The monitoring group which was set up to identify the implications of section 13 discussed the limit at its meeting on 29 November 1993.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to prevent the export of cull ewes from Dover to France on 7 March for the purpose of ritual slaughter near Paris. [19542]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Department's powers to regulate sheep exports are exercisable only in relation to the legal provisions concerned with the welfare of animals during transport. We shall apply the relevant rules thoroughly in the usual way. Enforcement of the rules concerned with welfare at slaughter in France is a matter for the French authorities.

  Salmon
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the operation of the Salmon and Freshwater
  369
  Fisheries Act 1975 with particular reference to (a) the increase in the production and import of farmed salmon and (b) the enhanced value of the recreational salmon fishery to the rural economy. [19677]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Any review of current salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation in England and Wales would need to address the issues identified by my hon. Friend. The Government will consider whether to carry out such a review in the light of their legislative plans for the next Parliament.

  Newcastle Disease
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the poultry and egg production sectors to discuss the Government's response to the recent outbreak of Newcastle disease. [20051]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Officials of my Department have met representatives of the British Poultry Meat Federation on three occasions, most recently on 5 March 1997. They also met the British Egg Industry Council on 4 February and the NFU on 5 February. Industry organisations are being kept informed of all developments.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many premises have been affected by the recent outbreak of Newcastle disease. [20052]

  Mr. Hogg
  Between 1 January 1997 and 12 March 1997, Newcastle disease had been confirmed on seven premises in Great Britain.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the cost of measures to control the outbreak of Newcastle disease to(a) the Government and (b) industry. [20053]

  Mr. Hogg
  As of 12 March, the Department is considering or has processed compensation claims amounting to some £4 million in respect of outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Great Britain in 1997. However, action to control Newcastle disease is still being taken, and the overall cost of control to both Government and industry will depend upon whether or not further outbreaks occur.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken to(a) eradicate Newcastle disease and (b) prevent any further outbreaks. [20054]

  Mr. Hogg
  Movement restrictions are being imposed within infected areas as required by directive 92/66/EEC which lays down community measures for controlling Newcastle disease. Control measures include the slaughter of all poultry on premises where disease has been confirmed, the supervised disposal of their carcases,. the tracing of all movements of birds, eggs, equipment and people onto and off of an infected premises before and subsequent to disease being confirmed and the thorough cleansing and disinfection of an infected premises and equipment after site depopulation.

  Industry has been advised to vaccinate where this has not taken place and to ensure adequate precautions are in place to avoid the introduction of infection.
  370
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent outbreak of Newcastle disease for(a) public health and (b) consumer protection. [20055]

  Mr. Hogg
  There is no risk to public health from poultry meat which may contain the Newcastle disease virus and, therefore, no consequences for consumer protection.

  Newcastle disease virus can be spread through the air from infected birds and contact with such birds can occasionally cause conjunctivitis, fever and flu-like symptoms in humans. The risk of human infection is low, even when handling birds known to be infected.

  The Department of Health has been kept fully informed of developments.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1997,Official Report, columns 194–95, regarding food safety in the canning industry, what assessment his Department made of (a) the level of expertise and (b) the application of good manufacturing practice among small companies, in its recent review; and if he will make a statement. [20311]

  Mrs. Browning
  The results of the Department's survey of UK canneries, including an assessment of the level of expertise and the application of good manufacturing practice amongst small companies, are given in microbiological food safety surveillance report No. 5 on the national study of canneries. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  European Union Surpluses
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the foods currently held in storage in the United Kingdom as European Union surpluses. [20177]

  Mr. Baldry
  Statistics showing stocks of EC and UK agricultural produce in public intervention and assisted private storage are lodged in the Library of the House.

  Meat Hygiene Service (Officials)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials of the Meat Hygiene Service(a) have been subject to disciplinary action, (b) have been dismissed, (c) have received formal disciplinary warnings, (d) have received formal written cautions and (e) are still under disciplinary investigation for failure to enforce specified bovine material controls in slaughter houses. [20267]

  Mrs. Browning
  To date, 45 Meat Hygiene Service employees have been subject to disciplinary investigation as a result of failure to ensure full compliance with SBM controls. Four employees have been dismissed—one of whom was reinstated at appeal—18 have received formal disciplinary warnings and 23 have received written cautions, one officer is still under disciplinary investigation. Before any of these staff are allowed to begin their work again they are required to undergo re-training.
  371
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what retraining officials of the Meat Hygiene Service who have failed to enforce specified bovine material controls in slaughterhouses have to undergo before they are allowed to resume their work. [20269]

  Mrs. Browning
  Staff training matters are the responsibility of the Meat Hygiene Service and I have asked the chief executive to reply to you direct.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 17 March 1997:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS)your Parliamentary Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the re-training undertaken by officials who have failed to ensure compliance with the specified bovine material controls in slaughterhouses before they are allowed to resume work has been passed to me to reply. [20269]
  As you are aware, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) on 1 April 1995. It took over from some 300 local authorities responsibility for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed fresh meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales.
  The MHS is also responsible for enforcing specified bovine material (SBM)controls in slaughterhouses. It does this most rigorously. A comprehensive SBM training programme has been provided to all inspection staff. The agency's staff are fully aware that they may face disciplinary action as a result of their failure to enforce fully the controls. As you note, staff who have faced disciplinary action undergo a retraining programme prior to resuming work at a plant. Such staff are required to repeat the intensive practical plant based SBM training under the supervision of a Principal Official Veterinary Surgeon. The importance of 100% compliance with SBM controls is reiterated to these staff and they continue to be closely monitored by the plant's Official Veterinary Surgeon to ensure comprehensive and rigorous enforcement of SBM controls.

  Pesticides
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the commercial composts currently marketed in the United Kingdom which incorporate(a) one or more pesticides and (b) imidacloprid; [20356]

  (2) what requests he has received from manufacturers seeking to use imidacloprid in composts (a) used for growing edible plants and (b) available to the public. [20361]

  Mrs. Browning
  Currently there are no commercial composts containing pesticides approved for sale in the United Kingdom. However there are a number of pesticides, including imidacloprid, which have approval for use by professionals by means of incorporation to compost.

  Every application for approvals of pesticides is commercially confidential until a final decision is taken on it.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that plants raised in compost containing pesticides are clearly identified as such. [20360]
  372
  Mrs. Browning
  Approval is given only if scientific evaluation shows that the product can be used without unacceptable risk to people or the environment. There is thus no need for crops produced with the aid of approved pesticides to be labelled as such.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of imidacloprid on human health; and if he will make a statement. [20358]

  Mrs. Browning
  Before approval is given to any pesticide chemical, detailed scientific data on health effects, including both acute and chronic effects for pesticide users and for food consumers, are evaluated by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides— ACP—on behalf of the Government. The evaluation document for imidacloprid agreed by the ACP has been published and the detailed scientific data, which are protected by rules on commercial confidentiality, may be inspected at the Pesticides Safety Directorate. MAFF does not commission research into the health effects of individual pesticide chemicals.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the extent of the use of imidacloprid in commercial compost. [20357]

  Mrs. Browning
  Monitoring of all agricultural pesticides including imidacloprid is carried out by the working party on pesticide usage surveys in a four-year rolling programme. Imidacloprid is a recently approved chemical and does not yet feature largely in survey results. Such uses as have so far been recorded do not include application via compost.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received regarding the use of imidacloprid in the product Levington Intercept. [20355]

  Mrs. Browning
  Apart from approaches from the company, the Ministry has received two inquiries regarding the use of imidacloprid in Levington Intercept.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that any composts containing pesticides are clearly identified as such. [20359]

  Mrs. Browning
  A compost containing a pesticide chemical and intended to protect plants grown in it is subject to pesticides legislation and must be labelled as a pesticide. A compost sterilised, disinfected or otherwise treated with a pesticide but not in order to protect plants grown in it is not considered as a pesticide and not required to be so labelled. However, no pesticide may be used to treat compost in this country unless this use has been approved following full scientific evaluation of the potential consequences for people and the environment.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the results of the second survey of variable pesticides residues are now available; and if he will make a statement. [20825]

  Mrs. Browning
  The results of the second survey of variable pesticide residues were announced on 14 March. A copy of the announcement and of the supporting documents have been placed in the Library of the House.
  373
  The survey results show that levels of residues in the majority of fruit and vegetables fall well below recommended maximum residue levels. However, a small number of apples and peaches, including imports had higher residues than is desirable. We will be reporting these results in full to the Codex Alimentarius Commission so that it can instigate international action further to ensure consumer protection.

  A large safety margin is built into the figures used when setting what can be regarded as an acceptable level. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Professor Sir. Colin Berry, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, have issued statements which make clear that the results of the second survey for variable residues do not change Government advice that fruit and vegetables remain a key component of a healthy diet.

  Fishermen's Association Ltd.
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy in respect of meetings between(a) Ministers and (b) officials and the Fishermen's Association Ltd. [20496]

  Mr. Baldry
  We arrange meetings with representatives of fishermen's organisations as and when appropriate. There is no distinctive policy regarding the Fishermen's Association Ltd.

  Surplus Food Scheme
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the charitable organisations to which United Kingdom intervention beef will be distributed under the surplus food scheme in 1997. [20657]

  Mr. Baldry
  A total of 1,059 applications have been received by the Intervention Board from organisations wishing to distribute canned intervention beef under the surplus food scheme in 1997. These include charitable organisations and others such as local authorities. The distribution applications within the United Kingdom is:

  England: 792

  Scotland: 149

  Wales; 85

  Northern Ireland: 33.

  These applications are being examined and the organisations considered acceptable will be formally designated in due course to distribute the canned beef.

  BSE
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the possibility of establishing whether particular herds of cattle are BSE free; and what action is being taken so as to identify cattle which are affected. [18205]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The beef assurance scheme—BAS—and the export certified herds scheme—ECHS—are based on the identification and verification of factors which taken together indicate that the cattle concerned have not been exposed to a risk of BSE. The BAS is already in operation. Proposals for the ECHS were sent to the European Commission in February and will be discussed by the Commission's
  374
  scientific advisory committees and the standing committee as part of the Florence framework for lifting the export ban.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of recent publicity on the state of British abattoirs on EC officials' consideration of the lifting of the BSE ban on(a) British and (b) Northern Irish beef. [20399]

  Mrs. Browning
  Much of the media coverage of BSE in recent months has been unhelpful to United Kingdom veterinary interests. I hope and expect the Commission and their independent scientific advisers to consider the case on its merits.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the chance and confidence intervals for cattle developing BSE that their dam would have had BSE; and if he will break down the results to indicate the impact of whether the calf was(a) first born, (b) second born, (c) third born and (d) a later birth. [18203]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The chance of BSE offspring cases developing BSE is 1 per cent. Confidence intervals are not appropriate as this is the observed percentage from the epidemic. It is not possible to provide the breakdown of this percentage with any accuracy into first born, second born, third born or a later birth, but there are indications that the risk is greater in calves born closer to the time when a cow develops BSE than in those born earlier.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received on the outcome of tests relating to the destruction of BSE infective material through incineration. [18132]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: No tests have been carried out on the destruction of BSE infective material through incineration.

  Advice was sought from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee on the effectiveness of the incinerators used by the Ministry for the disposal of BSE suspect carcases to destroy the BSE infective agent. The committee has advised, on the basis of its knowledge of earlier studies on the inactivation of TSE agents and proteins in general, that provided incineration was completed, the incinerators used by the Ministry were more than adequate to render the BSE agent inactive.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the modal average age of cattle which died of BSE and were born in each year from 1985 to 1993. [18200]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The table shows the modal age at slaughter of confirmed BSE cases with dates of birth between 1985 and 1993:

  Year of birth

  Modal age at slaughter

  1985

  5

  1986

  5

  1987

  5

  1988

  5

  1989

  5

  1990

  5

  1991

  4

  375

  Year of birth

  Modal age at slaughter

  1992

  4

  1993

  3

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 25 February,Official Report, column 194, regarding the level of infectivity in rendered meat and bone meal from cattle slaughtered in the over-30-months scheme, what is the maximum level of infectivity (in IU per gram) that is estimated to be present in the rendered material being considered for incineration. [18972]

  Mr. Baldry
  Very little infective material is likely to enter rendering plants as cattle suspected of showing clinical signs suggestive of BSE are destroyed by incineration. However, some animals may be incubating disease even though they do not show clinical signs of infection. In 1996 the number of such animals, based on independent research, Anderson et al, 1996, is estimated to have been around 4,600, and most of these would, we believe, have been among the 1.1 million animals slaughtered under the over-30-months scheme—0.418 per cent. BSE infectivity is most likely to be in the brain and spinal cord of cattle, which together weigh approximately 1 kg. On the assumption that the average carcase weighs 500kg, this equates to 550,000 tonnes of carcase material arising from the OTMS last year of which 4.6 tonnes— 0.0008 per cent.—could have contained infectivity. In addition, the rendering process itself is expected to reduce any infectivity present fiftyfold.

  The amount of infectivity per gram, if any, remaining in rendered material cannot be reliably established without conducting the tests on mice, referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member on 25 February 1997, Official Report, columns 193–94 which would take two years and would be extremely expensive.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the liability of providers of contaminated feedstuffs to the dairy and beef farming industry for the spread and costs of BSE; and if he will make a statement. [19593]

  Mrs. Browning
  This Department has received a number of letters from individuals and Members of Parliament querying the liability of providers of contaminated feedstuffs to the farming industry in the context of the cause and spread of BSE. To say how many and from whom they were received could be done only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid to Electophoretics International by his Department for work to find a diagnostic test for BSE. [20666]

  Mrs. Browning
  No money was paid to Electrophoretics International as the Ministry had not commissioned any work from it.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation he has made of(a) the work to find a diagnostic test for BSE which was conducted for his Department by Electrophoretics International and (b) the value for money of that work. [20668]
  376
  Mrs. Browning
  Electrophoretics International has not been commissioned to conduct work for MAFF, and no payment has been made to EI by MAFF. It is therefore not appropriate to consider evaluation or value for money.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which companies and research bodies have been commissioned by his Department to undertake work into finding a diagnostic test for BSE. [20663]

  Mrs. Browning
  The following organisations have been funded by MAFF to undertake work into finding a diagnostic test for BSE:

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  Institute for Animal Health

  Birmingham University

  London Hospital Medical College

  Animal Health Trust

  Moredun Research Institute

  University of Edinburgh.

  A further contract with Newcastle University is in preparation.

  An open competition for research funding for development of novel methods for the diagnosis of BSE was announced by MAFF to the international scientific community in August 1996. Proposals were reviewed by independent referees and three proposals from UK research laboratories were taken up for funding in January 1997 these are included in the list above. Two further proposals are being followed up; a joint proposal from two Swiss companies (Paul Scherrer Institute and CSEM, Centre Suisse D'Electronique Etude Microtechnique, SA.) and the California Institute of Technology.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings took place between Ministers and officials of his Department and board members and officials of Electrophoretics International(a) prior to the contract for research into a diagnostic test for BSE being let, (b) during the life of the contract and (c) after the expiration date of the contract. [20667]

  Mrs. Browning
  The agreement was signed on 22 December 1995 and has not expired in respect of all its provisions. MAFF officials attended two meetings with Electrophoretics International representatives prior to the signing of the agreement and two meetings subsequently. This is in addition to contact between scientists from the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge and EI on research collaboration as provided for in the agreement.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis the contract between the Ministry of Agriculture and Electrophoretics International for research into a diagnostic test for BSE was tendered; how many others tenders were received; and what involvement Ministers had in the decision to let the contract to Electrophoretics International. [20665]

  Mrs. Browning
  The nature of the agreement between MAFF and Electrophoretics International was one of collaboration. The Ministry did not commission any work from EI. This was not a contract to develop a diagnostic test and a tendering process was not relevant.
  377
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the contract for research into a diagnostic test for BSE with Electrophoretics International ended; for what reasons it was not renewed; and what plans he has for further contracts with the company. [20669]

  Mrs. Browning
  MAFF has a collaborative agreement with Electrophoretics International which continues to operate. MAFF will continue to treat the company in the same way as all other bodies in relation to research and supply of materials. There are no plans for any further contracts with EI.

  British Beef (Bans)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many states had banned British beef(a) before 1990 and (b) between 1990 and 1995; and how many have withdrawn their bans in the last year. [19755]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 12 March 1997]: One country introduced a ban on British beef before 1990. Thirty-four countries banned imports of British beef between 1990 and 1995. Restrictions were lifted in 14 countries before Commission decision 96/239/EC introduced a worldwide ban on the export of British beef on 27 March 1996.

  Intervention Storage
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the minimum ecu prices per kilo paid to meat plants in(a) Great Britain and (b) Northern Ireland, for beef accepted for intervention storage since 1996. [20275]

  Mr. Baldry
  The minimum prices in ecu per kilo paid for offers of beef tendered since April 1996 are:

  Date of tender

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  Steers

  Young bulls

  Steers

  Young bulls

  9 April 1996

  1.964

  1—

  2.500

  1—

  7 May 1996

  2.365

  2.310

  2.445

  2.3

  28 May 1996

  1.854

  2.080

  2.420

  2.240

  11 June 1996

  2.228

  2.030

  2.405

  2.195

  25 May 1996

  2.225

  2.090

  2.416

  2.208

  9 July 1997

  2.420

  2.110

  2.430

  2.213

  23 July 1997

  2.419

  2.165

  2.390

  2—

  6 August 1996

  2.350

  2.115

  2.245

  2.094

  27 August 1996

  2.218

  2.150

  2.214

  2—

  10 September 1996

  2.218

  2.150

  2.214

  2—

  24 September 1996

  2.299

  2.080

  2.236

  2—

  8 October 1996

  2.325

  2.115

  2.244

  2—

  22 October 1996

  2.340

  2.120

  2.241

  2—

  12 November 1996

  2.490

  2.187

  2.303

  2—

  26 November 1996

  2.658

  2.452

  2.410

  2—

  10 December 1996

  2.620

  2.510

  2.501

  2—

  14 January 1997

  2.556

  2.430

  2.456

  2—

  28 January 1997

  2.629

  2.494

  2.413

  2—

  11 February 1997

  2.652

  2.550

  2.413

  2—

  25 February 1997

  2.650

  2.550

  2.430

  2—

  11 March 1997

  2.525

  2.500

  2.415

  2—

  1 No bids accepted.

  2 No bids submitted.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the ecu prices per kilo achieved by meat plants for beef accepted for intervention storage in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and
  378
  (d) Northern Ireland since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the reason for differential prices regionally for beef going into intervention storage. [18337]

  Mr. Baldry
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1997, column 683]: Differential regional prices for intervention purposes occur only in the areas of Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Northern Ireland is considered a separate region for intervention purchases in recognition of the particular importance of the beef sector there, and the effect of its proximity to the Republic of Ireland market.

  A list of the prices awarded since March 1996 follows:

  Maximum prices awarded in Great Britain

  Maximum prices awarded in Northern Ireland

  Date of tender

  Steers

  Young bulls

  Steers

  Young bulls

  9 April 1996

  2.610

  2.400

  2.410

  2.200

  7 May 1996

  2.450

  2.320

  2.450

  2.320

  28 May 1996

  2.340

  2.190

  2.430

  2.250

  11 June 1996

  2.310

  2.110

  2.410

  2.200

  25 May 1996

  2.474

  2.162

  2.446

  2.236

  9 July 1996

  2.466

  2.175

  2.442

  2.218

  23 July 1996

  2.499

  2.241

  2.429

  1—

  6 August 1996

  2.408

  2.273

  2.301

  2.096

  27 August 1996

  2.322

  2.187

  2.229

  1—

  10 September 1996

  2.287

  2.185

  2.224

  1—

  24 September 1996

  2.362

  2.149

  2.255

  1.940

  8 October 1996

  2.373

  2.150

  2.262

  1.974

  22 October 1996

  2.387

  2.124

  2.261

  1—

  12 November 1996

  2.548

  2.248

  2.321

  1—

  26 November 1996

  2.660

  2.660

  2.660

  1—

  10 December 1996

  2.660

  2.535

  2.660

  1—

  14 January 1997

  2.730

  2.730

  2.730

  1—

  28 January 1997

  2.730

  2.730

  2.730

  1—

  11 February 1997

  2.730

  2.600

  2.730

  1—

  25 February 1997

  2.730

  2.581

  2.730

  1—

  1 No bids submitted.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 692–93; and if he will list his latest estimates of annual totals for PFI projects, on the same basis as those given in table 5.5 of the Red Book. [20393]

  Mr. Boswell
  As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 10 March 1997,Official Report, column 50, MAFF's entry for 1999–00 in table 5.5 of the Red Book is an outline estimate for non-PFI procurement only which will be subject to change when PFI tenders have been received.

  A breakdown, by project, of the schemes identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book is given in table 1. Current estimates are shown in table 2.

  Table 1: Red book figures

  £ million

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  Project:

  Whitehall HQ building (accommodation)

  0

  0

  170

  70

  379

  Table 1: Red book figures

  £ million

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  Sea-going research vessel services

  0

  0

  10

  10

  Total

  0

  0

  80

  80

  1 Estimated full project cost.

  Table 2: Current revised figures

  £ million

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  Project:

  Whitehall HQ building (accommodation)

  0

  0

  126

  26

  Sea-going research vessel services

  0

  0

  10

  10

  Total

  0

  0

  36

  36

  1 Estimated expenditure in the first year of the project.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons his Department has not replied to three letters from Mr. Comrie, the general secretary of the Association of Meat Inspectors, sent to him between June and December 1996. [20516]

  Mrs. Browning
  Mr. Comrie, general secretary of the Association of Meat Inspectors, wrote to me on 11 February 1997. This followed a meeting I held with the AMI on 16 January 1997 and the subsequent suggestions that the general secretary would write to me. I replied on 12 March 1997.

  Aroparcin
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by livestock species the dates on which the licence for avoparcin's use as a feed antibiotic has been(a) revoked and (b) reinstated; and if he will make a statement. [20645]

  Mrs. Browning
  All licences for the use of avoparcin in animal feeding stuffs for all species will be revoked by 1 April 1997. The question of reinstatement does not arise.

  Fisheries Organisations (Meetings)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the fishing organisations(a) he and (b) his officials have met since 1 July 1996. [20495]

  Mr. Baldry
  This information is not held centrally and definitive lists could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. MAFF Ministers and officials have had meetings or other contract with a large number of national, regional and local fishing organisations since 1 July 1996 on a wide variety of matters. These have included:

  Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation;

  Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation;

  Anglo-Scottish Fish Producers Organisation;

  Association of Sea Fisheries Committees;

  380

  Atlantic Salmon Trust;

  Bideford Fishermen's Association;

  British Trout Association

  Cornish Fish Producers Organisation;

  Cornwall Inshore Fishermen's Association;

  Federation of Highlands and Islands Fishermen;

  Fife Fish Producers Organisation;

  Fish Producers Organisation Limited;

  Fisherman's Association Limited;

  Fishermen's Federation of Northumberland;

  Fleetwood Fish Producers Organisation;

  Fleetwood Fishing Forum;

  Grimsby Fish Producers Organisation;

  Leigh and Southend Fishermen's Association;

  Lowestoft Fish Producers Organisation;

  Mudeford and District Fishermen's Association

  National Federation of Anglers;

  National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations;

  National Federation of Fishing and Angling Consultatives;

  North Atlantic Salmon Fund;

  North East Scotland Fish Producers Organisation;

  North Sea Fishermen's Producer Organisation;

  Northern Ireland Fish Producers Association;

  Northern Producers Organisation;

  Orkney Fishermen's Association;

  Ramsgate Fishermen's Association;

  Rye Fishermen's Association;

  Salmon and Trout Association;

  Scottish Fishermen's Federation;

  Scottish Fishermen's Organisation;

  Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association;

  Shellfish Association of Great Britain;

  Shetland Fish Producers Organisation;

  South Devon and Channel Shellfishermen Limited;

  South Western Fish Producers Organisation;

  Southern Commercial Fishermen;

  UK Association of Fish Producers Organisations;

  Wales and West Coast Fish Producers Organisation;

  West Mersea Fishermen's Association;

  West of Scotland Fish Producers Organisation;

  Whitstable Fishermen's Association;

  Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers Organisation.

  Animal Genome Mapping
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which is the lead Department for(a) animal genome mapping in the United Kingdom and (b) following up the recommendations of the committee of inquiry on ethics of emerging technologies in breeding of farm animals under the chairmanship of the Rev. Professor Michael Banner. [20421]

  Mr. Boswell
  (a) Whilst there is no one lead Department, research on animal genome mapping is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council. The BBSRC is administered by the

  381
  Office of Science and Technology, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry. There is close liaison between MAFF and BBSRC.

  (b) The lead Department taking forward the recommendations of the committee to consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies in the breeding of farm animals is MAFF.

DEFENCE

  Trafalgar Class Submarines
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place a contract for batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines; and if he will make a statement. [20655]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am pleased to announce that a contract has been placed with GEC-Marconi as prime contractors for the design, build and initial support of three batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines. The new boats will be known as the Astute class, and are expected to enter service early next century. The submarines will be built at GEC-Marconi's VSEL shipyard in Barrow.

  The new vessels will be powered by the Rolls Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor, fitted with the updated weapons system of batch 1 Trafalgar class submarines, and armed with the Spearfish torpedo and Submarine-Harpoon anti-ship missile. They will be able to carry conventionally armed Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Astute class will replace the Royal Navy's existing Swiftsure class boats as these vessels reach the end of their operational lives in the early part of the next century. They will perform a wide range of roles including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

  The order was won in competition with VSEL, before the company was taken over by GEC-Marconi, and the decision was based on what would provide the best value for money for the taxpayer. The contract will be worth nearly £2 billion to GEC-Marconi and its sub-contractors, and will help to sustain around 7,000 jobs. It has been warmly welcomed by the Royal Navy, and is good news for Barrow and the many sub-contractors who will be working on the project across the UK.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 710–11, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20398]

  Mr. Soames
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 6 March,Official Report, columns 710–11.
  382

  Eskmeals, Shoeburyness and Pendine Ranges
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the consultative document on the land ranges rationalisation at Eskmeals, Shoeburyness and Pendine; and if he will make a statement. [20190]

  Mr. Soames
  The range at Pendine is not being reviewed as part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency land ranges rationalisation study, which is considering defence requirements at Eskmeals, Cumbria and Shoeburyness, Essex. In the reply my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, gave my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) on 12 March,Official Report, column 234, he said that he hoped to be in a position to approve the issue of a consultation document on the way ahead within a few weeks, and this remains his intention.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made for the care and protection of works of art following the publication of the National Audit Office report in March 1996. [20323]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has responded positively to the NAO's recommendations. A new system of accountability has been introduced whereby the senior staff who borrow works of art are now held personally responsible for them. Staff who move works of art without permission will lose their entitlement to borrow works and may face disciplinary action. Works of art in our London headquarters buildings are now inspected every night by our guard force and these checks will soon be extended to all our works of art.

  The NAO guidance on management of works of art has been circulated throughout the Department and a seminar on this subject will be held during March.

  All works of art owned by the Department or borrowed from public collections will be managed centrally and a photographic record has been compiled.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the 190 works of art missing from Defence establishments have been located since the publication of the National Audit Office report in March 1996; [20324]

  (2) what steps he is taking to recover works of art missing from his Department's establishments. [20325]

  Mr. Soames
  The National Audit Office report states that, in November 1995, 184 works of art were missing. Of these, 107 were the property of my Department and the remainder were loans from other institutions. Since the publication of the NAO report, two of those belonging to my Department have been found.

  Every effort is made to recover missing works of art. Details have been circulated to all staff and an inspector in the Ministry of Defence police has been given responsibility for finding missing works. Photographs of these have been published in my Department's staff magazine with a request that they should be notified to the police inspector if they are identified. We continue to make periodic searches of our buildings.
  383
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many paintings have been sold at auction by his Department in each of the past 10 years; and what were the sums realised. [20326]

  Mr. Soames
  No paintings have been sold at auction by my Department.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the painting of an officer of the 28th Foot on loan from the national army museum has been located. [20327]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department's response to the National Audit Office report stated that, despite a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Defence police, the portrait of an officer of the 28th Foot has not been found. This remains the case.

  Nursery Vouchers (Overseas Personnel)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department is making for those personnel stationed overseas, in respect of the Government's nursery voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement. [20807]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is committed to making sure there is no educational disadvantage to families who would otherwise be entitled to receive vouchers if serving in the UK, so it intends to provide, wherever practicable, nursery education for four-year-olds overseas.

  The MOD will endeavour to provide the same standard of nursery education as that on offer in the UK, but there will be a difference in the way it is run. In the UK, where there will be open competition between playgroups and schools, parents will potentially have a wide choice of places to use a voucher: overseas, the Service sponsor both schools and playgroups and the choice will inevitably be limited.

  Therefore, rather than adopt the voucher system, the MOD intends to provide direct funding to schools and playgroups and nursery education will be free at source for all four-year olds who attend an accredited provider.

  It is expected that there will be some locations with both schools and playgroups, some where there are only schools and some where there are only suitable playgroups. To reach the standards required by the Department for Education and Employment scheme, schools and playgroups overseas will need additional staff and training and pass inspection of an accredited authority.

  Because the MOD needs to study the various option available to deliver nursery education and obtain funding, it has been necessary to delay introduction overseas from that anticipated in the UK. It is aimed to phase introduction from September 1997 to September 1998.

  There will inevitably be some areas overseas, particularly smaller isolated detachments, where it will not be possible to offer the scheme that will be available in countries such as Germany and Cyprus. The MOD is though looking at ways to provide the best possible provisions wherever practicable and within the resources available—some form of voucher system to cover these locations may be considered. However, in some areas it
  384
  may simply be impossible to provide any facility; parents will be warned of this in advance of being posted to such locations.

  Housing (Privates)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average cost to his Department in the last year for which figures are available of housing(a) a military local service engagement private 1 and (b) a full engagement Regular private 1 band 1. [19730]

  Mr. Soame
  I regret that the information requested is unavailable in the format requested and figures cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, the Military Provost Guard Service is only now forming.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on low flying by the RAF in the vicinity of Seaham on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 March between 12 noon and 5 p.m; [19941]

  (2) if the flight paths of low flying exercises by the RAF now incorporate the vicinity of Seaham. [19944]

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF police have been tasked to investigate the activity of 3 and 4 March. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State will write to the hon. Member when these inquiries are complete. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Joint Services Defence College
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the cost of using the temporary site at Bracknell for the joint services defence college. [19893]

  Mr. Soames
  To enable the joint services command and staff college to use Bracknell as its main interim site, additional capital expenditure estimated of some £10.2 million has been agreed to cover works, including the provision of temporary teaching and living accommodation, IT and relocation costs.

  Pied à Terre (Quartermaster General)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of maintaining the pied a terre in London used by the Quartermaster General; and what paintings are located there. [20328]

  Mr. Soames
  The Quartermaster General does not have a pied a terre in London. He retains a London office on the seventh floor of MOD main building, and the following prints and paintings are hung there:

  Paintings

  Portrait of Princess Royal by Mark McGregor

  Portrait of Duchess of Kent by Mark McGregor

  Prints

  "O The Roast Beef of Old England" by William Hogarth

  "Sustaining Forward" by Terence Cuneo

  "Sleigh Post (Russia 1919)" by Terence Cuneo.

  385

  Departmental Housing
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many homes are(a) currently owned by his Department and (b) vacant by local authority area. [20378]

  Mr. Soames
  There are 69,306 homes owned by the Ministry of Defence in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The information on vacant homes is not held in the form requested and could be only provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely costs of making the properties at Mansergh close, Woolwich fit for habitation. [20382]

  Mr. Soames
  The properties at Mansergh close, Woolwich were passed as surplus to Annington Homes as part of the sale of the married quarter estate. Refurbishment costs are a matter for Annington Homes.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when construction of MOD homes at Mansergh close, Woolwich, was completed; when the properties were first occupied; for what reasons the properties are vacant; and how long they have been vacant. [20380]

  Mr. Soames
  There are 36 houses at Mansergh close, which were built in the late 1960s and early 1970s and occupied thereafter. The properties were vacated by June 1996, due largely to the reduction in service demand after the closure of the military hospital at Woolwich, and were passed as surplus to Annington Homes as part of the sale of the married quarters.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of Nomura Securities in the disposal of the married quarters estate. [20379]

  Mr. Soames
  The new owners of the married quarter estate are Annington Homes, a British-based company. MOD's continuing relationship on the married quarter estate is with this company. Finance for the transaction was arranged by Nomura International plc, the European arm of Nomura Securities, not the parent company in Tokyo.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the costs of security for the empty properties at Mansergh close, SE18; and if he will make a statement. [20381]

  Mr. Soames
  The properties at Mansergh close, SE18 were passed as surplus to Annington Homes as part of the sale of the married quarters estate. The security of these properties is the responsibility of Annington Homes.

  Infantry
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of front-line infantry for each of the past 10 years. [20363]

  Mr. Soames
  The figures for front-line infantry can be provided only for the past four years and are shown below.

  Year

  Totals

  1994

  28,000

  1995

  26,000

  386

  Year

  Totals

  1996

  25,000

  1997

  24,000

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 185, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current front-line infantry establishment to meet its responsibilities. [20362]

  Mr. Soames
  The infantry is fully able to meet its responsibilities.

  Gulf War
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many anthrax vaccine injections were given to British soldiers in the Gulf war; and over what period. [20450]

  Mr. Soames
  The programme of vaccination against anthrax which was implemented by the MOD for British troops in the Gulf war commenced at the start of January 1991. It consisted of a course of three vaccinations, which were to be administered at 0, three and seven weeks. Owing to deficiencies in contemporary medical record keeping, the exact number of anthrax inoculations given to British soldiers in the Gulf war is not known.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will next meet the Russian Defence Minister. [20806]

  Mr. Portillo
  At the invitation of Defence Minister Rodionov, I shall be in Moscow on 17–18 March for discussions with him. I also hope to see other members of the Russian Government. We plan to sign a new memorandum of understanding covering bilateral defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and Russia, which will provide a framework for building on the significant bilateral defence relationship established with Russia in recent years.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mobile Telephone Antennae
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of masts and antennae required to meet the projected growth in the use of mobile telephones over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [19826]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The number of telecommunications masts required by an operator depends largely on the future coverage planned by that operator, the future volume of traffic it expects on its network in any specific area, and technological developments in antenna design. No estimates are made of the number of masts required by operators over future years since these factors are commercial matters for each individual operator.
  387
  The erection of telecommunications masts is regulated by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the licence issued to operators under the Telecommunications Act 1984. The Government regard mast sharing as highly desirable in order to help keep the number of masts to a minimum, and require mobile phone operators to take all reasonable steps to investigate using an existing mast or other structure before seeking to erect a new mast.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance he has issued on the installation of antennae required for mobile telephones(a) on school buildings and (b) on other locations used by (i)children and (ii) the sick; and if he will make a statement. [19827]

  Mr. Taylor
  We issue no specific guidance on the installation of mobile telecommunications equipment in these locations. The operators of the equipment have a number of recommendations and requirements to follow.

  In March of last year, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales published a code of best practice on the installation of radio masts up to 15 m in height using permitted development rights. Installation of radio masts above 15m in height are governed by normal planning guidance.

  A Wireless Telegraphy Act licence may specify spectrum performance requirements, for example in relation to frequency assignment and power output. All equipment installed in the UK will have been approved to the relevant national or European—European Telecommunications Standards Institute—standards on performance, and must comply with provisions of the electromagnetic compatibility directive. The operators also follow guidance from the National Radiological Protection Board on exposure to non-ionising radiation.

  Precautionary advice concerning possible interference with medical equipment from mobile telecommunications devices used by the public has also been issued by the Department of Health.

  Radioactive Materials (Transport)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the civil police provide escorts for type B containers of civil radioactive materials transported by road at the request of the material's owners; and if he will make a statement. [19937]

  Mr. Page
  The civil police do not escort type B containers of radioactive materials transported by road. The UK Atomic Energy Authority constabulary escorts these containers when necessary.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the tasks of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority police include escorting type B containers of civil radioactive materials transported by road in the ownership of(a) the UKAEA and (b) other owners; and if he will make a statement. [19936]

  Mr. Page
  The UK Atomic Energy Authority constabulary provides escorts for road transport of type B containers holding certain civil radioactive materials owned by or under the control of BNFL, UKAEA and 388
  URENCO. The security standards laid down for the physical protection of nuclear material and the need for the material to be escorted are dependent on the type, form and quantity of the material, not the type of container holding it. The standards followed are in accord with international guidelines.

  Atomic Energy Authority Police
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the annual cost of the UK Atomic Energy Authority police in the past five years; and what has been its establishment in each of the past five years. [19934]

  Mr. Page
  The annual costs of the UK Atomic Energy Authority constabulary for the past five years are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1991–92

  18.1

  1992–93

  18.8

  1993–94

  17.3

  1994–95

  17.5

  1995–96

  17.6

  Detailed information on the establishment of the AEAC is published in the AEAC chief constable's annual report. Copies of the 1991–92 and 1992–93 annual reports are available in the Library of the House, and I am arranging for copies of the 1993–94, 1994–95, and 1995–96 annual reports to be placed there. The 1996–97 report will also be placed in the Library of the House when it is published later this year.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his most recent communication with the private sector to draw attention to the problem of the millennium compliance of computer systems. [20122]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  This month I am writing to 120,000 chief executives of British businesses to impress upon them the urgency and seriousness of the century date change problem. To help them focus on the main issues, I will set out a check list of seven vital questions which they should ask about the ability of their systems to handle the problem and I will explain how they can get further information.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with his EU counterparts on the millennium compliance of computer systems. [20123]

  Mr. Taylor
  At the Telecommunications Council on 6 March, I again raised the problem of the century date change for computer systems. I have also written to Commissioner Bangemann suggesting that the Commission should draw the attention of European industry to the problem and should consider voluntary means of avoiding disruption from the failure of companies to act quickly. I also suggested that the
  389
  "Definition of Year 2000 Conformity Requirement" developed by the British Standards Institution should be considered by the International Standards Organisation.

  Minimum Wage
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the effect of a minimum wage of £4.26 per hour with 50 per cent. restoration of wage differentials on the number of jobs in the United Kingdom. [20318]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In December 1995, my officials estimated that a minimum wage set at £4.26, as advocated by last year's Trades Union Congress, would lead to the loss of more than 1 million jobs with only half restoration of wage differentials.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 703, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20386]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No. Figures for my Department's PFI projects cannot be provided in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Sectary, Lord Chancellor's Department as contracts for the projects referred to in my answer to hon. Member for Darlington, on 6 March 1997,Official Report, column 703, have not yet been signed, except for the Coal Authority's IT system for mining and surface damage reports, and our estimates of the level of private sector investment are therefore commercially sensitive.

  Radio Spectrum
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who has been awarded the contract for the management and licensing of the radio spectrum used for making programmes and similar activities. [20989]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I announced on 13 June 1996,Official Report, column 269 my intention to appoint a single spectrum management organisation with responsibility for licensing all programme making spectrum.

  JFMG Ltd., has been awarded the contract for managing the radio spectrum used for programme making. The award followed competitive tender which the Radiocommunications Agency conducted.

  The new contract runs for three years from 1 April, with the option of a two-year extension. JFMG Ltd. is authorised under the Contracting Out (Functions relating to Wireless Telegraphy) order 1996 to grant, on the Secretary of State's behalf, licences to programme makers. These include programme production companies, broadcaster, outside broadcast companies, film companies, theatres and conference centres, and participants in sporting events.

  The new contract will give all programme makers access to the available spectrum on equal terms. It will also allow the more efficient and flexible use of the spectrum in a rapidly developing industry.
  390
  The contract replaces arrangements that have operated since 1990. Under them, the spectrum available for programme making has been divided into two distinct pools. Each pool has been managed separately by ASP Frequency Management Ltd. and the Broadcasters' JFMG Ltd. Their contracts terminate on 31 March.

  Telecommunications Council
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Telecommunications Council on 6 March. [20990]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 6 March.

  The Council adopted a directive on licensing in telecommunications. Greece and Germany voted against. Additionally, a decision for EU action on the introduction of satellite personal communication services was adopted without discussion.

  There was political agreement to adopting shortly of a common position on a directive concerning the application of open network provision to voice telephony in a competitive environment.

  Additionally, the presidency gave a progress report on co-decision procedures under way with the European Parliament and the European Commission made presentations on: a forthcoming Commission communication on universal mobile telecommunications systems; a Commission action plan in the field of satellite communications and on implementation by member states of Community legislation in the telecommunications sector.

  I again raised the problem of the century date change for computer systems, having written to Commissioner Bangemann suggesting that the Commission draw European industry's attention to the problem and consider non-legislative means of avoiding disruption within the single market by failure of companies to act quickly.

  Scientific Advice
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the use of scientific advice in policy making. [20991]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Scientific advice plays an essential part in policy making. We are today publishing guidelines for good practice in this area, which I am placing in the Library of the House. The guidelines, drawn up by the chief scientific adviser, Sir Robert May, will help Government Departments to maintain the highest standards of integrity and openness in their use of scientific advice. Their publication reinforces our commitment to open government.

  The guidelines set out key principles on the use and presentation of scientific advice in policy making. They emphasise the need to identify potentially sensitive issues as early as possible, to draw on a wide range of expert advice and to have a presumption to openness in explaining the interpretation of scientific advice. The guidelines have been drafted in consultation with Government Departments and with the main science academies and the Council for Science and Technology.
  391

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions have taken place within the World Trade Organisation concerning the use of child labour within member countries. [19607]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 12 March 1997]: The issue of abusive labour practices, including abuse of child labour, was discussed in the context of trade liberalisation objectives at the WTO ministerial conference in Singapore in December 1996. There is, however, no substantive work programme to eliminate abuse of child labour or current discussion taking place within WTO since, as it was agreed in Singapore, this is the proper preserve of the International Labour Organisation.

  Unigate
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what industrial development grants(a) have been made and (b) are under consideration, and for what purposes, to Unigate for its St. Ivel operation in Liverpool. [20126]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: I cannot comment on discussion between individual companies and the Department, as they are commercially confidential.

  Business Breakfast Tour
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade with whom he consulted as to the propriety of spending public money on the business breakfast tour; and if he will make a statement. [19247]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The business breakfast initiative aims to develop a dialogue between Government and business at a local level. I took advice on this initiative from my accounting officer and other officials. I have been careful to ensure that all the breakfasts have been strictly confined to presentations of Government policy and providing business representatives the opportunity to express their views.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Information Offices
  Mr. Lamont
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 425, if he will list the types of offices the EU has worldwide to disseminate information, indicating (a) the number of each type of office and (b) what each type costs in pounds sterling. [20061]

  Mr. David Davis
  Except as noted below, European Commission offices in third countries take the form either of delegations, in countries outside the EU, or representations, in the member states. There are 128 delegations and 23 representations. Most of these 151 posts have some capacity for information activity, though the proportion of this activity to other elements of the posts' work varies, but only in Washington, New York and Tokyo do the delegations' information sections have the title information offices.
  392
  In addition, there are 32 EU business centres in Asia and Latin America, whose purpose is to promote trade between the EU and the country concerned; and 250 Euro-Info correspondence centres in the European Economic Area, central and eastern Europe and the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to act as a link between small and medium-size businesses in the EU and third countries. EBCs and EICCs are not freestanding offices, and are normally run as part of local trade promotion organisations such as chambers of commerce, with which they are generally co-located.

  There is no figure readily available showing the disaggregated running costs of the Commission's information activities overseas, but in 1996 the total budget for the running costs of Commission delegations outside the EU was £152 million. Running costs for the four Commission representation offices in the UK were £1.3 million

  I gave my right hon. Friend details of the overall budget for all EU information and communication activities in 1997 in my separate answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 484.

  In Council discussions of the Commission's budget, we always underline the need for the utmost rigour in all expenditure, including information activity. In recent years, the Council has regularly reduced the relevant budget allocation, but the European Parliament has restored it.

  EU-British Constitutional Relationship(Referendum)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the Government's policy to hold a referendum before a major change in Britain's constitutional relationship with the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [20011]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have made it clear that we would not accept in the current intergovernmental conference significant constitutional change that would justify a referendum.

  However, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 3 April 1996, if the Government decided to apply to join a single European currency during the next Parliament, that decision would be subject to confirmation in a referendum.

  Prisoner Swaps
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on prisoner swaps between the United Kingdom and other countries. [20155]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  We believe that, on humanitarian grounds, prisoners should be able to serve their sentences in their own country.

  The UK is party to the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons and the Commonwealth scheme for the transfer of convicted offenders. In addition, we have bilateral agreements with Thailand and Egypt, and are working to conclude similar arrangements with other countries.
  393

  Venezuela (Detainees)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the families of Stephen Miles and Paul Loseby, currently detained in Venezuela. [20156]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  The families of both men met Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on 26 November, and Mr. Miles's father met embassy officials in Caracas on 28 November. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in close contact with the families.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to secure the release of Stephen Miles and Paul Loseby, detained in Venezuela; what assessment he has made of the conditions in which they are detained; what representations he has(a) made and (b) received from the Venezuelan authorities on this matter, indicating the dates of all correspondence; and when he next expects to take measures to secure their release. [20189]

  Dr. Fox
  The release of James Miles and Paul Loseby is a matter for the Venezuelan authorities.

  Following written representations by the British ambassador on 19 November 1996, the two men are being held in La Vega police cells, where conditions are better than in the prison where they would otherwise be held.

  That was the last correspondence we have sent to the Venezuelan authorities, from whom we have received no representations.

  Overseas Press Service
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with commercial organisations concerning the future of the overseas press service of the Central Office of Information. [20280]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department advertised the tender for the future provision of the overseas press service in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 16 August 1996. Eleven companies—all British— responded. Following evaluation, six were shortlisted and were visited for on-site presentations and discussions on how they proposed to provide the service if their bid was successful. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are close to finalisation.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to privatise the overseas press service of the Central Office of Information. [20281]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department has been working towards privatisation of the overseas press service on 1 April 1997. Negotiations with the preferred bidder are close to finalisation.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has 394
  received regarding British dependent territory citizenship from the Legislative Council of St. Helena. [20349]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Legislative Councillors of St. Helena have addressed a petition to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary on citizenship. We are considering with other Departments what might be done beyond existing arrangements to increase employment opportunities in the UK for St. Helenians. We are replying to the petition accordingly.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the reasons for the Governor of St. Helena not renewing the residence permit of Mr. Mikael Olsson to enable him to extend his stay on St. Helena. [20427]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Mr. Mikael Olsson was a visitor to St. Helena. He did not have a residence permit. After almost a year on the island, his leave to remain as a visitor expired on 8 March. This is a matter between Mr. Olsson and the immigration officer on St. Helena.

  Former Yugoslavia (War Crimes)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the individuals indicted as war criminals by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia who have not been arrested; if he will indicate the jurisdiction in which each of these is believed to reside; what actions are being taken by the national Governments responsible for these jurisdictions to carry out UN resolutions regarding the enforcement of tribunal orders; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to enforce the tribunal orders through the international peace force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [20351]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Details of individuals indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and their last known whereabouts have been place in the Libraries of the House.

  Those indicated by the tribunal who are still at large are believed to reside in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia-Herzegovina has executed two arrest warrants. It has not arrested any indictees resident in the Republika Srpksa and the Croat part of the federation on the grounds that it lacks control over these areas. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has transferred two witnesses in detention for other reasons to the tribunal. It has not arrested any of the indictees believed to be at large in its territory. The Republic of Croatia has arrested one indictee on its territory, but he has not yet been transferred to the tribunal. Croatia negotiated the voluntary surrender of another indictee to the tribunal. Other indictees in Croatia remain at large.

  NATO has decided that the stabilisation force will detain and transfer to the tribunal any indicted individuals with whom they come into contact in the course of their duties and if the situation permits.
  395

  Know-how Funds
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the funding being made available from the know-how funds during 1997 and the countries and the type of project such funding is being used for. [20179]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Planned expenditure by the know-how fund in the financial year 1996–97 is as follows:

  For projects in:

  £000

  Central Europe

  Albania/Macedonia/Slovenia

  2,400

  Baltic States

  2,200

  Bosnia/Croatia/FRY

  1,750

  Bulgaria

  2,700

  Czech Republic

  2,300

  Hungary

  4,500

  Poland

  10,600

  Romania

  5,000

  Slovakia

  2,500

  Regional (multi-country), including Environment KHF

  4,600

  Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA)

  Kazakhstan

  2,000

  Russia

  28,000

  Ukraine

  9,000

  Other EECA countries

  4,600

  Regional (including Chancellor's Scheme and Environment KHF)

  2,630

  Investment schemes (Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia)

  2,500

  Expenditure is planned at similar levels in 1997–98. The KHF funds projects in a range of sectors, focusing on certain priorities. In the whole region, priorities include financial services, privatisation, small and medium enterprise development, good government and civil society. In central Europe, priorities are also management training, public administration and employment services. In Russia and elsewhere in eastern Europe and central Asia, other priorities are energy, agriculture reform and health management.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the EU social protocols apply to Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [19961]

  Mr. David Davis
  As the EC treaty applies to Gibraltar by virtue of the UK's membership, the agreement of the 14 on social policy annexed to protocol 14 to the EC treaty does not apply there.

  Adriactic Section
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those individuals who are not officials of his Department who advise his Department's Adriatic section. [20330]
  396
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Officials from eastern Adriatic department consult widely with colleagues in other Government Departments. We do not employ outside advisers in this area.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 703, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer tot he hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20387]

  Mr. Hanley
  I regret that publication in the form requested would not be appropriate in the case of projects involving this Department since it could prejudice the nature of the competition within the PFI process.

  EU Logo
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what EU instrument a decision was made empowering EU institutions to insist on the use of the EU logo by recipients of EU grants; if it was decided by majority voting; and what was Her Majesty's Government's position at the time. [20439]

  Mr. David Davis
  Council regulation 2082/93 requires that member states ensure adequate publicity is given to measures carried out with financial assistance from the structural funds. Commission decision 94/342/EC sets out the detailed arrangements, including use of the EU logo, in accordance with the Council regulation.

  The Council regulation was adopted unanimously as one of a package of six regulations concerning the structural funds.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Castle Buildings Talks
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will specify the powers under which he paid the income tax liabilities of delegates to the Castle Buildings talks; how much was involved; what budget the money came from; and if this facility has been made available to staff. [19929]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Allowances to delegates are paid under the authority of section 6 of the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) act 1996. For the current financial year, allowances to them for which tax is due will be paid at a grossed-up rate, so that individuals receive sums equivalent to the allowances untaxed. The cost for the current year in respect of the talks will be approximately £109,000. The cost falls under subhead A2 of the Northern Ireland Office vote 1. Staff employed by parties and Governments participating in the talks are not subject to the same regime of allowances, and are not therefore subject to the arrangements above.
  397

  Northern Ireland Grand Committee
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to permit the relevant policy-making civil servants to be questioned at Northern Ireland Grand Committee meetings called to discuss draft Orders in Council; and if he will make a statement about the advantages of introducing a process to amend such orders. [18753]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  No. Since it is Ministers, not civil servants, who make policy, it is for Ministers, not civil servants, to account to Parliament for the Government's legislative proposals.

  Orders in council are, by their nature, unamendable once laid before the House, but in respect of Northern Ireland there are already consultation procedures, including discussion in the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, which give ample opportunity to those who wish to register their views on legislative provisions while they are still in draft form, and for Ministers to take due note of such views.

  Hip Joint Operations
  Mr. A Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what age criteria apply to the allocation of hip joint operations. [20364]

  Mr. Moss
  There are no age criteria for those seeking hip joint operations.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 721–22, if he will provide figures for this Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20392]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The table gives an update to the figures included in my answer to the hon. Member for Darlington on 6 March,Official Report, columns 721–22. The figures show the current estimate of what NI Departments expect to be agreed. The list is subject to variation as project time scales may change, new projects may arise and some of those listed may not be taken forward if they fail the value for money test:

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Bangor and Kinnegar sewage treatment works

  7

  6

  7

  Hydro electric project

  1

  0

  0

  Sewage treatment works tranche 2

  0

  0

  19

  Westlink urban motorway

  0

  0

  10

  Motorway emergency telephone system

  0

  4

  2

  Strangford ferry replacement

  0

  2

  1

  Accommodation Holywood road, social security office

  0

  3

  0

  Accommodation Hydebank

  0

  4

  5

  DVTA vehicle testing project

  0

  4

  0

  Land Registry IT system

  0

  2

  0

  Planning service IT system

  1

  0

  0

  Antrim bus station/library

  0

  1

  1

  Ulsterbus/Citybus bus replacement

  0

  0

  10

  Northern Ireland railways class 80 rolling stock replacement

  0

  0

  0

  398

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Ulster folk and transport museum visitors centre

  3

  0

  0

  North-west institute of further and higher education

  3

  4

  0

  Belfast institute of further and higher education

  0

  5

  5

  St. Genevieve's high school

  0

  3

  4

  Drumglass high school

  0

  3

  2

  Wellington college

  0

  3

  2

  Balmoral high school

  0

  3

  0

  Other education projects not yet confirmed

  0

  0

  12

  Refurbishment/replacement schemes at the Altnagelvin, Downe, Royal and Causeway hospitals

  3

  9

  13

  Belfast city hospital renal unit

  3

  0

  0

  Belfast city hospital car parking facilities

  2

  0

  0

  Miscellaneous equipment leases

  1

  2

  2

  Clinical waste disposal

  3

  0

  0

  Royal group of hospitals theatres and intensive care equipment

  2

  0

  0

  Total

  29

  58

  95

PRIME MINISTER

  Refuge Projects (Funding)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) which Departments have funded children and homeless charities central London refuge projects providing temporary havens for children in the last 15 years; [20406]

  (2) if he will estimate the central Government share of the average costs of providing four days refuge in a safe supervised haven project for a child aged under 16 years in central London; [20408]

  (3) when Ministers last discussed the need for and possible means of funding temporary safe havens for runaway children below the age of 16 years in central London; [20407]

  (4) if he will review the practicality of instigating a central London children's refuge empowered to negotiate a cost contribution with individual social services departments in order to admit a child on the first day of need. [20409]

  The Prime Minister
  The Department of Health has funded children and homeless charities in London on projects providing a refuge for children as defined in the Children Act 1989. Figures are not available to estimate the central Government share of the average cost of providing four days' refuge, but the Department of Health has provided £300,000 over four years in respect of the London-based Centrepoint Glaxo refuge. Department of Health Ministers have met and discussed funding arrangements with voluntary organisations running the London refuge on several occasions; the last meeting was in September 1996. The Government have introduced legislation that enables the establishment of refuges that provide safe havens for children who appear to be at risk of harm. It is for local authorities and other agencies to work together to provide strategic solutions to the provision and funding of services for children in need— including young runaways. The Department of the
  399
  Environment, as part of the rough sleepers initiative in central London, has funded Centrepoint in providing accommodation for young people, usually 18 to 25-year-olds, at a hostel in Vauxhall and for its "Off the Streets" project in Soho. DOE funding for the Vauxhall hostel is £165,000 in 1996–97. In addition, Centrepoint receives funding to provide emergency shelters for young people aged 25 years and under between December and March as part of the annual winter shelter programme under the RSI. In 1996–97, the DOE is funding Centrepoint to run a winter shelter in King's Cross, providing up to 48 bedspaces.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have recently received from the German Government concerning the imprisonment in Holloway prison of Ms Roisin McAliskey; and if he will make a statement. [20426]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, none.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Birthing Partner (Definition)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of a birthing partner within the Home Office prison regulations. [19715]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the definition of a birthing partner within the Home Office Prison Regulations.
  The Prison Service has not sought to define a birthing partner outside of any definition used elsewhere. The Prison Service interprets the term birthing partner as referring to someone who will be present during the whole period of labour to provide emotional support to the mother.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on whose authority a label was attached to newspapers sent to Ms Roisin McAliskey stating that they were not to be issued to her until she complained or a parliamentary question was tabled. [19716]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about a label attached to newspapers sent to Ms Roisin McAliskey.
  Ms McAliskey, like all prisoners, may receive any newspapers she requires from a local newsagent. She is not allowed to receive newspapers direct through the post. On one occasion newspapers
  400
  were received in the post. They were not issued but kept so that they could be handed to her family when they visited. Again, this is standard practice with items received for prisoners which they may not have.
  A sticker had been attached to the newspapers stating that the papers should not be issued until a complaint was received or a Question asked.
  As soon as this was brought to the governor's attention he ordered an immediate investigation under the terms of the Prison Service Code of Discipline. The member of staff responsible for this extremely ill judged and wholly unacceptable behaviour has been orally reprimanded and warned about future behaviour.
  I apologise unreservedly for this woeful episode. I am satisfied that swift and appropriate action was taken to deal with the incident.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 February,Official Report, column 214, what decisions have been made concerning arrangements for the care of Roisin McAliskey's baby should she give birth while still in prison; and if those decisions were an operational or policy matter. [20072]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the decision as to whether Roisin McAliskey may keep her baby with her at Holloway prison.
  Roisin McAliskey applied on 14 February to be located on the Mother and Baby Unit at Holloway with her baby after it is born. Her application was considered, following the normal processes which apply to all expectant mothers, by the Admissions Board at Holloway, who considered the views of independent experts in the development needs of babies, as well as logistical issues.
  The Assessment Board has now advised the Governor that Roisin McAliskey's application should be approved, the Governor has recommended approval and this recommendation has been accepted by the Operational Director responsible for Holloway. Ms McAliskey has been told that she may keep her baby with her after the birth. She will, as do all other mothers, have to sign a compact agreeing to be of reasonable behaviour and to co-operate with the ethos and regime of the Unit. Babies in the Unit normally remain with their mothers until the age of nine months.
  The decision to allow Roisin McAliskey to keep her baby has followed the standard procedures and processes that would apply to any other prisoner.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the alterations in the prison regime and rules governing the treatment of Roisin McAliskey subsequent to her recategorisation. [20019]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the alterations to the treatment of Roisin McAliskey following her recategorisation.

  401
  Following a routine review of her security status Roisin McAliskey remains a Category A prisoner but has been downgraded from high risk to standard risk within that category. As a result some of the security arrangements which have been in operation have been relaxed.
  The number of strip searches to which Roisin McAliskey had been subject has been reduced and she is no longer being strip searched before and after every open visit within the prison. She is now only being strip searched on the same basis as all other prisoners at Holloway. This means before leaving the prison for court appearances and on return to the prison; as part of a cell search and drug testing procedures; on a random basis; or if there were reasonable suspicion she had secreted something about her person. These arrangements took effect on 7 March.
  Further relaxations as a consequence of the security review will take effect from 13 March. As a result, she will be able to attend chapel, to use the gym and the swimming pool, and to attend ante-natal classes with other prisoners. The number of overnight security checks will be reduced so that the light in her cell can be extinguished for most of the night.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 430, if he will support the request of Roisin McAliskey to be accompanied by two close relatives during her confinement should she remain remanded in custody. [20020]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the request of Roisin McAliskey to be accompanied by two close relatives during her confinement.
  As I stated in my reply to your previous question, we have already agreed to Ms McAliskey's request. She will be allowed to have the birthing partners she has requested unless the hospital staff raise any objection on medical grounds.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the security categorisation given to Roisin McAliskey; and if the determination of such categorisation is an operational or policy matter. [20018]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the security categorisation of Roisin McAliskey.
  Both Ministers and the Prison Service have received numerous representations on Ms McAliskey's behalf, and many of these refer to the conditions in which she is being held. These conditions stem, in part from her status as a category A prisoner.
  The decision as to the appropriate security category for an individual prisoner is an operational one. Ms McAliskey's security category was set after consideration of the reason for her detention and the risk she would pose should she escape from custody. Her security category is kept under regular review and was recently changed from category A (high risk) to category A (standard risk).
  402

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers, or other prison staff, have been disciplined or dismissed as a result of being involved in the supply of drugs in prisons, for such recent years as figures are available; and whether criminal prosecutions were brought in such cases. [19760]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about how many prison officers, or other prison staff, have been disciplined or dismissed as a result of being involved in the supply of drugs in prisons, for such recent years as figures are available; and whether criminal prosecutions were brought in such cases.
  Since the introduction of the new Prison Service Code of Conduct and Discipline in July 1993(which required that the outcome of all disciplinary cases should be reported to Headquarters), centrally-held records show that no members of staff have been disciplined for involvement in the supply of drugs in prisons.
  However, in one case a member of staff was dismissed after he was found to be in possession of cannabis in the prison club. Three members of staff were dismissed as a result of criminal convictions involving possession of drugs, but these concerned incidents away from the prison. And, in a further two cases, members of staff resigned before any disciplinary action could be taken over allegations of illegal possession of drugs, again away from the prison.

  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations have been carried out by the Prison Service Agency, since its inception, into allegations of the involvement of prison officers in the supply of drugs in prisons. [19762]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Sir Ivan lawrence, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of investigations which have been carried out by the Prison Service Agency, since its inception, into allegations of the involvement of prison officers in the supply of drugs in prison.
  I regret that this information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, any such allegations would be fully investigated and the appropriate action taken, including referral to the police.

  Prisoners (Purposeful Activity)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 January to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth),Official Report, column 352–66, on the levels of purposeful activity in individual prisons, for what reason the figures for privately managed prisons for 1995–96 were not included; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards the release of information relating to privately managed prisons. [19043]
  403
  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking about purposeful activity at privately managed prisons in 1995–96 and about what information is released about these prisons.
  The figures for 1995–96 are not available on a monthly basis. The average hours per prisoner per week spent on purposeful activity in each contracted prison in 1995–96 were:

  Prison1

  Average hours per week purposeful activity2

  Blakenhurst

  25

  Doncaster

  24

  Wolds

  29

  1 Figures are not available for Buckley Hall as it was not fully operational during 1995–96.

  2 These figures were published in October 1996 in the Home Office Economics Unit's review of comparative costs and performance of privately and publicly operated prisons in 1995–96.

  All four contracted prisons have been providing figures for purposeful activity on a monthly basis from April 1996.
  The Prison Service releases all available information about contracted prisons that is not confidential. Information may be confidential for different reasons. It may be because the information is commercially confidential or because of reasons that apply equally to all prisons such as information about security.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions(a) remand and (b) convicted prisoners in HMP Holloway are required to be strip searched; if he will place in the Library the regulations concerning how such body searches should be carried out; what training is given to officers to ensure such searches are conducted in accordance with the law; if prisoners who are pregnant are exempt from such body searches; and if he will make a statement. [19739]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about strip searching of prisoners.
  Both remand and convicted prisoners at Holloway are strip searched on first reception, before leaving the prison on any escort, and on their subsequent return; when their cells are searched in accordance with the local searching strategy (roughly once a month); and if they are received into the segregation unit. In addition, prisoners are liable to random strip searches after visits. The governor may also require a strip search on any occasion when this is necessary for security.
  The regulations covering strip searches are contained in Prison Rule 39, and in the Prison Service Manual on Security, copies of which are in the Library of the House.
  Prison officers are trained in the authorised procedures for strip searching on their initial training course and receive refresher training as required.
  Pregnant women are not exempt from strip searches.
  404
  Strip searching is a routine and necessary security measure to which all prisoners are subject. It enables prison officers to detect items of contraband, such as drugs or a weapon, which may be concealed about the person. It is not possible to detect some illicit items by use of X-ray portals or hand-held metal detectors.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) remand and (b) convicted prisoners, detained at Her Majesty's prison Holloway over the last year have been required to authorise the destruction of flowers sent to them; and what arrangements exist for prisoners to request that flowers which they have received are placed in other parts of the prison. [19741]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the requirement for prisoners to authorise the destruction of flowers sent to them at Holloway prison and the arrangements for prisoners to request that flowers are placed in other parts of the prison.
  No prisoners have been required to authorise the destruction of flowers at Holloway prison. There are no established arrangements for prisoners to request that flowers they have received are placed in other parts of the prison.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the education programmes at HMP Holloway in 1997; what assessment he has made of the impact of those plans on prisoners, with particular reference to the amount of time spent confined to cells; and if he will make a statement. [19745]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about education programmes at Holloway prison.
  There are no plans to make any changes to the level of educational provision at Holloway prison during 1997. There is currently an average of 80 prisoners on the daytime programme, studying for 21 hours a week. There is an average of 18 prisoners on evening classes for 6 hours a week.
  The average time a prisoner at Holloway prison is unlocked is currently 10.5 hours per weekday.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances(a) remand and (b) convicted prisoners, detained at HMP Holloway, are required to accept deductions from income in respect of board and lodging charges; and if he will make a statement. [19742]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  405
  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about deductions of income at Holloway prison in respect of board and lodging charges.
  Deductions are made from prisoners in jobs where they are paid 'real wages'. These prisoners contribute 25 per cent of their earnings to the prison—up to a maximum of £24 a week.
  There are currently six prisoners employed full-time in such positions, each earning an average of approximately £75 a week. In addition, up to 40 prisoners are employed on a casual basis earning on average approximately £20 a week.
  With the exception of one of the full-time positions—which involves working outside the prison and is therefore restricted to convicted prisoners—these jobs are open to both convicted and unconvicted prisoners.

  Table 1: Red Book figures

  £ million

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total

  Bridgend Prison

  37.0

  0

  0

  37.0

  Fazakerley Prison

  37.0

  0

  0

  37.0

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)caseworking information technology system

  21.0

  0

  0

  21.0

  Lowdham Grange Prison

  24.0

  0

  0

  24.0

  Home Office Large Major Enquiry System II (information technology system)

  0.5

  0

  0

  0.5

  Cookham Wood, Secure Training Centre (STC)

  6.0

  0

  0

  6.0

  Gringley (STC)

  10.0

  0

  0

  10.0

  Medomsley (STC)

  5.0

  5.0

  10.0

  10.0

  Onley (STC)

  5.0

  5.0

  0

  10.0

  STC 5

  5.0

  5.0

  0

  10.0

  Design, Construct, Manage and Finance (DCMF)3(Prison)

  6.0

  37.0

  37.0

  80.0

  DCMF 4 (Prison)

  0

  6.0

  37.0

  43.0

  IND Detention Accommodation (South East District)

  1.0

  0

  0

  1.0

  IND Detention Accommodation (Heathrow)

  0

  14.0

  0

  14.0

  Home Office SW1 estate

  10.0

  30.0

  10.0

  50.0

  Prisons/boilerhouses

  9.0

  3.0

  0

  12.0

  Prisons/kitchens

  8.0

  0

  0

  8.0

  Prisons/heath centres

  3.0

  0

  0

  3.0

  Prisons major refurbishments

  12.0

  12.0

  0

  24.0

  Prisons/other

  2.0

  0

  0

  2.0

  Prisons/health information technology

  0

  6.0

  0

  6.0

  Public Safety Radio Communications Project

  0

  10.0

  40.0

  50.0

  Total

  201.5

  133.0

  124.0

  458.5

  Table 2: Current revised figures

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1990–00

  Total

  Bridgend prison

  35.0

  0

  0

  35.0

  Fazakerley prison

  41.0

  0

  0

  41.0

  Immigration and nationality directorate (IND)caseworking information technology system

  21.0

  0

  0

  21.0

  Lowdham grange prison

  24.0

  0

  0

  24.0

  Home office large major enquiry system II (information technology system)

  0.5

  0

  0

  0.5

  Cookham wood, secure training centre (STC)

  7.0

  0

  0

  7.0

  Gringley (STC)

  10.0

  0

  0

  10.0

  Medomsley (STC)

  3.0

  7.0

  0

  10.0

  Onley (STC)

  10.0

  0

  0

  10.0

  STC 5

  2.0

  8.0

  0

  10.0

  Design, Construct, Manage and Finance (DCMF)3(Prison)

  6.0

  35.0

  35.0

  76.0

  DCMF 4(Prison)

  6.0

  35.0

  35.0

  76.0

  IND detention accommodation (South East District)

  1.0

  0

  0

  1.0

  IND detention accommodation (Heathrow)

  0

  14.0

  0

  14.0

  Home Office SW1 estate

  10.0

  30.0

  10.0

  50.0

  Prisons/boilerhouses

  12.0

  9.0

  9.0

  30.0

  Prisons/kitchens

  10.0

  6.0

  6.0

  22.0

  Prisons/health centres

  0

  1.0

  1.0

  2.0

  Prisons/other

  2.0

  2.0

  2.0

  6.0

  Prisons/health information technology

  0

  6.0

  0

  6.0

  Public safety radio communications project

  0

  10

  40

  50

  Total

  200.5

  163

  138

  501.5

  406

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 699, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20388]

  Mr. Howard
  A breakdown by project of the Home Office's private finance initiative schemes, as identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book, is given in table 1. Current estimates for the projects are shown in table 2.
  407

  Special Secure Units
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, columns 289–90, if he will list those recommendations which have been implemented through amendments to the SSU operating standards; if he will introduce a system of open visits which incorporates measures to prevent the smuggling of unauthorised items to prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [20365]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the implementation of the recommendations of the Acheson Report.
  The following recommendations have been implemented through amendments to the special secure unit (SSU) operating Standards:
  Recommendation 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 advised that the general health of prisoners contained in SSUs be reviewed at regular intervals, taking into account their degree of susceptibility to psychological symptoms.
  Response
  The Operating Standards have been amended to require that in future medical officers should undertake formal reviews of the health of prisoners detained in the SSU every three months.
  Recommendation 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 NHS hospitals.
  Response
  The Operating Standards have been amended to emphasise the importance of prompt action.
  Recommendation 6
  Sentence planning should be introduced as with other long term prisoners.
  Response
  The overriding consideration in determining the length of time a prisoner spends in the Unit must be security. However, the Operating Standards have been amended to provide that regular formal review of SSU prisoners should be introduced (linked to Recommendation 1 above) to cover health, behaviour and attitude, etc.
  The following recommendation has not been implemented:
  Recommendation 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 immediate family.
  Response
  The Prison Service has considered Sir Donald Acheson's recommendation that prisoners in SSUs should have access to open visits with members of their immediate family. The Service has made numerous improvements to the security of SSUs but closed visits represent the only guaranteed means of preventing the passage of unauthorised items between prisoner and visitors. Closed visits therefore remain a necessary security measure.
  The remaining recommendations endorsed existing policy.
  408
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place(a) the 1989 Home Office research and planning unit report into special secure units and (b) the 1990 report of the board of visitors of HMP Leicester on the special secure unit in the Library. [20058]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the 1989 Home Office Research and Planning Unit Report on special secure units and the 1990 Board of Visitors report on the special secure unit at Leicester.
  A copy of the 1989 Research and Planning Unit report was sent to the Library at the time of publication. The 1990 Leicester Board of Visitors report was not published. The decision on whether to publish a report from a local board of visitors to the Home Secretary rests with the board itself.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if provision of a minimum period of undisturbed rest within a reasonably dark environment for the purpose of sleep is a right or a privilege within a special secure unit; and what opportunities are available to a prisoner to complain about frequent or unnecessary interruptions of their pattern of sleep. [19940]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the provision of a minimum period of sleep for prisoners in a special secure unit.
  Exceptional risk Category A prisoners in SSUs (and other Category A prisoners elsewhere) are observed at hourly intervals throughout the night for security reasons. Observation takes place from outside the cell to avoid disturbing the prisoner by opening the cell door or switching on the main cell lights.
  Prisoners in SSUs have access to the same grievance procedures as other prisoners. Complaints may be made orally to prison staff or in writing in accordance with the Prison Service request and complaints procedure. Prisoners may also refer complaints and grievances to the Board of Visitors or the Prisons Ombudsman. Complaints may also be lodged via members of parliament, legal representatives, embassies (where appropriate) and others.

  Prisons (Open Visits)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances a prison governor may exercise his discretion in granting an open visit to a prisoner normally on a closed visit regime. [20059]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  409
  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the circumstances under which a prison governor may exercise discretion in granting an open visit to a prisoner normally on a closed visit regime.
  In general, governors have discretion under Prison Standing Order 5 to impose closed visits in respect of any prisoner where security or control considerations so require. The imposition and removal of this class of closed visit restriction, for prisoners who are not categorised as Exceptional Escape risk, is entirely at the discretion of the prison governor.
  All visits to Exceptional Escape risk prisoners will normally take place under closed conditions. An open visit may be authorised in exceptional circumstances by an operational Director of the Prison Service. In doing so he will seek advice from the prison governor.

  Court Welfare Service
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules exist concerning the use of probation service staff to act as the family court welfare service; what alternative sources of court welfare officers exist; and what guidance exists concerning the way in which such officers operate. [20076]

  Mr. Sackville
  Rule 20 of the Probation Rules 1984— Statutory Instrument 1984 No. 647—as amended, requires probation committees to assign probation officers to act as court welfare officers; and rule 35 sets out the duties which officers so assigned should undertake at the request of a court. Under section 7 of the Children Act 1989, a court may ask either a probation officer or a local authority for a welfare report. Parties to proceedings under the Act may also obtain their own reports. The principal guidance on the probation service's family court welfare work which the Home Office has issued is contained in "National Standards"—a copy of which is in the Library—which was published in 1994 and to which were annexed a number of High court family division practice directions.

  Prison Medical Examinations (Video-recording)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 428, if he will take steps to ensure that video-recording equipment is positioned in such a way as to demonstrate that it is not being used. [19939]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question on the use of video recording equipment.
  It is not anticipated that equipment of the kind that could potentially be used for video recording medical consultations with prisoners would ever be a permanent feature of a room within a prison. As noted in the Answer given on 28 February, permission
  410
  to video record prisoners undergoing medical consultation would only exceptionally be given, and then only with the consent and knowledge of the individual prisoners concerned and awareness that a video recorder was in use.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on which occasions a category A prisoner has been patriated to(a) Ireland and (b) other countries to complete sentences in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [20366]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since the Republic of Ireland brought into effect the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons on 1 November 1995, six category A prisoners have been repatriated there. The repatriations took place on the following dates:

  One on 14 May 1996:

  One on 21 May 1996:

  Three on 13 November 1996:

  One on 19 December 1996.

  Within the last five years, two category A prisoners have been repatriated to Italy. These repatriations took place on 11 November 1992 and 13 June 1996.

  Colchester Young Offenders' Institute
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many inmates are currently resident at Her Majesty's young offenders' institute Colchester; [19917]

  (2) what are the weekly running costs at Her Majesty's young offenders institute Colchester; [19918]

  (3) what are the estimated running costs for the first full year at Her Majesty's young offenders institute Colchester. [19919]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. George Howarth, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your three recent Questions about inmate numbers and costs at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution Colchester.
  On Tuesday 11 March there were 11 young offenders at Colchester, all of whom were members of the first intake which arrived at the young offender institution on the day it opened, 20 February. Further intakes will bring the population to 32.
  The current estimated running costs for the financial year 1 April 1997 to 30 March 1998 are £1,006,000 which is equivalent to an average weekly rate of £19,293. These figures exclude an estimated charge of £114,292 made by the Ministry of Defence for rental of the accommodation and a contribution in lieu of rates.
  411

  Scientific Procedures (Dogs)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the suppliers of the dogs from non-designated sources in the United Kingdom supplied to establishments licensed to carry out scientific procedures during 1995. [20661]

  Mr. Sackville
  Disclosure is prohibited under section 24(1) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) act 1986.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to ensure that dogs supplied from non-designated sources in the United Kingdom during 1995 to establishments licensed to carry out scientific procedures were purpose bred. [20660]

  Mr. Sackville
  Non-designated sources in the United Kingdom do not supply dogs purpose bred for research use.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many establishments licensed to carry out procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) act 1968 were granted exemptions under article 10(3) to allow the use of non-purpose bred dogs in 1995. [20662]

  Mr. Sackville
  One establishment was granted permission to use non-purpose bred dogs.

  Civil Protection Exercises
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current schedule of European civil protection exercises; how many members of his Department are or will be involved in each such exercise; what is the cost to his Department of each such exercise; what are the scenarios of such exercises; and if he will make a statement about the purpose of such exercises. [20457]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no European civil protection exercises currently planned.

  Immigration Status Inquiry Unit
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the immigration status inquiry unit was set up; how many staff it has; how many (i)local authorities and (ii) other bodies have now registered with it; how many people suspected of immigration offences have been notified to it in each month since it was set up; in how many such cases(a) enforcement action has been taken and (b) the suspicion proved to be unfounded; and what was the average length of time taken to provide the information requested. [20628]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The immigration status inquiry unit dates from the late 1970s, although it was known as the overstayer tracing and information section until 1994.

  The unit currently has a complement of 42 administrative staff. A total of 251 local authorities, principally housing authorities, have registered with it. Other bodies do not register as such but may receive information from immigration and nationality directorate records only where they have an entitlement within established disclosure policy. The remainder of the information requested is not available.
  412

  Emergency Planning College Group
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the members of the emergency planning college liaison group, (b) the dates of meetings of the group since April 1992 and (c) the dates of future scheduled meetings of the group; and if he will make a statement about the purpose and remit of the group. [20458]

  Mr. Sackville
  The emergency planning college liaison group exists to provide a forum for discussion between the emergency planning unit of the Home Office, and representatives of the Home departments, and representatives of organisations drawing upon the services and facilities of the Home Office emergency planning college, on the college's approach and programme. Details of the membership of the group, as currently notified to the Home Office, and the dates of meetings of the group since April 1992 are as follows. I understand that no date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of the group.

  Members of the emergency planning college liaison group

  Name

  Mrs. S. Street

  Director, Fire and Emergency Planning Directorate

  Miss S. Paul

  Head, Emergency Planning Division

  Mr. A. Blackley

  Principal, Emergency Planning College

  Mr. D. Bawtree

  Civil Emergencies Advisor

  Mr. A. Lawrence

  Emergency Planning Unit

  Dr. M. Rooke

  Emergency Planning College

  Commander D. Morris

  Cabinet Office

  Mrs. M. Gunn

  Scottish Office

  Mr. W. Clements

  Northern Ireland Office

  Councillor R. Binnie

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

  Councillor L. Byron

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Mr. M. Brangwin

  Association of London Government

  Mr. G. Essery

  Society of Industrial Emergency Services Officers (SIESO)

  Ms S. Green

  Association of County Councils

  Mr. J. Herrick

  Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association (CACFOA)

  Chief Inspector N.

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Johnstone

  (ACPO)

  Major Gen. R. Keightley

  Health Authorities

  Mr. D. Larkin

  Ambulance Services Association

  Miss C. Pointer

  Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

  Councillor E. Robertson

  Association of District Councils

  Mr. S. Turney

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA)

  Mr. J. Williams

  Emergency Planning Society

  Emergency Planning College Liaison Group Meetings since April 1992:

  Tuesday 12 January 1993

  Thursday 25 March 1993

  Tuesday 9 November 1993

  Tuesday 8 November 1994

  Thursday 15 June 1995

  Thursday 29 February 1996.

  Prisons (Operational Emergencies)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1 April
  413
  1996 operational emergencies have been declared in prisons under bulletin 8, paragraph 7; if he will list the prisons concerned; and what were the reasons. [20462]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to answer your recent Question about operational emergencies declared in prisons.
  Fresh Start Bulletin 8 paragraph 17 refers to an operational emergency as being one reason among others for asking staff to work longer than the sum of their conditioned hours.
  No central record is kept of the occasions where this happens nor is there a requirement for local records to be kept of additional staff attendance required by such emergencies.
  This information therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Metropolitan Police Manpower
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, columns 429–30, how many Metropolitan police officers were on court duty and excluded from the figure for 1 April 1992. [19483]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The commissioner informs me that on 1 April 1992 there were approximately 530 officers on court duty who were recorded on divisional strength.

  Data Collection (Postcodes)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 322, what adjustments are made to account for postcode boundaries cutting across the boundaries of county police forces in police funding formulas in using ACORN—a classification of residential neighbourhoods—and what adjustments have been made in the S12 and S31 post code areas. [19611]

  Mr. Howard
  I regret that my earlier answer suggested wrongly that the ACORN—a classification of residential neighbourhoods—classifications used in the police funding formula were based on post code areas. The ACORN data provided to my Department by CACI Ltd. for use in the police funding formula is constructed from census information collected at the level of enumeration districts. No adjustments are, therefore, necessary in respect of post code boundaries cutting across the boundaries of county police forces.

  Fire Authorities (PFI Projects)
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which schemes submitted by fire authorities have been selected as private finance initiative pathfinder projects. [20743]
  414
  Mr. Sackville
  I am delighted to announce that the following eight projects have been selected as pathfinders:

  Fire Stations:

  Cornwall County Fire Brigade

  Lancashire County Fire Brigade

  Greater Manchester County Fire Service

  North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

  Training:

  Avon Fire Brigade, Gloucestershire

  Fire and Rescue Service and Somerset Fire Brigade (joint project)

  South Wales Fire Service

  Vehicles:

  London Fire Brigade

  Communications:

  Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service

  Each of these projects will receive up to £70,000 in financial assistance in 1997–98 towards consultancy costs incurred by the brigades in taking them forward. The experience of these pathfinder projects will also assist the fire service generally to take full advantage of the potential of the private finance initiative to help meet brigades' capital requirements.

  A total of 21 projects were submitted by fire authorities for consideration for financial assistance as pathfinders. This was an excellent response and clearly demonstrates the willingness of the fire service to consider positively and imaginatively how private finance can help meet its needs. We shall continue to provide advice and assistance to all brigades in exploiting the initiative.

  Unrepresented Defendants (Personal Cross-examinations)
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to protect victims of rape and other offences from being personally cross-examined by unrepresented defendants; and if he will make a statement. [20741]

  Mr. Howard
  The Government wish to take steps to prevent the ordeal experienced by some victims of rape and other offences who have been personally cross-examined in court by unrepresented defendants. Therefore, we have undertaken a review into whether the prohibition on the cross-examination of child witnesses by unrepresented defendants in cases of sexual offences, violence and cruelty, which was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991, should be extended to other cases.

  In light of that review, I have concluded that it would be right for a discretionary scheme prohibiting unrepresented defendants from cross-examining vulnerable victims to be available to the courts for use in appropriate circumstances. Where a prohibition was imposed, cross-examination could be conducted only by a legal representative of the defendant.

  Details of how the scheme would work, including the offences to which it should apply, will be considered further as part of the wide-ranging review of court procedures for vulnerable witnesses which was announced

  415
  by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, on 23 January. This will enable the scheme to be developed in a co-ordinated way, alongside other issues covered by that review.

  It is vital to encourage witnesses to come forward to give evidence against offenders and the Government have continually introduced measures to improve the treatment of victims and witnesses by the criminal justice system. A discretionary scheme to prevent cross-examianton by unrepresented defendants in appropriate cases is consistent with the Government's approach and will
  416
  provide a valuable addition to existing witness protection measures.

  Radioactive Material
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the owners of radioactive materials in transit are responsible for the cost of civil police escorts; and if he will make a statement. [19938]

  Mr. Page
  I have been asked to reply.

  The civil police are not involved in the escort of radioactive materials and therefore no costs are incurred.
  417

TRANSPORT

  Bray's Detective Agency
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has paid to date to Bray's detective agency for monitoring road protests. [19226]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how much has been paid to Bray's Detective Agency for monitoring road protests.
  Bray's Detective Agency are employed as evidence gatherers by Treasury Solicitors on behalf of the Department. To date they have been paid £2,263,314.60(including VAT, where applicable).

  M6 Flyover (Walsall)
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct his staff to inspect the M6 flyover crossing the Darlaston road in Walsall for leakage of rainwater on to the gardens of the houses below or near the structure. [19920]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Bruce George, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question about the leakage of rainwater onto the gardens of the houses below or near the M6 fly-over crossing the Darlaston Road in Walsall.
  I am arranging for a representative from our Agent Authority, Staffordshire County Council, to inspect the structure.

  Motor Cycle Safety
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the testing of road construction products in respect of the safety of cars to cover the safety of motorcyclists. [20087]

  Mr. Watts
  No. Many construction products are already tested for their suitability in terms of safety and other requirements in a general way that covers all classes of vehicle.

  In the case of construction products which aim to restrain or redirect errant vehicles, testing is not undertaken specifically in respect of motor cycles as it has not been possible to devise a test that is both appropriate and repeatable because of the instability of motor cycles under such conditions. The development of tests in the UK and Europe has concentrated, therefore, on the performance of such products when impacted by cars and heavier vehicles.

  London Transport (Customer Satisfaction Surveys)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the customer satisfaction surveys carried out on behalf of(a) London Buses Ltd. and (b) London Underground Ltd. [20429]
  418
  Mr. Bowis
  The Department receives regular reports from London Transport concerning customer perceptions of service performance for both Buses and Underground. I understand that London Buses is considering whether to replace its current household survey with an interview survey of passengers alighting from buses. This new methodology would be similar to the one which London Underground has been using since 1990.

  Rail Services (Nomura Securities)
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what involvement Nomura Securities has in Angel Trains Contracts; and if he will make a statement; [20412]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the role of Nomura Securities in respect of railway services in the United Kingdom. [20413]

  Mr. Watts
  Nomura International plc, the UK-based wholly owned subsidiary of Nomura Securities Company Ltd., arranged, underwrote and participated in the funding of the consortium called GRS Holding Company Ltd., who contracted to acquire Angel Trains Contracts in November 1995.

  Bus Working Group
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish all the reports from the service provision and quality sub-group of the bus working group. [20430]

  Mr. Watts
  The work of the service provision and quality sub-group contributes to the on-going discussions of the bus working group. The remit of the sub-group does not include the production of reports for publication.

  PFI Projects
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 713, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20385]

  Mr. Watts
  No.

  Terminal 5 Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's evidence to the Heathrow terminal 5 inquiry with particular reference to the advantages of the M25 being widened to dual 5–6 between junctions 12 and 15. [20293]

  Mr. Watts
  The Department has not provided, and does not intend to provide, evidence to the terminal 5 inquiry on the justification for the proposed widening of the M25 between junctions 12 and 15.
  419

  Spofforth Bypass
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards constructing the Spofforth bypass in North Yorkshire using the private finance initiative. [20680]

  Mr. Watts
  I understand that the Spofforth bypass is being progressed as part of a package of three design, build, finance and operate road schemes by North Yorkshire county council.

  The public private partnerships programme—4Ps— believes that this package of road schemes have a good chance of being developed successfully and replicated within the new PFI framework, and has therefore given the scheme pathfinder status.

  If a satisfactory business case is proposed by North Yorkshire, the Department of Transport will seek Treasury agreement to the notional credit approvals which may be required.

  Al
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the outturn cost of the upgrading of the Al between Walshford and Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire to motorway standards; and what was the estimated cost at the commencement of the work. [20683]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Robert Banks, dated 17 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the costs of upgrading the Al between Walshford and Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire.
  The outturn costs will not be known until the final account for the works has been settled, which may not be for sometime.
  The total tender cost for the main works was £54.35m excluding VAT.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the improvements to passenger and station services implemented by(a) Great Western Trains, (b) South West Trains and (c) LTS Rail, referred to in his answer of 9 January 1996, Official Report, column 27. [18678]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 4 March 1997]: Improvements to passenger and station services implemented by Great Western Trains, South West Trains and LTS Rail since commencing operations, are as follows:
  Great Western Trains
  GWT has introduced a large number of product enhancements including family carriage and business standard services, improved first class facilities, increased capacity for the carriage of bicycles, expanded catering services, and special offers and promotions to all rail passengers.
  Weekday train services have been increased and some long-distance journey times have been reduced by up to 20 minutes. By the summer, GWT will be running an additional 11 services per weekday above the summer 1995 timetable.
  420
  A £50 million rolling stock upgrading programme is under way and the first five completely refurbished and re-liveried high-speed trains are now in service. A further seven trains will be available by May.
  GWT has established a new telephone inquiry bureau and six telesales offices creating 180 full and part-time jobs.
  GWT has completed the refurbishment of customer waiting lounges at Swindon, Newton Abbott and Bristol Parkway. Buffet facilities at Swindon have been refurbished and a customer service desk introduced. Self-service ticket machines have been installed at seven main line stations. New customer welcome teams have been introduced at Paddington. Porters have also been re-introduced at Paddington.
  Security cover is now provided at all GWT car parks through combinations of trained security guards and closed circuit television.
  South West Trains
  SWT has introduced two new bus links from Bordon-Liphook and Winchester-Romsey. It has also introduced more bus service information into the SWT's timetable.
  More than 2,000 extra sets a day have been introduced to help ease overcrowding. Two additional morning peak services serve Teddington-Waterloo via Kingston and several trains have been lengthened. SWT also has standby trains at London Waterloo and other key locations during the peaks which can be brought into use if needed.
  SWT has invested over £1 million in improving train reliability— treating traction motors on class 442s to prevent problems with snow, and solving air conditioning problems on class 159s.
  SWT will shortly be placing an order for 30 new four-car electrical multiple units worth approximately £90 million.
  SWT has invested £200,000 in new technology and telephone lines at Southampton telephone inquiry bureau, where there are now 25 lines available. In addition SWT is providing extra staff— Bluecoats—at Waterloo, Guildford and Southampton offering help and information to travellers.
  SWT has spent or committed the appropriate expenditure on its station refurbishment programme. The first stations to benefit from this work will be Brentford, Norbiton, Twickenham and Surbiton.
  Work is now under way to redevelop station buildings at Southampton Airport (Parkway)station. The existing buildings are being transformed in a project which will include new upgraded station facilities and provide an additional 53 car parking spaces to the current 530.
  SWT is also carrying out work on car park extensions at Grateley, Eastleigh and Haslemere. Car park resurfacing is also being carried out at 30 SWT stations.
  There is a further £130,000 project to install CCTV cameras, improve lighting and cut vegetation at 10 stations. Since the programme of CCTV installation by BR in SWT car parks began in 1993, car crime had dropped by more than 30 per cent.; 70 per cent. of SWT car park capacity is now covered by CCTV.
  SWT increased its passengers charter punctuality standards by two points from February 1997.
  LTS Rail
  LTS Rail has introduced additional late evening trains running from Monday to Friday serving all major stations to Southend.
  Passenger safety has been improved by the introduction of security guards on LTS Rail trains and at stations. In total, an extra 3,000 security guard hours per week have been deployed across the franchise.
  LTS Rail has launched an experimental low-cost fare called "Early Bird" for early morning Pitsea commuters into London. An Early Bird fare to London from Chafford Hundred will be introduced in April and similar fares are being considered for other stations. LTS has also introduced minicom facilities for the hard of hearing at the Southend telephone inquiry bureau.

  421
  LTS Rail introduced its first two class 317 sliding-door trains into regular service on 9 December, operating on the Basildon and Tilbury lines in the morning and evening peaks. Since then, LTS Rail has taken delivery of five further 317s and a further two are due to be delivered on 17 March.
  LTS Rail is well advanced with ordering 44 four-car EMUs. The trains will include full air conditioning, wider seats and more spacious interiors, information in every carriage and public phones.
  The passengers charter performance target for punctuality will be raised from 88 per cent. to 90 per cent. from 1 April 1997 and a further two points from 1 April 1998. Similarly, the reliability target will be increased by 0.5 points on 1 April 1997 and a further 0.5 points in 1998.
  LTS Rail, in partnership with Thamesway, has introduced a joint rail/bus ticketing arrangement. From 2 March, commuters from Benfleet station have been able to buy one ticket valid on Thamesway buses, LTS Rail services and London Underground.
  LTS Rail has improved the cleanliness of stations through increased overnight cleaning.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, columns 607–609, what are the lengths of road classified as (a) orange and (b) red for traffic congestion according to the maps produced by the national roads network assessment systems for (i)1995,(ii)2005 and (iii)2015 in (1)London,(2)Southern,(3)Midland and (4)Northern regions. [20135]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: The table indicates the lengths of road (miles)classified as orange or red according to the stress maps produced by the national roads assessment system. The figures are given by region for 1995 and forecast years 2005 and 2015 for low and high traffic growth forecasts.

  Year and traffic forecast

  1995

  2005

  2015

  Region

  Low

  High

  Low

  High

  London

  Orange

  24

  70

  67

  38

  30

  Red

  57

  75

  83

  117

  150

  Southern

  Orange

  212

  224

  235

  250

  285

  Red

  83

  211

  294

  341

  519

  Midland

  Orange

  171

  301

  385

  395

  485

  Red

  115

  213

  324

  407

  685

  Northern

  Orange

  159

  273

  316

  353

  360

  Red

  61

  142

  258

  309

  573

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Examination Results
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children(a) sat and (b) achieved grade A to C in (i) history,(ii)geography and (iii)Latin (1)GCSEs and (2) a-levels in 1996; and if she will make a statement. [19885]
  422
  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of pupils who (a) attempted and (b) achieved grades A to C in (i) history,(ii)geography and (iii)Latin GCSE and GCE A/AS level in England in 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available. The figures for GCSEs relate to 15-year-old pupils in schools and those for GCE A/AS level to 17-year-old pupils in schools.

  GCSE achievements of 15-year-old pupils in schools

  Number attempted

  Percentage

  Number achieved A*-C

  Percentage

  GCSE history

  223,357

  38.6

  119,448

  20.7

  GCSE geography

  259,291

  44.8

  130,295

  22.5

  GCSE Latin

  11,790

  2.0

  10,817

  1.9

  GCE A/AS level achievements of 17-year-old pupils in schools

  Number attempted

  Percentage

  Number achieved A-C

  Percentage

  GCE A/AS history

  24,292

  17.2

  13,850

  9.8

  GCE A/AS geography

  26,373

  18.7

  13,683

  9.7

  GCE A/AS Latin

  1,314

  0.9

  1,088

  0.8

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children(a) sat and (b) achieved a grade A to C in (i) one,(ii) two and (iii) three or more live foreign language A-levels in 1996; and if she will make a statement. [19884]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of 17-year-old pupils who attempted GCE A/AS modern foreign languages and achieved grades A to C in (i) one,(ii) two and (iii) three or more modern foreign languages in England in 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available.

  Number of17-year-oldpupils

  As a percentage of 17-year-old pupils

  Attempted GCE A/AS language

  22,233

  15.8

  Achieved 1 grade A-C

  10,676

  7.6

  Achieved 2 grades A-C

  2,765

  2.0

  Achieved 3 or more grades A-C

  45

  0.0

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children(a) sat and (b) achieved a grade A to C in (i) one,(ii) two and (iii) three or more science A-levels in 1996; and if she will make a statement. [19882]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of 17-year-old pupils who attempted a GCE A/AS level in any science subject and achieved grades A to C in (i) one,(ii) two and (iii) three or more science subjects in England in 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available.
  423

  Number of 17-year-old pupils

  As a percentage of 17-year-old pupils

  Attempted GCE A/AS science

  54,344

  38.6

  Achieved 1 grade A-C

  17,201

  12.2

  Achieved 2 grades A-C

  11,514

  8.2

  Achieved 3 or more grades A-C

  1,825

  1.3

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children(a) sat and (b) achieved a grade A to C in (i) one and (ii) two or more live foreign language GCSEs in 1996; and if she will make a statement. [19883]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils who attempted a GCSE in any modern foreign language and achieved grades A to C in (i) one and (ii) two or more modern foreign languages in England in 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available.

  Number of 15-year-old pupils

  As a percentage of 15-year-old pupils

  Attempted at least one GCSE language

  427,808

  74.0

  Achieved one grade A*-C

  153,675

  26.6

  Achieved 2 or more A*-C grades

  43,561

  7.5

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children(a) sat and (b) achieved a grade A to C in (i) one and (ii) two or more science GCSEs in 1996; and if she will make a statement. [19881]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils who attempted a GCSE in any science subject and achieved grades A* to C in (i) one and (ii) two or more GCSE science subjects in England in 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available.

  Number of 15-year-old pupils

  As a percentage of 15-year-old pupils

  Attempted at least one GCSE science

  523,189

  90.5

  Achieved one grade A*-C

  14,288

  2.5

  Achieved 2 or more A*-C grades

  232,884

  40.3

  Teaching Qualifications
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students on completion of a postgraduate certificate of education or equivalent qualification gained qualified teacher status in(a) mathematics and (b) physics in each year from 1990 to 1996. [19902]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 11 March 1997]: The number of successful initial teacher training completers1, trained for secondary education, whose first or second
  424
  subject of ITT was either mathematics of science2 from 1990 to 1995 are shown in the following table. Information for 1996 is not yet available.

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Mathematics

  890

  950

  1,250

  1,450

  1,640

  1,660

  Science

  1,250

  1,270

  1,620

  1,780

  2,030

  2,200

  1 Students who have successfully completed a course of initial teacher training leading to qualified teacher status (QTS).

  2 Students who have been trained to teach both maths and science have been recorded once only and assigned to their first subject.

  Teachers' Superannuation
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what respect the terms and conditions of the teachers' superannuation arrangements for fee-paying schools differ from those for the state sector. [20159]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Teachers at maintained schools become members of the teachers' superannuation scheme unless they elect not to do so. Those at independent schools become scheme members if the establishment is an accepted school under regulation B4 of the Teachers Superannuation (Consolidation) regulations 1988(as amended). There are no other appreciable differences between the provisions for maintained and independent schools.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional financial provision has been made for the teachers' superannuation regime for fee-paying schools. [20160]

  Mrs. Gillan
  In common with other employers of teachers, fee paying schools will benefit from the reduction in the employers' contribution rate from 8.05 per cent. to 7.2 per cent. with effect from 1 July 1997. In the independent sector, the reduction will save £9 million in a full year. That money can be used to fund premature retirements, if independent schools wish to use it for that purpose.

  Teachers (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers are currently employed in the London borough of Wandsworth; and how many were employed in each of the past three years. [20178]

  Mr. Forth
  The information is as shown.

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

  January

  Full time equivalent

  1993

  1,880

  1994

  1,800

  1995

  1,720

  1996

  1,750

  Excludes sixth form colleges throughout.

  Environmental Auditing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 20 November 1996,Official Report, column 553, if she will make a statement on the impact of the schools

  425
  environmental assessment method on the work of schools in respect of their evaluation of their environmental impact. [20308]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The schools environmental assessment method—SEAM—was published in October. SEAM is being used by local authorities in environmental education and energy conservation outreach to schools. The 480 eco-schools participating in the green flag award scheme run by the Tidy Britain Group and sponsored by the Department of the Environment have been sent copies of SEAM so that they can take their environmental assessment further. Having carried out an initial SEAM assessment schools are encouraged to continue environmental monitoring. The Building Research Establishment is at present sending all schools a free copy of its software "The School Toolkit" which enables easy environmental monitoring by pupils or staff. These initiatives together with the work of groups like Learning Through Landscapes and Groundwork provide a framework for schools to evaluate, monitor and improve their environmental impacts.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 20 November 1996,Official Report, column 553, what percentage of schools met the revised energy targets for new school buildings included in the schools environmental assessment method; and if she will make a statement. [20309]

  Mr. Squire
  The information requested is not collected centrally for all schools.

  However, of a recent sample of schools in five LEA areas 78 per cent. were below the highest band of energy consumption recommended for existing schools, and 58 per cent. were below the highest band recommended for new schools.

  It is hoped that schools whose energy consumption is above the maximum recommended bands will be encouraged by SEAM to adopt no-cost good housekeeping measures or low-cost energy saving measures to reduce their energy consumption.

  Teachers
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was(a) the average age of teachers entering the state and maintained sector, (b) the average age of teachers in that sector and (c) the youngest and oldest teachers who took voluntary redundancy or early retirement (i) in the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) in 1989–90. [20215]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The average age of new entrants and the average age of all teachers in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector is as follows. The youngest age at which a teacher may be granted premature retirement is 50, and the oldest 64, and those are the ages of the youngest and oldest teachers granted premature retirement in the two years in question. The Department does not collect information on voluntary redundancies.

  1989–90

  1994–95

  Average age of new entrants

  28

  28

  Average age of all teachers

  41

  42

  426

  Departmental Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes have been made to her Department's expenditure plans in consequence of the initial claim for additional grant in aid submitted by the Further Education Funding Council in respect of demand-led element enrolments. [20164]

  Mr. Paice
  The initial claim from the Further Education Funding Council, of £82 million in this financial year has been met in full by the Department. This has been managed by drawing on existing underspends across a range of DfEE budgets. The underspends which have been used to meet the initial claim would otherwise have been returned to the Exchequer at the end of this financial year.

  Internet
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance her Department is providing to schools regarding the supervision of access to the Internet by pupils. [20196]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  At the Department's request the National Council for Educational Technology has published guidance for teachers and parents on the use of the Internet. Through its network of curriculum IT support projects, the Department has also funded the development of materials to support teachers in the use of technologies such as the Internet in the delivery of national curriculum subjects.

  The Government are also supporting the evaluation of the educational potential of new technologies and models of implementation through their piloting programme, the Education Department's superhighways initiative. Several of these projects are piloting the use of the Internet, including Internet services designed specifically for schools. The outcomes of these evaluations will be made available later this year, accompanied by guidance for schools on purchasing and good practice in the use of new technologies.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 706, if she will provide figures for her Department's PFT projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20384]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 6 March,Official Report, column 706. The estimate in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" is based on the aggregate potential for PFI in the Department's and Employment Service's own estates and infrastructure; it is not yet directly attributable to specific projects, other than the two

  427
  which have already been concluded. These projects are not yet fully operational and their details therefore remain commercially sensitive.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratio
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list in rank order

  Pupil:teacher ratios (PTRs) and GCSE results1 by local education authority area in England

  LEA area

  Percentage of pupils aged 15 achieving five or more GCSE grades A*-C

  Pupil: teacher ratios

  1995–96

  January 1996

  Primary

  Secondary

  Percentage

  Rank

  PTR

  Rank

  PTR

  Rank

  Isles of Scilly

  73.1

  1

  15.0

  2

  8.1

  1

  Kingston upon Thames

  59.9

  2

  23.8

  82

  16.2

  35

  Sutton

  56.4

  3

  23.3

  59

  16.6

  62

  Harrow

  53.5

  4

  20.8

  12

  15.6

  13

  Barnet

  53.4

  5

  20.9

  13

  14.8

  6

  North Yorkshire

  53.0

  6

  23.4

  66

  16.3

  43

  North Somerset

  52.5

  7

  23.7

  77

  16.3

  43

  Richmond upon Thames

  52.2

  8

  21.3

  17

  16.5

  53

  Redbridge

  50.8

  9

  22.7

  38

  16.2

  35

  West Sussex

  50.6

  10

  22.5

  33

  16.6

  62

  Buckinghamshire

  50.5

  11

  23.6

  73

  17.1

  94

  Surrey

  50.5

  11

  22.0

  23

  16.6

  62

  Bromley

  50.3

  13

  24.6

  109

  15.7

  18

  Gloucestershire

  50.2

  14

  23.4

  66

  17.6

  107

  Somerset

  50.0

  15

  23.2

  51

  18.0

  117

  Solihull

  49.6

  16

  24.1

  99

  16.6

  62

  Cheshire

  49.3

  17

  24.0

  93

  17.0

  87

  Dorset

  49.3

  17

  23.9

  87

  17.5

  102

  Hertfordshire

  49.3

  17

  22.3

  25

  15.7

  18

  Stockport

  49.0

  20

  23.8

  82

  16.6

  62

  Berkshire

  48.8

  21

  23.3

  59

  16.3

  43

  Bury

  48.6

  22

  24.0

  93

  17.2

  99

  Trafford

  48.6

  22

  24.7

  111

  16.6

  62

  Wiltshire

  48.3

  24

  23.4

  66

  16.8

  75

  Shropshire

  48.0

  25

  24.3

  102

  16.5

  53

  York

  47.7

  26

  24.2

  101

  16.2

  35

  Bath and North-east Somerset

  47.4

  27

  22.8

  43

  16.4

  48

  Suffolk

  47.0

  28

  22.3

  25

  16.5

  53

  Bexley

  46.8

  29

  24.8

  113

  16.6

  62

  Cambridge

  46.7

  30

  23.9

  87

  17.2

  99

  Cornwall

  46.7

  30

  23.7

  77

  17.5

  102

  Kensington and Chelsea

  46.7

  30

  17.8

  3

  13.3

  2

  Hampshire

  46.5

  33

  22.8

  43

  16.6

  62

  Northumberland

  46.1

  34

  24.6

  109

  18.5

  119

  Oxfordshire

  45.8

  35

  23.3

  59

  17.9

  114

  Dudley

  44.9

  36

  22.4

  31

  16.5

  53

  South Gloucestershire

  44.7

  37

  24.3

  102

  16.9

  81

  Hereford and Worcester

  44.6

  38

  23.2

  51

  17.7

  110

  Isle of Wight

  44.5

  39

  23.2

  51

  18.1

  118

  Lincolnshire

  44.5

  39

  23.6

  73

  15.9

  23

  Wirral

  44.4

  41

  23.2

  51

  16.2

  35

  Cumbria

  44.2

  42

  23.2

  51

  16.9

  81

  Devon

  44.2

  43

  24.0

  93

  17.0

  87

  Havering

  44.1

  44

  23.7

  77

  16.2

  35

  Sefton

  44.0

  45

  23.2

  51

  16.4

  48

  Wigan

  43.9

  46

  22.9

  46

  16.0

  28

  Kent

  43.7

  47

  23.9

  87

  16.4

  48

  Warwickshire

  43.7

  47

  23.6

  73

  16.8

  75

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  43.6

  49

  24.8

  113

  16.6

  62

  Northamptonshire

  43.5

  50

  23.4

  66

  17.0

  87

  East Sussex

  43.3

  51

  22.7

  38

  16.0

  28

  Essex

  43.1

  52

  22.6

  35

  16.7

  73

  Camden

  43.0

  53

  20.3

  9

  14.9

  7

  Bedfordshire

  42.7

  54

  23.0

  49

  17.8

  112

  Lancashire

  42.6

  55

  24.1

  99

  17.0

  87

  Hounslow

  42.3

  56

  21.6

  20

  15.8

  21

  Derbyshire

  42.0

  57

  25.3

  120

  17.0

  87

  Bolton

  41.9

  58

  22.8

  43

  16.5

  53

  428
  the pupil-teacher ratio for (a) secondary and (b) primary schools of each local education authority and their ranking in respect of number of GCSE grades A to C. [20533]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  429

  Pupil:teacher ratios (PTRs) and GCSE results1 by local education authority area in England

  LEA area

  Percentage of pupils aged 15 achieving five or more GCSE grades A*-C

  Pupil: teacher ratios

  1995–96

  January 1996

  Primary

  Secondary

  Percentage

  Rank

  PTR

  Rank

  PTR

  Rank

  Norfolk

  41.9

  58

  22.3

  25

  15.6

  13

  North Tyneside

  41.1

  60

  23.9

  87

  17.1

  94

  Enfield

  41.0

  61

  22.6

  35

  16.3

  43

  Hillingdon

  40.9

  62

  22.3

  25

  16.4

  48

  St. Helens

  40.9

  62

  22.9

  46

  15.6

  13

  Staffordshire

  40.9

  62

  24.9

  117

  17.6

  107

  Calderdale

  39.7

  65

  24.0

  93

  16.9

  81

  Leicestershire

  39.7

  65

  23.3

  59

  17.1

  94

  Croydon

  38.8

  67

  22.2

  24

  16.3

  43

  Kirklees

  38.4

  68

  23.3

  59

  16.8

  75

  Merton

  38.3

  69

  21.5

  19

  17.2

  99

  Coventry

  38.0

  70

  23.3

  59

  16.1

  30

  North Lincolnshire

  37.6

  71

  24.5

  107

  17.1

  94

  Redcar and Cleveland

  37.6

  71

  24.5

  107

  17.1

  94

  Sheffield

  37.2

  73

  22.9

  46

  17.5

  102

  Stockton on Tees

  37.2

  73

  23.8

  82

  16.9

  81

  Gateshead

  36.6

  75

  22.3

  25

  15.9

  23

  Leeds

  36.6

  75

  23.9

  87

  16.6

  62

  Nottinghamshire

  36.4

  77

  24.3

  102

  16.7

  73

  Durham

  36.2

  78

  24.0

  93

  17.5

  102

  Rotherham

  36.2

  78

  23.2

  51

  17.0

  87

  Rochdale

  35.4

  80

  24.4

  106

  16.9

  81

  Tameside

  35.4

  80

  25.1

  119

  17.8

  112

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  35.3

  82

  20.3

  9

  16.8

  75

  Wakefield

  35.3

  82

  24.0

  93

  16.4

  48

  South Tyneside

  35.2

  84

  23.3

  59

  16.8

  75

  Brent

  35.1

  85

  21.7

  21

  15.4

  11

  Ealing

  34.6

  86

  22.7

  38

  16.5

  53

  Doncaster

  33.5

  87

  24.3

  102

  16.8

  75

  Waltham Forest

  33.4

  88

  21.4

  18

  15.8

  21

  Oldham

  33.3

  89

  23.7

  77

  15.9

  23

  Westminster

  33.0

  90

  18.4

  4

  15.2

  8

  Birmingham

  32.9

  91

  22.7

  38

  15.9

  23

  Wandsworth

  32.8

  92

  20.5

  11

  15.9

  23

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  32.7

  93

  23.8

  82

  16.9

  81

  North East Lincolnshire

  32.4

  94

  24.8

  113

  17.9

  114

  Walsall

  32.2

  95

  23.4

  66

  16.2

  35

  Hartlepool

  31.9

  96

  24.8

  113

  17.0

  87

  Sunderland

  31.7

  97

  22.6

  35

  16.1

  30

  City of Bristol

  30.9

  98

  22.7

  38

  15.6

  13

  Wolverhampton

  30.2

  99

  22.5

  33

  16.1

  30

  Salford

  30.1

  100

  23.8

  82

  16.5

  53

  Lewisham

  30.0

  101

  20.1

  8

  15.2

  8

  Greenwich

  29.1

  102

  20.9

  13

  15.6

  13

  Bradford

  28.9

  103

  22.3

  25

  17.7

  110

  Haringey

  28.5

  104

  21.0

  16

  14.6

  4

  Barnsley

  28.2

  105

  25.0

  118

  17.9

  114

  Newham

  27.9

  106

  23.9

  87

  16.5

  53

  Liverpool

  27.6

  107

  23.5

  71

  16.2

  35

  Barking and Dagenham

  27.1

  108

  22.4

  31

  16.1

  30

  Manchester

  27.0

  109

  23.0

  49

  15.5

  12

  Middlesbrough

  26.9

  110

  23.6

  73

  16.1

  30

  Sandwell

  26.5

  111

  23.7

  77

  16.5

  53

  Hackney

  25.7

  112

  19.7

  7

  14.7

  5

  Lambeth

  25.1

  113

  18.6

  5

  14.4

  3

  Southwark

  24.6

  114

  21.7

  21

  16.2

  35

  Tower Hamlets

  23.9

  115

  19.5

  6

  15.2

  8

  Knowsley

  23.6

  116

  23.5

  71

  16.6

  62

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  22.8

  117

  24.7

  111

  17.6

  107

  Islington

  22.4

  118

  20.9

  13

  15.7

  18

  Corporation of London

  n/a

  n/a

  13.9

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  England

  44.5

  23.2

  16.6

  1 Includes grant-maintained, special schools and City Technology Colleges; excludes independent schools.

  n/a = not applicable.

  430 431
  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the pupil-teacher ratio for(a) primary, (b) special and (c) secondary schools in (i) 1979,(ii) 1990 and (iii) the latest available date for each English local education authority. [20532]

  Pupil:teacher ratios in maintained primary, secondary and special schools by local education authority area in England

  Position at January 1979, 1990 and 1996

  1979

  1990

  1996

  Primary

  Secondary1

  Special

  Primary

  Secondary1

  Special

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Corporation of London

  2—

  2—

  2—

  17.4

  3—

  3—

  13.9

  3—

  3—

  Camden

  2—

  2—

  2—

  19.2

  14.9

  3.8

  20.3

  14.9

  3.7

  Greenwich

  2—

  2—

  2—

  19.7

  15.8

  6.0

  20.9

  15.6

  6.5

  Hackney

  2—

  2—

  2—

  18.3

  14.2

  6.1

  19.7

  14.7

  5.7

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2—

  2—

  2—

  18.3

  14.3

  4.9

  20.3

  16.8

  5.6

  Islington

  2—

  2—

  2—

  18.5

  16.4

  5.8

  20.9

  15.7

  5.0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2—

  2—

  2—

  18.5

  13.7

  5.8

  17.8

  13.3

  3.3

  Lambeth

  2—

  2—

  2—

  19.2

  14.2

  5.6

  18.6

  14.4

  5.2

  Lewisham

  2—

  2—

  2—

  19.6

  14.7

  5.9

  20.1

  15.2

  6.3

  Southwark

  2—

  2—

  2—

  20.0

  15.6

  5.0

  21.7

  16.2

  5.0

  Tower Hamlets

  2—

  2—

  2—

  18.1

  14.1

  6.0

  19.5

  15.2

  5.8

  Wandsworth

  2—

  2—

  2—

  17.9

  14.5

  4.9

  20.5

  15.9

  6.3

  Westminster

  2—

  2—

  2—

  17.2

  14.2

  6.1

  18.4

  15.2

  5.4

  Inner London Education Authority

  18.7

  14.9

  6.9

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Barking and Dagenham

  22.3

  15.5

  7.6

  22.3

  14.7

  5.7

  22.4

  16.1

  5.6

  Barnet

  21.5

  15.5

  7.2

  20.1

  14.9

  4.8

  20.9

  14.8

  5.7

  Bexley

  25.1

  17.2

  9.6

  22.9

  16.0

  6.5

  24.8

  16.6

  7.0

  Brent

  18.7

  13.9

  6.5

  20.8

  13.7

  4.7

  21.7

  15.4

  5.2

  Bromley

  24.5

  16.7

  9.1

  23.1

  15.7

  5.8

  24.6

  15.7

  6.4

  Croydon

  23.1

  16.3

  7.5

  21.3

  16.3

  5.2

  22.2

  16.3

  5.8

  Ealing

  20.4

  15.6

  6.8

  20.2

  14.0

  5.0

  22.7

  16.5

  5.6

  Enfield

  24.0

  16.8

  8.7

  21.2

  15.3

  5.3

  22.6

  16.3

  5.9

  Haringey

  20.9

  16.0

  5.7

  21.8

  12.9

  4.5

  21.0

  14.6

  4.7

  Harrow

  22.1

  16.1

  6.5

  22.0

  15.4

  5.7

  20.8

  15.6

  5.0

  Havering

  23.6

  17.0

  8.3

  22.6

  15.4

  6.4

  23.7

  16.2

  6.0

  Hillingdon

  23.0

  16.5

  7.4

  22.1

  15.3

  6.7

  22.3

  16.4

  7.3

  Hounslow

  21.9

  15.9

  6.3

  20.2

  15.2

  5.7

  21.6

  15.8

  6.3

  Kingston upon Thames

  22.1

  16.1

  9.2

  21.8

  14.1

  6.5

  23.8

  16.2

  6.9

  Merton

  22.2

  17.6

  7.5

  20.8

  15.4

  5.0

  21.5

  17.2

  6.0

  Newham

  21.4

  16.1

  7.4

  23.1

  14.1

  5.3

  23.9

  16.5

  2.4

  Redbridge

  24.1

  17.1

  7.2

  23.4

  15.9

  6.4

  22.7

  16.2

  4.3

  Richmond upon Thames

  22.2

  17.0

  5.9

  20.9

  15.9

  5.5

  21.3

  16.5

  5.5

  Sutton

  24.0

  17.3

  9.2

  22.0

  15.8

  6.4

  23.3

  16.6

  6.8

  Waltham Forest

  22.4

  14.7

  5.7

  22.2

  13.6

  3.5

  21.4

  15.8

  4.2

  Birmingham

  24.0

  16.5

  7.4

  23.6

  16.3

  6.3

  22.7

  15.9

  6.4

  Coventry

  22.7

  16.0

  8.0

  22.4

  13.9

  5.7

  23.3

  16.1

  6.3

  Dudley

  25.5

  18.0

  9.9

  21.5

  13.9

  8.6

  22.4

  16.5

  8.1

  Sandwell

  24.4

  16.4

  9.6

  22.2

  14.1

  6.7

  23.7

  16.5

  7.5

  Solihull

  23.5

  16.4

  8.2

  22.6

  15.4

  5.6

  24.1

  16.6

  7.1

  Walsall

  22.6

  15.8

  7.5

  20.8

  13.9

  5.5

  23.4

  16.2

  6.1

  Wolverhampton

  21.1

  15.8

  6.5

  19.8

  13.5

  5.9

  22.5

  16.1

  7.2

  Knowsley

  23.4

  16.3

  7.4

  21.4

  14.5

  6.8

  23.5

  16.6

  5.2

  Liverpool

  21.1

  16.1

  7.6

  21.7

  14.2

  6.5

  23.5

  16.2

  6.0

  St. Helens

  23.8

  16.2

  9.3

  22.4

  13.6

  7.7

  22.9

  15.6

  6.8

  Sefton

  23.6

  17.3

  9.0

  23.2

  16.1

  6.9

  23.2

  16.4

  6.6

  Wirral

  24.2

  17.1

  8.0

  20.6

  14.9

  6.3

  23.2

  16.2

  6.7

  Bolton

  25.2

  16.5

  7.9

  21.7

  14.8

  6.1

  22.8

  16.5

  6.6

  Bury

  23.5

  16.5

  8.0

  22.3

  15.2

  5.6

  24.0

  17.2

  5.0

  Manchester

  21.9

  15.1

  6.7

  21.8

  13.7

  5.4

  23.0

  15.5

  4.8

  Oldham

  25.2

  17.6

  7.7

  22.4

  14.5

  5.3

  23.7

  15.9

  5.6

  Rochdale

  22.9

  15.4

  7.8

  21.9

  13.8

  6.6

  24.4

  16.9

  7.3

  Salford

  23.5

  16.2

  8.9

  22.0

  13.5

  6.5

  23.8

  16.5

  5.2

  Stockport

  26.3

  17.3

  9.8

  23.4

  15.2

  6.5

  23.8

  16.6

  6.3

  Thameside

  24.1

  16.5

  6.9

  22.7

  15.5

  5.3

  25.1

  17.8

  7.3

  Trafford

  22.2

  16.5

  8.2

  22.4

  14.2

  6.6

  24.7

  16.6

  6.8

  Wigan

  22.6

  16.1

  8.2

  21.4

  13.7

  5.9

  22.9

  16.0

  6.5

  Barnsley

  23.6

  16.8

  7.8

  22.7

  15.5

  6.1

  25.0

  17.9

  6.6

  Doncaster

  22.2

  16.6

  8.5

  21.6

  15.1

  8.1

  24.3

  16.8

  9.1

  Rotherham

  24.0

  17.4

  7.8

  21.3

  14.5

  6.7

  23.2

  17.0

  7.6

  Sheffield

  21.8

  16.4

  6.1

  21.0

  14.2

  4.4

  22.9

  17.5

  5.2

  Bradford

  20.9

  17.6

  7.5

  19.7

  14.9

  3.8

  22.3

  17.7

  5.6

  Calderdale

  23.8

  17.6

  7.1

  22.3

  14.9

  4.8

  24.0

  16.9

  5.2

  Kirklees

  23.6

  18.3

  7.3

  21.0

  14.7

  6.9

  23.3

  16.8

  6.5

  Leeds

  24.6

  17.8

  7.7

  19.4

  14.9

  5.9

  23.9

  16.6

  6.3

  Wakefield

  23.3

  18.0

  8.4

  22.0

  15.3

  6.3

  24.0

  16.4

  6.1

  Gateshead

  21.2

  16.5

  9.3

  20.9

  13.9

  5.6

  22.3

  15.9

  5.9

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  18.7

  14.7

  7.4

  21.0

  14.2

  5.9

  23.8

  16.9

  6.8

  North Tyneside

  21.1

  16.2

  8.3

  20.9

  14.3

  6.0

  23.9

  17.1

  6.4

  South Tyneside

  20.3

  16.0

  7.9

  20.9

  14.3

  6.6

  23.3

  16.8

  8.2

  Sunderland

  23.5

  16.7

  8.9

  22.0

  14.7

  5.9

  22.6

  16.1

  7.4

  Isles of Scilly

  15.3

  11.3

  3—

  14.2

  8.2

  3—

  15.0

  8.1

  3—

  432
  Mr. Squire
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  433

  Pupil.teacher ratios in maintained primary, secondary and special schools by local education authority area in England

  Position at January 1979, 1990 and 1996

  1979

  1990

  1996

  Primary

  Secondary1

  Special

  Primary

  Secondary1

  Special

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Avon

  24.2

  17.0

  7.6

  22.4

  16.2

  6.0

  23.3

  16.3

  5.9

  Bedfordshire

  21.6

  17.3

  6.5

  21.5

  17.2

  6.1

  23.0

  17.8

  7.1

  Berkshire

  23.9

  16.8

  8.9

  23.5

  15.5

  6.6

  23.3

  16.3

  7.1

  Buckinghamshire

  24.2

  16.8

  8.2

  22.9

  15.8

  6.6

  23.6

  17.1

  7.2

  Cambridgeshire

  23.3

  16.7

  8.8

  22.6

  16.0

  5.7

  23.9

  17.2

  6.9

  Cheshire

  23.5

  17.0

  7.9

  24.3

  16.3

  6.7

  24.0

  17.0

  7.2

  Cleveland

  23.4

  18.4

  8.5

  22.5

  15.2

  5.0

  24.1

  16.8

  7.1

  Cornwall

  24.2

  16.9

  8.0

  23.2

  16.1

  7.3

  23.7

  17.5

  7.3

  Cumbria

  23.1

  16.5

  8.5

  21.8

  14.7

  5.6

  23.2

  16.9

  7.0

  Derbyshire

  23.8

  17.5

  8.3

  21.6

  14.0

  4.8

  25.3

  17.0

  7.2

  Devon

  24.3

  17.9

  8.9

  22.3

  16.1

  7.5

  24.0

  17.0

  7.9

  Dorset

  23.7

  17.5

  9.1

  23.1

  16.1

  7.6

  23.9

  17.5

  7.5

  Durham

  21.5

  16.9

  7.9

  22.2

  16.0

  6.4

  24.0

  17.5

  7.5

  East Sussex

  23.4

  17.5

  8.0

  22.3

  15.9

  6.8

  22.7

  16.0

  6.5

  Essex

  24.8

  17.8

  9.1

  22.4

  16.4

  6.2

  22.6

  16.7

  6.9

  Gloucestershire

  23.4

  17.4

  8.3

  22.1

  15.7

  6.7

  23.4

  17.6

  6.9

  Hampshire

  24.6

  17.4

  9.1

  22.1

  16.2

  7.6

  22.8

  16.6

  7.6

  Hereford and Worcester

  24.2

  17.7

  8.1

  23.2

  16.7

  7.1

  23.2

  17.7

  7.6

  Hertfordshire

  22.5

  15.9

  8.0

  21.6

  15.1

  5.0

  22.3

  15.7

  5.7

  Humberside

  22.1

  16.8

  8.9

  22.1

  15.6

  6.4

  24.7

  17.2

  7.4

  Isle of Wight

  23.9

  18.6

  10.4

  22.9

  16.8

  7.8

  23.2

  18.1

  7.7

  Kent

  24.3

  17.7

  9.2

  23.5

  16.1

  7.9

  23.9

  16.4

  7.5

  Lancashire

  24.7

  16.6

  8.0

  23.3

  15.7

  5.6

  24.1

  17.0

  4.8

  Leicestershire

  23.3

  16.4

  8.1

  22.7

  14.9

  5.4

  23.3

  17.1

  6.2

  Lincolnshire

  23.7

  17.0

  9.4

  23.3

  16.3

  7.4

  23.6

  15.9

  6.8

  Norfolk

  22.8

  17.6

  8.6

  22.0

  15.3

  6.8

  22.3

  15.6

  7.3

  North Yorkshire

  22.5

  17.1

  8.6

  22.1

  15.3

  6.5

  23.6

  16.3

  6.5

  Northamptonshire

  24.4

  17.0

  8.3

  22.5

  15.9

  6.2

  23.4

  17.0

  6.5

  Northumberland

  23.4

  17.5

  7.5

  22.9

  16.3

  6.1

  24.6

  18.5

  8.0

  Nottinghamshire

  24.7

  17.0

  9.0

  21.3

  14.5

  6.1

  24.3

  16.7

  4.7

  Oxfordshire

  24.2

  18.0

  7.5

  22.7

  16.2

  5.4

  23.3

  17.9

  5.6

  Shropshire

  23.8

  17.0

  9.0

  21.2

  15.2

  7.0

  24.3

  16.5

  7.4

  Somerset

  24.6

  18.6

  10.2

  22.2

  15.6

  6.3

  23.2

  18.0

  8.1

  Staffordshire

  23.2

  16.8

  8.1

  23.3

  15.8

  6.6

  24.9

  17.6

  8.0

  Suffolk

  23.4

  18.1

  8.8

  22.0

  16.6

  6.1

  22.3

  16.5

  6.8

  Surrey

  21.9

  16.8

  8.4

  20.8

  15.6

  6.3

  22.0

  16.6

  6.8

  Warwickshire

  23.1

  17.0

  9.0

  21.8

  15.6

  6.6

  23.6

  16.8

  7.1

  West Sussex

  24.3

  18.5

  8.3

  21.8

  16.4

  7.5

  22.5

  16.6

  7.4

  Wiltshire

  23.9

  17.7

  8.3

  22.5

  15.5

  5.9

  23.4

  16.8

  6.4

  England

  23.1

  16.8

  8.0

  22.0

  15.4

  6.1

  23.2

  16.6

  6.4

  1 Figures exclude sixth form colleges which ceased to be classified as schools from April 1993.

  2 Not available.

  3 Not applicable.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list in rank order the amount and percentage of the nursery voucher withheld by each local education authority from nursery schools in its control and indicate in each case whether the schemes have received her Department's approval. [20531]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on the amounts of nursery grant, if any, which local education authorities plan to hold back from their schools is not supplied to the Department. Proposals for variations to schemes for local management of schools are still being processed; decisions on all of these will be made by 31 March 1997.

  Key Stage 2
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons she has calculated average results for each local education authority's primary schools in key stage 2 on the basis of unweighted averages of individual schools' performance; and if she will publish weighted averages for authorities based on the numbers of pupils in each school. [20685]
  434
  Mrs. Gillan
  The primary school performance tables published on 11 March show how many pupils reached level 4 or above in the 1996 key stage 2 tests and teacher assessments, as percentages of the number of eligible pupils at each school.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Intestacy
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Attorney-General how many people died intestate with no known kin in the last year for which figures are available; how much in money and belongings was left by them; and if he will make a statement. [18858]

  The Solicitor-General
  For England and Wales, excluding the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, some 2,400 cases were referred to the Treasury Solicitor in 1996 which appeared to concern the estates of persons dying intestate with no known kin. The total of balances on estates, after setting liabilities, accounted for in 1996 following completion of their administration by the Treasury Solicitor was £8,603,204.
  435

  Lenient Sentences
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases referred to the Appeal Court on grounds of undue leniency have resulted in higher sentencing tariffs, in the last year for which figures are available. [18860]

  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many unduly lenient sentences he has referred to the Court of Appeal in the last year; and what was the rate of success. [18859]

  The Attorney-General
  During 1996, 70 sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal on grounds of undue leniency; 62 have been heard, and an increased sentence resulted in 46, or 74 per cent. of them.

  Right-wing Groups
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions are pending arising out of alleged threats against individuals by neo-Nazi, fascist or other extreme right-wing bodies or persons. [18854]

  The Attorney-General
  Proceedings are pending against three defendants for alleged offences of publishing and possessing racially inflammatory written material with a view to distribution, contrary to part III of the Public Order Act 1986. The written material contains extreme right-wing ideology and contains threats against, and advocates the harassment of, named individuals.

  Disclosure Procedures
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to review the guidelines on disclosure of unused material and on the handling of identification in criminal cases when statutory provisions relating to prosecution disclosure and modified committals are implemented. [20812]

  The Attorney-General
  On 27 May 1976,Official Report, columns 287–88, the then Attorney-General outlined guidance, in the light of the Devlin report on identification, on the handling of criminal cases where it appeared likely that identification would be an issue. That guidance has largely been overtaken by developments in the common law and statutory provisions, including the amendment to the general nature of committal proceedings provided for by section 47 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 which takes effect on 1 April 1997.

  On 18 December 1981, Official Report columns 251–52, the then Attorney-General announced guidelines on disclosure of unused material by prosecutors. Those guidelines have also now been largely superseded and the law relating to prosecution disclosure will be placed on a statutory footing when part 1 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 is implemented, also with effect from 1 April 1997. I have therefore revoked both sets of the guidelines with effect from that date.
  436

WALES

  Unemployment Rates
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the unemployment rates for(a) Wales and (b) the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [18837]

  Mr. Hague
  The labour force survey provides data on unemployment which are comparable across the European Union. In autumn 1996, the International Labour Organisation unemployment rate for Wales from this source was 8.2 per cent. This compares with ILO unemployment rate of 11.9 per cent. for the Republic of Ireland in October 1996. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the unemployment rates for Wales relative to those of Catalonia. [18840]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest available figures for Wales and Catalonia, on a comparable basis published by Eurostat, are for April 1995 when the ILO unemployment rate for Wales was 8.7 per cent. and that for Catalonia was 19.9 per cent. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

  Teachers (Supply)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the supply of teachers to schools. [18838]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I am confident that schools in Wales have a sufficient number of qualified teachers to meet their needs.

  Bathing Beaches (Standards)
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many bathing beaches in Wales comply with European standards; and how many did so at the time of water privatisation. [18839]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Last year, 52 Welsh bathing waters met mandatory European standards compared with 40 in 1989.

  Inward Investment (North Wales)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has recently been made in attracting more inward investment to north Wales. [18841]

  Mr. Hague
  Significant progress has been made as demonstrated by the almost 1,000 jobs and £130 million of capital investment promised by the announcements by Toyo Seal; Baumeister and Ostler; JCB Transmissions; Toyota; British Aerospace; Hoya Lens; Shotton Paper; and Eastern Group.

  Patient Statistics
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients were treated in NHS hospitals in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the figures in 1979. [18842]
  437
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of in-patients and day cases treated in Welsh hospitals has more than doubled between 1979 and 1995–96 from 381,000 to 774,000. The number of out-patients rose by over 40 per cent. in the same period from 1,803,000 to 2,569,000.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of manufacturing output in Wales. [18843]

  Mr. Hague
  Over the past three years, manufacturing output in Wales has grown by 13.9 per cent., compared to 7.2 per cent. in the UK as a whole.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the introduction of the nursery voucher scheme in Wales; and what plans he has for extending the scheme to primary education. [18844]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In addition to ministerial correspondence, the Welsh Office has received some 6,000 letters and some 60 petitions about the nursery voucher scheme. There are no plans currently to extend the scheme beyond four-year-olds.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the social services departments which have agreed to apply for nursery vouchers for children in foster care; and what assessment he has made of the reasons why some departments have not applied. [20287]

  Mr. Evans
  The social services departments that have said that they will apply for nursery vouchers for foster children are Blaenau Gwent, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouth, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham. The majority of the remainder have not said whether they will be applying.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many classes in Wales for five, six and seven-year-olds have over 30 pupils. [18845]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Information on class sizes is published in "Statistics of Education and Training in Wales; Schools 1996". It is not collected by age range.

  A494
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the budget for the road improvement scheme of Drws-Y-Nant on the A494 Dolgellau to Bala road; when will work begin on the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [18846]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In the light of other, higher priorities, it is not expected that funds will be available for a start of works in 1997.

  Hospital Closures (Dyfed Powys)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of Dyfed Powys health authority to discuss hospital closures. [18847]
  438
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The chairmen of Dyfed Powys health authority met my right hon. Friend on 10 March to tell him about the authority's consultation document on the future provision of health services in Dyfed Powys.

  School Standards
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action has recently been taken to improve school standards in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [18848]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The latest phase of the bright future programme is set out in "Beating The Previous Best" published in February.

  Fishing Restrictions (Milford Haven)
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in lifting fishing restrictions in Milford Haven. [18849]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The majority of restrictions on commercial fisheries, put in place following the Sea Empress oil spill, have been lifted. The only commercial fishery still affected is the oyster fishery in the Milford Haven estuary.

  Restrictions are also being maintained as a protective measure for casual pickers of shellfish (excluding crustaceans), and on edible seaweed and samphire in the intertidal area between St. David's head and Port Eynon point. Monitoring and sampling work is continuing so that these remaining restrictions can be lifted as soon as possible.

  The Economy
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the economy in Wales. [18850]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh economy is doing very well. Unemployment is falling fast. Manufacturing output is rising faster than in the UK generally. Manufacturing productivity is well above the UK average. Industrial disputes are low. Wales is a favoured location for inward investment. Business confidence is rising faster in Wales than in almost every other UK region, and independent forecasters say that the Welsh economy will grow faster than that of the UK in the future.

  GP Services
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the development of GP services(a) in Rhymney and (b) in Wales. [18862]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Health authorities have responsibility for developing GP services in their area and the National Health Service (Primary Care)Bill, which is currently before Parliament, will give authorities more flexibility for developing GP health care provision.

  Special Needs Schools
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority area the total expenditure per pupil at maintained special schools for each of the last five years. [15706]
  439
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: The latest available information is for 1994–95 and 1993–94 and is given in the following table. Expenditure for special schools is not separately identifiable for earlier years as it is combined with expenditure on special education in hospitals, social services establishments and at home.

  Total expenditure per pupil at LEA maintained special schools1

  £

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  10,534

  9,158

  Dyfed

  12,727

  13,476

  Gwent

  17,406

  19,252

  Gwynedd

  10,533

  11,329

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,786

  9,502

  Powys

  13,920

  14,770

  South Glamorgan

  9,597

  9,564

  West Glamorgan

  14,972

  14,694

  Wales

  11,401

  11,201

  1 Figures shown are for net current expenditure and gross capital expenditure divided by the full-time equivalent pupil numbers in maintained special schools at January in each year. Total expenditure figures exclude special education in special education units attached to primary and secondary schools, hospitals, social services establishments and at home.

  School Administration Costs
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local education authority in Wales the expenditure per pupil of the school's budget on administration in 1995–96 and estimated to be so spent in 1996–97. [15938]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 14 February 1997]: The information requested is given in the following table.

  The details for 1995–96 are:

  £

  Clwyd

  47.73

  Dyfed

  46.90

  Gwent

  30.87

  Gwynedd

  40.89

  Mid Glamorgan

  19.92

  Powys1

  2.86

  South Glamorgan

  44.88

  West Glamorgan

  27.04

  The figures for Clwyd, Dyfed and West Glamorgan LEAs are based on section 42 budget statements as the outturn statements for 1995–96 have yet to be submitted to the Secretary of State.

  1 Costs relating to the management and administration of general schools budget expenditure have been included with the budgets of those services that the authority has chosen to retain centrally. Details of these costs are not available.

  The provisional details for 1996–97 are:

  £

  Isle of Anglesey

  35.49

  Blaenau Gwent

  37.69

  Bridgend

  32.95

  Caerphilly

  35.52

  City and County of Cardiff

  18.70

  Carmarthenshire

  48.82

  Ceredigion

  62.09

  440

  £

  Conwy

  60.77

  Denbighshire

  62.65

  Flintshire

  43.28

  Merthyr Tydfil

  35.24

  Monmouthshire

  38.88

  Neath Port Talbot

  21.48

  Newport

  49.61

  Pembrokeshire

  60.03

  Powys1

  0.00

  Rhondda-Cynon-Taff

  18.33

  City and County of Swansea

  20.79

  Torfaen

  49.18

  Vale of Glamorgan

  43.24

  Wrexham

  49.39

  1 Costs relating to the management and administration of general schools budget expenditure have been included with the budgets of those services that the authority has chosen to retain centrally. Details of these costs are not available.

  Rented Housing Starts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new rented housing starts he estimates will be made by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in 1997–98. [19214]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Housing associations are the main providers of new subsidised housing. Housing for Wales expects to start 1,850 dwellings in its 1997–98 programme, of which up to 1,300 will be for rent. The remainder will be for low-cost home ownership. The number of starts will be increased by transfers to housing associations by those local authorities which will have bids approved under the £5.5 million home ownership, efficiency and rural housing challenge fund. No estimate is available for new rented housing starts by local authorities in 1997–98.

  Departmental Web Site
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department established its Internet site; what representations he has received and what data he has collated on the use and utility of the site; and what steps he is taking to increase the amount of information available via the site. [19151]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department established Internet pages on the CCTA server in May 1995. This site now contains hospital performance information. A pilot site for the Welsh Office Industry and Training Department was set up in September 1995 and this contains mainly industry related information. Information on the number of accesses is collected weekly for both sites. A study is currently being carried out to establish how my Department can make best use of the Internet to disseminate information in the future.

  National Health Service Resources
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional resources have been given to the national health service in Wales since 1992. [18829]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Since 1992–93, an additional £455 million has been provided for the national health service in Wales, including provision for 1997–98. This represents a cash increase over the period of 23.8 per cent. and 10.3 per cent. in real terms.
  441

  Planning Guidance (Agricultural Land)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he gives to local authorities on giving planning permission for building housing estates on grade 2 agricultural land. [20289]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Advice on the development of grade 2 agricultural land is contained in planning guidance (Wales): planning policy (May 1996), technical advice note (Wales)6: development of agricultural land (November)1996 and annex A to planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside and the Rural Economy"(January 1992). In development control decisions, considerable weight should be given to protecting grades 1, 2 and 3a land from development because of its special importance. Within these grades, where there is a choice between sites of different grades, development should be directed to land of lower quality.

  Trunk Road Programme (Property Purchases)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that private companies carrying out negotiations relating to compensation for property purchased by compulsory purchase order for trunk road improvements in Wales will have a detailed knowledge of the north Wales property market. [20322]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Yes.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that private companies carrying out negotiations relating to compensation for property purchased by compulsory purchase order for trunk road improvements in Wales will be able to provide a full Welsh language service where it is required. [20321]

  Mr. Jones
  Yes. In line with the requirements of the Welsh Office Welsh language scheme, which came into effect on 13 January, contractors are bound by the terms of their contract to communicate appropriately in the medium of Welsh where it is relevant to the services they are providing for the Department.

  Annual Departmental Report
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the annual departmental report. [20218]

  Mr. Hague
  I expect to publish the Welsh Office departmental report for 1997 on Thursday 20 March.

  NHS Trusts (Mergers)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date his Department was first told of the proposed merger between Derwen and Pembrokeshire trusts; if his Department participated in meetings of the trusts to develop the merger proposals; and if he will list the dates of such meetings and the levels of participation. [20222]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department was first informed of the proposed merger on 1 July 1996. From that date, Welsh Office officials maintained links with senior trust staff by telephone, correspondence and meetings to advise them on the processes necessary to complete the merger.
  442
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what merger proposals for trusts other than Derwen and Pembrokeshire trust have been notified to his Department; what merger-related meetings have taken place(a) on his Department's premises and (b) at other locations with departmental participation; and if he will list the dates and attendance at such meetings. [20223]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department has not received any other proposals for NHS trusts to merge. Trust configuration is on occasion raised in discussions between my Department and the NHS about service improvements and financial performance. A review is being undertaken by the Welsh ambulance policy and advisory group which might, in due course, produce a formal expression of interest to reconfigure the ambulance NHS trusts in Wales.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received(a) in support of and (b) against the merger of Derwen NHS trust with Pembrokeshire NHS trust; and if he will list the (i) organisations and (ii) individuals from whom he has received representations. [20290]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A list of those organisations and individuals that responded to the public consultation on the application to merge the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS trusts, detailing their preferences, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Highway Works
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he gives to local authorities undertaking highway works as to the desirability of not closing to traffic highways affected. [20288]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Advice on procedures to be used when undertaking highway works is contained in the traffic signs manual, chapter 8 "Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations".

  School Classes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority(a) the number of classes with mixed aged groups and (b) the number of children taught in them in each of the last five years, and in 1979, 1983 and 1987. [20625]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Primary Schools (League Tables)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons he has not published the league tables for Welsh primary schools. [20545]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Teacher union action disrupted the assessments in Wales during 1995; data collection and validation arrangements were then subject to comprehensive test in 1996. Extensive information on key stage 2 results, by local authority area, was published on 24 February. Now that the assessment arrangements are firmly established, performance tables giving key stage 2 results by named schools will be published after this year's round.
  443

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March Official Report, column 725, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20391]

  Mr. Hague
  No.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing and Land
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the link between housing land shortages and the house price increase of the late 1980s; and if he will make a statement. [19023]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In 1990, my Department commissioned Gerald Eve, chartered surveyors in association with the department of land economy, University of Cambridge to undertake research on the relationship between house prices and land supply.

  The study concluded that it would require significant additional land release, on a national scale and over a considerable period of time, to have a measurable effect on reducing average house prices.

  Further research will be commissioned in the coming financial year to examine whether the links between planning and land and property prices can be further clarified.

  Ponds and Lakes
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the Landscape Foundation to discuss the improvement of ponds and lakes in(a) parks and (b) nature reserves. [19654]

  Mr. Clappison
  As far as I am aware the Secretary of State has not met the Landscape Foundation.

  Hereditaments (Local Taxation)
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the average(a) domestic rates (b) community charge (c) council tax per household and (d) non-domestic rates payment per hereditament for each year since 1989–90 [20013]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is not available on a completed consistent basis across all years. The available information for England is as follows. All figures are net of benefit, transitional relief and non-domestic rate relief.
  444

  Local domestic taxes per hereditament£

  Non-domestic rates per hereditament£

  1989–90

  1454

  42,647

  1990–91

  2524

  55,603

  1991–92

  2331

  5,66,408

  1992–93

  2368

  5,76,029

  1993–94

  3376

  86,082

  1994–95

  3393

  86,173

  1995–96

  3416

  86,382

  1996–97

  3445

  86,918

  1 Calculated as net domestic rate yield (i.e. net of non-collection), divided by the number of domestic hereditaments. No information is available about the domestic rate debit (i.e. gross of non-collection) raised in the year.

  2 Calculated as estimated net community charge yield (net of non-payment), divided by the estimated number of chargeable dwellings. The 1991–92 figures is net of £140 per adult community charge reduction grant. No information is available on the amount of community charge debit (i.e gross of non-collection) raised in each year.

  3 Calculated as the estimated council tax debit (i.e. gross of non-payment), divided by the number of chargeable dwellings on valuation lists.

  4 Calculated as non-domestic rate yield (i.e. net of non-collection), including crown contributions in lieu, divided by the number of non-domestic hereditatments. The definition of a non-domestic hereditament was changed on 1 April following the introduction of the national non-domestic rate. There were a number of changes to the definition of a non-domestic hereditament at this time, for example lock up garages were taken out of rating. No information is available about the non-domestic rate debit (i.e. gross of non-collection) raised in the year.

  5 Calculated as the rateable value on local rating lists for the year, multiplied by the non-domestic rates multiplier, less estimated rate reliefs, divided by the number of hereditaments on local rating lists. This figure is gross of non-collection, and taken no account of the effect of subsequent appeals on the rates payable for the year.

  6 The average rates payable in 1991–92 increased partly as a result of NHS properties transferring to local rating lists on 1 April 1991.

  7 The average rate payable decreased in 1992–93 because successful appeals resulted in a lower average rateable value for the year.

  8 Calculated as non-domestic rate debit for the local rating list for the year, divided by the number of hereditaments on local rating lists.

  Drains and Sewers (Maintenance Responsibility)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which bodies have a duty to ensure that the structure and operation of all drains and sewers, hitherto in public ownership, are maintained to a standard that minimises the risks to public and environmental health; who issues standards for those operations; how they are monitored; and which bodies are charged with monitoring the contents of sewage effluent with particular reference to changes in the volumes of bacteria or viruses prejudicial to human and animal health. [20021]

  Mr. Clappison
  All sewerage undertakers have a statutory responsibility, enforceable by the Secretary of State or the Director General of Water Services, to maintain all public sewers to ensure their area is effectually drained. No trade effluent may be discharged to a public sewer without the consent of the sewerage undertaker who may impose strict conditions on the discharge. It is an offence if such a discharge is made to the sewer without consent or any other matter
  445
  is discharged which may be dangerous, a nuisance or likely to cause injury to health. Responsibility for any public health matters arising from sewers initially rests with the environmental health department of the local authority.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the bidding guidance for round 4 of the single regeneration budget challenge fund will be published. [20310]

  Mr. Curry
  The guidance will be published in due course.

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tree preservation orders have been served throughout the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [20187]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information requested is not held centrally. Responsibility for making tree preservation orders rests with local planning authorities.

  Cryptosporidium
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many incidents relating to Cryptosporidium in drinking water are awaiting assessment and report by the drinking water inspectorate; [20088]

  (2) if he will list the incidents by water company and date relating to Cryptosporidium in drinking water reported to the drinking water inspectorate since 1 January 1993. [20089]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water companies in England and Wales are required to report all incidents in which drinking water quality might be affected. All incidents are investigated by the drinking water inspectorate. Most incidents are relatively minor happenings.

  The most significant risk to drinking water quality is the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. On Cryptosporidium, the notification to the inspectorate can relate either to the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in treated water, or to an increase of the illness cryptosporidiosis in the community, or both. The transmission of the illness occurs in a number of ways and often through contact with animals. One recent outbreak of cryptosporidiosis was found to be associated with the failure of a milk pasteurisation plant. The source of any outbreak has to be established through epidemiology.

  A case of South West Water Services Ltd. allegedly supplying water unfit for human consumption during 1995 because of Cryptosporidium is currently before the courts.
  446
  Notifications of events involving Cryptosporidium since 1 January 1993 are listed under three headings together with the status of the investigation. It should be noted that not all notifications become confirmed as incidents.

  Cryptosporidium oocysts detected in treated water but no reported increase of cryptosporidiosis in the community

  Water company area

  Date

  Location

  Status

  Yorkshire Water

  5 January 1995

  Huby WTW

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  16 March 1995

  Fixby WTW

  concluded

  Essex and Suffolk

  30 March 1995

  Ormsby WTW

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  31 August 1995

  Cottingham adit

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  13 September 1995

  Kepwick Springs WTW(in raw water)

  concluded

  South West Water

  13 September 1995

  Parracombe WTW

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  5 January 1996

  Elvington WTW

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  10 January 1996

  Elvington WTW

  concluded

  Yorkshire Water

  15 January 1996

  Kepwick Springs WTW

  concluded

  South West Water

  29 May 1996

  Littlehempston

  concluded

  Cambridge Water

  30 May 1996

  Duxford/Linton

  concluded

  South West Water

  27 June 1996

  Crown Hill WTW

  concluded

  Mid Kent Water

  3 July 1996

  Burham WTW

  concluded

  Southern Water

  Yorkshire Water

  17 October 1996

  Elvington WTW(raw water only)

  under investigation

  Northumbrian Water

  22 October 1996

  Lumley WTW

  under investigation

  Yorkshire Water

  21 February 1997

  Pateley Bridge

  under investigation

  Cambridge

  12 March 1997

  St. Ives

  under investigation

  Cambridge

  12 March 1997

  Horse Heath

  under investigation

  An increase in cryptosporidiosis in the community by oocysts not detected in treated water

  Water company area

  Date

  Location

  Status

  Wessex Water

  April 1993

  Poole

  under investigation

  Yorkshire Water

  11 June 1993

  Gilstead (Shipley/Bingley)

  under investigation

  Northumbria

  15 June 1993

  Sherburn

  Concluded

  North West

  April 1994

  Chorley

  Concluded

  North East

  25 January 1996

  Sunderland

  under investigation

  Yorkshire Water

  21 March 1996

  Tophill Low

  under investigation

  Anglian Water

  12 February 1997

  Bedford area

  under investigation

  Three Valleys Water

  26 February 1997

  Luton/Dunstable

  under investigation

  Both oocysts detected in treated water and an increase of cryptosporidiosis in the community

  Water company area

  Date

  Location

  Status

  South West Water

  12 August 1995

  Torbay/Littlehempston

  being prosecuted

  North West Water

  29 April 1996

  The Wirral

  under investigation

  Portsmouth Water

  18 November 1996

  Itchen WTW

  under investigation

  Three Valleys Water

  2 March 1997

  Clay Lane WTW

  under investigation

  Three Valleys Water

  2 March 1997

  Welwyn

  under investigation

  No incidents relating to Cryptosporidium other than those listed are awaiting assessment or report.
  447
  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the drinking water inspectorate will report on the Shipley/Bingley incident of Cryptosporidium in drinking water on 11 June 1993. [20090]

  Mr. Clappison
  The investigation by the drinking water inspectorate of this incident is continuing. As is standard practice, as part of its investigations, the inspectorate is considering whether there is a case for prosecuting Yorkshire Water plc, under section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991, for the alleged offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Office of Water Supply regarding compensation to be paid to the customers affected by the Cryptosporidium incident in the area of the Three Valleys Water Company. [20094]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. The drinking water inspectorate has commenced a full investigation to establish whether the recent outbreak of cryptosporidiosis is linked to the water supply. After this investigation is completed, the Director General of Water Services will consider whether there is any case for compensation.

  Water Meters
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the cost of the free installation of water meters was paid for by(a) increased domestic customer charges and (b) shareholders in 1996. [20091]

  Mr. Clappison
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services who informs me that in setting price limits at the 1994 periodic review he allowed for the costs of metering to be met by metered customers, other than the costs of excavation for meter boxes. This did not have a significant effect on price limits. Price limits have not been increased to allow for the subsequent introduction by some companies of a free meter space and these costs are therefore met by the shareholders, at least until new price limits are set.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation the Office of Water Supply has held with non-metered householders about the costs to them of free meter installation. [20093]

  Mr. Clappison
  Since price limits were set by the Director General of Water Services in 1994, he informs me that there have been no costs to unmeasured household customers associated with companies' subsequent introduction of free meter installation. The director has not therefore specifically consulted about this. Ofwat liaises on a day to day basis with its 10 customer service committees about matters affecting customers.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent by water companies in 1996 on(a) the installation of and (b) the administrative costs of household metering. [20092]
  448
  Mr. Clappison
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services, who informs me that this information is not available in the form requested.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken by his Department to promote the decontamination of contaminated land and its development in preference to green field sites; and if he will make a statement. [20319]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department's contaminated land policies, funding of research, technical guidance on topics such as techniques for site investigation, risk assessment of sites, take-up of new technologies and potential environmental liabilities and support under the single regeneration budget and through English Partnerships are all designed to enable the use of brown field sites in preference to green field sites.

  Property Disposals (Residuary Body)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties the residuary body, established under section 22 of the Local Government Act 1992, has dealt with or disposed of to date; and if he will list those properties. [20291]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State has no role in deciding which particular properties vest in the residuary body. This is a matter for the body and the local authorities concerned. I understand from the residuary body that it is dealing with the archives owned by the former Humberside county council and has disposed of an interest in Carlisle House, Goole, an office building formerly owned by Boothferry district council. The residuary body has put forward recommendations to the Secretary of State for the disposal of the Humberside archives.

  English House Condition Survey
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide for the combined regions of the north (northern, Yorkshire and Humberside and north-west), Greater London (inner London and outer London) and the rest of England (east midlands, west midlands, south-west, east anglia and rest of south-east)from the 1991 English house condition survey the figures for(a) construction date by tenure, (b) unfitness by tenure,(c) worst or best condition by tenure, (d) unfit vacants by tenure, (e) unfitness by dwelling type and tenure, (f) reason for vacancy by tenure and (g) variation of general comprehensive and urgent repair costs by tenure. [20217]

  Mr. Clappison
  Tables(a), (b), (c) and (g) are presented as requested. The information requested in (d) is part of table (b). The sample of dwellings surveyed in the 1991 English house condition survey is too small to provide (e) and (f).
  449

  Table A: Construction date by tenure by three broad regions

  Thousand (per cent.) dwellings

  Construction date by broad region

  Owner-occupied

  Private rented

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Vacant

  Total

  Northern

  Pre 1919

  1,106(71.5)29.6

  276(17.8)66.2

  33(2.1)2.5

  57(3.7)26.1

  75(4.8)38.9

  1,547(100)26.2

  1919–44

  816(64.2)21.8

  62(4.9)14.9

  344(27.1)25.6

  21(1.7)9.6

  28(2.2)14.5

  1,271(100)21.5

  1945–64

  673(52.1)18.0

  40(3.1)9.6

  529(40.9)39.4

  14(1.1)6.4

  36(2.8)18.7

  1,292(100)21.9

  Post 1964

  1,140(63.4)30.5

  39(2.2)9.4

  438(24.4)32.6

  126(7.0)57.8

  54(3.0)28.0

  1,797(100)30.4

  Regional total

  3,735(63.2)100

  417(7.1)100

  1,344(22.8)100

  218(3.7)100

  193(3.3)100

  5,904(100)100

  Greater London

  Pre 1919

  661(59.2)38.8

  197(17.6)63.1

  83(7.4)12.4

  83(7.4)54.2

  93(8.3)62.0

  1,117(100)37.4

  1919–44

  610(70.8)35.8

  64(7.4)20.5

  134(15.6)19.9

  18(2.1)11.8

  35(4.1)23.3

  861(100)28.8

  1945–64

  183(43.7)10.7

  22(5.3)7.1

  204(48.7)30.4

  2(0.5)1.3

  8(1.9)5.3

  419(100)14.0

  Post 1964

  249(42.0)14.6

  29(4.9)9.3

  251(42.3)37.4

  50(8.4)32.7

  14(2.4)9.3

  593(100)19.8

  Regional total

  1,703(57.0)100

  312(10.4)100

  672(22.5)100

  153(5.1)100

  150(5.0)100

  2,990(100)100

  Rest of England

  Pre 1919

  1,831(71.7)24.2

  492(19.3)54.9

  51(2.0)2.8

  38(1.5)16.1

  141(15.5)47.3

  2,553(100)23.6

  1919–44

  1,250(70.0)16.5

  127(7.1)14.2

  354(19.8)19.2

  22(1.2)9.3

  32(1.8)10.7

  1,785(100)16.5

  1945–64

  1,550(61.1)20.5

  104(4.1)11.6

  797(31.4)43.2

  35(1.4)14.8

  52(2.0)17.4

  2,538(100)23.4

  Post 1964

  2,925(74.0)38.7

  173(4.4)19.3

  643(16.3)34.9

  141(3.6)59.7

  73(1.8)24.5

  3,955(100)36.5

  Regional total

  7,556(69.8)100

  896(8.3)100

  1,845(17.0)100

  236(2.2)100

  298(2.8)100

  10,831(100)100

  Table B: Unfitness by tenure by 3 broad regions

  Thousand (per cent.) dwellings

  Unfitness by broad region

  Owner-occupied

  Private rented

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Vacant

  Total

  Northern

  Fit

  3,487(654.7)93.4

  310(5.8)74.3

  1,249(23.2)93.0

  207(3.8)95.8

  135(2.5)70.7

  5,388(100)91.3

  Unfit

  248(48.2)6.6

  107(20.8)25.7

  94(18.3)7.0

  1—

  56(10.9)29.3

  514(100)8.7

  Regional total

  3,735(63.33)100

  417(7.1)100

  1,342(22.8)100

  216(3.7)100

  191(3.2)100

  5,904(100)100

  Greater London

  Fit

  1,576(58.6)92.5

  257(9.6)82.1

  601(22.4)89.7

  130(4.8)84.4

  125(4.6)83.3

  2,689(100)89.9

  Unfit

  127(42.2)7.5

  56(18.6)17.9

  69(22.9)10.3

  1—

  25(8.3)16.7

  301(100)10.1

  Regional total

  1,703(57.0)100

  313(10.5)100

  670(22.4)100

  154(5.2)100

  150(5.0)100

  2,990(100)100

  Rest of England

  Fit

  7,217(71.1)95.5

  726(7.2)81.0

  1,744(17.2)94.5

  229(2.3)96.6

  235(2.3)78.9

  10,151(100)93.7

  Unfit

  339(49.7)4.5

  170(24.9)19.0

  102(15.0)5.5

  1—

  63(9.2)21.1

  682(100)6.3

  Regional total

  7,556(69.7)100

  896(89.3)100

  1,846(17.0)100

  237(2.2)100

  298(2.8)100

  10,833(100)100

  1 Sample sizes too small to provide statistically significant data.

  Table C: Worst/best condition by tenure by 3 broad regions

  Thousand (per cent.) dwellings

  Worst/best condition by broad region

  Owner-occupied

  Private rented

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Vacant

  Total

  Northern

  Best 30 per cent.

  1,271(71.6)34.0

  44(2.5)10.6

  320(18.0)23.8

  114(6.4)52.8

  25(1.4)13.1

  1,774(100)30.1

  Rest (60 per cent.)

  2,117(61.4)56.7

  234(6.8)56.1

  905(26.2)67.4

  90(2.6)41.7

  103(3.0)53.9

  3,449(100)58.4

  Worst 10 per cent.

  348(51.2)9.3

  139(20.4)33.3

  118(17.4)8.8

  12(1.8)5.6

  63(9.3)33.0

  680(100)11.5

  Regional total

  3,736(63.3)100

  417(7.1)100

  1,343(22.8)100

  216(3.7)100

  191(3.2)100

  5,904(100)100

  Greater London

  Best 30 per cent.

  392(62.0)23.0

  49(7.8)15.7

  110(17.4)16.4

  41(6.5)26.6

  40(6.3)26.7

  632(100)21.1

  Rest (60 per cent.)

  1,162(58.3)68.3

  174(8.7)55.6

  475(23.8)70.8

  97(4.9)63.0

  85(4.3)56.7

  1,993(100)66.7

  Worst 10 per cent.

  148(40.5)8.7

  90(24.7)28.8

  86(23.6)12.8

  16(4.4)10.4

  25(6.8)16.7

  365(100)12.2

  Regional total

  1,702(56.9)100

  313(10.5)100

  671(22.4)100

  154(5.2)100

  150(5.0)100

  2,990(100)100

  Rest of England

  Best 30 per cent.

  2,758(78.6)36.5

  104(3.0)11.6

  479(13.7)25.9

  116(3.3)49.2

  51(1.5)17.1

  3,508(100)32.4

  Rest (60 per cent.)

  4,325(67.6)57.2

  556(8.7)62.1

  1,242(19.4)67.3

  103(1.6)43.6

  171(2.7)57.4

  6,397(100)59.1

  Worst 10 per cent.

  473(51.1)6.3

  235(25.4)26.3

  125(13.5)6.8

  17(1.8)7.2

  76(8.2)25.5

  926(100)8.5

  Regional total

  7,556(69.8)100

  895(8.3)100

  1,846(17.0)100

  236(2.2)100

  298(2.8)100

  10,831(100)100

  450 451

  Table G: Variation of urgent, general and comprehensive repair costs by tenure by 3 broad regions

  Estimated cost of remedial work(£)

  Urgent repairs

  General repairs

  Comprehensive repairs

  Tenure by region

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  Median

  Northern

  Owner-occupied

  685

  137

  1,160

  415

  2,053

  776

  Private rented

  1,855

  884

  2,617

  1,798

  4,549

  2,872

  Local authority

  762

  252

  1,091

  474

  2,002

  969

  Housing association

  377

  26

  561

  65

  1,035

  122

  All tenures

  797

  190

  1,252

  473

  2,227

  903

  Greater London

  Owner-occupied

  697

  261

  1,341

  649

  2,597

  1,437

  Private rented

  1,465

  464

  2,002

  854

  3,488

  1,708

  Local authority

  723

  300

  1,042

  452

  2,000

  947

  Housing association

  736

  193

  981

  373

  1,674

  681

  All tenures

  817

  292

  1,349

  602

  2,539

  1,282

  Rest of England

  Owner-occupied

  538

  97

  1,027

  342

  1,966

  593

  Private rented

  1,705

  525

  2,535

  1,181

  4,233

  2,111

  Local authority

  497

  182

  863

  374

  1,726

  730

  Housing association

  350

  40

  699

  80

  1,356

  128

  All tenures

  653

  134

  1,154

  370

  2,155

  701

  1 Vacant dwellings have been included in the relevant tenure group. Assumptions have been made regarding the distribution of private sector vacants between the owner-occupied and private rented sectors.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 730–31, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20383]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My answer of 6 March to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) provides the maximum possible information on capital investment in individual projects, without releasing commercially sensitive details, particularly for those projects still in procurement.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide figures for local authority PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 692–93; and if he will list his latest estimates of annual totals for local authority PFI projects, on the same basis as those given in table 5.5 of the Red Book. [20397]

  Mr. Jones
  The Red Book gives estimates for total capital spend by contractors on PFI projects. Information in this form for individual projects is not held centrally. We have announced support for up to £250 million of PFI investment to the end of 1997–98. The public private partnerships programme has recently announced a series of PFI patherfinder projects which are expected to be signed in the forthcoming months.

  Salisbury Bypass (Report)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library(a) the draft report and (b) the final report by English Nature to the Highways Agency on the crossing of the River Avon south of Salisbury by the proposed Salisbury bypass. [20294]
  452
  Mr. Clappison
  I have today placed in the Library of the House(a) a copy of English Nature's final working draft advice on the proposed Salisbury bypass and (b) a copy of its formal advice to the Highways Agency, as endorsed by English Nature's council.

  Isles of Scilly (Homelessness Legislation)
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make special provision for the Isles of Scilly under the homelessness legislation; and if he will make a statement. [20515]

  Mr. Curry
  In view of the unique situation of the Isles of Scilly—its small scale and limited resources—the Secretary of State has made an order under section 225 of the Housing Act 1996 which relieves the Council of the Isles of Scilly of an obligation to rehouse persons applying for assistance under part VII of the Housing Act 1996 who have not resided in that authority's area for at least two-and-a-half years of the last three years.

  Accidents (Dangerous Substances)
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the major accidents notified to the Health and Safety Executive under the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1984 since January 1993, indicating in respect of each such accident(a) the dangerous substances involved, (b) the number of casualties, (c) the emergency measures taken to protect lives and property, (d) the extent of consequential restrictions placed on the consumption of food or drinking water and (e) details of any damage to the environment. [20456]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The list of major accidents that have occurred at sites subject to the Control of Industrial Regulations Major Accident Hazards 1984 since January
  453
  1983 and notified to HSE is as follows. The table lists where the off-site emergency plan was activated. HSE has no information on any restrictions placed on the consumption of food or drinking water as a result of these incidents.

  Date

  Company

  Dangerous substance

  Casualties

  Emergency measures

  Environment damage

  1997(1)

  7 February 1997

  Van Ommeren West Thurrock, Essex

  Ethanol

  None

  No need to activate the off-site emergency plan

  None

  (2)

  24 January 1997

  British Gas Romford

  Liquified natural gas

  None

  No need to activate the off-site emergency plan

  None.

  1996(3)

  3 October 1996

  Albright and Wilson Ltd Birmingham.

  Epichlorohydrin, Sodium chlorate and mixed chemicals.

  Injuries to 6 firemen and other employees, some members of the public reported eye/respiratory irritation.

  Off-site emergency plain activated (no information of food/drinking water restriction).

  None

  (4)

  17 July 1996

  Synthetic Chemicals (Northern)Ltd. Knottingley, West Yorkshire

  Sulphur Trioxide

  Injury to plant manager.

  Off-site plan activated (no information of food/drinking water restriction).

  None

  (5)

  4 February 1996

  British Gas Bromley

  Natural gas

  None

  Off-site plan not activated.

  None

  1995(6)

  22 October 1993

  British Gas Runcorn

  Natural gas

  None

  Off-site plan activated (no information re: food/water restriction).

  None

  (7)

  20 July 1995

  Continental Can Co. Ltd. Rugby

  Liquified petroleum gas

  1(minor)casualty.

  Off-site plan not activated.

  None

  (8)

  17 January 1995

  GATX Terminals Ltd. Bristol

  Petroleum spirit

  None

  Off-site plan not activated.

  None

  1994(9)

  3 September 1994

  Coalite Chemicals Ltd. Bolsover

  Chlorine

  On-site casualties (5).

  Off-site plan not activated.

  None

  (10)

  4 August 1994

  GATX Terminals Ltd. Bristol

  Petroleum spirit

  1 Fatality

  Off-site plan not activated.

  None

  (11)

  24 July 1994

  Pembroke Cracking Co. Ltd. Pembroke

  Flammable gases-liquids

  On-site casualties.

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (12)

  6 July 1994

  ICI C&P Ltd. Runcorn

  Vinyl chloride

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (13)

  22 May 1994

  Esso Petroleum Ltd. Southampton

  Refinery treated gas (hydrogen and hydrocarbons)

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (14)

  11 April 1994

  Powell Duffryn Terminals Ltd.

  Ethanol

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (15)

  9 February 1994

  Phillips Petroleum Ltd. Bacton

  Natural gas

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (16)

  1 February 1994

  Associated Octel Ltd. Ellesmere Port

  Ethyl chloride

  None

  Off-site plan activated (no information re: food/water restrictions)

  None

  1993(17)

  1 November 1993

  British Gas Beckton

  Natural gas

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (18)

  5 October 1993

  British Gas Partington

  Liqueified Natural Gas

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  (19)

  5 July 1993

  Simon Storage Immingham

  LPG

  None

  Off-site plan not activated

  None

  Albino Frogs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect on other life forms and the environment of the reported increase in the number of albino frogs. [20546]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature, the Government's scientific advisers on nature conservation issues, advises that albinism is highly unlikely to have any impact whatsoever on other life forms or the environment. The only effect that it may have is that for a short while predators on frogs may have an easier time in locating their prey. I am satisfied that, at this time, this issue is not of any conservation significance.

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what indications have been given to the
  454
  The taking of emergency measures to protect lives and property is the responsibility of the local authority emergency services and therefore HSE has only limited information on the emergency measures taken to protect lives and property.

  in-house bid team seeking to acquire the Building Research Establishment about the level of Government support for the Building Research Establishment in the immediate future and the type of work which would be covered by Government contracts. [20636]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Information memorandum sent to all pre-qualified bidders contained information about the work the Department intended to commission from BRE post privatisation, comprising both on-going contracts and new work to be let on a single tender basis to BRE. Detailed information about this work was placed in the data room for the benefit of shortlisted bidders, and updated as appropriate. In addition, both shortlisted bidders were given the opportunity to talk to DOE customers about future opportunities.

  It will be for other Government Departments to decide for themselves what work they might wish to commission from BRE in the future.
  455
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the Government plan to accept any liability for redundancy costs arising from the proposed privatisation of the Building Research Establishment; [20637]

  (2) what discussions have been held between his Department and the two bidders for the Building Research Department about provision for redundancy among existing Building Research Establishment employees and the liability for redundancy payments. [20639]

  Mr. Jones
  It was made clear to all bidders that decisions on, and funding of, any redundancies post privatisation was a matter for the future owners of BRE. However, the calculation of expected restructuring costs—including redundancies—has been an important aspect of valuing BRE and, for prospective purchasers, for deciding how much to bid. Therefore in order to maintain a level playing field, all pre-qualified bidders were provided with assumptions regarding redundancy costs for different categories of staff, which they were requested to use in preparing their indicative bids.

  The two shortlisted bidders were given access to the data room which contained:
  a note by the Government Actuary's Department on redundancy entitlement in the Civil Service;
  the civil service compensation scheme report and explanatory booklet "PCSPS Early Retirement and Redundancy";
  information from the Government Actuary's Department relating to estimated redundancy costs by category of staff.

  At both stages, subsequent discussions were held with those bidders who requested them—including both short-listed bidders at stage 2—in order to clarify where necessary the figures and the basis on which bids were to be submitted.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are currently employed at the Building Research Establishment; and how many redundancies are forecast in the in-house bid team's proposals. [20638]

  Mr. Jones
  At close of play on 14 March 1997 there were 660 people employed at BRE, 633.2 full-time equivalent staff.

  Information given to the staff and trade unions by the management bid team indicates that they expect there to be in the order of 115 job losses following transfer to the private sector.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be in a position to make a statement about the Building Research Establishment. [20826]

  Mr. Jones
  On 15 March my Deaprtment entered into a contract to sell the Building Research Establishment to the preferred purchaser, the management bid team. The consideration is £1.7 million, plus an adjustment based on the balance sheet at completion. The sale agreements include provision for the Department to benefit from any windfall gain the purchaser may receive in respect of property, intellectual property, or reduced business rates. We hope to complete this transaction shortly.
  456

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what date he received the formal request from the Environment Directorate of the European Commission for his observations on the complaint in respect of the Cardiff bay barrage; when he expects to make his response; and if he will place a copy of his response in the Library; [20521]

  (2) what information he proposes to supply to the Environment Directorate of the European Commission in response to the request for United Kingdom Government observations on the complaint regarding the Cardiff bay barrage; if he will include details of the Treasury's cost-benefit analysis of the barrage in his response; and if he will make a statement; [20522]

  (3) what information the Environment Directorate of the European Commission has requested concerning progress on the Gwent levels bird reserve project as part of the United Kingdom Government's observations on the complaint regarding the Cardiff bay barrage. [20520]

  Mr. Clappison
  The European Commission decided not to proceed with the complaint in respect of the Cardiff bay barrage in February 1996. It confirmed that they were satisfied with the compensatory measures put forward by the Government. Since then we have kept the Commission closely informed of progress on these measures, both in correspondence and in a series of discussions between the relevant officials. The Government have received no formal request for information from the Commission pursuant to any further complaint.

  Environment Agency (Charging Schemes)
  Sir Jim Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the Environment Agency charging schemes for Integrated Pollution Control and Radioactive Substances Act Regulation for 1997–98. [20823]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Environment Act 1995 requires the Environment Agency to make charging schemes to recover the cost of carrying out its regulatory functions.

  With the consent of Treasury, and of the charging schemes for Radioactive Substances Act Regulation, the consent of my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and following consultation with those likely to be affected by the schemes, the Environment Agency has now made charging schemes for Integrated Pollution Control and Radioactive Substances Act Regulation for 1997–98. The schemes will take effect from 1 April 1997.I have placed copies of them in the Library.

  The subsistence charge for integrated pollution control has been set at £1,755 to effect full cost recovery. This is a reduction of £50 on the charge in 1996–97. There are some minor changes to the charging schemes. Copies of the schemes will be sent to relevant operators and to other interested bodies shortly.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets he has set for the Planning Inspectorate agency for the financial year 1997–98. [20804]
  457
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I have today set key targets for the Planning Inspectorate in England in furtherance of the dual objectives of securing improved efficiency, and safeguarding the impartiality and quality of the agency's work. These targets form part of the phased programme of performance which I initiated last year. The targets for 1997–98 are:

  Timeliness

  (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined in 20 weeks, reducing to 18 weeks by 1998–99;

  (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined in 33 weeks, reducing to 24 weeks by 1998–99;

  (c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined in 44 weeks, reducing to 36 weeks by 1998–99;

  (d) to provide an inspector for 80 per cent. of local plan inquiries on request within 26 weeks of the end of the objection period, and to deliver 90 per cent. of inspectors' reports to local authorities by the dates agreed in service agreements;

  Financial

  (a) unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £690;

  (b) recover 90 per cent. of receipts within eight weeks of invoice date;

  Efficiency

  generate a 3 per cent. efficiency improvement in the use of running costs compared with 1996–97;

  Quality

  to satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of the inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint;

  Information and guidance

  to carry out a customer satisfaction survey of the quality of Inspectors' reasoning in decision letters.

  Council Leaseholders (Service Charges)
  Sir Jim Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans he has to assist council leaseholders facing difficulties with service charges. [20822]

  Mr. Clappison
  We issued the Social Landlords Discretionary Reduction of Service Charges (England) directions 1997 and the Social Landlords Mandatory Reduction of Service Charges (England) directions 1997 on 4 February. We issued a further direction on 13 March giving Wandsworth borough council discretion to waive or reduce service charges for works in respect of defects on the Ackroydon and Queensmere estates. We have no plans at present to issue further directions, but we shall consider carefully any requests that are put to us.

  Greening Government Initiative
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the greening government initiative. [20821]

  Mr. Gummer
  Green Ministers have taken stock of the Government's approach to the environmental appraisal of its policies and to green housekeeping.
  458
  The Government's commitment to assess the potential environmental impact of new policy proposals has been restated in successive White Paper annual reports on sustainable development, and "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" requires all Departments to ensure that papers for Cabinet and ministerial committees should, where appropriate, cover any significant costs or benefits to the environment. Green Ministers have specifically reaffirmed that their Departments will carry out environmental appraisal of policies where appropriate and agreed to ensure that departmental procedures are in place to check that this happens and to keep them under review. They have also agreed to consider publishing those appraisals where there is a significant environmental impact. In 1991 my Department published "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" giving extensive guidance on how to integrate environmental considerations into Government policy. Consultants (KPMG) have been appointed to evaluate the practical application of environmental appraisal and are due to finalise their report shortly.

  The Government are also fully committed to running their own operations and buildings in accordance with best environmental practice as an integral part of their contribution to the UK's sustainable development strategy. All Government Departments have had green housekeeping strategies in place since 1992 and have achieved a great deal. Energy efficiency on the Government estate has improved by almost 15 per cent. in the five years to March 1996 and a new target of an overall 20 per cent. improvement by March 2000 has been endorsed by the Prime Minister.

  New Government buildings and major refurbishment will be assessed under the Building Research Establishment's environmental assessment method, or an equivalent scheme. The Department of the Environment's office services division has achieved accreditation for its environmental management system under BS 7750 and ISO 140001; this makes the United Kingdom one of the small number of countries that are investigating the application of such techniques in central Government. Work is under way by Government Departments to review the scope for reducing the impact of their travel and transport patterns on the environment and the scope for introducing green commuter plans to encourage staff to switch from the car to public transport, walking or cycling.

  Green Ministers have now agreed a further programme of action to take forward the green government initiative. The KPMG report and its case studies will be published as soon as it has been finalised. Green Ministers agree with the thrust of KPMG's emerging findings on the environmental appraisal of policies. Specifically they have agreed to:

  (a) prepare a short aide memoire, widely available and targeted more towards policy advisers than appraisal specialists, and showing the range of techniques available;

  (b) provide more detailed material on good practice for those needing further specialist advice; the Department of the Environment will be ready to advise other Departments without such expertise, and more generally (including considering the dissemination of case studies using both written material and seminars);

  459

  (c) review in their Departments the systems and processes they have in place to deal with environmental issues in policy appraisal where there are significant; although requirements differ across Departments, they will provide a clear point of contact for officials seeking advice;

  (d) take responsibility for ensuring that the necessary systems and processes are being properly used and, where the environmental impacts are significant, demonstrate publicly how they have taken account of environmental considerations in policy development. Collectively Green Ministers will review the situation periodically to satisfy themselves that arrangements are working well.

  The Government's corporate strategy on green housekeeping signals the Government's determination to build on the action already taken and to follow sound environmental principles across its operations. In particular, the Government will work to the target of a 20 per cent. improvement in energy efficiency over 1990 levels by 2000, and explore new ways of measuring performance by standard performance indicators. We shall ensure that new buildings and major refurbishments are designed to achieve high standards of environmental performance.

  The Government will also monitor targets set by Departments for reducing their waste in accordance with the UK strategy for sustainable waste management and promote the concepts of reduction, re-use, recovery and recycling with disposal as the least favourable option. New guidelines will be issued to Government Departments on taking environmental factors into account in purchasing goods and services consistent with the need to achieve value for money.

  Departments will reduce the use of hazardous substances, materials and goods and, where they are essential, dispose of them safely and in an environmentally preferable manner. Furthermore, Departments will minimise the environmental impact of the transport needs of Government operations, promote environmentally sensible choices in the way staff travel to work and provide them with the information and training they need to carry out their duties with the minimum impact on the environment.

  Green Ministers recognise that the achievement of improved environmental performance requires the commitment of all staff from senior management downwards and depends on Departments developing proper management systems. Where they have not already done so, Departments will consider whether it would be practicable, and whether it would bring extra value, to seek accreditation under BS 7750 and ISO 14001 or to have their systems assessed by auditors trained in environmental management.

SCOTLAND

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown by project of PFI schemes for which his Department is responsible as identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book. [18934]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 6 March 1997]: Table 1 gives a breakdown of the forecasts for Scotland in table 5.5 of the Red Book. It is possible to give a
  460
  meaningfull breakdown of the forecasts by project only for the Scottish Office's own projects and those of its agencies and nationalised industries. Forecasts for other sectors are based on information supplied by the public bodies concerned and the views of the Scottish Office and the Forestry Commission of the likely progress of the PFI in these sectors.

  Table 2 lists the latest forecasts on the same basis.

  Table 1: Red Book forecasts

  Estimated capital investment (£ million)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  Scottish Office, Agencies and nationalised industries:

  M6 completion

  22

  70

  30

  122

  M8 completion

  25

  50

  40

  115

  M80 completion

  —

  —

  25

  25

  Bowhouse prison

  40

  40

  —

  80

  Inverness Airport terminal (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.)

  1

  2

  1

  4

  Water and sewerage

  60

  230

  307

  597

  Further and higher education

  5

  3

  3

  11

  Health

  100

  150

  270

  520

  Forestry Commission: timber harvesting

  10

  11

  14

  35

  "Scotland" total in Red Book

  263

  556

  690

  1,509

  Scottish local authority projects

  22

  104

  105

  231

  Figures are rounded to the nearest £ million.

  Table 2: Latest estimates

  Estimated capital investment (£ million)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total

  Scottish Office, Agencies and nationalised industries:

  M6 completion

  37

  59

  33

  130

  M8 completion

  25

  50

  40

  115

  M80 completion

  —

  —

  15

  15

  Bowhouse prison

  20

  60

  —

  80

  Inverness Airport terminal (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.)

  9

  —

  —

  9

  Water and sewerage

  60

  230

  307

  597

  Further and higher education

  10

  8

  3

  21

  Health

  100

  150

  270

  520

  Forestry Commission: timber harvesting

  10

  11

  14

  35

  "Scotland" total in Red Book format

  270

  568

  682

  1,520

  Scottish local authority projects

  22

  103

  100

  225

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest £ million.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, columns 692–93; and if he will list his latest estimates of annual totals for PFI projects, on the same basis as those given in Table 5.5 of the Red Book. [20395]

  Mr. Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) today.
  461

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (i)by health board and (ii) overall the number of(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) midwives, (d) health visitors, (e) administration and clerical staff and (f) managers in the NHS in Scotland in each year from 1990 to 1996. [18894]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: As the information requested is lengthy, I have arranged for copies to be placed in the House Library.

  Market Testing Unit (Costs)
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the costs of his Department's market testing unit in each year since 1992, indicating for each year the(a) staff costs, (b) running costs and (c) costs of work commissioned by the unit. [19155]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The information available on the costs of market testing is given in the table. This shows staff costs for the period up to June 1994 and the full costs to date of consultancy support. Information on staff costs since June 1994 and non-staff running costs is not available centrally and could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost.

  £ million

  Year

  Staff costs

  Consultancy costs

  1992–93

  0.965

  0.917

  1993–94

  1.239

  0.469

  1994–95

  0.095

  0.064

  1995–96

  Not separately identified

  Nil

  1996–97

  Not separately identified

  Nil

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been in each year the(a) consultancy, (b) advertising and (c) other fees associated with the establishment of nursery vouchers in Scotland. [19157]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The information as at 4 March 1997, excluding VAT, is as follows:

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  Consultancy fees

  0

  4,188

  Advertising fees

  520

  113,400

  Other fees

  9,350

  203,518

  "Other fees" include translation and production fees subcontracted by advertising agents, and fees to Capita Managed Services for the issue and redemption of vouchers, helpline staffing and associated services. Charges made by local authorities and others for the secondment of staff as development officers and for work on the curriculum framework, by Stirling university for research on the pilot schemes, and by press and television firms for the carriage of advertising (these latter amounting to nil in 1995–96, £212,901 in 1996–97), have been excluded.
  462

  Scallop Conservation
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to implement the results of the consultation on scallop conservation measures in Argyll and Bute; and if he will make a statement. [19493]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The results of the 1996 UK consultation exercise on scallop conservation were largely inconclusive. No specific measures are proposed for Argyll and Bute. Discussions are continuing in the context of the European Commission's proposed revision of the technical conservation regulation.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of food poisoning in Scotland were notified to his Department in(a) 1996 and (b) each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [20193]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table. Notifications of cases of food poisoning are made to the Common Services Agency for the Scottish health service. Notifications of food poisoning cases are made by doctors but, since February 1995, cases ascertained by laboratories and environmental health officers have also been included in the totals.

  Notifications of Food Poisoning1,2 in Scotland, year ending 31 December 1979–1996

  Year

  Total

  1979

  2,657

  1980

  2,689

  1981

  4,379

  1982

  4,525

  1983

  4,265

  1984

  4,301

  1985

  4,230

  1986

  4,662

  1987

  5,050

  1988

  5,734

  1989

  6,156

  1990

  6,757

  1991

  6,318

  1992

  7,877

  1993

  7,170

  1994

  8,291

  1995

  9,297

  1996

  10,126

  1For 1979–1995 notifications are confirmed cases, adjusted where a revised diagnosis is subsequently received. For 1996 notifications are provisional and subject to amendment where a revised diagnosis is subsequently received.

  2Includes Campylobacters from 1980. Excludes Campylobacters in Avrshire and Arran Health Board area from 1979–1986.

  source:

  Common Services Agency.

  Mr. W. J. Duff
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions, and from what date, the Common Services Agency dental practice division undertook ad hoc checks on dental payment claim forms submitted by Mr. W. J. Duff; what were the conclusions; and what action was taken following each occasion. [19264]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 March 1997]: The Common Services Agency's dental practice division undertakes ad hoc checks where dental payment claim forms are rejected during processing for any reason such as when there is incomplete information

  463
  on the form. In such cases, payments are not made and the forms are returned to the dentist for correct completion. Because these checks are ad hoc, no records are kept.

  Drug Services (Funding)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy in regard to the ring fencing of funding provision to health boards for drug services. [20198]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  In order to ensure that sufficient priority is given to tackling the problem of drug misuse in Scotland, the Government's policy is that the ring fencing of funding provision to health boards for drug services is essential and should continue.

  Radioactive Materials
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the civil police provide escorts for type B containers of civil radioactive materials transported by road at the request of the material's owners; and if he will make a statement. [19932]

  Mr. Page
  I have been asked to reply.

  The civil police do not escort type B containers of radioactive materials transported by road. The UK Atomic Energy Authority constabulary escorts these containers when necessary.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the owners of radioactive materials in transit are responsible for the cost of civil police escorts; and if he will make a statement. [19933]

  Mr. Page
  I have been asked to reply.

  The civil police are not involved in the escort of radioactive materials and therefore no costs are incurred.

HEALTH

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with disabilities, living in NHS hospitals or residential accommodation, currently receive the mobility component of the disability living allowance. [20130]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  People with entitlement to disability living allowance mobility component at 21 January 1997 who were in hospital for over 28 days (84 days for children)

  Number

  Rate of mobility entitlement

  Higher

  10,480

  Lower

  13,951

  Total

  24,431

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division 100 per cent. data.
  464

  Community Care
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Healtl if he will place in the Library the responses to his: Department's draft guidance for local authorities on the implementation of the Community Care (Direct Payments Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [19205]

  Mr. Burns
  Copies of all responses have been placed in the Library, except where respondents have indicated tha they wish their reply to be excluded from this arrangement In those cases, confidentiality has been respected.

  We have received 206 replies to the consultation throughout the United Kingdom. These comprise 86 replies from local authorities, 70 from voluntary organisations, and 50 from independent providers, healtl bodies, statutory bodies and individuals.

  Pepper Gas
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for: Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Officia Report, column 287, for what reasons his Departmen compiled the report on pepper spray; and if his; Department has prepared other reports on this subjec since 1991. [19088]

  Mr. Horam
  The report to which the hon. Member refers was prepared by officials at the Department of Health at the request of the Home Office. No further scientific reports or this subject have been produced by officials.

  Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals which have facilities to provide extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation for children aged(a) up to six months and (b) six months and over; and how many paediatric intensive care beds there are in each of the units with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation facilities. [19497]

  Mr. Horam
  On the basis of recently publishec evidence of the effectiveness of extra-corporea membrane oxygenation in neonates, my right hon. Frienc the Secretary of State announced on 8 January that, from 1 April this year, an ECMO service for neonates and premature babies up to six months suffering front respiratory syncytial virus will be purchased centrally from Great Ormond Street hospital for sick children London; Glenfield hospital, Leicester; and the Freemar hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. All three have the necessary neonatal and paediatric facilities to suppor ECMO treatment for this group of babies.

  The information requested on the number of paediatric intensive care beds with ECMO facilities is not held centrally.

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the hospitals in the west midlands that have had recorded incidents of MRSA since 1992; [19721]

  (2) how many (a) cases of and (b) deaths from MRSA have been recorded in (i) the west midlands and (ii) west midlands hospitals in each year since 1992; [19719]
  465
  (3) how many cases of MRSA have been recorded in Walsgrave hospital, Coventry in each of the last five years, broken down by age bands of 10 years; [19720]

  (4) what has been the percentage change in the annual incidence of MRSA in west midlands hospitals from 1990–91 to 1995–96. [19722]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on the total number of cases of infection or colonisation with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is not collected centrally. Some health authorities monitor the occurrence of MRSA, but these are likely to be subject to local variations in the type of data collected and the methods of collection used.

  Data on the occurrence of MRSA compiled by the public health laboratory service are derived from isolates submitted voluntarily by hospitals in England and Wales for typing.

  The data held by PHLS of the number of hospitals in the West Midlands health region reporting incidents of MRSA from 1992 to 1996, the number of patients affected and the year-on-year percentage change of number of patients affected are shown in the table. The names of individual hospitals are not available. An incident is defined as three or more patients with the same strain of MRSA in a month from the same hospital. It is not known in how many of these cases MRSA contributed to or caused death.

  Incidents of MRSA: West midlands health region 1992 to 1996

  Year

  Number of hospitals reporting incidents

  Number of patients affected

  Year-on-year percentage change of patients affected

  1992

  11

  200

  —

  1993

  17

  677

  +239

  1994

  21

  2,180

  +222

  1995

  22

  1,448

  -34

  1996

  17

  1,293

  -11

  Source:

  PHLS.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts(a) have had their establishment orders altered, and when, and (b) are currently being considered for alterations to their establishment orders. [19824]

  Mr. Horam
  Copies of establishment orders for national health service trusts are available in the Library.

  Establishment orders for the following trusts are being considered for alteration:

  Black Country Mental Health trust

  Bromley Hospitals NHS trust

  Chichester Priority Services NHS trust

  Leeds Community and Mental Health Services Teaching NHS trust

  Leicester Ambulance and Paramedic Services NHS trust

  Lifecare NHS trust

  Riverside Mental Health NHS trust

  South Lincolnshire Community and Mental Health Services NHS trust.

  466
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to alter the establishment orders of NHS trusts involved in negotiating private finance initiative projects. [19823]

  Mr. Horam
  A decision will be taken following consultation with the local community health council in respect of trusts which require changes to their establishment order as a result of a private finance initiative project.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) negotiations he is undertaking with and (b) representations he has received from,(i)NHS trusts,(ii)community health councils,(iii) health authorities, and (iv) private sector private finance initiative partners concerning alterations to NHS trust establishment orders. [19825]

  Mr. Horam
  Alterations to trust establishment orders are generally requested by the trusts concerned. A decision is made on amendment following consultation where that is applicable. The consultation process where an alteration to an establishment order is due to a change in service provision is carried out by the Department involving the trust and the local community health council. Health authorities and the private sector are not directly involved.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, column 569, concerning NHS trusts' funding, if the establishment order for each NHS trust named permits it to sign a contract for the private finance initiative project it is currently negotiating; and if he will make a statement. [20070]

  Mr. Horam
  The position is set out in the table.

  Trust

  Establishment order compliant with PFI

  Bishop Auckland NHS trust

  Yes

  Bromley Hospitals NHS trust

  Consultation in progress

  Calderdale Healthcare NHS trust

  Amending order made 13 March 1997

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS trust

  Amending order made 13 March 1997

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS trust

  Yes

  Greenwich Healthcare NHS trust

  Consultation required

  Hereford Hospitals NHS trust

  Yes

  North Durham Acute Hospitals NHS trust

  Yes

  Oxleas NHS trust

  Yes

  St. James and Seacroft University Hospitals NHS trust

  Yes

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust

  Yes

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS trust

  Consultation required

  Wellhouse NHS trust

  Amending order made 13 March 1997

  Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS trust

  Yes

  Art Therapy
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received recently regarding art therapy services in London; and if he will make a statement on the matters raised by the hon. Member for Woolwich in his letter of 5 March regarding Lewisham and Guys NHS mental health trust; [19514]

  (2) with whom the final decision to delete art therapy services in the Lewisham and Guy's NHS mental health trust rests; and if he will make a statement; [20332]
  467
  (3) what was the basis upon which the decision to cease to provide art therapy services in the Lewisham and Guy's NHS mental health trust was taken; and if he will make a statement. [20333]

  Mr. Burns
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has received a number of representations concerning art therapy in London. The decision to discontinue some of the art therapy services provided by Lewisham and Guy's mental health trust was made by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority, in consultation with the trust. The decision followed a review of patient needs and priorities in the south-east London area.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is given by his Department regarding the notice given by service providers for terminating work with long-term clients, with special reference to art therapy; and if he will make a statement; [20334]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the implications of his decision in respect of the recognition of art, music and drama therapy for NHS funding, priority setting and the provision of such services. [20331]

  Mr. Burns
  We have not issued central guidance on arrangements for terminating art therapy services. The funding, priority setting and provision of art therapy services are matters for the national health services to determine in the light of local circumstances. In recognition of the part art therapists play, we have agreed that they should be registered in accordance with the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the additional funds which he has provided for mental health services in London can be spent on art therapy services. [20335]

  Mr. Burns
  There is no reason in principle for excluding art therapy from the range of services to be funded from the mental health challenge fund or from target funds, provided that their provision relates to the

  Places in residential care homes for elderly people—London, as at 31 March 1987 and 1996

  Local authority

  Voluntary sector

  Private sector

  All sectors

  Borough

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  All London boroughs

  15,677

  7,251

  6,284

  6,284

  5,529

  7,443

  27,490

  20,978

  Inner London

  6,639

  3,152

  2,097

  2,210

  874

  1,264

  9,610

  6,626

  Camden

  553

  206

  198

  225

  71

  170

  822

  601

  Greenwich

  560

  333

  0

  0

  109

  178

  669

  511

  Hackney

  495

  239

  137

  148

  0

  75

  632

  462

  Hammersmith

  461

  274

  106

  113

  16

  16

  583

  403

  Islington

  626

  319

  58

  126

  32

  0

  716

  445

  Kensington

  300

  167

  249

  158

  51

  82

  600

  407

  Lambeth

  698

  472

  286

  233

  172

  279

  1,156

  984

  Lewisham

  760

  248

  18

  66

  237

  372

  1,015

  686

  Southwark

  682

  255

  248

  93

  0

  0

  930

  348

  Tower Hamlets

  407

  236

  125

  178

  0

  0

  532

  414

  Wandsworth

  568

  152

  636

  789

  186

  92

  1,390

  1,033

  Westminster

  529

  251

  36

  81

  0

  0

  565

  332

  Outer London

  9,038

  4,099

  4,187

  4,074

  4,655

  6,179

  17,880

  14,352

  Barking

  359

  433

  0

  32

  38

  55

  397

  520

  Barnet

  544

  364

  1,003

  941

  534

  560

  2,081

  1,865

  Bexley

  437

  129

  5

  251

  45

  46

  487

  426

  Brent

  437

  132

  129

  140

  72

  197

  638

  469

  468
  needs of people with severe mental illness, and that bids have been soundly based within the criteria which govern the allocation process.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for the City of Durham(Mr. Steinberg) of 29 January,Official Report, columns 271–72, concerning NHS PFI projects, what information he has received regarding (a) the date that contracts, including financial agreements, will be signed and (b) the likely start date and time scale for construction work at each of the sites named. [20071]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 13 March,Official Report, column 341. Financial agreement on a private finance initiative contract is expected three or four months after the commercial contract has been signed. Shortly after financial agreement, work can begin on site.

  Negative Equity Buy-out
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many, and which, health authorities and trusts operated negative equity buy-out or similar relocation schemes prior to October 1994; and how much was paid by each health service body under such schemes in each year. [20117]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 March 1996,Official Report, column 621.

  Residential Care for the Elderly (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each London borough the number of residential places for the elderly in(a) 1987 and (b) 1997 in (i)local authority and (ii) other homes by category. [20014]

  Mr. Burns
  Information for 1987 and 1996, the latest available year, is given in the table.
  469

  Places in residential care homes for elderly people—London, as at 31 March 1987 and 1996

  Local authority

  Voluntary sector

  Private sector

  All sectors

  Borough

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  1987

  1996

  Bromley

  475

  41

  646

  532

  330

  575

  1,451

  1,148

  Croydon

  579

  183

  239

  290

  698

  475

  1,516

  948

  Ealing

  595

  338

  383

  266

  302

  253

  1,280

  857

  Enfield

  550

  125

  28

  15

  354

  594

  932

  734

  Haringey

  457

  109

  343

  293

  140

  146

  940

  548

  Harrow

  412

  108

  134

  110

  396

  518

  942

  736

  Havering

  490

  283

  0

  151

  303

  531

  793

  965

  Hillingdon

  505

  348

  88

  75

  57

  188

  650

  611

  Hounslow

  432

  168

  136

  140

  5

  82

  573

  390

  Kingston upon Thames

  253

  115

  6

  0

  370

  327

  629

  442

  Merton

  262

  168

  165

  175

  165

  178

  592

  521

  Newham

  616

  253

  109

  125

  24

  16

  749

  394

  Redbridge

  481

  215

  151

  137

  231

  372

  863

  724

  Richmond upon Thames

  353

  239

  434

  288

  85

  202

  872

  729

  Sutton

  338

  147

  176

  113

  299

  428

  813

  688

  Waltham Forest

  463

  201

  12

  0

  207

  436

  682

  637

  Source:

  DH annual return RAC5.

  Hepatitis B Vaccinations
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many vaccinations against hepatitis B were administered in each of the last three years; [20023]

  (2) what was the cost, in each of the last three years for which figures are available, of programmes to vaccinate groups at risk from hepatitis B. [20025]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Liver Cancer
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the number of deaths from liver cancer and (b) the cost to the NHS of treating liver cancer, in each year since 1994. [20027]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on the number of deaths from liver cancer in 1994—latest available figures—is contained in "Mortality statistics: cause, England and Wales, 1993(revised) and 1994"(Series DH2 no. 21), published by the Office for National Statistics, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information on the costs to the NHS of treating liver cancer is not collected centrally.

  Health Spending (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS spending in East Sussex is on people over retirement age. [20017]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact John Lewis, chairman of East Sussex Brighton and Hove health authority for details.

  Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the current structure and membership of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. [20026]

  Mr. Horam
  Current membership of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is as follows;
  470

  Professor Sir David Hull (Chairman)—formerly Professor of Child Health, Nottingham.

  Dr. R. Aston—Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Bolton.

  Dr. B. Bannister—Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Coppett's Wood Hospital (Royal Free Hospital).

  Dr. H. Bowyer—Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Borders Health Board.

  Dr. K. Cartwright—Director, Gloucester Public Health Laboratory.

  Dr. S. Conway—Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Leeds.

  Professor D. Goldblatt—Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant, Institute of Child Health.

  Professor D. Hall—Professor of Community Paediatrics, University of Sheffield.

  Dr. D. Joynson—Director, Swansea Public Health Laboratory.

  Dr. C. R. Kennedy—Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Southampton University Hospital.

  Dr. J. Lunn—formerly Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Northwick Park Hospital.

  Dr. K. Nicholson—Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Leicester University and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

  Dr. M. Ogilvie—Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Medical Virology, Edinburgh University Medical School.

  Professor L. Ritchie—General practitioner and Professor of General Practice, Aberdeen.

  Dr. R. Smithson—Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Western Health and Social Services Board.

  Two new members to advise on nursing matters and paediatric epidemiology are currently being appointed and will replace outgoing members Mrs. D. Roden and Professor C. Peckham.

  Drug-related Incidents (Weekends)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what data his Department collates on the number of people currently treated on average on(a) Friday and (b) Saturday nights at accident and emergency units for (i)ecstasy,(ii)cocaine and (iii) heroin-related incidents; [20354]
  471
  (2) how many people are currently being treated in hospital for ecstasy-related health problems; [20415]

  (3) what research he has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned into the long-term effects of taking ecstasy; [20401]

  (4) what is his estimate of the number of people who currently use ecstasy on a weekend in the United Kingdom; and on what data these figures are based; [20376]

  (5) what research he has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the side effects of taking ecstasy; [20400]

  (6) how many people have died in 1996 as a consequence of taking ecstasy or attending ecstasy-related events. [20414]

  Mr. Burns
  The Department of Health does not collect information by day of the week on drug-related incidents in accident and emergency units, but anecdotal evidence from a number of hospitals suggests that incidents related to the drug known as ecstasy are common at weekends. It is not possible, because of its clandestine nature, to determine accurately the level of ecstary misuse, but surveys suggest that about 1 per cent. of 16 to 29-year-olds take the drug on a regular basis.

  Information on the number of patients treated for ecstasy-related health problems is not collected.

  The Department of Health has commissioned a literature review to evaluate existing research on both the short-term side effects and long-term health risks of taking ecstasy and has received advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on these issues, which was the subject of a question tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 28 February 1997, Official Report, columns 441–42. The Department of Health is considering, in the light of this work, what further research may be necessary on the health risks of this drug.

  Figures for the number of deaths from ecstasy in 1996 are not yet available, but there were 10 deaths in 1994 attributed solely to the misuse of ecstasy.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will require the Medicines Commission to review the operation of the Committee on Safety of Medicines in October 1995; [20481]

  (2) if he will list the dates between 1 June 1995 and 19 October 1995 when he met the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines; [20622]

  (3) if he will publish the documents of 16 October 1995 relating to the instructions his Department gave to the Medical Direct Mail Organisation; [20561]

  (4) when data from the World Health Organisation study into oral contraception were first made available to the Medicines Control Agency; and if he will make a statement; [20559]
  472
  (5) when his Department's formal written request of 11 October 1995 relating to desogestrel and gestodene was acknowledged by (a) the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products and (b) the European Medicines Evaluation Agency; [20482]

  (6) on what date the licensing authority received the abstract relating to the transnational study, subsequently presented at the British Pharmacological Society; and when the abstract was seen by the Committee on Safety of Medicines; [20623]

  (7) if Ministers asked the Medicines Control Agency to arrange the meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines held on 13 October 1995; [20562]

  (8) on what dates after 13 October the Committee on Safety of Medicines considered matters relating to the safety of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene; [20483]

  (9) on whose instructions the letter over the signature of the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines of 18 October 1995 was issued. [20560]

  Mr. Malone
  The hon. Member, and the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) have already pursued these matters in great detail. I refer the hon. Member to the statement to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 23 October 1995 at columns 701–10 and to the replies I gave on 12 June 1996 at columns 250–71, 7 November 1995 at columns 679–80, 11 December 1995 at columns 522–23, 19 December 1995 at columns 1148–50 and 1152–54, 8 February 1996 at columns 343–48, 7 March 1996 at column 321, 14 March 1996 at column 752, 21 March 1996 at columns 317–18, 25 March 1996 at column 428,28 March 1996 at column 748,1 April 1996 at column 53, 2 April 1996 at columns 184–86, 24 April 1996 at columns 172–74, 25 April 1996 at column 281, 30 April 1996 at columns 497–99, 9 May 1996 at columns 243–44, 10 May 1996 at columns 280–82, 5 June 1996 at columns 447–49, 13 June 1996 at columns 245–247, 17 June 1996 at column 358, 20 June 1996 at columns 570–71,21 June 1996 at columns 667–68.

  Blister Packs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways British standards covering the strength of blister packs for pharmaceutical products differ from those applying in other European Union countries. [20541]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Medical Personnel (Voluntary Work Overseas)
  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made since the NHS executive letter of 28 June 1995 in facilitating the release of medical personnel for voluntary work overseas, with special reference to Medical Emergency Relief International; what new proposals he has to facilitate their release; and if he will make a statement. [19610]

  Mr. Malone
  Executive letter (95)69 makes plain that decisions on whether to release staff to work overseas are matters for local national health service employers. I understand that a number of trusts have made
  473
  agreements with Voluntary Services Overseas about releasing health professionals to work in developing countries.

  Treatment Costs
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average cost per patient treated in each NHS trust in England. [19718]

  Mr. Horam
  The information available, in the form of average cost per finished consultant episode, has been placed in the Library.

  Health Service Chairmen (West Yorkshire)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the chairman of each NHS trust and health authority in west Yorkshire; when each was appointed; and when their current period of office comes to an end. [20108]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is listed in the table.

  Health authority

  Chairman

  Appointed from

  Appointed to

  Bradford

  Zahida Manzoor

  1 April 1996

  31 March 1998

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  Allan Templeton

  1 April 1996

  31 March 2000

  Leeds

  Clive Leach

  1 April 1996

  31 March 2000

  Wakefield

  Anne Bolter

  1 April 1996

  31 March 2000

  NHS trust

  Chairman

  Appointed from

  Appointed to

  Airedale

  Peter Bell

  1 December 1993

  30 November 1997

  Bradford

  John Watson

  2 December 1996

  30 November 2000

  Community Health

  Bradford Hospitals

  Linda Pollard

  15 July 1996

  31 October 1999

  Calderdale Healthcare

  Ian Hughes

  15 July 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dewsbury Healthcare

  John Hemingway

  1 November 1995

  31 October 1999

  Huddersfield Healthcare

  Garrick Graham

  1 November 1994

  31 October 1998

  Leeds

  Bill Kilgallon

  1 November 1994

  31 October 1998

  Community and Mental Health Services

  Pinderfields Hospitals1

  Vacancy

  Pontefract Hospitals1

  Christine Searby

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1997

  St. James's and Seacroft University Hospital

  Tony Hughes

  1 April 1995

  30 November 1998

  United Leeds Teaching Hospitals

  David Hall

  1 April 1995

  30 November 1998

  Wakefield and Pontefract Community Health

  Roy Widdowson

  1 November 1996

  31 October 2000

  West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance

  Alan Titterington

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1998

  1 Applications are currently being considered for the chairmanship of the merged Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals trust.

  474

  Ambulance Trusts
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) emergency vehicles and (b) vehicles for non-emergency services were in service with each NHS ambulance trust in each of the last three years. [20128]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The second report of the Health Committee in Session 1994–95, copies of which are available in the Library, provides some information about the number of emergency ambulances in service at that time.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vehicles and of what type are (i) owned and (ii)leased by each NHS ambulance trust; and, for each type, how many are(a) less than one year old, (b) between one and three years old, (c) between four and seven years old and (d) eight or more years old. [20129]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average waiting time between a child being referred for speech therapy, an assessment taking place and referral for treatment. [20132]

  Mr. Burns
  The information requested is not available centrally. Under the childrens charter, parents can expect to be told the local charter standard for the maximum waiting time before their child is seen.

  Trust Boards (Disabled People)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with disabilities are members of NHS trust boards; and what percentage this is of the total membership. [20131]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on all trust board members is not available. Of 845 non-executives appointed since monitoring began in July 1996, nine—1.06 per cent.— considered themselves to have a disability. Information about executive trust board members with disabilities is not collected centrally.

  Residential Care Charges
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that the partial equity release insurance scheme will form part of the long-term care partnership proposals set out in the draft Community Care (Residential Charges)Bill. [20127]

  Mr. Burns
  The Government remain willing to explore options for making equity release a safe and affordable way of financing the purchase of long-term care insurance, as made clear in paragraph 29 of the policy statement "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age"(Cm 3563), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of food poisoning were notified to his Department in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [20194]
  475
  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Dr. Strang) on 27 February 1997,Official Report, columns 307–308. Data for the preceding years are available from the same source.

  Medicinal Drugs (Third World)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to persuade other nations to reduce the distribution of surplus medicinal drugs in third world and other countries following the recent medicinal drug deaths in Nigeria, Haiti and Lithuania. [20292]

  Mr. Malone
  The United Kingdom will continue to work with other countries and appropriate international organisations, particularly the World Health Organisation, in pursuit of agreed standards and guidelines regarding drug donations and their safety.

  Funding (Market Forces Factor)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of overall funding reflects the pay element of the market forces factor in the allocations of resources in each health authority. [20461]

  Mr. Horam
  The market forces factor is one component of the weighted capitation formula used to calculate health authority targets which in turn inform allocations.

  There are six elements within the MFF adjustment and their corresponding weightings are shown in the table:

  Element

  Weighting Percentage

  Staff

  57.31

  Medical and dental London weighting

  8.68

  Non pay

  22.57

  Land

  1.17

  Buildings

  7.94

  Equipment

  2.33

  Total

  100

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the market force factor in his health authority funding formula

  Expenditure by GP fundholders on the purchase of healthcare from non-NHS providers

  £ thousand

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  North Yorkshire family health services authority

  101

  512

  348

  618

  989

  Northern region

  238

  960

  1,978

  n/a

  n/a

  Yorkshire region

  315

  1,086

  2,182

  n/a

  n/a

  Northern and Yorkshire region

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  7,390

  8,870

  Source:

  The annual accounts of family health services authorities.

  Notes:

  1. The 1995–96 figures are provisional.

  2. Northern and Yorkshire Regions merged in 1994–95, though South Cumbria transferred to the North West region.

  3. Expenditure in North Yorkshire family health service authority is included under the Yorkshire region for 1991–92 to 1993–94 and the Northern and Yorkshire region total for 1994–95 and 1995–96.
  476
  in areas which his Department has identified as having low rates of pay largely based on Whitley Council agreements. [20459]

  Mr. Horam
  The staff market forces factor enables all health authorities to meet trust prices which reflect national pay agreements.

  Anti-anthrax Vaccination
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the recommended interval between each injection in a course of anti-anthrax vaccination. [20449]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is contained in the book "Immunisation Against Infectious Diseases" issued by the Health Departments, which was issued to all practising clinicians and copies of which are available in the Library. The information is also routinely included in the insert included in every pack of vaccine.

  Four injections of 0.5 ml is recommended. There should be an interval of three weeks between the first three injections, and six months between the third and fourth. Subsequent reinforcing doses of 0.5 ml are recommended at annual intervals.

  Oakleaf Rehabilitation Centre, Guildford
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will pay an official visit to the Oakleaf rehabilitation centre in Guildford. [20473]

  Mr. Burns
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has no plans to visit the Oakleaf rehabilitation centre.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 114, how much money was spent by fundholding general practitioners practices in (a) North Yorkshire, (b) Yorkshire region and (c) Northern region on purchasing hospital and community health services from private sector providers as defined by sub-code 160 in form FAA23 in the accounts filed by health authorities in each year since general practitioner fundholding started. [20690]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is given in the table.
  477

  Anti-depressants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the(a) short-term and (b) long-term effects of(i) tricyclic anti-depressants and (ii)selective serotinin re-uptake inhibitors; and if he will make a statement. [20537]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 February 1997,Official Report, at column 723, which referred to benzodiazepines and tricyclic anti-depressants. The answer to that question also applies to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.

  Funding (Private Health Care Investment)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account is taken of the level of investment in private health care in the formula used to distribute resource allocations to health authorities. [20460]

  Mr. Horam
  The national weighted capitation formula determines health authorities' shares of available resources and its aim is for health authorities to be able to purchase similar levels of health services for resident populations in similar need. The formula does not take explicit account of levels of private medical insurance and therefore allocations are not directly affected.

  The national health service is available to all, regardless of ability to pay, and people with private medical insurance always have the option to use the NHS.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the number and proportion of pensioners in each region of the United Kingdom who received(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit. [17484]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the tables. The information for May 1994 corrects that given in my reply of 9 January 1996,Official Report, columns 171–72.

  Income support pensioner recipients by region: May 1995

  GSS region

  Number of claimants

  Proportion of the pensioner population (percentage)

  South East

  444,000

  12.7

  South East (except London)

  236,000

  10.4

  London (inner/outer)

  209,000

  17.0

  North

  101,000

  15.4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  157,000

  15.1

  East Midlands

  107,000

  12.6

  East Anglia

  55,000

  11.8

  South West

  116,000

  10.2

  West Midlands

  173,000

  16.0

  North West

  218,000

  16.7

  England

  1,372,000

  13.7

  Scotland

  165,000

  15.9

  Wales

  95,000

  14.6

  Total (Great Britain)

  1,632,000

  13.9

  Northern Ireland

  59,000

  21.0

  Total (United Kingdom)

  1,690,000

  14.1

  478

  Housing benefit pensioner recipients by region: May 1995

  GSS region

  Number of claimants

  Proportion of the pensioner population (percentage)

  South East

  539,000

  15.4

  South East (except London)

  286,000

  12.6

  London (inner/outer)

  253,000

  20.6

  North

  135,000

  20.6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  196,000

  18.8

  East Midlands

  123,000

  14.5

  East Anglia

  68,000

  14.5

  South West

  128,000

  11.2

  West Midlands

  188,000

  17.4

  North West

  231,000

  17.7

  England

  1,609,000

  16.0

  Scotland

  234,000

  22.6

  Wales

  88,000

  13.5

  Total (Great Britain)

  1,932,000

  16.5

  Northern Ireland

  42,000

  15.0

  Total (United Kingdom)

  1,974,000

  16.4

  Council tax benefit pensioner recipients by region: May 1995

  GSS region

  Number of claimants

  Proportion of the pensioner population (percentage)

  South East

  732,000

  20.9

  South East (except London)

  424,000

  18.7

  London (inner/outer)

  308,000

  25.0

  North

  184,000

  27.9

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  283,000

  27.2

  East Midlands

  193,000

  22.6

  East Anglia

  101,000

  21.5

  South West

  203,000

  17.8

  West Midlands

  293,000

  27.1

  North West

  360,000

  27.6

  England

  2,347,000

  23.4

  Scotland

  304,000

  29.4

  Wales

  132,000

  20.3

  Great Britain

  2,784,000

  23.7

  Northern Ireland

  n/a

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  n/a

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentages are given to one decimal place.

  2. A case is defined as being a pensioner if in receipt of the pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium. It excludes those aged 60 or over without a premium, i.e. preserved right residential care cases.

  3. There will be an overlap between recipients of the named benefits.

  4. Regions used are Government standard statistical regions.

  5. Income support sample size 5 per cent.

  6. Council tax benefit does not apply to Northern Ireland.

  7. Figures are for benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  Sources:

  1. Income support statistics quarterly inquiry May 1995.

  2. Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries taken at the end of May 1995.

  3. Office of Population and Censuses and Surveys mid-term estimates 1995.

  4. Income Support (Northern Ireland)100 per cent. sample May 1995.

  5. Northern Ireland Housing Executive inquiry taken at 15 December 1995.
  479

  Housing benefit pensioner recipients by region: May 1994

  GSS region

  Number of claimants

  Proportion of the pensioner population (percentage)

  South East (except London)

  283,000

  15.4

  London (inner/outer)

  256,000

  1—

  North

  136,000

  20.6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  205,000

  19.7

  East Midlands

  120,000

  14.2

  East Anglia

  66,000

  14.2

  South West

  127,000

  11.2

  West Midlands

  189,000

  17.5

  North West

  227,000

  17.3

  England

  1,609,000

  16.0

  Scotland

  245,000

  23.7

  Wales

  90,000

  13.8

  Total (Great Britain)

  1,944,000

  16.6

  Northern Ireland

  42,000

  15.1

  Total (United Kingdom)

  1,986,000

  16.5

  Note:

  1 London and South-east regions have been added together for the population estimate.

  Council tax benefit pensioner recipients by region: May 1994

  GSS region

  Number of claimants

  Proportion of the pensioner population (percentage)

  South East (except London)

  433,000

  20.9

  London (inner/outer)

  299,000

  1—

  North

  187,000

  28.3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  297,000

  28.5

  East Midlands

  192,000

  22.7

  East Anglia

  102,000

  22.0

  South west

  213,000

  18.8

  West Midlands

  305,000

  28.3

  North west

  362,000

  27.5

  England

  2,390,000

  23.8

  Scotland

  304,000

  29.4

  Wales

  135,000

  20.7

  Great Britain

  2,829,000

  24.1

  Northern Ireland

  n/a

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  n/a

  n/a

  Notes:

  1 London and South-east regions have been added together for the population estimate.

  1. In each table the figures in italics were transposed in error in the original reply.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentages are given to one decimal place.

  3. Regions used are Government standard statistical regions.

  4. Figures for housing benefit council tax benefit are for benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  5. Pensioners are defined as either a claimant or partner aged 60 or over except for the figures for Northern Ireland where claimant or partner are aged 65 or over.

  6. Council tax benefit does not apply in Northern Ireland.

  Sources:

  1. Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiry taken at the end of May 1994.

  2. Office of Population and Censuses and Surveys mid-term estimates 1993.

  3. Northern Ireland Housing Executive inquiry, taken at 15 December 1995.

  Gulf War Victims (Compensation)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost to the 480
  social services of the delay in the payment of compensation to United Kingdom victims of the Gulf war through the United Nations Compensation Commission. [18726]

  Mr. Heald
  None. The United Nations compensation arrangements relate to United Nations peace-keeping operations. Operation Granby in the Gulf conflict was a multinational force operation mounted under a UN resolution and is not therefore covered by those compensation arrangements.

  Private Finance Initiatives
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 720, if he will provide figures for his Department's PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington of 6 March, Official Report, columns 692–93. [20390]

  Mr. Burt
  Information on the Department of Social Security's private finance initiative projects is not available in the format requested. Disaggregating the figures quoted in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" into individual, identifiable projects at this stage would involve publishing commercially confidential material, harm the competitive position of a third party and prejudice the Department's position in on-going and future project negotiations.

  Basic Pension Plus
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cumulative cost of the basic pension plus proposals between 2020 and 2040. [20488]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 11 March,Official Report, column 194.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) average pensioner incomes, (b) the distribution of future pensioner incomes and (c) the number of pensioners living on incomes under half the national average for the years before pension benefits will be paid under the basic pension plus scheme. [20469]

  Mr. Heald
  The available information is contained in Government economic service working paper No. 129, titled "PENSIM: A dynamic simulation Model of Pensioners' Incomes", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many pensioners he estimates would be reliant on means-tested benefits in retirement if people made contributions only at the minimum 5 per cent. level under the basic pension plus proposals; and what assumptions about the level of means-tested benefits underlie this estimate; [20500]

  (2) what would be the impact on the retirement income of (a) people on (i) a quarter,(ii) a half,(iii) three quarters and (iv) average earnings and (b) public spending on

  481
  means-tested benefits under the basic pension plus scheme if people made contributions only at the minimum 5 per cent. level. [20499]

  Mr. Heald
  The rebates will be around £9 a week plus for employees—around 5 per cent. of earnings on which national insurance is payable. The basic pension guarantee will ensure that everyone gets at least as high a basic pension as they would from the current state scheme; and the investment of their funds gives a good prospect of higher pensions. The number of pensioners reliant on income-related benefits could be lower than under the present scheme, even if there were no increase in the number making voluntary additional provision.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his basic pension plus proposal will involve any alteration to the rates of national insurance contributions set out in table 3 of the Government Actuary's report on the 1994 Pensions Bill. [20440]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 11 March,Official Report, columns 197–98.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions underlay his estimate of £10 billion for the continuing cost of the basic pension guarantee after 2040. [20442]

  Mr. Heald
  The broadly estimated cost of the basic pension guarantee is £10 billion per annum, on the assumptions that broadly the same proportion of the work force as now will accrue credits, and that because of low charges and simple but effective regulation there will not be many funds which fail to produce the required minimum return of 4.25 per cent. per annum.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions he has made about me number of employees opting out of their occupational pension scheme in his basic pension plus proposals. [20490]

  Mr. Heald
  It has not been assumed that anyone would opt out of an occupational pension scheme as a result of basic pension plus. Members of occupational pension schemes will be able to opt to have their basic pension plus funds managed as an additional voluntary contribution by the occupational scheme.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions he has made in his basic pension plus proposal about the level of additional contributions beyond the 5 per cent. minimum contribution level. [20498]

  Mr. Heald
  In costing the basic pension proposal, no assumptions have been made about additional contributions beyond the minimum rebates of £9 a week plus 5 per cent. of earnings to fund the state pension. Everyone will have their own pension fund and will have the opportunity to make additional contributions.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the value of the pension earned under the basic pension plus for(a) a male and (b) a female on (i) a quarter and (ii) three quarters of male and female average earnings, relative to average male and female earnings in 2040; [20463]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the value of the pension earned on entering the basic pension plus in the years (a) 2010, (b) 2020, (c) 2030 and (d) 2040, for those
  482
  on (i) a quarter,(ii) a half,(iii) three quarters and (iv) average earnings relative to average earnings when they can expect to retire; [20467]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the value of the pension earned under the basic pension plus for a woman on average earnings, relative to overall average earnings in 2040. [20464]

  Mr. Heald
  Generally, at least as good as the pension available from the present state scheme or better.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the impact of altering the capital limits on benefits on the incentive to save under the Government's basic pension plus proposal. [20475]

  Mr. Heald
  The incentive to save under the basic pension plus proposal will come from the existence of a basic pension plus fund for each individual, to which they can add. The effect on the propensity to save of a change in the capital limits on eligibility for income-related benefits is independent of the basic pension plus proposal.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if public employees who opted out of their pension scheme, or moved to a job in the private sector, would be able to move their pension into a funded private sector pension scheme under the basic pension plus proposals. [20492]

  Mr. Heald
  Yes. Under current legislation, public service employees who terminate their pensionable service more than one year before the scheme's normal pension age have a statutory right to transfer the cash equivalent of their accrued rights. The transfer payment may be made to another occupational pension scheme, personal pension scheme or suitable insurance policy able and willing to accept it.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of charges was assumed for years when people are not contributing to the scheme under the basic pension plus proposals; and what is the estimated effect of this level of fees and charges for years when people are not contributing to the scheme on expected pension benefits. [20502]

  Mr. Heald
  As the technical note, paragraph 19, explained, the Personal Pensions Investment Authority will publish a list of personal pension providers whose charging structures do not penalise people who take career breaks, intentionally or unexpectedly.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his assumptions for the costs of his basic pension plus proposals allow for behavioural effects resulting from the proposed change in tax relief. [20497]

  Mr. Heald
  No. There is no reason to believe that there will be significant behavioural effects resulting from the proposed change in tax relief. We will consult the pensions industry and other interested bodies to ensure that any changes are made in a way which preserves, undiminished, the immense contribution that existing pension schemes make to people's pension provision. Pension savings will remain an attractive form of investment for individuals.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions were made about the proportion of occupational pensions schemes
  483
  (a) providing salary-related benefits and (b) operating money purchase arrangements under the basic pension plus proposals. [20491]

  Mr. Heald
  None.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of fees and charges was assumed in calculations of the pension benefits under the basic pension plus proposals; what are the administrative costs of occupational pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on the impact of fees and charges on pensions under the basic pension plus proposals relative to the impact of administrative charges in occupational pension schemes. [20501]

  Mr. Heald
  The assumptions are consistent with those made by the Government Actuary in his report "Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes: review of certain contracting-out terms" Cm 3221. There is currently a range of different cost structures for occupational pension schemes.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated public expenditure cost under the basic pension plus proposals of top-ups for employees with national insurance contributions of less than £9 per week. [20441]

  Mr. Heald
  Whether such top-ups should be classified as public expenditure is under consideration.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who will retire on incomes under half the national average under the basic pension plus scheme. [20468]

  Mr. Heald
  The number is expected to be smaller than under the current state pension scheme.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the additional contributions necessary for people on(a) a quarter, (b) half, (c) three quarters and (d) average earnings to receive a pension equivalent to the value of the single and married person's tax allowances for those over the age of 65 years if these allowances are uprated in line with (i) prices and (ii)earnings under the Government's basic pension plus proposals. [20476]

  Mr. Heald
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what point the Government would use their powers to impose a ceiling on charges under the basic pension plus proposals; and for what reasons the Government have not used their existing powers to limit the charges imposed by existing providers of personal pensions. [20503]

  Mr. Heald
  During the period prior to legislation we will consult extensively about means of ensuring competitive pressures bear down on costs and charges, but we will not hesitate to use legal powers to impose a ceiling on charges should they not reflect those reduced costs.
  484

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the amount of money recovered by the compensation recovery unit in respect of benefits paid to persons who subsequently received compensation for accident, injury or disease in the first six months of the fiscal year 1996; what projection he has made as to the level of such payments in the period April to September 1997; and if he will make a statement. [20647]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  From April to September 1996, just over £69 million was recovered by the compensation recovery unit. It is estimated that approximately £75 million will be recovered during the same period in 1997. These figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Benefit Reliance (Evaluation)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on reliance on means-tested benefit and the impact on the incentive to save. [20474]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Two recent studies commissioned by the Department provide information relating to the relationship between receipt of income-related benefits and savings. DSS research report No. 38, "Managing Money in Later Life", explored older people's knowledge of the capital limits for income support and their attitudes towards asset holding in relation to these limits. Research report No. 53, "Moving Off Income Support: Barriers and Bridges" provided information on the extent to which income support claimants have savings.

  Private Pension Schemes
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to adjust the level of rebates to reflect changes in the Government Actuary's assumptions about the rate of return which private pension schemes can expect to earn. [20443]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 11 March,Official Report column 198.

  Pensioner Numbers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the increase in the number of pensioners(a) between 2020 and 2040 and (b) after 2040. [20487]

  Mr. Heald
  Estimates of the number of pensioners are published in "National Insurance Fund Long Term Financial estimates: Report by the Government actuary on the Third Quinquennial Review" under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975(HC160).

  All Work Test (Appeals)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against incapacity benefit all work test decisions are currently outstanding in Greenock and Port Glasgow; what is the average waiting time for such appeals to be heard; what was the number of all work test decisions made in Greenock and Port Glasgow in 1996;and if he will make astatement. [20646]
  485
  Mr. Burt
  There are currently 317 appeals against incapacity all work test decisions outstanding in Greenock and Port Glasgow. The average waiting time for such appeals to be heard is 25 weeks and a total of 200 all work test decisions were made in Greenock and Port Glasgow in 1996.

  Social Fund Funeral Payments
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to change the provision of social fund funeral payments. [20953]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Amending regulations and a copy of the Social Security Advisory Committee's report, along with my response, have been laid before the House today. After having carefully considered the committee's report, we have decided to proceed with the main changes as originally proposed.

  The changes will target help more precisely on those most in need. In cases where there is no surviving partner, where a parent, son or daughter of the deceased exists,
  486
  and neither they nor their partner are in receipt of an income-related benefit, it will be considered unreasonable for someone who is receiving such a benefit to take responsibility for the funeral expenses.

  The level of help available will increase and be much easier to understand. The person responsible for arranging the funeral will be free to decide which elements they wish to be included, taking into account the level of help available from the social fund. This includes the choice of either burial or cremation, for which the necessary cost will be met separately. In the case of a burial, this cost alone can exceed £1,500 in some parts of the country.

  Where the deceased lived in a remote area of the country, or died away from home, extra help will be available. In addition, up to £600 will be available for other funeral expenses.

  The revised scheme aims to balance the needs of someone who has good reason for taking responsibility for arranging a funeral and the taxpayer who has to fund the cost.

  Gibraltar: Right of Self-determination
  Gibraltar: Right of Self-determination
  Northern Ireland: Social Deprivation and Low Achievement
  Northern Ireland: Social Deprivation and Low Achievement
  VAT Harmonisation: UK Position
  VAT Harmonisation: UK Position
  Mr. Alaathin Cakici
  Mr. Alaathin Cakici
  Mr. Nurettin Guven
  Mr. Nurettin Guven
  Mental Health Policy
  Mental Health Policy
  Council for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine: Chairman
  Council for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine: Chairman
  Home Composting
  Home Composting
  House of Lords Late Sittings
  House of Lords Late Sittings