Written Answers of 20 March 1997

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Support (Legal Aid)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the costs to the legal aid budget from court cases where the Child Support Agency decision has led parents without care to seek a ruling to establish contact time with their children. [20173]

  Mr. Streeter
  None.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21206]

  Mr. Streeter
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. Any further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Court Fees (Exemptions)
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance has been issued to court staff on dealing with applications for exemption from court fees; and if he will publish it. [21400]

  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 M. D. Huebner to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the guidance issued to court staff on exemptions from court fees. Written guidance on dealing with applications for fee exemption and remission is given to court staff when any fees order includes this issue. The guidance, which is lengthy, is designed for internal use only.

  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions an individual in receipt of(a) family credit, (b) disability working allowance and (c) housing benefit has (i) applied for exemption from payment of a court fee and (ii) been granted exemption from payment of a court fee in each of the last five years. [21401]

  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.
  684
  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of fee exemptions applied for, and granted, in each of the last five years. Fee exemption is granted automatically to anyone in receipt of Income Support. In family cases, it is also granted to people receiving Family Credit. Information on the number of people to whom it has been granted is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  Litigants on family credit in non-family cases, as well as people in receipt of disability working allowance and housing benefit, can apply for fee remission. Information on the number of applications for fee remission is not kept centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, the table below shows the total number of court cases in which remission has been granted.

  Year

  Number of cases

  1991–92

  766

  1992–93

  953

  1993–94

  2,261

  1994–95

  4,153

  1995–96

  3,414

  Land Registry
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for Her Majesty's Land Registry executive agency for 1997–98. [21623]

  Mr. Streeter
  The following table sets out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for Her Majesty's Land Registry for 1997–98.

  HM Land Registry Key performance indicators and targets 1997–98

  Indicator

  Target

  Financial

  Return on average capital employed1

  2 per cent.

  External financing limit

  £0

  Efficiency

  Cost per unit in real terms

  £26.67

  Cost per unit in cash terms2

  £29.94

  Charter Standards Speed

  Percentage of pre-completion applications

  98 per cent.

  handled within two working days and time taken to process all pre-completion applications

  3 working days

  Time taken to process 80 per cent. of all registrations

  25 working days

  Accuracy

  Percentage of registrations handled free from any error

  98.50 per cent

  Percentage of customers responding to the annual survey who perceived the accuracy of registrations to be excellent or good

  Better than 90 percent. (being the result of the 1996 survey)

  Development of Land Registration

  Bringing into force provisions of the Land

  1 January 1998

  Registration Act 1997 introducing new "triggers" for compulsory first registration Number of computerised titles in the Land Register (millions)

  15.10

  Number of computerised title plans (millions)

  1.00

  685

  HM Land Registry Key performance indicators and targets 1997–98

  Indicator

  Target

  Number of scanned filed documents (millions)

  0.60

  Number of account holder using the Direct Access service at the end of the year

  550

  National Land Information Service

  Feasibility study of the National Land Information Service

  Complete initial phases of feasibility study and report to Government by31 December 1997

  Fuller details of the agency's targets are given in its business plan, which is available from Her Majesty's Land Registry.

  1 ROCHE below 6 per cent. reflects agreement with HM Treasury to apply surplus income generated in 1993–95 (when ROCHE exceeded 25 per cent. in each year) fee reductions in 1996–99.

  2 The inflation factor for the cost per unit in cash terms is derived from the GDP indices announced by HM Treasury in December 1996.

  The Court Service
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for The Court Service executive agency for 1997–98. [21621]

  Mr. Streeter
  The following table sets out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for The Court Service for 1997–98.

  The Court Service Key performance targets 1997–98

  Indicator

  Target

  Quality of service

  1. Average percentage of charter standards achieved

  99 per cent.

  Civil courts

  2. Percentage of Administrative process dealt with within target time

  92 per cent.

  Crown court

  3. Percentage of defendants whose trial commences within target time (16 weeks) or less

  75 per cent.

  Unit costs (civil)

  4. Unit cost of an item of originating process in the civil courts

  £95

  Cost recovery

  5. Percentage of the cost of the civil courts recovered through fees

  91 per cent.

  Unit costs (Crown)

  6. Unit cost of a case in the Crown court

  £1,926

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for the Public Trust Office executive agency for 1997–98. [21622]
  686
  Mr. Streeter
  The following table sets out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for the Public Trust Office for 1997–98.

  Public Trust Office Key performance indicators and targets 1997–98

  Indicator

  Target

  1. To carry out accounting transactions within target times.

  To bring to account at least 98.5 per cent. of receipts and payments transactions within turnaround targets by volume weighted performance.

  2. To achieve investment targets.

  To pay annually not less than the rate provided by the average of a model set of comparators for special and basic rate at 75 per cent. of special rate; on an annual basis to ensure that 85 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices; on a three year rolling basis to ensure that 80 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices.

  3. To achieve charter standards.

  To achieve 98 per cent. of charter standards.

  4. To achieve unit costs in activity areas.

  The cost per unit to be £195.65.

  5. Percentage of full costs recovered.

  To ensure that 100 per cent. of full costs are recovered.

  Fuller details of the agency's targets are given in its business plan, which is available from the Public Trust Office.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Portcullis House (Jubilee Line Extension)
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement about the progress of the Portcullis House project and the effect upon it of recent announcements concerning the delay to the Jubilee line extension. [21516]

  Sir Raymond Powell
  I am pleased to be able to report the progress which has been made with the design and procurement of the new parliamentary building, which Madam Speaker has agreed should be called Portcullis House. Contracts for the structure, the external envelope and all the main services have been awarded and off-site manufacture is well under way. The contractors and consultants are successfully overcoming problems which inevitably arise in such a complex building and, with good co-operation, will continue to be able to resolve them. The Committee had the opportunity recently to meet representatives of many of the firms involved. They can have no doubt of the importance that the House attaches to the building being completed on time and within budget. We were pleased to hear of the commitment and skills that they will bring to this demanding project.

  As I advised my right hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) in my earlier reply, Official Report, 12 February 1997, columns 254–56, London Underground's work on the construction of the new Westminster station has not proceeded according to programme so it was not able to give possession of the site on 2 February 1997, the agreed date. Instead, there was to be a phased programme starting with the erection of the first tower crane at the beginning of May and increasing site possession from mid-May until the site was

  687
  to be transferred on 29 July. Although London Underground remains confident that it will achieve the July date, the early handover has been gradually eroded. Thus, our main construction work will start at a slower pace than we had planned and this will increase the pressure on the project team to complete construction of the building in the year 2000. It will require a concerted effort by all the contractors and consultants to achieve this objective.

ENVIRONMENT

  Go-karts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to establish national guidelines in respect to the guarding of exposed rear drive shafts and disc in-running nips on go-karts; and if he will make a statement. [20538]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There is no manufacturing standard or type approval for go-karts. A voluntary standard is being discussed by the European standard body CEN, committee TC 152, working group 1.

  The Health and Safety Executive's national interest group for entertainment has met the go-kart manufacturers to discuss manufacturers' and suppliers' responsibilities. Further discussions are due to take place.

  Cetaceans
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received with regard to the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in United Kingdom waters; and if he will make a statement. [20519]

  Mr. Clappison
  Concern about the conservation status of cetaceans continues to generate a steady stream of inquiries from the public. However, no significant representations concerning their protection in United Kingdom waters have recently been received.

  The United Kingdom, as a member of the International Whaling Commission and the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas, continues to be committed to the conservation of all cetaceans.

  Pollution Abatement Technology
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate(a) the United Kingdom's current share of the world market for pollution abatement technology and (b) the size of that market share during (i) the next five years and (ii) the next 10 years. [20926]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business, Industry and Energy on 11 March 1997,Official Report, column 136.

  Metropolitan Councils (Capital Receipts)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total current capital receipts for each of the metropolitan councils; and if he will make a statement. [20730]
  688
  Mr. Curry
  The amounts of accumulated usable capital receipts at 31 March 1996 for each metropolitan council are listed in the table:

  £000

  Barnsley

  0

  Birmingham

  0

  Bolton

  45

  Bradford

  0

  Bury

  41

  Calderdale

  0

  Coventry

  0

  Doncaster

  0

  Dudley

  0

  Gateshead

  39

  Kirklees

  0

  Knowsley

  7,359

  Leeds

  0

  Liverpool

  4,104

  Manchester

  5,066

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0

  North Tyneside

  1,932

  Oldham

  0

  Rochdale

  2,347

  Rotherham

  1,046

  Salford

  223

  Sandwell

  0

  Sefton

  6,043

  Sheffield

  0

  Solihull

  1,763

  South Tyneside

  0

  St. Helens

  13

  Stockport

  0

  Sunderland

  1,656

  Tameside

  0

  Trafford

  3,587

  Wakefield

  0

  Walsall

  0

  Wigan

  55

  Wirral

  86

  Wolverhampton

  159

  Total

  35,564

  Source:

  1995–96 capital outturn returns.

  Note:

  Figures for the amounts of set aside capital receipts are not available. These form part of the provision for credit liabilities, which also includes amounts set aside from revenue.

  Nirex Ltd.
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the advice the Nirex peer reviewers provided to Nirex in report S96–004 appendix 3 concerning the report title used in the document submitted to the review panel for initial review concerning the use of the word hydrogeological. [20996]

  Mr. Clappison
  I understand that the baseline report review group advised Nirex that the use of the word "hydrogeological" in the initial title proposed for the report was too general and therefore gave insufficient guidance as to the content of the report.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his review of the application by UK Nirex Ltd. to build a rock characterisation facility at Longlands farm, Cumbria; and what has been the cost of this review to his Department. [21307]
  689
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State's reasons for dismissing the planning appeal by UK Nirex Ltd. are set out fully in the decision letter which was issued on 17 March. A copy of the letter has been sent to the hon. Member. The specific cost of individual planning appeals is not available.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names and numbers of the reports prepared by the disposal safety assessment team co-ordinated by Nirex on scientific and technical issues on(a) the disposal of radioactive wastes and (b) the development of the safety analysis of the proposed repository evaluated by (i) his Department, (ii) Nirex and (iii) the UK Atomic Energy Authority. [20997]

  Mr. Gummer
  This information should be requested from UK Nirex Ltd. The report produced by Nirex's disposal safety assessment team on which Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's review studies were based was Nirex report 337 "Deep Waste Repository: A Preliminary Assessment of Post-closure Performance", D. E. Billington (editor), 1992, four volumes. A number of research reports containing supporting information were also reviewed.

  Local Government Finance (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public money was provided to(a) Devon county council, (b) South Hams district council, (c) Teignbridge district council and (d) Torbay Borough Council in each of the past five years. [21346]

  Mr. Curry
  The local authorities have reported the following amounts of central Government grants in the past four years. In 1992–93, under the community charge system, revenue support grant was paid to the lower tier authorities to support the charge payer in respect of spending by all tiers, so comparable figures for the individual authorities are not available.

  £ thousands

  Devon County Council

  South Hams District Council

  Teignbridge District Council

  Torbay Borough Council

  Grants supporting revenue expenditure1

  1993–94

  2378,167

  9,313

  14,310

  30,507

  1994–95

  2385,318

  9,796

  15,690

  33,474

  1995–96

  324,796

  10,550

  16,556

  34,691

  1996–973

  324,495

  10,257

  16,806

  35,260

  Grants supporting capital expenditure4

  1993–94

  7,234

  857

  993

  1,093

  1994–95

  5,101

  1,058

  645

  766

  1995–96

  4,413

  1,387

  806

  993

  1996–975

  3,880

  340

  536

  866

  1 Includes revenue support grant, specific and special grants inside and outside AEF and SSA Reduction Grant.

  2 Before the setting up of separate police authorities in 1995–96, county councils had responsibility for police services, therefore these figures include expenditure funded by police specific grant.

  3 Budget estimates.

  4 Includes grants from central Government and non-departmental public bodies.

  5 Forecasts.

  690

  Irrigation (Water Abstraction)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the use of abstraction licences to control the use of water for trickle irrigation. [21148]

  Mr. Clappison
  No licence is currently required for the abstraction of water for irrigation, except for spray irrigation. We have announced that we shall be conducting a full review of the abstraction licencing system.

  Fur
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to implement European regulation 3254/91. [21328]

  Mr. Clappison
  The regulation can be implemented effectively only through concerted action by all EU member states. The European Commission is negotiating with the major fur producer countries an agreement by which the principles of the regulation can be implemented. The Council of Ministers has requested the Commission to introduce a fur import ban if no satisfactory agreement can be reached.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to him by other Government Departments during the last three years regarding the implementation of European regulation 3254/91. [21329]

  Mr. Clappison
  There have been regular contacts at both official and ministerial level between all Departments concerned with UK Government policy on this matter.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21202]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, column 613. Any additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was his Department's expenditure on housing associations in Devon in each of the past five years. [21345]

  Mr. Curry
  The Department provides funding to housing associations through grant in aid to the Housing Corporation. Capital expenditure in Devon through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme in each of the past four years was as follows:

  1993–94: £30.2 million

  1994–95: £28.8 million

  1995–96: £18.8 million

  1996–97: £16.9 million (forecast).

  691
  The 1992–93 capital expenditure figure for Devon cannot be separately identified from other approved development programme expenditure.

  Hedgerow Regulations
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the protection afforded to the linnet under the draft hedgerow regulations. [21089]

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what protection the draft hedgerow regulations provide for the song thrush. [21298]

  Mr. Clappison
  The draft Hedgerows Regulations 1997, as laid before Parliament, protect hedgerows which are important in terms of their historic, wildlife or landscape value, as set out in the criteria listed at schedule 1. One of the criteria for determining the wildlife value of the hedgerow is the presence of species of birds, mammals, insects or plants within specified categories, which do not include the linnet or song thrush.

  A costed action plan to halt the decline of the song thrush by the year 2000 was drawn up by the biodiversity steering group. The group is currently preparing an action plan for the linnet.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the average cost of implementing the draft hedgerow regulations for each local authority in England. [21295]

  Mr. Clappison
  Costs of implementing the draft Hedgerows Regulations, as laid in Parliament, together with costs relating to many other individual services, are included within local authorities' "All Other Services" standard spending assessments, but are not separately identified.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to enable the biodiversity value of a hedgerow to be measured within the evaluation period; and if he will make a statement. [21297]

  Mr. Clappison
  Schedule 1 to the draft Hedgerows Regulations, as laid in Parliament, sets out the criteria which local planning authorities must use to determine the importance of a hedgerow notified to them. The criteria include several relating to the value of the hedgerow for wildlife and for biological diversity.

  Zinc
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what his plans are for reducing the input of zinc in sewage sludge which may be spread on the land. [21149]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have accepted in its response to the report of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution on the sustainable use of soil that there should be continued action to reduce the concentration of zinc and other metals in sewage sludge. We intend to commission a further survey of sewage sludge quality in 1998. This will provide the opportunity to confirm the effect of trade effluent controls in considerably reducing metal concentrations over the last 692
  two decades and will provide a basis for assessing the need for any further steps, taking into account the potential costs and benefits.

  Multi-occupancy Accommodation
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the provisions in the Housing Act 1996 relating to the inspection of multi-occupancy accommodation will come into effect. [21428]

  Mr. Clappison
  Most of the provisions of part II of the Housing Act 1996 relating to houses in multiple occupation came into effect on 3 March 1997. Section 73 of the Act, which imposes a new duty on landlords of HMOs to keep their property fit for the number of occupants will be introduced at a later date. A number of related statutory instruments also took effect from 3 March 1997. These are the Houses in Multiple Occupation (Fees for Registration Schemes) Order 1997, S.I. 1997/229, the Housing (Fire Safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 1997, S.I. 1997/230, the Housing (Enforcement Procedures for Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 1997, S.I. 1997/227, and the Housing (Recovery of Expenses for Section 352 Notices) Order 1997, S.I. 1997/228.

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the United Kingdom action plan for the phasing out and destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls and dangerous polychlorinated biphenyl substitutes. [21562]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am publishing today the action plan which forms part of our strategy for fulfilling the commitment, made by the United Kingdom at the third North Sea conference at The Hague in 1990, to phase out and destroy identifiable PCBs. It is also the first step towards meeting the requirements of EC directive 96/59/EC, which will be implemented by regulations in due course.

  It has long been recognised that PCBs pose an environmental threat, particularly to marine life. That is why, in 1986, we banned their sale and most uses. There are many organisations, including factories, offices, schools and hospitals, which may have equipment containing PCBs.

  A key element of the action plan is that there should be co-operation between the competent authorities, companies who destroy PCBs and those who may have equipment containing them. Our proposals are designed to ensure an orderly phase-out and the most effective use of destruction capacity, in the interests of industry and the environment.

  A copy of the action plan has been sent to all local authorities, education authorities, health authorities and universities throughout the United Kingdom as well as the relevant trade associations. Copies of the action plan have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an announcement about the
  693
  spending plans of the Department of the Environment, Ordnance Survey and the Office of Water Services for the years 1997–98 to 1999–2000. [21653]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have today published the Department of the Environment's annual report for 1997, which sets out in detail the outcome of the public expenditure survey as announced in the November 1996 Budget statement, as it affects my areas of responsibility. The report shows how my Department, Ordnance Survey and the Office of Water Services have discharged their functions over the past year. It provides background on each spending programme, and sets out our achievements to date and plans for the future.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the award of costs at hearings held in connection with the functions of the Environment Agency or appeals against the agency. [21654]

  Mr. Clappison
  Subsection 250(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 enables the Secretary of State to make an order as to the costs of the parties at an inquiry and as to the parties by whom the costs are to be paid. Subsection 53(2) of the Environment Act 1995 applies subsection 250(5) of the 1972 Act to inquiries and other hearings held in connection with the functions of the Environment Agency or the Secretary of State's functions in relation to the agency. These include appeals over integrated pollution control authorisations and waste management licences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, waste carrier licences under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, and abstraction licences and discharge consents under the Water Resources Act 1991.

  The parties at these hearings are normally expected to meet their own expenses irrespective of the outcome. Costs are awarded only on grounds of "unreasonable" behaviour resulting in unnecessary expense. An award of costs does not therefore follow the event of the decision on merits.

  In considering the award of costs, the Secretary of State will apply by analogy the guidance on award of costs in planning proceedings in DOE circular 8/93 (Welsh Office 23/93). The circular includes a summary of the criteria for unreasonable behaviour and advice on the general principles for awards of costs for unreasonable behaviour, general procedural requirements, and applications for costs.

  Section 53 of the 1995 Act enables costs to be awarded only in cases where a hearing is held. Unlike planning proceedings, costs are not available where a hearing is cancelled due to a party's withdrawal.

  Subsection 250(5) of the 1972 Act does not apply to proceedings in connection with local authority air pollution control decisions under part 1 of the Environment Protection Act 1990. Consideration will be given to seeking such provision in due course.

  Council Tax Capping
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an announcement on the capping arrangements for 1997–98. [21655]
  694
  Mr. Gummer
  All local authorities have now set their budgets for 1997–98. The next step in council tax capping is for the Secretary of State to announce capping principles for all authorities. However, in view of the announcement of the general election, I consider it more appropriate that decisions on capping should be taken by the next Administration. This is the approach which was adopted in 1992.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change the 1996–97 cash limits and external financing limits for which he is responsible. [21656]

  Mr. Gummer
  The DOE/HC—Housing Corporation— cash limit will be decreased by £5,916,000 from £1,037,868,000 to £1,031,952,000. This reflects a switch within city challenge expenditure from funding via the Housing Corporation to funding via other single regeneration budget schemes.

  The external financing limit for urban development corporations will be increased by £764,000 from £209,817,000 to £210,581,000. This reflects a transfer of an underspend of £600,000 from city challenge to Tyne and Wear development corporation's grant in aid and a transfer of £600,000 from the city challenge and single regeneration budget challenge fund programmes to the Black Country development corporation's grant in aid, both transfers allowing regeneration projects to be brought forward. The transfers will be offset by a reduction in Plymouth development corporation's grant in aid of £436,000, transferred to the urban programme and the single regeneration budget challenge fund.

  The external financing limit for the urban regeneration agency—English Partnerships—will be increased by £52,883,000 from £158,082,000 to £210,965,000. This reflects a transfer of provision from English Partnerships' derelict land grant of £2,000,000, and also amends the limit to take account of the increases in grant in aid at the winter supplementary estimates of £30,883,000, and at the spring supplementary estimates of £20,000,000.

  The external financing limit for the housing action trusts will be increased by £457,000, from £89,210,000 to £89,667,000, consisting of a reduction of £1,550,000 at the spring supplementary estimates and a subsequent increase of £2,007,000, transferred from estate action, city challenge and the single regeneration budget challenge fund. I draw attention to the figures for the external financing limit for the housing action trusts in my answer of 4 November 1996 to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Day) Official Report, column 346. This incorrectly showed the limit rising from £878,960,000 to £879,210,000. The correct figures were £88,960,000 rising to £89,210,000.

  The DOE/NT—new towns—non-voted cash limit will be reduced by £4,554,000 from minus £110,000,000 to minus £114,554,000. This reduction reflects an increase in capital receipts to the Commission for New Towns of £1,750,000 and a technical transfer of £2,804,000 to the DOE/OES—other environmental services—non-voted cash limit which is described later.
  695
  The DOE/OES non-voted cash limit will be increased £2,804,000 from £25,289,000 to £28,093,000. This reflects a transfer from the DOE/NT—new towns— non-voted cash limit to provide for supplementary credit approvals to local authorities to cover their capital contributions to the Commission for the New Towns under road cost sharing arrangements.

  The cash limit for class VI, vote 4—local government and planning, England—covering sections A to F of that vote, will be reduced by £1,250,000 from £31,127,007,000 to £31,125,757,000. The decrease is the cumulative result of reductions in the payments made to the Valuation Office Agency, and in the expenses of valuation tribunals in section A—valuation services, in the grant payable to the Local Government Commission in section B—reorganisation of local government; and in the planning and minerals research programme, section D. This amount will be transferred to the DOE/LGR—local government reorganisation—non-voted cash limit for the reasons given later.

  The DOE/LGR—local government reorganisation— non-voted cash limit will be increased by £1,250,000 from £105,669,000 to £106,919,000 to meet a greater than forecast demand for commutation and transitional costs of reorganisation supplementary credit approvals. The increase will be a met by the transfer from class VI vote 4—local government and planning, England—cash limit referred to above.

  Some of the increases will be offset either by savings or transfers; the remainder is allowed for in the 1996–97 control total forecast outturn shown in the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm 3601, published on Thursday 20 March 1997.

  Sellafield (Rock Characterisation Facility)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those organisations which responded to the renewed invitation to make submissions on the plans by Nirex to develop a rock characterisation facility near Sellafield, indicating the documents that each submitted. [21002]

  Mr. Gummer
  Letters received since the close of the inquiry, and the main reports to which they refer, are listed in the annex attached to the decision letter on the appeal, a copy of which has been sent to the hon. Member.

  Wirral, South (Visits)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times he visited the Wirral, South constituency during(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [21217]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have made one visit to Wirral, South in the last three years, which was not on departmental business.

PRIME MINISTER

  Basic Pension Plus
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on basic pension plus proposals. [19816]
  696
  The Prime Minister
  The Government's proposals for basic pension plus will bring about the largest extension of personal ownership since the spread of home ownership and will provide secure pensions for the increasing number of elderly people in the next century.

  Contraceptives (Minors)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Prime Minister what response he has made to the petition presented to him by Mrs. Jenny Bacon, together with right hon. and hon. Members, on Wednesday 12 March, on the subject of the provision of contraceptives to minors. [21284]

  The Prime Minister
  My office has sent an acknowledgement. The Under-Secretary of State for Health my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), will write to Mr. and Mrs. Bacon about their petition shortly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Attorney-General what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21208]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. This gives figures of 94.3 per cent. for the Crown Prosecution Service and 92 per cent. for the Serious Fraud Office. In the case of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, 75 per cent. of invoices were paid within 30 days. The Government Property Lawyers paid all bills in accordance with contract.

  Next Steps Principles
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Attorney-General how next steps principles are being applied in the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office. [21514]

  The Attorney-General
  As I announced on 27 October 1995,Official Report, column 797, to the hon. Member, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office are now both operating according to next steps principles. Each Department has agreed a management framework which explains how these principles, which include the introduction of new performance measures and devolution of responsibilities, are being applied in practice. Copies of the management frameworks have been put in the Libraries of the House.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance targets he has set for the Government car service and interdespatch service; and if he will make a statement. [21643]
  697
  Mr. Freeman
  Following my announcement on 3 December, I have made arrangements for the establishment of a new agency from 1 April. It will comprise the Government car service and the interdespatch service and will be known as Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have set the following performance targets for the financial year 1997–98.

  Financial

  Achieve 100.5 per cent. cost recovery on an accruals basis.

  Operate within a maximum deficit on the Vote of -£270,000 excluding payments for voluntary early retirement or severance.

  Achieve a sales turnover of £10. 3 million.

  Quality

  Achieve a customer satisfaction rating of 92 per cent.

  Maintain ISO 9002 accreditation for the Government car service pool, and extend it to the interdespatch service.

  Efficiency

  Achieve no less than 2 per cent. reduction in running costs in real terms.

  Environment

  Achieve an annual average of 25.5 miles per gallon for GCS and IDS fleets.

  I am placing copies of the framework document for GCDA in the Libraries of the House.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those compliance cost assessments published during the latest six month period. [21644]

  Mr. Freeman
  Since April 1993, the Government have required Departments to prepare and publish compliance cost assessments with all proposed legislation presented to Parliament to assess the impact on business costs. This includes a special test of the impact on small businesses. Since January 1996, the responsible Minister has had to certify that he has seen the CCA and is satisfied that the regulatory proposal strikes the appropriate balance between cost and benefit.

  I have presented to Parliament today a Command Paper—Cmd 3593—listing 101 CCAs published between 1 July 1996 and 31 December 1996 plus two CCAs published in June 1996 which were omitted from the previous Command Paper. Copies of the CCAs listed are available in the Libraries of the House. This is the sixth such Command Paper.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will publish guidance for Crown servants involved in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence referred to in his answer of 22 January,Official Report, columns 600–01, summarising the Government's response to the recommendations made by Sir Richard Scott following his inquiry into the export of arms and arms-related equipment to Iraq. [21637]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today published two guidance booklets—"Giving Evidence or Information about Suspected Crimes: A Guide for Crown Servants" and "Giving Evidence or Information about Suspected Crimes: Guidance for Departments and Investigators".
  698
  The booklets provide advice on the responsibilities of Crown servants who believe that they have official information which may be relevant to the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence. The booklets also set out comprehensive procedures for handling requests for such information from investigators, prosecutors or the defence. The availability of the booklets is being made known to all Crown servants. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21196]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996, columns 613–14.

  Bletchley Park
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received concerning the purchase of Bletchley park by Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair and its current ownership. [20674]

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of its framework document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate under its chief executive, Mr. Neil Borrett. The agency is therefore responding to the question.

  Letter from N. E. Borrett to Mr. Rupert Allason, dated 19 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply to your Question regarding Bletchley Park.
  PACE is responsible for the management and disposal of the part of Bletchley Park owned by the Secretary of State for the Environment.
  PACE has not received any representations concerning the purchase of Bletchley Park by Admiral Sir Hugh Sinclair. We are not aware of any Government Department receiving such a representation.
  The Land Certificate records that the title is registered at the Land Registry and is currently vested in the Secretary of State for the Environment and British Telecommunications Plc.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Football Trust
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to ensure that the Football Trust can resume its grant aid programmes for football at all levels of the game. [20992]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have recently met representatives of the Football Trust to discuss its future funding programme. I am hopeful that a solution will be found soon that will enable the trust's grants programme to be resumed. The Government remain committed to delivering on schedule the essential football ground safety improvements agreed following the Taylor report.
  699

  Lottery Awards
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the lottery awards in excess of £100,000 which have been made to charitable bodies. [21177]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have arranged for a list of all awards in excess of £100,000 to charitable bodies—as defined by each distributor—to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the lottery awards in excess of £1 million which have been made for the arts. [21178]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, there have been 105 awards in excess of £1 million for the Arts. I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the lottery awards in excess of £1 million which have been made for sport. [21176]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, there have been 79 awards in excess of £1 million for sport. I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Crystal Palace
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement regarding the future provision of athletic facilities at Crystal Palace. [21350]

  Mr. Sproat
  No decisions about the long-term investment in the future of Crystal Palace national sports centre will be taken without prior consultation with the relevant sporting governing bodies. The English Sports Council have decided that the needs of athletics should be included in consideration of plans for developing Crystal Palace. However, should it ultimately be decided after consultation to change or close the athletics facilities there, this would be only after ensuring that additional facilities are provided elsewhere in London.

  North West Tourist Board (Charter)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the tourism charter issued by the North West tourist board; and if she will make a statement. [21181]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have seen the North West tourist board's charter for tourism. Tourism makes an invaluable contribution to the economy in the region covered by the board. Some 10.8 million visitors. including 1.2 million from overseas, came to the region in 1995, spending over £1.4 billion. The tourism industry in the region will benefit from the action plan set out in the tourism strategy "Success through Partnership" which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched on 5 February.

  The English Tourist Board will help to take forward this plan through its Agenda 2000 consultation. I am sure that the North West tourist board will play a full part in the regional discussions that are being organised by the ETB, and in particular the roadshow for the north-west which is due to take place on 26 March. I have no doubt that the tourism charter will form a sound basis on which discussions can take place.
  700

  Globe Theatre Site
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage for what reason she accepted the advice of English Heritage to cover over for perpetuity the site of the original Globe theatre before archaeologists and academics had the opportunity to pursue the excavations to determine the position and the shape and size of the stage, without further consultation. [21235]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Globe's remains were discovered in 1989 and part of the site was subsequently excavated and fully recorded; the exposed material was protected by a temporary covering. The current development proposals do not involve any disturbance of the Globe's remains. They do, however, provide an opportunity to replace the temporary protection, and it is in respect of that work that scheduled monument consent was applied for and granted last year. In this particular case, it would not have been open to us, even if we had wished, to attach conditions to the statutory consent requiring further excavation. Leaving the Globe's remains buried will keep open the possibility of their being further investigated in the future when this can be done comprehensively and well. This approach to the remains is consistent with Government policy set out in PPG16, "Archaeology and Planning".

  Listed Buildings (Ecclesiastical Exemption)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to review the ecclesiastical exemption from listed building and conservation area controls. [21611]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In implementing proposals to restrict the ecclesiastical exemption in 1994, the Government undertook that the new arrangements would be formally reviewed after two years.

  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales and I have invited Mr. John Newman, reader in the history of art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, university of London, and a former chairman of English Heritage's churches advisory committee, to conduct the review. His terms of reference will be:
  To review the operation of the Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Order 1994; in particular to establish whether there is, within each of the six denominations whose buildings retain the ecclesiastical exemption under the terms of the order, a formal control procedure for proposed works to listed churches and unlisted churches in conservation areas which provides protection for such buildings comparable with what would otherwise apply under secular controls.

  Mr. Newman will start in May and aims to submit a report by September. He will be consulting the six exempt denominations, the principal heritage organisations in England and Wales and representatives of local authorities. He would also welcome comments from other interested bodies and individuals. These may be sent to him c/o Buildings, monuments and sites division, Department of National Heritage, 2–4 Cockspur street, London SW1Y 5DH.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of bills to her Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and

  701
  (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21207]

  Mr. Sproat
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 12 March 1997,Official Report, column 220.

  Works of Art (Acceptance in Lieu of Tax)
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will place in the Library a list of the objects and property accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax during the financial year ended on 31 March; and if she will specify(a) the amount of tax satisfied in each case, (b) which offers carried conditions as to destination, (c) the date in each case of the recommendations received by her from the Museum and Galleries Commission for the acceptance of objects, (d) the total for the financial year of the tax thus satisfied and (e) how much of this total was covered in the public accounts by means of resort to the reserve in accordance with Government policy as announced on 26 July 1985, Official Report, column 779. [21348]

  Mr. Sproat
  The information requested is as follows:

  Item

  Tax satisfied (£)

  Conditions as to destination

  Date of MGC recommendations

  Four paintings and silverware from Temple Newsam House

  155,400.00

  Conditional

  16 October 1995

  An archive of family papers

  78,140.21

  Wish

  7 March 1996

  Two wings of a 13th-century ivory triptych

  17,500.00

  Wish

  11 January 1996

  A collection of military medals

  16,000.00

  Conditional

  11 January 1996

  Furniture and lamps by Giacometti

  80,500.00

  Wish

  18 October 1995

  10 acres of woodland at Tadworth, Surrey

  4,800.00

  Unconditional

  1n/a

  Two archives of documents relating to estates in Cumbria and Somerset

  9,450.00

  Wish

  25 January 1996

  Les Andelys (painting) by Maurice de Vlaminck

  48,272.69

  Conditional

  15 April 1996

  Three Thomas Girtin watercolours and a portrait by John Opie

  373,000.00

  Wish

  28 March 1996

  A 17th-century pair cased alarm striking clock by Edward East

  14,000.00

  Unconditional

  28 March 1996

  Lower Woods, North Avon

  608,958.00

  Unconditional

  1n/a

  The Old Man and his Grandson (drawing) by Arthur Rackham

  5,600.00

  Conditional

  15 April 1996

  Staffelsee (painting) by Wassily Kandinsky

  125,093.00

  Wish

  14 August 1996

  A Queen Anne year-going longcase clock by Daniel Quare

  70,000.00

  Unconditional

  1 July 1996

  702

  Item

  Tax satisfied (£)

  Conditions as to destination

  Date of MGC recommendations

  Landscape with Lord Coventry on a Blue Roan Horse and Deer, Hounds and Attendants and a Dead Stag (painting) by John Wootton

  126,545.00

  Conditional

  13 July 1996

  1 The Museums and Galleries Commission does not advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on offers of land. Instead, my right hon. Friend seeks advice from bodies such as the Countryside Commission.

  The total expenditure in respect of the AIL scheme to date for the financial year 1996–97 is £1,733,258.90. This includes an additional payment of £78,140.21 for an archive of family papers which were accepted in 1995–96. One offer costing £608,958 was met from a call on the reserve.

  Lottery Funding (Advice)
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to ensure that groups and organisations who wish to apply for lottery funding know whom to approach for information and advice. [21647]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My Department has published a new lottery information leaflet, produced in conjunction with the national lottery distributing bodies and Camelot. The leaflet has been designed to promote understanding of the purpose and function of the lottery. It tells potential applicants who does what and how to contact them.

  Two million copies of the leaflet have been printed and over one and a half million are being distributed to bodies such as libraries, citizens advice bureaux and local authorities. They will also be sent to members of business organisations such as the Lions, Rotary International, chambers of commerce and round tables. They might be able to assist groups in putting together lottery applications.

  Copies of the leaflet are available from the Libraries of the House and can also be obtained free of charge from my Department, the distributing bodies and Camelot.

  Museums and Galleries (Attendances)
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will place in the Library the attendance figures for the financial year ended 31 March reported by the national museums and galleries for which she is responsible, broken down into the individual institutions, but including their outstations, with figures in each case of the percentage change on the attendance figures for the preceding year. [21338]

  Mr. Sproat
  The following table lists the forecast number of visits to the 12 national museums and galleries in England for the financial year ended 31 March 1997, and the actual figures for the financial year 1995–96. The information is provided by the institutions. More accurate figures for 1996–97 will be available in July.
  703

  Number of visits in 1995–96 (million)

  Forecast number of visits in 1996–97 (million)

  Provisional percentage increase/decrease over the previous year

  British Museum1

  6.1

  6.5

  +7

  Imperial War Museum

  1.31

  1.23

  -6

  National Gallery1

  4.5

  5.0

  +25

  National Maritime Museum

  0.58

  0.44

  -24

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside1

  1.22

  1.21

  -1

  National Portrait Gallery1

  0.82

  0.79

  -4

  Natural History Museum

  1.46

  1.75

  +20

  National Museum of Science and Industry1

  2.7

  2.7

  —

  Tate Gallery1

  3.1

  2.5

  -19

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  1.49

  1.60

  +5

  Wallace Collection1

  0.16

  0.18

  +13

  Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson

  0.02

  0.03

  +34

  Total

  23.5

  23.9

  +2

  1 The number of visits to premises for which admission is not charged are estimated or counted by other means.

  1. It is not possible to accurately identify the number of visits to the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London. The forecast number of visits to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds which opened in March 1996 is 455,000.

  Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Return of Historic Objects
  Mr. Legg
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her policy on the return of historic objects in museums to countries of origin; and if she will make a statement. [21609]

  Mr. Sproat
  Decisions about the possible return of historic objects in museums to countries of origin are primarily matters for the governing bodies of each museum. These decisions raise complex issues of law and of general museum policy. Where there are legal constraints on disposal, the Government have no intention of legislating to remove those constraints. The Museums and Galleries Commission is currently preparing good practice guidelines on the steps that museums should take in response to the requests for the return of objects from abroad. Any director concerned about specific requests for the return of objects may wish to write for advice to the chairman of the Museums and Galleries Commission.

  Library and Information Matters (Report)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she will make a report on library and information matters in accordance with her responsibilities under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. [21610]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have today laid before both Houses a copy of my report for 1995 and 1996.

  English Sports Council
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about the appointment of ministerial nominees to the English Sports Council in the regions. [21567]

  Mr. Sproat
  Further to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Hall Green (Mr. Hargreaves) on 24 July 1996,Official Report, columns 496–97, a paper setting out the remit of the ministerial nominees to the regions of English Sports Council was agreed with the chairman of the council. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I expect to meet those concerned shortly to discuss this.

  Public Libraries (Information Technology)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she will report on the terms of reference of the working group on information technology in public libraries which was announced in "Reading: The Future". [21648]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House a copy of the detailed terms of reference which I have given to the Library and Information Commission's working group on information technology in public libraries, which will be chaired by Mr. Matthew Evans.

  Lottery Award Information
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the national lottery awards in excess of £1 million made to heritage projects. [21568]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date there have been 82 awards in excess of £1 million for heritage projects. I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to provide national lottery awards information based on the new parliamentary constituency boundaries. [21569]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have today provided this information to the House of Commons Library.

  Flounder's Folly, Craven Arms
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to ensure that funds from the national lottery are provided to shore up Flounder's folly on Callow hill, Craven Arms, Shropshire. [21372]

  Mr. Sproat
  Decisions on heritage lottery applications are made independently of Government by trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund. The fact that Flounder's folly is privately owned would, at present, rule out lottery funding. However, new powers will be introduced later in the year which will allow the NHMF to fund any worthwhile heritage project which provides public benefit and access, irrespective of ownership. Guidance, taking into account the new powers, will be issued in the autumn.

WALES

  EU Funding
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official Report, column 238, what cost element of each expenditure heading in "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales 1994–95" relates to expenditure supported by receipts from European Community institutions; where those receipts are shown in that publication; and if he will make a statement on his Department's accounting methodology for such expenditure. [20820]

  Mr. Hague
  Those receipts from European Community institutions which were administered by the Welsh Office, including those which passed through the Intervention Board, totalled around £220 million in 1994–95. These were applied to the agricultural programme— £167 million—and other environmental services programme—£53 million. Expenditure supported by non-Welsh Office receipts is included in the total of estimated general government expenditure in Wales but is not separately identifiable.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlie the different treatments of financial contributions of the EU in(a) "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales, 1994–95" and (b) "Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1996–97", Cm. 3201; and if he will make a statement. [20817]

  Mr. Hague
  No attempt is made in "Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1996–97" to make a territorial allocation of the UK's net contribution to the European Communities as this expenditure is non-identifiable. In "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales 1994–95", Wales is allocated a share based on Gross domestic product. This amounts to £53 million—4.2 per cent. of the UK's net contribution of £1,267 million.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) permanent full-time, (b) part-time and (c) temporary employees his Department has; and how many of these in each category are employed in (i) London, (ii) Wales and (iii) elsewhere. [20740]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of permanent full-time, part-time and temporary staff employed by my Department are as follows:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Temporary

  London

  24

  —

  —

  Wales

  1,875

  278

  226

  Elsewhere

  —

  —

  —

  The figures include staff working in CADW.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlay the differences in the definition of social security expenditure in(a) table 5 of "General Expenditure and Revenue, Wales, 1994–95", and (b) table 7.7 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1996–97", Cm 3201; and if he will make a statement. [20818]
  706
  Mr. Hague
  The figure for non-identified social security expenditure published in table 7.7 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1998–97" is incorrect. Her Majesty's Treasury issued an erratum slip in August 1996. The figure in table 5 of "General Expenditure and Revenue, Wales 1994–95" is correct.

  Outturn Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the total outturn expenditure by his Department on purchases of goods and services during the 1996–97 financial year and the amount of this spent on goods and services purchased in Wales. [20748]

  Mr. Hague
  The estimated outturn for expenditure by my Department on pay and other current expenditure on goods and services for 1996–97 is £2,583 million. This is consistent with the definition used in table 3.6 of the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1997–98", Cm 3601. Information on the amount which is spent on goods and services purchased in Wales is not available.

  Pharmaceutical, Dental and Ophthalmic Services
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the estimated outturn figures for expenditure in Wales for 1996–97 by the family health services authorities and the Dental Practice Board on(a) pharmaceutical services, (b) general dental services and (c) general ophthalmic services. [21222]

  Mr. Hague
  Forecast gross outturn, based upon health authority financial returns to January 1997—Dental Practice Board to February 1997—is detailed as follows:

  £million

  Pharmaceutical services

  206

  General dental services

  72

  General ophthalmic services

  18

  Health Service Revenue (Charges)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the estimated revenue to the national health and welfare services in Wales for 1996–97, broken down by the charges made to recipients for services in respect of(a) hospitals, (b) pharmaceuticals, (c) general dental treatment and (d) welfare foods. [21221]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no central records kept for hospital charges. The following table details estimated revenue by service to be achieved in this financial year:

  Service

  £ thousand

  Pharmaceutical services

  17,100

  General dental services

  19,300

  Welfare foods

  150

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many prescriptions for the treatment of glaucoma were issued in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the net ingredient costs for each year. [21082]
  707
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information is given in the following table. Before 1993–94, figures were not available to a sufficient level of detail to identify specific treatments for glaucoma.

  Number of prescription items prescribed for the treatment of glaucoma in Wales

  Number of items prescribed

  Net ingredients cost (£000)

  1993–94

  242,000

  1,761

  1994–95

  248,000

  1,789

  1995–96

  258,000

  1,868

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients received hospital in-patient or day care treatment for glaucoma in each of the last five years. [21083]

  Mr. Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Number of in-patients or day cases treated for glaucoma in Wales1

  Number

  1991–92

  1,662

  1992–93

  1,729

  1993–94

  1,770

  1994–95

  1,633

  1995–96

  1,541

  1 Estimates based on the latest available returns submitted by hospitals.

  Health Service Contracts
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many trusts failed to meet the deadline to agree contracts with their purchasers; and how many he expects to go to arbitration. [21086]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Agreement was reached by all trusts and health authorities in the 1996–97 financial year without recourse to arbitration.

  Negotiations for 1997–98 contracting round are on-going.

  Health Service Salaries and Wages
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the NHS salaries and wages costs for(a) administrative, clerical and management staff and (b) nurses and midwives in each financial year from 1989 to 1995 prices. [21085]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is contained in the following table:

  General medical practitioners by age and health authority, 29 March 19961

  Number

  Percentage of total GPs

  Age in years

  30 to 39

  40 to 49

  50 to 59

  60 to 69

  30 to 39

  40 to 49

  50 to 59

  60 to 69

  Clwyd

  80

  98

  41

  11

  34

  42

  18

  5

  Dyfed

  113

  74

  34

  5

  50

  32

  15

  2

  Gwent

  74

  82

  65

  21

  30

  33

  26

  8

  Gwynedd

  67

  66

  26

  7

  40

  39

  15

  4

  Mid Glamorgan

  72

  96

  100

  27

  24

  32

  34

  9

  Powys

  25

  41

  15

  2—

  29

  48

  17

  2—

  South Glamorgan

  110

  89

  44

  8

  44

  35

  17

  3

  708

  (a) Administrative, clerical and management £000

  (b) Nurses and midwives £000

  1988–89

  86,869

  438,480

  1989–90

  94,255

  434,736

  1990–91

  103,547

  433,982

  1991–92

  110,285

  450,356

  1992–93

  125,594

  457,093

  1993–94

  147,826

  440,070

  1994–95

  153,156

  444,644

  1995–96

  160,654

  442,604

  Sources:

  Financial returns and annual accounts of district health authorities, NHS trusts, family health services authorities, the Health Promotion Authority for Wales and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  Notes:

  1. Information on salaries and wages costs for family health services authorities are not held centrally, and figures for nurses and midwives cannot be disaggregated from administrative and clerical costs.

  2. These figures exclude the costs of general practitioners' administrative staff as the information was not separately collected.

  3. The latest version of HM Treasury gross domestic product deflators was used to uplift the Figures to 1995 prices.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to ensure that(a) ecologists and (b) environmental scientists are employed by the Countryside Council for Wales; and if he will make a statement about recent redundancies of (a) and (b) at the Countryside Council for Wales. [21355]

  Mr. Hague
  The Countryside Council for Wales currently employs 176 full-time equivalent scientists— some of them part-timers—all of whom are qualified and/or engaged in ecological and natural science issues. The council will continue to employ suitably qualified staff to carry out its work. There have been no recent redundancies in the council, but eight staff employed on fixed-term contracts for specific work are due to leave in May when their work is completed.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of the current general practitioner work force in each health authority area falls within the age deciles(a) 30 to 39, (b) 40 to 49, (c) 50 to 59 and (d) 60 to 69 years. [21532]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is given in the following table:
  709

  General medical practitioners by age and health authority, 29 March 19961

  Number

  Percentage of total GPs

  Age in years

  30 to 39

  40 to 49

  50 to 59

  60 to 69

  30 to 39

  40 to 49

  50 to 59

  60 to 69

  West Glamorgan

  82

  68

  42

  18

  38

  32

  20

  8

  1 Boundaries as at March 1996.

  2 Number less than 5.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to notify the economic development non-departmental public bodies in Wales of his strategic guidance for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [21651]

  Mr. Hague
  I have written to the chairmen of the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales, Cardiff Bay development corporation, the Land Authority for Wales and the Wales tourist board, to inform them of many strategic targets and priorities for 1997–98. Copies of the letters have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The targets I have set are demanding but will lead to private sector investment of over £700 million, the creation of over 10,000 jobs and the establishment of a network of strategic sites for further economic development throughout Wales. The majority of jobs to be created will be in those areas of highest unemployment, including the south Wales valleys and the west.

  Derwen and Pembrokeshire Trusts (Merger)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those individuals and organisations who expressed(a) support for, and (b) opposition to, the merger of the Derwen and Pembrokeshire NHS trusts. [20301]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on Monday 17 March 1997,Official Report, column 442.

  Wentlooge Levels (Flood Defences)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Wales Committee of the Environment Agency concerning the commencement of construction of the improvement of the flood defences on the Wentlooge levels sea wall between Cardiff and Newport. [21330]

  Mr. Hague
  None. Construction works commenced on the first phase of improvements to the Wentlooge sea defences in July of 1996.

  Asthma
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of admissions to Welsh hospitals for asthma broken down by the patient's postcode in each of the last five years. [21288]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is in the table:710

  Number of admissions for asthma in Welsh hospitals by area of residence of patient1

  Postcoded district

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Postcode districts in Wales2

  CF1

  149

  109

  110

  133

  177

  CF2

  225

  164

  175

  186

  217

  CF3

  163

  169

  158

  167

  187

  CF4

  178

  138

  125

  114

  127

  CF5

  180

  203

  185

  184

  177

  CF6

  364

  281

  248

  236

  243

  CF7

  34

  34

  31

  33

  38

  CF8

  178

  179

  175

  182

  151

  CF31

  82

  87

  90

  101

  82

  CF32

  74

  88

  88

  65

  68

  CF33

  44

  40

  38

  18

  28

  CF34

  49

  42

  39

  32

  58

  CF35

  32

  37

  30

  30

  26

  CF36

  28

  28

  29

  22

  24

  CF37

  86

  82

  69

  62

  63

  CF38

  40

  31

  27

  38

  29

  CF39

  56

  59

  68

  60

  49

  CF40

  34

  49

  32

  45

  38

  CF41

  26

  27

  18

  26

  20

  CF42

  23

  34

  22

  46

  31

  CF43

  19

  16

  14

  24

  24

  CF44

  92

  114

  144

  100

  158

  CF45

  26

  29

  37

  27

  31

  CF46

  18

  28

  31

  27

  28

  CF47

  38

  85

  76

  74

  66

  CF48

  78

  99

  118

  103

  116

  CHI to CH43

  13

  10

  15

  9

  17

  CH5

  8

  12

  17

  12

  14

  CH6

  27

  31

  22

  34

  35

  CH7

  77

  62

  79

  63

  60

  CH8

  40

  47

  51

  29

  31

  LD1

  18

  29

  28

  22

  33

  LD2

  8

  9

  10

  8

  5

  LD3

  54

  57

  30

  33

  40

  LD4 to LD83

  6

  4

  2

  13

  9

  LL11

  145

  83

  84

  50

  77

  LL12

  52

  51

  31

  31

  38

  LL13

  53

  73

  93

  56

  47

  LL14

  66

  90

  106

  69

  70

  LL15

  27

  17

  24

  17

  36

  LL16

  38

  17

  20

  16

  33

  LL17

  6

  10

  8

  9

  4

  LL18

  80

  84

  88

  57

  84

  LL19

  51

  46

  58

  41

  59

  LL20

  13

  13

  12

  6

  14

  LL21

  5

  5

  6

  7

  10

  LL22

  36

  33

  32

  40

  41

  LL23 to LL273

  11

  12

  21

  11

  28

  LL28

  11

  11

  17

  5

  15

  LL29

  40

  30

  40

  36

  44

  LL30

  47

  39

  42

  46

  35

  LL31

  10

  12

  18

  13

  16

  LL32

  9

  11

  4

  7

  8

  LL33

  6

  3

  22

  5

  9

  LL34 to LL353

  3

  3

  8

  12

  13

  LL36

  18

  5

  9

  15

  10

  LL37 to LL403

  11

  12

  18

  4

  4

  LL41

  19

  6

  28

  13

  6

  LL42 to LL463

  10

  13

  14

  7

  4

  LL47 to LL523

  17

  7

  17

  10

  11

  LL53

  25

  15

  22

  22

  28

  LL54

  21

  9

  17

  10

  11

  LL55

  33

  23

  52

  28

  57

  LL56 to LL573

  54

  32

  79

  48

  78

  LL58 to LL593

  11

  18

  12

  14

  24

  LL60 to LL613

  10

  5

  22

  32

  14

  711

  Number of admissions for asthma in Welsh hospitals by area of residence of patient1

  Postcoded district

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  LL62 to LL653

  59

  55

  54

  46

  68

  LL67 to LL683

  23

  13

  17

  6

  11

  LL69 toLL7l3

  8

  4

  7

  11

  7

  LL72 to LL753

  17

  12

  4

  9

  8

  LL77 to LL783

  17

  4

  15

  9

  20

  NP1

  131

  142

  155

  173

  157

  NP2

  104

  139

  157

  130

  138

  NP3

  101

  124

  131

  117

  157

  NP4

  102

  98

  67

  62

  101

  NP5

  22

  15

  21

  16

  17

  NP6

  70

  69

  80

  65

  50

  NP7 to NP83

  48

  43

  39

  60

  70

  NP9

  309

  369

  291

  262

  239

  NP44

  91

  88

  115

  124

  110

  SA1

  88

  152

  89

  91

  113

  SA2

  49

  83

  46

  45

  67

  SA3

  33

  60

  30

  33

  36

  SA4

  73

  70

  46

  59

  47

  SA5

  96

  132

  97

  111

  82

  SA6

  51

  64

  65

  58

  31

  SA7

  30

  32

  24

  19

  15

  SA8

  51

  43

  23

  27

  13

  SA9

  24

  27

  24

  22

  17

  SA10

  27

  28

  32

  67

  41

  SA11

  57

  36

  36

  96

  67

  SA12

  72

  38

  46

  64

  76

  SA13

  22

  36

  42

  42

  44

  SA14

  33

  49

  51

  43

  68

  SA15

  54

  57

  65

  79

  99

  SA16

  20

  14

  16

  16

  13

  SA17

  15

  20

  9

  25

  21

  SA18 to SA193

  59

  64

  67

  59

  60

  SA20

  9

  4

  13

  3

  8

  SA31

  28

  47

  55

  38

  38

  SA32

  5

  9

  9

  3

  5

  SA33

  16

  38

  26

  31

  14

  SA34 to SA373

  11

  15

  12

  6

  9

  SA38 to SA393

  19

  12

  14

  23

  10

  SA40 to SA425

  4

  4

  10

  7

  7

  SA43

  18

  32

  23

  10

  7

  SA44 to SA473

  23

  32

  29

  22

  16

  SA48

  5

  15

  24

  12

  10

  SA61

  45

  35

  36

  42

  42

  SA62 to SA643

  39

  38

  42

  26

  41

  SA65 to SA663

  11

  13

  18

  10

  6

  SA67

  7

  7

  13

  15

  7

  SA68 to SA693

  8

  15

  6

  10

  9

  SA70

  10

  20

  36

  22

  22

  SA71

  34

  26

  27

  15

  20

  SA72

  19

  18

  24

  21

  24

  SA73

  53

  54

  51

  45

  64

  SY1 to SY153

  9

  5

  11

  9

  19

  SY16

  16

  21

  16

  12

  6

  SY17toSY193

  13

  6

  14

  16

  8

  SY20 to SY223

  37

  46

  39

  49

  41

  SY23

  51

  53

  71

  59

  59

  SY24

  6

  7

  9

  8

  10

  SY25

  7

  11

  10

  7

  4

  Other districts4

  322

  254

  255

  224

  214

  Total

  6,286

  6,318

  6,309

  5,886

  6,211

  1 Estimates based on latest returns from hospitals.

  2 May include some districts which straddle the Welsh-English border.

  3 Districts merged to protect patient confidentiality.

  4 Outside Wales or not known.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of admissions for asthma to each Welsh district general hospital in each of the last five years. [21289]

  Mr. Jones
  The information requested is in the table:712

  Number of admissions to major acute hospitals in Wales for asthma1

  Hospital

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Bronglais General Hospital

  138

  148

  167

  154

  131

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  128

  92

  86

  115

  72

  East Glamorgan General Hospital

  304

  319

  246

  306

  279

  Llandough Hospital

  917

  821

  814

  787

  869

  Morriston Hospital

  221

  208

  134

  141

  n/a

  Neath General Hospital

  206

  133

  163

  260

  226

  Nevill Hall Hospital

  223

  260

  240

  250

  345

  Prince Charles Hospital

  261

  399

  502

  415

  491

  Prince Philip Hospital

  86

  89

  118

  118

  129

  Princess of Wales/Bridgend General

  333

  346

  358

  290

  305

  Royal Gwent/St. Woolos

  722

  814

  746

  706

  648

  Singleton Hospital

  331

  388

  356

  375

  494

  University Hospital of Wales

  313

  263

  236

  265

  297

  West Wales General Hospital

  156

  248

  239

  207

  175

  Withybush General Hospital

  251

  248

  257

  203

  260

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital

  445

  400

  441

  288

  343

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

  416

  365

  407

  347

  472

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  377

  271

  463

  349

  412

  1 Estimates based on latest returns from hospitals.

  Hedgerow Regulations
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what wildlife conservation research skills will be required by local authorities in Wales to apply the proposed hedgerow regulations. [21296]

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the protection afforded to the linnet under the draft hedgerow regulations; [21087]

  (2) what wildlife conservation expertise will be required by local authorities in Wales to apply the draft hedgerow regulations. [21094]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The research undertaken by ADAS to develop hedgerow evaluation criteria took account of the skills and advice currently available to local authorities.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what will be the estimated cost to each local authority in Wales of implementing the draft hedgerow regulations. [21088]

  Mr. Evans
  The costs of implementing the draft regulations as laid in Parliament are included within local authorities' standard spending assessments but are not separately identified.

  Schot Nippon Factory
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is now in a position to reply to the right hon. Member for Aberavon regarding the Schot Nippon factory and its financing. [21040]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no outstanding correspondence from the right hon. Member on this matter.
  713

  Inward Investment
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new guidelines he has issued to the Welsh Development Agency as regards financial incentives to encourage inward investment to West Glamorgan and other areas. [21041]

  Mr. Hague
  On 19 March I wrote to the chairman of the WDA to inform him of the agency's strategic targets and priorities for 1997–98; a copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.

  The guidance stated that the agency should concentrate on the creation and safeguarding of jobs through inward investment and company development. Moreover, the benefits should be spread throughout Wales, particularly in the remaining areas of higher unemployment in the south Wales valleys and the western areas of Wales; the targets which have been set reflect that and the agency is expected to recognise, within UK and EC limits, the extra costs of locating in areas outside of the eastern M4 and A55 corridors.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the number of children who will take up the nursery voucher scheme and the voucher income accruing in each local education authority area; [21075]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of children who will take up the nursery voucher scheme in (i) the private sector and (ii) the independent sector and (b) the corresponding voucher income in each local authority area. [21050]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  On the basis of the estimates from local education authorities of the number of voucher-bearing children in their schools in the 1997 summer term, the total annual income for each authority would be:

  Authority

  Estimate of numbers

  £ income

  Anglesey

  650

  715,000

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,100

  1,210,000

  Bridgend

  1,309

  1,439,900

  Caerphilly

  2,148

  2,362,800

  Cardiff

  3,400

  3,740,000

  Carmarthenshire

  2,100

  2,310,000

  Ceredigion

  750

  825,000

  Conwy

  1,066

  1,172,600

  Denbighshire

  900

  990,000

  Flintshire

  1,763

  1,939,300

  Gwynedd

  1,267

  1,393,700

  Merthyr Tydfil

  750

  825,000

  Monmouthshire

  636

  699,600

  Neath Port Talbot

  1,640

  1,804,000

  Newport

  1,850

  2,035,000

  Pembrokeshire

  1,370

  1,507,000

  Powys

  1,552

  1,707,200

  RCT

  2,770

  3,047,000

  Swansea

  2,535

  2,788,500

  Torfaen

  1,081

  1,189,100

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,512

  1,663,200

  Wrexham

  1,585

  1,743,500

  The number of voucher-bearing children in the private and independent sectors will not be known until those
  714
  vouchers are redeemed. Some 450 schools, nurseries and play groups in private and voluntary sectors are registered to take part in the voucher scheme from April.

  M4 (Baglan Bridge)
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official Report, column 240, if he will take steps to provide facilities to segregate smaller vehicles on the occasions when it is safe for them to use the bridge. [21151]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Due to the preceding interchanges not being suitable for upgrading to provide segregation facilities, and the fact that a suitable adjacent alternative route is available, it is not proposed to provide segregation. Efforts are being concentrated on improving driver information about closure arrangements by the provision of electronic message signing.

  Rivers (Pollution)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many incidents of category 1 and 2 pollution have taken place in Welsh rivers in the first(a) six months and (b) nine months of 1996–97 and in each equivalent period for the pervious five years. [21331]

  Mr. Hague
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally. The Environment Agency, and its predecessor the National Rivers Authority, publishes annual reports on "Water Pollution Incidents in England and Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I understand that the report for 1996 is to be published shortly.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21209]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of NHS general dental practitioners do not currently provide crowns and bridges. [21336]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested. However, information on the number of dentists not claiming payment for the provision of crowns and bridges is shown in the table:

  NHS general dental practitioners with an open contract who received a payment schedule in the period 1 October to 31 December 1996

  Number

  Per cent.

  Those not claiming for provision of crowns

  106

  12

  Those not claiming for provision of bridges

  351

  41

  715

  NHS general dental practitioners with an open contract who received a payment schedule in the period 1 October to 31 December 1996

  Number

  Per cent.

  Those not claiming for provision of either crowns or bridges1

  104

  12

  Note:

  1 Dentists not claiming for the provision of either crowns or bridges are also included in the individual totals for crowns and bridges shown in the table.

  Baglan Hospital
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advertisements have now been issued inviting private finance initiative tenders for the Baglan hospital; and what dates have been fixed or estimated for the next stages in the contractual arrangements. [21116]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Glan-y-Mor NHS trust placed an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 20 February 1997. Twenty-eight companies responded and will be given a prospectus and pre-qualification questionnaire by the trust. The trust is to organise a briefing day on 25 March with the intention that completed pre-qualification questionnaires be returned by early April. This will enable a shortlist of six to eight companies to be interviewed.

  Care for the Vulnerable
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is in a position to reach a decision as to what steps are now to be taken in the matters regarding care for the vulnerable, referred to him by Mr. Michael Power. [21150]

  Mr. Hague
  I am writing to the right hon. Member today about this case.

  Velodrome Cymru Centre
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the implications for the development of cycling in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales of the decision of the national lottery panel on sport to turn down an application for funding for the Velodrome Cymru centre in the Ebbw Fach regeneration area. [21279]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals were exported by species from the United Kingdom in (i) 1995 and (ii) 1996(a) with a for breeding certificate, (b) with a further fattening certificate, (c) with a for production/breeding certificate, (d) with a for slaughter certificate and (e) in total. [17826]
  716
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 27 February 1997]: For exports of cattle, sheep and pigs to other member states in 1996, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 24 February 1997, Official Report, column 76–77. It is not possible to provide the additional information in the form requested.

  Table 1 shows the numbers of farm animals certified for export to other member states in 1995. Table 2 gives details of exports of poultry to other member states in 1996. The figures in these two tables are collated from the ANIMO system and remain provisional and subject to amendment.

  Table 1: Numbers of animals certified for export in 1995 with breeding, further fattening/production or slaughter certification

  Breeding

  Further fattening/production

  Slaughter

  Cattle

  550

  335,050

  0

  Sheep

  5,470

  967,010

  89,430

  Pigs

  78,110

  790

  1,150

  Poultry

  112,000,640

  —

  227,860

  1 Comprises poultry certified as breeding and production; and as day-old chicks.

  Table 2: Numbers of poultry certified for export in 1996 with breeding/production or slaughter certification

  Breeding/production

  Slaughter

  Poultry

  18,086,360

  437,500

  1 Comprises poultry certified as breeding and production; and as day-old chicks.

  GB figures only; figures for Northern Ireland not yet available.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what training hauliers must receive in order to be authorised to conduct humane slaughter during a sea crossing. [18997]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 6 March 1997]: I am not aware of any training provided with this specific aim.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 406, if (a) a competent stockman is present on every sailing of the MV Cap Afrique from the United Kingdom when it is carrying livestock and (b) when animals are not accompanied by drivers on the MV Cap Afrique there is always a competent stockman on board. [20698]

  Mrs. Browning
  The attention of the operators of the MV Cap Afrique was drawn to the need to comply with the requirement for animals to be accompanied by an attendant.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on the export for slaughter of live farm animals to another EU member state where those animals are to be slaughtered in a manner which is in breach of the Community provisions on the welfare of animals at slaughter. [20514]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: There is nothing to add to the statement which was given to the hon. Member on 13 March 1997, Official Report, column 356.
  717
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department takes to ensure that pigs and piglets exported through Dover do not come into contact with any cloven-hoofed animals other than bovine animals or swine for breeding or production. [20621]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: A local veterinary inspector certifying pigs for breeding or production for export to another EU member states must receive a declaration from the exporter or transporter confirming that they will not come into contact with other cloven-hoofed animals other than bovine animals or swine which fulfil the conditions laid down for intra-Community trade. Additionally, spot checks, including supervised loading of animals on to livestock vessels, are carried out to ensure compliance with EU rules.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pigs exported during December 1996 and January 1997 were (i) acquired and (ii) loaded at(a) an EU approved collection centre and (b) a lairage. [20619]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: None. All pigs exported in December 1996 and January 1997 were acquired and loaded at their premises of origin.

  Red Meat (Hygiene)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received the final report from the hygiene advice team on red meat. [19571]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: This report was an internal working document for the Meat Hygiene Service which summarised and provided a comprehensive baseline of standards and practices in the fresh meat industry. I received a copy on 6 March 1997, although the range of problems identified had been known to me for some time and were, and continue to be, addressed on a plant by plant and strategic basis by the MHS in accordance with ministerial policy.

  BSE
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what research published after 1990 he has evaluated into the effects of the disposing of BSE infected carcases in landfill sites; [20525]

  BSE-related measures

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  (a) OTMS: compensation to farmers

  UK cost

  687

  228

  229

  230

  Net EU contribution

  154

  137

  -4

  40

  (b) OTMS: payments to slaughterhouses

  UK cost

  79

  32

  32

  32

  (c) OTMS: payments to renderers

  UK cost

  53

  39

  39

  39

  (d) OTMS: cost of storage

  UK cost

  34

  5

  2

  2

  (e) OTMS: cost of incineration

  UK cost

  10

  45

  32

  22

  (f) Calf slaughter premium

  UK cost

  54

  62

  61

  60

  Net EU contribution

  28

  -10

  13

  38

  (g) Aid for renderers

  UK cost

  88

  71

  —

  —

  (h) and (i) Aid to abattoirs and cutting industries

  UK cost

  94

  2

  —

  —

  (j) Feed recall scheme

  UK cost

  5

  1

  —

  —

  (k) Departments' administration costs

  UK cost

  71

  71

  70

  69

  (I) Selective cull

  UK costs

  20

  165

  —

  —

  Net EU contribution

  —

  68

  -45

  —

  718
  (2) what discussions he has had with scientific bodies on the disposal of BSE-infected carcases to landfill sites. [20524]

  Mrs. Browning
  In May last year a sub-group of the independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which advises Ministers on BSE, considered the issue of BSE and the environment, including the question of disposal to landfill sites. They considered that, although the spongiform encephalopathy agent was not yet fully characterised, there was good evidence to believe that individual molecules were not infectious and that infectivity was associated with macro-molecular agglomerations indeed possibly with tissue fragments, albeit small ones. On this basis they concluded that"it was unlikely that leachate from landfill sites would present a significant risk and there was certainly no justification for taking heroic measures to excavate sites, even those which had previously been used for material such as BSE-confirmed cattle".

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the estimated cost to Government for each financial year from 1996–97 to 1999–2000 of(a) the compensation arrangements to farmers for cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (b) the payments to slaughterhouses for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (c) payments to renderers for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (d) the cost of storage, prior to incineration, of the rendered remains of cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (e) the cost of incineration of the remains of cattle of 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (f) the calf slaughter premium, (g) the package of aid for the renderers, (h) the package of aid for the abattoirs, (i) the package of aid to the cutting industries, (j) the feed recall scheme, (k) the additional running costs for the agriculture departments and (l) each other item of expenditure resulting from the BSE crisis; and if he will list where applicable the net EU contribution for each measure, taking account of both the United Kingdom's contribution to additional EU spending and the effect of additional receipts on the United Kingdom abatement. [18670]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 6 March 1997]: Details requested are as follows:
  719

  BSE-related measures

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  (m) Discretionary intervention

  UK cost

  175

  178

  153

  91

  Net EU contribution

  -33

  -2

  40

  16

  (n) Additional EU compensation agreed at agriculture council

  UK cost

  163

  —

  —

  —

  Net EU contribution

  -41

  67

  -29

  —

  (o) Drop in beef export refunds

  UK cost

  -80

  -74

  -57

  -57

  Net EU contribution

  -80

  -74

  -57

  -57

  (p) Write-off of existing intervention stock

  UK cost

  2

  12

  —

  —

  Net EU contribution

  —

  8

  -6

  —

  (q) Other items

  UK cost

  50

  93

  2

  —

  Total

  UK cost

  1,505

  930

  563

  488

  Net EU contribution

  28

  194

  -88

  37

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the minimum temperature required(a) of the external gases and (b) inside a carcase for the safe disposal of a cattle carcase slaughtered under the over-30-months scheme. [20810]

  Mr. Baldry
  The independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which advises Ministers on BSE has looked at current and proposed methods of dealing with waste material from the slaughter of cattle last May, including incineration. The committee concluded that incineration in plants in which temperatures reached at least 850°c, would be sufficient to ensure that there was no risk either to those exposed to the smoke plume—that is, those living in the neighbourhood or those living downwind of the plant—or in relation to the ash which would be safely disposed of in appropriately licensed landfill sites. A copy of the news release issued by this Department on 7 June 1996 to publicise SEAC's advice is in the Library of the House.

  Chickens
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many chickens have been found to be dead on arrival at United Kingdom poultry slaughterhouses since 25 April 1996. [20714]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: The information requested is as follows:

  Total throughput

  Dead on arrival

  Great Britain

  580,897,449

  1,144,814

  to

  Northern Ireland

  53,303,906

  137,677

  28 February 1997

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many broiler chickens slaughtered in the United Kingdom since 24 April 1996 were judged to be unfit for human consumption. [20713]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: The information requested is as follows:

  Total throughput

  Unfit for human consumption

  Great Britain

  580,897,449

  6,995,228

  to 28 Feb. 1997

  Northern Ireland

  53,303,906

  538,065

  to 28 Feb. 1997

  720

  Offal Ban
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on the inclusion of calves' brains in the specified offal ban; and if he will make a statement. [20923]

  Mrs. Browning
  The matter has been reviewed on several occasions by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which has not recommended that the specified bovine material ban should be extended in this way. This is based on the scientific evidence which shows that brains from experimentally infected calves do not harbour detectable levels of infectivity although infectivity can be detected in parts of the intestine—distal ileum—which were declared SBM as a result.

  Cattle Cull
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle were slaughtered under the 30-month scheme(a) up to and including 16 June 1996 and (b) (i) from 17 June 1996 to 25 August 1996, (ii) 26 August 1996 to 31 December 1996 and (iii) 1 January 1997 to the latest available date; how many abattoirs were paid for each period; and what was the total amount paid to abattoirs (1) gross and (2) net of EU contributions for each period. [20986]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:

  Slaughterings under the over-30-months scheme

  Animals slaughtered1 (number)

  Abattoirs receiving payment (number)59

  Slaughter fees paid to abattoirs2 (£ million)

  (a) Up to and including 16 June 1996

  136,901

  59

  5.9

  (b) From 17 June 1996 to 25 August 1996

  279,395

  61

  23.7

  (c) From 26 August 1996 to 31 December 1996

  716,401

  66

  26.2

  (d) From 1 January 1997 to 7 March 1997

  168,760

  61

  13.2

  Total

  1,301,457

  —

  69.0

  1 Includes OTMS animals slaughtered on-farm and subsequently incinerated

  2 The slaughter fee is wholly funded by the Exchequer.

  721

  Salmonellosis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of salmonellosis have been recorded in farm animals categorised by

  Year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996 (provisional)

  Cattle and cCalves

  940

  1,465

  1,899

  2,052

  1,575

  Sheep

  106

  106

  188

  211

  227

  Pigs

  261

  346

  360

  353

  347

  Fowl

  1,447

  1,295

  744

  841

  950

  Turkeys

  441

  327

  401

  277

  222

  Ducks and geese

  453

  357

  133

  102

  86

  An "incident" refers to an isolation or isolations of salmonella from either an individual animal or from one or more animals in a group on one or more occasions.

  The Department has a major research programme aimed at developing measures for the control and prevention of salmonella in livestock. In consultation with the industry, the Government has issued codes of good practice which offer advice on preventing the introduction and spread of salmonella in animal feedingstuffs and poultry flocks. Further codes are in preparation.

  Apples
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the dangers to human health of the use of pesticides on apples grown in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the EU and (c) other countries; and if he will make a statement. [21096]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Mrs. Winterton) on 17 March 1997,Official Report, columns 372–73.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to promote the farming of apples in the United Kingdom without the use of pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [21097]

  Mr. Boswell
  There are no specific plans to promote the farming of apples without the use of pesticides. However, we are doing much to encourage organic farming which makes limited use of a very restricted range of mainly natural pesticides. There is an aid scheme which provides direct financial support for conversion, a free advice service and a dedicated research and development programme. We also fund the independent United Kingdom register of organic food standards.

  Rendering Industry
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, column 49, if he will list the rendering plants and companies which have received financial assistance under the rendering industry support scheme 1996; and how much was paid to each. [21187]

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1996, 18 rendering companies received support under the rendering industry support scheme 1996, which covers the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 722
  species in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [21114]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Zoonoses Order 1989 requires that all isolations of salmonella from farm animals and poultry are reported. Incidents reported to this Department over the last five years are:

  1997. Since January 1997, the number of companies in receipt of support has increased by four bringing the total to 22.

  The companies and the locations of the plants concerned are:

  Company

  Location

  A. Hughes & Son (Skellingthorpe) Ltd.

  Skellingthorpe

  A. & W. Chambers Ltd.

  Huddersfield

  Anglo Beef Processors Ltd.

  Newry Shrewsbury

  Canterbury Mills Ltd.

  Canterbury

  Croda Colloids Ltd.

  Market Harborough

  Duncrue Food Processors Ltd.

  Belfast

  Dundas Brothers Ltd.

  Inverurie

  Dundas Chemical Company (Mosspark) Ltd.

  Dumfries

  Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd.

  Lancaster

  Foyle Meats Ltd.

  Londonderry

  Gilberts Animal By-Products Ltd.

  Cheddleton

  J. F. Rockett & Sons Ltd.

  Huddersfield

  Lisburn Proteins Ltd.

  Lisburn

  Lloyd Maunder Ltd.

  Cullompton

  Mcintosh Donald Ltd.

  Aberdeen

  Mid Ulster Proteins Ltd.

  Craigavon

  P. Waddington & Co. Ltd.

  Bradford

  Prosper de Mulder Ltd.

  Doncaster

  Exeter

  Nuneaton

  Silvertown

  Widnes

  Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

  Torrington

  Smith Brothers (Hyde) Ltd.

  Hyde

  Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd.

  Crumlin

  William Forrest and Son (Paisley) Ltd.

  Motherwell

  Support under the scheme is paid on a four-weekly basis. As at 19 March payments totalling about £82 million had been authorised.

  I am unable to disclose information about support paid to individual renderers for reasons of their commercial confidentiality—exemption 13 in the code of practice on access to Government information.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 March,Official Report, columns 49–50, if he will list the rendering plants and companies contracted by his Department to render (a) specified bovine material and (b) cattle carcases. [20958]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: Of the plants approved to render cattle by-products in Great Britain, the following are currently contracted to the Intervention Board executive agency to process

  723
  over-30-month scheme cattle carcases, including their specified bovine material, in rendering lines licensed under the Specified Bovine Material Order 1996 (as amended):

  Canterbury Mills Ltd., Canterbury

  Dundas Brothers Ltd., Kintore

  Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd., Lancaster

  Gilberts Animal By-Products, Leek

  Granox Ltd., Widnes

  J. G. Pears (Newark) Ltd.

  J. L. Thomas Ltd., Exeter

  Peninsular Proteins Ltd., Torrington

  William Forrest and Sons (Paisley Ltd.), Motherwell.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21212]

  Mr. Boswell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) by the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. Any additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Soil Erosion
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress in combating run off and soil erosion from fields sown to maize. [21147]

  Mr. Boswell
  The risk of run-off and soil erosion from fields sown to maize can be significant. In response to this the Maize Growers Association, with assistance from this Department and the Environment Agency, has produced a booklet entitled "Managing Maize", which will be sent to all known maize growers next month. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 17 to 19 March; and if he will make a statement. [21564]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I represented the United Kingdom for part of the Agriculture Council in Brussels on 17–19 March and for the remainder of the period the UK was represented by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland and officials.

  The Council reached unanimous agreement on important proposals on cattle identification and beef labelling on a basis of article 43 of the treaty. The identification proposal requires the establishment of computerised systems for tracing cattle movements throughout their lives, improving cattle tagging, and a system of cattle passports similar to the one introduced in Great Britain last summer. Adoption of this proposal will facilitate the implementation of plans to develop a fully
  724
  computerised database of cattle movements in Great Britain. The arrangements agreed on labelling provide for member states to decide whether or not to require the compulsory labelling of beef from the year 2000; and for the details of what information should be provided on labels under a compulsory system to be decided by the Council in the light of member states' experience between now and 1999. The labelling proposal as adopted met UK concerns to have a flexible, informative and less bureaucratic system than that originally put forward by the Commission, and this was secured in the final outcome.

  The Council also agreed unanimously a proposal from the Commission determining measures and compensation relating to appreciable currency revaluations affecting farm incomes. The United Kingdom had strongly opposed the original proposal on the grounds that it discriminated against United Kingdom fanners faced with significant revaluations of the agricultural conversion rate for sterling. As a result, the proposal was substantially modified in the course of negotiation and the discriminatory elements removed on terms which fully met United Kingdom requirements.

  On BSE, my noble Friend reported to the Council on progress in the United Kingdom on fulfilling the terms of the Florence agreement, and the recent submission to the Commission of a proposal for excluding meat from certified UK herds from the EU export ban. He urged the early submission of this proposal to the appropriate scientific committees, as provided for in the Florence agreement.

  The Council had a first discussion of the Commission's proposals on agricultural prices for 1997–98, which include a long-standing proposal to reduce arable aid and set-aside payments. The United Kingdom endorsed the Commission's intention to achieve budgetary savings, but regretted the absence of moves to reduce agricultural support prices generally, or of proposals for the early reform of sectors such as milk, beef and cereals.

  In a third structured dialogue with the countries of central and eastern Europe, the Council considered with those countries how to assist in the implementations of the EU's veterinary and phytosanitary regulations. There was agreement on the need for a better exchange of information on EU policy and legislation in this area, and for help from the PHARE programme to establish the required control and inspection facilities.

  The Council discussed, at the request of France, the need for changes in the operation of the early marketing scheme for veal and the calf processing scheme. It was agreed that the beef management committee would address these issues as a matter of urgency on 21 March, and would consider inter alia a possible reduction in the rate of calf processing premium in response to a long-standing UK request.

  The Council agreed some changes to the mandate of the European Commission in its negotiations with the USA on a veterinary equivalence agreement; and adopted by qualified majority—Spain, Portugal and Italy voting against—a proposal to open a malting barley quota for the USA in order to fulfil the EU's obligations under the World Trade Organisation.
  725
  The United Kingdom raised in the Council the need for an urgent report and proposals from the Commission on the welfare of battery hens, on which the Commissioner promised early action. The UK also backed a German request for the rapid submission to the Council of proposals on the transport of animals.

  Livestock Cleanliness
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the document defining standards for clean livestock is to be published. [21565]

  Mrs. Browning
  As foreshadowed in the statement which my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food made on 12 March 1997,Official Report, columns 372–74, the existing guidance in the Meat Hygiene Service operations manual has been enhanced today to provide a pictorial guide on dirty animals and the appropriate action to take when such animals are presented for slaughter. This will reinforce to all those involved in slaughtering, as well as other sectors of farming and associated industries, what is expected of them and the controls which will apply if they do not meet the appropriate standards. This issue was included in the interim report of the expert group on E. coli being chaired by Professor Pennington.

  Proposals for publicising the potential sources of contamination and how to ensure that contaminated animals do not enter the food chain are being sent to interested organisations today for comment. Once comments have been considered, the Meat Hygiene Service proposes to launch a publicity campaign.

  I have placed in the Library of the House copies of the amendment to the operations manual and draft publicity material sent to interested parties.

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 1997–98. [21628]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have set the following targets for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in 1997–98.

  Financial Performance

  1. To recover from industry and Government the full economic cost (calculated according to accruals accounting) of each of its main business activities of:

  licensing and surveillance

  policy work

  residue monitoring.

  2. To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed by the MAFF Management Board.

  Quality of Service

  3. To deliver high quality policy advice to Minister.

  4. To deliver high quality scientific assessment work.

  5. To determine 80 per cent. of new marketing authorisations within 120 clock days;

  95 per cent. within 200 clock days.

  6. To ensure that the first assessment of variations outstanding for more than 75 clock days on 1 April 1997 is completed by 31 October 1997 and that a first assessment of renewals outstanding for more than 90 clock days on 1 April 1997 is completed by 31 December 1997; and to ensure that first assessments for variations and renewals arriving after 1 April 1997 are completed within 75 and 90 clock days respectively.

  726

  7. To meet target timescales for centralised, decentralised and MRL applications under EU procedures.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Central Science Laboratory for 1997–98. [21629]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The relocation of the Central Science Laboratory to the new purpose-built laboratory near York, with the subsequent closure of four major sites and several smaller sites, will be completed during the summer of 1997. In view of the major changes taking place within CSL, I have decided that during 1997–98 the baseline should be established which will allow efficiency and productivity improvements to be measured in subsequent years. I have set the following demanding but achievable targets for 1997–98 in relation to other areas:

  Financial

  100 per cent. recovery of full costs after allowing for relocation costs;

  To achieve a net PES allocation agreed by MAFF Finance.

  Efficiency

  1 per cent. improvement in utilisation of productive time.

  Delivery of Science

  At least 90 per cent. of work completed to time and within budget;

  Achieve a mean score of 3 on a scale of 0 to 5 for the assessment of customer satisfaction using the established methodology;

  Proportion of project milestones achieved to be at or greater than 82 per cent. (MAFF commissioned projects).

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 1997–98. [21630]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency the following strategic performance targets for 1997–98:

  Financial Performance

  full cost for all Veterinary Laboratories Agency services

  management with the Supply Estimates Targets

  Efficiency

  an overall efficiency gain of 3 per cent.

  Service Delivery

  85 per cent. of ROAME R and D milestones achieved

  Service Quality

  achievement of a satisfactory report from a Visiting Group

  achievement of laboratory accreditation for the Tissue Culture Section in Virology Department, the Lasswade laboratory and the Veterinary Investigation Centres.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Meat Hygiene Service for 1997–98. [21631]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have set the following targets for the Meat Hygiene Service in 1997–98.
  727

  Operational

  1. To take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance by the slaughterhouse industry with The Specified Bovine Material Order 1977, The Heads of Sheep and Goats Order 1996, and other related Statutory Instruments.

  Quality and Delivery of Service

  2. To carry out, in collaboration with the State Veterinary Service, a review of the guidance on HAS scoring in abattoirs as set out in the Operations Manual by 30 April 1997.

  3. To ensure that all MHS contract and employed OVS, Meat Hygiene Inspectors and Meat Technicians have completed a formal training programme in hygiene by 31 July 1997.

  4. To ensure that by the end of 1997–98 at least 90 per cent. of abattoirs are achieving HAS scores of more than 65.

  5. To implement strictly the MHS clean livestock strategy included in the Operations Manual as revised in March 1997.

  6. To implement a strict prohibition on carcases showing any faecal contamination being health marked for human consumption.

  Financial Performance

  7. To recover from plant operators the full economic cost (calculated in accordance with the relevant charging legislation and accruals accounting and Industry charges guide) of providing the statutory health inspection and controls at fresh meat premises.

  8. To recover from Government Departments, Agencies and the Intervention Board the full economic cost (calculated in accordance with the relevant charging legislation and accruals accounting) of providing agreed services or other work undertaken on their behalf.

  9. To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed during the year by the MAFF Management Board.

  Meat Disposal Chain
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are being made for financial support to the meat disposal chain in 1997–98. [21633]

  Mr. Baldry
  Support arrangements for the rendering industry in 1997–98 have now been finalised following consultation with interested parties. These implement the previously announced policy of making up to £59 million support available to the disposal chain as it adjusts to the changed value of animal by-products. They take the form of a non-statutory scheme, the rendering industry support scheme 1997. Copies of the scheme are being placed in the Library of the House.

  The scheme provides for:
  Payments to individual rendering companies for the rendering of 'clean' material (i.e. excluding the products of the Over Thirty Month Scheme);
  Payments to be on a depressive basis phased out over the financial year and based on the actual amount of tallow produced and of meat and bone meal disposed of;
  Tallow and MBM to attract different support rates (relating to average past values), phased out over different time-scales in recognition of future values.

  Individual rendering companies will be free to set charges and prices to their suppliers on the basis of commercial judgment, taking account of support. Support levels will be transparent to suppliers of animal by-products. The Office of Fair Trading will continue to keep the competitive situation within the market under review.

  The scheme will be administered by the Intervention Board.
  728
  In order to inform Ministers' decisions on the design of these support arrangements, Coopers and Lybrand were commissioned to report on the prospects for recovery in the markets for renderers' products. Their report is being published and copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Sea Fish Conservation
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to report to Parliament on the implementation of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992, as required by section 10. [21634]

  Mr. Baldry
  The primary purpose of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992 was to make provision for the introduction of restrictions on time spent at sea. Implementing legislation in the form of the Sea Fish Licences (Time at Sea) (Principles) Order 1993 was introduced, but the policy was subsequently suspended following a legal challenge which was referred to the European Court of Justice.

  Despite the European Court's endorsement of the legality of measures adopted by this House, it was decided that it would not be sensible to implement the planned arrangements for the days at sea policy for the reasons set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 25 October 1995, Official Report, columns 711–12.

  In these circumstances there is nothing of substance to report and we do not propose to make any further reports to Parliament on this matter.

  Butchers' Shops (Survey)
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information(a) his Department and (b) the National Meat Hygiene Service provided to the European Commission concerning the survey carried out by environmental health officers in Birmingham of bone-in beef in butchers' shops. [21237]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No information was provided to the European Commission by the Meat Hygiene Service. Information on the audit carried out by Birmingham environmental health department was included in the "Programme to Eradicate BSE in the United Kingdom" which was presented to the Commission at a Council meeting on 3 June 1996. A copy of this document was placed in the library of the House on 4 June 1996.

  The audit was also referred to in the document "BSE in Great Britain, A Progress Report, May 1996" which has been sent to Commissioner Fischler. A copy of this document was placed in the Library of the House on 1 July 1996.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the results of the survey carried out by environmental health officers of butchers' shops in Birmingham. [21236]

  Mr. Hogg
  I understand that the environmental services department of Birmingham city council carried out an audit in May 1996 of all 350 retail butcher outlets in Birmingham to check on compliance with specified bovine material controls. A small number of alleged cases of non-compliance were found.
  729
  Birmingham city council informed the Meat Hygiene Service, which is responsible for enforcing SBM controls in licensed beef slaughterhouses, of its findings. The MHS immediately carried out a full investigation. After examination of the samples provided to the MHS, two of the alleged cases were cleared as not being SBM. The MHS was unable to identify conclusively the nature of the remaining sample tissues in view of their age and deterioration. The MHS decided the most appropriate action was to destroy the material as if it were SBM.

  In view of the council survey results, MHS principal official veterinary surgeons visited all the plants which traditionally supply the Birmingham market and reinforced the importance of full compliance with SBM controls to all MHS and plant staff.

  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Pesticides Safety Directorate for 1997–98. [21627]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have set the following targets for the Pesticide Safety Directorate in 1997–98.

  Financial Performance

  1. To recover from industry the full economic cost, calculated according to accruals accounting, of its services.

  2. To recover from Government the full economic cost (calculated according to accruals accounting) of its services.

  3. To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed by the MAFF management board.

  4. To deliver the throughput of applications and processing times set out in the table below.

  Quality of Service

  5. To deliver high quality policy advice to Ministers.

  6. To deliver high quality scientific work.

  7. To achieve IIP accreditation by October 1977.

  8. To carry out a customer satisfaction survey, covering both MAFF customers and the agrochemical industry, and to achieve a satisfactory result.

  Table 1

  Stream

  Applications completed

  Maximum processing time in working weeks

  Technical Secretariat1,2

  Normal

  300

  43

  Administrative Fast

  400

  4

  Fast

  325

  19

  Experimental Permit Authorisation

  10

  34

  Off Label

  80

  12

  Extrapolated Experimental Authorisation

  15

  16

  Departmental

  15

  52

  Other

  132

  —

  New Substances1,2,3

  Sift (EC and UK)

  17

  23

  Active Substance

  14

  53

  UK Reviews2

  Full

  3

  —

  Other

  8

  —

  730

  Table 1

  Stream

  Applications completed

  Maximum processing time in working weeks

  EC Reviews3

  Non-Rapporteur (Monograph Co-ordination)

  20

  —

  Total

  1,339

  —

  Notes:

  1 90 per cent. of applications received are covered by the processing targets except the EC and UK sifts for new substances where the figure is 100 per cent.

  2 Completed applications (these have no outstanding actions e.g. an approval issued or the application has been refused). These exclude withdrawals before evaluation has started.

  3 For EC applications (reviews or new active substances), completion is when the monograph is received by the Commission.

  Swann Report
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he was notified of disagreements between Mr. Swann and(a) his Department and (b) the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of the contents of his report for the Meat Hygiene Service. [20039]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: On 6 March 1997.

  Fur Farms
  Mr. Livingstone
  Toask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times officials of me State Veterinary Service(a) carried out routine inspections of fur farms over the last 12 months and (b) observed the killing of mink and fox during the last 12 months; and what method of killing was used in each case. [21240]

  Mrs. Browning
  The State Veterinary Service carried out six inspections of mink farms during 1996. Killing was not observed on any of these occasions.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fox farms there are in England and Wales by county. [21239]

  Mrs. Browning
  There is no requirement to register fox fur farms. However, I am not aware of any in England and Wales.

  Grain Store, York
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the grain store at Clifton, York, was cleared of grain; for how long it remained empty; what is stored there currently, indicating the nature of the material and tonnage stored; what proportion of the total capacity is currently in use; whether the store has been, or is being, considered for storing bovine material resulting from the cattle cull; and how much per annum the store costs his Department to run(a) when empty and (b) currently. [21108]

  Mr. Baldry
  Before the current cereals intervention purchasing period which commenced on 1 November 1996, the store was cleared of barley on 31 January 1996.
  731
  The store remained empty for a period of ten and a half months until mid-December 1996 when 738 tonnes of rye was allocated to the store. This tonnage has now been sold but is still awaiting collection by the purchaser. A further 190 tonnes of rye has been allocated to the store, and should be delivered before the end of March 1997.

  In addition to the rye, two of the eight sheds with a storage capacity of 20,000 tonnes have been sub-let to a private contractor for the storage of sugar beet nuts. The store has a total wheat capacity of 82,350 tonnes, comprising eight sheds totalling 79,500 tonnes and 32 bins totalling 28,250 tonnes.

  The store is not being considered for storing bovine material resulting from the cattle cull.

  The running costs of the store, when empty, is approximately £386,600 per annum, including store management fees, opportunity rent and contribution in lieu of rates. The additional running costs for actual storage are variable depending on time of intake and discharge and volume in store; these costs are calculated on the basis of £0.80 per tonne for intake, £0.70 per tonne for discharge and £0.022 per tonne per day for storage.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where is the grain store nearest to York which is being used to store bovine material resulting from the cattle cull. [21107]

  Mr. Baldry
  The nearest grain store to York used for bovine material from the cattle cull is the Government-owned store at Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, converted last year to store frozen product from the over-30-month-scheme.

  Bovine Tissue
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances the National Meat Hygiene Service is permitted to destroy samples of bovine tissue provided to it as suspect specified bovine material. [21238]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The procedures which the Meat Hygiene Service would follow, if presented with samples of bovine tissues provided to it as suspect SBM, would depend on whether investigation showed that the samples were indeed SBM. If, following examination, the samples were discovered to be SBM, the MHS would rigorously investigate the circumstances of the case, gathering available evidence. When no longer required as part of the investigation and after appropriate photographs, the tissue would be stained and destroyed as such in accordance with the SBM order. If, following examination, the material is discovered not to be SBM, but is otherwise unfit for human consumption, the tissue would be stained and destroyed as unfit material in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulations 1995. The MHS would undertake any relevant investigation of the provided material before destruction.

  Newcastle Disease
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) financial and (b) other assistance is available to farm businesses whose supply of point of lay pullets is halted by measures taken to contain Newcastle disease. [21145]
  732
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Animal Health Act 1981 makes no provision for the payment of consequential losses following an outbreak of a notifiable disease, including Newcastle disease and so such payments are made.

  Directive 92/66/EEC, as implemented in Great Britain by the Diseases of Poultry Order 1994 (as amended) requires that controls on the movement of poultry are imposed in an area surrounding each confirmed outbreak of Newcastle disease. Every effort is made to limit disruption to the poultry industry consequent upon the imposition of these controls subject to the overriding need to contain the spread of disease.

  Pigs (Welfare)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to ensure compliance with the prohibition in the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1984 on the routine tail docking of piglets. [21294]

  Mrs. Browning
  The State Veterinary Service enforces all aspects of the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994. Welfare inspections of pig farms include, where appropriate, checks on compliance with paragraph 3, part IV, schedule 3 of those regulations concerning the tail docking of piglets.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he plans to take to ensure the enforcement of the law in respect of the welfare of pigs on farms and at slaughter. [21293]

  Mrs. Browning
  The State Veterinary Service carries out inspections to check compliance with legislation relating to the welfare of pigs on farm. All complaints are followed up as a matter of urgency. Legislation relating to animal welfare in slaughterhouses is enforced by the Meat Hygiene Service. In both cases, any unsatisfactory conditions or practices which are found are addressed immediately, by advice or by formal enforcement action, including, where necessary, the initiation of prosecution proceedings.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how he plans to take forward the action plan on meat hygiene which he announced to the House on 12 March. [21632]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Meat Hygiene Service will be instructed to work to the performance targets which are set out in my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff). In working to these targets the Meat Hygiene Service will be giving effect to the comprehensive programme of action which I announced on 12 March. Once this range of measures has been implemented, I would anticipate repeating, if possible before April 1998, the thorough audit of hygiene standards in each individual plant which was carried out in 1995–96. For this campaign on hygiene standards to succeed, it will be essential for the industry to give full co-operation both collectively, through the Industry Forum of the Meat Hygiene Service and the Government/Industry Group instituted by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, and in day-to-day operations in individual plants.

SCOTLAND

  Scientists
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many scientists were employed by his Department and each of his Department's agencies on(a) the most recent date available and (b) for each year since 1979 on matters equivalent to those covered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and if he will list each agency, service or central laboratory employing scientists on such projects. [18165]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 5 March 1997]: The number of scientists employed in the Scottish Office, including its executive agencies other than the Scottish Prison Service, are shown in the table. This includes details for (a) the most recent date available— 1 March 1997—and (b) a breakdown for each year since 1979.

  The agencies and branches employing staff in the science group are as follows:

  (a) Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  Food Safety and Animal Health

  Freshwater Fish Laboratory

  Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries

  Marine Laboratory

  Scientific Advisers Unit.

  (b) Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  (c) Department of Health

  Public Health Policy Medical Division.

  (d) Education and Industry Department

  Innovation and Support services.

  Number of staff in the Science group within The Scottish Office,1979 to 1997 position as at 1 April (except for 1997 where figuresrelate to 1 March)

  Year

  Number staff (FTE)

  1979

  328.5

  1980

  325.0

  1981

  320.0

  1982

  311.0

  1983

  317.0

  1984

  319.0

  1985

  318.0

  1986

  276.0

  1987

  273.5

  1988

  270.5

  1989

  273.0

  1990

  273.0

  1991

  282.0

  1992

  282.0

  1993

  281.5

  1994

  279.5

  1995

  273.3

  1996

  260.9

  1997

  257.7

  Woodlands
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those areas of Forestry Commission 734
  woodland proposed for sale in the next three financial years in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland; indicating for each (i) its area, (ii) its approximate location and (iii) if an agreement is in place to protect public access. [19707]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 12 March 1997]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Gordon Cowie, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Gordon M. Cowie to Mr. Paddy Tipping, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to your Question about the sale of Forestry Commission woodlands.
  The Forestry Commission's current disposals programme will continue until the end of the century, and the selection of properties for sale will accordingly be staged over that period. Advance notification of properties to be placed on the market is given in the Estates Gazette before a firm decision to sell is taken by the Commission. Copies of the Estate Gazette are to be found in the Library.
  We have, therefore, not yet decided which areas we will be selling over the next three years, but I can tell you which forest areas are at present being offered for sale on the Open Market. I have indicated those where a Continued Public Access Agreement has been agreed or is under negotiation. The Commission encourages local authorities to enter into the Access Agreements it offers them but it is, of course, up to the local authorities to decide whether or not they wish to accept the offer.

  Forestry Commission woodlands currently for sale on the open market

  England

  Local authority/name of property

  Location grid reference

  Area (ha)

  Buckinghamshire

  Back Lane Wood

  TL278178

  7.5

  College Wood

  SP791330

  51.0

  Greens

  TL277170

  1.5

  Cornwall

  Wheal Par

  SX053561

  5.0

  County Durham

  Stanley Cottages Wood

  NZ154388

  131.0

  Cumbria

  Foulsyke

  NY140218

  17.0

  Samgarth Woods

  SD133945

  71.0

  Ulpha Park

  SD191912

  129.0

  Whinneyhow

  NY137002

  1.0

  Devon

  Deershill

  SS520172

  11.0

  Knowle Wood

  SX533641

  8.0

  East Yorkshire

  Black Plantation

  SE792368

  14.0

  Seaton Old Wood

  SE787393

  16.5

  Hertfordshire

  Priest Wood

  TL301160

  28.0

  Leicestershire

  Stoke Dry

  SK845979

  40.0

  Lincolnshire

  Half Moon Wood

  SK972158

  2.0

  Larch Plantation

  SK980162

  8.0

  Nettleton Back

  TA091013

  111.0

  Rand Wood

  TF081781

  119.0

  White Lodge

  SK970155

  4.0

  Norfolk

  Great Wood Outliers

  TG150215

  4.0

  735

  Forestry Commission woodlands currently for sale on the open market

  England

  Local authority/name of property

  Location grid reference

  Area (ha)

  North Yorkshire

  Cottage Wood

  SE682518

  4.0

  Dalby Bush

  SE635719

  36.0

  Farm Wood

  SE656715

  6.0

  Mill Wood

  SE644735

  24.0

  Scoreby

  SE697517

  33.0

  Northumberland

  Evistones

  NY825970

  46.0

  South Yorkshire

  Old Park Wood

  SE335015

  141.0

  Suffolk

  Barthorps Folly

  TM348459

  16.0

  Wiltshire

  Stanton Park

  ST895798

  58.0

  1 Indicates CPA Agreement.

  Forestry commission woodlands currently for sale on the open market

  Scotland

  Local authority/name of property

  Location grid reference

  Area (ha)

  Aberdeenshire

  Auchinroath plantation

  NJ276510

  62.0

  Balmakewan (3222M)

  NO672676

  0.6

  Haremoss

  NJ792495

  21.0

  Ryhnagoup wood, lot 1

  NJ110505

  16.0

  Waggle hill

  NJ814476

  1152.0

  Argyll and Bute

  Ardbrecknish

  NN067208

  1119.0

  Scoor wood, lot 5

  NM435205

  360.0

  Borders

  Edgarhope

  NT557485

  143.5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Cairnhead

  NX700970

  11,361.0

  Enchenhead

  NS680060

  1689.0

  Little clyde

  NS985170

  645.6

  Polskeoch

  NS686023

  1830.0

  Shinnelhead

  NS729991

  1843.0

  Highland

  Achandounie woods

  NH633734

  144.0

  Aline wood

  NB215150

  626.0

  Ardmolich

  NM710715

  192.0

  Carsaig and Kinloch

  NM530260

  1488.0

  Fairy bridge

  NG258505

  92.0

  Glenhinnisdale

  NG405575

  1204.0

  Kirkton

  NG906410

  92.0

  Perth and Kinross

  Warroch

  NO05065

  68.0

  South Ayrshire

  Docherneil

  NX225885

  72.5

  1 Indicates CPA Agreement.

  Forestry Commission Woodlands currently for sale on the Open Market

  Wales

  Unitary authority/name of property

  Location grid reference

  Area (ha)

  Conwy County Borough Council

  Blackthorn Covert

  SH930770

  21.5

  Cefn Mawr

  SH910568

  81.7

  736

  Forestry Commission Woodlands currently for sale on the Open Market

  Wales

  Unitary authority/name of property

  Location grid reference

  Area (ha)

  Cerrigellgwm

  SH861475

  20.0

  Gwrych Castle Woodlands

  SH925775

  49.0

  Blaenau, Gwent

  Craig Yr Arail

  SO210044

  58.0

  Caerphilly County Borough Council

  Hafodrisclawdd

  SO176020

  224.0

  Carmarthenshire

  Allt Du/Cwm Ifor

  SN615306

  29.0

  Penhill Wood

  SN775315

  4.0

  Ceredigion

  Cefn Wig

  SN472612

  19.0

  Gwynedd

  Amnodd Wood

  SH810372

  87.5

  Bronaber

  SH710317

  10.0

  Bryn Hendre

  SH315373

  10.0

  Btryntirion

  SH673192

  118.0

  Cae Rhys

  SH690346

  267.0

  Cefn Glas

  SH810381

  12.0

  Coed Mynydd Mawr

  SH365408

  24.0

  Coed Y Craig

  SH641078

  35.0

  Cwm Prysor

  SH790380

  56.0

  Cymerau

  SH688436

  187.5

  Dolymoch

  SH686422

  122.0

  Frochas 1

  SH325393

  7.5

  Frochas 3

  SH333395

  5.4

  Frochas 4

  SH336396

  7.4

  Garthanghard

  SH661160

  229.0

  Gelli Dywyll

  SH686413

  125.0

  Graianog

  SH464488

  119.0

  Pen Y Gribin

  SH680190

  112.0

  Pengwern

  SH696427

  215.0

  Rhiwbach and Tyddyn Bach

  SH743462

  16.0

  Tan Y Clawdd

  SH436491

  113.0

  Ty Coch North

  SH584691

  7.1

  Ynys Creua

  SH446430

  67.0

  Monmouthshire

  Wern Brake

  ST440928

  8.0

  Neath and Port Talbot

  Graig Ynysgollen

  SN802013

  10.0

  Nant Y Stalwyn

  SN820097

  144.0

  Powys

  Blaen Llia

  SN925163

  1185.0

  Cilgwyn

  SO940797

  22.0

  Coed Y Foel Road Improvement

  SN918798

  1.0

  Freezeland

  S0186138

  111.0

  Llys Coppice and Penllys

  SJ175215

  16.0

  Nant Tidnerth

  SN879817

  23.0

  Rock Wood and Fronfraith Wood

  SO168926

  131.0

  The Smatcher

  SO212602

  136.0

  Tyn Y Rhos

  SN878817

  17.0

  Waun

  SN945775

  35.0

  Y Wern

  SN855131

  1453.0

  1 Indicates CPA Agreement.

  2 Indicates CPA Agreement being negotiated.

  737

  Executive Search Agencies
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total amount spent by his Department on executive search agencies for appointments to non-departmental public bodies annually since 1992. [20184]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has incurred no expenditure on executive search services for appointments to non-departmental public bodies in the period stated.

  NHS Trusts (Grants)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been given in start-up grants to NHS trust hospitals since 1990. [20181]

  Health Board 1995–96

  HIV care and treatment

  HIV and aids prevention

  HIV drugs related

  Drug misuse

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  90,900

  307,536

  121,764

  136,200

  656,400

  Ayrshire and Arran

  89,800

  166,000

  252,450

  305,780

  814,030

  Borders

  65,000

  88,000

  13,000

  35,000

  201,000

  Dumfries and Galloway

  49,933

  115,495

  36,447

  50,628

  252,503

  Fife

  83,750

  49,894

  157,275

  232,340

  523,259

  Forth Valley

  142,091

  170,589

  140,390

  80,093

  533,163

  Grampian

  582,366

  308,050

  85,850

  503,182

  1,479,448

  Greater Glasgow

  2,324,000

  572,000

  662,000

  2,293,250

  5,851,250

  Highland

  80,497

  266,894

  0

  43,150

  390,541

  Lanark

  197,960

  331,441

  42,723

  133,926

  706,050

  Lothian

  4,308,682

  694,340

  1,100,550

  2,190,654

  8,294,226

  Orkney

  1,000

  29,800

  0

  5,750

  36,550

  Shetland

  6,250

  47,150

  4,500

  6,500

  64,400

  Tayside

  1,251,000

  782,000

  239,000

  834,000

  3,106,000

  Western Isles

  1,000

  36,500

  12,000

  12,000

  61,500

  State Hospital

  0

  27,642

  0

  0

  27,642

  9,274,229

  3,993,331

  2,867,949

  6,862,453

  22,997,962

  1819,000

  23,816,962

  1 This was used to supplement in-year as required in the light of emerging needs.

  Health board 1996–97

  HIV care and treatment

  HIV and aids prevention

  HIV drugs related

  Drug misuse

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  92,864

  263,629

  122,964

  150,870

  630,327

  Ayrshire and Arran

  91,252

  162,680

  251,000

  338,303

  843,235

  Borders

  65,165

  100,000

  13,000

  70,200

  248,365

  Dumfries and Galloway

  50,712

  122,585

  55,466

  73,698

  302,461

  Fife

  84,190

  50,783

  153,475

  254,675

  543,123

  Forth Valley

  143,633

  168,188

  259,000

  99,716

  670,537

  Grampian

  594,559

  172,710

  98,350

  634,889

  1,500,508

  Greater Glasgow

  2,355,538

  695,000

  624,000

  2,545,000

  6,219,538

  Highland

  80,889

  261,556

  0

  99,570

  442,015

  Lanark

  201,293

  316,949

  42,723

  192,780

  753,745

  Lothian

  4,356,348

  828,188

  774,358

  2,155,396

  8,114,290

  Orkney

  1,000

  29,615

  0

  32,330

  62,945

  Shetland

  6,250

  32,850

  4,600

  25,860

  69,560

  Tayside

  1,254,578

  650,066

  201,600

  920,160

  3,026,404

  Western Isles

  1,000

  35,500

  12,000

  38,000

  86,500

  State Hospital

  0

  27,000

  0

  0

  27,000

  9,379,271

  3,917,299

  2,612,536

  7,631,447

  23,540,553

  11,142,447

  24,683,000

  1 This is used to supplement in-year as required in the light of emerging needs.

  738
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The total cost of start-up grants to NHS trust hospitals since 1990 is £8,455,000.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the HIV and (b) the drug misuse budget for each health board in Scotland in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98. [20199]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 March 1997]: The resources available to Scottish health boards and the state hospital for HIV/AIDS and drug misuse services in 1995–96 and 1996–97 are set out in the tables. Provision of £25.659 million has been made available for these services in 1997–98, but the individual budgets have not been finalised.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of criminals currently serving time for offences in Scotland were previously convicted of offences when they were aged under 18 years; and if he will make a statement. [21273]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of this question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 March 1997:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about what percentage of criminals currently serving time for offences in Scotland were previously convicted of offences when they were aged under 18 years. The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much in public funds local enterprise companies in Scotland control. [21017]

  Mr. Kynoch
  In 1995–96 local enterprise companies' budgets accounted for £461.4 million—85 per cent.—of the overall budgets for the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise network. That figure

  Number of crimes recorded in 1985, by police authority

  Police authority

  Housebreaking1

  Serious assault etc.2

  Petty assault

  Other violent crime3

  Theft of motor vehicle

  Borders

  771

  93

  362

  79

  172

  Central

  4,048

  209

  1,773

  378

  869

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,203

  58

  613

  110

  238

  Fife

  4,874

  172

  1,852

  400

  1,343

  Grampian

  5,530

  403

  3,482

  630

  1,243

  Highland

  1,595

  72

  1,085

  163

  521

  Lothian

  14,858

  1,316

  3,475

  1,572

  5,082

  Orkney

  30

  9

  53

  6

  16

  Shetland

  52

  7

  56

  19

  20

  Strathclyde

  61,506

  3,193

  17,367

  6,515

  19,171

  Tayside

  6,184

  481

  1,952

  584

  1,215

  Western Isles

  47

  8

  88

  10

  48

  Scotland

  100,698

  6,021

  32,158

  10,466

  29,938

  1 Includes non-domestic and domestic premises.

  2 Includes murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide and serious assault.

  3 Includes handling offensive weapons, robbery, other non sexual crimes of violence and sexual assault.

  Number of crimes recorded in 1992, by police authority

  Police authority

  Housebreaking1

  Serious assault etc.2

  Petty assault

  Other violent crime3

  Theft of motor vehicle

  Borders

  938

  72

  436

  93

  190

  Central

  3,579

  354

  2,159

  651

  1,152

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,986

  146

  971

  254

  355

  Fife

  9,108

  157

  2,426

  609

  1,650

  Grampian

  7,050

  401

  4,473

  777

  1,841

  Highland

  1,342

  119

  1,440

  285

  357

  740
  includes £43.6 million for adult training allowances paid by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on behalf of their local enterprise companies.

  Departmental Equipment (Theft)
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of(a) computer equipment, (b) artwork and (c) other items stolen from his Department in each of the past five years. [20447]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is available for the last three years and is set out in the table.

  Computer£

  Artwork

  Other £

  1994–95

  —

  —

  130,208

  1995–96

  10,500

  —

  9,695

  1996–97

  15,000

  —

  2,212

  1 Includes the theft of a vehicle and the loss of items valued at £15,000 as a result of a burglary.

  Crime
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recorded(a) burglaries, (b) incidents of assault, (c) incidents of car theft and (d) other incidents of violent crime there were for each police authority in Scotland in (i) 1985, (ii) 1992 and (iii) 1996. [21277]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The tables provide the information for 1985, 1992 and 1995, the latest year for which information is available:
  741

  Number of crimes recorded in 1992, by police authority

  Police authority

  Housebreaking1

  Serious assault etc.2

  Petty assault

  Other violent crime3

  Theft of motor vehicle

  Lothian

  15,840

  973

  5,634

  2,364

  5,841

  Orkney

  49

  5

  72

  7

  21

  Shetland

  23

  9

  95

  11

  13

  Strathclyde

  64,494

  5,011

  21,754

  10,973

  33,664

  Tayside

  8,695

  453

  2,892

  1,138

  2,318

  Western Isles

  56

  9

  117

  33

  31

  Scotland

  113,160

  7,709

  42,469

  17,195

  47,433

  1 Includes non-domestic and domestic premises.

  2 Includes murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide and serious assault.

  3 Includes handling offensive weapons, robbery, other non sexual crimes of violence and sexual assault.

  Number of crimes recorded in 1995, by police authority

  Police authority

  Housebreaking1

  Serious assault etc.2

  Petty assault

  Other violent crime3

  Theft of motor vehicle

  Borders

  783

  93

  528

  90

  199

  Central

  2,523

  277

  2,544

  548

  921

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,385

  104

  1,201

  264

  293

  Fife

  4,635

  133

  3,077

  600

  1,344

  Grampian

  7,217

  316

  5,459

  891

  1,628

  Highland

  1,176

  83

  1,679

  349

  492

  Lothian

  10,081

  879

  6,642

  2,297

  4,893

  Orkney

  28

  4

  87

  13

  20

  Shetland

  87

  7

  103

  21

  25

  Strathclyde

  39,180

  4,664

  22,061

  9,650

  25,613

  Tayside

  7,055

  356

  3,094

  1,074

  2,045

  Western Isles

  85

  4

  129

  40

  41

  Scotland

  74,235

  6,920

  46,604

  15,837

  37,514

  1 Includes non-domestic and domestic premises.

  2 Includes murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide and serious assault.

  3 Includes handling offensive weapons, robbery, other non sexual crimes of violence and sexual assault.

  Loch Ewe Several Order
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce his decision in respect of the Loch Ewe Several Order application; and if he will make a statement. [21152]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Loch Ewe Several Order was laid before Parliament on 14 March and is due to come into force on 4 April.

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients received hospital in-patient or day care treatment for glaucoma in each of the last five years. [21157]

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Number of prescription items

  281,779

  288,217

  296,685

  304,356

  320,680

  Cost of ingredients (£)

  2,060,686

  2,113,062

  2,164,059

  2,221,377

  2,461,542

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients suffering from glaucoma were treated by general practitioners during(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995–96. [21158]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available centrally.
  742
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the House Library.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions for the treatment of glaucoma were issued in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what was the net ingredient cost for each year. [21156]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for the years 1992 to 1996 is shown in the table.

  The costs shown are based on the value of ingredients before addition of dispensing fees or deduction of discount or patient charges.

  Hospital Trusts (Contracts)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trusts failed to meet the deadline to agree contracts with the purchasers; and how many he expects to go to arbitration. [21161]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Agreement was reached by all trusts and health boards in Scotland on their contracts in the present financial year without the need
  743
  for arbitration. Negotiations on contracts for 1997–98 are continuing and I do not anticipate any requirement for arbitration.

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the median waiting times of admissions for(a) cataract operations, (b) hip replacements and (c) cardiac surgery (i) at each hospital where this operation was provided, (ii) by health authority and (iii) nationally in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [21160]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the House Library.

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what (1) provision Highlands and Islands Enterprise has made to run the proposed Cairn Gorm funicular in the event of the failure of the Cairn Gorm Chairlift Company; [21191]

  (2) what financial provision Highlands and Islands Enterprise has made for reinstating the cost and removal of the proposed Cairn Gorm funicular in the event of it ceasing to operate; [21192]

  (3) what limit has been placed on the period within which Highlands and Islands Enterprise must find a new operator of the Cairn Gorm funicular if the Cairn Gorm Chairlift Company fails; [21193]

  (4) if he will list those projects in Scotland which the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (a) has made proposals for and (b) is currently fully underwriting in me event of a failure by the existing operator. [21194]

  Mr. Kynoch
  These are operational matters for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask the chairman of that organisation to write to the hon. Member.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21198]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. Any additional information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Prison Secure Unit
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to set up a secure unit in a Scottish prison; and if he will make a statement. [21037]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The subject of the question related to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. W. E. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.
  744
  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 20 March 1997:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question about whether there are plans to set up a secure unit in a Scottish prison.
  Prisoners in Scotland are held in conditions appropriate to their security classification and there are no plans to set up any "special" secure units of the kind which exist in some other prison jurisdictions. At present there are relatively few security Category A prisoners in Scotland. They are held in a number of different prisons including the small units at Peterhead and Shotts Prisons. The units were set up to manage those prisoners who need for a time to be located out of the mainstream but are suitable for use by Category A prisoners as necessary. Otherwise such prisoners are integrated within the secure prison system.

  Health Service Commissioner
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time equivalent support staff were provided to the health service commissioner for Scotland in each year since 1992. [21055]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The posts of Health Service Commissioner for Scotland, for England and for Wales and the post of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are all held by the same person. I understand that support services for those posts are provided from a central resource and are not separately allocated.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints were made to the health service commissioner for Scotland in each year since 1992. [21053]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The health service commissioner's annual reports show:

  Year

  Complaints received

  1992–93

  119

  1993–94

  133

  1994–95

  144

  1995–96

  146

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many investigations into complaints were completed by the health service commissioner for Scotland in each year since 1992. [21054]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The health service commissioner's annual reports show:

  Year

  Completed investigations

  1992–93

  9

  1993–94

  11

  1994–95

  6

  1995–96

  7

  Fox and Mink Farms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fox and mink farms there are in Scotland by county. [21291]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  There are no fox or mink farms in operation in Scotland.
  745

  Cairn Gorm Funicular Railway
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Highlands and Islands Enterprise has authorisation to fund removal of the proposed Cairn Gorm funicular in the event of its failure. [21195]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has yet to complete his consideration of the request from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for approval of its proposed financial contribution to the cost of the funicular railway project. He is awaiting further information from Highlands and Islands Enterprise on the impact of the recently agreed visitors management regime on the project's financial projections. In considering the request for approval, my right hon. Friend will wish to be satisfied as to the financial viability of the project.

  Trunk Road Projects
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the trunk road projects proposed by his Department which have not yet started in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–00; and if he will indicate the estimated cost of each project in each financial year. [21542]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Estimated expenditure

  Project/proposed construction start

  1997–98 £

  1998–99 £

  1999–2000 £

  1997–98

  M6 DBFO1

  2 million

  2 million

  11 million

  M8 DBFO1

  1 million

  3.5 million

  3.5 million

  A828 Creagan Bridge

  0.6 million

  3.8 million

  2.1 million

  A75 The Glen

  120 thousand

  7 million

  2.6 million

  1998–99

  A1 Haddington-Dunbar

  230 thousand

  14.7 million

  15 million

  1999–2000

  M80 DBFO1

  1.5 million

  1.5 million

  3.5 million

  M77 Floak-Fenwick

  0.5 million

  1.4 million

  17.2 million

  1DBFO—Design, Build, Finance and Operate.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils are in classes of 40 or over at(a) primary and (b) secondary level in each Scottish local education authority. [21541]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  There are no classes with 40 or more pupils at either primary or secondary level in Scotland.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many families in each housing authority area in the constituencies of(a) Roxburgh and Berwickshire and (b) Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale have been on waiting lists for local authority tenancies in each of the years 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1993 and any subsequent years for which figures are available. [21544]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is not held centrally.
  746

  Health Board Funding
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public expenditure general allocation uplifts and parity adjustments for all health board areas in Scotland for 1997–98. [21539]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  General allocation uplifts and parity adjustments for 1997–98 are as follows:

  Health Board

  General allocation uplift £000

  Parity adjustment £000

  Argyll and Clyde

  8,994

  -789

  Ayrshire and Arran

  7,584

  3,303

  Borders

  2,318

  -839

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3,255

  -876

  Fife

  6,748

  -1,291

  Forth Valley

  6,090

  -2,481

  Grampian

  9,727

  921

  Greater Glasgow

  21,127

  -5,473

  Highland

  4,364

  1,697

  Lanarkshire

  10,582

  4,865

  Lothian

  14,424

  -663

  Orkney

  434

  253

  Shetland

  508

  473

  Tayside

  8,353

  -2,215

  Western Isles

  784

  -123

  Homelessness
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households were registered as homeless in the constituencies of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale and Roxburgh and Berwickshire in(a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1991, (e) 1993 and (f) each subsequent year for which figures are available. [21528]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The available information relates to local authorities and not to parliamentary constituencies. It is published in the Scottish Office series of housing statistical bulletins— bulletins HSG/1992/3, HSG/1995/7, HSG/1996/4. These are available in the House Library.

  Small Town Initiative
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the extra resources which will be granted to Hawick as a result of inclusion in the first round of Scottish Enterprise's small town initiative. [21547]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The expenditure on projects and programmes to benefit Hawick in the context of the small towns initiative have yet to be finalised. At this stage, it is not possible to determine the extent of any additional resources which may be required.

  Scottish Borders Enterprise
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the budget made available to Scottish Borders Enterprise for the past five years for which figures are available. [21543]
  747
  Mr. Kynoch
  The allocation of budgets to its local enterprise companies is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Farm Enterprises
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amount of money paid from UK and EU funds to farm enterprises in Roxburgh and Berwickshire and in Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale for the last five years for which figures are available. [21537]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information required could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  House Building
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of houses built in the constituencies of Roxburgh and Berwickshire and in Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available broken down into different kinds of tenure, and indicating how many were built by(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) other social rented sector providers. [21540]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The available information, which relates to local authorities and not to parliamentary constituencies, is set out in the table. Information by tenure is not available.

  New dwellings completed, 1986 to 1995

  Berwickshire

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  Roxburgh

  Tweeddale

  (a) by local authorities

  1986

  22

  —

  8

  —

  1987

  17

  —

  4

  6

  1988

  —

  —

  28

  54

  1989

  31

  —

  18

  4

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  8

  1991

  29

  14

  —

  6

  1992

  —

  6

  —

  6

  1993

  19

  4

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  14

  2

  —

  —

  (b) by housing associations

  1986

  12

  —

  —

  30

  1987

  —

  38

  26

  —

  1988

  9

  —

  15

  33

  1989

  12

  26

  33

  —

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  6

  4

  66

  32

  1992

  25

  —

  —

  6

  1993

  —

  —

  20

  34

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  42

  161

  69

  28

  (c) by private builders

  1986

  15

  51

  32

  45

  1987

  40

  67

  56

  93

  1988

  29

  60

  30

  38

  1989

  66

  112

  72

  46

  1990

  69

  203

  131

  124

  1991

  50

  55

  87

  34

  1992

  46

  77

  54

  23

  1993

  22

  75

  48

  23

  1994

  19

  99

  41

  61

  1995

  40

  75

  46

  50

  748

  Local Government Staff Commission Report
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the local government staff commission (Scotland) report; and if he will make a statement. [21606]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The staff commissioners submitted their report to my right hon. Friend on 10 March 1997. I am placing copies in the House Library today.

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the performance of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency against its targets for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement on the targets for 1997–98. [21605]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The agency is on course to meet the key performance targets for 1996–97 which I set out in my written answer of 3 April 1996, column 276).

  For 1997–98 I have set the agency the following key performance targets:
  Fulfilment of the Service Level Agreement with SOAEFD within the running costs allocated to SASA for 1997–98;
  Continuation of the programme of consultation with all customers on the quality of the work done by the Agency;
  Completion of 93 per cent. of all scientific tests and analyses within the timescales set by customers;
  Improvement in the unit cost of the scientific work of the Agency (cost per direct scientist hour);
  Publication of a comprehensive review of the scientific work of the Agency 1992–97.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20894]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information required is as follows:(a) Those executive NDPBs which are covered by the Companies Acts are required to publish annual reports and some other bodies are also required by the statute creating them to publish annual reports. These bodies are:

  Hannah Research Institute

  Macaulay land Use Research Institute

  Moredun Research Institute

  Rowett Research Institute

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  In a number of other cases the body is required by statute to produce an annual report on the exercise and performance of its functions for the Secretary of State which he is obliged to lay before Parliament. These bodies are:

  749

  Crofters Commission

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

  National Museums of Scotland (required by statute at least every three years, but voluntarily produces an annual report)

  National Galleries of Scotland (required by statute at least every three years)

  Deer Commission for Scotland

  Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

  Scottish Agricultural Wages Board

  Scottish Enterprise

  Scottish Examination Board

  Scottish Homes

  Scottish Legal Aid Board

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Scottish Tourist Board

  Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

  Parole Board for Scotland

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency

  Scottish Children's Reporter Administration.

  Some bodies publish reports on a non-statutory basis. They are:

  Accounts Commission for Scotland

  National Library of Scotland

  Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

  Scottish Arts Council

  Scottish Community Education Council

  Scottish Film Council

  Scottish Further Education Unit

  Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

  Scottish Medical Practices Committee

  Scottish Sports Council.

  (b) Those bodies which are required to publish their annual accounts under the terms of the Companies Acts, the Friendly Societies Acts or other legislation are:

  Hannah Research Institute

  Macaulay Land Research Institute

  Rowett Research Institute

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  Some bodies are required by statute to submit annual accounts to the Secretary of State who is obliged to pass them to the Comptroller and Auditor General. He is then obliged to lay copies of them before Parliament. These bodies are:

  Accounts Commission for Scotland

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

  National Library of Scotland

  National Galleries of Scotland

  National Museums of Scotland

  Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

  Scottish Enterprise.

  750
  Some other bodies hold registers which are available for inspection at the offices of the body. These are: Highlands and Islands Enterprise—financial decisions relating to registered interests are also published in the annual report, National Museums of Scotland, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise—summary is also available at time of annual report and financial transactions involving board members published in annual report and accounts, Scottish Film Council and Scottish Children's Reporter Administration. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is currently preparing a list of members' interests which will be available to the public on request.

  Scottish Office Quangos
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the(a) total running costs of Scottish Office quangos and (b) the running costs of each such quango in each year since 1992, showing in each case the total (i) salary bill and (ii) expenses paid to members; and what were the salary and expenses paid to each individual in respect of quango membership in the latest year for which figures are available. [19231]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information about payments made to individual board members of executive non-departmental public bodies in Scotland in 1996–97 is given in "Scottish Office Appointments to executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and NHS Bodies at 1 December 1996", copies of which were placed in the House of Commons Library on 23 December 1996. All NDPBs publish annual reports which are also placed in the House of Commons Library. With one exception, these include such information as is available on running costs, staff salaries and members expenses. The exception is the Crofters Commission, for which the available information is:

  1992–93 £'000

  1993–94 £'000

  1994–95 £'000

  1995–96 £'000

  Running costs

  1,307

  1,397

  1,607

  1,446

  Staff costs

  936

  1,037

  1,046

  1,006

  Board member expenses

  37

  33

  47

  34

  Employment
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) male and female employees were engaged in (i) manufacturing and (ii) agriculture and fishing in the constituencies of (x) Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale and (y) Roxburgh and Berwickshire in the (1) 1979, (2) 1983, (3) 1987, (4) 1991, (5) 1993 and (6) the last year for which figures are available. [21545]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Information for the parliamentary constituency areas requested is available for years since 1984 in which the census of employment has been held, and is shown in the table:
  751

  Employees in employment

  Parliamentary constituency

  1980 Standard industrial classification

  1992 Standard industrial classification

  31984

  1987

  1989

  1991

  21991

  1993

  11995

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  Male

  Manufacturing

  3,400

  3,100

  2,900

  2,600

  2,400

  2,700

  2,700

  Agriculture and Fisheries

  900

  700

  700

  700

  —

  4—

  4—

  Female

  Manufacturing

  2,200

  2,000

  1,900

  1,600

  1,400

  1,700

  1,400

  Agriculture and Fisheries

  100

  100

  100

  100

  —

  4—

  4—

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  Male

  3,900

  3,900

  3,900

  3,800

  3,800

  3,300

  3,500

  Agriculture and Fisheries

  1,500

  1,100

  1,100

  1,000

  —

  4—

  4—

  Female

  Manufacturing

  3,200

  3,200

  3,300

  3,100

  2,900

  2,600

  2,500

  Agriculture and Fisheries

  200

  200

  200

  100

  —

  4—

  4—

  1 The annual employment survey replaced the biennial census of employment in 1995.

  2 Data are available under the 1992 standard industrial classification only from 1991. Some employees previously classified under manufacturing in the 1980 SIC are classified under services in the 1992 SIC. For 1991, both bases are given for manufacturing for comparison.

  3 A census was not held in 1983; 1984 figures are provided.

  4 Confidential under the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.

  Public Relations
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on public relations(a) in actual terms and (b) in real terms in each year since 1979. [20540]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not available in the form requested.

TRANSPORT

  Whitburn Street Relief Road, Bridgnorth
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the application for a transport supplementary grant in respect of the Whitburn street relief road in Bridgnorth; and if he will make a statement. [21174]

  Mr. Watts
  Shropshire county council included this scheme in its transport policies and programme bid for resources in the local transport capital settlement for 1997–98. The scheme was part of the council's general minor works programme. It was not possible to meet any bids under that heading. All resources for 1997–98 under the TPP system have been allocated. The county council could bid for additional supplementary credit approval should any surplus SCAs become available for redistribution.

  A46 Dualling
  Sir Kenneth Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will announce the start of construction work on the dualling of the A46 between Lincoln and Newark; and if he will make a statement. [21173]

  Mr. Watts
  I have instructed the Highways Agency to complete the statutory procedures as rapidly as possible. The next stage would be to make the compulsory purchase order. This would enable preparation to begin for the invitation of tenders for building the scheme, with a view to start of works in 1999.
  752

  Westhaven AH190 (Sinking)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he plans to issue to fishing vessels working in the same vicinity as that in which the Westhaven AH 190 sank. [20842]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 20 March 1997:
  Navigational information is promulgated and regularly updated through Admiralty charts and Notices to Mariners. Information about pipelines, cables and other seabed installations is set out on specialist charts produced for the fishing industry by the Sea Fish Industry Authority.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date responsibility for the collation and dissemination of information about the emergency position indication radio beacon for the Westhaven AH190 was transferred from the Marine Safety Agency to the Coastguard agency; what were the procedures for that transfer; and in what form the information was expressed. [20844]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 20 March 1997:
  Responsibility for collation and dissemination of information about Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, including that for the 'Westhaven AH 190', was transferred from the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) to the Coastguard Agency (TCA) on the 24 February 1997. Training on registry procedures was given by the MSA to TCA during week commencing 13 January 1997. Both written and verbal instruction on the mechanisms for EPIRB registration was provided during this period.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) co-ordination and (b) staff training took place in the Coastguard service related to the transfer of emergency position indication radio beacon

  753
  administration from the Marine Safety Agency; and what staff and at what grades worked at the Coastguard agency on the date of the transfer. [20845]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The transfer of the emergency position indicating radio beacon—EPIRB—administration from the MSA to the Coastguard Agency took place on 24 February 1997.

  (a) The co-ordination of the transfer was conducted by the appropriate perations managers of both organisations at a series of meetings and involved:

  (i) conversion of the MSA database to operate under Coastguard software;

  (ii) one month period "double entry" on the MSA and Coastguard databases to ensure consistency in the input process;

  (iii) the familiarisation and training of Coastguard staff on the database system.

  (b) Coastguard staff training related to the transfer covered a five-day period from 13–17 January 1997, and included:

  (i) familiarisation on the background to the EPIRB registration database;

  (ii) the general administration regime of the database;

  (iii) data input training.

  In addition to the "double entry" period during which Coastguard staff improved their familiarity with the database, they also received appropriate software application training on 13 December 1996.

  The Coastguard staff involved with the EPIRB database on 24 February were:
  One coastguard station officer; one administration assistant; one part-time clerk/typist.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the emergency position indication radio beacon documentation was received from the skipper of the Westhaven AH190; when it was processed; on what dates it was logged; and which authorities dealt with it; [20841]

  (2) what actions his Department intends to take in respect of the loss of the Westhaven AH190; and what is the planned time scale for these actions; [20843]

  (3) at what time and what date the emergency position indication radio beacon of the Westhaven AH190 was activated; [20846]

  (4) what steps he intends to take to implement compulsory registration of emergency position indication radio beacons on fishing vessels. [20847]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The loss of the fishing vessel Westhaven is the subject of an inspector's inquiry carried out by the marine accident investigation branch. Investigations of this type should be completed within 12 months of the date of the accident. Interim recommendations can, however, be made at any time if there are urgent lessons to be learned emerging from the investigation.

  The registration of the Westhaven's emergency beacon is being examined by the Marine Safety and Coastguard agencies. The results will be passed to the MAIB.
  754

  M25 (Widening)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce his decision on proposals to widen the M25 between junctions 12 and 15. [21515]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend has decided that the proposals for widening the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 should go ahead. A copy of the decision letter is being sent to all those who commented on the environmental statement and copies have also today been placed in the Library.

  A36 (Improvements)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the A36 is classified as a strategic route; an what are the current plans for improvements along the A36. [21245]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the programme for improvements on and the classification of the A36 route.
  The A36, (together with the A46), is an important strategic trunk road route linking Southampton and Bristol. There are two major schemes in the trunk road programme for the A36-the proposed Salisbury Bypass and the proposed Codford-Heytesbury Improvement. There are also two network enhancement projects in the programme for the A36: Phase 2 of the West Wellow traffic calming scheme and the preparation of the third and final phase of the scheme, to include Whinwhistle Road junction.

  Departmental Management Plans
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his Department's management plans for the coming financial year. [21641]

  Sir George Young
  I have today published my Department's departmental plan 1997. This outlines how my Department will use its administrative and other resources in 1997–98 and the following two years. Copies of this document are available in the Library. It will be supplemented by the business plans to be published by each of my Department's executive agencies.

  The transport report 1997, presented to Parliament today, sets out expenditure plans for the Department of Transport, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Office of the Rail Regulator, for the period 1997–98 to 1999–2000. Copies are available in the Library.

  London Underground (Service Objectives)
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has set quality of service objectives for London Underground Ltd. to achieve in 1997–98. [21624]

  Mr. Bowis
  As is customary at this time of year, I have today written to Peter Ford, the chairman of London Transport, setting London Underground's quality of service objective for the year ahead. The table shows those objectives, London Underground's objectives for 1998–99, which were set last year as part of a package of three-year objectives, and its interim targets for this year and its performance to the beginning of January.
  755

  Per cent.

  Measure

  1996–97 to date

  1996–97 target

  1997–98 target

  1998–99 target

  Train service regularity (percentage headways achieved)

  193.0

  95.7

  95.9

  96.2

  Percentage schedule operated

  294.2

  96.5

  96.9

  97.2

  Ticket purchase (percentage queuing under 3 minutes)

  96.0

  98.0

  98.0

  98.0

  Escalator availability

  92.3

  92.0

  93.0

  94.5

  Lift availability

  96.8

  96.0

  96.0

  96.0

  Train service CSR

  76.0

  76.0

  77.0

  78.0

  Train and station information CSR

  74.0

  73.0

  75.0

  76.0

  Customer security and safety CSR

  82.0

  83.0

  83.0

  83.0

  Staff helpfulness and availability CSR

  69.0

  69.0

  70.0

  71.0

  Train and station cleanliness CSR

  68.0

  69.0

  69.0

  71.0

  CSR = customer satisfaction rating.

  1 95.8 per cent. excluding strike days during summer 1996.

  2 96.4 per cent. excluding strike days.

  Performance is to be measured using the mean average of the 13 periods of the year in question.

  London Transport Finance
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changed he has made to London Transport's external finance limits for 1996–97. [21638]

  Mr. Bowis
  The external finance limits for London Transport for 1996–97 has been increased from £939 million to £964 million to reflect arrangements for paying grant in respect of Croydon tramlink. The external finance limit for crossrail has been formally reduced from £14 million to 6 million, reflecting my right hon. Friend's answer of 2 April 1996,Official Report, column 130, about the project.

  Electrically Powered Vehicles
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to take following the public consultation on measures to extend the concessions for electrically assisted pedal cycles to a wider range of electrically powered vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [21625]

  Mr. Bowis
  None. A significant number of respondents to the consultation exercise were not in favour of amending the existing regulations. After careful consideration of the submissions my Department received and of the implications to road safety should these concessions be extended, I have decided not to amend the present regulations.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Transport Council held in Brussels on 11 March. [21639]

  Sir George Young
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 11 March. My noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council agreed a common position on a draft directive to continue for another four years the present arrangements harmonising the start and end dates of summer time throughout the Community. The UK asked for a statement to be entered in the Council minutes recording our preference for a recommendation. The Council and Commission agreed a joint declaration on the need for a study of the effects of summer time.
  756
  The Council reached political agreement, by qualified majority, on a draft regulation to continue Community funding for combined transport projects aimed at encouraging the transfer of traffic from road to more environmentally friendly modes of transport. The UK said that it would vote against the text when formally adopted, on the basis that the regulation was not an effective way of achieving this aim. Germany also opposed the measure. This was the only item on which the question of a vote arose.

  The Council also reached political agreement on an amendment to directive 92/14 on aircraft noise. Its main effect is to update the list of aircraft from developing nations exempted until 2002 from the phase-out of some noisier aircraft. A provision allowing noisier aircraft to be banned from two of the three Berlin airports—Tempelhof and Tegel—was agreed.

  The Council agreed terms of reference for a high-level group of officials to consider possible Community involvement in the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation—EUROCONTROL—and in a European aviation safety authority. The group will make a progress report to the June Transport Council.

  The Council held an orientation debate on proposals for the introduction of a new digital tachograph. The issue was remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives—COREPER—for further consideration.

  The Council held a further orientation debate on a draft directive on taxation and road user charges for heavy goods vehicles, and received a report from the Commission on proposals aimed at taking forward the Community's negotiations with Switzerland on transport issues. Conclusions were agreed instructing COREPER to pursue discussions on the draft directive, noting that agreement should be reached in conjunction with the conclusion of land transport negotiations with Switzerland.

  The Council agreed a resolution calling on member states introducing new electronic fee collection systems for road pricing to use the technical standards developed by CEN—the European standardisation body.

  The Council was invited to comment on a draft resolution, to be considered further by the ECOFIN Council, calling on the Commission to study the effects on the transport sector of levying a duty on aviation fuel.

  The Commission gave progress reports on transport research, public-private partnerships for trans-European network projects and trans-European rail freight freeways.
  757

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department. [21640]

  Sir George Young
  The following key targets have been set for the Department of Transport's executive agencies. The targets are set out in the agencies' business plans, which include management objectives, performance indicators and key tasks, where appropriate to the agencies' business. Copies of the business plans are placed in the Library.

  The key targets for the Coastguard agency are to:
  discharge the Secretary of State's responsibility for maritime search and rescue, through its own or dedicated assets by:
  maintaining a 24 hours SAR co-ordinating capability within, and including the coasts and shoreline of the UK search and rescue region;
  arriving on the scene of coastal incidents with 30 minutes of the call, 95 per cent. of the time; and by getting helicopters airborne within 15 minutes of a notification to "scramble" during the daytime and 45 minutes at night;
  maintaining a comprehensive radio reception and transmission coverage of the UKSRR which enables SAR co-ordination action for the duration of incidents without interruption or equipment malfunction;
  testing contingency plans for major maritime SAR incidents, particularly those involving passenger carrying vessels and merchant shipping and the offshore oil and gas industry by undertaking at least five live exercises, and additionally as required by the shipping industry to exercise passenger vessel emergency plans with SAR services; and by conducting 34 SAR awareness seminars;
  maintain a fully operational 24-hours channel navigation information service covering the Dover strait traffic separation scheme, in concert with the appropriate French authorities;
  discharge the Secretary of State's responsibility for dealing with marine pollution by the maintenance of a national contingency plan and in particular:
  activate the plan within 30 minutes of notification of an incident;
  commence action at sea to deal with a spill of dispersible oil within four hours of notification of an incident;
  undertake one national and six local exercises in conjunction with local authorities, oil companies and harbour authorities; and
  review the national contingency plan by 31 March 1998;
  increase the number of prosecutions undertaken for marine pollution offences in conjunction with the Marine Safety Agency;
  complete the installation of a computerised SAR incident recording system by 31 July and to report to the Department by the end of October 1997 on suitable targets for effecting a reduction in the number of incidents.
  To implement phase 2 of the proposed reorganisation of the HM Coastguard operational structure "Focus for Change" by 31 March 1988.

  The key targets for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are to:
  make an efficiency gain (on the basis of an overall efficiency index) of 2.5 per cent.;
  complete successfully 495,000 vehicle excise duty enforcement cases by imposition of penalties and to recover, through penalties and duty from licensing, at least £2.85 for every £1.00 full cost spent by DVLA on vehicle excise duty enforcement;
  758
  deliver 95 per cent. of ordinary driving licences to customers within 10 workings days, 95 per cent. of vocational driving licences within nine working days, and 95 per cent. of first provisional driving licences within nine working days.
  deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles within 12 days, and 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents within 13 days;
  deliver answers to 96 per cent. of written inquiries within eight working days, and to answer 90 per cent. of telephone inquiries within 30 seconds;
  ensure that at least 98 per cent. of driving licences, 98 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles, and 97 per cent. of changes to registration documents are issued without a DVLA induced error.7

  The key targets for the Driving Standards Agency are to:
  achieve an average annual return on capital employed on statutory activities of 6 per cent. of net assets, over the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2002;
  increase the weighted average of fees by no more than the increase in prices as measured by the retail price index over the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2000, and by no more than the retail price index minus 1 per cent. in both 2000–01 and 2001–02;
  achieve a national average waiting time for car and practical tests of six weeks and make appointments available within 10 weeks at 99 per cent. of permanent test centres;
  aim to keep 99.5 per cent. of all practical test appointments which are in place two days prior to the appointment date;
  answer practical test booking office telephones so that:
  four of five calls will be answered on their first dialling attempt;
  90 per cent. of calls which have been answered by an automatic system will then be answered by a human voice within 30 seconds; and
  an average of no more than 4 per cent. of calls in the queue will be abandoned before being answered;
  achieve a national average waiting time for theory tests of two weeks;
  ensure theory test booking office telephones are answered so that:
  incoming lines will not be engaged for more than 30 seconds in any week; and
  95 per cent. of all calls which have been answered by an automatic system will be answered within 10 seconds by a human voice.

  The key targets for the Highways Agency are to:
  improve performance against the road user's charter targets set out in annexe C of the agency's business plan where achievement levels were below target in 1996–97 and improve systems for monitoring performance;
  implement the six Whitehall standards set out in the citizen's charter fifth anniversary White Paper (As set out in annexe C of the business plan);
  achieve 80 per cent. of the milestones relating to national schemes, design build finance and operate projects and other private finance initiatives listed in annex D of the business plan, or other milestones as may be substituted or added by Ministers;
  complete 85 per cent. of the network enhancement and network control projects listed in annex E of the business plan;
  complete 1,400 lane kilometres of surface renewal, including reconstruction, overlays, resurfacing, inlays and surface dressing (including resin-based surface treatments and re texturing);
  assess the structural capacity of all remaining structures by March 1998 to ensure that from 1 January 1999, all vehicles up to and including the new 40-tonne maximum gross weight

  759
  standard can use all structures supporting trunk roads and other important routes over trunk roads; and complete 4,400 general inspections and 2,150 principal inspections;
  safeguard 126 structures for use by 40-tonne vehicles;
  contribute to the Government's target of reducing road casualties by one third by 2000 (compared to the annual average for 1981–85) by ensuring that accident rates between 1996 and 1998 on the motorway and all-purpose trunk road network do not exceed 21 accidents involving personal injury for every 100 million vehicle kilometres of travel and by completing 180 local safety schemes;
  publish congestion monitoring information, including national road network assessment system maps and TrafficMaster data;
  publish, as part of the agency's annual report, information about and activities covered by the agency's environmental strategy, for new schemes and network management and maintenance activities, demonstrating that the agency has given full weight to environmental issues. The information will quantify specific environmental effects and will detail measures taken to reduce the impact of roads on the environment, as indicated in annex F of the business plan;
  develop revised efficiency indicator(s) by 30 June 1997;
  ensure applications to the national roads scheme committee in 1997–98 to increase the cost of schemes are not to exceed 2 per cent. of the total programme value;
  complete a risk analysis, and obtain client agreement to the risk estimate and referral points for those national schemes listed under the preferred route announcement;
  Order publication, public inquiry and award of contract milestones in Annex D of the business plan.

  The key targets for the Marine Safety Agency are to:
  reduce the accident rate of UK merchant ships on a three-year rolling average;
  reduce the number of deaths of crew and passengers on UK merchant ships on a three-year rolling average;
  reduce the accident rate of UK registered fishing vessels on a three-year rolling average;
  reduce the number of deaths on UK registered fishing vessels on a three-year rolling average;
  ensure that the rate of merchant ship losses in the Red Ensign fleet remains below the world fleet rate on a three-year rolling average;
  reduce the number of Red Ensign registered vessels detailed by other flag states as a percentage of the number inspected under port state control arrangements on a three-year rolling average;
  undertake port state control inspections of 25 to 30 per cent. of foreign-registered ships visiting UK ports;
  increase the number of prosecutions undertaken for Marine Pollution Convention offences, in conjunction with the Coastguard Agency;
  ensure that at least 60 per cent. of available time is spent on core activities.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Certification Agency are to:
  achieve a net unit cost target of £74.96;
  have at least 98 per cent. of approval certificates issued error free;
  ensure that where errors do occur in certificates, corrected documents are issued within three working days in 95 per cent. of cases;
  have at least 98 per cent. of invoices issued error free;
  ensure that where errors do occur in invoices, corrected documents are issued within three working days in 95 per cent. of cases;
  audit at least 50 per cent. of VCA's approved quality procedures.
  760
  receive a satisfactory appraisal report on the agency's technical performance from the Department of Transport's chief mechanical engineer.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Inspectorate are to:
  meet the requirements on levels and types of activity laid down in the memorandum of agreement on each road enforcement transport scheme;
  develop a target for the 1998–99 financial year that will reflect effective provision of a statutory testing service to the industry, taking account of customer survey feedback; for 1997–98, to continue to achieve current test measures, as specified in the business plan;
  meet the quality and general effectiveness levels as specified in the business plan measures;
  devise a comprehensive and qualitative system for assessing customer satisfaction against which the performance of the agency can be judged;
  make an efficiency gain (on the basis on an aggregated cost efficiency index) of 2 per cent;
  break even while achieving an average 6 per cent. rate of return on capital, over the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1998;
  improve staff awareness and satisfaction as measured through the annual survey;
  secure the long-term development of the organisation through working for the investors in people award, implementation of an information systems strategy, and commencement of the MOT computerisation project.

  Sefton Eurogateway Regional Challenge
  Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress with the trunk road aspects of the Sefton Eurogateway regional challenge. [21642]

  Sir George Young
  I am pleased to say that the Highways Agency will make its contribution of £770,000 to the Eurogateway project by funding the environmental improvements to the A5036 in 1998–99. This should now enable the project to go forward.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made with regard to the provision of roads supporting the channel tunnel rail link. [21215]

  Mr. Watts
  I have instructed the Highways Agency to proceed as rapidly as possible with trunk road schemes which support the channel tunnel rail link. A number of key decisions have been taken. These include:Following approval by Royal Assent of the £170 million A2-M2 widening between Cobham and M2 junction 4, work is to proceed on preparation of the contract documentation with the aim to invite tenders for a design and build contract in the spring of 1998 with a view to a start of works in 1999.
  Work is to begin on the next stage of developing the £70 million A2 widening scheme between Bean and Cobham, which will comprise two phases, with the Highways Agency launching the selection process for the design agent(s).
  In association with the Bluewater development, work started last November on widening the eastbound carriageway of A2 between A296, Watling street and A2260 Pepperhill. Tenders have been received for the second stage of those works— adding two replacement slip roads and upgrading the third to the B255 Bean junction—programmed to start later this spring. Both contracts together will cost some £5 million and are being funded almost entirely by the developer.

  761
  Work is to proceed on the next stage of the £34 million A2-A282 Dartford improvement, with the Highways Agency starting the selection process for the Design Agent.
  The Highways Agency has also identified a number of small-scale measures to improve safety, such as improved signing, white lining and merge areas on junctions between Pepperhill and Cobham, which will be introduced in the shorter term at a cost of about £30,000. Work on some of these has already begun.
  The Highways Agency expects to announce the successful design agents for the A2 schemes later this year. This will allow the Agency to continue work on these important schemes which, will remove congestion and traffic delays that can occur, particularly during peak periods and in the summer.

  A49 (Improvements)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for improvements to the A49 trunk road at its intersection with the A489. [21175]

  Mr. Watts
  I have allocated funds for the Highways Agency to develop plans to improve the layout of the A49–A489 junction by providing a separate lane for traffic turning right off the trunk road. The proposal includes realigning the trunk road carriageway and widening the Stretford bridge over the River Orny south of the junction.

  Recently, advance warning signs have been improved to make the junction more conspicuous and help reduce accidents. The agency is also considering the possibility of improving visibility at the junction without prejudicing the main scheme. The agency expects its design agents, Shropshire county council, to issue a report on this at the end of March.

  London Underground (Northern Line Improvements)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) stations and (b) interchange stations on the Northern line were improved in each of the past three years; and which stations will be improved in 1997–98. [21079]

  Mr. Bowis
  Improvements to London Underground's Northern line stations are an operational matter for London Underground. However, I understand the position to be as follows:(a) NORTHERN LINE STATIONS

  Station improvement projects in the last three years

  1994–95

  Colindale

  Kennington

  1995–96

  Brent Cross

  Burnt Oak

  Chalk Farm

  Clapham North

  Clapham South

  Finchley Central

  Hampstead

  Totteridge and Whetstone

  Tufnell Park

  762

  1996–97

  None

  Station improvements in 1997–98

  Clapham Common

  Mornington Crescent

  Oval

  Tooting Bec

  Tooting Broadway

  (b) INTERCHANGE STATIONS ON THE NORTHERN LINE

  Station improvements in the last three years

  1994–95

  None

  1995–96

  Balham

  King's Cross

  Old Street

  Waterloo

  1996–97

  Kentish Town

  London Bridge

  Station improvements in 1997–98

  Bank/Monument.

  To eliminate double counting, projects spanning more than one financial year have been allocated to the year in which the bulk of the work took place.

  Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 419, (1) if he will furnish the reply given to the hon. Member for Thurrock in respect of the Heathrow terminal 5 inquiry to the inspector, Mr. Roy Vandermeer; [21226]

  (2) if it is intended to revise the statement of Mr. T. Dockerty of the Department of Transport given to Mr. Roy Vandermeer on 27 February in respect of the Heathrow terminal 5 application; [21225]

  (3) what mandate Mr. Dockerty of the Department of Transport had to give evidence at the inquiry into Heathrow terminal 5. [21230]

  Mr. Watts
  I will arrange to let the inspector of the Heathrow terminal 5 inquiry have a copy of the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Thurrock which appeared in column 419 of the Official Report on 17 March. There is no intention to revise the statement by Mr. Dockerty to the inquiry on 27 February.

  Mr. Dockerty is a project manager in the Highways Agency, which acts for the Secretary of State for Transport at the inquiry. He is charged with representing the Secretary of State on a wide range of surface access matters, including evidence about the draft highways orders.

  A36 (Salisbury Bypass)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold a planning conference into the proposed A36 Salisbury bypass. [21247]
  763
  Mr. Watts
  No. Public consultation on three alternative routes for the bypass in 1988 showed overwhelming support for a route to the south of the city. This resulted in the selection of the published route which was the subject of year-long public inquiry held between 20 April 1993 and 27 April 1994. The inspector recommended in favour of the published route with one modification to take it further away from housing at Harnham on the south-west outskirts of the city.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the evidence submitted from the statutory agencies into the environmental impacts of the proposed A36 Salisbury bypass; and if he will announce a timetable for further consultation on this evidence. [21246]

  Mr. Watts
  Written representations by English Nature, English Heritage and the National Rivers Authority were made publicly available during the 1993–94 public inquiry into the proposed bypass. None of these bodies nor the Countryside Commission appeared at the inquiry to object to the proposed bypass. The report on the public inquiry was published on 29 October last year when my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport announced that they were minded to confirm the draft orders to authorise construction of the bypass subject to their further consideration of certain specified matters.

  Since then, English Nature, the Countryside Commission and the Environment Agency have been consulted in the course of reviews of the bypass which my right hon. Friends instructed the Highways Agency to carry out before they made a final decision on the scheme. The Highways Agency report on these reviews was placed in the Library on 17 March. It included the responses to the agency. The agency's report by the bodies they consulted will now be sent to interested parties to allow them an opportunity to comment. These comments will be taken into account in reaching a final decision on the bypass along with other representations received since last October's announcement. Six weeks are to be allowed for comments on the agency's report.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received from the Wiltshire area(a) for and (b) against the proposed Salisbury bypass since the start of the public inquiry. [21244]

  Mr. Watts
  The inspector who held the public inquiry reported objections to the bypass from some 300 sources, 20 of which were subsequently withdrawn. In addition, there were 280 pro-forma objections and four petitions of objection. He reported support for the bypass from 40 sources and one petition of support. He also reported that publication of objectors alternative routes attracted support for the published proposals from 75 additional sources.

  Between the close of the inquiry and the announcement on 29 October last year that my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment were minded to confirm the draft orders authorising construction of the bypass a further 166 representations were received which included some 120 general objections to the bypass and three letters of support. Since the announcement on 29 October, a further 2,771
  764
  representations have been received of which 2,599 are pro forma postcards and letters. Of these representations, 802 are for the bypass and 1,956 against. The majority of representations are from the Wiltshire area.

  British Rail Passenger Companies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each former British Rail passenger company(a) the estimated value of the assets, (b) the sale price, (c) the levels of subsidy to be paid for those years for which information is available and (d) the length of the subsidy period. [20981]

  Mr. Watts
  The asset value of the former British Rail train operating companies at the point of sale was a matter for the British Railways Board. The TOCs were each sold at a net asset value of £1—that is assets net of all liabilities. Subsidy levels to be paid for each franchise by franchise year are set out in my answer of 31 October 1996,Official Report, columns 241–42; and my answers to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey) on 13 January, Official Report, columns 118–19 and 27 February, Official Report, columns 294–95

  Railfreight Distribution
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the amount of the subsidy paid to English, Welsh and Scottish Railways following the sale of Railfreight Distribution and the length of time this subsidy will be paid; [20917]

  (2) if he will list the estimated value of the assets of Railfreight Distribution; [20918]

  (3) if he will list the income received by the Exchequer following the sale of Railfreight Distribution; [20919]

  (4) if English, Welsh and Scottish Railways Holdings Ltd. will be allowed to operate through the channel tunnel without payment being made by the company; [20920]

  (5) if his Department will be making payments to Eurotunnel as part of the financial arrangements made following the sale of Railfreight Distribution; [20921]

  (6) if English, Welsh and Scottish Railways have been allowed a pensions holiday as part of the financial arrangements following its purchase of Railfreight Distribution; [20914]

  Mr. Watts
  The financial terms of the sale will be made known after sale completion.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the companies which bid to purchase Railfreight Distribution. [20922]

  Mr. Watts
  Bids were received from English, Welsh and Scottish Railway Holdings Ltd. and from a consortium led by Management Consortium Bid Ltd.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis the sale of Railfreight Distribution requires the approval of the European Commission. [20911]

  Mr. Watts
  The Commission has been notified of the offer for sale under article 93(3) of the treaty.
  765
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total cost of advisers, consultants and legal advice of the sale of Railfreight Distribution. [20912]

  Mr. Watts
  The sale of Railfreight Distribution has not yet been completed.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are currently employed by Railfreight Distribution; and at what location. [20913]

  Mr. Watts
  The number of staff currently employed by Railfreight Distribution is 1,182, based principally at Allerton, Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Dolland's Moor, Mossend, Paddington, Saltley, Tinsley, Trafford Park, Wakefield, Wembley and Willesden.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if English, Welsh and Scottish Railway Holdings Ltd. has applied for a safety case for(a) new locomotives and (b) rolling stock. [20915]

  Mr. Watts
  English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is discussing with Railtrack a prospective route acceptance safety case for its new Class 66 locomotive.

  British Railfreight Companies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the former British Railfreight companies(a) the estimated value of the assets, (b) the sale price, (c) the amount of subsidy to be paid to the purchaser and (d) the length of the subsidy period. [20916]

  Mr. Watts
  The answers are as follows:

  (a) The price for each sale reflects the value to the purchaser of the assets and liabilities of the company.

  (b) The gross proceeds for each of the former BR freight companies were as follows:

  Rail Express Systems Ltd.: £24.2 million;

  Loadhaul Ltd., Mainline Freight Ltd. and Transrail Freight Ltd.: £225.15 million;

  Freightliner (1995) Ltd.: £5.39 million.

  (c) and (d) None of those sales involves subsidy. Freightliner is receiving track access grant of up to £75 million over five years.

  The sale of Railfreight Distribution has yet to be completed.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21200]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 766
  1996, Official Report, columns 613–14.Additional information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Roads (Expenditure)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his Department's expenditure on roads in each of the past five years. [21347]

  Mr. Watts
  The information is as follows:

  1991–92: 2,635

  1992–93: 2,859

  1993–94: 3,099

  1994–95: 2,933

  1995–96: 2,703.

  A34
  Sir Patrick Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the A34 in Great Wyrley in the South Staffordshire constituency; and if he will make a statement. [21189]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency will start construction on the first phase of the A34 Great Wyrley traffic calming scheme in 1997–98.

  M6
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans for improving the M6 between junctions 11 and 16; and if he will make a statement. [21232]

  Mr. Watts
  We now intend to widen the M6 motorway between junctions 11 and 16 to dual four lanes by adding one lane to each side.

  Seventy per cent. less land will be needed, greatly reducing the impact of adjacent land and the local environment. A high standard of environmental measures will also be provide, including noise mounds and landscaping. Many properties close to the motorway will benefit from reductions in noise and 10 properties will be spared from demolition. Along with these benefits, we have also saved over 40 per cent. of the cost of the original scheme.

  To minimise congestion and diversion during construction and future maintenance, we have devised an innovative method of providing continuous hard shoulders at bridges. This will allow three lanes in each direction to be maintained for 90 per cent. of the time during the works. Most existing bridges will be retained, reducing disruption during construction to local communities.

  Widening will help to keep traffic moving and will encourage use of the motorway instead of less suitable local roads.

  The previous draft orders are being withdrawn.

  London Taxi Fares and Fees
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about London taxi fares and fees. [21463]
  767
  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has made an order increasing London taxi fares by 4 per cent. with effect from Saturday 26 April. The new tariff will be:Initial minimum charge: £1.40—for the first 483 m (528.4 yd) or 108 seconds.
  Then 20p for each additional 241.5 m (264.2 yd) or 54 seconds until the fare exceeds £9.00 fare represents a journey of about 6 miles.
  Once the fare exceeds £9.20p for each 161 m (176.1 yd) or 36 seconds.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that there will be no change in the Public Carriage Office's fees for a London taxi driver's licence—£87 for a three-year licence—or in the annual fee for licensing a London taxi—£78.

  A249 Iwade to Queensborough Improvement
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his letter of 14 March to the hon. Member for Faversham, when he confirmed the publication of the draft compulsory purchase order for the A249 Iwade to Queensborough improvement scheme; what is the hoped for start date for the construction of this project; and how this date will be affected if the procedures are foreshortened by the absence of objections. [21153]

  Mr. Watts
  I have instructed the Highways Agency to give this scheme high priority.

  The draft compulsory purchase order has been published today, 20 March. The future progress of the scheme depends upon the satisfactory completion of the remaining statutory procedures, including a public inquiry should one prove necessary. If a public inquiry is required the earliest possible start of works would be in the year 2000. If no objection were received and a public inquiry then became unnecessary, the timescale might reduce by several months.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ireland (Diplomatic Status)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Irish participants(a) from the Anglo-Irish secretariat at Maryfield and (b) involved in the talks at Castle buildings have been granted diplomatic status; and what level of immunity from arrest and criminal charges this gives. [21004]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  None in either category. The officials in question have not therefore acquired any level of immunity from arrest and criminal charges as a result of diplomatic status.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to 768
  ascertain if returned asylum seekers facing a charge of desertion from the Army can be tried in a country other than that to which they are returned; [21319]

  (2) if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to ascertain if returned asylum seekers facing a charge of desertion from the Army are entitled to the benefit of civilian legal advice;[21321]

  (3) if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to ascertain if returned asylum seekers facing a charge of desertion from the Army would be tried in open court; [21320]

  (4) if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to obtain their opinions on claims of the forcible abduction of asylum-seekers from Germany while awaiting the opportunity to provide intelligence to NATO officers; [21322]

  (5) if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine on the penalties potentially faced by asylum seekers deported by a member of NATO who face charges of desertion from the Army after their return to those countries. [21318]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have no plans at present to hold discussions with the Russian, Belarusian or Ukranian Foreign Ministers on these matters.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will hold discussions with his German counterpart on the obligations to asylum seekers who face maltreatment on return to their country of origin and who have provided intelligence information to the benefit of the United Kingdom as a member of NATO; [21317]

  (2) if he will hold discussions with his German counterpart on the deferral of deportation orders against asylum seekers in Germany who face deportation to Russia, Belarus or Ukraine until it can be established whether any of those asylum seekers were given indications of asylum in the course of interrogation by intelligence officers reporting to NATO or members thereof. [21316]

  Mr. David Davis
  Our understanding is that the German authorities have yet to take a decision on the status of the former Soviet Army officers but are considering the issue sympathetically. The British embassy in Bonn has drawn the public interest in this subject to the attention of the German Government. We continue to follow the matter closely. The practice of successive Governments has been not to comment on intelligence matters.

  Russian Prisons
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conditions prevailing in Russian prisons. [21327]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made no separate assessment of the conditions, but follow closely the work
  769
  of the Russian presidential commission on human rights, the Council of Europe, and non-govemmental organisations, in this area.

  On 25 February, Vladimir Kartahkin, head of the presidential commission on human rights launched a report on conditions in Russia's prisons, which found "grave violations… and inhuman conditions". On 3 March, the Prosecutor General, Yuri Skuratov, warned of a "social explosion" unless urgent measures were taken. He highlighted overcrowding and the rising incidence of illness, especially tuberculosis, in prisons and remand centres.

  These assessments are supported by independent human rights NGOs such as Human Rights Watch/Helsinki.

  A programme for reforming the penal system has been adopted, but the lack of funds is a continual brake on progress.

  Foreign Students
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign students have benefited from English language training funded by the British Council in each of the last 10 years; and how much has been spent on such training in each of these years. [21216]

  Mr. Hanley
  The British Council spends a large proportion of its grant-in-aid in supporting teacher training and other projects which aim to improve the quality of English teaching in state education systems overseas. In 1995–96 this amounted to £17,500,000 or 16 per cent. of grant-in-aid. Figures for expenditure in other years are not readily available; neither are numbers for individuals, although in east and central Europe alone approximately 30,000 teachers benefited in the year 1995–96.

  The Council does not teach English in this country. It does administer English language training in the UK for foreign students funded by the Overseas Development Administration's technical co-operation training programme, the FCO's Chevening scholarships programme, multilateral aid agencies and the council's own grant-in-aid. Overall figures for the last three years are as follows:

  1996–97

  395 students: £1,998,000.

  1995–96

  471 students: £2,459,000.

  1994–95

  520 students: £3,114,000.

  These figures include fellowships funded by the Council from its government grant-in-aid as follows:

  1996–97

  17 students: £63,600.

  1995–96

  34 students: £161,000.

  770

  1994–95

  54 students: £247,000.

  Figures for previous years are not readily available.

  During the past three years the British Council has also delivered English courses to 330,000 students in its language teaching centres overseas, which are all self-funding. The total number of students attending these courses over the last 10 years has been 960,000. This has been at no charge to the taxpayer.

  St. Helena
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Government of St. Helena has refused to renew the immigration permit of the Swedish national, Mr. Mikael Olsson. [21051]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 17 March 1997, column 394.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 394, what are the rules which govern the length of stay permitted to a visitor on St. Helena; and what guidance has been issued to the immigration officer on the application of these rules, with particular reference to extensions. [21190]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Immigration Ordinance 1972 controls immigration into St. Helena. The immigration officer is guided by the St. Helena Government's immigration policy, which came into force on 1 July 1993, and permits that genuine visitors other than those who own homes in St. Helena or arrive there by yacht."will be granted a permit to enter and remain on the Island for a period not exceeding three months. The period may be extended for further periods not exceeding three months up to a total of one year."

  Bahrain
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 151 if he will make a further request for British embassy consular access to Mr. Yasser A. Al-Sayegh; and if he will make a statement. [21070]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Our embassy in Bahrain will not be making a further request for consular access. The Bahraini authorities have stated that they consider Mr. Al-Sayegh to be a Bahraini national. He has family living in Bahrain.

  China
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the value of British exports to China in each of the last five years. [21211]
  771
  Mr. Hanley
  The value of British merchandise exports to China in each of the last five years was:

  1996: £738.5 million

  1995: £824.4 million

  1994: £844.9 million

  1993: £739.5 million

  1992: £429.9 million.

  Mrs. Tasmeen Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a decision will be taken on the application by Mrs. Tasmeen Ahmed, Ref. IMM D7103, to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to join her husband in the United Kingdom; if all required documents have been received by the post; and if he will make a statement. [21074]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  I have asked our High Commission in Islamabad to provide me with a detailed account of the position. Thereafter I will send the honourable Member a substantive reply as soon as possible.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21203]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996, c.613–14. Any additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Visas
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will grant visas to Miss Enoucha Mohamed Salem and Mr. Salah Moustapha, representatives from the Saharawi Youth Union, Ujsarso, for the period from 21 March to 1 April. [21120]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  Miss Salem and Mr. Moustapha attempted to submit entry clearance applications to our entry clearance section in Algiers. However, it offers a very limited service, because of the local conditions. Miss Salem and Mr. Moustapha have therefore been advised to apply in Tunis, the entry clearance post designated to handle Algerian applications. No decision can be taken until they or their application have been accepted and reviewed.

  Russia
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of Russian(a) soldiers and (b) officers fleeing the Russian armed forces who are threatened with imprisonment in Russia. [21326]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have no reliable information on which to base a sound estimate.
  772

  Peto Institute
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement between the United Kingdom and Hungarian Governments concerning the extension and refurbishment of the Peto Institute in Budapest. [21570]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Under an agreement in 1991 with the Hungarian Government, the Government made a contribution of £1.75 million towards the cost of building a new international Peto Institute in Budapest to be brought into operation by 1996. It has not proved possible to use this money for the purpose originally intended. The Government have instead now agreed a proposal from the Hungarians that these funds—approximately £2 million including interest accrued—should be applied to extend and refurbish an existing institute building in return for substantial benefits for UK citizens. These benefits include guaranteed numbers of places for British children receiving conductive education at the institute and for British students receiving professional training; reductions in fees for British children; and access on a cost basis to a guaranteed proportion of new family and student accommodation. The institute will continue to assist with the development of conductive education in the UK. A new intergovernmental agreement incorporating these benefits and appropriate safeguards for the implementation of the project will be signed later this month by the British ambassador in Budapest and a representative of the Hungarian Government.

  Estonia
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the negotiations between Estonia and Russia on the delimitation of their border and on the implications for Estonia's aspirations for integration into the European Union. [21571]

  Mr. Rifkind
  I welcome recent progress in the Estonia/Russia border negotiations; I hope that the positive steps taken by the Estonian Government will lead to early agreement. If for reasons outside Estonia's control there are further delays, I see no reason why they should obstruct Estonia's progress towards membership of the European Union. I raised this with Mr. Primakov when I saw him on 28 February.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the 1996 annual report on Hong Kong. [21572]

  Mr. Hanley
  The report was published today and a copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend it to the House.

  Arms Embargoes
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the arms embargoes currently implemented by the United Kingdom and their scope; and if he will make a statement. [21573]
  773
  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom currently enforces 17 arms embargoes. Under the United Nations charter, we have a legally binding obligation to enforce arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council under article 41 of the charter. Other embargoes are imposed on a national basis or following agreement within the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, formerly the CSCE.

  Under UK law, binding UN embargoes are implemented by prohibiting the export of goods and technology on the military list which forms part III to schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended by the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment No. 2) Order 1996. In addition, the supply of such items from the UK or supply abroad by UK-registered companies and nationals is prohibited by Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946. From time to time, the contents of the military list may change, for example, to reflect technological advances or continuing international efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Orders in Council extend such embargoes to the Crown dependencies and the dependent territories. A licence is required for each export or supply from the UK or abroad by a UK-registered company or national.

  National embargoes and those agreed in the EU and the OSCE prohibit only the export of goods covered by the embargo. With the exception of the embargoes on China and Iran, the UK interprets the scope of all such embargoes to cover goods and technology on the military list as defined above.

  Companies are free to submit applications to export goods to any embargoed destinations. The Department of Trade and Industry, as the licensing authority, normally refuses such applications where the goods come within the scope of the embargo. But in exceptional circumstances the DTI might decide, after consultation with advisory departments, to grant a licence to export such goods to an embargoed destination, for example for humanitarian purposes.

  The UK has an end-use—or catch all—control under which any goods may be brought under control if there is knowledge or grounds for suspicion that they might be used for activities linked to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles for their delivery. But other goods, which are not normally controlled, do not become subject to control solely because they are to be used by the military, whether or not the destination concerned is subject to an embargo.

  There are currently six binding UN arms embargoes:
  Angola1, Iraq2, Liberia3, Libya4, Rwanda5 and Somalia6.

  There are currently seven EU embargoes:
  Afghanistan7, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia8, Burma9, China10, Nigeria11, Sudan12 and Zaire13.

  The UK currently implements two embargoes as a result of decisions by the OSCE:
  Armenia14 and Azerbaijan15.
  774
  There are currently two national embargoes:
  Argentina16 and Iran17.

  I shall keep the House informed of current arms embargoes and their scope on a yearly basis. All new embargoes or any amendments to existing embargoes will be announced at the time. I shall also shortly be laying in the Library of the House a list of all UK policy commitments to control strategic exports, including embargoes. An update version will be laid in the Library annually—or more frequently if policy changes require a revision. This statement will also be used to inform British industry.
  Footnotes:
  1Implemented in the UK on 1 October 1993. Products covered by the scope of the embargo can be supplied to the Government of Angola under licence, as long as they are imported through certain named points of entry into Angola;
  2implemented in the UK on 9 August 1990 as part of comprehensive trade sanctions;
  3Implemented in the UK on 22 July 1993;
  4Implemented in the UK on 15 April 1992 as part of a range of sanctions (following an EU arms embargo imposed on 14 April 1986);
  5Implemented in the UK on 24 June 1994. The embargo does not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material if under licence to the Government of Rwanda. But it does cover the sale or supply of arms and material to persons in States neighbouring Rwanda (i.e. Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire) if that sale or supply is for the purpose of the use of such arms or material with Rwanda;
  6Implemented in the UK on 22 July 1993;
  7lmplemented in the UK on 17 December 1996;
  8Implemented in the UK on 26 February 1996. This embargo does not extend to transfers of equipment needed for demining activities;
  9Implemented in the UK on 29 July 1991;
  10Implemented in the UK on 26 June 1989 (although a national embargo was announced on 6 June 1989). In the absence of agreement amongst EU partners on its scope, interpretation of the embargo was left to national discretion. As announced on 4 April 1995, the UK interprets this embargo to include:

  lethal weapons such as machine guns, large calibre weapons, bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles;

  specially designed components of the above, and ammunition;

  military aircraft and helicopters, vessels of war, armoured fighting vehicles and other such weapons platforms;

  any equipment which is likely to be used for internal repression.

  11Implemented in the UK on 20 November 1995 (although a national embargo was announced on 11 November 1995);
  12Implemented in the UK on 15 March 1994;
  13Implemented in the UK on 7 April 1993;
  14Implemented in the UK on 28 February 1992;
  15Implemented in the UK on 28 February 1992;
  16Implemented on 3 April 1982;7
  17Implemented on 1 March 1993. The scope of this embargo also covers items entered in Group O in Annex 1 of European Council Decision 94/942/CFSP on the export of dual-use goods, as amended. There are two exceptions to this embargo:

  goods essential for the safety of civil aircraft and air traffic control systems;

  radioactive material in the form of sources for medical equipment and deuterium labelled compounds for medical use.

  Licences for any equipment (including the exceptions to the complete ban mentioned above) are not approved where there is knowledge or reason to suspect that it would go to a military end-user or be used for military purposes.
  775

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of recent Franco-German proposals in the intergovernmental conference on defence. [21574]

  Mr. David Davis
  Her Majesty's Government are a strong advocate of improved practical co-operation on defence among European countries. The decisions of the Berlin North Atlantic Council in June 1996 to support the development of the European security and Defence identity within NATO provide a sound framework for such co-operation, permitting the creation of militarily coherent and effective forces capable of operating under the political control and strategic direction of the Western European Union using NATO assets and capabilities when appropriate. Her Majesty's Government remain opposed to proposals to change the situation set out in the Maastricht treaty whereby the Western European Union elaborates and implements decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications, and to proposals to subordinate the Western European Union to the European Union and to introduce a commitment to the eventual merger of the Western European Union and the European Union. Her Majesty's Government are firmly committed to the principle that decisions with defence implications taken by the European Union shall be taken by unanimity. It is opposed to flexibility arrangements within the European Union which could lead to a group of countries taking on collective defence commitments within a European Union framework which would undermine collective defence within NATO. Proposals along these lines, such as those put forward by the French and Germans, would undermine the development of the European security and defence identity within NATO.

  Asylum and Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department has taken in response to the recommendations made by Dame Elizabeth Anson in her reports as the independent monitor of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993. [21645]

  Dr. Liam Fox
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs sets great store by Dame Elizabeth's report, and, following annual publication, circulates guidance to all entry clearance posts to ensure that her recommendations are implemented. All entry clearance staff are expected to read the report. My officials in the UK examine Dame Elizabeth's recommendations in detail, and change procedures where necessary.

  The independent monitor rightly considers that improved training will contribute significantly to improvements in our entry clearance operations. Acting in response to her reports, we have significantly broadened the scope of our training of entry clearance staff. Training courses and guidance have been introduced to develop the skills of entry clearance managers, locally engaged entry clearance support staff and interpreters. In her 1996 report Dame Elizabeth expressed her satisfaction with the improvements we have made to the training of our entry clearance managers and officers.
  776
  We have also worked hard to meet the improved administrative standards set by the independent monitor. Increased access to IT is a continuing priority, and improvements we have made are already paying dividends. Administrative systems designed to speed up, and improve the quality of, the entry clearance process, such as the preliminary assessment system and automatic reviews of refusals, have been introduced and improved after recommendations in the independent monitor's report.

  It is inevitable that some recommendations cannot be enacted immediately. This is true of those concerning applications by elderly relatives and couples seeking infertility treatment. However, work is in hand on both, as a result of which guidance to staff will be amended.

  Dame Elizabeth wrote in her 1996 report: "I am satisfied that in the three years I have monitored the standards and performance of the system of granting and refusing temporary visas there has been a general improvement in the whole process of applying and being granted or refused a visa." I know that Dame Elizabeth also is satisfied that entry clearance staff are acting within the law, and in accordance with their obligations under the citizen's charter, in the discharge of their responsibilities. We take heart from these acknowledgments of our efforts, and will strive to meet the independent monitor's recommendations in the future.

  United Nations
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the United Nations; and what discussions he had during his recent visit to Washington. [21646]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The United Kingdom is fully committed to a strong and effective United Nations in pursuit of the objectives set out in the charter. The United Nations plays a vital role in helping maintain international peace and security, and in promoting democracy, human rights, international law and economic and social progress around the world. As we approach the 21st century, we shall want to use the United Nations increasingly to help to achieve that partnership for sustainable human development about which I addressed the general assembly last September. The new global challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and threats to the environment and to natural resources because of population pressures on present patterns of production and consumption, will require the international community to agree policies and to work out practical solutions through international co-operation. The United Nations has some unique advantages for this.

  We welcome the commitment of the new United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in setting the United Nations on the path of reform, so that it can better measure up to these challenges. When he visited London last month the Prime Minister and I were impressed by his determination to give reform a high priority. We support him in his plans to secure tighter budgeting, greater management efficiency and the elimination of overlap between different UN bodies.
  777
  But to succeed the United Nations needs not only to reform, but to be able to rely on the financial resources which member states have voted to it. I raised with a number of US Congressmen during my visit to Washington on 9 and 10 March our concerns on this score. At the end of 1996 the United States owed the United Nations some US $1.3 billion, which is approximately two thirds of total arrears due. This backlog of unpaid obligatory financial contributions is severely disabling the United Nations from working properly and from carrying out the policies voted by the member states. It also means that countries contributing to UN peacekeeping operations such as India, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, which is currently owed £40 million, do not get their debts paid. I made it clear in Washington that this failure to honour financial obligations under the UN charter does the cause of UN reform no good and causes resentment among friends and allies. I know that President Clinton is committed to solving this problem. We need a new and fairer system of UN financing based more closely on the principle of capacity to pay and on the assurances that all member states will in future pay in full, unconditionally and on time. Once the problem of arrears has been dealt with, the British Government hope that it will be possible speedily to complete the process of UN reform and thus to relaunch the United Nations on its urgent new agenda.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Defence Equipment (Export Licences)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a list of all export licences relating to defence equipment(a) granted and (b) refused in (i) 1991 and (ii) 1992. [19699]

  Mr. Nelson
  Statistics of export licence applications refused during 1992 were included in the annual report of my Department for 1993, copies of which were placed in the Library of the House. It is the intention that statistics of export licences relating to defence equipment issued during 1992 will also be placed in the Library of the House in due course. Information in respect of 1991 is not directly accessible in the same form and at present there are no plans to place that information in the Library of the House.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tonnes of oxide spent nuclear fuel have been(a) sheared and dissolved and (b) reprocessed in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant since March 1994; what reports on the operational process at THORP are provided to his Department by British Nuclear Fuels; and what restrictions are placed on the disclosure of operational details of THORP at Sellafield. [20455]

  Mr. Page
  BNFL recently stated that since March 1994 approximately 680 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel has been successfully sheared and dissolved and that 778
  by the end of March this year it is expected that the same amount will have been reprocessed. The disclosure of operational details are a matter for BNFL subject to meeting the relevant regulatory requirements. My Department maintains regular contact with the company on a range of issues, including THORP.

  Departmental Legislation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Bills his Department has sponsored in each of the past 15 years; and how many have been passed by Parliament. [19775]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: The information requested is as follows:

  1981–82: 7

  1982–83: 3

  1983–84: 7

  1984–85: 7

  1985–86: 6

  1986–87: 3

  1987–88: 4

  1988–89: 4

  1989–90: 2

  1990–91: 4

  1991–92: 2

  1992–93: 3

  1993–94: 4

  1994–95: 2

  1995–96: 2.

  With one exception, in 1982–83, all the Bills received Royal Assent. Prior to the 1992–93 session the figures include Bills sponsored by the Department of Energy.

  Patent Office European Patents Special Reserve Fund
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what funds are currently held by the Patent Office European patents special reserve fund; and if he will make a statement. [21134]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Patent Office 1995–96 annual report and accounts, laid before the House in July 1996, showed the European patents special reserve fund at 31 March 1996 to be £21.4 million. The Patent Office's 1996 corporate plan, placed in the Library of the House in April 1996 gives further details.

  European Space Agency Conference
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the ESA ministerial conference held in Paris on 4 March. [21425]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I attended the meeting at ministerial level of the European Space Agency Council in Paris on 4 March. Important decisions were taken which will reinforce ESA's contribution to the UK's industrial and scientific goals in space. Ministerial colleagues agreed on a new industrial policy and a new system for calculating scales of contribution for mandatory programmes. This should improve the agency's value for money and reinforce the competitiveness of European space industry.
  779
  The changes which have been agreed will end the traditional system of geographical return—juste retour— the system by which member states receive contracts in direct proportion to the levels of their ESA contributions. The level of juste retour has crept up from 80 per cent. when ESA was established to 96 per cent. in 1994–96 and was seriously undermining value for money in procurement and the agency's ability to improve the competitiveness of European space industry. The old system will be replaced with a mixed system of alternatives which offer lower guarantees for the mandatory and optional programmes and which would allow open competition in much preparatory and some technology activity. We also endorsed new measures to ensure fair allocation of activities among all industrial firms, including measures to safeguard the position of SMEs in bidding for ESA contracts. The new system, which will be introduced over the period 1997–99, signals a fundamental change in the agency's traditional practices towards a more competitive and open system of project procurement in which fixed expectation will play a less

  Annual reports

  Annual accounts

  Minutes of meetings

  Agendas of meetings

  Register of members' interests

  Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  British Hallmarking Council

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Coal Authority

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  Yes (V)

  Commissioner for Protection against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Gas Consumers' Councils

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Post Office Users' National Council

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Post Office Users' Councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  No

  National Consumer Council

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Design Council

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  Yes (V)

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission

  Yes (V)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  No

  Policyholders' Protection Board

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Research Councils

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Simpler Trade Procedures Board

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory. (V) = Voluntary.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the executive non-department public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner,(b)scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens' charter. [20934]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 February 1996, Official Report, column 316. The

  £ millions

  Devon

  South Hams

  Total grant offered

  Total grant paid

  Total grant offered

  Total grant paid

  1996–97 to date

  5.267

  5.961

  1.605

  0.749

  1995–96

  3.571

  6.916

  1.020

  0.899

  1994–95

  11.433

  4.654

  1.778

  1.088

  1993–94

  4.586

  4.184

  1.679

  1.784

  1992–93

  1.901

  3.609

  0.364

  1.308

  780
  dominant role than they have in the past. I believe that UK companies are well placed to exploit fully this new system and increase their share of ESA business.

  It was also agreed to introduce a new system of calculation for scales of contributions to mandatory programmes which has resulted in a saving to the UK of about £ million a year. A further formal ministerial meeting was envisaged 1998.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20897]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The information requested by the hon. Member is shown in the table.

  information given then is still current, with the amendment that details of the NAO's access to NDPBs are given in "Public Bodies 1996".

  Business Grants (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of grants given to businesses(a) in Devon and (b) in the South Hams, in each of the last five years. [21341]

  Mr. Nelson
  The total value of grants from my Department to businesses in Devon and in South Hams in each of the last five years is as follows:
  781

  Food Chain (Foresight Investigation)
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on how food chain issues are being addressed by Foresight. [21559]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Several Foresight panels have interests in the food chain. In addition, a new Foresight group has been established to explore market and technology opportunities across the food chain. It will be chaired to David Sainsbury, chairman of J. Sainsbury plc. The new group includes industry leaders in food production, processing and retailing.

  In broad terms, the group will be addressing issues which the food chain industries regard as critical to their future competitiveness. It will act in a cross-sectoral capacity, drawing together the interest of the wide range of Foresight panel sectors which impact on food chain businesses, such as food and drink, agriculture, retailing, manufacturing, and marine, for example.

  The members of the Foresight food chain group are:

  Member

  Position

  Company

  David Sainsbury

  Chairman

  J Sainsbury

  Mark Adams

  Deputy Chairman

  Geo Adams

  Gordon Edge

  Executive Chairman

  Generics Ltd

  Iain Ferguson

  Chairman

  Birds Eye Walls

  James Godfrey

  Farmer

  —

  Christopher Greig

  Chairman

  William Grant and Sons

  Guy McCracken

  Managing Director Food Division

  Marks and Spencer

  Sir David Naish

  President

  National Farmers Union

  Gulam Noon

  Chairman and Managing Director

  Noon Products

  John Shropshire

  Managing Director

  G's Marketing

  Companies House
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set Companies House executive agency for 1997–98. [21659]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set Companies House the following targets for 1997–98:to make 95 per cent. of statutory documents available for public inspection within a maximum of five working days of receipt in Companies House;
  to achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95 per cent.;
  to ensure that a minimum of 93 per cent. of fiche provided to customers are error free;
  to ensure that there is a minimum of 97 per cent. error free work in current processing;
  to answer 90 per cent. of incoming telephone calls within 20 seconds;
  to reduce the real unit costs of registration activity by 3 per cent. compared to the outturn in 1996–97; and
  to achieve, taking one year with another, a 6 per cent. average annual rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets.

  In addition, I expect the chief executive of the agency to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.
  782
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of Companies House performance in answering the telephone inquiry service within the first six rings; and what impact privatisation of the telephone inquiry service in July 1996 had on the achievement of the target. [21335]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Companies House central enquiry unit and postal search operations were contracted out in July 1996 and new telephone equipment was installed in October 1996. This has led to the number of calls presented to operators increasing by 80 per cent. The contractors are now answering over 13,000 calls per week, 30 per cent. more than before the contract was awarded. Companies House is taking steps to ensure the contractor employs sufficient resources to answer all calls within the target of 90 per cent. of calls within 20 seconds or six rings.

  The performance against the telephone answering target, as for other targets, will be assessed at year end and reported in the annual report and accounts for Companies House for 1996–97.

  Fur Sales
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of retail businesses involved in selling fur garments in each of the last five years. [21243]

  Mr. Page
  This information is not available.

  English Regional Development Organisations
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet considered the business plans of the English regional development organisations; and what level of financial support he proposes to offer for 1997–98. [21558]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  I have studied the current performance and future plans of the existing eight English regional development organisations. I am pleased to say that they continue to make a significant contribution to the work of my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, and to the overall success of the United Kingdom in attracting inward investment and in particular to their region's performance. I have also had detailed proposals for the establishment of new regional development organisations in the east and south-east of England. Taking all this into account I have today offered a total of £10,47 million in grants for the inward investment promotion activities of the existing regional development organisations for 1997–98 and to establish the two new ones in the east and south-east who are being offered grants of £505,000 each.

  This represents an 18 per cent. increase in total RDO grants to enable the UK to remain competitive in promoting its locational advantages in the face of increasing competition for mobile inward investment projects. I have allocated the grant aid as follows:

  RDO

  1997–98 grant (£000)

  Northern Development Company (NDC)

  1,665

  INWARD Ltd. (in the North West)

  1,393

  783

  RDO

  1997–98 grant (£000)

  Yorkshire and Humberside Development Agency (YHDA)

  1,415

  West Midlands Development Agency (WMDA)

  1,314

  East Midlands Development Company Ltd. (EMDC)

  984

  Devon and Cornwall Development International (DCDI)

  954

  London First Centre

  1,015

  West of England Development Agency (WEDA)

  600

  East of England Investment Agency

  505

  South East of England Regional Investment Office

  505

  Grant is offered on an annual basis according to past performance, ability to absorb additional funding effectively, and for an agreed programme of future activities, with proper regard to value for money. It is Government policy to encourage direct inward investment to the UK because it contributes significantly to economic growth. Inward investment brings benefits both to the country as a whole and more specifically to the assisted areas. The creation of new regional development organisations in the east and south-east of England completes the coverage of the UK map with such organisations and will greatly assist our efforts to attract inward investment.

  Radio Spectrum
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for introducing pricing to promote efficient use of the radio spectrum [21517]

  Mr. Lang
  The White Paper, "Spectrum Management into the 21st Century", Cm 3252, announced that national and regional services would be candidates for selective auctions; and that auctions could be used to promote the release of analogue broadcasting spectrum, subject to satisfactory safeguards for existing broadcasters. It also outlined administrative pricing proposals focused on areas and services affected by spectrum congestion. In responses to the White Paper, there was broad support for this package of measures.

  The success of the radio industry depends on timely provision of its raw material, radio spectrum. This finite resource is becoming increasingly congested. We intend to proceed, as soon as parliamentary time is available, with legislation to introduce a package of measures to sustain future growth by encouraging its more efficient use.

  Inward Investment (English Language Training)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effects of English language training for inward investment to the United Kingdom. [21218]

  Mr. Greg Knight
  None. However studies have shown that the English language is an important factor for many overseas companies when considering an investment location in Europe.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service for 1997–98. [21657]
  784
  Mr. Lang
  Against the Insolvency Service's planning assumption that compulsory insolvencies will total 27,500 in the year to 31 March 1998, I have set it the target of completing the same number with no more than 9 per cent. of uncompleted cases being more than 36 months old. I have also set it the target of reducing the unit cost of bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation case administration in 1997–98 by 3 per cent. The service's investigative resources have been maintained at current levels and I would therefore expect it to continue to take proceedings for the disqualification of unfit directors and to report on cases of criminal misconduct the levels achieved in the year 31 March 1997.

  In addition, I have set the service the following quality of service targets for 1997–98:

  to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within eight weeks in at least 90 per cent. of call cases; and within 12 weeks in 98 per cent. of all cases;

  to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks in 90 per cent. of all cases and within four months in 98 per cent. of all cases;

  to submit reports within 10 months in at least 90 per cent. of bankruptcy cases and 80 per cent. of company liquidation cases where there is evidence of criminality;

  to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors; and

  to check and action at least 95 per cent. of Insolvency Services account payment requisitions within five days or by the due date.

  In addition, I expect the service to action 95 per cent. of invoices for payment within 30 days of receipt and the agency chief executive to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Patent Office
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Patent Office executive agency for 1997–98. [21663]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the Patent Office the following targets:

  Efficiency

  To increase output in relation to total staff numbers by 2 per cent.

  To increase output in relation to total staff costs by 2 per cent.

  To increase output in relation to current expenditure by 2 per cent.

  Quality

  To issue 90 per cent. of patent search reports within 12 weeks of receiving a request.

  To issue 90 per cent. of patent examination reports within 18 months of publication.

  To confirm payment of patent renewal fees within six working days of receipt.

  To issue 90 per cent. of initial design search and examination reports within 12 weeks.

  To confirm payment of design renewal fees within six working days of receipt.

  To issue 90 per cent. of trade mark examination reports within two months of data capture in the Patent Office.

  To advertise within seven months of examination trade mark applications which attract no substantive objection at examination stage.

  785

  To register within four months of advertisement 97 per cent. of advertised marks which are not formally opposed.

  In addition, the agency will maintain its target to pay bills within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or of a valid invoice, whichever is the later, and I expect the chief executive of the Patent Office to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set his Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 1997–98. [21658]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the Radiocommunications Agency the following quality of service targets for 1997–98 in respect of its licensing work and enforcement activities. These are in addition to achieving an overall efficiency improvement of 4 per cent. over 1996–97 and continuing to recover the full costs of its activities from customers.

  Licensing

  Category A: Licences that involve no frequency assignment, site clearance or international co-ordination; 100 per cent. of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within five working days.

  Category B: Licences that involve frequency assignment but no site clearance or international co-ordination; 90 per cent. of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 15 working days; remainder to be processed and despatched within 25 working days or an explanation for any delay provided to the applicant.

  Category C: Licences that require frequency assignment and site clearance and/or international co-ordination; 90 per cent. of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 40 working days; remainder to be processed and despatched within 60 working days or an explanation of the delay provided to the applicant.

  Category D: Renewals of all licences in category A to be processed and despatched within five working days; renewals of licences in categories B and C to be processed and despatched within 10 working days.

  Enforcement

  100 per cent. of safety of life services reports of interference to be investigated within 24 hours.

  98 per cent. of business customers reports of interference to be investigated within five working days, the remainder within a further 10 days.

  98 per cent. of domestic customers reports of interference to be investigated within 1 month, the remainder within a further month.

  I also expect the agency's enquiry point to respond to 92 per cent. of calls within 30 seconds, and 95 per cent. of all invoices to be paid within 30 days, or within the timescale agreed with suppliers and the remainder to be dealt with within a further 30 days. In addition, the chief executive will continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply and to all written complaints addressed to him about the agency's services.

  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the agency review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [21661]
  786
  Mr. Lang
  A report on the prior options review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. Copies of this document, which completes the agency review process, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Employment Tribunals Service
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards establishing the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive agency; and if he will make a statement. [21662]

  Mr. Lang
  The Government announced on 9 May last year their decision to establish the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive agency. The agency will be launched on 1 April 1997. I am confident that agency status will extend to the tribunals administration the benefits of improved efficiency and quality of service that we have seen in other DTI agencies. Copies of the ETS framework document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I have set the following targets for the ETS for 1997–98:

  Industrial tribunals

  To bring to a first hearing 85 per cent. of single cases within 26 weeks of receipt of application.

  To reduce the disparity in performance between offices in relation to the above target so that all offices achieve at least 65 per cent.

  To issue decisions within one week of signature by the chairman in 90 per cent. of cases.

  To reduce the administrative cost of a completed case by 3 per cent. in real terms.

  At least 80 per cent. of tribunal cases and 85 per cent. of tribunal judiciary to express satisfaction, in surveys, with the service offered by the agency.

  Employment appeals tribunal

  Seventy-five per cent. of appeals registered for full hearing to be ready for listing within six months of receipt.

  Seventy-five per cent. of appeals registered for preliminary hearing to be ready for listing within six weeks of receipt.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission Cases
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the President the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library the instructions to his officials on the procedure to be followed during the handling of Monopolies and Mergers Commission cases. [211280]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I am arranging for a copy of the guidance to officials on procedures for handling merger cases to be placed in the Library in the House.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21197]
  787
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14.

  Financial Services Industry Employees
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the financial services industry who have registered against them county court judgments, bankruptcy and Insolvency Act 1986 proceedings. [21309]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department does not maintain information in the form requested.

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set his Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1997–98. [21660]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the National Weights and Measures Laboratory the following targets for 1997–98:

  to ensure that external fee-earning activities remain self-financing;

  to meet the net vote target;

  to continue work to reduce the real cost of a programme hour by 4 per cent. over the period 1997–2000;

  to complete 85 per cent. of European type approvals within 10 weeks;

  to complete 95 per cent. of all calibration jobs—including preparation of certificates—within 18 working days of acceptance of the work; and

  to meet 60 per cent. of the milestones included in the work programme agreed with my Department's Consumer Affairs and Competition Policy Directorate.

  In addition, I expect the chief executive of NWML to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

TREASURY

  Valuation Office
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets will be set for the Valuation Office executive agency for the year 1997–98. [21566]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have set the following key targets for the Valuation Office in 1997–98:

  Quality of Service

  to provide a substantive reply to 100 per cent. of correspondence within 20 working days of receipt

  to achieve further improvements against the agency's indicators for:

  timeliness—by 1 per cent. to 98 per cent.

  valuation quality—by 1 per cent. to 86 per cent.

  Operational

  to clear 330,000 appeals in aggregate against the 1990 and the 1995 rating lists, including clearance by 31 December 1997 of all those appeals lodged prior to 31 March 1996 which can be settled by agreement

  788

  to clear 97,000 appeals against the council tax valuation lists: with the aim, in co-operation with valuation tribunals, of clearing all those received after 1 April 1997 within six months of receipt

  to undertake 57,000 cases for the Inland Revenue for capital gains tax and inheritance tax purposes, clearing 90 per cent. of valuation cases within 42 days and 87 per cent. of negotiation cases within six months of receipt

  Financial and Cost Efficiency

  to ensure the agency's net operating cost is at least fully covered by receipts

  to break even from year to year within each business segment, after charging for the full cost of chargeable services including notional interest of 6 per cent. on the average working capital

  to achieve efficiency savings of 6.6 per cent. of the agency's gross expenditure

  Further details are set out in the agency's forward plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House on publication.

  Customer Charters
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department and its executive agencies have spent drafting, publishing and circulating each of their customer charters and customer standard documents; and how many copies of each document have been issued. [19390]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Basic Pension Plus
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the five per cent. national insurance contribution rebate which individuals will receive under the Government's basic pension plus proposal will be disregarded for income tax purposes. [20436]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: The effect of the change for the 5 per cent. NIC rebate would be that the tax relief which is currently given where NIC rebates go into a personal pension would cease, matching the withdrawal of relief on contributions which an individual makes to a pension scheme; but the pensions in payment would be tax-free.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the European Commission and the European Monetary Institute have made of the millennium compliance of those computer systems which will be involved in the introduction of the single currency; and if he will make a statement. [20535]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I am not aware of any specific assessment carried out by the European Commission or the European Monetary Institute of the millennium compliance of those computer systems which will be involved in the introduction of the single currency.

  The European Commission is involved in discussions about the practical implications of economic and monetary union with a wide range of organisations, including those in the information technology sector. The Bank of England, which is represented in the European Monetary Institute, publishes a quarterly report entitled

  789
  "Practical Issues Arising from the Introduction of the Euro". The latest edition, published in December 1996, incorporates a checklist of IT implications which includes reference to the millennium problem.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of the figure of £3,108 million for non-identified miscellaneous expenditure set out in table 7.7 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1996–97, Cm 3201. [20819]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The figures requested are given in the following table:

  Miscellaneous non-identified expenditure from PESA 1996–97, Cm 3201

  £ million

  Economic and financial administration (including Bank of England)

  3,139

  Net Contributions to the European Community

  1,267

  Parliament and Privy Council

  267

  Other central services

  162

  Allowance for shortfall

  -460

  Total

  5,151

  This total differs from that published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1996–97 Cm 3201 as the net UK contribution to the EC was erroneously split between overseas services and miscellaneous expenditure. The correct figure for overseas services was £3,593 million, not £5,636 million.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of people who are economically inactive and wanting to work aged(a) over 40, (b) over 50 and (c) over 55 years, by region. [20341]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 18 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 Tim Holt to Mr. Stephen Timms, dated 26 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on inactive people aged 40 and over who would like a job, broken down by age and region.
  Estimates available for the Labour Force Survey are shown in the attached table.

  Economically inactive people aged 40 and over who would like a job by age and region—not seasonally adjusted

  Autumn 1996, thousands

  40–49

  50–54

  55 and over

  All aged 40 and over

  United Kingdom

  408

  204

  528

  1,140

  North

  27

  11

  33

  70

  Yorks and Humber

  33

  16

  51

  100

  East Midlands

  27

  12

  30

  69

  East Anglia

  12

  1—

  15

  33

  Greater London

  64

  18

  72

  154

  South East (excluding Greater London)

  55

  36

  95

  186

  790

  Economically inactive people aged 40 and over who would like a job by age and region—not seasonally adjusted

  Autumn 1996, thousands

  40–49

  50–54

  55 and over

  All aged 40 and over

  South West

  25

  22

  38

  84

  West Midlands

  38

  18

  55

  112

  North West

  46

  20

  48

  114

  Wales

  29

  19

  32

  80

  Scotland

  40

  22

  52

  114

  Northern Ireland

  11

  1—

  1—

  24

  Note:

  1 Sample size too small for reliable estimate.

  Source:

  ONS, Labour Force Survey.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were registered as unemployed in(a) May 1979 and (b) currently; and what was the method of calculation of the figures in each case. [21223]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many people were registered as unemployed in (a) May 1979 and (b) currently; and what was the method of calculation of the figures in each case.
  The consistent series of seasonally adjusted claimant unemployment figures, based on the current coverage of the count, show that the number of people in the United Kingdom claiming unemployment-related benefits (Unemployment Benefit, Job Seeker's Allowance, Income Support or National Insurance Credits) was 1,086,800 in May 1979 and 1,746,300 in February 1997.
  The seasonally adjusted series is maintained to be consistent with the current coverage of the count and takes into account all relevant changes which, unless adjusted for, would distort comparisons over time. It thereby allows meaningful comparisons with the past.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the outturn figures for the proceeds paid(a) into and (b) out of the national lottery distribution fund that are included as general Government revenue and general Government expenditure for the financial years (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96; and what are the estimated figures for 1996–97. [20556]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: The table provides outturn figures for payments into and out of the national lottery distribution fund in financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96. The Budget forecast is given for 1996–97.

  National lottery distribution fund—income and expenditure

  (all figures £ million)

  Year

  Income

  Expenditure

  1994–95

  299

  5

  1995–96

  1,515

  165

  1996–97

  1,541

  600

  791

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has made to representations from the CBI regarding the economic disadvantages to the United Kingdom of the United Kingdom not entering into European monetary union. [19468]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The Confederation of British Industry makes representations to me about a wide range of issues, including the potential advantages and disadvantages of the UK's possible participation in economic and monetary union. The Government and Parliament have a choice, thanks to protocol No 11 to the EC treaty, on whether the United Kingdom should participate in the single currency. The CBI's own surveys suggest that business leaders in the UK support the need to have this choice. The Government are committed to full involvement in negotiations on EMU, to protect the commercial and other interests of the United Kingdom whether or not we participate.

  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Milton Keynes South West, (Mr. Legg) of 12 March,Official Report, column 353, under which provisions of the treaty on European Union on the EC would launch the third stage of EMU on a date after 1 January 1999. [20504]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: The timetable for establishing the first stage of EMU is set out in article 109j of the treaty. The European Council has said at Dublin that this will begin on 1 January 1999.

  Personal Pensions (Misselling)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of those who were missold personal pensions have died before receiving compensation. [21011]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: That information is not available.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those companies involved in misselling personal pensions who compensated all those missold personal pensions. [21012]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: It is not possible to compile such a list at this stage since reviews of cases continue.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects that the process to compensate those missold personal pensions will be complete. [21013]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The financial services regulators are working closely with firms responsible for sales of personal pensions to speed up the progress of reviews for those who have been missold personal pensions. The Government have made it absolutely clear to the pensions industry that rapid progress this year is imperative. Targets will be set once the PIA has concluded its top-level meetings with firms by the end of this month.
  792

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 96 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21213]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996, (columns 613–14).

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) of 25 February,Official Report, column 208, if he will estimate the savings which would accrue in the current year from reduced expenditure on tax relief paid on contributions made to appropriate personal pensions if (a) all and (b) half of those earning under £10,000 per annum who are currently opted out of SERPS into APPs were to rejoin SERPS until retirement. [21076]

  Mr. Jack
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 February to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner), column 135.

  Earnings
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what percentage of employees had total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; and what proportion of these were part-time workers, in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1990 and (iv) the most recent available year; [21060]

  (2) if he will update the information in the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 17 July 1996, Official Report, column 526, estimating the average hourly earnings of part-time workers working fewer than 16 hours a week; and if he will provide figures for those working fewer than eight hours a week; [21071]

  (3) if he will update the information in the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 2 July 1996, Official Report, column 418, estimating the average weekly hours of work of men and women with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; [21069]

  (4) if he will update the information in the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 17 July 1996, Official Report, column 526, estimating the average hourly earnings of men and women with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions. [21072]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent questions (21060, 21069, 21071, 21072) on employees earning under the national insurance lower earnings limit.

  793
  The latest figures available are from the Summer 1996 (June-August) Labour Force Survey.
  In summer 1996, 2.73 million or 12.3 percent. of employees had total earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit in Great Britain; 93.4 per cent. of these were part-time. Labour Force Survey data on earnings for 1970, 1980 and 1990 is not available.
  Average hourly earnings of female part-time workers working less than 16 hours a week were £6.20 per hour. Average hourly earnings of female part-time workers working less than 8 hours a week were £5.78 per hour. Due to small sample sizes no figures are available for male part-time workers.
  The average weekly hours of work for men with earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit were 18.3 hours in 1996. This compares with an average of 12.1 hours for women.
  Average hourly earnings of men with total earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit were £2.17 in 1996. This is lower than the average for women which was £3.37.

  Jobs (Plymouth and Torbay)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total number of jobs created in(a) the Plymouth and (b) the Torbay travel-to-work areas in each of the past five years. [21344]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the number of jobs created in the Plymouth and Torbay travel-to-work areas over the last five years.
  The available information is for the levels of employees at 1991, 1993 and 1995. This is provided in the table below.

  Employees: at September (thousands)

  Travel-to-work area

  1991

  1993

  1995

  Plymouth

  117.5

  113.4

  116.0

  Torbay

  39.6

  39.5

  43.7

  Illegitimate Births
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of illegitimate births in

  Table 1: Red book figures

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  Total £ million

  HM Treasury

  Project:

  Refurbishment of headquarters building

  50

  60

  60

  170

  Inland Revenue (including the VOA)

  Project:

  Manchester/Stockport NOS1

  17

  0

  0

  17

  St. John's House, Bootle

  9

  3

  0

  12

  Edinburgh NOS1

  7

  0

  0

  7

  Glasgow NOS1

  8

  0

  0

  8

  Other NOS

  5

  6

  6

  17

  Unidentified major works

  17

  10

  6

  33

  Telephones exchanges and equipment

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Total

  64

  20

  13

  97

  794
  the latest year for which figures are available in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland. [21281]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mrs. Ann Winterton, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question asking for the percentage of live births outside marriage in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland during the latest year for which data are available.
  The figures requested are shown in the below.

  Percentage of live births outside marriage 1995

  Area

  Percentage

  England and Wales

  33.9

  Scotland

  33.7

  Northern Ireland

  23.1

  These figures are published in the annual reference volume "Birth Statistics" Series FM1, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letters of 17 November, 22 December and 26 January from the hon. Member regarding Vanlee Transport, Glasgow. [17403]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: I did so on 19 February.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide figures for his Departments' PFI projects in the same form as used by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlingon (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 on the Red Book. [20396]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: The following tables show the information requested:
  795

  Table 1: Red book figures

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  Total £ million

  HM Customs and Excise

  Project:

  Southampton accommodation2

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Cutters

  0

  3

  3

  6

  Number plate readers3

  *

  *

  *

  1

  Radios

  5

  4

  4

  13

  IT infrastructure4

  0

  15

  15

  30

  Total

  8

  23

  23

  54

  National Savings

  Project:

  Business Process re-engineering

  6

  9

  0

  15

  Notes:

  1 PFI deals which were due to be signed in 1996–97 with capital profile split between 1996–97 (not shown) and 1997–98.

  2 The projected private sector capital investment is now expected to be incurred in 1997–98.

  3 Figures below £0.5 million indicated by*.

  4 The business case for this project is currently being reviewed and has not been included in the table showing the current revised figures.

  Totals may not add up to sum of parts due to roundings.

  Current revised figures

  Estimated capital investment

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  Total £ million

  HM Treasury

  Project:

  Refurbishment of headquarters buildings1

  5

  15

  80

  100

  Inland Revenue (including the VOA)

  Project:

  Manchester/Stockport NOS2

  35

  0

  0

  35

  St. John's House, Bootle

  12

  0

  0

  12

  Edinburgh NOS2

  9

  0

  0

  9

  Glasgow NOS2

  9

  0

  0

  9

  Other NOS

  0

  8

  9

  17

  Unidentified major works

  17

  10

  6

  33

  Telephone exchanges and equipment

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Total

  83

  19

  16

  118

  HM Customs and Excise

  Project:

  Southampton accommodation3

  14

  0

  0

  14

  Cutters

  5

  5

  0

  11

  Number plate readers4

  *

  2

  0

  2

  Radios

  0

  20

  0

  20

  IT infrastructure5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  20

  27

  0

  47

  National Savings

  Project:

  Business Process6 Re-engineering

  6

  9

  0

  15

  Notes:

  1 Difference from estimate in Red Book figures, is due to re-profiling of expenditure.

  2 PFI deals which were originally due to be signed in 1996–97 but will now be signed in 1997–98 with all capital spending taking place in that year.

  3 The projected private sector capital investment is now expected to be incurred in 1997–98.

  4 Figures below £0.5 million indicated by*.

  5 The business case for this project is currently being reviewed and has not been included in the table showing the current revised figures.

  6 These figures are currently under review.

  Totals may not add up to sum of parts due to roundings.

  Defence Personnel (Taxation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual revenue obtained by the Treasury through taxation paid by military and civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence,796
  broken down into (a) taxation on income associated with their employment and (b) tax revenue arising from VAT and other sales taxes. [20742]

  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.
  797
  The amount of income tax paid by military and civilian employees, or by my Department on their behalf within the terms of PAYE settlement agreements, was some £1.3 billion in the financial year 1995–96, the latest year for which complete information is available. The amount of VAT and other sales taxes paid by MOD employees is dependent on individual domestic transactions and is thus not available.

HEALTH

  NHS Trusts (Chief Executives)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chief executives of hospital trusts were women in each year since 1991. [18708]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Networks
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many separate local area networks and wide area networks are currently in operation within the NHS. [19420]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total income of the Medicines Control Agency in each of the last three years broken down by each major source indicating separately(a) the direct and (b) the indirect contributions from pharmaceutical companies. [19688]

  Mr. Malone
  The total income of the Medicines Control Agency in the last three years was as follows:

  £ million

  Total

  Fee income

  Miscellaneous income

  1995–96

  22.4

  22.0

  0.4

  1994–95

  25.6

  25.4

  0.2

  1993–94

  24.2

  23.8

  0.4

  The fee income was all from pharmaceutical companies and was received directly. Miscellaneous income includes some payments from pharmaceutical companies for the purchase of publications, provision of information, or attendance at seminars; it is not practicable to isolate the precise amounts.

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS centres there are for the treatment of eating disorders. [20542]

  Mr. Burns
  The information requested is not collected centrally. A Royal College of Psychiatrists survey in 1992 identified 21 national health service specialist centres for treating eating disorders in Great Britain.

  Blister Packs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of hospital admissions were due to ailments caused by children ingesting pharmaceutical products which they extracted from blister packs in the last year for which figures are available. [20543]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Tonsil and Adenoid Removal
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children aged under 16 years in each health authority area were discharged from hospital after removal of tonsils and/or adenoids in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will indicate the discharge rate per 10,000 children aged under 16 years in each health authority area. [20864]

  Mr. Horam
  The latest available information on the number of operations on patients under 16 for the removal of tonsils and adenoids, and the rate per 10,000 population, is shown in the table. Information on the number of children discharged from hospital is not available centrally.

  Number of operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids performed on patients aged 0–15 years, and rate per 10,000 population aged 0–15 years, by the health authority in which the patient is resident

  NHS Hospitals, England, 1994–95

  Health authority of residence

  Number of operations

  Number of operations per 10,000 population

  Northumberland DHA

  398

  64.9

  Sunderland DHA

  491

  75.6

  North Durham DHA

  420

  62.6

  South Durham DHA

  403

  70.2

  Tees DHA

  906

  71.1

  South of Tyne DHA

  352

  48.3

  North Cumbria DHA

  324

  51.4

  Newcastle and North Tyneside DHA

  620

  65.9

  East Riding DHA

  534

  48.9

  Grimsby and Scunthorpe DHA

  641

  82.4

  North Yorkshire DHA

  631

  45.2

  Bradford DHA

  832

  72.7

  West Yorkshire DHA

  1,190

  95.0

  Leeds DHA

  932

  63.7

  Wakefield DHA

  787

  117.3

  North Derbyshire DHA

  280

  39.1

  Southern Derbyshire DHA

  392

  34.8

  Leicestershire DHA

  1,650

  85.1

  Nottingham DHA

  562

  43.5

  Barnsley DHA

  671

  144.1

  Doncaster DHA

  800

  125.9

  Rotherham DHA

  514

  93.7

  Sheffield DHA

  567

  56.6

  North Nottinghamshire DHA

  645

  79.7

  Lincolnshire DHA

  947

  80.8

  Cambridge DHA

  325

  58.0

  North-west Anglia DHA

  749

  88.8

  Huntingdon DHA

  134

  43.3

  Suffolk DHA

  868

  65.0

  East Norfolk DHA

  1,320

  114.9

  Bedfordshire DHA

  115

  9.4

  North-west Hertfordshire DHA

  380

  70.1

  South-west Hertfordshire DHA

  264

  51.1

  Barnet DHA

  308

  49.6

  Hillingdon DHA

  188

  38.0

  799

  Number of operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids performed on patients aged 0–15 years, and rate per 10,000 population aged 0–15 years, by the health authority in which the patient is resident

  NHS Hospitals, England, 1994–95

  Health authority of residence

  Number of operations

  Number of operations per 10,000 population

  East and North Hertfordshire DHA

  632

  61.9

  Brent and Harrow DHA

  428

  44.0

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow DHA

  799

  61.9

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster DHA

  205

  41.9

  North Essex DHA

  1,375

  78.7

  South Essex DHA

  1,937

  135.6

  Barking and Havering DHA

  1,231

  156.8

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest DHA

  704

  72.6

  East London and the City DHA

  613

  40.8

  New River DHA

  591

  60.5

  Camden and Islington DHA

  352

  54.0

  Bromley DHA

  395

  72.2

  East Sussex DHA

  856

  64.8

  East Kent DHA

  880

  76.6

  West Kent DHA

  1,721

  84.3

  Bexley and Greenwich DHA

  556

  58.8

  South East London DHA

  847

  54.9

  East Surrey DHA

  217

  58.0

  Chichester DHA

  190

  60.2

  Mid Downs DHA

  394

  65.0

  Worthing DHA

  283

  63.6

  Croydon DHA

  385

  55.9

  North-west Surrey DHA

  656

  85.4

  South-west Surrey DHA

  231

  49.3

  Merton Sutton and Wandsworth DHA

  680

  59.7

  Mid Surrey DHA

  250

  59.3

  Kingston and Richmond DHA

  289

  51.9

  Dorset DHA

  622

  51.4

  Portsmouth and South-east Hampshire DHA

  962

  88.3

  Southampton and South-west Hants HC

  535

  61.0

  North and Mid Hampshire DHA

  638

  50.2

  Wiltshire and Bath DHA

  784

  48.7

  Isle of Wight DHA

  136

  59.4

  Berkshire DHA

  899

  54.8

  Buckinghamshire DHA

  808

  55.8

  Northamptonshire DHA

  1,116

  85.9

  Oxfordshire DHA

  676

  55.7

  Bristol and District DHA

  867

  51.6

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly DHA

  598

  64.5

  Exeter and North Devon DHA

  383

  44.2

  Plymouth and Torbay DHA

  807

  71.5

  Gloucestershire DHA

  515

  47.1

  Somerset DHA

  553

  66.5

  Herefordshire DHA

  136

  41.3

  Worcester and District DHA

  303

  59.6

  Shropshire DHA

  703

  81.6

  North Staffordshire DHA

  976

  102.5

  Coventry DHA

  565

  84.9

  Dudley DHA

  380

  60.9

  Sandwell DHA

  505

  79.6

  Solihull DHA

  234

  56.4

  Walsall DHA

  802

  139.7

  Wolverhampton DHA

  433

  81.0

  South Birmingham DHA

  456

  48.2

  North Worcestershire DHA

  232

  39.8

  South Staffordshire DHA

  1,322

  108.6

  Warwickshire DHA

  570

  57.8

  North Birmingham DHA

  1,016

  73.6

  Chester DHA

  330

  87.2

  800

  Number of operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids performed on patients aged 0–15 years, and rate per 10,000 population aged 0–15 years, by the health authority in which the patient is resident

  NHS Hospitals, England, 1994–95

  Health authority of residence

  Number of operations

  Number of operations per 10,000 population

  South-east Cheshire DHA

  508

  56.7

  North Cheshire DHA

  299

  41.0

  Liverpool DHA

  526

  51.6

  St. Helens and Knowsley DHA

  410

  54.5

  Sefton DHA

  378

  63.6

  Wirral DHA

  458

  61.7

  Bolton DHA

  554

  95.2

  Stockport DHA

  457

  77.7

  Wigan DHA

  761

  115.4

  North-west Lancashire DHA

  799

  89.9

  East Lancashire DHA

  1,396

  119.4

  South Lancashire DHA

  559

  84.6

  Bury and Rochdale DHA

  649

  73.2

  West Pennine DHA

  1,368

  128.8

  Manchester DHA

  1,319

  130.3

  Salford and Trafford DHA

  962

  103.0

  Morecambe Bay DHA

  438

  74.3

  England

  71,717

  71.6

  Notes:

  These statistics are generated by analysing the contents of a complex database. Over time, small numbers of inaccuracies present in the records are discovered and action is taken to correct them. As a result of this action, figures can slightly vary at times and consequently can be considered as "estimates".

  Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Discharged Patients (Emergency Readmission)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients discharged from a medical specialty in each NHS trust in each of the last three years were subsequently readmitted as an emergency admission to that or another NHS trust within 28 days of discharge(a) as a crude percentage and (b) standardised for age and sex. [20862]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children aged under 16 years were discharged from each NHS trust over the last three years following elective removal of tonsils and/or adenoids; and what proportion of the children treated by each trust were readmitted as emergencies between one and 28 days after discharge. [20854]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions and discharges by diagnosis and operative procedure is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. The additional information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  801

  Fractured Neck of Femur Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted with fractured neck of femur; what percentage survived beyond 30 days of admission for this condition; and what percentage standardised for age and sex survived beyond 30 days of admission for this condition in each acute NHS trust in each of the last three years. [20867]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions by diagnosis is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. As to the additional information requested, mortality in hospital after admission for fractured neck of femur is listed in a set of 14 clinical indicators we are preparing to pilot throughout the national health service. It will not be possible to link hospital admissions with deaths in the community after discharge from hospital for the foreseeable future.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted from home as emergencies with a principal diagnosis of fractured neck of femur; what percentage of these patients were discharged home within 56 days; and what percentage standardised for age and sex were discharged home within 56 days in each acute NHS trust in each of the last three years. [20868]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions by diagnosis is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are in the Library. As to the additional information requested, discharge home after admission for fractured neck of femur is listed in a set of 14 clinical indicators we are preparing to pilot throughout the National Health Service.

  Dilation and Curettage
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elective admissions for a D and C operation there were; and what percentage of all elective admissions to gynaecology these operations comprised, in each NHS trust in each of the last three years. [20855]

  Mr. Horam
  The latest available information has been placed in the Library.

  First Births
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many first births there were at each NHS trust in each of the last three years; and what percentage of these births each year were by caesarean section. [20856]

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

  Diabetic Ketoacidosis Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency inpatient admissions with a main condition of diabetic ketoacidosis there were; and what was the admission rate per 100,000 standardised for age and sex from each health authority area in England in each of the last three years. [20865]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.
  802

  Stroke Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted as emergencies from home with a principal diagnosis of stroke over the last three years to each NHS trust; and what proportion of these patients were discharged home within 56 days(a) as a crude percentage and (b) as a percentage standardised for age and sex. [20859]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions by diagnosis is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. Length of hospital stay of stroke patients, and discharge home are listed in a set of 14 clinical indicators we are preparing to pilot throughout the national health service as part of a commitment given in the White Paper marking the fifth anniversary of the citizens charter.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted as emergencies with a principal diagnosis of stroke as defined by international classification or disease codes 430–34 and 436–38 in the last three years for each NHS trust; and what proportion of these patients(a) survived after 30 days and (b) survived after 30 days after standardisation for age and sex. [20858]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospitals admissions by diagnosis is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. As to the additional information requested, this calls for the linking of hospital admissions with deaths in the community, something that will not be possible in the foreseeable future.

  Neonatal Units
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of babies were admitted to a neonatal unit for a period of(a) 48 hours or less and (b) more than 48 hours in each NHS trust in each of the last three years. [20863]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally in the form requested. Data of this kind have been reviewed by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group, which last reported in 1995. Copies of its report "Neonatal Intensive Care: Access to and Availability of Specialist Services" have been placed in the Library.

  Acute Psychiatric Care
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the number of discharges from acute psychiatric care, (b) the number of such patients dying within one year of discharge, (c) the crude death rate within one year per 1,000 person years at risk for such patients and (d) the same death rate standardised for (i) age and sex and (ii) age, sex and diagnosis for each NHS trust for each of the last five years. [20857]

  Mr. Burns
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Candiac Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted as emergencies with a
  803
  principal diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction; what percentage of these patients survived 30 days after admission; and what proportion standardised for age and sex survived 30 days after admission in each NHS trust in each of the last three years. [20869]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions by diagnosis is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. The additional information required is not available at present in the form requested. However, we are preparing to pilot a set of indicators within the national health service, one of which is in-hospital mortality for acute myocardial infarction. It will not be possible to link hospital admissions with deaths in the community after discharge from hospital for the foreseeable future.

  Tinnitus Research
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department is providing for research into tinnitus in the present financial year. [20754]

  Mr. Horam
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The MRC is always willing to consider high-quality research proposals.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led(a) Lambeth, (b) Southwark, (c) Lewisham and (d) Cambridge and Huntingdon health authorities not to purchase beta interferon. [20727]

  Mr. Horam
  Health authorities are responsible, through their purchasing and allocation decisions and the advice and support they give to clinicians, for achieving the best possible health outcomes for their populations within the resources available. We understand that Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, and Cambridge and Huntingdon health authorities determined their local policies for the purchase of beta-interferon lb on the basis of assessments of the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the treatment, and of local health needs, priorities and resources.

  Transurethral Prostatectomy Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients aged 55 to 84 years were admitted to each NHS trust over the last three years to undergo transurethral prostatectomy; and what percentage of these patients were readmitted within one year for a further prostatectomy(a) as a crude rate and (b) standardised for age. [20861]

  Mr. Horam
  Standard information on hospital admissions by diagnosis and operative procedure is available in the "Hospital Episodes Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library. Reoperation after prostate surgery is one of a set of 14 clinical indicators which we are preparing to pilot throughout the national health service as part of a commitment given in the White Paper, which marked the fifth anniversary of the citizens charter.
  804

  In-patient Asthma Episodes
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many in-patient asthma episodes of four days or more among children aged under 16 years per 1,000 children aged under 16 years there were for each health authority area in England in each of the last three years. [20866]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people with relapsing/remitting MS in the area covered by the Cambridge and Huntingdon health authority. [20729]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Margaret Scott, chairman of Cambridge and Huntingdon health authority, for an estimate of the local position.

  Commercial Food Premises (Rat Infestations)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rat infestations in commercial food premises have been recorded in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [20927]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally. However, the results of a 1993 survey, the most recent since the mid to late 1970s, showed that there had been a fall in the levels of both mouse and rat infestations in business premises with food-related uses. These results were published in a Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food news release on 6 June 1995.

  Tobacco Products
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has put in place to control and monitor additives in tobacco products; and if he will make a statement. [21262]

  Mr. Horam
  A new 10 year voluntary agreement between the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council and the Department of Health has been successfully negotiated and will come into force shortly. The new agreement covers the additives which may now be included in tobacco products and arrangements for the approval by the Department of Health of new additives in the future. Manufacturers have undertaken to sign a certificate that their products conform to the terms of the agreement one year from the date it comes into effect. Current arrangements for monitoring the constituents of tobacco products and their smoke by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist remain in place. Copies of the text of the agreement have been placed in the Library.

  Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 12 March,Official Report, column 263, if he will list for each of the

  805
  nine measles, mumps and rubella vaccines for which the product licence has been cancelled, the date on which the product licence was granted; whether the licensing of the vaccine was on the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines; on what date each cancellation took place; what safety concerns had been identified for each vaccine by the Medicines Control Agency; and under whose direction the licence was withdrawn. [21303]

  Mr. Malone
  With reference to the dates of granting of the nine measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 12 March, at column 263. Information regarding the cancellation of product licences is commercially confidential. The recommendation of the Committee on Safety of Medicines are confidential.

  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 6 November 1995, Official Report columns 607–11, which discuss the replacement of the Urabe strain of MMR vaccine with the current strain.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates the Medicines Control Agency first raised safety concerns regarding mumps, measles and rubella vaccines containing Urabe strain of mumps vaccine with the manufacturers of Pluserix-MMR and Immravac; and if he will make a statement. [21164]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 6 November 1995 at columns 607–11 which discuss the replacement of the Urabe strain of MMR vaccine with the current strain. Discussions between the Licensing Authority and marketing authorisation holder are confidential.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment of the safety of mumps, measles and rubella vaccine was made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination prior to its 1988 recommendation for a vaccination programme; when the Committee on Safety of Medicines considered that assessment; and if he will make a statement; [21168]

  (2) on what date the Joint Committee on Vaccination advised the introduction of a vaccination programme using combined mumps, measles and rubella vaccines; if he will list the members of the committee on the date on which the recommendation was made; if he will publish the committee's advice; which Ministers instructed that the committee's advice should be implemented; and if he will make a statement; [21267]

  (3) what factors led his Department to announce on 1 September 1988 that a vaccination programme using combined mumps, measles and rubella vaccines would commence in October 1988; and if he will make a statement. [21167]

  Mr. Horam
  The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation decided at its meeting of 7 November 1986 to recommend to Ministers that a combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine be introduced into the United Kingdom childhood immunisation programme as a replacement for single antigen measles vaccine. This recommendation was made following consideration of the experience of several other countries which had successfully used MMR vaccine for a number of years.
  806
  The JCVI recommended that MMR vaccine be introduced to: provide protection against measles, mumps and rubella; stimulate an increase in the uptake of measles vaccine; and augment the schoolgirl rubella immunisation programme with the aim of eliminating congenital rubella syndrome. The elimination of measles and congenital rubella syndrome were targets set by the WHO European region in its "Health for all by the year 2000" programme.

  Before the introduction of MMR vaccine, the JCVI gave careful consideration to available information from Finland, Sweden and the USA on the safety, efficacy and efficiency of the vaccine and from trials conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre in about 10,000 immunised United Kingdom children. It is not the responsibility of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines to consider assessments made by the JCVI.

  The Government's agreement in principle to this change was announced by Baroness Trumpington on 7 April 1987 and the change was confirmed in an announcement by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on 17 December 1987. Work on the implementation of the recommendation was guided by a working party established by the Department under the chairmanship of Sir John Badenoch, chairman of the JCVI.

  The recommendations of the JCVI, as endorsed by Ministers, are made available in the publication "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease" copies of which are in the Library of the House. A list of the recommendations and statements concerning immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella is included in the answer to the question from the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey at column 265.

  The membership of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation at April 1988 was as follows: Chairman: Sir John Badenoch. Members: Professor J. E. Banatvala; Dr. M. F. H. Bush; Professor A. G. M. Campbell; Dr. K. M. Citron; Professor J. G. Collee; Professor A. M. Geddes; Dr. D. G. Grahame Smith; Professor P. Grob; Dr. P. F. Grundy; Professor D. Hull; Dr. I. Jones; Professor J. K. Knowelden; Professor H. P. Lambert; Professor R. J. Levinsky; Dr. A. J. McFarlane; Professor D. L. Miller; Dr. J. Noble; Professor C. Peckham; Mrs. D. Roden; Dr. D. Reid; Dr. G. Schild; Dr. J. Selkon; Dr. J. W. G. Smith; Professor R. W. Smithells.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 12 March,Official Report, column 263, if the Pluserix MMR vaccine was recommended for approval by the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and if he will make a statement. [21302]

  Mr. Malone
  Marketing authorisations are granted by the Licensing Authority. When appropriate, the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines is sought. However, the recommendations of the committee are confidential.
  807
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates on which the Committee on Safety of Medicines and its sub-committees have considered the safety of measles and rubella vaccines since 1 January 1992; and if he will make a statement. [21166]

  Mr. Malone
  The safety of measles and rubella vaccines was considered by either the Committee on Safety of Medicines or its sub-committee on the following dates: 23 September 1992, 2 May 1995, 3 October 1995, 26 October 1995 and 31 October 1995.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessments of the safety of(a) mumps, measles and rubella vaccines and (b) measles and rubella vaccines have been made by the joint committee on vaccination since 1 January 1988; if he will publish those assessments; and if he will make a statement. [21171]

  Mr. Horam
  The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation regularly receives information on reported adverse events, including yellow card reports from the Medicines Control Agency, as well as published papers on safety and other expert advice. When considering the place of any vaccine in the UK immunisation programme very careful consideration is given to the likely risks and benefits of each vaccine. JCVI's recommendations for the United Kingdom programme reflect is assessment of this. The introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, the measles/rubella campaign in the winter of 1994–95, and the introduction of a second dose of MMR in 1996 were all recommended after looking at the safety of the vaccines concerned. Since January 1988, the committee has considered the matter of MMR vaccine, or its component vaccines, at each of the 18 meetings it has held.

  The recommendations of the committee, as endorsed by Ministers, are made available in the publication "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease", copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a product licence was granted to Immravax; when the product was withdrawn; on whose authority; and if he will make a statement. [21169]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 12 March 1997 at column 263. Marketing authorisations are granted by the Licensing Authority. Information regarding the withdrawal of a product is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the products which had a product licence on 2 September 1988 for the prevention of mumps, measles and rubella, and the dates of the granting of those product licences; and if he will make a statement. [21268]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information listing the vaccines for the prevention of mumps, measles and rubella on 2 September 1988 is as follows:

  Product name

  Date of grant

  Pluserix MMR vaccine

  17 June 1988

  M-M-R-II

  17 August 1972

  808

  Hospital Trusts (Contracts)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts failed to meet the deadline to agree contracts with their purchasers; and how many he expects to go to arbitration. [21081]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on the number of trusts which fail to meet the deadline for agreeing contracts is not collected centrally because their services may be bought by a large number of purchasers, including health authorities and general practitioner fundholders. It is too early in the contracting round to be able to assess the number of contracts which will go to arbitration, but the numbers are likely to be small.

  Crohn's Disease
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) incidence and (b) prevalence of Crohn's disease, broken down into age bands, for each of the last 10 years for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [21270]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the numbers of yellow card reports regarding Crohn's disease in childhood associated with the use of measles vaccine for each of the last five years for which figures are available; what assessment the Medicines Control Agency has made of such data; and if he will make a statement; [21269]

  (2) what assessment the Medicines Control Agency and the Committee on Safety of Medicines have made of the association between the use of measles vaccines and the incidence of Crohn's disease; and if he will make a statement. [21165]

  Mr. Malone
  From 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1996, three reports from the United Kingdom of Crohn's disease as a suspected adverse reaction to vaccines containing the measles component were sent to the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the vaccine.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave on 17 January 1996 at columns 593–94. Together with the Department, the Medicines Control Agency has reviewed all the available evidence and considers that a convincing link between immunisation and Crohn's disease has not been demonstrated.

  NHS (Electricity Supply)
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the savings to the NHS in fuel costs from the liberalisation of electricity supply. [21162]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not possible to distinguish the effect of the liberalisation of electricity supply from other factors affecting fuel costs in the national health service.
  809

  Duo-Japanese Vaccine
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of the duo-Japanese vaccine on the national health service. [21351]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has no knowledge of duo-Japanese vaccine.

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the incidence of glaucoma in ethnic minorities relative to the rest of the population; and if he will make a statement. [21352]

  Mr. Horam
  Studies have indicated that people of African extraction are four times more at risk of Glaucoma than Caucasians. Everyone at special risk of developing the condition, because they are aged over 40 and have a close relative with glaucoma, is automatically entitled to a free national health service sight test.

  Medical Records (Libel)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards exist under the Access to Medical Records Act 1990 to prevent a patient being libelled by a member of the medical profession; and what redress there is for patients able to demonstrate that a libel has been committed in their medical record. [21353]

  Mr. Horam
  If a patient who has been given access to his or her record under the Access to Health Records Act 1990 feels that inaccurate information is contained in that record there is a legal right to have the information corrected. If the patient and the record holder do not agree that a record is inaccurate the Act requires that a note of the alleged inaccuracy be made on the record.

  Patients who remain dissatisfied can make a complaint under the NHS complaints procedure or an application to the courts.

  These rights are in addition to those rights under the general law, including the law of libel.

  Royal London Hospital
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the differences between the proposals for the new Royal London hospital project announced on(a) 4 April 1995 and (b) 16 April 1996. [21354]

  Mr. Malone
  I am not aware of any proposals announced on 16 April 1996.

  Fluoride
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues on the maximum safe daily dosage of fluoride. [21356]

  Mr. Malone
  No guidelines have been issued. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy's report on health and social subjects 41 (sixth impression), which was first published by the Department of Health in 1991, gives details of the safe intake of fluoride for infants, children and adults. Copies of the fluoride chapter in the COMA publication will be placed in the Library.

  Edgware General Hospital
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate early discussions with Barnet district health authority and the Wellhouse Trust, to co-ordinate and monitor the provision of comprehensive new casualty facilities at Edgware general hospital, along the lines agreed in his discussions with the hon. Members for Hendon, North (Sir J. Gorst) and Harrow, East. [21395]

  Mr. Horam
  The health authority have agreed arrangements to assess the service being provided, along the lines indicated in the letter my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote on 20 January 1997.

  Disabled People
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that all health authorities meet the mobility needs of disabled people living in NHS care following the removal of the mobility component from the disability living allowance for long-stay NHS patients. [21465]

  Mr. Burns
  The national health service has been and continues to be responsible for meeting the mobility needs of everybody living in its care as part of its day-to-day work. The more effective targeting of the disability living allowance has not affected this responsibility.

  Accident and Emergency Services (Essex)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will rank in order of(a) travel time and (b) road miles the six nearest accident and emergency hospitals available to emergency ambulances when taking patients from incidents in (i) Purfleet, Essex, (ii) Aveley, Essex, (iii) Grays, Essex, (iv) Tilbury, Essex and (v) South Ockendon. [21531]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. David Micklem, chairman of South Essex health authority, for details.

  Stillbirths and Infant Deaths
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were for each of the past five years, the total costs to his Department if (i) the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy and (ii) the core and project funding for the national perinatal epidemiology unit. [21332]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  CESDI

  National perinatal epidemiology unit

  1992–93 (outturn)

  n/a

  0.683

  1993–94 (outturn)

  1.761

  0.738

  1994–95 (outturn)

  2.080

  0.759

  1995–96 (outturn)

  2.068

  0.706

  1996–97 (provision)

  2.039

  0.700

  Expenditure for 1992–93 is not separately available in respect of CESDI.

  811
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, columns 352–53, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the evaluation of the confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy which was commissioned from the South East Institute of Public Health. [21278]

  Mr. Horam
  Copies of the report "Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of the Confidential Enquiry of Stillbirth and Death in Infancy" will be placed in the Library shortly.

  £000

  Total expenditure

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Devon FHSA

  126,788

  145,551

  169,379

  193,747

  199,622

  Exeter DHA

  115,624

  120,932

  —

  —

  —

  North Devon DHA

  46,777

  51,216

  —

  —

  —

  Plymouth DHA

  109,753

  115,952

  —

  —

  —

  Torbay DHA

  90,992

  98,125

  —

  —

  —

  Exeter and North Devon DHA

  —

  —

  172,695

  182,155

  186,673

  Plymouth and Torbay DHA

  —

  —

  224,672

  233,778

  241,552

  Note:

  1995–96 figures are provisional.

  Source:

  Health Authority and Family Health Services Authority Annual Accounts.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he plans to publish his Department's annual report and expenditure plans for 1997–98 to 1999–2000; [21333]

  (2) if he will publish a table updating the figures in table 3 of his Department's 1996 annual report, Cm 3212. [21339]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health departmental report was published today. It will include a table which updates the figures in table 3 of Cm 3212.

  Heart Attack Victims
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proposal for motor cycle ambulances to provide an initial rapid response to heart attack victims in urban areas. [20130]

  Mr. Horam
  Ambulance services are increasingly making use of motor cycles to get paramedics more quickly to the scene of incidents. When ambulance services have adopted call prioritisation systems the arrival of a paramedic on a motor cycle within the target time will count towards the patients charter standard.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to provide paramedics with clot busting drugs for heart attack victims. [20131]

  Mr. Horam
  There are risks connected with the administration of these drugs and there are no plans at present to provide them to paramedics. However, the position is kept under review.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure a rapid response by ambulance services to heart attack victims. [20133]

  Mr. Horam
  On 1 April four ambulance services will be implementing call prioritisation systems which will enable them to assess calls so that the most serious cases.

  Departmental Expenditure (South-West)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of his Department's expenditure in(a) Devon, (b) South Hams and (c) Torbay in each of the past five years. [21342]

  Mr. Horam
  The table sets out total expenditure from 1991–92 to 1995–96:

  get the quickest response. Other ambulance services will adopt these systems on or after 1 October 1997 at a date agreed with their purchasers.

  It is estimated that in the longer term some 3,000 additional lives a year could be saved by these procedures.

  A new patients charter standard has been set that all ambulance services will be expected to reach 75 per cent. of immediately life-threatening calls within eight minutes by the year 2001 with further progress thereafter.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of heart attack victims who reach hospital or receive adequate medical attention in each health region. [20134]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. The review of ambulance performance standards published last year, which is available in the Library, suggested that survival rates could be improved and we are taking measures to ensure that this is the case.

  Defibrillators
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions has he had with the Home Secretary regarding the provision of defibrillators in police service vehicles. [20138]

  Mr. Horam
  There have been discussion at official, but not ministerial level. This is a matter for local discussion by chief police officers and ambulance services, and a scheme is under operation in the City of London.

  Salmonellosis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (l)what assessment he has made of trends in the number of human cases of salmonella typhimurium (DT) 104; and if he will make a statement; [21106]
  813
  (2) how many cases of salmonellosis have been recorded in humans in each of the last five years; how many and what percentage were recorded as the salmonella typhimurium (DT) 104 strain; and if he will make a statement. [21105]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Year

  Total salmonellas

  S. typhimurium DT 104

  S. typhimuriumDT 104 as a percentage of total salmonellas

  1992

  31,355

  789

  3

  1993

  30,650

  1,509

  5

  1994

  30,411

  2,848

  9

  1995

  29,717

  3,698

  12

  19961

  30,272

  4,006

  13

  Note:

  1 Provisional figures.

  Source:

  Public Health Laboratory Service.

  The Government's independent advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food's working group on microbial antibiotic resistance in relation to food safety, which was set up last year and the epidemiology of foodborne infections group, which is chaired by the Department of Health, are giving careful consideration to this organism. Copies of the terms of reference to these groups have been placed in the Library. In addition the Department of Health is funding a study into "factors affecting the survival and heat resistance of Salmonella typhimurium DT104".

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21204]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant) on 18 July 1996 at columns 613–14.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes to the funding arrangements(a) for health authorities in England and (b) for Buckinghamshire health authority he has made as a result of his decision that general practitioner practice staff should be eligible for membership of the NHS pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [21337]

  Mr. Malone
  An additional £65 million in general medical services cash-limited funds has been allocated to health authorities in 1997–98 to enable them to develop primary care through existing mechanisms and to take advantage of the additional flexibilities and initiatives in the White Paper "Delivering the Future". This includes 814
  the proposal to open up the NHS pension scheme to GP practice staff. All health authorities have received a minimum of 2 per cent. growth moneys.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 March,Official Report, column 339, how many expressions of interest in the NHS pension scheme derived from (a) general practitioners and (b) their staff. [21357]

  Mr. Malone
  In England, 1,116 practices and 6,564 practice staff responded to the staff interest survey carried out in 1994. Of those responding, over 80 per cent. of general practitioner practices indicated that they would allow all their staff to join the NHS pension scheme and 77 per cent. of staff indicated an interest in joining.

  A. Simplex Allergy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to the medical profession in diagnosing and treating A. simplex allergy; and if he will make a statement. [21233]

  Mr. Horam
  The diagnosis and treatment of allergies are matters for the medical profession. There are no reports of this type of allergy in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the link between delays in gutting fish and the increase of A. simplex allergy; and if he will make a statement. [21228]

  Mr. Horam
  Current practices in the United Kingdom fishing industry mean that the parasite A. simplex is unlikely to be present in fish purchased in this country.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have contracted A. simplex allergy from contaminated fish in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [21234]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to those at risk from A. simplex allergy; and if he will make a statement. [21229]

  Mr. Horam
  We are not aware of any reports of this type of allergy in the United Kingdom. Current practices in the UK fishing industry mean that the parasite A. simplex is unlikely to be present in fish purchased in this country.

  Consultants (Suspensions)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS consultants had a period of suspension during (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96; and what were the total amounts payable to them during each of those years; [21119]

  (2) how many consultants are currently suspended with full pay by the NHS; and what is the total annual salary of those under suspension. [21118]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the number of national health service consultants suspended is only held centrally for those cases lasting more than six months and was not collected before 31 March 1995. For the period 31 March
  815
  1995 to 31 December 1996 there were eight reported cases, all of which have been resolved. There are currently no reported cases of consultants under suspension lasting more than six months. Information on the total salary costs of consultants under suspension is not available centrally.

  Antipsychotic Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the link between tardive dyskinesia in mental health patients and the use of antipsychotic drugs; and if he will make a statement. [21227]

  Mr. Burns
  The links between tardive dyskinesia and the use of antipsychotic drugs in mental health patients are very well researched and well known. The information has been widely available for many years.

  Heart Attack (First Aid)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps is he taking to promote public education in respect of the recommended first aid measures against the onset of a heart attack. [20139]

  Mr. Horam
  We have recently produced large quantities of public education materials for use by ambulance services around the country on recognising the early signs of a heart attack and how to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. There are other regional and local campaigns in the same field.

  Factor 8
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations(a) he and (b) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), have received from the Haemophilia Society in regard to (i) the availability of recombinant factor 8 for children with haemophilia and (ii) the risks for children not receiving recombinant factor 8; what reply he has sent; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [21112]

  Mr. Horam
  Earlier this month the chairman of the Haemophilia Society, Rev. Alan Tanner, wrote both to me and to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health about a number of issues relating to recombinant factor 8. I shall be replying shortly.

  Cancer Treatments (Clatterbridge Hospital)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received cancer treatment at Clatterbridge hospital, Wirral, in each of the last five years. [21219]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested may be found in the publication "Ordinary and day case admissions for England, Financial Year 1995–96", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Worcester District General Hospital
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to work towards the signing of the contract for the new Worcester district general hospital before the dissolution of Parliament. [21186]
  816
  Mr. Horam
  All national health service trusts with private finance initiative schemes, such as for the new Worcester district general hospital, should continue to prepare their full business cases and will be fully supported in this by officials at the NHS executive and Her Majesty's Treasury. However, following the announcement of the general election Ministers and officials can no longer take decisions with financial implications for a future Administration. This means that Ministers will not be able to approve the full business case for the PFI scheme for the new Worcester district general hospital if it is submitted for approval before the general election.

  Contraceptives (Minors)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement indicating those provisions in his departments circular, "Health Services Management Family Planning Services for Young People", which govern the situation in which contraceptives may be prescribed for minors(a) without parental consent and (b) without first discussing the situation with the child's usual general practitioner; and if he will identify the steps which are taken by his Department to ensure that these provisions are met by those providing contraceptive services. [21283]

  Mr. Horam
  The appendix to the circular sets out in paragraph 3 the criteria to be satisfied in providing contraceptive advice and/or treatment to young people under 16 without parental knowledge or consent. Paragraph 4 states that the doctor must use his clinical judgment to decide if these criteria are satisfied. Paragraph 4 also states that a doctor who is not the young person's GP would be advised, with the young person's agreement, to discuss his action with the GP involved.

  To ensure that these guidelines are fully understood, the British Medical Association in partnership with other medical and voluntary organisations has produced advice for health professionals on this issue. This guidance makes it clear that a young person must be strongly encouraged to involve his or her parents and their reasons for not wishing to do so should be fully explored.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of girls aged under 16 who were prescribed contraceptives in the latest year for which figures are available; what estimate he has made of the number of those girls to whom such prescriptions were given without parental knowledge; and if he will make a statement. [21282]

  Mr. Horam
  Details are not held centrally of the number of young women under 16 prescribed contraceptives, or if they were advised or treated without their parents' knowledge or consent as specified in the Department's 1986 guidelines.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will update the table placed in the Library on 29 March 1996,Official Report, column 780, on the practice fund management allowance expenditure by each health authority to include expenditure estimates and revised totals for 1996–97. [16651]
  817
  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 19 February 1997]: The information requested for 1995–96 and 1996–97 has been placed in the Library. I regret that there was an error in the labelling on the table placed in the Library on 29 March 1996 and a revised version of this table has also been provided.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average(a) management and (b) computer costs for a general practitioner fundholding practice in each health authority in England in each of the past five years. [17470]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 24 February 1997]: The available data have been placed in the Library.

  For 1995–96 and 1996–97, the tables identify allocations to health authorities for practice fund management allowance and computing allocations, and separately identify preparatory year and full fundholders so that a meaningful average can be calculated.

  For 1993–94 and 1994–95, the tables identify the total PFMA expenditure by full and preparatory year fundholders, but divided by full fundholders only.

  The figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 include both computer purchase costs, shown separately, and computer maintenance costs, included within general PFMA. Both these components are excluded from the 1993–94 and 1994–95 figures, so the figures are not comparable over time.

  Data by Family Health Services Authority are not centrally available for 1992–93.

  NHS Employees
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the Hospital and Community health services nurses who are(a) qualified, (b) unqualified, (c) midwives, (d) learner staff and (e) Project 2000 students, as whole-time equivalents, employed (i) in each region and (ii) overall in each year since 1991. [18773]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: The information requested will be placed in the Library.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 6 March,Official Report, column 740, 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. [20389]

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects contracts to be signed for the construction of the new Worcester district general hospital. [20805]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: This information is not available in the form requested.

  The figures at table 5.5 in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" are an estimate built up from detailed figures for each of the schemes with a capital cost of £10 million and above, testing for PFI as at November 1996, together with an aggregate estimate for smaller
  818
  schemes. Both sets of figures were then adjusted at an aggregate level to arrive at an estimate of the likely spend in each year. The trusts with schemes with a capital cost of £10 million and above are listed:

  PFI schemes

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood Community Healthcare NHS Trusts

  Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  Bishop Auckland Hospitals NHS Trust

  Bradford Community NHS Trust

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  Calderdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  Chichester Priority Care Services NHS Trust

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust

  Gloucester Royal NHS Trust Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS Trust

  Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

  Royal Hull Hospitals NHS Trust

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  Leeds Community and Mental Health NHS Trust

  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  North Downs Community Health NHS Trust

  North Durham Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  North Kent Healthcare NHS Trust

  North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust

  Northern Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Oxleas NHS Trust

  Papworth Hospitals NHS Trust

  Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust

  Pinderfields Hospitals NHS Trust

  Pontefract Hospitals NHS Trust

  The Radcliffe Infirmary NHS Trust

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton NHS Trust

  Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust

  Royal Victoria Infirmary and Associated Hospitals NHS Trust

  Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  South Bedfordshire Community NHS Trust

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Southampton Community Health Services NHS Trust

  St. James' and Seacroft University Hospitals NHS Trust

  St. George's Hospital NHS Trust

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  819

  West Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Wiltshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust.

  Residential Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current public expenditure cost of supporting retired people in residential care; and what estimate he has made of these costs in(a) 2020 and (b) 2040. [20489]

  Mr. Burns
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: In 1994–95, the latest year for which this information is available, identified public expenditure on residential care for the elderly included £0.9 billion of local authority expenditure, net of income received, including fees and charges to clients, and £0.5 billion of Department of Social Security preserved rights income support. Information on residential allowance does not separately identify residential and nursing care. For residential and nursing care taken together, total net public expenditure on elderly by local authorities (net) and by DSS by means of preserved rights income support and residential allowance, amounted to about £2.7 billion in 1994–95. Future costs of long-term care discussed in the Health Committee report "Long Term Care: Future Provision and Funding", chapter IV, paragraphs 99 to 121, a copy of which is available in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Punishment Shootings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds arising from so-called punishment shootings in each of the last five years and the current year to date; if he will break down the costs in terms of(a) police costs, (b) medical costs, (c) compensation paid to victims and (d) ongoing cots to the social security budget; and of the latter in how many cases there are likely to be long-term payments. [9219]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Road Signs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of road signs which need replacement or repair on the United Kingdom primary route network. [8418]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people have died as a result of violence committed by(a) republican and (b) loyalist paramilitaries in Belfast, West since April 1992; [16471]

  (2) how many punishment beatings have been attributed to (a) republican and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups in Belfast, West since April 1992; [16469]
  820
  (3) how many acts of terrorism have been attributed to (a) republican and (b) loyalist paramilitaries since April 1992. [16470]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Anglo-Irish Secretariat
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what names have been put forward by the Irish side of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat for the proposed Parades Commission. [17702]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Properties (Rateable Values)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list for each council area, (i) the old and the new rateable value of commercial premises, (ii) the rateable value of domestic properties and (iii) the rateable value of other properties; and what was the(a) percentage increase in and (b) sums raised in respect of each category for each area (x) in 1995–96, (y) in 1996–97 and (z) projected for 1997–98 by means of (1) the regional rate and (2) local rates; [18514]

  (2) if he will list the sums in respect of rate relief (a) paid in 1995–96, (b) paid in 1996–97 and (c) projected to be paid in 1997–98 in each council area; and in each case what percentage this is of the total sum raised by each council. [18515]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 4 March 1997]: I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Computer Theft
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many items of computer equipment were seized or confiscated by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in November and December 1996; how many of these items were seized from(a) community centres, (b) commercial properties and (c) domestic residences; and how many individuals are or have been subject to criminal prosecutions as a result of evidence so obtained. [19943]

  Sir John Wheeler
  As part of an on-going investigation, a number of items of computer equipment were seized from various locations during November and December 1996. Some items are still retained.

  A DPP file is pending and it would therefore not be appropriate to disclose further details at this stage.

  Martin McGartland
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the sums paid out of public funds to Martin McGartland since 1991; by which agencies; and under what powers they were paid. [20749]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Magheramorne Quarry, Lorne
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report of Commissioner Mossop on the
  821
  public inquiry into the proposed landfill site at Magheramorne quarry, Lorne, Co. Antrim was presented to the Planning Appeals Commission and Department of Environment (NI). [21001]

  Mr. Moss
  I am advised by the chief commissioner of the PAC that the report of Commissioner Mossop was completed on 25 October 1996 and that the Commission reached a corporate decision on 2 December 1996. The report was received by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland on 17 December 1966.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland when a copy of Commissioner Mossop's report on the public inquiry into the application for a landfill waste disposal site at Magheramorne quarry, Larne, will be placed in the Library. [21305]

  Mr. Moss
  It is not normal practice to place planning appeals commission reports in the Library, but on this occasion I will arrange to do so immediately following the Department's determination of the application.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to give equal access to hon. Members in relation to the public appointment process as is given to the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement. [21005]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Groomsport Primary School
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the investigation into the fire at Groomsport primary school in 1996 indicating when(a) the site will be cleared and (b) rebuilding will commence. [21007]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Forensic Science Agency's final report on the fire is awaited by the South-Eastern education and library board which is responsible in the first instance for any reinstatement of damaged accommodation at the school. The board is currently considering some capital works to address the school's needs, but this will be subject to the availability of resources.

  Public Sector Pension Schemes
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the actual and accumulated deficits and surpluses over the last five years of the five largest public sector pension schemes in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [21008]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Of the five largest public sector pension schemes in Northern Ireland, the teachers superannuation scheme, the principal civil service pension scheme (NI), the health and personal social services scheme (NI) and the RUC pension scheme are notionally funded/non-funded and therefore, the question of deficits and surpluses does not arise.

  For the Northern Ireland local government officers superannuation scheme the net money available for investment, that is, actual surplus for each of the last five years, is listed.
  822

  Year

  Net money availablefor investment£ (million)

  1991–92

  48,758

  1992–93

  45,921

  1993–94

  34,066

  1994–95

  39,616

  1995–96

  45,993

  It is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for accumulated surpluses over the past five years. However, the actuarial valuation of the fund at 31 March 1992 was £214 million and at 31 March 1995 was £304 million.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) number and (b) percentage of disability living allowance claim decisions were (i) reviewed and (ii) appealed against in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage and number achieved variations of awards in their favour. [21009]

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

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 19 March 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for statistics on Disability Living Allowance decisions that were reviewed and appealed against in the last year for which figures are available.
  The attached sheet sets out the most up to date information available for a complete year which, in this instance, covers the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996.
  Disability living allowance statistical information I April 1995 to 31 March 1996
  1. Total number of claims received: 48,633

  2.

  Amount

  Reviews

  Number of reviews received

  22,256

  Number of reviews decided

  21,261

  Number of reviews allowed

  7,849

  Success rate

  37 per cent.

  Appeals

  Number of appeals received

  2,491

  Number of appeals cleared

  3,142

  Number of appeals allowed

  1,320

  Success rate

  42 per cent.

  It should be noted that the number of appeals and reviews received during the period 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996 do not necessarily relate to the number of claims received during the same period— i.e. some appeals and review applications were made on previous year claims.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings,

  823
  (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20898]

  Department of Economic Development

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Public annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members' interests

  Yes

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  Yes (wef 6/97)

  Enterprise Ulster

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  1No

  Fair Employment Commission

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  1No

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  Yes

  Labour Relations Agency

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  1No

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  2Yes (S)

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  1No

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  2Yes (S)

  (S) Statutory requirement.

  1 Maintain a Register of Members' interests, voluntarily, which are open for inspection at their offices upon request.

  2 Details regarding alternative directorships forms part of the Annual Return to the Registrar of Companies by all companies. The Annual Returns for LEDU and USEL are available to the public in Companies House.

  Impartment of Health and Social Services

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members'interest

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for NI

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory requirements. (V) = Voluntary.

  1 - Report is published biannually.

  2 - Report is published biennially.

  Department of the Environment (NI)

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members' interest

  Fire Authority for NI

  Yes1 (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Laganside Corporation

  Yes (V)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  No

  NI Housing Executive

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  NI Transport Holding Company

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  NI Local Government Officers' Staff Commission

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory requirements (V) = Voluntary

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  The Department does not sponsor any executive non-departmental public bodies.

  Department of Education

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members' interest

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  No

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  824
  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The information requested is as follows:
  825

  Department of Education

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members' interest

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  North-Eastern Education and Library Board

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  South-Eastern Education and Library Board

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  Western Education and Library Board

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment

  No

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Northern Ireland Museums Council

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  Yes (V)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory requirements. (V) = Voluntary.

  Department of Agriculture

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of members

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members' interest

  Livestock and Meat Commission

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Agricultural Wages Board

  1Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Agricultural Resource Institute

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Foyle Fisheries Commission

  Yes (S)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  No

  Fishery Harbour Authority

  Yes (V)

  Yes (V)

  No

  No

  No

  Fisheries Conservancy Board

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory requirements. (V) = Voluntary.

  1 Report is published biannually.

  Northern Ireland Office

  Name of body

  Publish annual report

  Publish annual accounts

  Publish minutes of meetings

  Publish agendas of meetings

  Publish register of members interest

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Yes

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  Rathgael and Whiteabbey Training Schools Management Board

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  The Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland

  Yes (S)

  Yes (S)

  No

  No

  No

  (S) = Statutory requirements.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open Government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens' Charter. [20937]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The remit of the Parliamentary Commissioner does not extend to executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland. The Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland investigates complaints of alleged injustice as a consequence of maladministration by Northern Ireland Departments, including their agencies, while the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints investigates similar complaints against local and public bodies. The current list of executive non-departmental
  826
  public bodies which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints is as follows:

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Education and Library Boards

  Enterprise Ulster

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Fisheries Conservatory Board for Northern Ireland

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Industrial Training Boards

  Labour Relations Agency

  Lagans ide Corporation

  Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Metal Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  827

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officer's Superannuation Committee

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  Northern Ireland Museums Council

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Staff Commission for the Education and Library Boards

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Limited

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland.

  There are no executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland which are subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  The following executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Independent Commissioner for Police Complaints

  Training School Management Board Rathgael and Whiteabbey.

  The responsibility of the National Audit Office does not extend to the six Northern Ireland Departments which have their own similarly appointed body—the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

  The following executive non-departmental public bodies are subject to scrutiny by the NIAO.

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  North Eastern Education and Library Board

  South Eastern Education and Library Board

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Western Education and Library Board

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Enterprise Ulster

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Labour Relations Agency

  Laganside Corporation

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Local Government Staff Commission

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  828

  Northern Ireland Council for Post Graduate, Medical & Dental Education

  * Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  * Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examination and Assessments

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Museums Council

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Staff Commission for Education & Library Boards

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Ulster Museum

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland.

  There are no statutory provisions for open government. However, those executive non-departmental public bodies under the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints are subject to the code of practice on access to Government information.

  All executive non-departmental public bodies listed in the publication "Public Bodies 1996" are subject to performance indicators and the provisions under the citizen's charter. A copy of "Public Bodies 1996" has been placed in the Library.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps he proposes to take to raise the examination achievement level of boys attending secondary schools. [21304]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have set in place a number of initiatives to tackle low achievement in all Northern Ireland schools, including the raising schools' standards initiative, the "Making a Good Start" initiative, which provides additional classroom assistance in year 1, and targeting social need, which targets resources through local management of schools formulae. These will impact on low achievement wherever it occurs, including on boys' achievements.

  Fox and Mink Farms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) fox and (b) mink farms there are in Northern Ireland by county. [21314]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons a licence is required for a fox farm in Northern Ireland. [21242]

  Mr. Ancram
  A licence is required to set up the conditions for the importation and keeping of arctic foxes in terms of preventing their escape.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance

  829
  with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21199]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The percentage of bills paid within 30 days or contract payment terms is not available for the financial year 1995–96; also in 1996 revised sampling criteria were introduced following HMT direction. However, the percentage for the calendar year 1995 was 96.1 per cent. for the seven Northern Ireland Departments.

  Bypasses
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies he has carried out of the consequences of bypasses of towns and villages in Northern Ireland with particular reference to the economic impact and changes in the quality of the environment. [21394]

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

  Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. William Ross, dated 19 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to reply to your recently tabled PQ about studies carried out on the consequences arising from the provision of by-passes and towns and villages and in his absence I am replying on his behalf.
  All major by-pass proposals are subjected to a rigorous cost benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment before they are added to the major roadworks programme. The cost benefit analysis takes account of many factors including cost, traffic volumes, journey time savings, road safety, economic benefits and the benefits or otherwise for other parts of the road network, while the environmental impact assessment considers the affect of the scheme on the surrounding environment and the likely reduction in levels of traffic pollution arising from reduced congestion.
  Whilst traffic studies are carried out after completion of projects to check the accuracy of the appraisal projections, the Department has not carried out particular studies in Northern Ireland to measure wider economic or environmental changes to by-passed towns or villages.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Land Registers of Northern Ireland
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Land Registers of Northern Ireland in 1997–98. [21649]

  Mr. Moss
  For 1997–98, the following performance targets have been set for LRNI:

  Output

  1. To process 16.8 Land Registry registrations per member of staff per month.

  2. To process 262.5 Registry of Deeds registrations per member of staff per month.

  3. To process 48 Statutory Charges Registry registrations per member of staff per month.

  4. To process 90.75 application units per member of staff per month.

  Efficiency

  5. To process regular Land Registry dealings in an average of 20 days.

  830

  6. To process regular Register of Deeds dealings in an average of three days.

  7. To process regular Statutory Charges Registry dealings in an average of 15 days.

  8. To process pre-completion land information applications in an average of eight days.

  9. To achieve a unit cost of £46.24 for registrations.

  10. To achieve a unit cost of £5.64 for land information services.

  11. To achieve a combined weighted unit cost target of £26,68.

  Financial

  12. To cover Agency Costs out of fee income.

  13. To increase overall productivity by at least 3 per cent.

  Quality

  14. To achieve a customer complaint ratio of more than 1.5 per cent.

  15. To achieve a registration accuracy rate of at least 98.5 per cent.

  Accessor for Military Complaints
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make an announcement about the post of independent assessor for military complaints procedures which falls vacant on 31 March. [21650]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I am happy to announce that Mr. Jim McDonald has accepted appointment to the post of independent assessor for military complaints procedures and he will take up the position on 1 April 1997.

  I am grateful to him for accepting the appointment and am confident that he will provide a valuable contribution in what I consider to be an essential element in maintaining public confidence in the Army's complaints procedures.

  I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to his predecessor, Mr. David Hewitt, for all his efforts and to fully acknowledge the contribution which he has made in the important area of Army complaints procedures.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Custodial Costs (Young People)
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current annual cost of keeping a young person in(a) secure accommodation and (b) youth custody. [19793]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The cost of providing secure accommodation for young persons is a matter for individual local authorities. The Prison Service is responsible for meeting the costs incurred by local authorities in detaining juveniles sentenced under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. The average annual cost of such detention is currently £126,022.

  In 1995–96, the average cost per place in young offender institutions was £17,507 in closed establishments and £16,741 in open establishments.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of motorists who are escaping prosecution for speeding because the police do not have the resources to maintain the existing speed cameras; and what measures he plans to take to remedy this situation. [19794]

  Mr. Maclean
  I do not consider that any estimate of that kind could be useful or meaningful. The Government have provided substantial and increased resources to the police service and it is for chief officers to decide how to order their priorities.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government's target of(a) 5,000 extra police officers nationwide and (b) 1,000 extra police officers in London will be reached. [19795]

  Mr. Howard
  The additional £180 million being allocated over three years from April 1996 is sufficient to allow the police service in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan police, to recruit 5,000 constables by March 1999. Chief constables have estimated that the first 1,000 extra officers will be recruited in the present financial year.

  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of extra police officers to be appointed in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) the South Wales police authority in 1997–98. [19797]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for individual chief constables and police authorities to determine the number of officers in each force, having regard to the resources available to them. The additional £40 million we have allocated for extra officers in 1997–98 is sufficient to recruit 1,888 more police constables in England, and 112 in Wales, including 47 in the South Wales constabulary.

  Pastoral Discussions (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what wording he plans to include in the draft code of practice consequent upon the passing of the Police Bill [Lords] that will ensure confidential protection of pastoral discussions between ministers of religion and members of their flock. [19796]

  Mr. Howard
  Authorisation of surveillance which intrudes on "confidential personal information" will require prior approval by a commissioner except in urgent cases. In addition, the police and customs have given an undertaking not to mount intrusive surveillance operations in circumstances covered by the seal of confession.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the percentage rise in reported crime since 1979. [19798]
  832
  Mr. Maclean
  No central record exists of the number of crimes reported to the police, although for the period in question, the average annual increase in recorded crime was 4 per cent.

  Prison Officers (Drugs)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are taken to ensure that prison officers do not bring drugs into prisons; and if he will make a statement. [19799]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A range of measures are taken to stop staff from smuggling drugs into prison. These include: searching of staff, the use of sniffer dogs and setting up intelligence systems. In addition, any staff who are caught with drugs and pursued through the Prison Service code of discipline, and, if necessary, the courts.

  Prison Service Education Budget
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present education budget for the Prison Service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [19800]

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no central education budget: decisions on the size of education budgets are taken by individual governors. Governors' budgets for education this year totalled £35,297,815.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the size of the prison population. [19801]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The prison population on 19 March was 59,529.

  International Terrorism
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures he is supporting to combat international terrorism. [19802]

  Mr. Howard
  The Government continue to support measures, at home and in international fora, which will enable international terrorism to be countered more effectively. It is a matter of considerable regret that my hon. Friend's Bill, which would extend the law relating to conspiracy or incitement here to commit terrorist and other offences abroad, has not yet made the progress which the Government hoped it would.

  As I stated in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, South and Maldon (Mr. Whittingdale) on 20 February, Official Report, column 756, the Government intend to bring forward in due course proposals to strengthen existing controls on

  833
  terrorist, including international terrorist, finances. In the European Union and the Group of Seven industrialised countries plus Russia, the United Kingdom has initiated the development of "centres of excellence" directories to enhance counter-terrorist co-operation.

  In the United Nations, we promoted the adoption last December of a new declaration on measures to eliminate international terrorism, and we are playing a constructive role in the preparation of a draft international convention for the suppression of terrorist bombings.

  Deportation (Scotland)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions have taken place with the Scottish Prison Service about the detention of persons awaiting deportation. [19803]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Discussions took place with the Scottish Prison Service last summer about the detention of persons awaiting deportation. These discussions found that due to the relatively low numbers of persons held in Scottish prisons under sole immigration powers, there were no grounds on which to consider a custom built facility solely for Immigration Act detainees.

  Prison Overcrowding
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's latest estimate of overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. [19804]

  Miss Widdecombe
  As at 19 March the total in-use certified normal accommodation of the Prison Service estate is 54,578. The population as at 19 March is 59,529 and the operational capacity is 60,563.

  Prisons (Ministerial Visits)
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons the Minister responsible for prisons has visited; and what assessment she has made about the management of those prisons. [19805]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since becoming Prisons Minister I have visited all 129 Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

  During my visits, I have seen much to give me cause for encouragement. Against the backdrop of a rising prison population, the Prison Service has maintained an excellent security record, achieved a reduction in assaults and successfully implemented reforms to release on

  Table A:Grants of entry clearance on application, and successful appeals against a refusal of entry clearance, for spouses or financé(e)s, in India and pakistan, 1995

  Persons

  Entry clearancegranted onapplication, asspouse or financé(e)

  Successful appealagainst refusal ofentry clearance asspouse or financé(e)

  Country where application was made

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Pakistan

  1,190

  2,320

  580

  160

  India

  460

  1,880

  110

  90

  All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  834
  temporary licence, a national system of incentives and earned privileges, and mandatory drugs testing. I congratulate all concerned.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department is taking in respect of young offenders; and if he will make a statement. [19806]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have proposed in the Crime (Sentences) Bill that curfew orders with electronic monitoring should be extended to 10 to 15 year-olds, and that the courts be given greater discretion to allow the identification of convicted juveniles. We will be introducing a new secure training order for 12 to 14-year-old persistent offenders. The Green Paper "Preventing Children Offending", which was published earlier this month, sets out our proposals for action to help children before they become offenders; and action to reinforce parents' responsibility for their children's behaviour.

  Immigration
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the effect on immigration levels of the abolition of the primary purpose rule and the admission of immediate members of the same family already resident in the United Kingdom. [19807]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  If the primary purpose rule were to be abolished it is estimated that currently between 1,200 and 2,200 applicants would be eligible for admission each year. It is not possible to estimate the effect of easier admission for the immediate family members of persons settled in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women, being (i) Pakistani (ii) Indian, (iii) Australian, (iv) Canadian and (v) Filipino citizens, have sought to enter the United Kingdom as spouses or finances, and have been successful on (1) application and (2) appeal in the most recent year for which figures are available. [21334]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The latest available information on grants of entry clearance and on successful appeals against an initial refusal of entry clearance in India and Pakistan is given in table A. Corresponding information for the other countries is not available centrally. For those countries, information by nationally on those granted leave to enter the United Kingdom as spouses or fiancé(e) s is given in table B.
  835

  Table B: Persons admitted to the Unite financé(e)s, by selected natit Kingdom as spouses or nalities, 1995

  Persons

  Granted leave to enter the United Kingdom as spouse or financé (e)

  Nationality

  Males

  Females

  Australia

  420

  580

  Canada

  140

  160

  Philippines

  70

  430

  Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning police manpower in south-west London. [19808]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I regularly meet the commissioner to discuss issues concerning the policing of London.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been waiting more than five years for a decision on their status; and what plans he has to recruit extra staff to deal with the backlog of cases. [19809]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  About 4,460 applications for asylum made before 1992 are currently awaiting a decision. New arrangements for tackling the backlog of asylum applications made before the Asylum and Immigration Act 1993 are to be introduced in April, with the aim of producing a higher rate of decisions within the staff resources already allocated to this block of work. Generally, the number of asylum caseworkers has increased more than sevenfold since 1988 and the number of undecided asylum applications has fallen from 69,763 in January 1996 to 54,490 at the end of January 1997.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers there were from(a) Poland, (b) the Czech Republic, (c) Hungary, (d) Romania and (e) Malta during each of the past four years. [21052]

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

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, selected nationalities, 1993 to 1996

  Principal applicants

  1993

  1994

  1995

  19962

  Hungary

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Malta

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Poland

  155

  360

  1,210

  890

  Romania

  370

  355

  770

  445

  Former Czechoslovakia of which:

  15

  35

  65

  110

  Czech Republic

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  55

  Slovakia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  55

  1 Figures rounded to 5 with * = to 1 or 2 while n/a = not available.

  2 Provisional figures.

  836

  Prison Accommodation
  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in supplying extra accommodation in Her Majesty's prisons. [19810]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Prison Service is taking a number of steps to cope with the rising prison population, including opening new prisons, building new houseblocks and speeding up the refurbishment of existing accommodation. This will result in an additional 6,000 places over the next 18 months, increasing to 8,500 new places by March 2000.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the currently vacant cellular accommodation in prison establishments which is(a) pending refurbishment, (b) currently being refurbished and (c) deemed unfit for rehabilitation. [20692]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about vacant cellular accommodation.
  The attached table provides the information you requested about accommodation which is out of use. There is no cellular accommodation deemed unfit for rehabilitation.

  Number

  Accommodation out of use pending refurbishment

  Wakefield

  202

  Accommodation out of use currently being refurbished

  Bristol

  8

  Brixton

  237

  Camp Hill

  86

  Dartmoor

  28

  Everthorpe

  5

  Ford

  35

  Full Sutton

  220

  Glen Parva

  132

  Hull

  6

  Kingston

  56

  Leeds

  252

  Lewes

  132

  Liverpool

  111

  Long Lartin

  74

  Maidstone

  1

  Nottinghan

  22

  Parkhurst

  133

  Pentonville

  156

  Preston

  156

  Stoke Heath

  60

  Styal

  18

  Wandsworth

  415

  Wormwood Scrubs

  50

  Prison Staff
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to monitor the adequacy of prison staffing levels. [19811]
  837
  Miss Widdecombe
  The adequacy of prison staffing levels is monitored regularly by Prison Service operational line managers.

  Privately Operated Prisons
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the circumstances under which payments, other than the usual monthly contractual payments, are made to privately operated prisons; [18716]

  (2) If he will list the payments which the Prison Service (a) has made and (b) plans to make to each privately operated prisons, other than the usual monthly contractual payments and the reasons for these payments. [18717]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about extra-contractual payments to the operators of privately managed prisons.
  Excluding the regular monthly payments required by contract (which vary from prison to prison), additional sums paid in the last year have included:

  discharge grants

  some probation costs

  improvements to remedy latent defects in the fabric of the prisons (where prison buildings were provided by the Prison Service)

  capital costs introduced throughout the Prison Service (such as electrical work in cells and to accommodate overcrowding)

  changes in the service requirements, such as extra court escort commitments

  additional operational requirements, such as mutual aid between prisons

  These payments are negotiated on a commercial-in-confidence basis.
  These costs, where relevant, have been taken fully into account in the two studies comparing the costs of contracted out prisons with directly managed prisons (by Coopers and Lybrand for 1994–95 and the Home Office Economic Unit for 1995–96). It is not possible to predict when such payments may be necessary in future.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of replacing the locks at HM prison Blakenhurst; and what factors prompted their replacement. [21000]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the replacement of locks at Blakenhurst prison.
  The decision was taken to re-lock the prison on the basis of intelligence received that the security of the prison may have been compromised. The full cost of the relocking is the subject of negotiations between the Prison Service and the contractor.
  838

  Addicts Index
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the addicts index. [21046]

  Mr. Sackville
  We propose to bring the addicts index to a close on 31 March. A statutory instrument will shortly be laid before Parliament to revoke the existing provisions which require doctors to notify the Chief Medical Officer at the Home Office of details of patients they believe to be addicted to certain narcotic drugs. This year's notification statistics, due to be published in July, will therefore be the last in the series.

  Reliance for information on the nature of drug misuse will henceforward rest mainly on the Department of Health's regional drug misuse databases and the Scottish drug misuse database. The DMDs are a superior source of information in a number of significant respects:

  they cover all drugs misused, not just the narcotics;

  they cover non-medical as well as doctor sources;

  the anonymity is attractive both to misusers and those treating them;

  the voluntary nature of the system promotes compliance.

  The value of the statistical product of the DMDs is already proven and the system, which has been operating since 1992, is well established. The closure of the addicts index will assist in concentrating efforts on further strategic development of the DMDs; work is already being taken forward in this area. Doctors and others concerned in the treatment and support of drug addicts will also continue to be encouraged to report contacts to the DMDs.

  It is recognised that doctors need to manage addict patients with particular care; this includes guarding against attempts to obtain dual prescriptions. There are guidelines on clinical management of drug misusers, published by the Department of Health, to assist doctors treating such patients. The guidance emphasises the need for a proper clinical assessment of drug dependence, including special measures such as urine analysis.

  The Department of Health have in hand a revision of the guidelines which will further assist in the management of these patients.

  Problems associated with diversion on to the illicit market will continue to be dealt with by the drugs inspectorate which will closely monitor prescribing of controlled drugs to drug addicts.

  Doctors who use the index will shortly be individually informed of the closure. The relevant professional and interested bodies will also be notified.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of
  839
  whether the new procedures for examining and checking category A inmates and their family visitors will allow him to grant more open visits; [20369]

  (2) when his Department received recommendations on modifying the requirements for closed visits for families of category A inmates in prison; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of implementing the recommendations. [20368]

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

  Letter from Richard tilt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about closed visits.
  840
  A policy of mandatory closed visits for all exceptional risk category A prisoners held in special secure units (SSUs) was introduced in June 1995. No new procedures for the searching of prisoners and their visitors have been introduced since that time.
  In 1996, the Prison Service asked Sir Donald Acheson to examine what effect the regime in the SSUs at Belmarsh, Full Sutton and Whitemoor might have on the health of prisoners. The report was presented in June 1996 and included the recommendation that prisoners should have access to open visits with members of their immediate family. A copy of the report was recently placed in the Library.
  Sir Donald Acheson's recommendation was considered in the light of the need to maintain the highest levels of security in SSUs and took into account humanitarian concerns. The recommendation was qualified by the assertion that it should be possible for the Prison Service to devise a system of open visits which prevented the passage of unauthorised items. The Prison Service concluded that closed visits are the only guaranteed means of preventing the passage of such items and therefore has not accepted the recommendation.
  841

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average proportion of the population at Her Majesty's prison Holloway(a) unconvicted awaiting trial and (b) convicted awaiting sentencing, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [20700]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the proportions of untried, and convicted unsentenced prisoners at Holloway prison.
  No detailed daily records are kept, and it is therefore impossible to provide an accurate average figure. However, a biannual population monitoring exercise is conducted, and the average of the last three of these (30th June 1995, 31 January 1996 and 30 June 1996) are listed in the attached table.

  Per cent.

  Untried

  Convicted unsentenced

  30 June 1995

  30.7

  12.8

  31 January 1996

  27.9

  12.3

  30 June 1996

  32.5

  12.2

  Average

  30.4

  12.5

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average amount of time spent in custody by those convicted prisoners on remand awaiting sentencing at HMP Holloway who eventually received non-custodial sentences, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [20704]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average time spent in custody at Holloway prison by convicted prisoners on remand awaiting sentencing who subsequently received non-custodial sentences.
  This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average amount of time spent in custody by those unconvicted prisoners on remand at HMP Holloway while awaiting trial who(a) were acquitted and (b) had their charges dropped in the most recent year for which figures are available; [20702]

  (2) what proportion of unconvicted prisoners on remand at HMP Holloway while awaiting trial (a) were acquitted
  842
  and (b) had their charges dropped, in the most recent year for which figures are available; [20701]

  (3) what proportion of convicted prisoners on remand awaiting sentencing at HMP Holloway received non-custodial sentences, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [20703]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about convicted and unconvicted prisoners on remand in Holloway prison.
  The requested information is unavailable and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, columns 403–04, concerning strip searching of prisoners detained at HMP Holloway, when strip searching was introduced on the routine basis described in the reply; since that date, how many items of contraband have been discovered on (a) pregnant women, (b) remand prisoners and (c) convicted prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [21290]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about strip searching of prisoners at Holloway prison.
  Strip searching of prisoners is part of our normal security procedures as set out in the Security Manual, a copy of which is in the Library. These procedures have been in use for many years at Holloway.
  The detailed breakdown of figures you asked for are not available. I will write to you later giving those figures which are available.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of asylum seekers in February(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [21271]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  A total of 2,850 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom were lodged in February 1996. The number in February 1997 was 1,985.

  Prisons (Staffing Levels)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) of 18 February,Official Report, column 531, on prison staff ratios between 1970 and 1996, if he will estimate how much of the change in the ratio is due to (a) the changes to prison officers' overtime arrangements and (b) to other factors, indicating such other factors. [20708]
  843
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Chris Mullin, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question seeking further information about Prison Service staff: prisoner ratios.
  As the Director General indicated in his reply to Sir Ivan Lawrence in February, the fall in the staff:prisoner ratio reflects the change in prison officer working practices and the reduction in their hours worked. I regret that it is not possible to estimate how much of the change in the ratio is due to any single factor.

  Hampshire Constabulary
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the establishment of the Basingstoke division of the Hampshire constabulary in 1979; and what it is in the present year. [20689]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the chief constable that comparable figures for the Basingstoke division are available only from 1984. In 1984 there were 128 police officers in Basingstoke compared with 158 at March 1997, an increase of 23 per cent.

  In the whole of the Hampshire constabulary there were 2,955 police officers in May 1979 compared with 3,362 in September 1996, an increase of 407 or 14 per cent.

  Crimes (Hemsworth)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many violent crimes were committed in the Hemsworth constituency in(a) 1979 and (b)1996; [20723]

  (2) how many (a) thefts, (b) burglaries and (c)aggravated burglaries were committed in the Hemsworth constituency in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1996. [20724]

  Mr. Maclean
  The recorded crime statistics collected centrally are available only by police force area.

  Departmental Outturn Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the outturn expenditure of his Department during the current financial year; how much of these costs he expended in(a) Wales and (b) England; and how many staff are employed by his Department in (i) Wales and (ii) England. [20747]

  Mr. Howard
  The estimated outturn expenditure for 1996–97 is £6,625,588,000, of which it is estimated that £243,215,000 will be spent in Wales and £6,367,108,000 in England. The Home Office employs 1,189 people in Wales and 50,696 people in England.

  War Crimes Unit
  Sir Cyril Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Metropolitan police spent on the war crimes unit in the last financial year;844
  how much they plan to spend in the present financial year, and what is the proposed figure for the next financial year. [20813]

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

  £

  1995–96

  877,000

  1996–971

  650,000

  1997–981

  664,000

  1 Estimated costs.

  Prison Escapes
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to reduce the number of prison escapes from all establishment types; and if he will make a statement. [20731]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Irvine Patnick, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prison escapes.
  The number of escapes, expressed as a proportion of the prison population, is the first of the Prison Service's key performance indicators. The attached table shows that the rate of escapes is now less than one quarter of the level in 1992–93, the last year before the Prison Service became an executive agency.
  The Service has taken a number of steps over this time to reduce escapes and has drawn on recommendations from a number of reports including more recently the Woodcock and Learmont reports written following the escapes of category A prisoners in 1994 and 1995. Measures taken include:

  undertaking regular and rigorous security audits

  use of new technology, such as closed circuit television, x-ray machines, metal detectors

  more intensive searching programmes for prisoners, visitors and the accommodation they occupy

  improvements to perimeter security

  improved security awareness and training

  Our main priority for the future will be to continue to make every effort to prevent escapes by the most dangerous prisoners and we shall also continue to set rigorous targets for an overall decrease in escapes.

  Escapes

  Escapes excluding those previously the responsibility of police1

  Rate (per cent. Of population)

  Number

  Rate (per cent. Of population)

  Number

  1992–93

  0.79

  347

  0.79

  347

  1993–94

  0.65

  296

  0.60

  273

  1994–95

  0.44

  217

  0.41

  202

  1995–96

  0.24

  122

  0.17

  88

  1996–97

  0.24

  123

  0.102

  52

  1 Excludes escapes from court escort and custody services, previously the responsibility of the police.

  2 Annualised rate.

  Foxes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number and percentage of foxes(a) which perished in the last year and (b) which were killed by a fox hunt. [20814]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is not available.

  Prisoners (Previous Covictions)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people currently in United Kingdom prisons have served a previous prison sentence for a different offence; and if he will make a statement. [21276]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many people currently in United Kingdom prisons have served a previous prison sentence for a different offence.
  The information requested on current prisoners is not available centrally. The most recent. readily available, information relates to a sample of sentenced prisons in England and Wales at 30 June 1993.
  It is estimated that 48 per cent of this sample had served a prison sentence for a previous "standard list" offence (this includes all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences). This figure is based on matching information on prisoners in the sample to records on the Home Office Offenders Index. Further details of the sample and the matching process are given on pages 607 of "Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1993" (Cm 2893), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Crime (Young People)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of recorded crimes were carried out in the United Kingdom by people under the age of(a) 25, (b) 21, (c) 18 and (d) 16 years in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [21272]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available centrally for England and Wales. However, the readily available information for persons found guilty at all courts or cautioned for indictable offences is contained in table 5.26 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1995", copies of which are available in the Library. Information for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the forthcoming confinement of Roisin McAliskey within the Holloway prison arrangements. [20982]

  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.
  846
  Letter from Hugh Taylor to Mr. Hugh Dykes, dated 20 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 arrangements for Roisin McAliskey's confinement.
  Ms McAliskey will be taken to an outside hospital for the birth of her child. She will not be subject to any form of physical restraint (whether by handcuffs or escort chain) when she leaves Holloway prison in order to be admitted to hospital, nor whilst she is at the hospital. This includes the period when she is giving birth. She has asked for two birthing partners to be present, and this has been approved.
  Ms McAliskey will be allowed to keep her baby with her following the birth. Her application to be accepted into Holloway's mother and baby unit was approved on 13 March.

  Burglary (London)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the trend in burglaries in Greater London since the start of Operation Bumblebee; [21047]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Operation Eagle Eye. [21048]

  Mr. Maclean
  The commissioner's Operation Bumblebee initiative against burglary was launched across London on 1 June 1993. The main aims of the initiative are to reduce the incidence of burglary, convict offenders and to shift the fear of crime from the victim to the burglar. Since June 1993, there has been a fall of 12 per cent. in the number of reported burglaries in the Metropolitan police district and the clear-up rate has increased from 12 per cent. to 21 per cent.

  Operation Eagle Eye, launched in the summer of 1995, targets street crime, one of the crimes that Londoners fear most. Operation Eagle Eye uses the tools of surveillance and intelligence-led policing to target known and suspected offenders in key hotspot areas. The initiative, which is being introduced and monitored in selected divisions, has been effective in stemming the rise in the level of street crime. Between 1992 and 1995, street crime in the Metropolitan police district was rising at an average annual compound rate of over 13 per cent. In 1996, the increase was only 5 per cent. The clear-up rate for street crime has nearly doubled between 1994 and 1996.

  There is no doubt that innovative policing methods such as Operations Bumblebee and Eagle Eye have made a real impact on crime levels in the capital.

  Women Prisoners (Escapes)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1992, the number of women who(a) escaped from a prison, (b) escaped from an escort to or from prison, (c) attempted to escape from a prison, (d) attempted to escape from an escort to or from prison, (e) absconded from a prison, (f) escaped from custody while in a hospital undergoing medical treatment and (g) attempted to escape from custody while in a hospital undergoing medical treatment; and how many of (f) and (g) were (i) pregnant and (ii) in labour. [16867]
  847
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if he will list for each year since 1992, the number of women who (a) escaped from a prison, (b) escaped from an escort

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  (a) (b) (c) (d) Escapes and attempted escapes by female prisoners from establishments and escart

  Establishment

  6

  1

  5

  0

  0

  Escort

  9

  8

  6

  2

  0

  Establishment attempt

  0

  0

  2

  0

  6

  Escort attempt

  4

  2

  6

  1

  1

  (e) Absconds by female prisoners (including absconds from outside hospital)

  Absconds

  84

  99

  144

  103

  91

  (f) (g) Escapes and attempted escapes from hospital by female prisoners

  Hospital escape

  8

  5

  0

  0

  0

  Hospital attempt

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1. Escape figures exclude recaptures within 15 minutes where no further offence has been committed.

  2. Attempt figures include those recaptured within 15 minutes where no further offence has been committed.

  3. All years are financial years—figures for 1996–97 show the position to the end of January 1997.

  4. Escort escape and attempted escape figures include Court Escort Service escapes which would have been the responsibility of the police in previous years.

  5. Improved arrangements for gathering data on absconds were introduced in Septemberr 1995 and a review of past records has altered earlier statistics by eradicating inaccuracies.

  Prison (Travellers)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people, classified as travellers, are held in prisons in Great Britain. [21258]

  (2) how many people classified as travellers are currently being held at Feltham remand centre. [21251]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions asking, how many people, classified as travellers, are held in prisons in Great Britain and at Feltham remand centre.
  The information requested is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Prison Transfers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of prison transfers in Great Britain in the last 12 months. [21256]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of prison transfers in Great Britain in the last 12 months.
  848
  to or from prison, (c) attempted to escape from a prison,(d) attempted to escape from an escort to or from prison.(e) absconded from a prison, (f) escaped from custody while in a hospital undergoing medical treatment and (g) attempted to escape from custody while in a hospital undergoing medical treatment; and how many of (f) and (g) were (i) pregnant and (ii) in labour.
  The information is contained in the attached table with the exception of answer to (f) (i), (ii) and (g) (i), (ii). This information is not held centrally.
  Information is not held centrally on the cost of transfers to and from prisons in England and Wales, other than the costs of contracted-out escort services which amounted to £47 million in 1995–96.
  Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for their Secretaries of State.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been transferred from prisons in Great Britain to Northern Ireland since 1 November 1995. [21257]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Since 1 November 1995, 21 prisoners have been transferred, either on a permanent basis or for a temporary period, from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Northern Ireland. Transfers from Scotland to other jurisdictions are a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prison transfers by United Kingdom region in the last three years. [21255]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The number of prisoners transferred, on either a permanent or a temporary basis, between England and Wales and other United Kingdom jurisdictions in the last three years, are given in the tables.

  Prisoner transfers from England and Wales to other Unix Kingdom jurisdictions

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Scotland

  25

  35

  17

  Northern Ireland

  21

  16

  15

  Jersey

  8

  7

  7

  Guernsey

  1

  1

  1

  Isle of Man

  0

  1

  3

  849

  Prisoner transfers to England and Wales from other United Kingdom jurisdictions

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Scotland

  55

  46

  28

  Northern Ireland

  2

  3

  2

  Jersey

  6

  24

  21

  Guernsey

  2

  5

  8

  Isle of Man

  1

  6

  2

  Information on transfers not involving England and Wales is not held centrally and is a matter for the relevant United Kingdom jurisdiction.

  Prisoners (Regional Origin)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a breakdown by regional origin of prisoners held in prisons in Great Britain. [21252]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt, to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking for a breakdown by regional origin of prisoners held in prisons in Great Britain.
  No information is available centrally regarding the principle address of those committed to custody in England and Wales. The available information on where prisoners originate from is for the court first committing to custody. Such information, for the whole of the current prison population, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  Information for Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners currently being held in prisons in Great Britain originate from Northern Ireland. [21254]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many prisoners currently being held in prisons in Great Britain originate from Northern Ireland.
  No information is available centrally regarding the principal address of those committed to custody in England and Wales. The available information on where prisoners originate from is for the court first committing to custody. Provisional information shows that one person was recorded centrally as being received into a prison in England and Wales who had been first committed into custody by a court in Northern Ireland in 1996.
  Information for Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Irish nationals are currently held in prisons in Great Britain. [21253]
  850
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many Irish nationals are currently in prisons in Great Britain.
  Provisional figures for 28 February 1997 (the latest date for which figures are available) indicate that there were 673 persons in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales claiming to be of Irish nationality. Figures for prisoners in Great Britain (ie: England, Wales and Scotland) are not held centrally.
  Information for Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Paul Hill
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when final compensation will be paid to Paul Hill. [21260]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  As no final claim for compensation has yet been received from Paul Hill, it is too early to speculate about any matters associated with payment of compensation.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the costs of the Government's defence in the case of Paul Hill. [21259]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  At the hearing in the High Court on 19 February 1997 between the chief constable of the Surrey Constabulary—judgement creditor—Paul Michael Hill—judgement debtor—and the Home Office— defendant—costs were reserved. In the light of this, no assessment for costs in this case has yet been made by my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Defibrillators (Poice and Fire Service)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of ensuring all police cars and fire engines carry defibrillators. [20135]

  Mr. Maclean
  Using latest available figures, the estimated cost of equipping all police vehicles and fire service operational pump appliances with defibrillators is £69 million and £6.3 million respectively.

  Animal Experiments (Primates)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licence applications for experiments on non-human primates have been turned down on the grounds that the adverse effects endured by primates prior to arrival in the United Kingdom are too severe to be outweighed by the benefit of the research. [21249]

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account is taken under section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 of the length of journey time by the Home Office inspectorate in determining whether to grant a project licence for experiments on non-human primates. [21248]
  851
  Mr. Sackville
  The transport arrangements, including travel times, are taken into account when assessing the suitability of overseas sources to supply non-human primates for research use.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on maximum time allowable for journeys of non-human primates to United Kingdom laboratories; and if he will make a statement. [21250]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Home Office does not specify maximum journey times. The welfare of animals in transit is regulated by the exporting countries, the International Airline Transport Association, the European Union and by regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in this country.

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure on the Devon and Cornwall constabulary in each of the past five years. [21343]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is set out in the table:

  Devon and Cornwall expenditure

  £ million

  1992–93

  128,271

  1993–94

  136,654

  1994–95

  139,381

  1995–96

  146,556

  1996–97 (estimate)

  153,502

  Prison Barge
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his letter of 12 March, in respect of the purpose-built prison barge, if Crown immunity will apply to the operation of the barge; and if he will make a statement. [21231]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the application of Crown immunity to the purpose-built prison barge.
  The floating prison will not be classed as an offshore facility. The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and all relevant health and safety regulations will apply to the floating prison in the same way as other prisons, and Health and Safety Executive inspectors and environmental health officers will have a right of access.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21205]
  852
  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14. The additional information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Al-Fayed Brothers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the recent statement by the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle) on the applications for British citizenship by Mohammed and AH Al-Fayed; and if he will make a statement. [21179]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We do not appear to have received any representations as a result of any recent statement made by the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle).

  Polling Stations (Accessibility)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monitoring his Department has undertaken of changes in access to polling stations for disabled people over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [21182]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Joan Walley)Official Report column 131.

  Pensions Misselling
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police investigations into the mis-selling of pensions; and how many people and what sums are estimated to be involved. [21146]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been informed by the Metropolitan police that one specific allegation has been reported to its fraud department in relation to the mis-selling of pensions. The matter is currently under assessment. There is no investigation at this stage.

  Ballot Papers (Braille Templates)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to consult organisations representing blind and partially sighted people over the possibility of introducing braille templates in which to insert ballot papers and if he will make a statement. [21462]

  Mr. Sackville
  Officials have been in correspondence with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and are meeting representatives of that organisation next week.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the 1996 board of visitors report from HMP Buckley Hall, if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make it his policy that all reports from boards of visitors are put in the public domain. [21470]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The 1996 annual report of the board of visitors at Her Majesty's prison Buckley Hall was received on 16 December 1996 and I responded on behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend on 28 February
  853
  1997. The board's reports are not public documents and are not placed in the Library as a matter of course. They are made to the Secretary of State who permits the board to publish if it so wishes and boards are encouraged to do so.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many assaults there have been on(a) prisoners and (b) staff at HMP Buckley Hall since 29 October 1996; [21472]

  (2) if he will list the incidents reported to the Prison Service in relation to HMP Buckley Hall since 29 October 1996. [21471]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 20 March 1997:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about incidents at Buckley Hall prison.
  The number of incidents reported to the Prison Service since 29th October 1996 to 19 March 1997 are as follows:

  Number

  Assault

  3

  Concerted Indiscipline

  1

  Drugs

  17

  Fire

  1

  Recapture/Surrender

  2

  Tool Loss

  4

  Temporary Release Failure

  1

  Total

  29

  The breakdown of assaults from this date is 2 on inmates and 1 on a member of staff.

  Religious Preachers
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many religious preachers were given clearance to live and work in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Leeds and (c) Bradford in each of the last 10 years. [21464]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information is available only on ministers of religion admitted to the whole of the United Kingdom since 1993 and is given in the table.

  Admissions of ministers of religion1 to the United Kingdom

  Numbers

  1993

  246

  1994

  558

  1995

  662

  1996

  493

  1 Including missionaries and members of religious orders, but excluding Mormon missionaries prior to October 1995.

  Office of the Data Protection Registrar
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the outcome of the second stage of the quinquennial review of the Office of the Data Protection Registrar. [21561]
  854
  Mr. Sackville
  The second stage of the review examined the office's internal organisation and performance. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library. It endorses the registrar's programme of changes to improve efficiency, and suggests some further management improvements. We are inviting the registrar to consider these and prepare an implementation plan. Account will be taken of any relevant changes arising from implementation of the European Community data protection directive.

  Criminal Justice Initiatives
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in implementing his programme of criminal justice initiatives announced at the 1993 Conservative party conference. [21563]

  Mr. Howard
  All 27 points have been taken forward. In the last three years, recorded crime has fallen by 10 per cent.

  The 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act:
  reformed the right of silence (1). The number of suspects refusing to answer police questions has nearly halved;
  introduced faster court procedures for evicting squatters (2);
  introduced new powers for the police to stop trespassers disrupting lawful activities like country sports (3);
  introduced tougher new powers for the police to stop and search people suspected of terrorist activity (4);
  created a new offence of gathering information for terrorist purposes (5);
  created a new offence of possessing anything that gives reasonable suspicion of being connected to terrorist activities (6);
  gave the police the power to take DNA samples in connection with all recordable crimes (7). Our national DNA database, the first of its kind in the world, now has over 113,000 samples on it. To date 3,400 matches have been made;
  created a new crime of witness intimidation (8). In 1995, 500 people were charged with committing that offence and significantly more in 1996;
  abolished judges' warnings to juries in rape trials about the truthfulness of women (9);
  gave the police the power to arrest for breach of police bail (10);
  banned those on bail from serving on juries (11);
  ended the presumption in favour of bail for anyone accused of offending while on bail (12);
  gave the police the power to attach conditions to bail (13);
  allows the courts to revoke bail if new information comes to light (14);
  introduced automatic custody for anyone convicted of rape, manslaughter or murder who is subsequently accused of the same category of crime (15);
  allowed new prisons to be designed, constructed, managed and financed by the private sector (16);
  gave the Prison Service the power to test prisoners' urine for drugs compulsorily (17). Mandatory drug testing had been introduced throughout the Prison Service by March 1996;
  doubled the maximum sentence in young offender institutions for 15 to 17-year-olds to two years (18);
  gave the courts the powers to order 12 to 14-year-old persistent offenders into secure training centres. These powers will be triggered once that accommodation is available (19). The first contract has just been signed.
  855
  The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 allowed retrials where juries have been nobbled or witnesses intimidated (20); and gave judges the power to prohibit the reporting of unsupported allegations made during a speech in mitigation (21).

  The Criminal Appeal Act 1995 has enabled the Government to establish a criminal cases review commission to look at miscarriages of justice (22).

  There are now 1,900 neighbourhood constables (23).

  The Attorney General's right of appeal for unduly lenient sentenced was extended to all serious violent and sexual offences in March 1994 (24).

  In March 1995, new national standards were published to toughen up community sentences (25).

  In March 1994, new guidelines on cautioning were issued (26).

  In 1993, all 16 recommendations by an internal inquiry to cut police paperwork were accepted (27).

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for contractually managed prisons to hold sentenced young offenders. [21620]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Prison Service intends to hold sentenced young offenders in the new prisons which will be built and managed through the private finance initiative at Bridgend and Fazakerley after these open during the coming financial year. This will give the service greater flexibility in its use of the contractually managed estate and help to meet its requirement for additional young offender places. My right hon. and learned Friend will today lay a statutory instrument before the House which makes the necessary consequential changes to the young offender institution rules.

  Prisons (Drug Testing)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the present position the availability of information from the Prison Service mandatory drug testing programme. [21670]

  Miss Widdecombe
  As part of the programme of mandatory drug testing in prison establishments the Prison Service collects a range of statistical information, including information about the percentage of prisoners who test positive for drugs in the tests which are carried out at random. Since April 1996 the number of random tests that prove positive, expressed as a percentage of the total number of random tests carried out, has been one of the Prison Service's key performance indicators.

  As a result of internal checking, a number of errors have been found in the information held centrally. The main problems are thought to relate to the recording of results of confirmation tests—carried out where a prisoner pleads not guilty at adjudication in response to an initial positive result—and to cases where an initial positive result should subsequently have been discounted because the prisoner concerned was on a course of prescribed medication.
  856
  The Prison Service has commissioned the national addiction centre to carry out an independent validation of a sample of the available statistical information on mandatory drug testing covering the period April 1996 to June 1996. This involves a detailed scrutiny of the information held in prison establishments and comparison with the information held centrally. The validation exercise, should provide a measure of the extent of the errors, the possible implications for performance against the key indicator and, more generally, of the reliability of data on mandatory drug testing held by the Prison Service. There is no reason to suppose, from the work completed so far, that the statistical information for the period from April 1996 is other than broadly accurate.

  Once the exercise is complete, the Prison Service expects to be in a position to provide reliable information on performance against the key indicator for the period April 1996. However, until such information is available, all previously published figures relating to the percentage of prisoners who test positive for drugs should be regarded as provisional.

  In addition, no firm conclusions, including conclusions on any apparent trends on the use of drugs in prison, should be drawn from data relating to the first phase of the mandatory drugs testing programme—February 1995 to March 1996—since not all establishments were involved and some differences in testing protocols were in place. We are not yet in a position to say whether the use of cannabis has declined since mandatory drug testing was introduced. It remains the case that there is no clear evidence of switching from cannabis to opiates or vice versa.

  This answer should be taken as correcting any inadvertently misleading statements which may have been made in relation to mandatory drug testing statistics.

  Curfew Orders
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to continue the trials of curfew orders with electronic monitoring after March 1997. [21671]

  Mr. Howard
  I have decided to continue the existing trials in Berkshire, Manchester and Norfolk until March 1998.

  Dogs (Tail Docking)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations govern the tail docking of dogs; and if he will make a statement. [20957]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 18 March 1997]: The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 was amended in 1991 to remove the right of non-veterinarians to dock dogs' tails. Since July 1993, it has been an offence for a person other than a veterinary surgeon to dock a dog's tail for any reason.

DEFENCE

  Security Vetting
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for personnel security vetting within his Department. [21674]
  857
  Mr. Soames
  On 1 April 1997, the three single service vetting units and part of the Directorate of Headquarters Security will be brought together to form the Defence Vetting Agency. The aim of the agency is to provide an acceptable level of assurance as to the integrity of personnel in the armed forces, the MOD and defence industry who are given authorised access to sensitive Government information or valuable assets. In addition, the agency will undertake vetting work for other Government Departments on a repayment basis.

  The DVA will have a staff of about 350, all civilians, located mainly in Portsmouth, Woolwich, Wiltshire and central London. The assistant under-secretary of state, security and support, will be the owner of the DVA on behalf of the Secretary of State. The owner will set the strategic direction of the DVA and the policy and standards to be followed.

  The DVA chief executive, a member of the senior civil service appointed by open competition, will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. The chief executive has been set the following key targets:

  Quality

  1. By internal validation, to show at least 95 per cent. compliance with quality standards and procedures.

  2. By 31 March 1998, to have developed and agreed the means of externally validating the quality of the agency outputs, and determined and set targets for subsequent improvement.

  Quantity

  3. To meet all in-year requests for vetting, within the quantities represented in the defence vetting programme.

  Timeliness

  4. To complete 85 per cent. of security checks and counter terrorist checks within the six-week time scale set out in departmental instructions.

  5. To complete 95 per cent. of requests for developed vetting clearances within the six month time scale set out in departmental instructions.

  Service delivery

  6. To meet 95 per cent. of target dates for developed vetting clearances agreed with customers.

  Efficiency

  7. To demonstrate a 3 per cent. improvement in efficiency on operating costs in financial year 1997–98.

  Management

  8. To implement the customer group concept as a basis for future financial and management planning, within financial year 1997–98.

  9. To implement an initial agency management information system by 1 October 1997.

  Investors in people

  10. In financial year 1997–98, to commit formally to the Investors in People programme and to complete the necessary in-vear preliminary activities to ensure accreditation by May 1999.

  Planning for the future

  11. By 31 March 1998, to have designed the future vetting processes of the agency, and to have in place the costed plans to reorganise and collocate to implement the re-engineered processes.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document and corporate plan to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Trident
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimate of the cost of acquiring the Trident strategic weapon system, and if he will make a statement. [21672]

  Mr. Portillo
  The current estimate of the total acquisition cost of the Trident programme, with all expenditure, including payments already made, brought up to current prices and the exchange rate assumed in the latest long-term costing of the defence programme, is £12,570 million. If payments already made are expressed at the prices and exchange rates actually incurred, with future spend at current economic conditions, the estimate is now £9,955 million. Expenditure on Trident acquisition to 30 September 1996 represented some 86 per cent. of the latter estimate.

  The revised estimate of £12,570 million represents a real cost reduction of £29 million since last year. The figures show a cash increase of £417 million, but inflation since last year adds £377 million and exchange rate charges add £69 million. The new total therefore reflects increased efficiency in delivering the programme. The programme also continues to show an overall reduction in real terms on its original 1982 estimate. This reduction, including the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles at the United States facility at Kings Bay, Georgia now stands at over £3.6 billion.

  The proportion of the estimate for work undertaken in the United Kingdom is around 70 per cent.

  I am pleased to confirm that HMS Vigilant, the third of the four planned Vanguard class submarines, was commissioned on time toward the end of last year and is now engaged in work-up trials. Progress with the fourth submarine, vengeance, also remains satisfactory. I am, as in previous years, sending to the Chairmen of the Public Accounts Committee and of the Select Committee on Defence a more detailed report on the programme. I am also placing a copy of this report in the Library of the House.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the report of the Office for Public Management on ethnic minority employment initiatives in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [21673]

  Mr. Soames
  I have today placed a copy of the Office for Public Management report in the Library of the House. The report covers a six-month review of both service and MOD civilian recruitment practices and makes a number of recommendations which have now been considered within my Department.

  We accept the broad thrust of the report. While there are different messages for the armed forces and the MOD civil service in what the consultants found, there is much common ground, primarily concerning the development of goals in which ethnic diversity is a central theme. It is clear that, while some advances have been made, more can and should be undertaken, if the Department is to see an increase in the numbers of ethnic minority personnel employed in both the armed forces and the civil service in MOD.
  859
  My Department is committed to reflecting more closely the ethnic balance of the United Kingdom. This is an issue which must be met positively and which requires unambiguous leadership from those at the top of the armed forces and the civil service to ensure that, in the armed forces and MOD, all can work and realise their full potential without fear of racial prejudice, discrimination or harassment. All personnel have responsibilities for ensuring that greater efforts are made to remove any unacceptable attitudes and must, individually, play their part in ensuring that the Department and the services are seen by all as organisations in which racial equality is fully embraced.

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the change of the boundary of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency. [21675]

  Mr. Soames
  On 1 April 1997, the boundary of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency will be enlarged to incorporate all of Royal Air Force personnel and training command assets and functions at Royal Air Force Cranwell, together with the non-operational training policy function previously undertaken by the command's headquarters. The changes better focus the air officer commanding-in-chief' s responsibilities for training policy, delivery of training, recruitment and selection.

  The rebrigading of assets and functions under the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency will deliver more coherent management and improved use of resources across a wider range of activities than hitherto. The result of the changes is a single defence agency responsible for the recruitment and selection of all Royal Air Force personnel and the policy and delivery of all Royal Air Force non-operational training.

  The chief executive of the agency has been set the following targets for financial year 1997–98:
  Key Target 1—Quality
  Achievement of customer satisfaction with the quality of graduate trainees as reflected in customer advisory committee reports to the air officer commanding-in-chief. Target for 1997–98–95 per cent.
  Key Target 2—Efficiency
  To deliver the savings that accrue from the efficiencies agreed in long-term costings 1997, together with full cost items. Target for 1997–98—£8.258 million.
  Key Target 3a—Quantity of Output (Flying Training)
  The percentage of trained aircrew delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997–98–96 per cent.
  Key Target 3b—Quantity of Output (Ground Training)
  The percentage of trained personnel delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997–98–97 per cent.
  Key Target 4—Human Resources
  To implement the investors in people initiative. Target for 1997–98 implement at RAF College Cranwell, No. 1 RS RAF Locking, TDSU RAF Halton.
  Key Target 5—Development of Output Costings and Unit Cost Measures
  To undertake a cost attribution exercise which will contribute to the development of full output costings and associated unit cost and efficiency measures for the agency by financial year 2000–01. Target for 1997–98—completion of cost attribution exercise.
  860

  Low Flying
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the analysis of low-flying activity in the United Kingdom has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [21676]

  Mr. Soames
  The analysis has been completed, from which it is clear that, although close attention has been paid to the need to balance military training demands against the avoidance of undue disturbance to the public, variations in the intensity of such activity across the country still exist. Although this is, in part, unavoidable because of operational and geographic factors such as the location of aircraft operating bases, aircraft range, avoidance areas, controlled airspace and weather conditions, we concluded that, even within these constraints, further efforts should be made to manage the activity as equitably as possible.

  We therefore intend to improve the way in which the overall amount of low-flying activity is managed and the methods by which detailed statistics are recorded. This latter initiative will be a valuable tool in monitoring the effectiveness of the measures to try to redistribute this activity more equitably. In addition, the three services, individually and collectively, will pay greater attention to the areas that they choose in the UK for military exercises in an effort to spread the low-flying training aspects of them as evenly as practicable. Last summer, we announced measures to spread operational low-flying— that beneath 250 ft—more evenly between the three tactical training areas. Efforts will continue to reduce still further the amount of operational low-flying training. The scope for increasing the amount of low-flying training carried out overseas will be actively pursued. A statement on the distribution of military low flying in the UK low-flying systems will be published annually.

  I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper giving a more detailed account of the analysis of the distribution of low-flying activity in the UKLFS. Further copies of the paper can be obtained from the following address:

  Ministry of Defence (Room 8247)

  Main Building

  Whitehall

  London SW1A 2HB

  Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 19 November 1996,Official Report, column 503, and 5 December 1996, Official Report, column 730, when the first report of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will be published. [21677]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has now delivered its first report and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Procurement Contracts
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which defence procurement contracts have been awarded to companies in Lancashire since 1992. [13273]
  861
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Data held centrally on the contracts database focus on accountability of financial matters and do not include details of titles or descriptions of individual contracts. Nor is an address held, although a "location of work" code is recorded. There is no location of work code that conveniently covers Lancashire and a search of records which could include Lancashire based companies revealed over 8,000 contracts. To give the information asked for would require each of these records to be researched, which would incur disproportionate costs.

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the European Commission concerning his proposal to have the replacement royal yacht built in a British shipyard; and if his proposal extends to all fixtures and fittings. [13657]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No discussions have been held with the European Commission. Security considerations will preclude the replacement royal yacht being designed or constructed outside of the United Kingdom. Fixtures and fittings could be procured from outside of the United Kingdom if this were consistent with security considerations and obtaining best value for money.

  Royal Hospital, Halar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations he is taking into account in his review of laundry services at the Royal hospital, Haslar; and what is the timetable for the further steps in the decision-making process. [19092]

  MoD personnel 1979 to 1997

  Civilian personnel

  Service personnel

  As at

  All personnel

  Total civilians

  UK based1

  Locally engaged civilians

  Total service

  UK regular forces

  Locally entered personnel

  Royal Irish Regiment2>

  1 April 1979

  616,863.0

  285,904.0

  247,700.0

  38,204

  330,959

  314,991

  8,368

  7,600

  1 April 1980

  612,456.0

  276,242.0

  239,800.0

  36,442

  336,214

  320,625

  8,189

  7,400

  1 April 1981

  615,788.0

  264,903.0

  229,600.0

  35,303

  350,885

  333,755

  9,730

  7,400

  1 April 1982

  596,623.0

  251,695.0

  216,900.0

  34,795

  344,928

  327,647

  10,081

  7,200

  1 April 1983

  580,580.0

  242,745.0

  208,900.0

  33,845

  337,835

  320,623

  10,112

  7,100

  1 April 1984

  575,179.0

  232,461.0

  199,100.0

  33,361

  342,718

  325,909

  10,109

  6,700

  1 April 1985

  549,320.0

  206,497.0

  174,077.0

  32,420

  342,823

  326,217

  10,206

  6,400

  1 April 1986

  540,815.5

  201,704.5

  169,462.5

  32,242

  339,111

  322,510

  10,101

  6,500

  1 April 1987

  532,285.5

  196,078.5

  164,002.5

  32,076

  336,207

  319,849

  9,758

  6,600

  1 April 1988

  507,767.5

  175,145.5

  143,394.5

  31,751

  332,622

  316,895

  9,427

  6,300

  1 April 1989

  499,574.0

  172,553.0

  141,317.0

  31,236

  327,021

  311,649

  9,072

  6,300

  1 April 1990

  493,241.5

  172,311.5

  141,372.5

  30,939

  320,930

  305,711

  9,019

  6,200

  1 April 1991

  482,359.0

  169,135.0

  140,199.0

  28,936

  313,224

  298,065

  9,059

  6,100

  1 April 1992

  474,909.0

  166,494.0

  139,454.0

  27,040

  308,415

  293,444

  8,971

  6,000

  1 April 1993

  444,501.5

  155,850.5

  129,225.5

  26,625

  288,651

  274,849

  8,167

  5,635

  1 April 1994

  409,413.0

  142,289.0

  121,558.0

  20,731

  267,124

  254,488

  7,238

  5,398

  1 April 1995

  377,042.0

  133,229.0

  116,140.0

  17,089

  243,813

  233,340

  5,218

  5,255

  1 April 1996

  359,152.0

  126,734.0

  109,858.0

  16,876

  232,418

  222,417

  5,035

  4,966

  1 January 19973

  351,592.0

  126,508.0

  109,632.0

  16,8764

  225,084

  215,326

  4,924

  4,834

  1 Part time UK based civilians counted as 0.5 prior to 1995. Since 1995, they are counted as the proportion of full-time hours worked.

  2 Includes the Ulster Defence Regiment for figures up to 1 April 1992.

  3 January 1997 Army strengths include 95 reservist officers and 1,011 reservist soldiers currently mobilised for service in the former Yugoslavia.

  4 Figure unavailable for January 1997, April 1996 figure used.

  862
  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Smith to Mr. Peter Viggers dated 20 March 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the future of the laundry services at the Royal Hospital, Haslar as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA).
  You may recall from my earlier letter that the DSCA has been conducting a review to determine the best long-term means of providing laundry services at the Hospital. We have considered a range of factors, uppermost of which is service quality and cost. During that time we have consulted closely with the Trade Unions in accordance with established procedures. We have now completed a feasibility study and we hope to be able to make a formal announcement in the near future. In the meantime we have written separately to the local Trade Unions.

  Personnel Statistics
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of(a) civilian and (b) military personnel employed by his Department for each year since 1979. [21028]

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

  Letter from P. Altobell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 March 1997.
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding the number of (a) civilian and (b) military personnel employed by his Department for each year since 1979, as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Defence Analytical Services Agency.
  The figures are presented in the accompanying table. Please refer to the notes appended to the table.
  I hope you will find this information helpful.
  863
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of civilian personnel employed by his Department who were permanently attached to each of the British Army bases in the United Kingdom and engaged in their administration for each year since 1979; and if he will publish a breakdown for each base. [21029]

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

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) Royal Navy and (b) Army bases and other establishments in Yorkshire and Humberside in April 1992, indicating for each the number of (i) service and (ii) civilian personnel employed (1) at that date and (2) currently; and if he will list the dates of all subsequent closures of those establishments. [21109]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available, based on 1 April 1996 data, is as follows:

  Location

  Service

  Civilian

  Royal Navy sites

  HMS Forestmoor, Harrogate

  Army Sites

  Albion Street, Hull

  Alanbrooke Barracks, Thirsk

  Bailey Barracks, Sheffield

  Borough Road, Middlesborough

  Brambles Farm, Middlesborough

  Catterick Garrison

  Churchill Barracks, Leeds

  Claro Barracks, Rippon

  Coldyhill Lane, Scarborough

  Deverell Barracks, Ripon

  Dishforth, Thirsk

  Fulford Road, York

  Harwewood Barracks, Leeds

  Hildebrand Barracks, Harrogate

  Londesborough Barracks, Hull

  Lumley Barracks, York

  Marne Barracks, Richmond

  Middleton Barracks, Hull

  Mona House, Hull

  Norbury Hall, Sheffield

  Normandy Barracks, Beverley

  Old Carlton Barracks, Leeds

  Queen Elizabeth Barracks, York

  Ridgeway Road, Middlesborough

  Ripon, Lavericks

  Rowlston Road, Hornsea

  Scarbrough Barracks, Doncaster

  Shelley House, York

  Somme Barracks, Sheffield

  Stockton Road, Middlesborough

  Thornbury Barracks, Pudsey

  Trinity Church Square, Richmond

  Wakefield Road, Pontefract

  Wathgill Camp, Richmond

  Wellesley Park, Halifax

  Wenlock Barracks, Hull

  Other Royal Navy and Army sites

  CIO Leeds

  CIO Sheffield

  CIO Hull

  TA Centre Barnsley

  TA Centre Batley

  TA Centre Bradford

  864

  Location

  Service

  Civilian

  TA Centre Doncaster

  TA Centre Pontefract

  TA Centre Rotherham

  TA Centre Scunthorpe

  TA Centre Sheffield

  TA Centre Sheffield

  TA Centre Wakefield

  Total

  8,219

  3,087

  1. MOD Service and civilian numbers exclude contractors personnel.

  2. Recent site closures include: Colburn barracks, Catterick; district workshops, Strensall; Driffield camp, Nr Beverley; Uniacke barracks, Harrogate and Hildebrande barracks, Harrogate.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers were first informed of the contents of the briefing note for researchers on "Pesticide Use in the Persian Gulf War" issued by Lieutenant John Graham of the medical services directorate. [19954]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: MOD Ministers were first made aware of the existence of the briefing note for researchers No. 3 entitled "Pesticide Use in the Persian Gulf War" on 26 September 1996.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers were first informed of the evidence of Major Christopher Irven of the extent of the use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf war. [19956]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: I am not aware that my Department has received any evidence from Major Christopher Irven concerning the use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers were first informed of the evidence of Major Christine Lloyd on the extent of use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf war. [19935]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: I am not aware that the Ministry of Defence has received any evidence from Major Christine Lloyd concerning the use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf war.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers were first informed of the evidence of Staff Sergeant Anthony Worthington of the extent of use of organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf war. [19951]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: Ministers first became aware of the post-operational report dated March 1991, drawn up by Staff Sergeant Anthony Worthington, on 7 October 1996, following press reports on 6 October 1996.

  Operation Granby
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Royal Army Medical Corps specialist environmental team served in Operation Granby; and what assessment he has made of the general health of these personnel. [19094]

  Mr. Soames
  A total of 38 Royal Army Medical Corps environmental health personnel were deployed to the Gulf during operation Granby. No specific assessment has been
  865
  made of their subsequent state of health. As with all Gulf veterans, if any of these environmental health personnel believe that they are ill as a result of their service in the Gulf, they are entitled to be examined by the MOD's medical assessment programme.

  Departmental Documents (Vote Office)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official documents published by his Department, including those published in co-operation with outside organisations, were not made available to hon. Members through the Vote Office in each of the last three years; and for what reasons the document "British Defence Doctrine" was not made available. [19111]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of all such documents are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is not therefore possible to give a number not placed in the Vote Office. Copies of "British Defence Doctrine" were placed in the Libraries of both Houses— including some additional copies—and separate copies were sent to those right hon. and hon. Members believed to have a particular interest in the document. A small number of copies was provided to the Vote Office in response to requests from individual hon. Members.

  The normal minimum number of copies of documents provided to the Vote Office is 100. Our decision whether or not to place this number of any document in the Vote Office depends on a number of factors, including the relevance to parliamentary proceedings, the likely level of interest and thus potential waste, and previous practice in relation to similar documents.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) instances of disciplinary procedure have been initiated and (b) individuals have been informed that they may be subject to disciplinary action in (i) the civil service, (ii) defence or other agencies and (iii) the military as a result of the organophosphate pesticides investigation team report and further investigations. [19357]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 10 March 1997]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 21 January,Official Report, column 550, if he will place in the Library copies of the documents on organophosphates then requested. [19203]

  Mr. Soames
  No, for the reasons states in my answer of 21 January,Official Report, column 550.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers were first informed of the contents of Health and Safety Executive guidance note MS 17 on the biological monitoring of workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides. [19955]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 13 March 1997]: I am not aware of any occasion on which the contents of Health and Safety Executive guidance note MS 17, on the biological monitoring of workers exposed to organophosphoros pesticides, have been specifically brought to the attention of Ministry of Defence Ministers.

  British Defence Advisory Team
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries were visited by elements of the British defence advisory team in 1991. [20634]

  Mr. Soames
  During 1991, the United Arab Emirates was the only country visited by elements of the British defence advisory team.

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to privatise the Army Base Storage and Redistribution Agency; and if he will make a statement. [20998]

  Mr. Soames
  There are no proposals at this present time to privatise ABSDA. However, as the hon. Member will be aware, ABSDA is required to make efficiencies and improve cost-effectiveness. To this end we have launched a programme of market testing under the Government's "Competing for Quality" initiative.

  The CFQ programme embraces the activities of the three functional divisions of ABDSA which deal with vehicles and fuels, ammunition and stores. The programme is currently under way and its findings are as yet unknown but will be reported as soon as they are available.

  Overseas Training and Advice (Costs)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to his Department in 1991 of providing overseas(a) short-term training teams, (b) advisory visits and (c) service personnel. [20999]

  Mr. Soames
  The costs of many of the short-term training teams and loan service personnel deployed overseas are met by the host countries or by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, while those of defence export advisory visits are met by UK companies on occasions when they specifically request military support. Records of costs are not maintained by calendar year. However, according to available records, in financial year 1991–92, the net cost to the Department of providing short-term training teams was £116,000 and of providing loan service personnel was £2.129 million. In 1991, detailed records of the cost of defence export advisory visits were not maintained. However, on the basis of the information available, costs to the Department are estimated to have been in the region of £146,080. All costs are at historic prices.

  Ministerial Visits (Saudi Arabia)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the official visits to Saudi Arabia made by Ministers in his Department since May 1979, stating in each case the dates and purpose of the visit. [19560]

  Mr. Soames
  For the period April 1993 to February 1996, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Hall) on 1 March 1996,Official Report, column 767. According to our records, the following visits have since been made to Saudi Arabia:
  Secretary of State Defence (Mr. Portillo) March 1996.

  867
  Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Soames) April 1996.
  Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Soames) October 1996.

  The purpose of these visits was the promotion of our important bilateral relations.

  Records of ministerial visits prior to April 1993 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Defence Co-operation Accord (United Arab Emirates)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the defence co-operation accord signed in November 1996 with the Government of the United Arab Emirates. [20274]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The defence co-operation accord is confidential between the two Governments. I am therefore withholding the document under exemption 1b of the code of practice on access to government information. However, the scope of the accord was outlined in the Secretary of State for Defence's answer to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 28 November 1996,Official Report, column 388.

  Army Vehicle Depot, Ashchurch
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) if the present number of civilian staff will continue to be employed at the Army vehicle depot at Ashchurch, through to April 1998; [21172]

  (2) how many vehicles are currently at the Army vehicle depot at Ashchurch. [21170]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Foxton to Mr. Paul Murphy, dated 20 March 1997:
  I am replying to the recent questions you tabled to the Secretary of State for Defence as this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA). You asked if the present number of civilian staff will continue to be employed at the Army Vehicle Depot at Ashchurch, through to April 1998. You also asked how many vehicles are currently at the Depot.
  At present 217 people are employed at the Base Vehicle Depot (BVD) Ashchurch. There will be retirements (both forecasted and unforecasted) and there may be small scale efficiency measures which reduce this figure somewhat but, according to the information I have to hand, the Ashchurch staffing level should remain at about its current level until April 1998.
  Lastly, at 18 March 97. there are 6974 vehicles stored in BVD Ashchurch. I trust this has answered your questions satisfactorily.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the extent of intelligence acquired by NATO from asylum seekers currently facing the threat of deportation from Germany to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine; and if he will discuss the value of that intelligence with his German counterpart. [21323]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has no indication that any intelligence reports from asylum seekers were acquired by NATO.
  868
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will request that a search be made of NATO files to establish what promises of asylum were made to asylum seekers in Germany in the course of interrogations by intelligence officers reporting to NATO. [21315]

  Mr. Soames
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of asylum seekers arriving in a NATO member state from(a) Eastern Europe and (b) elsewhere who are interrogated on behalf of NATO or one of its member states. [21325]

  Mr. Soames
  No such estimate has been made.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many asylum seekers now resident in Germany were interrogated for military information by officers of the British armed forces or officers of British military intelligence. [21324]

  Mr. Soames
  I am withholding this information under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to government information, in relation to defence security and international relations.

  Hercules Aircraft
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training exercises in Wiltshire involving Hercules aircraft have been cancelled or postponed this month; and for what reasons. [20132]

  Mr. Soames
  The tactical air landing element of Exercise Lanyard 3, scheduled to take place at Keevil, Wiltshire between 15 and 16 March, was cancelled as a key participating unit of 5 airborne brigade was placed on operational standby. Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham are, however, supporting the land element of the exercise with re-supply drops.

  Warrant Officer Ray Bristow
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of the vaccinations given to Warrant Officer Ray Bristow, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, during his service in the Gulf conflict in 1991. [21140]

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

  Menwith Hill RAF Station
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the agreements which will cover the United States military occupation of Menwith Hill station after 30 May; and if he will make a statement. [21185]

  Mr. Soames
  RAF Menwith Hill continues to be made available for the use of US visiting forces on the same basis as other RAF sites in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what branches of the United States military will continue to occupy Menwith Hill station after 30 May. [21184]
  869
  Mr. Soames
  Personnel from all four branches of the US armed services—Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps—will continue to be based at RAF Menwith Hill.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what terms the United States army occupation of Menwith Hill station has been terminated. [21220]

  Mr. Soames
  The US army presence at RAF Menwith Hill has not been terminated, nor are there any plans for it to withdraw from the station.

  Careers Information Offices
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Army careers information office in Micklegate, York to close. [21111]

  Mr. Soames
  The Army careers information office at Micklegate, York was due to close in April 1996. However, the office, together with a number of others, was retained as part of an initiative to increase recruiting. There are currently no plans to close the York office.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of each(a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Air force careers information office functioning in Yorkshire and Humberside since 1990, indicating the dates on which they were opened and of subsequent closures. [21110]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  Royal Navy

  Office

  Date opened

  Date closed

  Hull

  8 February 1967

  Still open

  Leeds

  25 March 1958

  1995 (Now opened as a tri-Service AFCO)

  Sheffield

  1964

  Still open

  Royal Air Force

  Office

  Date opened

  Date closed

  Bradford

  2 January 1959

  1 December 1995

  Grimsby

  Pre 1989 (date u/k)

  3 March 1995

  Huddersfield

  23 March 1960

  31 March 1995

  Hull

  8 February 1967

  Still open

  Leeds

  31 March 1950

  1995 (Now opened as a tri-Service AFCO)

  Sheffield

  26 December 1964

  Still open

  York

  30 September 1971

  8 May 1996

  AFCO = Armed Forces Careers Office.

  Navy and Air Force Manpower
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the shortfall at 1 March in the manpower strengths of(a) the Royal Navy and (b) the Royal Air Force. [21144]

  Mr. Soames
  The shortfall in manpower strength of the Royal Air Force on 1 March 1997 was 1,588 trained personnel. Manpower figures for the Royal Navy for 1 March are not yet available. As at 1 February 1997 the naval service, including Royal Marines, had shortages of 1,586 trained personnel.

  NATO Enlargement
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his study on the costs of NATO enlargement, "Lines to Draw On"; and if he will make a statement. [21349]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not clear to me to which particular document the hon. Member's question refers. The position on the study of the resource implications of NATO enlargement was set out in my answer to the hon. Member of 11 February,Official Report, columns 90–91.

  Tri-service Resettlement Organisation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total amount paid to consultants for the tri-service resettlement organisation in the last two years; what firms have been employed to provide this consultancy advice; what is this year's budget for the tri-service resettlement organisation; how much of the organisation's New Oxford street headquarters is currently unoccupied; what is the annual rental cost for the New Oxford street site; and if he will make a statement. [21142]

  Mr. Soames
  Some £1.01 million—excluding VAT— has been paid for consultancy advice to the tri-service resettlement organisation in the last two financial years: £0.658 million to Marshall Tanous plc for corporate marketing advice and services aimed at generating awareness of service leavers' potential amongst employers; and £0.353 million to the PA Consulting Group for assistance with the competing for quality initiative to improve the long-term value for money of resettlement services. Figures relating to the TSRO's annual budget are restricted pending the outcome of negotiations in the current tendering exercise associated with the CFQ study. The TSRO HQ, located in St. George's court, New Oxford street, is a building occupied by a number of MOD units. The TSRO currently occupies all its allocated space. The building is in the process of vacation by the Department and the TSRO will shortly be moving to alternative accommodation at St. Giles court. The rental cost of St. George's court is commercial-in-confidence, but is at low historic lease levels.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Beits
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21210]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996,Official Report, columns 613–14.

  Contracts (American Companies)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the total value and (b) the number of defence contracts placed with American companies in each of the last five years. [21143]
  871
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  For the years 1994 and 1995, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 February 1996,Official Report, column 559. For the years 1992, 1993 and 1996, the total value and number of contracts placed where the work has been carried out in the USA is as follows:

  Number

  Value (£)

  1992

  241

  136,947,249

  1993

  211

  89,071,488

  1996

  180

  215,408,837

  The figures for 1996 are not yet complete. Additions are made to the database for three months after the end of the year in question.

  Retired Service Personnel
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to change the level of support available for the after care of people who have retired from the armed services. [21311]

  Mr. Soames
  Those people who have left the armed forces and their dependants are eligible to receive the full range of services provided by the social security system, the national health service and local authorities. In addition, following representation from the ex-service community, the Government are considering a proposal to establish an ex-service affairs unit.

  Skyship 600
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current operational state of his Department's airship, Skyship 600; when this airship was first purchased; what was its original cost; for what reasons the airship ended operational use; and if he will make a statement. [21141]

  Mr. Soames
  The Department's Skyship 600 was purchased in June 1993 at a cost of approximately £2.6 million. An incident, which resulted in rupture of the envelope, occurred during a masting operation at the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation site at Boscombe Down in May 1995 following a day's trial flying. The envelope has now been replaced and the airship recommenced trials flying in November 1996. It is planned to continue flying against the current programme until July 1997.

  Air-to-air Missile
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning his Department's plans for the future medium range air-to-air missile. [21285]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No final decision has yet been reached but work is continuing to enable an announcement to be made on the way forward as soon as practicable.

  Domestic Rabbits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances domestic rabbits are used in Royal Marines training; and if he will make a statement. [21100]
  872
  Mr. Soames
  The only use made of rabbits is that some 200 per annum, which are not domestic but bought from sources which breed them commercially for meat, are killed in the course of teaching necessary military survival techniques to personnel training at the commando training centre Royal Marines, Lympstone.

  Loan Service Personnel
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those countries where loan service personnel were deployed in 1991. [20174]

  Mr. Soames
  According to available records, in 1991, British loan service personnel were deployed in the following countries:

  Antigua

  Australia

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belize

  Bermuda

  Brunei

  Colombia

  Dominica

  Fiji

  Gambia

  Ghana

  Grenada

  Hong Kong

  Jordan

  Kenya

  Lesotho

  Malaysia

  Mauritius

  Namibia

  New Zealand

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Qatar

  Saudi Arabia

  Singapore

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent

  Swaziland

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  United Arab Emirates

  Zimbabwe.

  The full records of exercises involving British service personnel in 1991 are not available. According to available records, British service personnel exercised in, or with, forces from the following countries and dependent territories in 1991.

  Ascension Island

  Australia

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Belgium

  Belize

  Bermuda

  873

  Botswana

  Brunei

  Canada

  Colombia

  Cyprus

  Denmark

  Dominica

  Falkland Islands

  France

  Germany

  Gibraltar

  Greece

  Hawaii

  Hong Kong

  Italy

  Jamaica

  Jordan

  Kenya

  Kuwait

  Luxembourg

  Malaysia

  Namibia

  United Kingdom

  Netherlands

  Netherlands Antilles

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Oman

  Portugal

  Saudi Arabia

  Singapore

  Spain

  Sweden

  Thailand

  Trinidad and Tobago

  turkey

  UAE

  United States.

  In addition, UK forces exercised with the states of the regional security system and the West Indies guardship, as part of her routine deployment, would have exercised with many of the Caribbean countries and dependent territories.

  Operational Information Systems
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the armed forces future operational information systems; and if he will make a statement. [21664]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Accurate and timely information is crucial to the success of the armed forces in a wide range of operations, from humanitarian aid missions to major conflict. The BOWMAN combat radio system will 874
  provide a significant increase in the capability of all three services to exchange operational information. The airborne stand-off radar system—ASTOR—will provide a substantial enhancement of capability by supplying commanders with near real-time surveillance information.

  Competitive contracts for project definition of BOWMAN were placed in 1993 with two consortia, Crossbow, led by ITT UK Ltd., and Yeoman, led by Siemens Plessey Systems and Racal. PD work is now largely complete and equipment is being tested in field trials, which are due to end in April 1997. Following an evaluation of BOWMAN procurement options, we have decided to issue a request for proposals for initial production and support to Archer, a joint venture company which is being formed by the leaders of Crossbow and Yeoman. This approach will enable us to procure a highly capable system combining the most cost-effective elements of the Crossbow and Yeoman solutions. It will also offer the most timely way of meeting the BOWMAN requirement. Subject to receipt of an acceptable tender from the company and agreement of suitable contractual conditions, we would aim to let a contract by 1999, in order to meet the in-service date of 2002. It is expected that the contract will be worth in excess of £1 billion.

  ASTOR will use highly capable new radar systems installed on fixed wing aircraft to provide both a wide area of coverage and a high degree of resolution. Following successful completion in August last year of a competitive project definition phase, proposals were received from consortia led by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon E-Systems, and including UK sub-contractors. Following a thorough assessment of these proposals and a detailed analysis of a number of other options, we have decided to invite the two consortia to submit best and final offers for the full development, production and in-service support of ASTOR. We aim to place a contract with the winning consortium in 1998. It is estimated that the contract will be worth in the region of £750 million.

  ASTOR and BOWMAN will provide key enhancements to the capability of our armed forces and will provide UK industry with valuable, high technology work.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  A-levels (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total number of students in Derbyshire passing two or more A-levels for each year since 1979. [18212]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 27 February 1997]: The information is not readily available in the precise form requested. However, the following figures show the numbers of pupils who achieved two or more GCE A-levels in maintained schools in Derbyshire for each year since 1979. The figures for 1979 to 1991 relate to school leavers of any age in maintained schools and those

  875
  from 1992 onwards related to pupils in maintained schools aged 17 at the start of the academic year.

  year

  Number of school leavers of any age achieving two or more GCE A-levels (Thousands)

  As percentage of school leavers aged 17 and over

  Number of 17 year old pupils in maintained schools achieving two or more GCE A-levels (Thousands)

  As a percentage of 17 year old pupils

  1979

  1.4

  76

  —

  —

  1980

  1.1

  69

  —

  —

  1981

  1.2

  71

  —

  —

  1982

  1.4

  70

  —

  —

  1983

  1.6

  69

  —

  —

  1984

  1.3

  64

  —

  —

  1985

  1.4

  65

  —

  —

  1986

  1.2

  63

  —

  —

  1987

  1.3

  70

  —

  —

  1988

  1.3

  70

  —

  —

  1989

  1.3

  73

  —

  —

  1990

  1.7

  79

  —

  —

  1991

  0.9

  73

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  1.5

  75

  1993

  —

  —

  1.6

  73

  1994

  —

  —

  1.6

  71

  1995

  —

  —

  1.6

  75

  Name of body

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

  Audit Commission

  National Audit Office

  Open Government

  Performance Indicators

  Citizen's Charter1

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Education Assets Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Funding Agency for Schools

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Further Education Funding Council for England

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Investors in People UK

  2No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  National Council for Educational Technology

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications

  2No

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Remploy Ltd.

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Student Loans Company

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  Teacher Training Agency

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  1 Whilst none of the Department's NDPBs is required to apply for a Charter Mark, the Department does encourage all executive NDPBs which provide a public service to operate according to Citizen's Charter principles.

  2 In previous responses to this question on 22 February 1996 and 25 April 1995, the Department stated that both NCVQ and IIP UK were subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. The Commissioner's Office has taken the view, in particular cases in the past, that these bodies could be considered to be acting "on behalf of the Department which is subject to investigation by the Commissioner and that therefore under section 5 of the 1967 Parliamentary Commissioner Act those actions were subject to investigation by the Commissioner. However, the formal mechanism for bringing bodies within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner is by Order in Council amending schedule 2 to the Act. No such order has been made in respect of NCVQ or IIP UK, so as bodies themselves, they are not formally subject to investigation by the Commissioner. The Government have, however, made a commitment formally to bring all executive NDPBs within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction, unless there are valid reasons, specific to the particular circumstances of the body, for excluding it.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will commission research into the relationship between the proportion of children in schools eligible for free school meals and the academic achievement of schools. [20486]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. There is sufficient analysis of pupil attainment categorised by proportionate eligibility for free school meals, as exemplified by the information published in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector's annual report for 1995–96.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens' charter. [20945]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The information requested is shown in the following table.

  meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and ifthis is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement, or (ii) voluntary. [20902]

  Mr. Squire
  [holding answer 19 March 1997]: The information requested is shown in the following table.
  877

  Name of body

  Annual reports

  Annual accounts

  Minutes of meetings

  Agendas of meetings

  Register of interests

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  Yes

  Yes

  1Yes

  No

  No

  Construction Industry Training board

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  Education Assets Board

  No

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Funding Agency for Schools

  Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Further Education Funding Council for England

  Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Investors in People UK

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  National Council for Educational Technology

  Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  No

  Remploy Ltd.

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Student Loans Company

  2Yes

  2Yes

  No

  No

  1Yes

  Teacher Training Agency

  2Yes

  2Yes

  1Yes

  1Yes

  1Yes

  1 Available for inspection at the NDPB's offices.

  2 Statutory.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will, after consultation with the relevant local authority organisations, estimate the additional administrative costs to local education authorities arising from the scheme of vouchers for pre-school education. [21224]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The nursery education voucher scheme has been designed to keep administration costs for local education authorities to a minimum. It is not anticipated, therefore, that such costs will be significant or that information relating to such costs will be collected.

  Training and Enterprise Funding
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what public funds were provided to training and enterprise councils and chambers of commerce, training and enterprise in 1996–97. [21016]

  Mr. Paice
  The public funds made available to training and enterprise councils and chambers of commerce training and enterprise in England by my Department for 1996–97 amounted to £1.484 billion. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment also provide TECS/CCTEs with additional Government funding.

  The responsibility for TECs/CCTEs in Wales lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people were on(a) YT/youth credits and (b) modern apprenticeships, (i) on average in the last year for which figures are available and (ii) at the last date for which figures are available. [21018]

  Mr. Paice
  On average in 1996, there were 225,000 on youth training youth credits in England and Wales in December 1996, there were 232,000 people on youth training youth credits.

  On average in 1996, there were 41,000 on modern apprenticeships in England and Wales. In December 1996, there were 67,000 people on modern apprenticeships.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of youth training trainees currently have employed status. [21019]

  Mr. Paice
  In December 1996, there were 232,000 on youth training in England and Wales, of which 57 per cent. had employed status.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to allow parents of primary school children increased opportunities to view their child's school work and progress. [21023]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government's reforms have ensured that parents are better informed about the performance of primary schools, most recently through the publication of performance tables, and about their own child's progress at primary school. All parents must receive a written report on their child at least once a year. This must describe the arrangements for discussing the report with the teachers concerned.

  Education Spending, Barnet
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will make a statement on the increase in Barnet's education standard spending assessment in 1997–98; [21078]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the (a) amount and (b) percentage of Barnet local education authority's education budget spent centrally; and what are the average national figures. [21080]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Barnet's 1997–98 education standard spending assessment is £119.1 million which, after adjustments are made to take account of the nursery voucher scheme, represents a year on year increase of some £5.3 million or 4.6 per cent.

  It is up to local authorities to set their education budgets within the resources at their disposal, and capping limits. Barnet's 1996–97 education budget was £126.5 million, which was 8.1 per cent. above its education SSA— £117 million. Nationally, local authorities set their 1996–97 education budgets at an average of 4.0 per cent.

  879
  above their education SSAs. Details of local authorities' final expenditure on education in the current year are not yet available.

  Pupil Costs
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was education spending

  Pre-primary/primary

  Secondary

  Combined

  Year

  Cash terms £

  Real terms £

  Cash terms £

  Real terms £

  Cash terms £

  Real terms £

  1979–80

  429

  1,128

  607

  1,596

  513

  1,348

  1995–961

  1,629

  1,670

  2,286

  2,343

  1,909

  1,957

  1 These figures exclude grant-maintained schools.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the status of the report produced by the steering committee on the special educational needs initiative; what is her Department's policy in respect of each of the recommendations; and what action she(a) has taken to date and (b) proposes to take. [2117]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The SEN initiative is a consortium of local education authoritiess in England and Wales, established by the Society of Education Officers in order to facilitate a national study into the management of LEA budgets for pupils with special educational needs. The first phase report, prepared by Coopers and Lybrand in consultation with a wide range of interests, offers guidance to participating LEAs; the second phase, now under way, is focused on the management of SEN budgets at school level. The Department has contributed £5,000 in 1996 and 1997 towards the costs of the study, and is represented on the steering committee for the initiative. It is for LEAs to consider the implications of the report, but we welcome the way in which the initiative has highlighted important issues for LEAs seeking to maximise the effectiveness of the resources devoted to children with special educational needs.

  National Learning Line
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) which organisations expressed an interest in tendering for the national learning line but were not invited to do so; [21286]

  (2) which organisations were invited to tender for the national learning line. [21287]

  Mr. Paice
  The contract to run the national learning line is being competitively tendered. The commercial best practice adopted by the Government in such circumstances means that we cannot reveal details of the companies involved in the competition.

  Expenditure, Devon
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the expenditure on(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) capital projects in Devon in each of the last five years. [21340]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows gross expenditure for LEA-maintained (a) pre-primary, primary and (b) secondary schools by Devon local education 880
  per pupil in (a) 1975 and (b) currently expressed in (i) cash terms and (ii) constant price terms.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows in both cash and terms—1996–97 prices—the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA-maintainted schools, in 1979–80 and 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available.

  authority from 1991–92, to 1995–96; and capital expenditure by the LEA over the period 1991–92 to 1994— 95, the latest year for which figures are available. All figures are in cash terms, and have not been adjusted for any change of function.

  £ million

  Pre-primary/primary

  Secondary

  Gross expenditure

  1991–92

  108.246

  121.895

  1992–93

  133.657

  141.874

  1993–94

  123.575

  130.781

  1994–95

  132.111

  135.599

  1995–96

  132.679

  133.933

  Capital expenditure

  1991–92

  19.370

  9.779

  1992–93

  10.296

  12.762

  1993–94

  9.691

  13.499

  1994–95

  12.099

  9.721

  Hunting (Jobs)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will estimate the number of jobs dependent on(a) fox hunting, (d) deer hunting and (c) hare coursing. [21113]

  Mr. Paice
  The sectors involved are very small. For that reason we can make no reliable estimates of the number of jobs dependent on fox hunting, deer hunting and hare coursing. Government statistics do not promote such detailed information. However, the Department of the Environment is a member of the standing conference on countryside sports. A study produced for SCCS estimates around 60,000 full-time jobs are directly dependent on all countryside sports and a further 30,000 indirectly.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the post-tax surplus or deficit for each training and enterprise council for 1995–96. [21310]

  Mr. Paice
  The following table lists the post-tax surpluses or deficits incurred by training and enterprise councils in 1995–96. The figures are those shown in the audited statutory accounts lodged at Companies House.
  881
  TECs are allowed to generate surpluses and create reserves by subcontracting training at a lower unit price than that negotiated with the Department. Surpluses are used by TECs on activities in support of their corporate and business plan objectives which are agreed with Government. Examples of the use of these funds include the provision of additional opportunities within existing DfEE programmes; matching funding for single regeneration budget or European-funded projects; training, enterprise or economic development initiatives agreed with TECs' local communities; and topping up reserves where they are insufficient to meet cash flow and other fluctuations.

  TECs/CCTEs by region Post tax operating surplus/(deficit)

  1995–96 £

  Northern

  County Durham

  (646,364)

  Northumberland

  475,842

  Teesside

  437,000

  Tyneside

  2,101,000

  Sunderland (Wearside)

  1,590,984

  3,958,462

  Merseyside

  CEWTEC

  897,592

  Merseyside

  (2,867,096)

  St. Helens

  (293,520)

  (2,263,024)

  North west

  Bolton/Bury

  (238,453)

  Manchester

  560,301

  METRO

  213,325

  Oldham

  102,240

  Rochdale

  138,448

  South and East Cheshire

  1,322,376

  Stockport and High Peak

  (48,248)

  Cumbria

  422,291

  ELTEC

  (74,614)

  LAWTEC

  (337,754)

  NORMID

  539,256

  2,599,168

  Yorkshire and the Humberside

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  2,552,000

  Bradford

  (436,245)

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  97,846

  Humberside

  419,280

  Leeds

  207,287

  North Yorkshire

  (132,000)

  Rotherham

  1,074,660

  Sheffield

  788,000

  Wakefield

  500,611

  5,071,439

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  392,006

  Cambridgeshire

  378,209

  Essex

  2,459,798

  Greater Peterborough

  (75,628)

  Hertfordshire

  520,000

  Norfolk and Waveney

  1,372,000

  Suffolk

  1,158,123

  6,204,508

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  817,000

  Leicester

  1,252,154

  Lincolnshire

  652,071

  Northamptonshire

  443,441

  882

  TECs/CCTEs by region Post tax operating surplus/(deficit)

  1995–96£

  North Derbyshire

  138,008

  North Nottinghamshire

  280,867

  South Derbyshire

  642,000

  4,225,541

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  1,013,000

  Central England

  255,810

  Coventry/Warwick

  976,966

  Dudley

  (277,643)

  HAWTEC

  309,857

  Sandwell

  385,104

  Shropshire

  497,489

  Staffordshire

  385,000

  Walsall

  563,982

  Wolverhampton

  161,000

  4,270,565

  South West

  Westec

  341,000

  Devon/Cornwall

  (620,000)

  Dorset

  (264,911)

  Gloucester

  980,410

  Somerset

  (48,000)

  Wiltshire

  28,106

  416,605

  London

  AZTEC

  884,679

  CENTEC

  (22,482)

  CILNTEC

  54,123

  LETEC

  2,505,452

  North London

  802,634

  North West London

  1,051,535

  SOLOTEC

  2,575,000

  West London

  1,383,308

  9,234,249

  South East

  Hampshire

  (1,077,933)

  Wight

  140,565

  Kent

  1,385,448

  Milton Keynes North Bucks

  222,758

  Heart of England

  (352,446)

  Surrey

  (56,808)

  Sussex

  (960,000)

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  333,309

  365,107

  Grand total

  33,352,406

  Secondary School Pupils
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each English local education authority, the expenditure per secondary school pupil for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [21312]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table sets out for each LEA in England the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA maintained secondary schools for the years 1991–92 to 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available.
  883

  Net Institutional Expenditure per pupil LEA Maintained Secondary Schools

  Cash terms

  1991–92£

  1992–93£

  1993–94£

  1994–95£

  1995–96£

  Corporation of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  2,432

  2,726

  2,716

  2,790

  2,888

  Greenwich

  2,296

  2,497

  2,583

  2,772

  2,768

  Hackney

  2,799

  3,014

  2,617

  3,138

  2,963

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2,739

  3,105

  3,329

  3,316

  3,328

  Islington

  2,938

  4,792

  3,005

  2,657

  2,941

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,200

  3,061

  3,266

  3,327

  3,602

  Lambeth

  2,978

  2,800

  3,296

  3,782

  3,859

  Lewisham

  2,376

  2,534

  2,614

  2,677

  2,765

  Southwark

  2,460

  2,506

  2,421

  2,681

  2,840

  Tower Hamlets

  2,946

  3,352

  3,157

  3,194

  3,206

  Wandsworth

  3,275

  3,212

  2,795

  3,053

  2,953

  City of Westminster

  2,444

  2,486

  2,739

  2,825

  2,863

  Barking

  2,254

  2,347

  2,355

  2,353

  2,473

  Barnet

  2,326

  2,615

  2,952

  2,415

  2,533

  Bexley

  2,058

  2,121

  2,341

  2,232

  2,291

  Brent

  2,490

  2,425

  1,835

  2,033

  2,418

  Bromley

  2,442

  2,377

  2,280

  2,231

  1,851

  Croydon

  2,373

  2,369

  2,309

  2,165

  2,543

  Ealing

  2,836

  2,026

  2,575

  2,457

  2,477

  Enfield

  2,321

  2,267

  2,531

  2,359

  2,367

  Haringey

  2,650

  2,897

  3,041

  2,986

  3,018

  Harrow

  2,373

  2,614

  2,439

  2,598

  2,660

  Havering

  2,255

  2,364

  2,290

  2,570

  2,622

  Hillingdon

  2,625

  2,686

  2,670

  2,625

  2,624

  Hounslow

  2,161

  2,419

  2,282

  2,582

  2,535

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,473

  2,663

  2,284

  2,518

  2,374

  Merlon

  2,622

  2,679

  2,463

  2,663

  2,593

  Newham

  2,470

  2,629

  2,563

  2,623

  2,546

  Redbridge

  2,308

  2,337

  2,526

  2,553

  2,510

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,114

  2,285

  2,280

  2,373

  2,431

  Sutton

  2,161

  2,036

  1,978

  2,514

  2,480

  Waltham Forest

  2,622

  2,454

  2,526

  2,395

  2,736

  Birmingham

  2,151

  2,341

  2,330

  2,356

  2,555

  Coventry

  2,116

  2,382

  2,469

  2,418

  2,477

  Dudley

  2,126

  2,072

  2,098

  2,205

  2,175

  Sandwell

  2,277

  2,340

  2,349

  2,244

  2,362

  Solihull

  2,126

  2,223

  2,217

  2,225

  2,241

  Walsall

  2,108

  2,216

  2,281

  2,314

  2,158

  Wolverhampton

  2,354

  2,407

  2,300

  2,341

  2,460

  Knowsley

  2,296

  2,298

  2,243

  2,227

  2,259

  Liverpool

  2,356

  2,375

  2,613

  2,603

  2,406

  St. Helens

  2,104

  2,357

  2,315

  2,247

  2,063

  Sefton

  2,017

  2,232

  2,204

  2,227

  2,304

  Wirral

  2,113

  2,418

  2,299

  2,294

  2,323

  Bolton

  2,132

  2,280

  2,119

  2,617

  2,287

  Bury

  1,900

  1,970

  1,979

  2,032

  2,081

  Manchester

  2,285

  2,426

  2,328

  2,435

  2,305

  Oldham

  2,261

  2,474

  2,278

  2,293

  2,294

  Rochdale

  2,134

  2,182

  1,974

  2,225

  2,275

  Salford

  2,192

  2,113

  2,215

  2,151

  2,226

  Stockport

  2,135

  2,288

  2,310

  2,152

  2,225

  Tameside

  2,100

  2,170

  2,095

  2,046

  2,010

  Trafford

  2,107

  2,279

  2,156

  2,319

  2,433

  Wigan

  2,288

  2,286

  2,141

  2,130

  2,307

  Barnsley

  2,043

  2,151

  2,101

  2,102

  2,089

  Doncaster

  1,997

  2,182

  2,022

  2,025

  2,292

  Rotherham

  2,151

  2,285

  2,271

  2,220

  2,211

  Sheffield

  2,181

  2,212

  2,119

  2,110

  2,182

  Bradford

  1,796

  1,822

  1,969

  2,041

  2,030

  Calderdale

  2,010

  2,163

  2,162

  2,104

  2,485

  Kirklees

  2,056

  2,200

  2,207

  2,256

  2,258

  Leeds

  1,979

  2,397

  2,164

  2,223

  2,259

  884

  Net Institutional Expenditure per pupil LEA Maintained Secondary Schools

  Cash terms

  1991–92£

  1992–93£

  1993–94£

  1994–95£

  1995–96£

  Wakefield

  2,113

  2,073

  2,150

  2,046

  2,055

  Gateshead

  2,117

  2,283

  2,252

  2,257

  2,250

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,066

  2,133

  2,187

  2,314

  2,346

  North Tyneside

  2,075

  2,219

  1,995

  2,145

  2,201

  South Tyneside

  2,041

  2,197

  1,948

  2,062

  2,096

  Sunderland

  2,047

  2,137

  2,114

  2,142

  2,228

  Isles of Scilly

  4,161

  5,040

  4,415

  4,484

  4,347

  Avon

  2,048

  2,277

  2,288

  2,336

  2,426

  Bedfordshire

  2,036

  2,170

  2,103

  2,231

  2,163

  Berkshire

  2,156

  2,227

  2,214

  2,238

  2,211

  Buckinghamshire

  2,095

  2,118

  2,286

  2,256

  2,288

  Cambridgeshire

  2,023

  2,243

  1,956

  2,160

  2,172

  Cheshire

  2,106

  2,072

  2,106

  2,176

  2,147

  Cleveland

  2,111

  2,515

  2,129

  2,172

  2,139

  Cornwall

  1,957

  2,132

  2,160

  2,202

  2,229

  Cumbria

  2,175

  2,306

  2,216

  2,034

  2,287

  Derbyshire

  2,199

  2,310

  2,214

  2,290

  2,234

  Devon

  2,004

  2,164

  2,157

  2,203

  2,187

  Dorset

  1,922

  2,097

  2,065

  2,061

  2,067

  Durham

  2,020

  2,064

  2,114

  2,122

  2,072

  East Sussex

  2,018

  2,233

  2,270

  2,359

  2,395

  Essex

  2,274

  2,138

  2,286

  2,321

  2,325

  Gloucestershire

  1,757

  2,203

  2,084

  1,937

  2,082

  Hampshire

  2,132

  2,248

  2,180

  2,177

  2,210

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,961

  2,116

  2,038

  2,063

  2,055

  Hertfordshire

  2,237

  2,263

  2,245

  2,264

  2,366

  Humberside

  2,065

  2,228

  2,257

  2,304

  2,313

  Isle of Wight

  1,937

  2,081

  2,027

  2,030

  2,085

  Kent

  2,075

  1,999

  2,079

  2,276

  2,343

  Lancashire

  2,225

  2,320

  2,347

  2,345

  2,268

  Leicestershire

  2,253

  2,219

  2,263

  2,274

  2,269

  Lincolnshire

  2,081

  2,174

  2,322

  2,384

  2,412

  Norfolk

  2,116

  2,177

  2,309

  2,342

  2,319

  North Yorkshire

  2,152

  2,260

  2,187

  2,180

  2,224

  Northamptonshire

  1,970

  2,093

  2,125

  2,265

  2,163

  Northumberland

  1,964

  1,871

  2,083

  1,944

  1,990

  Nottinghamshire

  2,492

  2,346

  2,381

  2,396

  2,333

  Oxfordshire

  2,108

  2,212

  2,191

  2,285

  2,199

  Shropshire

  2,349

  2,509

  2,354

  2,413

  2,384

  Somerset

  1,951

  2,220

  2,138

  2,113

  2,212

  Staffordshire

  2,045

  2,088

  2,078

  2,104

  2,061

  Suffolk

  1,698

  2,393

  2,190

  2,182

  2,165

  Surrey

  2,202

  2,293

  2,215

  2,234

  2,260

  Warwickshire

  2,090

  2,126

  2,420

  2,349

  2,225

  West Sussex

  2,085

  2,125

  2,467

  2,240

  2,239

  Wiltshire

  1,947

  2,268

  2,379

  2,125

  2,251

  Musicians
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the relationship between the number of places for educating musicians in the United Kingdom and the job opportunities for musicians; and what plans she has to review the present position. [21115]

  Mr. Forth
  None. With the exception of a very small number of disciplines, the Government do not plan centrally the output of graduates. It is for individual universities and colleges to determine the allocation of places by subject in the light of demand from suitably qualified applicants, who in turn may be influenced by job opportunities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to respond to the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on the proposed changes to housing benefit regulations. [20954]

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received the Social Security Advisory Committee report. It recommended against proceeding without further research of the effects of existing measures on the housing market. In the event the Government do go ahead, the committee further recommended that the proposals should apply only to new claims and that certain accommodation for tenants who have been referred by the local authority or probation service should be exempt.

  I have considered these recommendations carefully. I have decided not to accept them in the form in which they were presented, but to exempt from the single room rent determination severely disabled people who are entitled to severe disability premium and single claimants who have non-dependants residing with them.

  I have today laid before Parliament the social security advisory committee's report and my response to it. I have also laid the regulations to give effect to the changes.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what projections his Department has made, and over what periods, of future levels of provision of accommodation matching the single room rent definition. [21130]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The rental market is flexible and we believe it will respond to changes in demand arising from the application of the single room rent determinations. To encourage people who have spare rooms in their houses to let them out, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget, an increase to the current rent-a-room threshold of £3,250. From April, rental income of up to £4,250 will be exempt from tax.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the housing benefit costs in respect of the private rented sector in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [21132]

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

  Estimated rent allowance expenditure

  £ million

  1995–96

  11996–97

  Housing association tenants

  1,600

  2,100

  Other private sector tenants

  3,850

  3,900

  Total rent allowance expenditure

  5,450

  5,900

  Note

  1 Figures are provisional and do not sum due to rounding.

  Source:

  1. Housing benefit management information system.

  2. 1995–96 departmental report.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the(a) financial and (b) other effects of (i) the Housing Benefit
  886
  Regulations, S.I. 1996, No. 965, and (ii) the proposed housing benefit regulations restricting housing benefit for single people aged 25 to 59 years. [21129]

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

  Year

  Estimated savings(£ million)

  Numbers likely to be affected

  (i) Under 25 changes S.I. 1996 No. 965

  1996–97

  13

  40,000

  1997–98

  57

  90,000

  1998–99

  62

  105,000

  (ii) Proposed changes for most single claimants between 25 and 59 years

  1997–98

  6

  72,000

  1998–99

  47

  210,000

  1999– 2000

  69

  265,000

  Pensioners
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the measures which have provided extra financial assistance to pensioners on low incomes since 1990. [18463]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information in relation to income support, housing benefit and council tax and community charge benefits, is as follows:

  April 1991

  The pensioner premium was increased above the normal uprating.

  April 1992

  The higher pensioner premium was increased above the normal uprating.

  October 1992

  All pensioner premiums were increased above the normal uprating.

  April 1993

  The rates of income support personal allowances were not adjusted to reflect the fact that the element previously included in recognition of the 20 per cent. contribution towards community charge liability was no longer needed due to the introduction of council tax.

  April 1994

  Compensation for VAT on fuel above average cost.

  Customer Charters
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department and its executive agencies have spent drafting, publishing and circulating each of their customer charters and customer standard documents; and how many copies of each document have been issued. [19388]

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

  Benefits Agency

  The Benefits Agency customer charter was last revised and published in December 1993. The cost of publication was £48,106; 250,000 copies were published and distributed to the agency's local offices. In addition, in 1996–97, 86 Benefit Agency units have published local charters at a total cost of £60,200. Each business unit received 2,000 copies of its own

  887
  charter statement. There are no figures available on the number of national and local charters issued to the public, because their distribution is controlled by Benefits Agency local offices and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

  Contributions Agency

  The employers charter was last revised and published in January 1994; 1,200,000 copies were printed and distributed to employers at a cost of £67,000. A further 250,000 copies were printed, stored and sent to local offices for distribution to customers, at a cost of £10,557; 74,621 remain in stock.

  The contributors charter was last revised and published in April 1995; 1,000,000 copies were printed for distribution with national insurance cards to 16-year-olds at a cost of £64,655; 250,000 copies were printed, stored and sent to local offices for distribution to customers, at a cost of £14,586; 13,355 remain in stock.

  Child Support Agency

  The Child Support Agency customer charter was last revised and published in November 1996. A total of 7,600 copies were printed and distributed at a cost of £9,539. There are none currently in stock.

  War Pensions Agency

  A total of 218,500 copies of the War Pensions Agency charter standard statement were printed at a cost of £14,949; 174,515 remain in stock.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 13 January,Official Report, columns 149–50, if the War Pensions Agency consulted (a) the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment and (b) his Department when it was drawing up the sections on claims arising out of experiments at Porton Down in the 1993 and 1995 versions of the "War Pensions Manual". [19115]

  Mr. Heald
  These are matters for Mr. Kevin Caldwell, chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 March 1997:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the War Pensions Agency consulted with the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE), and our own Department, when drawing up the 1993 and 1995 instructions for claims arising out of experiments at Porton Down.

  I can confirm that we did not consult with the CBDE prior to publishing our 1993 version of the War Pensions Manual. We also consulted the CBDE in revising the instructions in 1995.

  The War Pension Agency consults DSS HQ Policy Branch as a matter of course when preparing instructions. Again, I can confirm that we consulted with them on the 1993 and 1995 versions.

  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claimants for a war pension are currently referred by the War Pensions Agency to(a) an independent specialist and (b) a regional
  888
  consultant; for what reasons claimants are referred to (a) or (b); and what rights claimants have to choose to whom they are referred. [19114]

  Mr. Heald
  These are matters for Mr. Kevin Caldwell, chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the percentage of claimants for a War Pension currently referred by the Agency to independent specialists and regional consultants, for what reason, and what rights claimants have to choose to whom they are referred.
  During 1996, the Agency cleared 81,170 claims to War Pension. During the same period, 13,409 appeals were processed and cleared to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. We requested 9,193 medical Consultant (Specialist) reports and 590 Regional Consultant Reports during 1996. As a percentage of all cases cleared by the Agency in 1996 this equates to Consultant (Specialist)—19.7% and Regional Consultant—0.6%.
  Claimants are referred to Consultants (Specialists) primarily to establish for the Secretary of State the definitive diagnosis of any medical conditions underlying a claimed disablement. Regional Consultant opinion is sought where there is conflict of opinion between Consultants or where the case is medically exceptionally complicated. The Agency holds a list of the Regional Consultants that it uses on a nationwide basis, reflecting the major medical specialities.
  In Individual cases, the appropriate Regional Consultant is chosen by the Agency Medical Advisor dealing with the claim. Agency requests for Consultant (Specialist) reports are directed to the appropriate Benefits Agency Disability Benefits Centre who arrange appointments on our behalf and use local knowledge to request a report from a suitable Consultant in the locality concerned.
  The Secretary of State may award a War Disablement Pension only when a certificate to the effect that disablement is due to service has been provided to him by a medical office or board of medical officers appointed or recognised by him for that purpose. He must be given the opportunity to satisfy himself on that issue. Should, exceptionally, a claimant object to being seen by any individual Consultant/Regional Consultant, or alternatively have in mind a particular Consultant, the Secretary of State will consider representations from a claimant as to the appointment. However, the decision as to appointment is for the Secretary of State to make, and not the claimant.
  Should a claimant have been seen and treated by a particular Consultant, then efforts will be made to obtain any relevant casenotes, or factual reports from the Consultant concerned.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people lost their(a) invalidity benefit and (b) incapacity benefit in the first year of incapacity benefit in Wales; and how many have lost benefit since; [19055]

  (2) how many people have lost their (a) invalidity and (b) incapacity benefit in each benefit district in Wales since the introduction of the incapacity benefit; and what are the estimated savings which have accrued. [19056]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  889
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 19 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many people lost their (a) Invalidity Benefit (IVB) and (b) Incapacity Benefit (IB) in the first year of IB in Wales; and how many have lost benefit

  Numbers of people losing their incapacity benefit from April 1995 to January 1997 for each benefits agency district in Wales

  Reason

  Cardiff and Vale

  South Wales Valleys

  Gwent Borders

  South West Wales

  Wrexham and North West Cost

  Gwyneddigion and Maldwyn

  Failed the Own Occupation Test

  45

  125

  20

  170

  60

  55

  Failed to return All Work Test questionnaire without good cause

  175

  395

  145

  700

  245

  100

  Failed to attend examination without good cause

  30

  140

  10

  240

  60

  20

  Found capable of All Work1

  2,190

  6,115

  1,620

  8,490

  2,425

  1,145

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 cases.

  Credits Only cases that existed prior to April 95 are only included after 25 January 1997 as they were not available prior to this date.

  1 This figure includes a small number of Credits only cases disallowed due to failure to return their All Work Test questionnaire without good cause or failure to attend examination without good cause, no breakdown is available.

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Information on savings is not available.

  Source:

  Incapacity Benefit computer system, figures exclude a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Numbers of people in Wales losing their incapacity benefit

  Reason

  April 1995-March 1996

  April 1996-January 1997

  Failed the Own Occupation Test

  205

  260

  Failed to return All Work Test questionnaire without good cause

  960

  805

  Failed to attend examination without good cause

  160

  340

  Found capable of All Work1

  8,955

  13,030

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest five cases.

  Credits Only cases that existed prior to April 1995 are only included in the figures after 25 January 1997 as they were not available prior to this date.

  1 This figure includes a small number of Credits only cases disallowed due to failure to return their All Work Test questionnaire without good cause or failure to attend examination without good cause, no breakdown is available.

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Source:

  Incapacity Benefit computer system, figures exclude a small number of cases not held on the system.

  Child Care Allowance
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the exact budgetary provisions made for the extra child care allowance available for two of the public sector pilots in the parent plus scheme. [19833]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  On a provisional basis, £240,000 has been allocated from the parent plus budget to cover the cost of essential child care costs incurred during activities associated with the scheme. This amount is not cash limited and will be reviewed if necessary. There is no restriction on the number who claim it, or on the number of times an individual lone parent may claim.890
  since and; how many people have lost their (a) IVB and (b) IB in each benefit district in Wales since the introduction of the IB; and
  what are the estimated savings which have accrued.
  Information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are not kept separately for customer's formerly in receipt of IVB and customer's claiming IB. The available information is shown in the attached tables.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  The total amount allocated has been apportioned based on the number of lone parents claiming income support in the two areas concerned: £95,700 has been allocated to north Worcestershire and £144,700 to Warwickshire.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the Child Support Agency in obtaining child support payments from absent parents who were not previously paying maintenance. [19555]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 19 March 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the progress of the Child Support Agency in obtaining child support payments.
  During 1995/96 the Agency was involved in the payment of over £301 million in maintenance arising from child support assessments. This included about £137 million arranged to be paid direct between parents, and over £164 million collected by the Agency. The amount collected was more than double that of 1994/95 (£76 million).
  During the current financial year, the total collected and arranged was over £322 million as at 31st January. Achieving the target set by the Secretary of State of £380 million—£400 million will entail an increase of 27%–33% on the collected/arranged figure required last year, but the Agency is on course to succeed in meeting this challenge.
  The Agency has also become increasingly successful in tracing absent parents. In 1995/96, over 55,000 specialist traces were successfully undertaken by the Agency, the vast majority of which referred to absent parents whose whereabouts were doubtful. In January, 7,361 were successful (the highest ever recorded), bringing the total so far this year to 53,047.

  891
  The Agency has continued to put an increased emphasis on the enforcement of maintenance payments. In 1995/96 53,000 deduction from earnings orders (DEOs) were issued, an increase of 65% on the 1994/95 figure. During the current financial year 47,814 DEOs have been issued as at 31 st January.
  The Agency is increasingly obtaining liability orders through the courts, mainly against non-compliant self employed absent parents. The number of liability orders applied for in this financial year as at the end of January was 1,702, an increase of 58% compared with the same period last year.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of outstanding cases in north Staffordshire currently being processed by the Dudley Child Support Agency office; what is the current waiting time for outstanding cases; and if he will make a statement. [20186]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Joan Walley, dated 19 March 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about cases being actioned by the Dudley Child Support Agency Centre (CSAC)
  At the end of February, the Agency was dealing with a total of 418,369 cases in which action had not been fully completed; the Dudley CSAC has responsibility for 65,467 of these cases. Information is not available, however, on the number of these cases which originated from North Staffordshire. this could be obtained only by a special clerical exercise, the cost of which would be disproportionate.
  The Agency measures its performance in relation to waiting times against its Secretary of State target to clear 60% of new maintenance assessments within 26 weeks, and for no more than 10% of cases to be outstanding for more than 52 weeks at 31 March 1997. As of 28 February 1997, 53% of maintenance assessments had been cleared within 26 weeks, and 13% were outstanding for more than 52 weeks.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances the CSA is permitted to pass on confidential information gained from claimants or absent parents to another person or body. [20161]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. John McAllion, dated 19 March 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about confidential information within the Child Support Agency.
  This Agency only discloses confidential information to third parties in the following circumstances; with the consent of the person involved, to comply with a court order, or under legislative provision to meet statutory requirements.
  In specific circumstances, the Child Support Act (1991) and associated Regulations, allows the Secretary of State and/or a Child Support Officer to disclose any information held for the purposes of the Act. For example, information may be disclosed to a Court, a Tribunal, an appropriate Authority in connection with Housing Benefit or Council Tax or to another party to the assessment where such information enables that party to understand how decisions, in relation to a maintenance assessment, were reached.
  892
  The Agency is registered with the Office of the Data Protection Registrar, in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1984). Disclosure of personal information held by the Agency will only be made in accordance with our registration except where specific exemptions apply. For example, disclosure to the Police can be made where it is for the purpose of prevention or detection of serious crime or in an emergency where disclosure is required to prevent injury or damage to anyone's health. I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken to process an application for child support up to the point where the absent parent is informed of his or her liability to pay; and what is the average amount of arrears owed by the absent parent at this point. [20163]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant CB. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. John McAllion, dated 19 March 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about applications for child support to the Child Support Agency, but I am afraid I cannot give you precise information in the format you have requested.
  The first part of your question asks for the average time taken to process an application up to the point where the absent parent is notified of their liability to pay. The Agency does not collect general information on average processing times, but measures performance against its Secretary of State target to clear 60% of new maintenance applications within 26 weeks. At the end of February, 53% of new maintenance applications were being cleared within 26 weeks, and 13% of all applications were over 52 weeks old.
  The second part of your question relates to the average amount of arrears which accrue between an application being made and the point at which the absent parent is informed of liability; this is called the initial payment period. Information is not collected by the Agency's financial management system and debt management system on the average amount of arrears which accrue, during this period. There is no business need to do so, and as several major factors are involved a rough average figure at this stage would have little meaning. For example, an absent parent may have responded promptly to our enquiry form and thus qualified to defer the effective date of the claim for 8 weeks. They may also have been making voluntary payments to the parent with care during this period, and when these are reported and verified, the amount of arrears is reduced accordingly. Finally, either or both parents may ask for the assessment to be reviewed at this stage, which can lead to an adjustment in the original amount.
  The Agency has, however, addressed the issue of debt accumulating in the interim pay period by establishing early contact with the absent parent to arrange voluntary payment of maintenance and has also introduced a facility to defer the effective date of a claim if an absent parent quickly returns his or her maintenance enquiry form. Encouraging the absent parent to co operate with the Agency shortens the time between application and assessment, thus minimising the build up of arrears.
  These policies have proved to be effective as, since April 1996. the Agency has recorded over £24m in voluntary payments made during the initial payment period in cases subsequently using the collection service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of child support appeals(a) being processed, (b) outstanding for more than 26 weeks and (c) determined in favour of (i) the Child Support Agency and (ii) the client at the end of each month since April 1994. [21473]
  893
  Mr. Mitchell
  This is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service.

  Benefits Agency Appellants
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency appellants have been refused oral hearings at an appeal tribunal(a) nationally, (b) in the West Pennine district and (c) in the Oldham district since the right to automatic oral hearings was restricted in October 1996. [20116]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service.

  Family Credit (Fife)
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families were in receipt of family credit in the Fife Benefits Agency office area in each quarter since February 1995. [19942]

  Annex: The number of families in receipt of family credit within the Fife benefits agency office area, at the date indicated, are as follows:

  Date of scan

  Cowdenbeath

  Dunfermline

  Kirkcaldy

  Leven

  Total

  10 February 1995

  596

  1,084

  1,593

  677

  3,950

  13 July 1995

  653

  1,163

  1,704

  738

  4,258

  10 November 1995

  647

  1,188

  1,781

  736

  4,352

  16 February 1996

  643

  1,201

  1,782

  728

  4,354

  12 April 1996

  650

  1,178

  1,760

  755

  4,343

  7 June 1996

  668

  1,226

  1,829

  777

  4,500

  10 October 1996

  699

  1,276

  1,645

  814

  4,434

  3 January 1997

  697

  1,254

  1,802

  799

  4,552

  Social Security and Medical Appeals Tribunals
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what operational problems in the analytical services division of the Independent Tribunal Service prevented figures being given for social security and medical appeals tribunals in 1995. [19296]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department's analytical services division is responsible for producing and publishing statistical information regarding social security and medical appeal tribunals. It obtains data relating to social security appeals from the Independent Tribunal Service's computer systems. Due to problems with the computer system serving the Independent Tribunal Service's north-west region, data for the final quarter of 1995 were not available for inclusion in the annual publication "Social Security Statistics 1996". Figures for the final quarter are contained in the "Quarterly Social Security Appeal Tribunal Statistics December 1995", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Data relating to medical appeal tribunals were not affected by the computer problem. However, owing to competing work priorities, the data for the final quarter of 1995 had not been fully processed by analytical services division when "Social Security Statistics 1996" was due for publication. Figures for the final quarter of 1995 are contained in "Quarterly Medical Appeal Tribunal Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library.
  894
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of family credit is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Rachel Squire, dated 19 March 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many families were in receipt of Family Credit (FC) in the Fife Benefits Agency office area in each quarter since February 1995.
  The information is not available in the format requested. It may be helpful if I explain that FC is administered centrally by the Family Credit Unit. Statistics are produced on a national basis and provide the number of families in receipt of FC within a particular Benefits Agency (BA) office area at a given date. Such details are not produced on a regular monthly or quarterly basis. The information available only serves as a "snap-shot" of the position at that date and does not provide details of the number of families in receipt of FC over a given period.
  There are 4 benefit offices within the Fife District, these are Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Leven. FC statistics relating to each of these offices produced since February 1995 have been provided in the attached annex.
  I hope you find this information useful.

  Personal Pensions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will calculate the total reduction in future expenditure on the state earnings-related pension scheme, at net present value, arising from membership of appropriate personal pensions, assuming the social discount rate used by his Department. [19949]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) on 24 February,Official Report, column 90.

  Attendance Allowance (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living in the London borough of Wandsworth are waiting for a decision to be made regarding their claim for attendance allowance. [20180]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 19 March 1997>:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many people living in the London Borough of Wandsworth are waiting for a decision to be made regarding their claim for Attendance Allowance (AA).
  The information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Statistics are not kept for the number of people waiting for a decision to be made on a claim

  895
  for AA or for individual regions. I am however able to provide the Secretary of State targets for clearing AA New Claims and the year to date clearance rates for Sutton Disability Benefit Centre (DBC) which covers the Benefits Agency Districts shown in the attached annex.

  The information is set out in the table below:-

  1996–97 Secretary of State targets

  Sutton DBC 1 April 1996 to28 February 1997

  68 per cent. in 30 days

  79.70 per cent. in 30 days

  85 per cent. In 53 days

  95.49 per cent.in 53 days

  Figures are provisional and subject to change. I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Annex: Benefits agency districts covered by Sutton Disability Benefit Centre

  Bankside

  Berkshire

  Canterbury and Thanet

  Channel

  East Sussex

  Hampshire North

  Hounslow and Kingston

  London Central

  North Kent

  North Surrey

  Palace

  Solent and Forest

  South Circular

  South Downs

  South East Hants and Wight

  South West Thames

  Surrey Downs

  Tameside

  West Kent

  West Sussex.

  Reduced Benefits Directions
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a breakdown, by ethnic origin, of parents with care against whom reduced benefits directions were issued in 1994–95. [21022]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of (i) men and (ii) women of working age in each year since 1978–79 had a national insurance contribution record for the year with contributions equivalent to less than 25 times the lower earnings limit; and what proportion of these(a) had a similar contribution record for two or more years running and (b) were in receipt of contribution credits in each year. [21027]
  896
  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the tables:

  Men

  Thousands

  Number with class 1 earnings below25 x LEL

  Number with two or more years

  Proportion with similar record for two years or more(per cent.)

  Number with class 1 earnings below 25 x LEL and credits

  1978–79

  479

  88

  18

  368

  1979–80

  447

  148

  33

  337

  1980–81

  457

  140

  31

  360

  1981–82

  524

  147

  28

  421

  1982–83

  561

  166

  30

  467

  1983–84

  603

  182

  30

  514

  1984–85

  666

  164

  25

  525

  1985–86

  433

  130

  30

  377

  1986–87

  490

  146

  30

  420

  1987–88

  673

  197

  29

  542

  1988–89

  666

  226

  34

  502

  1989–90

  659

  235

  36

  473

  1990–91

  639

  237

  37

  456

  1991–92

  689

  256

  37

  487

  1992–93

  718

  280

  39

  506

  1993–94

  787

  304

  39

  551

  1994–95

  842

  —

  —

  580

  Women

  Thousands

  Number with class 1 earnings below 5 xLEL

  Number with two or more years

  Proportion with similar record for two years or more (per cent.)

  Number with class1 earningsbelow25 x LE Land credits

  1978–79

  651

  165

  25

  340

  1979–80

  691

  298

  43

  342

  1980–81

  745

  337

  45

  356

  1981–82

  831

  378

  45

  394

  1982–83

  909

  437

  48

  427

  1983–84

  1,013

  490

  48

  471

  1984–85

  1,082

  495

  46

  482

  1985–86

  914

  467

  51

  371

  1986–87

  1,023

  506

  49

  423

  1987–88

  1,201

  578

  48

  475

  1988–89

  1,272

  624

  49

  458

  1989–90

  1,246

  621

  50

  416

  1990–91

  1,191

  614

  52

  406

  1991–92

  1,219

  637

  52

  421

  1992–93

  1,220

  653

  53

  413

  1993–94

  1,274

  679

  53

  440

  1994–95

  1,322

  —

  —

  442

  1. Source: 1 per cent. sample of national insurance recording system taken in February 1996.

  2. Figure are United Kingdom.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Analysis is based on people with Class 1 contributions below 25 times the weekly LEL in the year.

  5. Figures for 1994–95 are provisional.

  6. Figures for the number with two or more consecutive years are not available for 1994–95.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what liability is placed on (i) training providers and (ii) employers providing work placements for young
  897
  people with non-employed status on youth credits/youth training for national insurance payments for young people aged (a) 16 to 17 years and (b) 18 years and over. [21020]

  Mr. Heald
  Neither training providers nor employers providing work placements have any national insurance contribution liability in respect of any young people with non-employed status on youth training.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of Stae for Social Security what credits in respect of national insurance contributions awarded to young people aged 18 years and over who are on youth credits/youth training with non-employed status. [21021]

  Mr. Heald
  Young people aged 18 years and over may be awarded a class 1 national insurance credit for each week in which they attend an approved training course, provided that they had reached age 18 before the beginning of the tax year in which the period of training occurs and that the course, as its outset, is not expected to continue for more than 12 months. If their contribution record for the tax year in which they reached age 18 and for subsequent tax years does not enable them to satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit, they may also be awarded special credits for those years.

  Class 3 credits for pension purposes are available to all young people for the contribution year in which they reach age 18 and the two preceding years.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what would be the level in 1997–98 of the national insurance lower earnings limit and contribution ceiling if they had been uprated in line with earnings since 1979; [21092]

  (2) if he will estimate the cumulative effect on Government revenues since 1979 of the change in indexation from earnings to prices of (a) the national insurance lower earnings limit and (b) the national insurance contribution ceiling for employees and employers; and if he will provide figures for the net revenues. [21073]

  Mr. Heald
  The lower and upper limits for class 1 national insurance contributions are linked to the level of the basic retirement pension. If the basic retirement pension had been uprated since 1980 in line with the higher of earnings or prices, the lower and upper earnings limits for 1997–98 would be £86 and £645 respectively. The estimated full-year effects of limits set at these levels for 1997–98 are shown in the table. Information for earlier years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Estimated full-year effects of lower and upper earnings limits for class 1 national insurance contributions set at £86 and £645 perweek respectively in 1997–98

  £ million

  LEL £86

  UEL £645

  Employees

  Gross

  -1,900

  +1,900

  Rebate

  -250

  +200

  Net

  -1,650

  +1,750

  Employers

  Gross

  -150

  0

  Rebate

  -500

  +350

  898

  Estimated full-year effects of lower and upper earnings limits for class I national insurance contributions set at £86 and £645 perweek respectively in 1997–98

  £ million

  LEL £86

  UEL £645

  Net

  +350

  -350

  Total

  Gross

  -2,000

  +1,900

  Rebate

  -700

  +550

  Net

  -1,300

  +1,400

  Notes:

  1. Figures assume no change in the earnings brackets for employers' contributions.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million; totals may not sum due to rounding.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in his answer to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Howarth) of 2 July 1996,Official Report, column 411, on the value of unpaid national insurance contributions. [21057]

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

  A random survey of employers known to the Contributions Agency estimated that underpayments of class 1 national insurance contributions by employers for 1995–96 were £93 million. The survey was not undertaken for 1994–95 and no figures are available.

  The self-employed pay class 2 and 4 contributions. Class 2 contributions are collected by the Contributions Agency by direct debit payments or in response to the issue of quarterly bills. Estimates of unpaid class 2 could be given only at disproportionate cost.

  Class 4 contributions are collected by the Inland Revenue. The Inland Revenue accounts which were used to provide details in the reply to the hon. member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Howarth) of 2 July 1996 have not yet been finalised and no later information is available.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on national insurance revenues of each(a) increase and (b) decrease of £1 up to £10, in the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions. [21067]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  The table shows the estimated full-year effects of a £10 increase or decrease of the lower earnings limit for class 1 national insurance contributions in 1997–98. The effects of smaller changes would be roughly pro rata.

  Estimated full-year effects of a £10 increase or decrease of the lower earnings limit for class 1 national insurance contributions in 1997–98

  £ million

  LEL increased by £10

  LEL decreased by £10

  Employees

  Gross

  -800

  +850

  Rebate

  -100

  +100

  Net

  -700

  +750

  899

  Estimated full-year effects of a £10 increase or decrease of the lower earnings limit for class 1 national insurance contributions in 1997–98

  £ million

  LEL increased by £10

  LEL decreased by £10

  Employers

  Gross

  -50

  +50

  Rebate

  -200

  +200

  Net

  +150

  -150

  Total

  Gross

  -900

  +900

  Rebate

  -300

  +300

  Net

  -600

  +300

  Notes:

  1. Figures assume no change in the earnings brackets for employers' contributions.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million; totals may not sum due to rounding.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 24 July 1996,Official Report, column 562, concerning the number of people paying voluntary class 3 national insurance contributions. [21090]

  Mr. Heald
  The information remains the most recent available.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury of 9 January 1996,Official Report, column 167, concerning estimated levels of contributions needed to achieve balance in the national insurance fund. [21093]

  Mr. Heald
  The requested information is in the table.

  Estimated level of combined employer and employee contributions necessary to achieve balance in the national insurance fund

  Year

  Contribution level (main rates)3 (per cent.)

  1996–971

  19

  1997–981

  18.4

  20252

  16.9

  20352

  16.7

  Notes:

  1. Based on the estimates underlying the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98".

  2. Based on the national insurance funded long-term financial estimates (Report by the Government Actuary on the third quinquennial review under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975 (HC160–31 January 1995).

  3. Estimate level (excluding employee and employer national health service allocations of 1.05 per cent. and 0.9 per cent. respectively) for there to be no Treasury grant and for the minimum level of the fund to be maintained at the recommendation one sixth of annual benefit expenditure.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in his answer to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Howarth) of 2 July 1996,Official Report, column 411, on the
  900
  number of people in each year in receipt of national insurance credits; and if he will provide such figures for the years from 1979 to 1989. [21056]

  Mr. Heald
  The information in the tables.

  Number of people claiming benefit due to medical incapacity(sickness benefit and incapacity benefit) receiving national insurance credits only (no benefit in payment): Great Britain

  Thousands

  Total claimants

  2 June 19791

  57

  31 May 19801

  66

  30 May 19811

  58

  29 May 19821

  76

  2 April 19831

  69

  31 March 19841

  57

  30 March 19851

  45

  5 April 19861

  59

  4 April 19871

  78

  2 April 19881

  110

  1 April 19891

  157

  31 March 19901

  205

  30 March 19911

  262

  4 April 19921

  320

  3 April 19931

  387

  2 April 19941

  440

  12 April 19951

  512

  29 February 19962

  580

  30 November 19962

  608

  1 Figures taken from a 1 per cent. sample of all claims to sickness benefit in Great Britain.

  2 Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample of claims for incapacity benefit, excluding a small number of cases not held on the computer.

  Number of unemployed claimants in receipt of national insurance credits only (Great Britain).

  Thousands

  Total claimants

  May 1979

  188

  May 1980

  225

  May 19811

  —

  May 1982

  390

  May 1983

  359

  May 19841

  —

  May 19851

  —

  May 1986

  469

  May 1987

  442

  May 1988

  374

  May 1989

  274

  May 1990

  220

  May 1991

  280

  May 1992

  313

  May 1993

  335

  May 1994

  281

  May 1995

  231

  May 1996

  206

  Sources:

  1. May 1994 and before: 100 per cent. count of unemployed claimants in Great Britain taken on the second Thursday of May.

  2. From May 1995: 5 per cent. sample of unemployed claimants in Great Britain taken on the second Thursday of May.

  Notes:

  1. Figures not available due to industrial action.

  2. Figures include a small number who will not receive credits, but cannot be identified separately.
  901

  Number of people receiving at least one credit in the financial year given; by type of credit—Great Britain

  Thousands

  Financial year

  ICA credits

  Man aged between 60 and 64

  1978–79

  9

  —

  1979–80

  9

  —

  1980–81

  11

  —

  1981–82

  12

  —

  1982–83

  12

  —

  1983–84

  11

  1,437

  1984–85

  62

  1,385

  1985–86

  68

  1,332

  1986–87

  101

  1,310

  1987–88

  118

  1,294

  1988–89

  127

  1,294

  1989–90

  142

  1,301

  1990–91

  165

  1,319

  1991–92

  194

  1,337

  1992–93

  232

  1,360

  1993–94

  275

  1,356

  1994–95

  316

  1,336

  Source:

  One per cent. sample of national insurance recording system taken at February 1996.

  Notes:

  1. National insurance credits for men aged between 60 and 64 were introduced in October 1983.

  2. ICA = invalid care allowance.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in his answer given to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon, of 1 July 1996,Official Report, column 324, on the numbers in receipt of family credit and disability working allowance with earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions. [21058]

  Gross Class 1 National Insurance Contributions in Great Britain at 1996–97 prices

  £ billion

  1996–97

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  (a) Employers

  Current Structure

  29.0

  36.4

  44.4

  51.7

  57.8

  (i) Extended to all earnings1

  29.1

  36.5

  44.5

  51.8

  57.9

  (ii) Extended to earnings below LEL1

  29.1

  36.5

  44.5

  51.8

  57.9

  (iii) Extended to earnings above UEL2

  29.0

  36.4

  44.4

  51.7

  57.8

  (b) Employees

  Current Structure

  21.9

  26.9

  30.8

  33.2

  33.9

  (i) Extended to all earnings3,4

  25.3

  32.7

  39.7

  46.4

  555.9

  (ii) Extended to earnings below LEL3

  22.0

  27.0

  30.9

  33.3

  533.9

  (iii) Extended to earnings above UEL4

  25.2

  32.6

  39.6

  46.3

  51.9

  Notes:

  1. Assumes the current 3 per cent. contribution rate would apply to earnings below the lower earnings limit.

  2. There is no upper earnings limit on employers' contributions.

  3. Assumes the current 2 per cent. contribution rate would apply to earnings below the lower earnings limit.

  4. Assumes the current 10 per cent. contribution rate would apply to earnings above the upper earnings limit.

  5. The additional yield from contributions on earnings below the lower earnings limit is estimated to be negligible.

  6. The figures for 2000–01 and later years are based on the assumptions contained in the "National Insurance Fund Long Term Financial Estimates" (HC160) published in January 1995. All figures exclude the effects of contracted-out rebates.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.
  902
  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon on 25 February,Official Report, column 207.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have received payments under the earnings top up scheme to date; how many of these are employees; and what proportion have had earnings below the level of the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions. [21068]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  At 28 February 9,000 awards of earnings top up had been made. Some 8,346 awards were to employees and, of these, 27 per cent. were to people with earnings below the lower earnings limit. These figures are provisional and based on a 100 per cent. count of the live cases at 28 February.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the effect on the number of employees who(a) are paying national insurance contributions and (b) have earnings above the contribution ceiling of the change in indexation from earnings to prices of the national insurance contribution limits since 1979. [21091]

  Mr. Heald
  If the level of the basic retirement pension, to which the lower and upper limits for class 1 national insurance contributions are linked, had been uprated since 1980 in line with the higher or earnings or prices, an estimated 1.2 million fewer employees would be liable to pay contributions in 1997–98, and some 2.1 million fewer employees would have earnings above the upper earnings limit.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information contained in the answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) of 7 March 1996,Official Report, column 354, on national insurance contributions. [21101]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.
  903
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information in the answer to the hon. Member for Stratford on Avon of 26 June 1996,Official Report, column 176, on the cost of removing employer national insurance contributions below the lower earnings limit. [21059]

  Mr. Heald
  If employers were not required to pay national insurance contributions on the portion of their employees earnings below the lower earnings limit, contribution revenue for 1997–98 would be reduced by about £5.2 billion.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information contained in the answer given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) of 26 March 1996,Official Report, column 559, on the cost of raising the lower earnings limit to the level of the personal tax allowance, giving figures also for employer contributions. [21103]

  Mr. Heald
  The information remains the most recent available and includes the effect on revenue from employers' NICs.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information contained in the answer given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 12 March 1996,Official Report, column 592, on national insurance revenues. [21102]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Employee national insurance rates1 (percentage)

  Estimated change in2 contribution revenue (£ million)

  1996–97

  2.0

  —

  10.0

  —

  1997–98

  2.0

  —

  10.0

  —

  Notes:

  1 Not contracted-out rates shown.

  2 Figures show the change in revenue for the tax year in which the change in contribution rate was made.

  3 If the employees' contribution structure, rates and level of contracted-out rebates in force in 1979–80 had applied in 1996–97, employees would have paid about £5.5 billion less in national insurance contributions for that year; if they were to apply in 1997–98, employees would pay an estimated £6 billion less in national insurance contributions for that year.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were(a) the amounts of national insurance contributions paid by (i) employers and (ii) employees and (b) any Exchequer supplement, and the proportion of the NI fund accounted for by each, in today's prices for each year since 1979; and what estimate he has made of future revenues. [21062]

  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information contained in the answer given to the hon. Member for Gordon of 26 March 1996,Official Report, column 559, on extending
  904
  employer national insurance contributions to taxable benefits in kind; and if he will provide figures for employee contributions. [21104]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that extending employer national insurance contributions to those taxable benefits in kind not already subject to an employer charge would raise £250 million in 1997–98. Extending employee NICs to cover the same benefits in kind would yield a further £300 million a year.

  Source:

  Inland Revenue.

  Departmental Budgets
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of his Department's annual budget was spent in Wales in each of the last five years; and how much that proportion was in(a) 1997 prices and (b) cash terms for each year. [20706]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department does not routinely collect information on expenditure by country.

  However, based on figures published in the "Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report", previously "The Statistical Supplement to the Autumn Statement", it is estimated that about 6 per cent. of all social security expenditure is in respect of Wales.

  Basic Pension Plus
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated pension fund and weekly pension on retirement of a person on average earnings under basic pension plus using the Government Actuary's assumptions on investment returns. [21476]

  Mr. Heald
  Based on the Government Actuary's prudent assumptions for real investment returns of +4.25 per cent. per annum, it is estimated that people on average earnings for most of their working lives should accumulate a pension fund of some £130,000, equivalent to a pension of £175 a week in today's prices. In practice, funds could do much better than this; over the past 45 years or so, investments in equities have enjoyed returns averaging 7.7 per cent. a year in real terms.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of basic pension plus on charges by pension providers; and if he will make a statement; [21480]

  (2) what steps he is taking to keep down pension charges under basic pension plus. [21481]

  Mr. Heald
  Basic pension plus will apply to everyone and its security is guaranteed, therefore marketing costs will be lower than for existing personal pensions. We are also confident that the pensions industry would respond to the economies of scale by designing low cost products, but we would not hesitate to use legal powers to impose a ceiling on charges, in particular transfer charges, should it prove necessary.

  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the risks of mis-selling under the basic pension plus proposals; and if he will make a statement. [21482]
  905
  Mr. Heald
  Basic pension plus will apply to everyone and its security is guaranteed, so the sort of alleged mis-selling that occurred in the late 1980s is not directly relevant. Moreover, any company that failed to compensate for past mis-selling would not be eligible to manage a basic pension plus fund.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to consult on the proposals under basic pension plus; and if he will make a statement. [21520]

  Mr. Heald
  Representatives of the pensions industry and other interested parties will be invited to join a working group to discuss the proposals and how they might be implemented. A Green Paper will then be published inviting views more generally.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has under basic pension plus to ensure the maintenance of full records of contributors' rebates, credits and home responsibilities protection. [21525]

  Mr. Heald
  It is proposed that the Contributions Agency would maintain full records of people's rebates, credits and home responsibilities protection as it does now.

  Mr. Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the rebates under basic pension plus may be paid into occupational pension schemes. [21478]

  Mr. Heald
  Yes.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on survivors' benefits under basic pension plus. [21518]

  Mr. Heald
  Funds of those in the new scheme who die before drawing any money purchase benefits' would be inherited in full by the surviving spouse, or the estate where there is no spouse. Some or all of these funds would have to be used by a surviving spouse to purchase an annuity, or income could be withdrawn. The state would also guarantee the basic pension rights of widows. In cases where the individual dies after purchasing an annuity, the surviving spouse would get an annuity equal to 50 per cent. of the annuity in payment to the deceased.

  Note:

  1Under basic pension plus, the £9 per week payments will always provide money purchase benefits. The payments on 5 per cent. of earnings between the lower earnings limit and the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions purposes will also provide money purchase benefits, except in a contracted-out salary-related scheme—COSR. In the case of a COSR, the scheme will be required to provide a pension to a surviving spouse equal to half of the pension in payment to the member at the time of death. If death occurs before retirement, half the pension accrued by the member at the date of death would be payable to the surviving spouse.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated pension fund and weekly pension on retirement of a person on average earnings under basic pension plus assuming investment returns equivalent to those since 1979. [21523]

  Mr. Heald
  The real return on pension fund investments from 1979 to 1994 was 9.6 per cent. in real terms. Assuming that rate of investment growth, it is estimated a person on average earnings paying in the 906
  minimum contributions over a working lifetime would accumulate a fund worth £553,000 by retirement, paying a pension of £745 a week in today's money.

  Source

  Government Actuary's Department/Bacon and Woodrow pensions pocket book 1996.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the cost of state pensions after 2040 assuming the introduction of basic pension plus. [21396]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that, assuming the introduction of basic pension plus, expenditure on state pensions will fall rapidly after 2040, eventually relieving the taxpayer of a cost of some £40 billion a year.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he plans to take to ensure that prudent investment principles are adopted by scheme managers under basic pension plus. [21397]

  Mr. Heald
  We would discuss with the pensions industry regulators and others any appropriate restrictions to guard against exploitation of the Government guarantee on the basic pension. We may introduce legislation to require scheme managers to publish, and be liable for adhering to, a statement of investment principles based on the "prudent person" principle; to prescribe rules on the amounts of funds to be allocated to different types of asset, and to require pension providers to disregard the existence of the Government guarantee in investment decisions.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make a statement on the effect on the estimated future income related benefits claimants level of the introduction of basic pension plus; [21398]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the reduction in future income related benefits claimant levels in the event that investment returns on basic pension plus exceed those used by the Government Actuary by (a) 1 per cent. and (b) 2 per cent. [21399]

  Mr. Heald
  It is not possible to provide such estimates given that, under basic pension plus, no-one will retire before 2040 or later.

  However, 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.

  Mr. Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the impact on the public finances of basic pension plus; and if he will make a statement. [21475]

  Mr. Heald
  Under basic pension plus, the value of the new rebates, less the impact of the proposed tax changes, will grow by a net average amount of about £160 million a year, reaching a peak of about £7 billion or ½ per cent. of GDP around 2040—substantially less than the net costs of rebates from SERPS, which peaked at almost l½ per cent. of GDP.

  The starting cost of the new scheme will depend on the precise age limit chosen. Expenditure on state pensions will fall rapidly after 2040 and savings in public expenditure will build up reaching some £40 billion a year.
  907
  Mr. Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated pension fund and weekly pension on retirement of a person on average earnings under basic pension plus assuming investment returns equivalent to those over the last 50 years. [21477]

  Mr. Heald
  The average annual increase in the ordinary industrial share index in real terms from 1950 to 1995 was 7.7 per cent. Assuming that rate on investment growth, it is estimated that a person on average earnings paying in the minimum contributions over a working lifetime would accumulate a fund worth £320,000 by retirement, paying a pension of £435 a week.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department/Bacon and Woodrow pensions pocket book 1997.

  Note

  Pension amount is rounded to nearest £5.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the proposals under basic pension plus affect the accrued rights of existing contributors to the state pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [21521]

  Mr. Heald
  Basic pension plus will be phased in over a generation. Current pensioners and all but the youngest national insurance contributors, will be unaffected. The rights already built up under the existing state pension scheme by young people covered by the new scheme when it is first established will be respected.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that the value of the basic pension guarantee and the £9 rebate under basic pension plus rises in line with the basic state pension under the present pay-as-you-go system. [21526]

  Mr. Heald
  Our intention is that the basic pension guarantee would go up in line with basic state pension. Rebates would also be increased to reflect a higher basic pension.

  Mr. Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated pension fund and weekly pension on retirement of a person on average earnings under basic pension plus assuming investment returns(a) 1 per cent. and (b) 2 per cent. higher than those used by the Government Actuary. [21479]

  Mr. Heald
  Estimated pension funds of £166,000 and £216,000 respectively by retirement, paying pensions of £225 and £290 a week respectively.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Note:

  Pension amounts are rounded to the nearest £5.

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each year from 2020 to 2040 the impact on public expenditure of the equalisation of state pension age at 65 years and the reforms of the state earnings —related pension scheme 1995; and what is the projected revenue forgone as a result of basic pension plus in these years. [21484]

  Mr. Heald
  Information relating to every year from 2020 to 2040 is not available. The measures in the Pensions Act 19951 will produce public expenditure savings of over £6 billion in 2020, over £9 billion in 2030, and over £10 billion in 20402.
  908
  Under basic pension plus, the value of the new rebates less the impact of the proposed tax changes will grow by a net average amount of about £160 million a year, reaching a peak of about £7 billion or 1/2per cent. of GDP around 2040. The starting cost of the new scheme will depend on the precise age limit chosen.

  Note

  1 These measures include equalisation of state pension age, annualisation of SERPS, breaking the links between SERPS and contracting-out, and the introduction of age-related rebates for appropriate personal pensions and contracted-out money purchase schemes. 2The savings in expenditure for the national insurance fund will be £7 billion in 2020, over £10 billion in 2030 and £12 billion in 2040.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if an individual's pension fund under the basic pension plus proposals goes to his estate on his death. [21519]

  Mr. Heald
  Yes. If an individual dies before drawing any benefits from his fund and there is no surviving spouse, then the funds built up under the proposals would form part of the estate. Similarly, if the individual dies while withdrawing an income from his fund, but before annuity purchase, then the residual fund would form part of the estate.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the proposals under basic pension plus would retain home responsibilities protection and national insurance contribution credits; and if he will make a statement. [21524]

  Mr. Heald
  The proposals under basic pension plus would retain home responsibilities protection and national insurance contribution credits. They would contribute towards building up entitlement to the guaranteed basic pension, as they do now towards the current basic state pension. For those contributors not in the new scheme, credits and HRP would continue as now.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumption underlay his forecasts that the £175 pension payable to those on average earnings under his basic pension plus proposal would represent(a) 26 per cent. and (b) 21 per cent. of average earnings. [21099]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 13 March to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman), which was copies to the hon. Member and placed in the Library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated value of the pension payable to the average earner under his basic pension plus proposals assuming 1.5 per cent. per annum real earnings growth. [21098]

  Mr. Heald
  Assuming real-earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. per annum, a person on average earnings paying in the minimum contributions to basic pension plus should, over a working lifetime, accumulate a fund sufficient to pay a pension of £173 a week.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families claimed family credit
  909
  in the constituencies of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale and of Roxburgh and Berwickshire in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [21529]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:

  Number of family credit claims by Benefits Agency offices

  BA office

  April 1993

  April 1994

  April 1995

  April 1996

  January 1997

  Edinburgh East

  1,298

  1,432

  1,487

  1,599

  1,632

  Edinburgh South

  1,283

  1,493

  1,573

  1,748

  1,860

  Galashiels

  1,127

  1,262

  1,372

  1,511

  1,549

  1. Family credit is a national benefit administered by the family credit unit in Preston. As such statistics are prepared on a national basis.

  2. A periodic scan of the computer system is conducted which identifies the number of families in receipt of FC, at that given date, within the area covered by individual Benefits Agency office areas. Such scans do not produce accurate details with regard to the number of families receiving FC within such an area during any particular year, as each FC award is payable for 26 weeks and the figures serve only as a "snap-shot" of the situation at that particular date.

  3. The above offices service the said constituencies.

  Pensions Act 1995
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the impact to public funds of the measures contained in the Pensions Act 1995. [21483]

  Mr. Heald
  The measures in the Pensions Act 1995 will reduce tax and national insurance revenue by about £0.5 billion in 1997–98, rising gradually to around £1.0 billion in 2050. The effect on expenditure in the first few years will be broadly neutral. The measures will produce expenditure savings of over £6 billion per annum in 2020 and over £10 billion in 2050.

  Habitual Residence Test (Appeals)
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what requests he has received from local authorities for compensatory payments to cover unplanned expenditure under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to families with children who have failed the habitual residence test and have expressed their intention to appeal to the Independent Social Security Appeals Tribunal against those decisions. [21522]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None. Expenditure under section 17 of the Childrens Act 1989 is a matter for the Secretary of State for Health.

  Council Tax and Housing Benefits
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the constituencies of Roxburgh and Berwickshire and of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale claimed(a) council tax benefit and (b) housing benefit for each of the past five years for which figures are available. [21527]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:910

  Council tax benefit and housing benefit recipients in Scottish Borders

  May 1992

  May 1993

  May 1994

  May 1995

  May 1996

  Council tax benefit

  —

  8,440

  8,840

  8,900

  8,860

  Housing benefit

  7,500

  7,620

  7,540

  7,580

  7,710

  Roxburgh

  3,080

  3,100

  3,050

  3,070

  —

  Berwickshire

  1,330

  1,360

  1,340

  1,360

  —

  Tweeddale

  910

  940

  930

  930

  —

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  2,170

  2,220

  2,210

  2,220

  —

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System 100 per cent. case load counts at the end of May each year.

  Notes:

  1. Information is by local authority.

  2. Benefit recipients may be a single person or a couple.

  3. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  4. Following local government reorganisation in April 1996, individual district councils were abolished and incorporated within the new Scottish Borders council.

  5. Council tax benefit, introduced in April 1993, is the responsibility of Scottish Borders council and district figures are not collected centrally.

  Benefit Claimants
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of people claiming(a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) invalid care allowance in the constituencies of Roxburgh and Berwickshire and of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale for each of the most recent five years for which figures are available. [21533]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Benefit Fraud Hotline
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls have been received by the national benefit fraud hotline. [21617]

  Mr. Heald
  The number of calls to the national benefit fraud hotline up to 20 March 1997 was 195,891.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls per day were received by the national benefit fraud hotline in the most recent period for which figures are available. [21618]

  Mr. Heald
  The national benefit fraud hotline receives, on average, 1,512 calls per day.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the estimated savings to date from action arising from calls to the national benefit fraud hotline. [21619]

  Mr. Heald
  The national benefit fraud hotline has achieved savings of £23.2 million up to the end of February 1997. There are also further potential savings of £12.3 million from referrals being currently investigated, which shows a potential overall benefit saving in the region of £35.5 million.
  911

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to provide the independent living fund with greater flexibility in managing their finances. [21608]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The independent living fund trustees have requested that they be given the power to obtain bank overdrafts, should they be required in the future. I am pleased to announce that the ILF trust deeds have therefore been amended to give them power to borrow, subject to the written approval of the Secretary of State for Social Security. It is proposed that a Government guarantee be provided for any loan, and parliamentary approval for the guarantee is sought. Further information is contained in a parliamentary minute, "Class XII, Vote 2 Department of Social Security: Independent Living Funds", Cm 3590, which has been laid before the House today.

  Appeals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce amending regulations in respect of appeals to the Social Security and Child Support Commissioners. [21604]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have today laid regulations to make changes in relation to applications for leave to appeal against a tribunal decision. These regulations require any application for leave to appeal to a commissioner against the decision of a tribunal to be accompanied by a copy of the full statement of the tribunal's decision. A notice of appeal must also be accompanied by a copy of this statement. Arrangements will be made to ensure that appellants are aware of the need to request a full statement of the tribunal's decision.

  The regulations also amend the time limit for making an application to the appeal tribunal chairman for leave to appeal to a commissioner so that it begins with the date on which the full statement of the tribunal's decision is given or sent to the appellant. I have consulted the council on tribunals on these proposals and copies of the letter to them and their response have been placed in the Library

  All-work Test
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who were on invalidity benefit have(a) failed the all-work test for incapacity benefit and (b) appealed against the decision (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully; and how many have subsequently been (1) awarded and (2) refused jobseeker's allowance. [21183]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available.

  Benefit Recipients (Study Hours)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people aged(a) 16 to 17 years and (b) 18 to 24 years have been disqualified from benefit due to the rule forbidding more than 16 hours study in each of the last three years in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) England and (iv) each English region. [21180]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  912

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of bills to his Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid(a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21201]

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

  Percentage

  Departmental headquarters

  89

  Benefits agency

  98

  Contributions agency

  96

  Child support agency

  91

  War pensions agency

  98

  Information technology services agency

  99

  Resettlements agency

  92

  Departmental total

  96

  1. It is not possible to disaggregate the information between payments which were subject to contractual agreements and those which were not.

  2. The figure for the Resettlement Agency relates to the period April to October 1995.

  3. Figures for departmental headquarters includes payments made by the Independent Tribunal Service in the period to December 1995 which cannot be separately identified.

  Home Responsibilities Protection
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information contained in his answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley) of 29 February 1996,Official Report, columns 709–10, relating to home responsibilities protection. [21064]

  Mr. Heald
  The information available is given in the table:

  Thousands

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total with entitlement1

  2,769

  2,758

  Number ceasing due to increased contributions

  199

  218

  Number ceasing due to retirement pension

  —

  —

  Number ceasing due to other reason

  147

  168

  1. Entitlement—HRP used where earnings or credits are not sufficient for a qualifying year for pension purposes.

  2. Figures are for U.K.

  3. Figures for 1994–95 are not complete as some employers tax returns may not have been received at the time of the extract.

  4. Excludes women with a reduced rate option.

  5. The sample only includes people who have been allocated a national insurance number and excludes some people who did not have a NINO at the time of the child benefit award.

  Source:

  1 per cent. sample of national insurance recording system records taken at February 1996—home responsibilities protection statistics 1994–95.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of women with earnings below the lower
  913
  earnings limit in the most recent available year whose circumstances would qualify them for home responsibilities protection. [21061]

  Mr. Heald
  The information required to make such an estimate is not available.

  The national insurance recording system holds details of eligibility for home responsibilities protection for those who meet the relevant criteria. However, it is not possible to identify separately women who are in employment and have earnings below the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions because neither they nor their employers are required to provide details of such earnings.

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans there are for the feasibility study being conducted by the Contributions Agency into the formation of a national inquiry centre to include consideration of(a) research, (b) policy, (c) other pro-active work and (d) the processing of telephone inquiries; and if he will make a statement. [21188]

  Mr. Heald
  The Contributions Agency is currently examining the work that might be included in an inquiry centre. This includes unsolicited telephone calls and correspondence. No decision has yet been made about the scope of the inquiry centre.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the basic retirement pension and (b) state earnings-related pension scheme for male and female contracted-in employees on average and half average earnings assuming pensions are uprated in line with (1) prices and (2) earnings in (i) 1998–99, (ii) 2025 and (iii) 2035, based on the Government Actuary's assumptions for annual increases in (a) retail prices index, (b) the Rossi index and (c) earnings expressed in current prices and as a percentage of average earnings. [21063]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the tables:

  Retirement pension uprated in line with prices Benefit rates at award given in 1996–97 prices rounded to the nearest £0.01

  1998£

  2025 £

  2035 £

  Basic RP

  61.15

  61.15

  61.15

  SERPS on average male earnings

  85.86

  109.95

  117.13

  SERPS on average female earnings

  53.40

  78.25

  92.23

  SERPS on half average male earnings

  35.70

  50.58

  61.82

  SERPS on half average female earnings

  19.47

  29.46

  38.73

  Benefit rates expressed as a percentage of individual's earnings in the tax year state pension age is reached, rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

  1998

  2025

  2035

  Average male earnings

  Basic RP

  15

  9

  1

  SERPS

  21

  16

  14

  Average female earnings

  Basic RP

  21

  12

  10

  914

  Benefit rates expressed as a percentage of individual's earnings in the tax year state pension age is reached, rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

  1998

  2025

  2035

  SERPS

  18

  15

  15

  Half average male earnings

  Basic RP

  30

  17

  14

  SERPS

  17

  14

  14

  Half average female earnings

  Basic RP

  41

  24

  20

  SERPS

  13

  12

  13

  Basic retirement pension uprated in line with earnings Benefit rates at award given in 1996–97 prices rounded to the nearest £0.01

  1998 £

  2025 £

  2035 £

  Basic RP

  62.37

  106.46

  129.78

  SERPS on average male earnings

  85.86

  118.13

  137.50

  SERPS on average female earnings

  53.40

  75.90

  91.32

  SERPS on half average male earnings

  35.70

  47.91

  56.36

  SERPS on half average female earnings

  19.47

  26.80

  33.37

  Benefit rates expressed as a percentage of individual's earnings in the tax year state pension age is reached, rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

  1998

  2025

  2035

  Average male earnings

  Basic RP

  15

  15

  15

  SERPS

  21

  17

  16

  Average female earnings

  Basic RP

  21

  21

  21

  SERPS

  18

  15

  15

  Half average male earnings

  Basic RP

  30

  30

  30

  SERPS

  17

  14

  13

  Half average female earnings

  Basic RP

  42

  42

  42

  SERPS

  12

  11

  11

  1. Actual 1995–96 earnings derived from 1996 new earnings survey (revised) data.

  2. Earnings increases for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are as in the report by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1997 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Fund Payments) Order 1997 (CM 3547). Actual earnings revaluation figures have been used up to 1995–96, a provisional 1996–97 earnings revaluation has been used.

  3. Uprating in line with prices (whether RPI or Rossi) is assumed to be at 5 per cent. per annum.

  4. It is assumed that there is real average earnings growth of 2 per cent. per annum and that individuals have constant (non-age specific) earnings in each year of their working life.

  5. Individuals are contracted in throughout their working life.

  6. The actual levels of retirement pension, lower earnings limit, and upper earnings limit, are used up to 1997–98. The links between RP and the LEL and the UEL are maintained.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated value of the SERPS pension that would be earned by a woman on average female earnings throughout her time in work, assuming that she benefited from(a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15 and (d) 20 protected years due to caring responsibilities. [20465]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 17 March 1997]: The information is in the table.
  915

  Home responsibilities protection period

  Weekly additional pension £

  None

  106.10

  5 years, age 25–29

  105.00

  10 years, age 25–34

  103.35

  15 years, age 25–39

  100.85

  20 years, age 25–44

  98.10

  1. Figures are in 1996–97 prices and rounded to the nearest 5p.

  2. It is assumed that the woman retires in 2044–5 aged 65 and she has been contracted in throughout her working life. In each year from age 16, except those years covered by home responsibilities protection, she earns average female adult earnings (£290 per week in 1996–97).

  3. Real average earnings growth of 2 per cent. per annum is assumed.

  Source:

  The Government Actuary's Department.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated value of the SERPS pension that would be earned by a woman on half average female earnings in receipt of maximum family credit, assuming that she benefited from(a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15 and (d) 20 years of SERPS credits for those on family credit. [20466]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 27 March 1997]: The information is in the table.

  Family credit period

  Weekly SERPS(£)

  Of which extra SERPS in respect of family credit (£)

  None

  50.55

  None

  5 years, age 25–29

  51.45

  0.90

  10 years, age 25–34

  52.45

  1.90

  15 years, age 25–39

  53.20

  2.65

  20 years, age 25–44

  53.95

  3.40

  Source:

  The Government Actuary's Department.
  916
  Notes:

  1. Figures are in 1996–97 prices and rounded to the nearest 5p.

  2. Employment and earnings assumptions are as follows:

  — the woman retires in 2044–45 aged 65;

  — half average female adult earnings of £145 per week gross and £126 per week net in 1996–97 earned in each year from age 16;

  — any family credit received is taken into account as earnings in the SERPS calculation;

  — real average gross and net earnings growth of 2 per cent. per annum;

  — the woman is contracted in throughout her working life.

  3. Each hypothetical case assumes that the woman is a lone parent working for at least 30 hours per week throughout her period of FC receipt, with an eldest child born at the start of the FC period, a middle child born at the start of the third year of FC and a youngest child born at the start of the fifty year of FC.

  4. Maximum FC refers to the total amount of any adult and child premiums to which the claimant is entitled where the claimant's earnings are less than the applicable amount and so the taper does not bite. The 1996–97 applicable amount is £75.20, which is less than half average female adult earnings. It has therefore been assumed that each hypothetical case receives the full amount of FC to which it is entitled after the operation of the taper. This amount of FC will vary as children are born and age, thus entitling the claimant to different premiums, but it has been assumed that each of the premiums and the applicable amount remains constant in real terms.

  Discretionary Social Fund
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what gross budget will be set for the discretionary social fund in 1997–98. [21652]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The social fund gross discretionary budget for 1997–98 will be £467.5 million. Some £97 million will be allocated to community care grants, £370 million to loans and the remaining £0.5 million will be set aside as a contingency reserve. The new allocations represents an increase of £27 million over the total gross budget for 1996–97.

  Details of individual district budgets allocations are in the Library.

  Arms Embargoes
  Arms Embargoes
  Asylum and Immigration Appeals: Independent Monitor's Report
  Asylum and Immigration Appeals: Independent Monitor's Report
  European Defence Co-operation
  European Defence Co-operation
  Estonia/Russia Border Negotiations
  Estonia/Russia Border Negotiations
  Peto Institute, Budapest
  Peto Institute, Budapest
  United Nations Organisation: Future
  United Nations Organisation: Future
  Africa: Aid and Investment
  Africa: Aid and Investment
  Turkey: Detention of Suspects
  Turkey: Detention of Suspects
  Inuit Population, Canada
  Inuit Population, Canada
  NATO Enlargement
  NATO Enlargement
  US Airborne Laser Programme
  US Airborne Laser Programme
  Airspace: Definition and Integrity
  Airspace: Definition and Integrity
  ABM Treaty
  ABM Treaty
  Hong Kong: Annual Report
  Hong Kong: Annual Report
  NATO
  NATO
  Bringing Acts of Parliament into Force
  Bringing Acts of Parliament into Force
  European Central Bank Foreign Reserve Assets: UK Contribution
  European Central Bank Foreign Reserve Assets: UK Contribution
  Ethnic Minority Population of UK
  Ethnic Minority Population of UK
  Court Service, Land Registry and Public Trust Office: Performance Targets
  Court Service, Land Registry and Public Trust Office: Performance Targets
  Legal Aid
  Legal Aid
  Legal Aid
  Legal Aid
  Legal Aid
  Legal Aid
  Dr. Jawad Hashim: Legal Aid
  Dr. Jawad Hashim: Legal Aid
  Equal Pay Code of Practice
  Equal Pay Code of Practice
  Defence Industry Promotional Events on HM Ships
  Defence Industry Promotional Events on HM Ships
  Arrow Anti-ballistic Missile Missiles
  Arrow Anti-ballistic Missile Missiles
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Theatre Missile Defence
  Theatre Missile Defence
  SACLANT: Ballistic Missile Defence Plans
  SACLANT: Ballistic Missile Defence Plans
  RAF Menwith Hill
  RAF Menwith Hill
  RAF Feltwell
  RAF Feltwell
  Claim against Iraq: Gulf War Environmental Damage
  Claim against Iraq: Gulf War Environmental Damage
  Low Flying Activity
  Low Flying Activity
  Ethnic Minority Employment in MoD
  Ethnic Minority Employment in MoD
  Meat Hygiene
  Meat Hygiene
  Meat Hygiene Service: Performance Targets
  Meat Hygiene Service: Performance Targets
  Central Science Laboratory: Performance Targets
  Central Science Laboratory: Performance Targets
  Sea Fish Conservation Act: Implementation
  Sea Fish Conservation Act: Implementation
  Rendering Industry: Support
  Rendering Industry: Support
  Agriculture Council, 17–19 March
  Agriculture Council, 17–19 March
  Clean Livestock
  Clean Livestock
  Veterinary Laboratory Agency: Performance Targets
  Veterinary Laboratory Agency: Performance Targets
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Performance Targets
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Performance Targets
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Performance Targets
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Performance Targets
  Tobacco Products: Additives
  Tobacco Products: Additives
  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency: Performance Targets
  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency: Performance Targets
  Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes
  Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes
  DoE, Ordnance Survey and Office of Water Services: Spending Programme
  DoE, Ordnance Survey and Office of Water Services: Spending Programme
  North Sea Conference, 13–14 March
  North Sea Conference, 13–14 March
  Planning Applications for Retail Development
  Planning Applications for Retail Development
  Regional Government Offices
  Regional Government Offices
  Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  Electronic Monitoring Trials
  Electronic Monitoring Trials
  General Election Campaigning Expenses: Foreign Donations
  General Election Campaigning Expenses: Foreign Donations
  Asylum Seekers: Detention at Haslar
  Asylum Seekers: Detention at Haslar
  Prisoners: On-line Data
  Prisoners: On-line Data
  Young Offenders: Contractually-managed Prisons
  Young Offenders: Contractually-managed Prisons
  Prison Service Drug Testing Programme Statistics
  Prison Service Drug Testing Programme Statistics
  Data Protection Registrar
  Data Protection Registrar
  Criminal Justice Initiatives
  Criminal Justice Initiatives
  "Pescado" Sinking: Publication of Report
  "Pescado" Sinking: Publication of Report
  St. Pancras Gasholders
  St. Pancras Gasholders
  Roads: Litter Clearance
  Roads: Litter Clearance
  Road Programme
  Road Programme
  Cancelled Road Schemes
  Cancelled Road Schemes
  Planning Consents: Decision Times
  Planning Consents: Decision Times
  Ecclesiastical Exemption from Listed Buildings Control
  Ecclesiastical Exemption from Listed Buildings Control
  Petrol Supplies in Rural Areas
  Petrol Supplies in Rural Areas
  Copyright Protection: British Television Programmes
  Copyright Protection: British Television Programmes
  Electricity Generating Capacity in the EU
  Electricity Generating Capacity in the EU