Written Answers of 20 May 1997

DEFENCE

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Rev. W. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the health needs of those with Gulf War Syndrome. [608]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government are committed to discharging their responsibilities to those who served their country in the Gulf and are now suffering ill health. They are, accordingly, determined to make a fresh start in ensuring that the health needs of Gulf veterans are met. In order better to understand their concerns, I have invited Gulf veteran's representatives into the Ministry of Defence for a meeting on 29 May.

  In the meantime, I have already announced a range of measures to improve my Department's response to their concerns. I have directed that additional resources be made available to clear the backlog of patients waiting to be seen by my Department's Medical Assessment Programme. This aims to provide all those who believe that they are ill as a result of their service in the Gulf with a clinical diagnosis of their medical condition so that appropriate treatment can be recommended to their doctor. This will ensure that my Department more urgently responds to the health needs of Gulf veterans.

  In addition, I have announced that research will be undertaken into the possible interaction between the vaccinations and Nerve Agent Pre-Treatment Sets given to our troops to protect against the very real threat of biological or chemical attack. This, together with the two epidemiological studies into the prevalence of ill health amongst Gulf veterans which my Department is already funding, will allow us better to understand the health needs of Gulf veterans.

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [237]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of permanent civilian staff in my Department and its agencies who have recorded their ethnicity as being of Asian origin in the MOD's ethnic origin survey is shown in the table:

  Permanent civilian staff of Asian origin by graded equivalence as at 1 April 1997

  Number

  Grade 1 to 5

  6

  Grade 6

  4

  Grade 7

  41

  SEO

  73

  HEO

  101

  EO

  118

  AO

  165

  24

  Permanent civilian staff of Asian origin by graded equivalence as at 1 April 1997

  Number

  AA

  142

  Industrial

  90

  Total

  740

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [238]

  Mr. Spellar
  As part of its overall commitment to equal opportunities my Department has in place a substantial range of measures aimed at increasing the proportion of civilian staff employed from ethnic minorities. These include: outreach work by recruitment staffs among the ethnic communities; contact with them through careers fairs and schools; targeted job advertising; the inclusion of welcoming statements in job adverts; ethnicity monitoring and numerical targets in the Departmental Management Plan. In addition, my Department has sponsored a number of Windsor Fellows in recent years and is a member of the "Race for. Opportunity" campaign. Future proposals for action in respect of civilian employees will emerge from work currently being undertaken to take forward the implementation of the recommendations of a recent study into MOD's ethnic minority employment initiatives.

  National Service Memorial
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to erect a memorial to Britain's post-1945 National Servicemen. [174]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has no plans to erect a memorial to Britain's post-war National Servicemen.

  It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of memorials is usually met not from public funds but from private donations or public subscription.

  In the event that such funding were to be found, my Department would be happy to assist in identifying a suitable site and to provide representation at any dedication ceremony.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the limited use of nuclear weapons to warn an aggressor. [257]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government fully support NATO policy on the continuing requirement for a sub-strategic capability as a crucial element of credible deterrence. In extreme circumstances of self-defence such a capability would allow the limited use of nuclear weapons to send an aggressor a political message of the Alliance's resolve to defend itself.

  Salisbury Plain Training Area
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department or its agents or
  25
  consultants have had with Tilshead Parish Council on the (a) choice of route, (b) construction and (c) management of the southern range road in Salisbury Plain Training Area. [92]

  Mr. Spellar
  All Parish Councils affected by the Southern Range Road, including Tilshead, were informed about the proposals and the consultation process in April 1996. Following this, the Works Project Sponsor and his consultant visited representatives of Tilshead Parish Council on 13 May 1996 to discuss route selection and answer queries on other aspects of the proposal. The Project Sponsor and his consultant visited representatives of Tilshead Parish Council again on 18 December 1996, the date on which my Department submitted a Notice of Planned Development to the three District Councils involved, to inform them of the chosen route and to answer any further queries.

  Former RAF Chilmark
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the authorities, agencies, organisations, companies and individuals who have had(a) correspondence and (b) meetings with his officials or agents to discuss the future use of the Chilmark section of the former RAF Chilmark. [93]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following authorities have all been involved in discussions over the future of the Chilmark section of RAF Chilmark: Wiltshire County Council, Chilmark Parish Council, Dinton Parish Council, Sutton Mandeville Parish Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the Rural Development Commission, English Nature, English Heritage and the Environment Agency. I am withholding information on the companies and individuals who have expressed an interest in the site for reasons of commercial confidentiality under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Former Royal Navy Armaments Depot, Broughton Moor
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure the fullest possible consultation with elected representatives and other authorities prior to any decisions being taken on the future of the Broughton Moor former RNAD dump. [586]

  Mr. Spellar
  A decision on the method of disposal is not anticipated for some time. Full consultations with elected representatives and other authorities will be undertaken on the future of the former RNAD Broughton Moor before any decision is taken.

  Rudolf Hess
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the principal steps taken by his Department to clarify responsibility for registering the death of Rudolf Hess and for providing proper certification of it. [759]

  Dr. Reid
  Following an approach by the Hess family in 1995, it was found that the record of Rudolf Hess's death had been incorrectly passed to the General Register Office under a statute which was not applicable. The registration, which had not previously been questioned, was therefore cancelled by the Registrar General after consulting my Department and the Foreign and 26
  Commonwealth Office. This decision does not, however, affect the validity of the death certificate, which was issued as the result of an autopsy conducted under arrangements agreed by the Four Powers.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements were in force under the relevant quadripartite agreements to carry out(a) an autopsy and (b) certification of cause of death as regards deaths of prisoners in Spandau prison at the time of the death of Rudolf Hess. [761]

  Dr. Reid
  Under arrangements agreed in 1983, by which time Hess was the only remaining prisoner in Spandau prison, an autopsy was conducted by a British pathologist at the British Military Hospital in Berlin in the presence of observers representing the Four Powers. Responsibility for certifying the cause of death lay with the pathologist.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the quadripartite agreement of 20 March 1952 governing deaths of prisoners in Spandau prison (HCOM/P(152)17) was still in force at the time of the death of Rudolf Hess. [760]

  Dr. Reid
  We are aware of a document with the reference HICOM/P(52)17. This was not a quadripartite agreement but a discussion paper drawn up by the Law Committee of the Allied High Commission Germany. As such, it was not in force at any time.

  Yorkshire and Humberside
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) service and (b) Ministry of Defence civilian personnel were employed at bases and establishments in Yorkshire and Humberside (i) in 1979, (ii) in 1992 and (iii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [599]

  Mr. Spellar
  The strengths of service and Ministry of Defence permanent civilian personnel employed at bases and establishments in Yorkshire and Humberside at the given dates are as follows:(i)1979—13,900 service; 10,300 civilian.
  (ii)1992—15,800 service; 5,500 civilian.
  (iii)1996—12,200 service; 3,300 civilian.

  The strengths refer to situation date 1 July except for 1979 civilian strength which refer to 1 January. 1 July 1996 is the latest date available. Civilian numbers are full-time equivalents. In 1979 and 1992 part timers were counted as half of full time. In 1996 they were counted by the proportion of conditioned hours worked.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Standards
  Mrs. Gisela Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he proposes to take to ensure that schools under special measures make rapid progress in improving the standard of education they offer. [999]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today written to the Chair of Governors at eighteen schools which have been under special measures for an extended period, and which are making only limited progress. I am proposing additional
  27
  support for these schools. First, my Department will fund consultancy help from a team of headteachers and others with direct experience of improving weak schools. Second, my colleagues and I will discuss with the LEAs responsible for these schools, and with the Funding Agency for Schools, what further action they could take to promote rapid recovery. The list of schools is as follows:

  Abbey Farm Middle School, Norfolk

  Ashburton High School, Croydon

  Blakelaw School, Newcastle

  Dulwich High School, Southwark

  Earl Marshal School, Sheffield

  Handsworth Wood Boys, Birmingham

  Ingram High School, Croydon

  Kelsey Park GM School, Bromle

  Lea Green Special School, Waltham Fores

  Lillian Baylis School, Lambeth

  Morningside Primary School, Hackney

  Mostyn Gardens Primary School, Lambeth

  Our Lady of Fatima GM School, Liverpoo

  Rams Episcopal School, Hackne

  Saint Mary of the Angels School, Westminste

  South Benwell Primary School, Newcastle

  Southfields GM School, Kent

  Upbury Manor GM School, Kent.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish for each local education authority the number of classes at key stage 1 which have 31 or more pupils. [72]

  Mr. Byers
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Numbers of Key Stage 1 classes1 taught by one teacher with 31 or
  more pupils in maintained primary schools in each local education
  authority area in England

  January 1996

  Number

  Corporation of London

  n/a

  Camden

  4

  Greenwich

  15

  Hackney

  13

  Hammersmith

  10

  Islington

  14

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2

  Lambeth

  12

  Lewisham

  18

  Southwark

  22

  Tower Hamlets

  11

  Wandsworth

  35

  Westminster

  7

  Barking

  23

  Barnet

  23

  Bexley

  123

  Brent

  24

  Bromley

  159

  Croydon

  109

  Ealing

  78

  Enfield

  113

  Haringey

  18

  Harrow

  60

  Havering

  76

  Hillingdon

  43

  Hounslow

  72

  Kingston upon Thames

  100

  28

  Numbers of Key Stage 1 classes1 taught by one teacher with 31 or
  more pupils in maintained primary schools in each local education
  authority area in England

  January 1996

  Number

  Merton

  58

  Newham

  23

  Redbridge

  99

  Richmond upon Thames

  44

  Sutton

  32

  Waltham Forest

  32

  Birmingham

  329

  Coventry

  109

  Dudley

  88

  Sandwell

  130

  Solihull

  117

  Walsall

  73

  Wolverhampton

  96

  Knowsley

  49

  Liverpool

  139

  St. Helens

  64

  Sefton

  137

  Wirral

  72

  Bolton

  143

  Bury

  88

  Manchester

  93

  Oldham

  105

  Rochdale

  93

  Salford

  89

  Stockport

  95

  Tameside

  131

  Trafford

  95

  Wigan

  131

  Barnsley

  70

  Doncaster

  108

  Rotherham

  45

  Sheffield

  97

  Bradford

  165

  Calderdale

  76

  Kirklees

  134

  Leeds

  264

  Wakefield

  82

  Gateshead

  22

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  79

  North Tyneside

  69

  South Tyneside

  40

  Sunderland

  39

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Avon

  312

  Bedfordshire

  174

  Berkshire

  151

  Buckinghamshire

  220

  Cambridgeshire

  164

  Cheshire

  308

  Cleveland

  92

  Cornwall

  135

  Cumbria

  138

  Derbyshire

  363

  Devon

  233

  Dorset

  253

  Durham

  181

  East Sussex

  277

  Essex

  311

  Gloucestershire

  157

  Hampshire

  532

  Hereford and Worcester

  137

  Hertfordshire

  261

  Humberside

  272

  Isle of Wight

  28

  Kent

  461

  Lancashire

  610

  Leicestershire

  184

  Lincolnshire

  126

  Norfolk

  127

  North Yorkshire

  142

  Northamptonshire

  149

  29

  Numbers of Key Stage 1 classes1 taught by one teacher with 31 or
  more pupils in maintained primary schools in each local education
  authority area in England

  January 1996

  Number

  Northumberland

  121

  Nottinghamshire

  197

  Oxfordshire

  72

  Shropshire

  111

  Somerset

  132

  Staffordshire

  374

  Suffolk

  93

  Surrey

  213

  Warwickshire

  214

  West Sussex

  123

  Wiltshire

  126

  England

  13502

  n/a = not applicable.

  1 Figures include reception classes.

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [241]

  Dr. Howells
  The numbers of Asian staff at each grade within the Department on 5 May are shown in the following table. For convenience the figures have been grouped into grade equivalents.

  Grade level

  Number of Asian staff

  Permanent Secretary

  0

  Director/Director general

  1—

  Grade 6

  0

  Grade 7

  6

  SEO

  0

  HEO

  8

  EO

  29

  AO

  42

  AA

  17

  1 The number of Asian staff at Divisional Manager is less than 6 and is therefore not shown, in accordance with the Department's agreed code of conduct on the use of ethnic monitoring data.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [242]

  Dr. Howells
  In recruiting staff, DFEE aims to ensure that vacancies are brought to the attention of all groups in the community, including people from ethnic minorities. To achieve this, the Department has used a range of methods including advertising vacancies in publications which are widely read by people from ethnic minorities; direct recruitment in universities with high numbers of students from ethnic minorities; and asking Job Centres recruiting on its behalf to use outreach methods to make all groups aware of vacancies, for example through local community organisations and educational institutions. The Department will continue to make appropriate use of such methods, and to monitor their effectiveness.

  As a Champion of the Race for Opportunity campaign sponsored by Business in the Community, over the next year the Department will be carrying out an audit of its
  30
  employment practices, including recruitment and selection procedures, to ensure that they do not create barriers for people from ethnic minorities.

  Pupil Costs
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average annual cost of educating(a) a primary pupil and (b) a secondary pupil in England.

  Mr. Byers
  In 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available, the net institutional expenditure per pre-primary and primary pupil in England was 1,687 and per secondary pupil was £2,286. [645]

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority the average annual cost of(a) a primary school place and (b) a secondary school place for the last year for which figures are available. [504]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table sets out for each LEA in England net expenditure per pupil within LEA maintained primary and pre-primary schools and secondary schools for 1995–96, the latest year for which figures are available.

  LEA maintained schools Net institutional expenditure per pupil 1995–96

  Pre-primary and primary £

  Secondary £

  Corporation of London

  3,823

  0

  Camden

  2,278

  2,888

  Greenwich

  2,201

  2,768

  Hackney

  2,138

  2,963

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2,370

  3,328

  Islington

  2,234

  2,941

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,618

  3,602

  Lambeth

  2,629

  3,859

  Lewisham

  2,108

  2,765

  Southwark

  2,147

  2,840

  Tower Hamlets

  2,461

  3,206

  Wandsworth

  2,237

  2,953

  City of Westminster

  2,466

  2,863

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,921

  2,473

  Barnet

  1,811

  2,533

  Bexley

  1,536

  2,291

  Brent

  1,793

  2,418

  Bromley

  1,664

  1,851

  Croydon

  1,919

  2,543

  Ealing

  1,974

  2,477

  Enfield

  1,792

  2,367

  Haringey

  2,317

  3,018

  Harrow

  2,095

  2,660

  Havering

  1,704

  2,622

  Hillingdon

  1,813

  2,624

  Hounslow

  1,952

  2,535

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,754

  2,374

  Merton

  1,862

  2,593

  Newham

  1,739

  2,546

  Redbridge

  1,763

  2,510

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,874

  2,431

  Sutton

  1,813

  2,480

  Waltham Forest

  2,104

  2,736

  Birmingham

  1,912

  2,555

  Coventry

  1,770

  2,477

  Dudley

  1,529

  2,175

  Sandwell

  1,733

  2,362

  Solihull

  1,606

  2,241

  Walsall

  1,576

  2,158

  Wolverhampton

  1,680

  2,460

  31

  LEA maintained schools Net institutional expenditure per pupil 1995–96

  Pre-primary and primary £

  Secondary £

  Knowsley

  1,574

  2,259

  Liverpool

  1,603

  2,406

  St. Helens

  1,423

  2,063

  Sefton

  1,524

  2,304

  Wirral

  1,610

  2,323

  Bolton

  1,681

  2,287

  Bury

  1,517

  2,081

  Manchester

  1,611

  2,305

  Oldham

  1,654

  2,294

  Rochdale

  1,582

  2,275

  Salford

  1,540

  2,226

  Stockport

  1,550

  2,225

  Tameside

  1,509

  2,010

  Trafford

  1,515

  2,433

  Wigan

  1,613

  2,307

  Barnsley

  1,543

  2,089

  Doncaster

  1,716

  2,292

  Rotherham

  1,686

  2,211

  Sheffield

  1,679

  2,182

  Bradford

  1,693

  2,030

  Calderdale

  1,652

  2,485

  Kirkless

  1,623

  2,258

  Leeds

  1,701

  2,259

  Wakefield

  1,600

  2,055

  Gateshead

  1,663

  2,250

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,705

  2,346

  North Tyneside

  1,618

  2,201

  South Tyneside

  1,542

  2,096

  Sunderland

  1,635

  2,228

  Isles of Scilly

  2,206

  4,347

  Avon

  1,683

  2,426

  Bedfordshire

  1,694

  2,163

  Berkshire

  1,606

  2,211

  Buckinghamshire

  1,625

  2,288

  Cambridgeshire

  1,566

  2,172

  Cheshire

  1,581

  2,147

  Cleveland

  1,436

  2,139

  Cornwall

  1,628

  2,229

  Cumbria

  1,705

  2,287

  Derbyshire

  1,583

  2,234

  Devon

  1,540

  2,187

  Dorset

  1,495

  2,067

  Durham

  1,653

  2,072

  East Sussex

  1,721

  2,395

  Essex

  1,730

  2,325

  Gloucestershire

  1,494

  2,082

  Hampshire

  1,671

  2,210

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,616

  2,055

  Hertfordshire

  1,756

  2,366

  Humberside

  1,632

  2,313

  Isle of Wight

  1,640

  2,085

  Kent

  1,599

  2,343

  Lancashire

  1,621

  2,268

  Leicestershire

  1,623

  2,269

  Lincolnshire

  1,641

  2,412

  Norfolk

  1,609

  2,319

  North Yorkshire

  1,579

  2,224

  Northamptonshire

  1,578

  2,163

  Northumberland

  1,595

  1,990

  Nottinghamshire

  1,679

  2,333

  Oxfordshire

  1,610

  2,199

  Shropshire

  1,573

  2,384

  Somerset

  1,653

  2,212

  Staffordshire

  1,530

  2,061

  Suffolk

  1,692

  2,165

  Surrey

  1,841

  2,260

  Warwickshire

  1,621

  2,225

  West Sussex

  1,678

  2,239

  Wiltshire

  1,645

  2,251

  Teachers' Pension
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the consultation on teachers' pensions will be completed; and when the Government's decision will be published. [573]

  Mr. Byers
  The consultation period ends on 9 June. My right hon. Friend will take and announce decisions after that date.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to meet the teacher unions to discuss reform of the teachers' superannuation scheme. [572]

  Mr. Byers
  I plan to meet the teacher unions shortly to discuss a variety of subjects. My right hon. Friend will decide in due course on a timetable for the review of the teachers' superannuation scheme and on how and when to seek the views of the teacher unions on that particular topic.

  International Labour Organisation
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning changes in the voting system at the International Labour Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [500]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government are not aware that there are any proposals to change the voting system at the ILO. Any proposals to change the system would need to be considered by the ILO's Governing Body.

  Assisted Places
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schools which currently have assisted places indicating the number of places currently held by assisted places pupils. [506]

  Mr. Byers
  I am placing in the Library of the House a list of the 355 schools in England participating in the assisted places scheme in the current academic year 1996–97 showing the number of assisted place holders at each school.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schools which will be offering assisted places from 1 September indicating the number of places being offered. [508]

  Mr. Byers
  I am placing in the Library of the House a list of the 481 schools in England which will be offering assisted places from 1 September 1997 showing the number of entry places available at each school.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost to public funds of the assisted places scheme for the financial year 1997–98. [509]

  Mr. Byers
  Planned expenditure on the scheme in England in financial year 1997–98 is £140 million.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those schools
  33
  currently participating in the music and ballet assisted places scheme, indicating the number of places currently held by pupils under the scheme. [507]

  Mr. Byers
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Music and ballet aided pupil scheme: Academic year 1996–97

  Name of school

  Number of aided pupils

  Chetham's School of Music, Manchester

  257

  The Purcell School of Music, Harrow

  95

  Wells Cathedral School, Somerset

  70

  Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham

  34

  The Royal Ballet School, London

  173

  Elmhurst Ballet School, Camberley

  10

  Arts Educational School, Tring

  5

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his Department's estimate of the annual cost to the Property Services Agency of renting Archway tower, Junction road, London N19; and what plans he has to reduce this cost. [510]

  Dr. David Clark
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of its framework document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) under its Chief Executive, Mr. Malcolm Bowles. The Agency is therefore responding to this question.

  Letter from M. H. Bowles to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 19 May 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me, as acting Chief Executive of PACE, to reply to your question about Archway Tower, Junction Road, N.19
  You will know from our letters to you, dated 29 April 1996 and 22 January 1997, that PACE has responsibility for Archway Tower which is held on a lease by the Secretary of State for the Environment and would need extensive modernisation and refurbishment prior to re-use as offices.
  The annual cost of holding the building is approximately £1,100,000 including security and maintenance. In addition. renovation works are shortly to be carried out to the ground floor exterior and approaches, to accord with the London Borough of Islington's Urban Design Strategy for Archway and to improve the prospects of disposal
  Letting agents are appointed to dispose of the lease for offices but demand is coming significantly from residential developers. Discussions are continuing with the owners of the property and the local planning authority to consider a change of use of the building to residential. In order to leave no stone unturned, the possibility of a joint disposal with our landlords is as you know also being actively pursued by our consultants.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he proposes to take in respect of Professor Philip James' report into the establishment of an independent food standards agency; and if he will make a statement. [955]
  34
  Dr. David Clark
  Professor James' report was published on 8 May, and welcomed by the Prime Minister as an excellent foundation upon which the Government could build. The Prime Minister added that we need to create a structure that is open and transparent, and which acts-and is seen to act-in the interests of consumers.

  The Prime Minister has established a new Ministerial Group on Food Safety, which I will chair, to take forward Professor James' proposals. Members will include Ministers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Health, the Cabinet Office, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office. As a first step the Government are consulting widely on Professor James' Report. Consultees have been invited to send their comments to the Cabinet Office by 20 June.

  Copies of the Report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be responsible for preparing a White Paper and the necessary legislation. He will be doing this in close consultation with the Secretary of State for Health and in accordance with the conclusions of the Ministerial Committee. The Minister has already taken steps to ensure greater openness in the working practices of MAFF and more responsiveness to the needs of the public.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people held under immigration law at HMP Winson Green began a hunger strike on 7 May; and how many are still refusing food. [166]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Two immigration detainees refused food at Her Majesty's Prison Winson Green on 7 May and were joined by a further nine on 8 May. Eight detainees were still refusing prison prepared meals at 10: 00 hrs on 19 May, although all are taking fluids. I am told that none of them is giving the prison medical officer cause for concern.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new appointments have been made to the Police Complaints Authority. [956]

  Mr. Straw
  Mrs. Linda Allan and Ms Lorna Whyte have accepted invitations to serve as Members of the Police Complaints Authority made in late 1996 by my predecessor as Secretary of State, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard). Mrs. Allan previously served as Head of Networks and Faculty Support with the Royal College of General Practitioners. Ms Whyte was formerly a community relations consultant with the Home Office. They both took up their posts on 6 May. The term of the appointments is three years.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received
  35
  regarding resources available to the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and if he will consider increasing the number of members appointed to serve on its board. [153]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: My Department has had extensive discussions with the Criminal Cases Review Commission on a range of issues relating to its establishment, including the resources it needs. There are no plans at present to increase the number of members appointed to the Commission, but this will be considered if it seems desirable in the light of experience.

  We have previously expressed considerable concern at the delay in setting up the Commission and hope the Commission itself will wish to inject a greater sense of urgency into the review of these cases and will keep the work of the Commission under close scrutiny.

PRIME MINISTER

  India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to commemorate 50 years of their independence from Britain. [714]

  The Prime Minister
  Her Majesty, The Queen, and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, will pay State Visits to India and Pakistan in October, and the Prince of Wales visited Bangladesh in February. I hope to visit South Asia before too long.

  Roisin McAliskey
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from (a) the Government of the Irish Republic and (b) others about the continuing detention at HMP Holloway of Ms Roisin McAliskey; and if he will make a statement. [155]

  The Prime minister
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: As far as I am aware, I have received no representations from the Government of the Irish Republic. There have been nine representations from members of the public and others about Ms McAliskey.

TREASURY

  Forecasting (Market Testing)
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the feasibility and scope of possible market testing of the Treasury's forecasting function. [954]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Government support market testing as one means to secure better value for money in the provision of public services.

  Initial steps in the market testing process are to identify the feasibility and scope of services subject to market testing, and to check whether the potential value for money gains are sufficient to outweigh the costs of testing the market. In line with this procedure, consultants KPMG Management Consulting were appointed earlier this year to advise on the feasibility and scope, including value for
  36
  money, of a market test of all, or some part of, the Treasury's macro-economic and public finances forecasting and monitoring function.

  KPMG have now delivered their report, and I have considered it carefully. The touchstone must be value for money, that is achieving the most efficient and cost-effective method of delivering the forecast.

  After extensive consultations, both inside and outside the Treasury, KPMG have noted that the quality of Treasury forecast output is generally perceived to be high, and that a decision to opt for an outside provider is unlikely to turn on this issue. In considering whether the market test would yield better value for money, KPMG have advised that the balance of potential resource savings and costs would not justify a market test. A copy of the KPMG report will be placed in the Library.

  In the interests of securing best value for money, I am content to accept the KPMG advice, on merit, that the Treasury's forecasting function should not be subject to market testing, because in this case market testing would not lead to savings. I am concerned, however, to ensure that the forecasting function remains of high quality, and that it is carried out with the greatest efficiency. I intend to set rigorous targets for achieving that. With this in mind, I have noted that KPMG outlined possible internal reforms designed to use Treasury forecasting staff more flexibly and broaden their experience. I have asked my officials to pursue these suggestions.

  Price Stability
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the level of interest rates needed now to create price stability in two years' time. [286]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor judged it necessary to raise interest rates on 6 May by a percentage point, to 6i per cent., in order to put us back on track to achieve the Government's inflation target. He also decided to give operational responsibility to the Bank of England to set interest rates at the level necessary to meet the Government's inflation target.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his definition of price stability. [302]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are committed to meeting the previous target for low and stable inflation of 2.; per cent. or less.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the names and addresses of those landfill operators who are currently paying landfill tax to HM Customs and Excise. [68]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested will shortly be published by HM Customs and Excise. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are available.

  Inheritance Tax Exemptions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to collect
  37
  information on the number of members of the public who have exercised their right to require owners of chattels conditionally exempt from inheritance tax to allow viewing of these objects. [282]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have noted the suggestion. The current arrangements are designed to ensure that qualifying chattels are preserved by their own owners and that these chattels are available for viewing by members of the public who wish to exercise their right of access under the law.

  Taxation
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total level of tax per head of population for each EU country taking into account all sources of revenue. [295]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  EU member state

  Tax revenue per capita

  Austria

  6,863

  Belgium

  6,818

  Denmark

  9,390

  Finland

  5,877

  France

  6,577

  Germany

  7,920

  Greece

  2,058

  Republic of Ireland

  3,540

  Italy

  4,816

  Luxembourg

  10,566

  Netherlands

  6,482

  Portugal

  1,884

  Spain

  2,864

  Sweden

  7,455

  United Kingdom

  3,875

  Source:
  Revenue Statistics 1965 to 1995 OECD 1996 edition.

  The information provided refers to 1994 as complete information for the year since then is not yet available.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors the Monetary Policy Committee will take into account when setting interest rates other than those relating to the meeting of the Government's inflation target. [138]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 May 1997): The Monetary Policy Committee will be responsible for delivering price stability as defined by the Government's inflation target and, without prejudice to this objective, will support the Government's economic policy, including their objectives for growth and employment.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  UNESCO
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the cost of rejoining UNESCO; and from what budget it will be met. [122]
  38
  Clare Short
  We plan to rejoin UNESCO with effect from 1 July. Our contribution for 1997 will cover the period 1 July-31 December 1997 at a cost of about 5 million. This will be met from the contingency reserve in the development budget.

  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what plans she has for further bilateral assistance to flood victims in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; [280]

  (2) what plans Her Majesty's Government have to contribute to international and multilateral donations of food and medical goods to flood victims in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. [281]

  Clare Short
  We have provided over £968,000 in emergency grants since September 1995 to assist flood victims in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Funds have been channelled through international appeals by the United Nations and the International Federation of the Red Cross.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Whitemoor Prison
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place a full transcript of the second Whitemoor escape trial in the Library. [158]

  Mr. Hoon
  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 my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Kevin McNamara dated 20 May 1997:
  PQ 98/16: AVAILABILITY OF THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SECOND WHITEMOOR ESCAPE TRIAL
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question as to whether a copy of the full transcript of the second Whitemoor escape trail will be placed in the House of Commons Library
  A transcript of the rulings has been made and a copy placed in the Library. A copy of the full transcript of the trial could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Deeside College of Further Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit Deeside College of Further Education. [632]

  Mr. Hain
  I intend to visit a number of further education institutions in Wales this year but I have yet to finalise my programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nigeria
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote(a) the return of democracy and (b) respect for human rights in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [517]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We intend to make the protection and promotion of human rights a central part of our foreign policy. I am therefore extremely concerned by the lack of accountable democratic government and continuing human rights violations in Nigeria. We are actively considering what further measures we can take with EU, Commonwealth and other partners.

  Bahrain (Human Rights)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he proposes to make to the Government of Bahrain concerning abuses of human rights. [518]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We intend to have a close and frank relationship with Bahrain. On 15 May, I had a useful discussion with the Bahraini ambassador on human rights and other issues. The Government of Bahrain is well aware of our concerns about the human rights situation there.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure agreement is reached amongst Antarctic treaty countries to enable a secretariat to be established. [175]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We intend to review our policy on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat after the forthcoming Antarctic treaty consultative meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand.

  Mission Statement
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of the press conference held in the Locarno room on Monday 12 May, at which the Foreign Secretary outlined his mission statement, separately indicating the cost of the film background. [121]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The cost of public funds of the 12 May press conference was £19,000. The rostrum structure will remain in service. An additional sum of 7,000 was necessary for the hire of the video wall.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who made the videotape used at the official launch of his mission statement; who supervised the making of the videotape; and what was the cost to public funds. [307]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The video which had its first showing at my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's press conference was an abridged and re-edited version of a film originally made for the Hanover Fair. The video was produced in-house by this Department, and drew on our own television archive, thereby limiting the cost to £28,000. The video will be shown in coming months at other events.
  40
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of the official launch of his mission statement. [178]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg).

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of producing, launching, distributing and publicising his Department's mission statement. [757]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave today to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham and the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire)

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the application for membership by the Republic of Yemen at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. [288]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh will consider a report on Commonwealth membership criteria. The Commonwealth Secretary-General has advised Yemen that no applications for membership will be considered until that has taken place. We welcome the fact that the Commonwealth is attracting interest from potential new members, but will emphasise the importance of full compliance with the Harare declaration, which sets the Commonwealth political and human rights standards.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of yemen. [290]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary looks forward to visiting Yemen in due course, although he has no plans to do so in the immediate future.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent elections in the Republic of Yemen. [291]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We welcome the successful completion of parliamentary elections in Yemen last month. They marked a further step in Yemen's recovery since the damaging civil war of 1994. Yemen's democracy is young, and although there were some irregularities, the international observers concluded that, on balance, the elections were "reasonably free and fair". We welcome this, and look forward to future co-operation with the new Yemeni Government and Parliament.

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [247]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Staff within this Department are not obliged to report their ethnic origins. The information in the table is based on voluntary returns to a survey into ethnic origins carried out in 1989 to which 89 per cent.
  41
  of staff responded. We have since invited all new entrants to complete the questionnaire, and those that have done so are also included.

  Officers of Asian origin by grade (including those of part-Asian origin) as at 1 April 1997

  Number

  DS5S/HCS6

  1

  DS5/HCS7

  2

  DS7D/8/HEO (D)

  4

  DS7M/HEO

  7

  DS9/E0

  20

  DS10/EAJA0

  47

  AA/SGB2

  9

  Total

  90

  These figures do not include officers on unpaid leave.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will make a statement on current Anglo-Yemeni relations. [289]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We enjoy good relations with Yemen. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has recently written to the Foreign Minister of Yemen, stressing our wish to strengthen co-operation between our two countries.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth Governments are being invited to the Hong Kong handover ceremony; and at what level. [268]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The handover ceremony will be a joint occasion, invitations to which will be issued jointly on behalf of Britain and China. We have agreed with China to invite countries and international organisations with the strongest links to Hong Kong, such as all European Union and Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation member states, plus a small number of other countries with special links with Hong Kong, including several members of the Commonwealth. Invited countries will generally be represented by their Foreign Ministers. We will announce the list of countries in due course. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. I can, however, say that we and China have agreed to invite the Commonwealth Secretary-General. We are delighted that he has accepted.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [248]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regards increasing the number of employees from ethnic minorities in this Department as a priority. My noble Friend Baroness Symons has been asked to give careful and swift consideration to ways of improving the policies already in place in this Department. When proposals have been agreed, my noble Friend will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers the United Kingdom will have to amend or improve social 42
  and employment laws in the United Kingdom without the consent of the EC once it has signed the social chapter. [303]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Accepting the social chapter will not affect the UK's power to alter our own social and employment legislation except in so far as UK legislation will have to comply with measures adopted under these Treaty provisions in the same way that it already has to comply with other aspects of Community law.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments were made and what was the total amount paid under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [124]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: In 1996–97, 3,372 payments were made and the total amount paid was £8,807,000.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade (India)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to lead a trade mission to India within the framework of the Indo-British Partnership initiative. [278]

  Mrs. Beckett
  At present, I have no firm plans to lead a UK trade mission to India. Such a mission accompanied my predecessor to India as recently as January 1997. I am, however, aware of the outstanding success of the Indo-British Partnership and will be giving it my fullest support.

  One-day Sales
  Mr. Gordon Prentic
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce further regulation of one-day sales. [265]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I am aware that some one-day sales have raised concerns about exploitation of consumers and strongly support the action some trading standards departments have taken to warn consumers of their dangers. I have instituted an urgent review of this and will consider the need for further regulation.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the rules affecting single people and housing benefit. [37]

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to implement proposals to set housing benefit for single people under 60 years by reference to rent levels for shared accommodation; and if she will make a statement. [607]
  43
  Mr. Bradley
  We are currently reviewing the rules affecting single people and housing benefit. We will make an announcement in due course.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the shortfall between the total amount of housing benefit paid and the net amount paid by tenants for housing for each year since 1992. [172]

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

  Estimated housing benefit expenditure (Great Britain)

  £ millions

  Contractual rent of tenants on housing benefit

  Housing benefit paid

  Shortfall

  1992–93

  9,154

  7,901

  1,253

  1993–94

  10,483

  9,213

  1,270

  1994–95

  11,527

  10,120

  1,407

  1995–96

  12,667

  10,885

  1,782

  Sources:

  1. Benefit Housing Management Information System.

  2. Social security departmental report-Government expenditure plans March 1997.

  3. Rent officer statistics.

  Notes:

  1. Contractual rent may include charges which are not eligible for housing benefit. These include water, sewage and ineligible service charges such as laundry, cleaning, sports facilities etc.

  2. The figures for 1996–97 are not yet available.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the income levels of the poorest 10 per cent. of pensioners in the current year. [167]

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

  It is estimated that in 1994–95, the latest date for which information is available, the median average net income before housing costs for the bottom decile of the all pensioner units income distribution was £65.20

  Notes:

  1. The estimate refers to all pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined to be either a single person over state pension age, or a couple where the man, assumed to be the head, is aged over state pension age

  2. The methodology is in accordance with that used to create table 5 of "The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1994–95", a copy of which is available in the Library

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest lop and are in July 1994 prices.

  Source:

  6. The Pensioners' Income Series 1994–95.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Diseases
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if(a) maedi-visna, (b) caprine arthritis and (c) encephalitis have been identified in cattle. [292]
  44
  Mr. Rooker
  My veterinary staff are not aware of maedi-visna, caprine arthritis or encephalitis ever having been identified in cattle in Great Britain.

  Quarantine (Dogs and Cats)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review quarantine arrangements for dogs and cats entering the United Kingdom. [585]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes.

  British Beef (McDonald's)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet representatives of McDonald's Restaurants Ltd. to discuss consumption of British beef. [584]

  Mr. Rooker
  At present there is no firm arrangement to meet McDonald's Restaurants Ltd. However, we are aware of the company's position in the market and expect to arrange a meeting in due course.

SCOTLAND

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Government policy on planning considerations for opencast mining; and if he will advise the reporter at the public inquiry into plans for Tynemount at Ormiston of the implications of any proposed changes to planning guidelines. [132]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Government planning policy in Scotland in relation to opencast mining is set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 4: Land for Mineral Working. Good practice advice in relation to the environmental effects of such development is contained in Planning Advice Note 50: Controlling The Environmental Effects of Surface Mineral Workings. Both publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  While consideration is being given to current policy on opencast mineral extraction to ascertain whether some change is needed, the inquiry into the Tynemount, Ormiston opencast proposal ended on 15 May. In the event that a new policy was to be introduced prior to a decision being taken on the appeal, which was relevant for the decision, the hon. Member can be assured that the final decision would be taken in the light of that policy and in accordance with the Inquiries Procedure Rules.

  A1 Dualling
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of plans to dual the Al trunk road between Haddington and Dunbar. [133]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The Scottish Office published a revised draft enabling compulsory purchase orders on 28 June and 25 October which attracted a number of objections. These were considered at a Public Local Inquiry in Haddington between 11 and 13 February 1997. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is awaiting the findings and recommendations of the Reporter.

  Glasgow
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to meet Glasgow City Council to discuss the problems facing the city; and if he will make a statement. [582]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: I hope to visit Glasgow soon in my capacity as Minister for Local Government, and will naturally be happy to meet the City Council.

  Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what parts of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 he intends to implement; and when he intends to lay the necessary orders. [85]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: Sections 45 and 46 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 came into force on Royal Assent (21 March 1997). We are considering whether and when to implement the remaining provisions, and will announce our decisions in due course.

  Local Authority House Sales Receipts
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of capital receipts from the sale of local authority houses in Scotland he will require to be applied towards the reduction of local authority housing debt; and if he will make a statement. [86]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]: Scottish local authorities are required to set aside 75 per cent. of their receipts from house sales in order to reduce debt levels. We are reviewing that requirement and will announce our conclusion in due course.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments were made and what was the total amount paid under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [126]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]During 1996–97 the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department dealt with 9,532 claims under the Arable Area Payments Scheme and the total amount paid was –146,685,005.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Elgin Marbles
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to discuss the Elgin Marbles with the Greek authorities. [259]

  Mr. Fisher
  I have no plans to discuss the Parthenon Sculptures with the Greek government.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Council Housing
    Mr. John Cryer
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his timetable for the release of capital receipts from the sale of council houses for the building of new homes. [173]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Legislation to facilitate the Government's Capital Receipts initiative will be brought forward as quickly as possible.

    Rented Housing (New Build)
    Mr. Bennett
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of houses which will be built for rent in England in the next 12 months. [34]

    Mr. Raynsford
    On current expenditure plans the Department estimates that around 26,000 new build housing association homes for rent will be completed in 1997–98 and a further 500 by local authorities. In addition, around 9,000 homes for rent will be provided by the purchase and rehabilitation of existing houses by housing associations.

    London Docklands
    Mr. Berry
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the sale price of the heritage river site recently sold by the London Docklands development corporation. [626]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    The sale price is commercial in confidence and the use likely to be allowable for the site under Tower Hamlets' development plan and following the planning inquiry held last year. The sale was announced by the LDDC on 12 May as "unconditional" which means solely that it was a straight sale without restrictive covenants. The new owners cannot build what they like on the land and they must gain approval for any development through the normal planning process. The planning authority for the Hermitage Riverside site is Tower Hamlets.

    Global Temperatures
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from what sources his Department evaluates information concerning global temperature changes. [516]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    Information concerning global temperature changes is compiled from observations made at more than 1,000 land meteorological stations and a similar number of ships and buoys around the world. Analysis of the data is undertaken by the UK Met Office, in conjunction with the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia.

    Rented Housing (London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his
    47
    estimate of the average rent levels in London for (a) council, (b) housing association and (c) private rented accommodation at the latest available date. [170]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Latest figures of average weekly rents before deduction of Housing Benefit in London are:

    £

    Date

    Council

    52.72

    30 April 1996

    Housing association

    50.28

    31 March 1996

    Private

    114.00

    April 1995 to March 1996

    The council and housing association rents are from administrative returns. The private rent is from the 1995–96 Survey of English Housing and, like all estimates from sample surveys, is subject to sampling variability.

    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide opportunities for local authorities in London to build houses for rent. [169]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We will ensure that any resources released under the capital receipts initiative will be made available to local authorities to use in support of priority schemes which meet key objectives. We will be considering and consulting on these over the coming weeks.

    Local Agenda 21 Initiatives
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total expenditure in 1996–97 on Local Agenda 21 initiatives; what is his estimate for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [503]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    The Government do not require local authorities, or other interested sectors, to provide returns detailing Local Agenda 21 expenditure. There would be considerable methodological difficulties in trying to identify such expenditure because sustainable development is essentially about carrying out existing functions, including planning and economic development, in ways that are environmentally sustainable.

    The Government's support for Local Agenda 21 includes modest funding for the co-ordinating and promotional work of the Local Government Management Board. But the bulk of Government funding for local authorities and others for projects in line with Local Agenda 21 principles is associated with other mechanisms such as regeneration programmes or the Environmental Action Fund

    The Government are determined to work in partnership with all sectors of society in pursuit of sustainable development. Local Agenda 21 initiatives, involving local authorities, business, the voluntary and community sectors, have a vital contribution to make. The UK is generally acknowledged to be one of the leaders in the field, with 70 per cent. of its local authorities committed to Local Agenda 21, and it is to be hoped that next month's UN Special Session will encourage other countries to make similar progress.

    Smoking
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to discourage smoking in public places. [438]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    The Government intend to call a seminar of experts in the field of smoking reduction. The results of this seminar will inform policy, which will then be set out in a White Paper on our strategy to reduce smoking. We will also be drafting legislation to ban tobacco advertising. The Department of the Environment, which has responsibility for policy on smoking in public places, will continue to encourage those responsible for the management of public places to introduce smoking policies, against the targets set out in the 1997 White Paper "This Common Inheritance", and will be reviewing further steps that might be taken to speed up progress.

    City Challenge (Leicester)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans next to visit Leicester's City Challenge. [799]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    Ministers have no plans, as yet to visit the City Challenge area in Leicester. However, the regeneration of our towns and cities, especially those with severe problems, is a key Government objective. Therefore, when opportunities arise in the future, Ministers will be keen to visit important regeneration programmes, like the Leicester City Challenge.

    Housing Finance (London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate for each London borough of money available from capital receipts to finance a housing programme. [171]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Local authorities already have usable capital receipts which are available for any capital purpose (including housing). The amounts of these receipts, for each London Authority, are set out in the table.

    In addition, however, we will be consulting the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government and local authorities on the Government's Capital Receipts initiative. No decision about the basis on which resources are to be distributed to individual authorities will be made until that consultation process is complete.

    Accumulated usable capital receipts held at 31 March 1996

    £000

    Barking and Dagenham

    51,956

    Barnet

    17,299

    Bexley

    6,861

    Brent

    2,506

    Bromley

    0

    Camden

    215

    City of London

    76,685

    Croydon

    1,338

    Ealing

    129

    Enfield

    7,272

    Greenwich

    3,553

    Hackney

    0

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    0

    Haringey

    4

    Harrow

    14,066

    49

    Accumulated usable capital receipts held at 31 March 1996

    £000

    Havering

    13,956

    Hillingdon

    16,869

    Hounslow

    450

    Islington

    55

    Kensington and Chelsea

    0

    Kingston upon Thames

    365

    Lambeth

    550

    Lewisham

    814

    Merton

    0

    Newham

    82

    Redbridge

    5,068

    Richmond upon Thames

    9,825

    Southwark

    0

    Sutton

    1,066

    Tower Hamlets

    0

    Waltham Forest

    3,041

    Wandsworth

    10,365

    Westminster

    12,937

    Total

    257,327

    Source:

    1995–96 capital outturn returns.

  TRANSPORT

    Traffic Speeds (London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of average traffic speeds in central London. [176]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The latest estimates of average traffic speeds in central London, based on a speed survey carried out in May/June 1994, are just under 11 mph, with little variation between peak and daytime off-peak periods.

    Bletchley to Bicester Railway Line
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review proposals for the re-opening of passenger and freight services on the Bletchley to Bicester railway line. [177]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The East-West Rail Consortium, which is considering the possible re-opening of an East-West rail link north of London, has recently received a Phase II feasibility report. It is too early to say whether the work in hand will result in a viable proposal which the Government would be able to support.

    Fishing Vessels (Safety)
    Mr. Salmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many fishermen on UK-registered flag of convenience fishing vessels have satisfied the conditions laid down in the Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) Regulations 1989; what steps can be taken to prevent those who do not comply with this regulation from fishing on UK-registered vessels; and if he will make a statement; [748]
    (2) what steps are being taken to ensure flag of convenience fishing vessels fishing against the UK quota are complying with UK safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [749]
    50
    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 20 May 1997:
    The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question, transferred from the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, about the safety training of crew working on UK registered fishing vessels and to your Question, transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland, about fishing vessel compliance with safety regulations
    The onus for complying with the Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) Regulations 1989 rests on the individuals concerned and on the skippers and owners of their vessels. We do not hold data on which crew members meet the requirements and which do not (those crew members born before 1 March 1954 do not need to meet the requirements) but we have asked the Seafish Industry Authority for advice on the information held in their database about fishermen who have undergone safety training
    The Marine Safety Agency monitors compliance with all fishing vessel safety regulations by means of inspections of the vessels. If such an inspection finds non-compliance the vessel may be detained and the owner and the skipper can be prosecuted. In the particular case of safety training regulations, if any of the crew members do not comply, the owner of the vessel, the skipper and the individuals concerned can be prosecuted.

    Al2 (Capel St. Mary)
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funds he will make available to Suffolk county council for the construction of the Old London road link road at Capel St. Mary on the Al2. [654]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Pound Lane Cap Closure and Old London Road scheme on the Al2 trunk road at Capel St. Mary is being promoted and entirely funded by the Highways Agency. No funds will be made available to Suffolk County Council.

    Channel Tunnel (Safety)
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to ensure that Eurotunnel implements all the recommendations in the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority report before re-starting freight services. [5]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Government's concerns about the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority report have been put to the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) by the UK delegation. As a result the IGC has requested from Eurotunnel a detailed timetable of its programme for meeting the Safety Authority recommendations for consideration by the IGC at its next meeting on 22 May 1997.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the technical difficulties with the crossover doors in the channel tunnel have been resolved; and if he will make a statement. [7]

    Ms Jackson
    Since the incident of the 18 November 1996, the undersea crossover doors have been subject to an enhanced testing and maintenance regime by Eurotunnel, which will continue. This has achieved a much higher level of reliability than previously obtained. The test reports are regularly examined by the Channel
    51
    Tunnel Safety Authority whose inspectors also inspect and report on maintenance and testing as part of their normal on-going duties.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has estimated the cost to Eurotunnel of implementing the recommendations in its recent report into the channel tunnel fire. [56]

    Ms Jackson
    The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority made its recommendations on safety grounds and did not estimate any costs for implementation.

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has taken to ensure that Eurotunnel had full safety training and audits in place for its staff. [59]

    Ms Jackson
    Safety training is one of the key elements identified by the Safety Authority in Eurotunnel's proposals for the restart of HGV shuttle services. The Safety Authority will carefully examine Eurotunnel's reports on their certification of staff trained in new procedures, including the report of an independent assessor, before making any recommendation to the Intergovernmental Commission.

    More generally, the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority and its specialist working groups meet regularly with Eurotunnel to review the safe operation of the Channel Tunnel. The Safety Authority also has 22 safety inspectors available from national authorities who conduct regular safety inspections and check the performance of Eurotunnel's Safety Directorate.

    Rail Employees (Travel Passes)
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reinstate the travel passes withdrawn from those employees of the BREL who were made redundant; and if he will make a statement on the provision of travel passes to employees and past employees in the privatised railway. [32]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Travel concessions for ex-BREL staff are a matter for ADtranz (ABB Daimler Benz Transportation Ltd.).

    In privatisation resulting from the Railways Act 1993, travel entitlements for staff in post prior to 31 March 1996 were contained in contracts of employment which transferred to the new employers under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. Travel concessions for staff taken on by these employers after 31 March 1996 are a matter for the employer. Travel concessions for railways staffing privatisation before this Act were separately negotiated for each sale.

    Freight Train Derailments
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of freight train derailments in each of the last 12 months, listing the date and location of each one. [62]
    52
    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Provisional figures reported to the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate show that for the latest available 12 month period covering 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997, there have been 80 freight train derailments on the national railway network. These derailments are listed by date and location as follows:

    Date

    Location

    06 April 1996

    Hinckley

    08 April 1996

    Stewarts Lane

    16 April 1996

    Hampstead Heath Tnl

    09 May 1996

    Melton Mowbray

    18 May 1996

    Smethick West

    21 May 1996

    Calder Bridge

    29 May 1996

    Swansea Landore

    02 June 1996

    Dundee Central Jct

    04 June 1996

    Tilbury Riverside

    12 June 1996

    Nottingham Station

    13 June 1996

    Hillhouse Quarry

    16 June 1996

    Chaddesden Sidings

    17 June 1996

    Par

    18 June 1996

    Immingham Receptn

    20 June 1996

    Dagenham

    22 June 1996

    Bletchley Yard

    27 June 1996

    Crave Street Jct

    29 June 1996

    Derby North

    11 July 1996

    Highworth Branch

    13 July 1996

    Millerhill Yard

    20 July 1996

    Motherwell Station

    24 July 1996

    Stewarts Lane

    19 August 1996

    Luton Linbury

    23 August 1996

    Gravesend

    01 September 1996

    Bletchley

    04 September 1996

    Lee Spur

    05 September 1996

    Niddrie South Jct

    11 September 1996

    Brent

    14 September 1996

    Staplehurst

    24 September 1996

    Great Coates

    30 September 1996

    Park Lane Jct

    30 September 1996

    Turners Lane Jct

    30 September 1996

    Wakefield, Kirkgate

    06 October 1996

    Wrawby Jet

    07 October 1996

    Westbury

    07 October 1996

    Tamworth TVHL

    11 October 1996

    Inverness

    12 October 1996

    Preston Parcel Dept

    25 October 1996

    Toton

    26 October 1996

    Hexam

    05 November 1996

    Westbury

    06 November 1996

    Meadow Sidings

    18 November 1996

    Swindon

    23 November 1996

    Wolverton

    27 November 1996

    Shoeburyness

    27 November 1996

    Miskin Loop

    28 November 1996

    Bletchley

    30 November 1996

    Grindleford

    30 November 1996

    Toton

    01 December 1996

    Gresty Lane, Crewe

    07 December 1996

    Scunthorpe

    14 December 1996

    Neville Hill

    16 December 1996

    Slade Hooton

    02 January 1997

    Gidea Park

    07 January 1997

    Woking

    07 January 1997

    Scunthorpe

    10 January 1997

    Langley Mill

    22 January 1997

    Mossend

    24 January 1997

    Charing/Hothfield

    02 February 1997

    Dalmur Park Jct

    03 February 1997

    Ascott-Und-Wychwd

    53

    Date

    Location

    04 February 1997

    Bexley

    04 February 1997

    Coventry North Yard

    05 February 1997

    Gidea Park

    07 February 1997

    Hessle Road

    10 February 1997

    Townhill Jct

    12 February 1997

    Swindon-Austin Rd

    16 February 1997

    Nuneaton

    20 February 1997

    Crugwallins

    22 February 1997

    Toton Dow (H Level)

    24 February 1997

    Tees Yard

    26 February 1997

    Pyewood Road

    27 February 1997

    Carnforth

    01 March 1997

    Holyhead

    05 March 1997

    Colchester

    06 March 1997

    Workington (No. 3)

    06 March 1997

    Gidea Park

    13 March 1997

    St. Helens Central

    20 March 1997

    Park Jct

    26 March 1997

    Derby

    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of freight train derailments in the 12 months(a) preceding and (b) following rail privatisation. [63]

    Ms Jackson
    The rail privatisation process has occurred in stages since 1 April 1994. Statistics for freight train derailments are compiled by the Health and Safety Executive on an annual basis and the following table gives the figures for the preceding and subsequent years.

    Year

    Number of freight train derailments

    1993–94

    78

    1994–95

    105

    1995–96

    74

    1996–971

    80

    1 Provisional.

    Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a reassessment of the case of Mr. Francis Wheeler in respect of his claim for compensation for the loss of pension fund assets from the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust; and if he will make a statement on the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust. [29]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The present position is that the trustees of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust have accepted the then Secretary of State for Transport's offer to meet their costs in pursuing through the Courts recovery of the surplus of the fund paid to my Department in 1990. My Department awaits the trustees' formal statement of claim. I am still studying the legal and other background to this case.

    A5 (Nesscliff Bypass)
    Mr. Paul Marsden
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in respect of the A5 bypass for Nesscliff village, Shrewsbury. [76]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    [holding answer 19 May 1997]: The A5 Nesscliffe bypass was withdrawn from the national trunk road programme on 26 November 1996. As a result, all preparation work on the scheme ceased.

  HEALTH

    North Essex Health Authority
    Mr. Bernard Jenkin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that North Essex health authority will receive its full share of NHS expenditure under the formula known as capitation funding. [422]

    Mr. Milburn
    The first step will be to look again at what the share of funds for North Essex health authority should be. We will look at how resources are distributed across both secondary and primary care, to ensure that these fully reflect local population needs and operate as fairly as possible.

    Barnet General Hospital
    Sir Sydney Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the construction of phase 1B at Barnet general hospital. [423]

    Mr. Milburn
    The phase 1B development of Barnet general hospital will go ahead as planned.

    Dartford Hospital
    Dr. Stoate
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed hospital for Dartford under the PFI scheme. [424]

    Mr. Milburn
    The trust and their private sector partner have signed a commercial contract for the provision of a new district general hospital. The NHS (Private Finance) Bill to clarify existing powers to trusts to enter into PFI agreements will provide the private sector partner with the reassurance it has been seeking to enter into a PFI contract and it is expected that this scheme will now progress rapidly to financial close, with work on site starting very shortly afterwards.

    GP Fundholding
    Mr. Lansley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to abolish general practitioner fundholding. [425]

    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of general practitioner fundholding. [427]

    Mr. Milburn
    I refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave earlier today.

    NHS Resource Allocations
    Mr. Timms
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reform the allocation of funds in the health service. [426]

    Mr. Milburn
    We will look at how resources are distributed across both secondary and primary care, to ensure that these fully reflect local population needs and operate as fairly as possible.

    New Hospital Provision (South Worcestershire)
    Mr. Luff
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans for new hospital provision in south Worcestershire. [428]

    Mr. Milburn
    Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS trust is currently negotiating with its preferred private sector partner prior to submitting the full business case for the proposed private finance scheme.

    Waiting Lists
    Mr. Barnes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding his Department's policy on reducing the length of patient waiting lists. [429]

    Mr. Milburn
    We will reduce the bureaucratic costs of the NHS and the savings achieved will be used to improve direct patient care by treating more NHS patients. Our commitment is to end waiting times for cancer surgery and in particular to speed up the diagnosis and treatment for patients with breast cancer.

    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of waiting times for elective surgery in each London health district for the latest available date. [515]

    Ms Jowell
    Waiting time information collected centrally does not identify separately those patients waiting for surgery. Figures are at specialty level and include all patients waiting for admission to hospital, whether it be for operations, medical treatment, assessment, therapy or rehabilitation.

    The latest information on patients waiting for elective admission by individual health authority is published in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England (Resident Based) at 31 December 1996", copies of which are available in the Library.

    Public Health
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the main policy priorities of the Minister responsible for public health over the next year; and if he will make a statement. [430]

    Ms Jowell
    I shall be working to carry forward the commitments made in the manifesto, to attack the root causes of ill health. I shall set new goals for improving the people's health which recognise the impact that poverty, poor housing, unemployment and a polluted environment have on health. I plan to outline the new public health strategy in early July.

    Our clear commitment to public health issues has already been signalled in the Gracious Speech with the announcement that we shall be publishing later this year
    56
    a White Paper on ways of reducing death and illness caused by smoking and a draft Bill to ban tobacco advertising. In the summer we shall be holding a summit on tobacco and smoking

    I shall be working closely with colleagues in other Departments to take forward our commitments on food safety and use of lottery funds for health projects.

    NHS Pay
    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about pay levels in the NHS. [431]

    Mr. Milburn
    We have received a number of representations about pay in the national health service.

    NHS Spending
    Mrs. Ann Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on current levels of NHS spending. [432]

    Mr. Milburn
    National health service total gross spending in England in 1997–98 is estimated to be 36 billion.

    Purchasing Authorities and Providers
    Mr. Andrew Rowe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will carry out an urgent review of the record of purchasing authorities in settling accounts with their providers within the NHS. [433]

    Mr. Milburn
    We have no plans at present for undertaking a review of purchasing authorities' records in settling accounts with their providers within the NHS. We do, however, intend to cut down the current paperchase and release resources currently wasted on bureaucracy for patient care.

    Oldchurch Hospital, Romford
    Mr. John Cryer
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of Oldchurch hospital in Romford. [434]

    Mr. Milburn
    The announcement we shall be making shortly about the London review will include reference to specific hospitals.

    NHS Staff (Redundancies)
    Mr. Yeo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of NHS staff who will be made redundant as a result of his proposals to streamline management. [435]

    Mr. Milburn
    We are continuing discussions with officials and the national health service on how best to meet our manifesto commitments.

    Assisted Conception
    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the policy guidance he issues to health authorities and NHS trusts on assisted conception. [436]

    Ms Jowell
    Two documents providing advice on fertility, including assisted conception, are available to the NHS, "Effective Health Care Bulletin on the Management
    57
    of Subfertility", published by the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (1992); and "Infertility: Guidelines for Practice" published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (1992). Both documents are currently being reviewed and updated advice should be available later this year

    In addition, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority issues a code of practice to those clinics licensed under the terms of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. A revised code of practice is currently being prepared.

    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that assisted conception including in vitro fertilisation should be available free and universally in the national health service. [91]

    Ms Jowell
    We are reviewing our policy in this area, in the context of the wider issue of variations in health service provision.

    New Hospital (Peterborough)
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a decision on the building of a new hospital for Peterborough. [437]

    Mr. Milburn
    Peterborough Hospitals National Health Service trust has selected its preferred private sector partner and is working towards the submission of the full business case for the redevelopment of the Edith Cavell site under the private finance initiative.

    Hospital Trust Decisions (Review)
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to review the decisions of hospital trusts to(a) close hospitals and (b) dispose of hospital lands. [439]

    Mr. Milburn
    We shall be considering the current arrangements for consultation on major services changes in due course. There are no plans to change the current arrangements for disposal of hospital land.

    Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
    Mr. Illsley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department intends to continue to appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal in favour of those victims of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease caused through the use of human growth hormone; and if he will make a statement. [440]

    Ms Jowell
    The appeal is by the plaintiffs and not by the Department.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what projections he has evaluated in respect of the number of new variant CJD cases over the next two years. [294]

    Ms Jowell
    It will be three or four years before we have enough information about new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to make any reliable prediction of future numbers of cases.

    Long-term Care
    Mr. Spring
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for the provision of long-term care; and if he will make a statement. [441]

    Mr. Boateng
    The Government intend to examine in detail, as heralded in our manifesto, provisions for long-term care of the elderly. We will make a further statement on this once the form of that examination and its content have been settled.

    Private Finance Initiative
    Mr. Ronnie Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the PFI in relation to the health service. [442]

    Mr. Milburn
    Our manifesto emphasised the crucial part we expect public/private partnerships to play in our spending plans. Our policy is to improve the private finance initiative in the national health service by taking forward the proposals set out in our 12-point plan in our business manifesto and we have already introduced the NHS (Private Finance) Bill which aims to ensure that NHS trusts have the statutory power to enter into PFI contracts. This will provide the private sector with the reassurance it needs to enter into PFI contracts and enable the major whole-hospital PFI schemes which have already signed commercial contracts to proceed to financial close.

    Mr. Butterfill
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to involve the private sector in the provision of NHS services to the public. [443]

    Mr. Milburn
    The Government's priority is to develop the national health service as a public service meeting the needs of its patients. We view the role of the private sector in the provision of NHS services in that light. We have already introduced a Bill that removes any shadow of doubt regarding NHS trusts' powers to enter into private finance initiative-type contracts.

    Accident and Emergency Services (North London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review accident and emergency provision in hospitals in north London. [412]

    Mr. Dobson
    As my hon. Friend knows, before the election we gave an undertaking to review health care in London to ensure that it will meet the needs of Londoners. Details of that review will be announced shortly. It will of course cover accident and emergency services.

    Arnold Lodge Secure Unit, Leicester
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has regarding Arnold Lodge secure unit, Leicester; what plans he has to visit the unit; and what representations he has received relating to the unit. [271]

    Mr. Boateng
    The key proposals for the future of Arnold Lodge medium secure unit, Leicester, are contained within the action plan arising from the full independent review of the facility recently undertaken. The plans will improve the quality of the environment and provision of care. It will be a matter for purchasers of the service in conjunction with Leicestershire Mental Health Services national health service trust to determine the future of the service.
    59
    At present, we have no plans to visit the unit and have received no representations.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to take in respect of recommendations contained in his Department's report on Arnold Lodge secure unit, Leicester; and what is the timetable for their implementation. [274]

    Mr. Boateng
    As a result of the full independent review of Arnold Lodge medium secure unit, Leicester, an action plan has now been submitted to Leicestershire health authority which contains over 100 recommendations.

    The recommendations fall into 12 key areas ranging from security, risk management, policy and practice. The majority of these recommendations are to be implemented by the end of June 1997. A new management team has been established which has prioritised and actioned the most immediate issues. Furthermore, a capital sum of 0.5 million has been identified by the NHS executive Trent for a package of security measures. These will be implemented over the next few months

    My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Health will oversee the process through the regional office which manages the performance of Leicestershire health authority and monitors the performance of the Leicestershire Mental Health Services NHS trust.

    Mental Health Secure Units
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regional mental health secure units there are; and how many staff they employ. [273]

    Mr. Boateng
    There are 34 medium secure units nationally providing a total of 1,509 medium secure places. The number of staff employed in medium secure units is not collected centrally.

    Psychiatric and Geriatric Care
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costs to the NHS of geriatric and psychiatric patients being moved to alternative accommodation from the reduction in the average length of stay of patients in psychiatric and geriatric provision in Cumbria. [25]

    Mr. Boateng
    It is the responsibility of each health authority to determine the pattern of provision of health services for its local population in the light of local needs and the availability of resources.

    Dental Access Fund
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the operation of the dental access fund. [262]

    Mr. Milburn
    Yes.

    NHS Trusts (London)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the 1996–97 deficit for each London NHS trust; and what is his estimate for the current financial year. [512]
    60
    Mr. Milburn
    The information requested for 1996–97 on all London trusts is shown in the table. Plans for 1997–98 are still being agreed.

    1996–97 quarter 4 forecast surpluses and deficits of London trusts

    Trust name

    1996–97£ 000

    Barnet Community Healthcare

    791

    BHB Community Health Care

    431

    Bromley Hospitals

    -518

    Camden and Islington Community Health Services

    138

    Central Middlesex Hospital

    -2,920

    Chase Farm Hospitals

    33

    Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare

    0

    City and Hackney Community Services

    0

    Croydon Community

    36

    Ealing Hospital

    502

    Enfield Community Care

    40

    Forest Healthcare

    -4,418

    Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

    840

    Greenwich Healthcare

    25

    Guy's and St. Thomas'

    4,700

    Hammersmith Hospitals

    43

    Harefield Hospital

    204

    Haringey Health Care

    314

    Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare

    -1,072

    Havering Hospitals

    59

    Hillingdon Hospital

    -1,569

    Homerton Hospital

    589

    Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and Mental

    Health

    134

    King's Healthcare

    200

    Kingston and District Community

    1,460

    Kingston Hospital

    313

    Lambeth Healthcare

    693

    Lewisham and Guy's Mental Health

    151

    Lewisham Hospital

    -2,866

    Lifecare

    3076

    London Ambulance Service

    0

    Mayday Healthcare

    -903

    Merton and Sutton Community

    465

    Moorfields Eye Hospital

    273

    Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals

    -2,232

    Newham Community Health Services

    264

    Newham Healthcare

    -713

    North Middlesex Hospital

    7

    North West London Mental Health

    2,322

    Northwick Park and St. Mark's

    -3,969

    Optimum Health Services

    108

    Oxleas

    285

    Parkside

    471

    Pathfinder

    115

    Queen Mary's Sidcup

    50

    Ravensbourne Priority Health

    333

    Redbridge Health Care

    557

    Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Healthcare

    -506

    Riverside Community Health Care

    239

    Riverside Mental Health

    681

    Royal Brompton Hospital

    369

    Royal Free Hampstead

    484

    Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, the Royal London

    Hospital and London Chest Hospital

    -4,744

    Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital

    -54

    Royal Marsden

    1637

    Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

    801

    St. George's Healthcare

    578

    St. Mary's

    -945

    Tavistock and Portman

    71

    Teddington Memorial Hospital

    22

    The Bethlem and Maudsley

    606

    The St. Helier

    833

    Tower Hamlets Healthcare

    0

    University College London Hospitals

    -2,246

    Wandsworth Community Health

    92

    61

    1996–97 quarter 4 forecast surpluses and deficits of London trusts

    Trust name

    1996–97£000

    Wellhouse

    -400

    West London Healthcare

    1213

    West Middlesex University Hospital

    -1,796

    Whittington Hospital

    -374

    Children (Employment)
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the number of children(a) legally and (b) illegally employed in Britain; and if he will make a statement. [514]

    Mr. Boateng
    The information requested is not collected centrally.

    Health Authority Funding
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used by his Department when allocating funds to district health authorities. [502]

    Mr. Milburn
    The objective of resource allocation is to promote equity through the use of a capitation formula which weights the population for the effects of:

    age-related need

    additional need

    geographical costs

    We will look at how resources are distributed across both secondary and primary care to ensure that these fully reflect local population needs and operate as fairly as possible.

    Camden and Islington Health Authority
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total payment by his Department to Camden and Islington health authority for each of the last five years; what is his estimate for 1997–98; and what estimate the authority has submitted to him of its need. [511]
    62
    Mr. Milburn
    The total payments to Camden and Islington health authority for the years 1992–93 to 1997–98 are shown in the table. Health authorities' cash limited revenue allocations are informed by the national weighted capitation formula, not by their own estimates of need. The non-cash-limited funding is demand led.

    Year

    Health authority

    Cash limited payments (£)

    Non cash limited payments (£)

    Total payments(£)

    1992–93

    Camden and Islington District Health Authority

    271,803,000

    Nil

    271,803,000

    Camden and Islington District Health Services Authority

    8,972,700

    38,218,067

    47,190,767

    1993–94

    Camden and Islington District Health Authority

    256,376,200

    Nil

    256,376,200

    Camden and Islington District Health Services Authority

    11,688,100

    41,702,631

    53,370,731

    1994–95

    Camden and Islington District Health Authority

    255,803,600

    Nil

    255,803,600

    Camden and Islington District Health Services Authority

    14,295,000

    44,304,051

    58,599,051

    1995–96

    Camden and Islington District Health Authority

    270,168,000

    Nil

    270,168,000

    Camden and Islington District Health Services Authority

    17,369,000

    47,639,671

    65,008,671

    1996–97

    Camden and Islington Health Authority

    295,839,000

    52,925,429

    348,764,429

    1997–98

    Camden and Islington Health (based on initial cash limits only)

    276,612,000

    —

    276,612,000

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