Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 12 February 1987

Wales

Horticultural Development Council

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work of the Horticultural Development Council in Wales during 1986.

The first financial year of the Horticultural Development Council does not end until 30 September 1987. The council is not expected to report to Ministers on its work before then.

Annual Review Of Agriculture

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the corresponding tables

	Entered Employment (Per cent.)		On a full-time course (Per cent.)		Unemployed (Per cent.)
	April-July 1986	April-July 1985	April-July 1986	April-July 1985	April-July 1986	April-July 1985
Gwent	50	52	2	1	32	32
Dyfed and West Glamorgan	52	47	4	3	30	37
Mid and South Glamorgan	56	45	2	1	32	43
Clwyd, Gwynedd and Powys	59	55	3	3	29	29
Wales	55	50	3	2	31	36

Tvei

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what funds have been made available by his Department specifically to ensure teaching of the technical and vocational educational initiative schemes through the medium of Welsh in each year since the scheme's inception.

The technical and vocational educaton initiative is funded by the Manpower Services Commission in response to bids from local education authorities. To date no specific funding has been provided for the provision of TVEI through the medium of Welsh, though a number of LEAs have used general TVEI funding to develop Welsh medium or bilingual courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what funds have been made available to secure the provision of Welsh-medium in-service teacher training to support the technical and vocational education initiative in Wales in each year since the inception of the scheme.

The in-service teacher training scheme related to the technical vocational and education initiative is funded by the Manpower Services Commission. TRIST is an interim scheme introduced in advance of the passing of the Education (No. 2) Act. This Act provides for a new, more widely drawn scheme, to be operated by the Department from April 1987.

for Wales to those published in the "Annual Review of Agriculture 1987", Cm. 67 as tables 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22 and 26.

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Yts

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of those leaving YTS schemes in each training division area in Wales (a) entered employment, (b) entered further education, and (c) were subsequently unemployed; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since the scheme's inception.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. Since April 1985, 100 per cent. surveys of the destination of YTS leavers have been undertaken three months after youngsters leave the scheme. Surveys prior to that date were of a 15 per cent. sample only.A comparison between the latest figures available and those for the same period a year earlier are shown in the following table:A total of £70,000 has been made available through the TRIST arrangements for a collaborative project under which six local education authorities are commissioning Welsh-medium teacher training materials in the new technologies. A further £10,000 has been approved for the dissemination of this material.Apart from this, much of the funding made directly available to local education authorities for TRIST is being used to promote Welsh-medium teacher training, especially in Gwynedd. whose allocation is £150,000 for the five-term duration of the TRIST scheme ending in March 1987. Further funds are now being made available for the general dissemination of the TRIST experience to ensure its continuity within the new Welsh Office in-service teacher training arrangements. Wherever possible this material is being translated into Welsh.

Jobcentres

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which jobcentres in Wales have been closed since 1979, and which have been newly opened during the same period; and whether there are plans to make further closures or to open new centres.

Since 1979 two jobcentres in Wales have closed, two have opened and four have merged with neighbouring jobcentres:

Closed	Opened	Merged
Llandovery	Caldicot	Swansea (Castle Street) with Swansea (Grove House)
Bethesda	Abergele (part time)	Cardiff (St. Mary Street) with Cardiff (The Friary)
		Treforest Industrial Estate with Pontypridd
		Bridgend Industrial Estate with Bridgend

Source: MSC Wales.

Two new jobcentres are planned, for Cardiff and Blaina. There are no plans to close any further jobcentres.

Voluntary Projects Programme

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many unemployed people have taken part in the voluntary projects programme in Wales in each year since its inception.

Available information relates to financial years and is as follows:

Financial year	Voluntary project programme participants
1982–83 (part year only)	1,421
1983–84	5,335
1984–85	6,167
1985–86	4,913
1986–87 (to December 1986)	6,601

Source: MSC Wales.

These totals will include a small number of employed supervisory staff.

Rescue Archaeology

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been allocated by his Department for rescue archaeology in Wales in each financial year since 1978–79; and what is the estimted expenditure for 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

Year	Youth Opportunities Programme/Youth Training Scheme £ million	Training Opportunities Schemes/Adult Training Programme £ million	Enterprise Allowance Scheme £ million	Voluntary Projects Programme £ million	Restart Programme £ million
1978–79	4·802	7·244	—	—	—
1979–80	9·580	6·599	—	—	—
1980–81	16·481	6·734	—	—	—
1981–82	26·100	5·854	—	—	—
1982–83	33·187	5·612	0·361	0·015	—
1983–84	38·126	6·260	1·671	0·288	—
1984–85	43·684	11·893	4·989	0·753	—
1985–86	45·471	11·844	7·291	0·978	—
1986–87 (Projected)	50·207	12·690	9·500	1·025	1·381

Labour Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people in each (a) travel-to-work area and (b) parliamentary constituency in Wales have been unemployed for (i) six months or less, (ii) between six months and a year, (iii) between one and two years and (iv) over two years; what proportion they represent of the work force; and what are the corresponding figures and proportions for each year since 1979;(2) how many people in each

(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) travel-to-work area in Wales between the ages of 16 years and 21 years are (i)

Since 1980–81 the money allocated by the Department to the archaeological trusts responsible for rescue archaeology in Wales is as follows:

	£
1980–81	295,301
1981–82	321,751
1982–83	352,161
1983–84	350,000
1984–85	367,000
1985–86	392,000
1986–87	450,000
1987–88	480,000
1988–89	—

The figures for 1978–79 and 1979–80 are not available. The figures provided for 1987–88 are still subject to parliamentary approval, while those for 1988–89 have not yet been determined.

Msc Schemes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by his Department on each of the various Manpower Services Commission schemes in Wales in each year since their inception; and what is the projected expenditure for 1986–87.

Expenditure on Manpower Services Commission schemes in Wales was not separately identified before 1978–79. The information requested is shown in the following table:unemployed, (ii) in full-time education and (iii) on Government-sponsored training schemes; what proportion each category represents of the population of that age group in those areas; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Water Supplies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what financial assistance is available from his department to local authorities in Wales to assist them in ensuring adequate water supplies to the public.

Grant-aid at the rate of 35 per cent. of eligible expenditure is available through the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts 1944 to 1971 for the first time provision of mains water and sewerage facilities in rural areas in respect of projects requisitioned by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what funds have been made available for conversion from common water supply systems to separate supply pipe systems through the Welsh water authority since 1979.

No specific funds have been made available by central Government to the Welsh water authority for the conversion of common water supply systems to separate supply pipe systems. Details of the authority's expenditure on such schemes is not held centrally; I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Gentleman directly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to how many homes in

	1979			1980			1981			1982
	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.
Aberconwy	151	99	66	203	153	75	159	144	91	130	100	11
Alyn and Deeside	301	274	91	250	233	93	205	185	90	237	227	96
Arfon	80	80	100	59	43	73	50	34	68	55	44	80
Blaenau Gwent	333	281	84	361	290	80	388	295	76	464	362	78
Brecknock	69	38	55	114	67	59	86	33	38	157	35	22
Cardiff	690	616	89	1,410	1,121	80	973	835	86	1,053	940	89
Carmarthen	187	114	61	160	83	52	152	99	65	127	72	57
Ceredigion	94	73	78	102	98	96	92	91	99	103	97	94
Colwyn	55	49	89	40	40	100	42	35	83	72	65	90
Cynon Valley	898	854	95	1,018	987	97	965	914	95	985	897	91
Delyn	175	149	85	151	122	81	264	209	79	240	210	88
Dinefwr	49	49	100	34	13	38	35	31	89	108	79	73
Dwyfor	138	133	96	60	55	92	106	80	76	74	64	87
Glyndwr	56	28	50	54	44	82	63	39	62	39	26	67
Islwyn	189	175	93	175	153	87	159	144	91	68	62	91
Llanelli	133	105	79	100	72	72	140	79	56	179	112	63
Lliw Valley	113	113	100	129	129	100	134	134	100	140	140	100
Meirionnydd	369	137	37	489	131	27	235	88	37	145	108	75
Merthyr Tydfil	454	344	76	392	314	80	272	191	70	238	143	60
Monmouth	515	250	49	380	243	64	532	422	79	434	350	81
Montgomeryshire	124	96	77	110	78	71	125	107	86	89	86	97
Neath	481	389	81	583	480	82	624	536	86	n/a	n/a	n/a
Newport	864	483	56	1,110	505	46	1,358	673	50	1,300	643	50
Ogwr	338	211	62	343	236	69	517	424	82	736	667	91
Port Talbot (Afan)	170	167	98	133	122	92	94	88	94	112	106	95
Preseli	135	95	70	164	129	79	130	116	89	97	78	80
Radnor	19	19	100	38	36	95	45	45	100	14	14	100
Rhondda	569	529	93	834	798	96	1,164	1,125	97	1,049	1,010	96
Rhuddlan	237	228	96	139	127	91	172	167	97	257	230	90
Rhymney Valley	534	528	99	720	720	100	510	510	100	284	284	100
South Pembrokeshire	143	119	83	188	149	79	181	159	88	202	114	56
Swansea	1,604	337	21	1,838	700	38	2,820	1,041	37	1,887	905	48
Taff-Ely	390	307	79	253	212	84	200	188	94	188	180	96
Torfaen	1,049	749	71	978	688	70	723	583	81	790	512	65
Vale of Glamorgan	620	601	97	749	696	93	636	619	97	1,314	1,300	99
Wrexham Maelor	235	162	69	471	344	73	353	260	74	212	188	89
Ynys Mon	137	137	100	83	83	100	33	33	100	26	26	100

Note: Homelessness data by number of persons for Neath in 1982 are not available.

each district health authority area in Wales which were previously supplied with water by a common supply pipe have had a separate supply pipe installed under the common supply pipe scheme.

Such information is not held centrally. I have asked the chairman of the Welsh water authority to write direct to the hon. Gentleman.

Historic Buildings Council

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the next annual report of the Historic Buildings Council for Wales.

The latest published report of the Historic Buildings Council was laid before Parliament in October 1986. A further report is expected later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people were accepted as homeless by each local authority in Wales in 1986; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979;(2) how many homeless persons were housed by each of the Welsh housing authorities in Wales in each year since 1979; and what proportion of those accepted as homeless in each area they represent.

[pursuant to the reply, 22 January 1987, c. 683–84]: The information requested is shown in the following tables:

	1983			1984			1985			1986 January-September
	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.	Persons accepted	Persons housed	Per cent.
Aberconwy	99	64	65	167	102	61	74	51	69	97	81	84
Alyn and Deeside	251	217	87	239	208	87	427	321	75	304	244	80
Arfon	61	55	90	38	31	82	62	62	100	30	26	87
Blaenau Gwent	459	343	75	453	346	76	444	387	87	368	268	73
Brecknock	152	58	38	134	84	63	217	78	36	130	43	33
Cardiff	730	660	90	862	819	95	1,646	1,572	96	1,455	1,343	92
Carmarthen	192	80	42	136	78	57	218	110	51	117	75	64
Ceredigion	149	142	95	203	126	62	149	142	95	97	86	89
Colwyn	55	45	82	60	57	95	71	71	100	64	60	94
Cynon Valley	1,207	1,069	89	959	836	87	840	791	94	726	688	95
Delyn	197	158	80	255	198	78	297	242	82	260	214	82
Dinefwr	31	31	100	67	61	91	104	92	89	82	76	93
Dwyfor	69	65	94	124	116	94	126	106	84	97	85	88
Glyndwr	37	37	100	52	39	75	64	50	78	43	37	86
Islwyn	118	101	86	143	119	83	139	129	93	108	105	97
Llanelli	219	149	68	213	171	80	227	180	79	271	215	79
Lliw Valley	119	116	98	204	201	99	158	158	100	157	157	100
Meirionnydd	159	120	76	106	101	95	106	92	87	111	76	69
Merthyr Tydfil	253	203	80	232	165	71	225	184	82	140	105	75
Monmouth	475	382	80	447	376	84	717	560	78	518	436	84
Montgomeryshire	83	72	87	58	38	66	52	37	71	62	59	95
Neath	1,016	855	84	963	823	86	806	620	77	587	487	83
Newport	1,218	486	40	1,199	569	48	1,513	535	35	925	371	40
Ogwr	599	514	86	448	352	79	826	541	66	1,259	857	68
Port Talbot (Afan)	160	141	88	226	209	93	164	136	83	233	183	79
Preseli	96	87	91	78	62	80	148	138	93	97	92	95
Radnor	19	19	100	34	34	100	54	54	100	18	18	100
Rhondda	852	817	96	479	470	98	317	294	93	231	225	97
Rhuddlan	268	262	98	204	179	88	242	234	97	181	169	93
Rhymney Valley	418	418	100	344	344	100	629	539	86	497	443	89
South Pembrokeshire	230	144	63	280	142	51	224	88	39	119	69	58
Swansea	1,416	678	48	1,396	594	43	762	678	89	475	435	92
Taff-Ely	158	150	95	176	164	93	186	167	90	212	200	94
Torfaen	675	479	71	421	222	53	431	296	56	692	530	77
Vale of Glamorgan	896	874	98	726	708	98	570	552	97	334	333	100
Wrexham Maelor	238	178	75	439	111	25	411	220	54	440	199	45
Ynys Mon	44	44	100	54	54	100	50	50	100	62	62	100

Employment

Community Programme

asked the Paymaster General how many participants there were on the community programme in 1986; and how many are anticipated for the current year.

In the 12 months to 12 December 1986, the latest date for which statistics are available, there were 307,405 entrants to the community programme.In 1987, we expect that the community programme will continue to provide opportunities for around 300,000 people.

Nuclear Safety

asked the Paymaster General if he will list for each of the last five years the amount of money spent by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on assessing emergency plans and emergency plan exercises.

This information is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the House Library.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the persons employed by the nuclear installations inspectorate who have been involved in the assessment of emergency plans for nuclear power stations; if he will list their area of expertise, qualifications and previous employment; and if he will list any outside consultants employed by the nuclear installations inspectorate in assessing emergency plans, giving in each case their area of expertise.

It is not the policy of the Health and Safety Executive to make public personal details of staff or outside consultants employed by Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate and who may be involved in the assessment of emergency plans for nuclear power stations. Information on the expertise and so on of inspectors and outside consultants will be found in the Health and Safety Executive's publication "The Work of Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.The inspectorate uses its own staff to assess emergency plans.

Professional And Executive Recruitment

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been placed in jobs in Wales by Professional and Executive Recruitment in each year since its establishment; and during each of those years (a) how many people from outside Wales were placed in jobs in Wales, (b) how many people from Wales were placed in jobs in Wales and (c) how many people from Wales were placed in jobs outside Wales.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Prime Minister

President Reagan

Q34.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet President Reagan in the near future.

I have no plans to meet President Reagan in the near future.

Fraserburgh

Q47.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Fraserburgh.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Engagements

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 12 February.

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

Anglo-Irish Agreement

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from the leader of the Alliance party in Northern Ireland regarding the conditions attached to that party's support for the Anglo-Irish agreement.

The leader of the Alliance party, Mr. Cushnahan, wrote to me on 26 November 1986 setting out his party's views on a number of matters relating to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. I sent him a full reply on 15 December. The correspondence has been published. Copies of both letters are being placed in the Library.

Nuclear Accidents

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply of 18 December 1986, Official Report, column 612, in the event of a nuclear accident in Britain, which member of the Government would take the lead in co-ordinating Government action.

Responsibility for co-ordinating Government action in the event of a nuclear accident in the United Kingdom would depend on the circumstances and locality of the accident. The relevant Ministers are the Secretaries of State for Energy, Defence, Scotland and Transport.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of recommendation 6(a) of the report on the Sizewell public inquiry by Sir Frank Layfield, concerning a review by the Health and Safety Executive of the extent of the area covered by emergency plans, and. pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) on 18 December, Official Report, column 612, she will place in the Library copies of any post-Chernobyl review papers relating to (a) the adequacy of the areas covered by existing emergency plans for nuclear sites and (b) the costs or practicability of extending the areas covered by emergency plans for nuclear sites; and if she will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) on 18 December 1986.

Defence

Tactical Missile System

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about United Kingdom involvement in plans for a new tactical missile system.

I shall answer shortly.

Swynnerton Range

asked the Secretary of State for Defence who has tendered for the range at Swynnerton near Stone; and if he will make a statement.

Following evaluation of eight competitive tenders, a contract for the provision of support services at the Proof and Experimental Establishment at Cold Meece near Swynnerton was placed with RCA Ltd. on 1 February 1987.

Armoured Production

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider establishing a European research development unit to harmonise and economise on armoured production; and if he will make a astatement.

No. For the present this aim is best served by continuing to work through our existing machinery for promoting international collaboration. This machinery includes the independent European group, the NATO conference of national armaments directors, and our various bilateral arrangements with NATO Allies, in all of which we are working actively to increase collaboration.

Defence Projects

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will provide to the Comptroller and Auditor General within the framework agreed for provision of information on projects the sums to date expended under (a) project definition, (b) development and (c) manufature of the Zircon project.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in 11 February 1987.

Squadron Leader Hare

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to restrain Squadron Leader Hare from making unauthorised statements to the press; and what disciplinary action has been taken with regard to unauthorised statements to the press by Royal Air Force officers in the course of the last month.

"Queen's Regulations (RAF)" contain provisons governing not only contacts with the press but also the correct procedure to be followed by officers who wish to state a complaint. Squadron Leader Hare has been interviewed and reminded of these. Unauthorised statements to the press by Royal Air Force officers are unusual; it has not been necessary to take any disciplinary action in the course of the last month.

Royal Air Force

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Royal Air Force pilots short of establishment.

The Royal Air Force at present has sufficient pilots to fill cockpits; at 1 January 1987 it was 19 short of the overall requirement for trained pilots.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots applying for premature early retirement from the Royal Air Force have been removed from flying duties in each of the past three years.

Since October 1986, it has been the policy to review the future employment of pilots in flying appointments who have applied for premature voluntary release in order that the RAF does not invest further valuable experience and expensive training on those who have indicated a wish to leave. However, each case is considered on its merits in the light of the service interest. As a result of this policy, since 1 October 1986, 11 pilots have been posted to and are now serving in ground appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots and navigators in the Royal Air Force qualified for, and capable of, flying duties of the rank of (a) pilot officer, (b) flight lieutenant, (c) squadron leader and (d) group captain are at present engaged in non-flying duties.

The number of pilots and nagivators, by rank, qualified and capable of flying duties who, on 1 January 1987, were posted to non-flying duties was:

	Pilots	Navigators	Total
Group Captain	98	29	127
Wing Commander	235	113	348
Squadron Leader	296	330	626
Flight Lieutenant	154	196	350
Flag Officer	2	3	5
Pilot Officer	0	0	0
Total	785	671	1,456

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots indicated a wish to apply for premature early retirement and then withdrew their applications on being informed that if they continued with their application they would be removed from flying duties in each of the past three years.

Officers are not required to explain their reasons for withdrawing PVR applications. However, since October 1986 when the policy to consider posting from flying appointments officers who apply to PVR was introduced, five pilots have withdrawn their applications.

Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North on 2 February, Official Report, column 516, he will state the number of service men and women who received lump sums or pensions under the armed forces pension scheme for each year since the scheme came into operation.

It is not possible to provide the information requested without disproportionate cost.

Royal Navy (Drugs)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the anti-drug enforcement measures currently in use in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

The Royal Navy has a comprehensive set of measures to combat drug abuse, as do the other two services. Extensive and regular education is given, and active steps are taken to uncover possible abuse. All suspicions and allegations are investigated thoroughly, and where there is sufficient evidence the case is brought to trial either by the naval authorities or the civil courts. The sentences awarded by naval authorities are severe, nearly always involving a period in dentention and often dismissal from the service. Administrative discharge is considered where trial is inappropriate or following a civil conviction. Counselling is arranged for all offenders whether discharged or retained. These measures are regularly reviewed and updated.

Education And Science

Universities (Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will announce the recurrent grants allocated to universities for the academic year 1987–88 by the University Grants Committee, along with the provisional allocations for future years.

The University Grants Committee's initial allocation of recurrent grant to universities in 1987–88, along with provisional indications of the basic distribution for 1988–89 and 1989–90, is shown in the table. Copies of the general letter of guidance that the chairman of the UGC has sent to all universities have been placed in the Library. The general letter will be followed in about a week's time by an institutional annex about student numbers and funding for individual universities. These annexes will also be placed in the Library.The total grant distributed by the UGC as announced in the table does not include items which it is the UGC's practice to allocate separately, such as local authority rates, the overseas research student awards scheme and the committee's small central reserve. Nor does it include provision which is to be allocated separately in respect of certain initiatives, some of which were referred to in my right hon. Friend's announcement on 6 November 1986 at columns 487–91, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key).The total recurrent grant available to the UGC in 1987–88 is £1,432 million, of which £150 million will be distributed later in addition to the amounts shown in the table.

University or college	Basic distribution	Recurrent grant	Provisional basic distributions
	1987–88 £ million	1987–88 £ million	1988–89 £ million	1989–90 £ million
Aston	15·298	15·66	15·489	15·655
Bath	14·481	14·70	15·482	16·383
Birmingham	39·085	39·99	40·066	40·979
Bradford	15·310	15·69	15·704	16·071
Bristol	31·566	31·92	33·355	34·978
Brunei	13·480	13·61	13·801	14·098
Cambridge	45·905	47·03	48·195	50·287
City	11·843	11·96	12·010	12·156
Durham	17·601	17·95	17·684	17·761
East Anglia	15·073	15·33	14·598	14·393
Essex	9·037	9·24	9·333	9·611
Exeter	16·407	16·59	17·175	17·879
Hull	14·726	1·504	15·014	15·277
Kecle	8·586	8·67	8·513	8·494
Kent	11·496	11·82	12·165	12·772
Lancaster	14·288	14·48	14·729	15·145
Leeds	44·085	44·60	45·114	46·067
Leicester	18·936	19·18	19·616	20·252
Liverpool	38·756	39·24	39·662	40·501
London Business School	1·901	1·92	1·777	1·718
London University	248·100	253·33	258·137	267·414
(of which Imperial College)	31·634	32·40	32·506	33·323
Loughborough	19·469	20·50	20·549	21·530
Manchester Business School	1·122	1·13	0·942	0·855
Manchester	49·982	51·33	52·184	54·211
U.M.I.S.T.	17·270	17·51	17·739	18·177
Newcastle	32·628	33·23	33·060	33·437
Nottingham	28·986	29·58	30·135	31·200
Oxford	46·602	47·42	48·578	50·402
Reading	19·534	19·73	19·985	20·402
Salford	13·532	14·76	13·993	14·426
Sheffield	32·569	34·13	33·246	33·867
Southampton	27·210	2·807	28·871	30·372
Surrey	13·449	13·90	13·865	14·257
Sussex	15·275	15·53	16·147	16·939
Warwick	19·968	20·89	21·396	22·678
York	12·406	12·78	13·294	14·091
Total England	995·962	1,018·44	1,031·603	1,064·735
Aberystwyth UC	10·343	10·46	10·496	10·632
Bangor UC	11·095	11·60	10·924	10·862
Cardiff UC	17·409	17·60	17·664	17·889
St. David's Lampeter	2·046	2·08	2·118	2·186
Swansea UC	13·761	14·21	13·928	14·072
U.W.C.M.	7·093	7·22	7·410	7·702
U.W.I.S.T.	8·968	907	9·289	9·589
Welsh Registry	2·315	2·32	2,391	2,461
Total Wales	73·030	74·56	74·220	75·393
Aberdeen	22·467	22·74	22·029	21·856
Dundee	15·062	15·25	14·305	13·959
Edinburgh	45·504	46·59	46·235	46·890
Glasgow	46·439	47·69	48·188	49·817
Heriot-Watt	11·247	11·78	11·759	12·229
St. Andrews	11·561	11·69	11·797	12·013
Stirling	8·290	8·38	8·369	8·434
Strathclyde	24·438	25·29	25·477	26·436
Total Scotland	185·008	189·41	188·159	191·634
Total Great Britain	1,254·000	1,282·41	1,293·982	1,331·762

Schools (Finance)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the guidelines supplied to shire county education authorities on applying for capital grants in the financial year 1987–88.

My right hon. Friend does not make capital grants to local education authorities. The Department's letter of 30 June 1986, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House, invites all local education authorities to submit information about their capital expenditure plans for 1987–88 as a basis for the formulation of expenditure allocations for that year, and gives guidance about the form in which that information should be supplied.

Chancellors School

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from pupils and parents regarding the future of Chancellors school, Brookmans Park; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations.

Trafford

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet representatives of Trafford education committee and the Salford Roman Catholic diocese to discuss the reorganisation of secondary education in Trafford.

My right hon. Friend has received no request for such a meeting.

Secondary Schools (Substandard Places)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 9 February, Official Report, column 27, concerning recent information on substandard places in secondary schools, what comparable information is available from responses made by local education authorities in other years since 1979; if he will place copies in the Library of each circular letter sent by his Department in any year since 1979 requesting information on substandard secondary places or schools; if he will publis in the Official Report a table similar to that given in his reply of 9 February, showing figures for the earliest year since 1979 for which such figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Transport

M1 (Telephones)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many unserviceable telephones are there on the M1 motorway service stations between London and Wakefield; when they were reported faulty; and when they will be made serviceable.

On 6 February, 46 of the 147 public telephones provided at motorway service areas on M 1 were out of order. The 46 included telephones from which 999 calls could continue to be made. Some of the faults were reported more than two weeks ago.Provision and maintenance of the telephones is the responsibility of service area operators in association with British Telecom. I look to them to have the necessary repairs carried out as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when telephone number 830185 on the Rothersthorpe service station on the M1 southbound between Wakefield and London was reported as unserviceable; and when it will be repaired.

This is a matter for the operator of the Rothersthorpe motorway service area (Blue Boar). I understand that the telephones are checked daily, and faults reported almost immediately. I also understand BT gives high priority to repairing public telephones in motorway service areas.

Cars (Change Of Ownership)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of car owners changing cars notify change of ownership to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre; and if he will make a statement.

The DVLC register relates to vehicle keepers rather than owners. In 1986 some 8 million changes of keepership were notified to the centre, the number of such changes which were not notified is unknown, but is thought to be relatively small.

Private Hire Vehicles

asked the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his reply of 26 January, Official Report, column 2, in which respects the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 is not achieving its intended purpose so far as it relates to licensed private hire vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to discuss this question with my hon. Friend shortly.

M1 Service Stations

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the 1986 annual inspection was carried out on all the service stations on the M1 between London and Wakefield; and if he will identify individually each service station by name and date.

Inspections were last made at motorway service areas on the M1 as follows:

Service Area	Date
Woolley Edge	7 July 1986
Woodall	24 July 1986
Trowell	27 November 1986
Leicester Forest East	27 November 1986
Watford Gap	10 October 1986
Rothersthorpe	10 October 1986
Newport Pagnall	27 July 1986
Toddington	5 November 1986
Scratchwood	30 October 1985

A further inspection of Scratchwood will be made soon.

Transportation Of Hazardous Goods

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received on the minimum weight exemption level under the transportation of hazardous goods regulations after 1 April 1987;(2) what representations he has received regarding the permitted designs of refrigerated lorries following the 1 April implementation of the transportation of hazardous goods regulations;(3) if he will take steps to publicise the position of vehicles such as refrigerated lorries following the implementation of the transportation of hazardous goods regulations on 1 April;(4) how many currently operating vehicles will be excluded from British roads following the implementation of the transportation of hazardous goods regultations on 1 April.

New regulations—The Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations—come into effect on 6 April 1987. They will not exclude any vehicles, nor contain any provisions specifically related to refrigerated vehicles. I have received no representations on the new provisions.If the hon. Gentleman has a particular point in mind, perhaps he could write to me.

Light Dues

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list information available to him on which maritime member states of the European Community charge users light dues; and, in each case, to which categories of users the charge applies.

Within the EC member states light dues are charged in Greece, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. I have no information about the scope of the charges in Greece, but in the Republic of Ireland I understand they are levied on the same categories of use as in the United Kingdom, although the rates may differ from time to time. The categories of use that are subject to charges in the United Kingdom at present are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1981: I have laid a copy in the Library. My right hon. Friend announced on 5 February that he was considering extending light dues liability to the larger fishing vessels.

Baa (Shares)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about arrangements for employees to acquire shares in the offer for sale of BAA plc, formerly British Airports Authority.

It is our intention that BAA employees should have every encouragement to take a stake in their company when it is privatised. Special arrangements will therefore be made as follows.Most BAA employees will be eligible for about £100 worth of free shares at the time of the flotation. In addition, the Government will provide two free shares for each share purchased by an employee, up to a maximum of about £400 worth of free shares for £200 purchased. All employees and pensioners of BAA will be able to apply on a priority basis for shares at the offer price.

Environment

Private Flats

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now proposes to introduce legislation to strengthen the rights of residents of private flats and to give effect to the other recommendations of the Nugee committee.

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce this legislation within the next few weeks.

Safety Glass

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish available statistics for recent years indicating the number of deaths and injuries caused in the home or factories through accidents involving people walking into or falling through ordinary glass doors and windows; and what encouragement is being given to the use of safety glass.

According to the home accident statistics collected by the Department of Trade and Industry, there were four fatal accidents involving glass in the home in 1983 (the last year for which complete figures are available). Three involved glass doors and one a window pane. In 1985 there were 27,000 non-fatal home accidents (16,000 involving glass doors and 11,000 involving windows) recorded as requiring hospital treatment.The Health and Safety Executive's records show no cases of fatal accidents in factories from 1981 to 1985 involving glass doors and windows (other than skylights). Separate figures are not readily available for injuries involving glazing.The British standard code of practice on glass and glazing, which gives guidance on the use of safety glass, is being revised. If the general safety requirement proposed in the Consumer Protection Bill now before Parliament becomes law, the Government intend to approve this code of practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made with regard to the inclusion in building regulations of the increased use of safety glass in doors and windows; and if he will make a statement.

A consultative document on the review of the building regulations issued on 15 December 1986 proposes that a requirement should be added to the regulations requiring safety glazing in doors and low-level glazing in new building work subject to the regulations.

London Docklands Development Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer of 5 February, Official Report, column 773, about the board of the London Docklands Development Corporation, whether any nominations have been received for these vacancies.

Yes. A nomination has been received from the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer of 5 February about the board of the London Docklands Development Corporation, how long these three vacancies have been outstanding.

Two of these vacancies have been outstanding since May 1986 and one since November 1984.

Disabled People (Housing)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend to the occupants of rented wheelchair housing owned by charitable housing associations the right to qualify for a transferable discount; and if he will make a statement.

Transferable discounts were provided to help certain housing association tenants who would have had the right to buy were their landlord not a charity. Wheelchair housing is exempt from the right to buy and hence excluded from the discount scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many units of wheelchair housing have been constructed by local authorities and by housing associations in England in each of the last five years; and, of these, how many have contained two or more bedrooms;(2) how many units of mobility housing have been constructed by local authorities and by housing associations in Eengland in each of the last five years; and, of these, how many have contained two or more bedrooms.

Completions of wheelchair (previously referred to as "specially designed") dwellings and of mobility dwellings in the years up to 1985 appear in table 6.7(b) of "Housing and Construction Statistics, 1975–1985" and provisional figures of the first three quarters of 1986 in table 1.6(b) of the quarterly "Housing and Construction Statistics" No. 27. Copies are in the Library.Information on the numbers of bedrooms in those dwellings is not collected by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many improvement grants have been made for the adaptation of houses to meet the needs of disabled people in each of the last five years; and what has been the value of these;(2) how many intermediate grants have been made for the adaptation of houses to meet the needs of disabled people in each of the last five years; and what has been the value of these.

The number of improvement and intermediate grants paid and the amounts paid in the years up to 1984 appear in table 7.5(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics, 1975–1985" and the 1985 figures and provisional figures of the first three quarters of 1986 are in table 2.17(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics" No. 27. Copies are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the eligible expense limit for improvement grants for adaptation of houses to meet the needs of disabled people; how long it has been at this level; and if he has any plans to increase it.

The limits were set in May 1983 and are £13,800 in Greater London and £10,200 elsewhere. There is no evidence that they are causing serious difficulties and there are at present no plans to increase them. However, it is open to local authorities to apply to the Department for approval of a higher eligible expense limit, if there are exceptional reasons.

Capacitors (Health Hazards)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to advise users of capacitors containing polychlorinated-biphenol to replace them in view of their toxicity and non-biodegradebility;(2) what advice he gives on the safe disposal of capacitors containing polychlorinated-biphenol.

I shall answer these questions shortly.

Lancaster House (Conference)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has cancelled the booking of Lancaster House, London by the services of the European Parliament, Luxembourg for a conference from 9 to 12 February; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on Monday 9 February, at column 125.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the conditions for booking Lancaster House which apply to the eight political groups of the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

The rule governing the use of Lancaster House under successive Governments is that a Government Minister must be involved in any meeting held there.

Housing Management Courses

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps the Government have taken, following their announcement in the last two years of funding for studentships at the London School of Economics and Sheffield polytechnic, to encourage the development of new housing management courses eligible for similar support.

Following negotiations between the Department, the Institute of Housing, the University of Salford and Salford College of Technology, a new fulltime, two-year, postgraduate course in housing studies will be launched at Salford next autumn. It will meet the necessary professional criteria.My right hon. Friend intends to provide funding, through the ESRC, for 15 studentships a year for this course. A contribution will also be made towards settingup and development costs.The studentships will provide for maintenance and fees in the first year and for fees only in the second year, when the students are on placement.This initiative is particularly welcome because of the close co-operation between the university and the college of technology, which will be reflected in the inauguration of the Salford centre for housing studies by HRH Duke of Edinburgh tomorrow.We are continuing to discuss the scope for launching further suitable courses with educational institutions in Newcastle, Bristol and Birmingham.

Trade And Industry

Labour Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many persons were employed in each region and in Scotland and Wales by (a) British Shipbuilders and (b) British Steel in June 1979; and how many are now employed.

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Timesharing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the introduction by the Spanish Government of legislation to ban timeshare touts from the streets of Spain; and if he will introduce similar legislation for the United Kingdom.

I have no information about proposed Spanish legislation specifically to control timeshare salesmen but I understand that several British companies operating in Spain have already decided to modify their selling methods. I have no plans at present to introduce such legislation in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timeshare developers have requested supplies of the consumer leaflet called "Your Place in the Sun"; and which have indicated that they will be issuing the leaflet to their customers.

Heavy demand for the leaflet has precluded detailed recording or analysis of the requests, many of which are made by telephone. I will, however, write to the right hon. Member shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many timeshare developers' offers of gifts he has referred to the Advertising Standards Authority; and what was the adjudication in each case.

I regret that the information requested is not readily available but I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

Energy

Plutonium

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish a table of (a) the yearly production, (b) the cumulative total and (c) the proportion of total electricity source plutonium reprocessed at Sellafield and produced at Hinkley Point A since it was commissioned.

During the period 1979–80 to 1985–86 the spent fuel discharged from. Hinkley Point A and dispatched to Sellafield contained an estimted 2,190 kg of plutonium. The estimated plutonium content of the spent fuel despatched from the CEGB's stations in the same period is 12,597 kg.

Euratom

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and Euratom regarding access by Euratom inspectors to reprocessing lines; and what is the current position regarding access by Euratom inspectors to (a) civil, (b) military and (c) co-processing facilities.

I refer to the reply given to my hon. friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 4 June 1986, at columns 594–95. Euratom inspectors now have continuous right of access to all civil nuclear material reprocessed at Sellafield. Civil nuclear material is additionally reprocessed at Dounreay where Euratom inspectors have had right of continuous access since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions and on what dates Euratom inspectors have visited nuclear power stations since 1979 to carry out inspections of reprocessing facilities under the headings (a) civil, (b) military and (c) co-processing; and if he will name the facilities involved.

Information about individual visits by Euratom inspectors to Sellafield and Dounreay over this period could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

House Coal

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the size of the domestic market for house coal in Yorkshire in 1984, 1985 and 1986;(2) what is the average annual consumption of house coal in those homes in the United Kingdom which use house coal for heating.

House coal was supplied to the domestic market in Yorkshire as follows:

	tonnes
1983–84	430,000
1984–85	290,000
1985–86	390,000

Figures for calender years are not available.The estimated average annual consumption of house coal in homes in the United Kingdom using house coal for heating is 2·75 million tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what tonnage of house coal was supplied as concessionary coal in 1984, 1985 and 1986;(2) what is the annual tonnage of coal supplied to miners as concessionary fuel in each National Coal Board area.

The provision of concessionary coal is a matter for British Coal and governed by agreements between them and the mining unions. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Diesel Fuel

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions have taken place with the major oil companies with a view to altering the British standard for diesel fuel in the winter months to prevent waxing-up.

The specification for diesel fuel sold in the United Kingdom is determined by the British Standards Institution. It is currently being amended, and will be issued for public comment in the near future.

Nuclear Power Stations

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library copies of the essential services emergency plans for each nuclear power station in Britain.

The detailed emergency plans for each civil nuclear site have been, or are about to be, published by the operators. Copies will be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 10 December 1986, Official Report, column 196, for what reasons papers connected with the reviews of emergency plans for nuclear power stations are confidential.

The Department's working papers are subject to the usual confidentiality rules.

Nuclear Safety

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what statistical demographic criteria, for each type of nuclear reactor, are used in Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate's assessment of the safety of sites for nuclear power stations; if he will publish a list showing for each existing nuclear power station (a) the relevant limiting criteria compared with (b) the actual population figures in each case; and if he will make a statement;(2) when public safety siting criteria for nuclear installations were last changed or updated; what information on such safety criteria has been published by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of recommendation 6(a) of the report on the Sizewell public inquiry by Sir Frank Layfield, concerning a review by the Health and Safety Executive of the extent of the area covered by emergency plans, what demographic criteria are satisfied for safety purposes by the site at Sizewell; what is the maximum number of persons likely to be affected by evacuation measures taken in accordance with (a) the existing emergency plan for the present nuclear site and (b) the emergency plan currently considered appropriate with the proposed pressurised water reactor on that site; what is the relevant maximum radius of evacuation; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has a quasi-judicial role in respect of the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to construct Sizewell B. It would not be proper for him to comment on the inspector's report, including any recommendation, before he has taken his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether ambulance staff have participated in the exercise at the local emergency plan at Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell; and, in each case where units were involved, if he will list which ones participated;(2) if he will list for each of the following power stations what studies have been made of the problems of evacuating all low mobility groups in the event of a worst case atomic accident at Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungerness, Bradwell, Sizewell and Hartlepool; and if he will also list for each study the geographical area covered;(3) what specialist equipment, including personal dosimeters, radiac survey meters and decontamination meters are available for ambulance staff at: Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell, respectively; and in each case what training staff have received;(4) what training has been given to ambulance staff to deal with a major accident at each of the following nuclear installations: Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell, Sizewell and Hartlepool.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 402]: All nuclear sites operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board, Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels in England and Wales have their own ambulance services which participate in exercises of local emergency plans. It is unlikely that a reference accident at a civil nuclear site would require the services of the NHS ambulance service.Circulars HC(85)24, and WHC(85)34 in Wales, nevertheless require health authorities, who manage the ambulance service locally, to ensure that all ambulance staff are made aware of the contingency plans at civil nuclear sites and how they fit in with health authorities major accident plans.NHS ambulance services have participated in exercises at Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell, and have been alerted to their possible involvement by the police during exercises at Sellafield and Winfrith. Site emergency plans provide in all areas where NHS ambulance service personnel are required to enter contaminated areas that they should be under the direct supervision of qualified staff, and that dosimeters and professional health physics assistance and decontamination equipment would be provided to any such visiting service by site management.Arrangements for the evacuation of the public, including low mobility groups, are the responsibility of the police.Emergency planning at Chapelcross is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Ncb (Manpower)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many persons were employed by the National Coal Board in June 1979 in each region and in Scotland and Wales; and how many are now employed.

Information on total employees is not available in the form requested. The number of men on colliery books at end-June 1979 and end-December 1986 was as follows:

Area	June 1979	December 1986
Scottish	21,007	4,828
North East	33,766	15,219
North Yorks	31,701	18,530
South Yorks	33,555	16,499
North Derbyshie	12,115	7,722
Notts	33,952	23,538
South Midland	13,294	7,876
Kent	3,024	959
Western	23,172	12,829
South Wales	27,273	11,007
Total	232,859	119,007

British Gas

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, further to his answer of 12 December 1986, Official Report, column 244, he will provide further information on the costs of the British Gas flotation.

As a result of a considerable reduction in the amount of commission expected to be paid to brokers and financial intermediaries, the cost of the sale to the Exchequer in 1986–87 is now expected to be approximately £10 million less than the figure given in my right hon. Friend's answer of 12 December at column 244.The projected cost to the Exchequer in the year of the flotation will therefore be £154 million. The corresponding spring supplementary estimate for these costs, which will be presented shortly, is for a total of £208 million. The difference represents transfers of funds within Government, principally stamp duty and VAT, which are not a cost to the Exchequer.

Home Department

Licensing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of on and off-licences in England and Wales broken down by such categories as his records permit;(2) if he will list in respect of each bench of licensing magistrates the number of applications granted for occasional permissions in respect of the last year for which figures are available.

Information on the total number of on and off-licensed premises at 30 June 1986 is published in tables 1 and 2 of "Liquor Licensing Statistics, England and Wales, July 1985-June 1986" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin, 37/86). Corresponding figures for each bench of licensing magistrates and figures for occasional permissions granted in the period July 1985-June 1986 are given in the associated supplementary tables. Both publications are in the Library. The only other reliable information available relates to the number of garages-petrol stations with off-licences, 212 of which were recorded at 30 June 1986.

Houses In Multiple Occupation

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department first announced that a code of guidance setting out a national advisory standard for means of escape in houses in multiple occupation was being prepared; when he most recently published "A Draft Guide to Means of Escape in Certain Houses in Multiple Occupation"; to what proportion of houses in multiple occupation that guide would apply; and when he intends to issue a national advisory standard on means of escape for all houses in multiple occupation.

Preparation of the code was announced by the then Home Secretary on a written answer on 17 December 1980. A draft version of the guide, on which comments were invited, was published on 27 February 1986. It is estimated that the guide could be applied to around 60 per cent. of houses in multiple occupation in England and Wales. We are at present reviewing the scope and the content of the draft in the light of comments received and hope to issue a revised version later this year. Further consideration will then be given to the need for guidance on other types of HMOs not covered by the draft guide or existing guides.

Police Discipline (Access To Witnesses)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his reply of 30 January, Official Report, c. 408, to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds, how long he expects to spend on consideration of the judgment of the High Court before reaching a decision as to whether to draw his judgment to the attention of all chief constables of police.

We intend to issue certain amendments to the guidance to chief officers on complaints and discipline procedures later this year after consultation with the police staff associations, including the Police Federation. We shall take account of the judgment in the Connah case further in the course of that consultation.

Animal Welfare

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received representations from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about controls on the sale of puppies.

We received a number of representations last year about the sale of puppies, but none recently from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals or from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Pet Animals Act 1951 provides for controls over the sale of pets, including puppies, from pet shops, and the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 provides for the licensing of establishments where dogs are bred for sale.

National Marriage Guidance Council

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to increase his Department's grant to the National Marriage Guidance Council; and if he will make a statement.

We hope to be able, next year, to maintain the grant to the NMGC at the present level, with some increase in recognition of inflation.

Immigration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interviews have taken place per month at Humberside airport in respect of applications for permanent entry to Britain under the immigration rules; and how many officers are involved.

None.

Data Networks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any plans to make use of private consultants in relation to (a) the Government data network system and (b) the police national computer; and if he will make a statement.

The procurement of a Government data network is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Private consultants are used from time to time in relation to the Police National Computer in particular specialised areas, but only where the necessary expertise is not available within my Department. There are no plans for the use of private consultants in any other circumstances.

Domestic Crime Prevention

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report the findings of his Department's crime prevention unit working in the Surrey constabulary area on what effect cost has in influencing whether the public fit domestic security devices.

The study is not yet complete but preliminary results are available. These indicate, subject to verification, that some 10 per cent. of the sample of 262 householders gave cost as the reason for not implementing the security recommendations made by police crime prevention officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what success his Department's standing conference on crime prevention through its working group on residential burglary has had in devising a low-cost security package to protect residential dwellings.

The Home Office standing conference on crime prevention working group on residential burglary succeeded in devising a low-cost security package which is described in a leaflet they have produced. This has been well received; almost 1·5 million copies are now in circulation, mainly in inner city areas.

State Security

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the total cost to public funds of the police raid on the British Broadcasting Corporation's premises in Glasgow on 31 January and 1 February.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the additional cost to the Metropolitan Police of executing the search warrant for the BBC premises in Glasgow is estimated at about £2,500. The cost to Scottish police forces is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Nuclear Safety

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of each police emergency plan for each nuclear power station in Britain.

I understand that detailed emergency plans for each civil nuclear site have been, or are about to be, published by the operators. Any more detailed plans specific to the police are a matter for individual chief constables and copies are not held centrally.

Bail Hostels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals for the provision of additional bail hostels; and if he will make a statement.

There are no immediate proposals to provide new hostels. Not only bail hostels, but combined probation and bail hostels, and all probation hostels, make places available for persons on bail. In England and Wales there is a total of 102 approved hostels with over 1,800 places. During the last 12 months, 22 additional places have been provided by expanding existing hostels. In 1986 average occupancy was 78·7 per cent. of the approved number of places. There thus appears to be no general shortage of places and the Home Office has no present evidence of serious difficulties in finding places locally. We are co-operating with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation, however, in research to establish more certainly the need for such accommodation and the position is kept under constant review.

Remand Prisons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals for the reduction of overcrowding in remand prisons; and if he will make a statement.

In the last year we have converted one training prison to a local prison and remand centre and we have introduced units for untried prisoners into three more establishments. Further such changes are planned. In addition we are creating extra places at a number of establishments for untried prisoners, in some cases by reducing their sentenced population. We are also considering further changes to the catchment areas served by particularly overcrowded establishments.In the longer term, the prison building programme includes seven new local prisons and one new remand centre. Furthermore, a high proportion of the additional places planned in the existing establishments will be in local prisons or remand centres.

Mafia

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence exists of the activities of the Mafia organisation within the United Kingdom; and if he will raise at the next meeting of the relevant EEC Minister the question of the alleged financing of that organisation through abuse of the common agricultural policy.

It would not be in the public interest to comment on operational police matters relating to the Mafia organisation. Any evidence of criminal activities by members of the Mafia would, of course, be investigated in the normal way.

Deportations

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will estimate the number of people in each of the last three years for which figures are available who were deported from the United Kingdom using (a) British Airways and (b) other airlines by name.

The available records cover the period from April-December 1984, 1985 and 1986 and relate to payments of accounts for removals at public expense from the United Kingdom following refusal at a port, under deportation powers or as an illegal entrant.Bookings are made through British Airways or another British airline whenever possible. The number of accounts paid in the relevant period was as follows:

	British Airways	Other Airlines
1984 (April-December)	576	248
1985	1,128	223
1986	1,680	130

I regret that the other information requested is not readily available.

Aids

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as part of the campaign to reduce the spread of AIDS, there are any plans to issue free condoms to prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to do so.

Scotland

Domestic Violence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is considering any new measures to deal with the problem of domestic violence in the light of the report by the Women's National Commission entitled "Violence Against Women", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

Though none of the recommendations in this report was directed specifically to my right hon. and learned Friend, action consistent with the measures recommended by the Women's National Commission is taking place in Scotland. For example, the subject of domestic violence, with particular reference to the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, now features prominently in training programmes for police officers both at the Scottish police college and within all Scottish police forces and revised guidelines to Chief Constables on the operation of the Act were issued last November by my noble and learned Friend, the Lord Advocate. Research has been commissioned to assess the operation of the 1981 Act, and in the light of the findings, which will be published, we shall consider the need for any further action. We continue, too, to give financial assistance through the urban programme and grants to voluntary bodies to assist in the provision of refuges for women and children and in the operation of victim support schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with police authorities about (a) training, (b) procedures and (c) information, liaison and referral systems in relation to police duties with regard to incidents of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement.

Matters relating to the training of police officers at the Scottish police college are kept under continuing review on behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend by the board of governors and other committees at the Scottish Police College on which the Scottish Home and Health Department, the police associations and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities are all represented. Training on the subject of domestic violence and related procedural matters, with particular reference to the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, now features prominently in courses at the college and in training programmes mounted by the Scottish police forces; and this has been given added emphasis by the revised guidelines on the Act which were issued recently by my noble and learned Friend, the Lord Advocate. The police service is fully aware of the value of victim support schemes and co-operates fully in their operation.

Rape

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reported cases of rape there have been in Scotland in each of the last five years.

The available information relates to cases recorded by the police. The figures for the last five years for which data are available are as follows:

Recorded Cases of Rape, Scotland, 1981–85
Year	Number
1981	170
1982	131
1983	139
1984	224
1985	248

Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) printed postcards and (b) personal letters he has received against the proposed closure of the maternity unit at Stobhill general hospital, Glasgow; and how many signatures on petition forms he has received.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received over 9,600 printed postcards and 205 individual letters about the proposed closure of the maternity unit at Stobhill General. Six petitions containing some 23,300 signatures have also been received.

Gaelic Language

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the most up to date figures available for the level of per capita support for the promotion of the Gaelic language; and if he will detail the basis and method of calculation for arriving at that figure.

Excluding possible Scottish Arts Council grant to promote Gaelic arts bodies and using the 1981 census figures for the number of Gaelic speakers the approximate per capita spend for the current financial year is £5·42 net of specific grants to education authorities and £8·45 including those grants. The breakdown of funding for the promotion of Gaelic in 1986–87 is as follows:

	£
National Voluntary Organisations (including Database Research Project)	141,000
Gaelic Books Council	58,250
Direct funding by Highlands and Islands Development Board	242,400
Consultative Committee on the Curriculum	6,100
Specific Grants to Education Authorities	250,000
	697,750

The 1981 census shows the number of Gaelic speakers as 82,620.

Ec (Food Stores)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much butter and beef from the European Economic Community's intervention food stores in Dundee is to be released in the current scheme to help the needy; and what further plans he has to distribute such foodstuffs on an all-year basis.

The amount of food being released from stores and distributed is dependent on the needs established by the charitable organisations. The present European Community scheme ends on 31 March 1987, and I am not aware of any plans to extend it.

Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures govern the giving of consent by (a) prisoners and (b) detained patients to being tested for AIDS; and what information is given to them on the outcome of such tests.

If the doctors caring for a prisoner or a patient detained in hospital because of mental disorder consider that a test for the presence of HIV antibodies is necessary, the individual would first be counselled on the significance and implications of the test and his or her informed consent would be required before it could be carried out. The prisoner or patient would be informed of the result of the test and given further counselling whether this was positive or negative. The procedures relating to the testing of prisoners for HIV antibodies are outlined in guidelines issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department to prison medical officers on 10 October 1986, which amplified earlier guidance given on this subject. Updated guidelines on the testing of all other patients were issued by the Department to all doctors on 12 December 1986.

Auctioneers (Registration)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to make the registration of auctioneers obligatory.

No.

Mentally Ill People (Services)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to change his Department's policy on services for the mentally ill; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Moray (Mr. Pollock) on 22 January at column 1663.

Alternative Land Use

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any specific plans to help farmers in Scotland find alternative use for marginal land; and what proposals he has to support pony trekking and pony breeding.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend on 11 February to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Perth and Kinross (Mr. Fairbairn). Details of the new diversification scheme have still to be settled and will be the subject of consultation. Pony trekking is an area which may be considered.

Nuclear Safety

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether ambulance staff have participated in the exercise of the local emergency plan at each of Dounreay, Torness and Hunterston; and in each case where units were involved, if he will list which ones participated.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, at column 396–97]: Local ambulance units have participated in exercises to test the emergency plans at Torness and Hunterston. The ambulance service has not yet participated in any such exercises at Dounreay, though the service is fully aware of its role under the emergency plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for Dounreay, Hunterston and Torness what studies have been done on the problems of evacuating all low mobility groups in the event of a worst case atomic accident; and if he will also list for each study the geographical area covered.

[pursuant to the reply, 19 January 1987, c. 397]: Within the framework of the emergency plans which must be prepared by the operators of civil nuclear installations in Scotland and of their own related contingency plans, the police are responsible for the evacuation of the areas around these installations. I understand from the chief constables of the forces concerned that their contingency plans for evacuation of the population in the event of a large scale emergency take account of the problems of evacuating low mobility groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list what specific equipment, including personal dosimeters, radiac survey meters and decontamination meters are available for ambulance staff at: Dounreay, Torness and Hunterston. respectively; and in each case what training staff have received.

[pursuant to the reply, 19 January 1987, c. 397]: All civil nuclear sites operated in Scotland by the South of Scotland Electricity Board, the Atomic Energy Authority, and British Nuclear Fuels have their own medical services.External ambulance services entering a site would be under the supervision of the trained site staff. Dosimeters and professional health physics assistance and decontamination equipment would be provided to any such visiting service by site management.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what training has been given to ambulance staff to deal with a major accident at Dounreay, Hunterston and Torness respectively.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 396–97]: Ambulance service staff generally are trained in major accident procedures. Staff who may be involved at Dounreay and Hunterston are aware of the precautions to be taken in accidents involving radioactivity. Staff who may be involved at Torness are receiving appropriate training, in advance of the commissioning of the power station.

Public Bodies (Appointments)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the public bodies for which he is responsible on which the consideration of the appointment or co-option of a person with knowledge of disability is a statutory requirement; if he will name the persons so appointed or co-opted on each body; and if he will indicate which of those persons is a person with a disability.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January 1987, c. 576]: By virtue of section 14 the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, I am required, when making appointments to the Scottish Electricity Consultative Councils, to have regard to the desirability of including one or more persons with experience of work among, and the special needs of, disabled persons. This consideration is borne in mind when appointments are made, but no individual member of the Councils has so far been appointed solely by virtue of it. Records of whether persons appointed are disabled or not are not maintained, but I am aware that disabled persons have been and are included in the membership of the councils. There are no similar statutory requirements for the other bodies to which I make appointments.

House Of Commons

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a revised and accurate version of the 1973 booklet entitled "Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund."

Production of a revised edition of the 1973 booklet has been hindered by a succession of amendment Acts and instruments.There is available a leaflet which describes the pension arrangements for Members, Ministers and office-holders. The leaflet is designed to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No. 1046). Other leaflets, dealing in more detail with specific aspects of the pension arrangements, are being drafted with the intention of creating a booklet in loose-leaf format. This will facilitate the speedy replacement of out-dated material.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Republic Of Ireland (Embassy)

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the alleged surveillance of the Irish embassy by the British security services.

None.

Austria (Aids Testing)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Austrian Government concerning British subjects who are proposing to work in Carinthia and who will have to undergo AIDS testing.

Volume 110: debated on Thursday 12 February 1987

Written Answers To Questions

Wales

Horticultural Development Council

Annual Review Of Agriculture

Tvei

Yts

Jobcentres

Voluntary Projects Programme

Rescue Archaeology

Labour Statistics

Msc Schemes

Water Supplies

Historic Buildings Council

Employment

Community Programme

Nuclear Safety

Professional And Executive Recruitment

Prime Minister

President Reagan

Fraserburgh

Engagements

Anglo-Irish Agreement

Nuclear Accidents

Defence

Tactical Missile System

Swynnerton Range

Armoured Production

Defence Projects

Squadron Leader Hare

Royal Air Force

Pensions

Royal Navy (Drugs)

Education And Science

Universities (Grants)

Schools (Finance)

Chancellors School

Trafford

Secondary Schools (Substandard Places)

Transport

M1 (Telephones)

Cars (Change Of Ownership)

Private Hire Vehicles

M1 Service Stations

Transportation Of Hazardous Goods

Light Dues

Baa (Shares)

Environment

Private Flats

Safety Glass

London Docklands Development Corporation

Disabled People (Housing)

Capacitors (Health Hazards)

Lancaster House (Conference)

Housing Management Courses

Trade And Industry

Labour Statistics

Timesharing

Energy

Plutonium

Euratom

House Coal

Diesel Fuel

Nuclear Power Stations

Nuclear Safety

Ncb (Manpower)

British Gas

Home Department

Licensing

Houses In Multiple Occupation

Police Discipline (Access To Witnesses)

Animal Welfare

National Marriage Guidance Council

Immigration

Data Networks

Domestic Crime Prevention

State Security

Nuclear Safety

Bail Hostels