To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement about the progress of the "next steps" initiative.

The "next steps" initiative which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister launched in February 1988 continues to go well, and is starting to deliver results.There will be 30 agencies established by the end of this week, covering some 66,000 people. We expect more to be set up by the summer, taking the total involved to some 80,000. A list of agencies and announced candidates is set out in the table and work continues in many other areas of Government. By the end of 1991 we expect that "next steps" will have been applied to at least half the civil service.The establishment of agencies is only the first step. The aim of "next steps" is to deliver greater efficiency and better service to the public. Achieving one at the expense of the other is not good enough. Demanding performance targets, financial and non-financial, are being set, and will be refined and improved as experience is gained, and further freedoms and flexibilities and delegations are given.Results from the early agencies are promising. Each agency will publish annually a report and accounts which amongst other things will set out what is looked for and what is achieved. To help the House and the public see what is happening, we propose to publish annually, starting later this year, a general report on the initiative overall including summaries of developments and results in individual agencies.The "next steps" initiative although directed in the first place at activities within the civil service is of broad application and its benefits should be sought more widely within the public sector. Accordingly the Government have decided that these disciplines should be applied to non-departmental public bodies which have executive functions, where this is appropriate and where this is likely to improve their performance. I am announcing more details about this separately.Overall, "next steps" is showing its worth in the delivery of improved performance and better service to the public. The Government will continue to press this important initiative forward with energy and urgency.

Executive Agencies Established or Expected to be Established by Easter 1990
Executive Agencies	Date or expected date of establishment	Staff numbers
Building Research Establishment	2 April 1990	650
Central Office of Information	5 April 1990	750
Central Veterinary Laboratory	2 April 1990	550
Civil Service College	6 June 1989	200
Companies House	3 October 1988	1,150
Department of the Registers of Scotland	6 April 1990	950
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency	2 April 1990	5,250
Driving Standards Agency	2 April 1990	2,000
Employment Service	2 April 1990	35,000
Historic Royal Palaces	1 October 1989	350
Her Majesty's Stationery Office	14 December 1988	3,250
Hydrographic Office	6 April 1990	1900
Information Technology Services Agency	2 April 1990	3,000
Insolvency Service	21 March 1990	1,400
Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce	2 April 1990	850
Laboratory of the Government Chemist	30 October 1989	300
Meteorological Office	2 April 1990	2,450
National Weights and Measures Laboratory	18 April 1989	50
Natural Resources Institute	2 April 1990	450
Occupational Health Service	2 April 1990	100
Patent Office	1 March 1990	1,150
QE11 Conference Centre	6 July 1989	50
Radiocommunications Agency	2 April 1990	450
Resettlement Agency	24 May 1989	550
Royal Mint	2 April 1990	950
Training and Employment Agency (NICS)	2 April 1990	1,600
Vehicle Certification Agency	2 April 1990	50
Vehicle Inspectorate	1 August 1988	1,600
Veterinary Medicines Directorate	2 April 1990	50
Warren Spring Laboratory	20 April 1989	300
30 in number	66,350
1Defence Support Agency. Figure does not include service personnel.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what progress he has made with the creation of executive agencies within his Department.

In addition to the civil service college, which became an agency in June 1989, I am happy to announce that I have today launched the civil service occupational health service (the OHS) as an executive agency.The occupational health service was set up in 1986 to implement the recommendations of a scrutiny by the Prime Minister's efficiency unit. Its job is to promote the health and safety of civil servants at work. Government Departments, like other employers, have to prevent or deal with the distinctive health problems which affect their staff by reason of their work or workplace, not only to meet their legal obligations but to reap the benefits of a fit, productive and well-motivated organisation. And large employers are increasingly finding it best to do so by means of their own dedicated health service.The occupational health service has a key role to play in supporting management in Government Departments and in executive agencies. It provides expert advice on the statutory responsibilities of employers and on all aspects of occupational health, from recruitment to retirement. And it offers a complete range of supporting services like medical examinations, training in first aid, in the handling of hazardous substances and in the implications of legal changes; and tailor-made information and advice for civil servants working abroad.This relatively new service has already risen to the challenge of change, and is admirably fitted to perform even better an executive agency. It carries out well-defined executive functions; it recovers its full costs from charges to customer departments, which may obtain services elsewhere where they see this as providing better value for money; and it is responsive to customer demand, designing new services as required to meet changing priorities on the job.The OHS has a framework document which is designed to enhance its status, to sharpen its objectives, to encourage its customer-orientation, and to give its staff the incentives and the tools to go from strength to strength in improving the quality and efficiency of the service they provide.The OHS framework document identifies two key indicators by which the performance of the organisation will be monitored. These are the cost per productive professional day (that is the fully loaded cost of the time of its professional staff) and the unit cost of advising on cases referred to the OHS for advice on sickness absence and the health of potential recruits to the civil service. The OHS is also committed to devising an indicator by which the quality of its services can be monitored in future.Copies of the OHS framework document have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what action the Government are taking to apply the "next steps" approach to non-departmental public bodies.

The Government have drawn up a programme of action for the selective application of the "next steps" approach to executive non-departmental public bodies. This will extend the benefits of "next steps" more widely within the public sector. It continues to be Government policy that new NDPBs will not be set up unless it can be demonstrated that creating a new public body is the most appropriate and cost-effective solution to the task in hand. When a new body is set up, it is important to ensure it starts off on the soundest possible managerial footing.Sponsoring Departments will in future prepare a management statement, broadly on the lines of a "next steps" framework document, for all new executive NDPBs. The overall aim will be to delegate responsibility to the maximum extent practicable to the body, within an agreed framework which unambiguously sets out the relationship between each body and its sponsoring Department. The approach is designed to improve managerial responsibility for performance and the delivery of results, to improve service to the public, and to enhance accountability.A similar approach will be applied selectively over a period to existing bodies. Departments and NDPBs have already put a great deal of effort into improving management arrangements. The existing system of comprehensively reviewing each NDPB at least every five years gives Departments the opportunity to consider which NDPBs will most benefit from the early preparation of a management statement, building on what is already in place, and taking account of the statute which sets the framework for each NDPB's relationship with its sponsoring Department. Details are set out in a note prepared by Cabinet Office (Office of the Minister for the Civil Service) and the Treasury. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing in value terms for each year from 1970 to 1989 his estimate of gross and net output for manufacturing; and if he will add figures to show gross output after the elimination of transfers within the manufacturing sector.

The information on gross and net output for manufacturing industry is published annually at current prices in Business Monitor PA1002, report on the census of production, summary volume. Copies of this volume up to 1987, the latest available year, are available from the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Government have implemented regulations under all the opportunities available under the European Economic Community value added tax directive relating to not-for-profit organisations covered under article 13 of the directive relating to the reimbursement by Her Majesty's Government of value added tax paid by such organisations and similar relief on donations listed as sales for a nominal amount to such organisations.

Article 13 of the EC sixth VAT directive includes various activities where services and goods supplied by charities or non-profit-making organisations shall be exempted from VAT.Under the normal EC VAT rules, when a business donates equipment it is required to account for VAT on the supply, but donors are not obliged to pass this VAT charge on to the recipient of the equipment.There is no provision in EC legislation for national Governments to reimburse VAT incurred by non-profit-making organisations on their exempt or non-business activities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which office of the rating and valuation service holds the records of the rateable values of the domestic properties within the Fylde constituency.

The statutory valuation list was prepared for Fylde borough council by the valuation officer, Lancaster. A copy of this list is held for public inspection in the office of Fylde borough council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total value of the Treasury bills issued for each of the last 12 months.

The results of the weekly Treasury bill tender are contained in table 3.8 of "Financial Statistics." Table 3.7 shows the distribution of holdings of Treasury bills.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in developing the Royal Mint as an executive agency.

I am pleased to announce that the Royal Mint will today become an executive agency under the "next steps" initiative. The present Deputy Master of the Mint, Mr. A. D. Garrett will be chief executive of the agency.The mint has been a Government trading fund since 1975 and since that time has consistently achieved a high level of profitability. Its contribution to exports has been recognised by the Queen's Award on four occasions.As an executive agency the mint will have greater management freedom to develop its thriving business on sound commercial lines in accordance with best private sector practice, and to maximise the efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of its operations. This is reflected in the framework document governing the operation of the agency, copies of which are being placed in the Library of the House today.A Treasury minute setting the new financial target for the mint of an average 12½ per cent. current cost return on assets for the period 1990–91 to 1992–93 was laid on 27 March 1990 in accordance with section 4(1)(b) of the Government Trading Fund Act 1973.I wish the deputy master and chief executive and his staff every success in achieving their objectives.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to evaluate the tax reliefs introduced in recent years to encourage employee share ownership.

Information from the returns made by employers shows that impressive progress in developing employee share ownership has already been made with the help of the existing tax incentives, and the Government hope to see this progress maintained. To supplement the information already available, I have recently authorised the Inland Revenue to commission research into employers' attitudes to employee share ownership including, in particular, the factors which influence them in the introduction and operation of employee share schemes. The terms of reference for the study are being placed in the House Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will outline the information which Her Majesty's Government are required to provide to the European Economic Community Commission in terms of the European documents considered along with his Budget statement; if this information is at present collected by Her Majesty's Government; and what will be the cost in future years of the collection and supply of the information so required.

The European Commission's annual economic report is based on its own information and analysis. Member states may offer comments before the report is approved by ECOFIN. The cost to the United Kingdom of so doing is not significant.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish information in respect of (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Wales, (c) England, (d) Scotland and (e) Northern Ireland for the Budget years 1988–89 and 1989–90 on (i) total yield of national insurance, (ii) total yield of corporation tax, (iii) total net yield of value added tax, (iv) vehicle excise duty, (v) petrol and derv duty, (vi) tobacco duty and (vii) alcohol duty.

[holding answer 29 March 1990]: Figures for the United Kingdom as a whole are as follows:

£ billion	1988–89	11989–90
Social security contributions (including national insurance)	33·00	33·1
Corporation tax	18·5	21·4
Value added tax	27·3	29·7
Vehicle excise duty	2·8	2·9
Petrol and derv duty	8·5	8·6
Tobacco duty	5·0	5·0
Alcohol duty	4·5	4·6
1Estimate

Data for central Government revenue are not generally broken down by territories. Of those categories requested, only for social security contributions is information available. Latest estimates suggest that these are made up as follows:

United Kingdom security contributions, percentage of total
	per cent.
England	85
Scotland	9
Wales	4
Northern Ireland	2
Total	100

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing (a) the total cost of mortgage interest tax relief in 1990–91, (b) the average value of relief per mortgagor and (c) the numbers receiving mortgage relief, broken down in the income ranges: under £4,000, £4,000 to £5,000, £5,000 to £6,000, £6,000 to £7,000, £7,000 to £8,000, £8,000 to £9,000, £9,000 to £10,000, £10,000 to £12,000, £12,000 to £15,000, £15,000 to £20,000, £20,000 to £25,000, £25,000 to £30,000 and over £30,000.

[holding answer 30 March 1990]: Estimates for 1990–91 are not yet available. Estimates for 1989–90 were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 19 February, Official Report, column 519.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of higher rate tax relief on mortgage interest in the year 1990–91; and what is (a) the likely number of beneficiaries and (b) the average size of the mortgage involved.

[holding answer 30 March 1990]: Estimates for 1990–91 are not available. In 1989–90, the estimated cost of relief at excess over the basic rate of income tax is £430 million. About 700,000 mortgagors are beneficiaries and their average mortgage is estimated at £28,500. Estimates are provisional.

To ask the Prime Minister what specific measures have been taken by Her Majesty's Government, alone or with other European Community countries, in order to (a) identify and (b) protect from permanent removal from the United Kindom national artistic treasures after the single market comes into completion in 1992.

The Waverly system has worked well in enabling us to identify and protect national artistic treasures without infringing the rights of owners and unnecessarily impeding the operation of the market. We are considering what measures might be needed to strengthen its operation in the changed conditions after 1992.

To ask the Prime Minister which action she is taking on the Salmon committee recommendation that Parliament should consider bringing corruption, bribery and attempted bribery of an hon. Member, acting in his parliamentary capacity, within the ambit of the criminal law.

The corruption, bribery and attempted bribery of Members of Parliament acting in their parliamentary capacities would be a contempt and would be a matter for the Committee of Privileges to deal with. We would consider bringing forward legislation to make the corruption or attempted corruption of hon. Members a criminal offence only if there was clear evidence that the present arrangements were ineffective and the House agreed.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will seek to ensure that each Department affected publishes a statement on the implications for its activities of the joining of the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

No. The Government have made it clear that sterling will join the exchange rate mechanism (ERM) when the conditions set out at Madrid are met.

To ask the Prime Minister what matters were discussed during her meeting with President Havel of Czechoslovakia on 21 and 22 March.

I discussed with President Havel his ideas for the future shape of Europe and some of the security problems which arise from the new situation. I also announced the extension of the know-how fund to Czechoslovakia.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the average period between a conviction and the hearing of an appeal against that conviction; and if he will make a statement.

In England and Wales the average period between lodgment of a notice of appeal against a decision of the magistrates court and hearing of the appeal in the Crown court is 8·36 weeks.Of appeals to the Court of Appeal, criminal division, against convictions in the Crown court 32·3 per cent. are ready for hearing within six months and 84·3 per cent. are ready within 12 months. The time taken for an appeal to be heard is governed by the amount of preparatory work involved, and in trying to list cases with the minimum of delay the registrar of criminal appeals must ensure that counsel and solicitors acting for each appellant have adequate time to prepare their cases. Where delays in listing appeals occur they tend to be caused by the court's obligation to balance the conflicting needs of applicants who all wish their appeals heard as soon as possible. Those with leave to appeal against conviction, or short sentences, are, wherever possible, given earlier consideration than those appealing against long sentences.

To ask the Attorney-General what recent representations he has received on the proposals to reform the legal profession in so far as they affect estate agents.

Since the publication of the Courts and Legal Services Bill on 6 December 1989, the Lord Chancellor has received eight representations concerning estate agency. The representations have been concerned with the suitability of allowing estate agents to offer conveyancing services as well as providing financial services in the house purchase market.

To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what was discussed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) earlier today.

To ask the Attorney-General if there are any proposals to change the level of staffing in the county courts; and if he will make a statement.

The number of court staff will be increased by about 350 in the coming financial year, and subsequently by up to a further 100 during the transitional period while new initiatives are being introduced.At the same time the introduction of a computerised summons production centre and the curtailment of the county court banking function will release staff time savings equivalent to about 350 staff.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the average length of time taken by the independent appellate authority in dealing with an appeal against a decision of an entry clearance officer on an immigration matter.

The immigration appellate authorities (IAA) do not record information on the average time taken to deal with appeals. It is, however, possible to give an estimate of the average time taken by the IAA to deal with appeals at each stage of the proceedings, as follows:

(a) from the date of receipt of the notice of appeal and the explanatory statement at the IAA's headquarters to the date of dispatch of the case papers to the parties' representatives in the United Kingdom: two to three months;

(b) from the date on which both parties indicate readiness to proceed to a hearing to the date of the hearing: one and a half to two months;

(c) from the date of hearing to the date of dispatch of the adjudicator's determination to the parties' representatives in the United Kingdom: one month.

Thus, the current estimate of the average time taken by the IAA to deal with a case is four and a half to six months, to which must be added the time taken by the parties' representatives in the United Kingdom to indicate readiness to proceed after receipt of the case papers from the IAA. This latter period can vary considerably but the current estimate is from two to six months.In addition, an appeal from a determination by an adjudicator to the immigration appeal tribunal is estimated to take four to six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions his Department carries out at the regional level; where the regional offices are located in each of the regions; what staff are employed and at what grades; what proportion of his Department's budget is spent in each of the regions; and what geographical boundaries determine his Department's regions.

The regional network of the Department of Trade and Industry comprises eight regional offices in England together with their sub-offices and satellites. Their main tasks are:

(1) To promote a better understanding of Government policies in the regions, to gather intelligence about industry and commerce, and to represent regional interests to Government.

(2) To promote and administer all parts of the Enterprise Initiative.

(3) To co-operate with other Government Departments, particularly through the City Action Teams, and with regional development organisations, local authorities, chambers of commerce, local enterprise agencies and other regional and local bodies.

Details of the geographical boundaries and location of

Staff by grade (including casually employed staff) as at 1 February 1990
	DTI NE	DTI NW	DTI YH	DTI EM	DTI WM	DTI East	DTI SE	DTI SW	Total
Grade 3	2·0	1·0	1·0	—	1·0	—	—	—	5·0
Grade 4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Grade 5	1·0	2·0	1·0	1·0	1·0	1·0	1·0	1·0	9·0
Grade 6	4·0	4·0	3·0	3·0	3·0	2·0	5·0	3·0	27·0
Grade 7	10·0	10·0	7·0	4·0	9·0	3·0	5·0	4·0	52·0
SEO	15·0	14·0	10·0	5·0	14·0	—	4·0	1·0	63·0
SPTO/SSO	2·0	1·0	1·0	2·0	1·0	—	—	2·0	9·0
HEO	29·0	33·0	21·0	18·0	24·0	7·0	19·0	12·0	163·0
HPTO/HSO	1·0	1·0	3·0	1·0	2·0	—	1·0	—	9·0
I0	—	—	—	—	—	—	1·0	—	1·0
E0	51·0	39·0	26·0	15·0	31·0	10·0	32·0	19·0	223·0
AO	32·5	38·5	21·0	17·5	35·0	15·0	43·5	25·5	228·5
AA	25·5	28·0	19·0	9·0	27·5	3·0	13·0	5·5	130·5
TM/Typist	8·0	8·0	5·0	5·0	12·5	3·0	—	7·5	49·0
PS/SPS	6·0	7·0	4·0	3·0	5·0	2·0	5·0	2·0	34·0
Support staff	3·0	—	6·0	5·0	6·0	—	0·5	1·0	21·5
Total	190·0	186·5	128·0	88·5	172·0	46·0	130·0	83·5	1,024·5

In addition to its regional office structure, a number of other operations of the Department are sited, in whole or in part, in the regions. These include the inner-city task forces; provincial offices of the insolvency service; offices of the radio investigations service and the Department's financial investigations division; and a number of the

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide the information contained in tables 4.11, 4.12 and 4.14 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1990–91 to 1992–93" for Wales only.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received in favour of a Buy British campaign; and what response he has made.

The Secretary of State has received a number of representations on this topic. Our response recognises the advantages of purchasing United Kingdom goods and services where they are competitive in design, quality and price.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will set out the terms of reference of the telecommunications review due to start later in the current year;(2) what plans he has to extend the present duopoly in the provision of basic telephone services.

The Government will review the present duopoly in the provision of telecommunications over fixed links starting in November of this year. The terms of reference of the review have yet to be decided. I do not at present have any plans to extend the current duopoly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community that result from the Commission's 1989 draft directive do not permit (a) unfair competition and (b) trade secrets embodied in proprietary software to be published.

We—and, I believe, all other member states—are concerned to ensure that competition in the supply of computer software is fair. There is no provision in the draft directive requiring the publication of trade secrets embodied in such software.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community do not prevent Britain from restraining unauthorised imports of copies of computer programs marketed outside the EEC.

There are no provisions in the draft directive which would prevent the owners of the United Kingdom copyright in a computer program from taking action to restrain the importation of infringing copies of that program from outside the EEC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community that result from the Commission's 1989 draft directive protect (a) members of the British software industry against uncontrolled access by competitors to the details and workings of their proprietary software and (b) the investment in research and development incurred by the British software industry in creating proprietary software;(2) what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community resulting from the Commission's 1989 draft directive provide sufficient protection to encourage long-term research and development;(3) what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community that result from the Commission's 1989 draft directive do not undermine the protection presently afforded the British software industry by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and other relevant legislation;(4) what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community resulting from the Commission's 1989 draft directive do not discourage innovation;(5) what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposals for harmonised copyright protection for computer programs in the European Community that result from the Commission's 1989 draft directive do not by permitting limited access for specified reasons allow details and workings of proprietary software to become available to commercial competitors.

The draft directive does not provide for uncontrolled access to the details and workings of proprietary software, although the question of whether access should be allowed in certain limited circumstances is receiving further consideration. Investment by the British software industry will continue to be safeguarded in the United Kingdom by the rights accorded under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, which is not undermined by the draft directive. The draft directive would, however, improve the general level of protection of computer programs in the Community and should therefore further encourage investment, innovation and long-term research and development in this field.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the total of European regional development fund moneys given to the borough of St. Helens in each of the last five years.

The totals of commitments from the European regional development fund in respect of projects in St. Helens, Merseyside in the last five years have been as follows:

	Industrial	Infrastructure	Total
	£	£	£
1985	55,783	142,500	198,283
1986	144,002	29,500	173,502
1987	45,057	185,400	230,457
1988	12,057	—	12,057
1989	50,958	—	50,958

The absence of commitments to infrastructure projects in 1989 is due to the European Commission's delay in approving the Mersey basin programme which includes St. Helens. With the recent approval of this programme commitments will resume.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British-made televisions were exported to European Economic Community countries, and how many were sold on the British market, in the latest available 12 months.

A total of 1·2 million British-made television sets were exported to European Economic Community countries and 1·82 million British-made sets were sold on the British market in 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy as a condition of recognition to require the accountancy bodies seeking supervisory recognition under the Companies Act 1989 to make the minutes of their council meetings available (a) to their members and (b) to any member of the public on payment of a small fee.

No. It is for a supervisory body itself to decide what arrangements are appropriate for informing its members and the public about its proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has any plans to legislate to strengthen controls over auditors establishing whether or not a business is a going concern.

No. I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to his questions on 5 March at column 415 and 27 March at column 125.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals have emerged from the European Economic Community Commission on the establishment of a European postal monopoly; what assessment has been made of the implications for the United Kingdom and for private delivery services; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions on postal policy in Europe are taking place in Brussels between member states and the European Commission but no proposals have yet been made by the Commission and it is too early to speculate what the implications might be for the United Kingdom and for private delivery services. I understand that the Commission intends to publish a Green Paper in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made towards establishing his Department's radiocommunications division as an executive agency.

I am establishing the radiocommunications executive agency today. It is the seventh executive agency to be established within DTI.Operating as an agency will give the agency further incentive in its efforts to provide an effective, quality service to radio users throughout the country. To that end I have set the radiocommunications agency the following efficiency and quality of service targets for 1990–91:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any studies have been conducted on the likely impact of the changes in central and eastern Europe on the textile and clothing industry in the United Kingdom.

[holding answer 28 March 1990]: I am not aware of any such study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1989 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1989, giving in each case the name of the consulting firm and the subject of the assignment; and what is the total amount that his Department has budgeted to spend in the current year.

[holding answer 28 March 1990]: My Department's expenditure on consultants engaged in the financial year 1989–90 is estimated to be £6,979,000 of which £3,967,000 is for computer consultancy contracts excluding hardware and software purchases. The allocation for 1990–91 will be set shortly in the light of the Department's annual activity and resource management review. Expenditure on management consultants is not recorded separately.The following is the list of management or computer consultancy contracts awarded for the financial year 1989–90:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will immediately take steps to ensure that in future 0898 telephone services shall be provided only to Government, commercial and private subscribers following an opt-in decision by the subscriber, communicated to the telephone company in writing.

[holding answer 30 March 1990]: This is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications, who has already taken firm action to control certain of these so-called premium rate services. He is keeping the matter under close review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) correspondence and (b) meetings his Department has had with the European Commission concerning subsidies to British Aerospace.

[holding answer 27 March 1990]: There have been various meetings and exchanges of correspondence with the Commission concerning its inquiries into the terms of the sale of Rover Group to British Aerospace. The Commission has not yet concluded its inquiries. My Department is also in regular contact with the Commission about support to the partners in Airbus Industrie, which includes British Aerospace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the investigations carried out by his inspectors in which they have alleged fraud or other irregularities, along with a list of the auditing firms that failed to detect and report such frauds and irregularities.

No. It does not follow that if inspectors report fraud or other irregularities there has necessarily been some failure on the part of the auditors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with which Group of Seven countries the United Kingdom has a trade surplus.

Information on United Kingdom imports and exports with the Group of Seven countries is published in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", Business Monitor MM20, table lb.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for British exports to eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement.

Prospects for British exports to eastern Europe vary from country to country and from industrial sector to industrial sector. Valuable opportunities for trade and investment exist in many sectors, including food processing and packaging, health care and medical equipment, computers, control equipment and office equipment. However, exports are limited by the lack of hard currency available and by competition from other major western suppliers. It is important that United Kingdom companies with the patience and persistence to tackle these markets should keep a high profile and be ready to seize new opportunities as they arise. This is particularly true at present in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and the German Democratic Republic, as they leave the command economy behind them. United Kingdom companies should also take into consideration the various aid and multilateral investment funds available for economic reconstruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has available concerning the potential trade diversion from developing countries to members of the European Community when the single European market is established in (a) primary food products, (b) metal products, (c) petrochemicals and fertilisers and (d)0 manufactured food.

[holding answer 27 March 1990]: Completion of the single market will remove the remaining barriers to trade between the member states. This will also make it easier for overseas trading partners to do business throughout the Community. At the same time the Community is negotiating vigorously in the Uruguay round of GATT negotiations for the further liberalisation of international trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the consequences of the single European market on investment in developing countries.

[holding answer 27 March 1990]: Commercial investment decisions are determined by the laws in force in the countries concerned. Completion of the single market, including removal of controls on capital movements by member states, should have a beneficial effect from which all the Community's trading partners can benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) raw and (b) worked ivory has been imported into the United Kingdom since 1988.

[holding answer 29 March 1990]: For 1988 and 1989 combined, imports into the United Kingdom were (a) £678,000 for raw ivory (including powder and waste) and (b) £271,000 for worked ivory and articles of ivory. There were no imports of raw ivory in the last six months of 1989. No figures for early 1990 are yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) in respect of the Argyll production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(2) in respect of the Forties production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(3) in respect of the Tartan production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(4) in respect of the Thistle production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(5) in respect of the Balmoral production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(6) in respect of the Beatrice production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(7) in respect of the Brent field production platforms, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what were the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(8) in respect of the Claymore production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what were the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(9) in respect of the Beryl A production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(10) in respect of the Beryl B production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(11) in respect of the Central Brae production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation;(12) in respect of the South Brae production platform, how many times this has been inspected by the appropriate certifying authority in the last five years; what were the dates of inspection; what are the dates of inspection by his Department's inspectors in the same period; what was the result of these inspections; what regulations and guidance notes were in force at the time of construction of the installation; whether any exemption was applied for or granted to these provisions; whether the facilities on the installation comply with all current regulations and guidance notes; what is the number of injuries, including fatalities, occurring on the installation since it was positioned; how many breaches of regulations or Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provisions have been reported to him; how many he has passed to the appropriate prosecution authority for action; and what is his latest estimate of the life of the installation.

The Offshore Installations (Construction and Survey) Regulations (S.I. 1974 No. 289) provide, inter alia, for the appointment by the Secretary of State of persons or bodies to certify offshore installations as fit for purpose and to carry out periodic surveys. On receipt of an application for a certificate of fitness or a renewal thereof the certifying authorities carry out, or ensure that there is carried out, an independent assessment of the design and method of construction of the installation and the provisions of its operation manual, and carry out a major survey of the installation. Thereafter there are regular annual surveys, which can be supplemented as necessary, for example where an installation has been damaged, shows signs of deterioration or its equipment has been modified.All offshore installations are subject to this regime, and it is an offence to operate an installation without a certificate of fitness. In addition, the marine directorate of the Department of Transport conducts biennial surveys of life-saving appliances and fire-fighting equipment and plans, as provided under the Offshore Installations (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations (S.I. 1977 No. 486) and the Offshore Installations (Fire-fighting Equipment) Regulations (S.I. 1978 No. 611).My Department's safety directorate conducts inspections of offshore installations, during which it may look at any aspects of the installation and the working environment. The frequency with which installations are inspected varies according to the installation; an inspection rating system takes account of the nature of operations on the installation, the number of persons on board, an assessment of the effectiveness of management control, the lapse of time since the last inspection and other factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the bid by the Mersey Barrage Company to construct a barrage on the River Mersey.

The current phase of work on the proposed Mersey tidal barrage is still under way. Various proposals for the way forward have been submitted by the Mersey Barrage Company, and these are being considered by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the share of the electricity generation industry of England and Wales that would be taken by the nuclear sector in the absence of any nuclear levy or nuclear subsidy.

The non-fossil fuel obligation together with the fossil fuel levy will ensure that we continue to enjoy the strategic and environmental benefits of around 8GW of nuclear power.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish his correspondence with the Commissioners of the European Community regarding the nuclear levy and the nuclear subsidy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) on Monday 26 March at column 5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish his correspondence with the directors designate of Nuclear Electric plc, regarding the directors' obligations to cease trading when their company is technically insolvent.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave on 27 March at column 122, and to the departmental minute that he laid before the House on 6 March. I have arranged for a copy of the letter of comfort to be placed in the Library of this House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will extend the period for contracts under the non-fossil fuel obligation for renewable energies to 15 years.

The first order setting the level of the non-fossil fuel obligation in respect of renewables-sourced electricity generating capacity will cover the period from 1990 until 1998, and this is the period for which the fossil fuel levy will initially run. However, the arrangements that they make in order to meet their respective obligations are a matter for the public electricity suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to announce the figures for the percentage of gross national product spent on official development assistance in 1989.

I expect to be able to provide this information in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards attaining the 0·7 per cent. of gross national product level of aid/development spending.

In 1988 United Kingdom official development assistance as a percentage of gross national product was 0·32 per cent. The Government have accepted the United Nations target for official development assistance of 0·7 per cent. of GNP, but, like previous Administrations and many other donors, have not set a timetable for achieving it. Progess must depend on economic circumstances and other claims on resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by the Overseas Development Administration in the past year on aid for black people in South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past year we have spent about £9 million on aid for black South Africans, including our share of European Community aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to re-establish the British Council in Cambodia.

I understand that the British Council has no plans to return to Cambodia at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Israeli Government about aid to Palestine.

It has not been Her Majesty's Government's practice to consult the Israeli Government about our bilateral assistance to the occupied territories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to increase the expenditure on aid to developing nations.

Expenditure on aid is increasing. The Government's Autumn Statement published on 15 November 1989 records that the aid programme is planned to rise from £1,500 million in 1989–90 to £1,587 million in 1990–91, £1,680 million in 1991–92 and £1,750 million in 1992–93. This represents a cash increase of 16 per cent. over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been achieved through the work of the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute.

I am glad to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the Natural Resources Institute's role in the aid programme. It possesses a wealth of scientific expertise, developed over almost 100 years; and has done celebrated work across the developing world in land resource assessment, insect pest management, and food science and crop utilisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with plans for the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute to become an executive agency.

As foreshadowed in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 19 December 1989, at column 121, the institute has been established as an executive agency under the Government's "next steps" initiative with effect from 1 April. The institute's aims, objectives and operating principles as an agency are set out in a framework document, copies of which have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. In accordance with "next steps" principles, the institute will be free to propose further adaptation if changing circumstances make this appropriate.The institute's performance will be judged principally in terms of its ability to satisfy customers while covering its full economic costs. I have set NRI the target of improving its efficiency, as measured by unit costs, by 5·5 per cent. in the three years 1990–91 to 1992–93. Over the same period the institute plans to increase the volume of business it undertakes.The institute's name will he the Natural Resources Institute or NRI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about current aid to Ethiopia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the current arrangements for delivering relief supplies to northern Ethiopia.

I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) and the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 26 March at column 18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to increase the percentage of women taking part in Overseas Development Administration-financed training schemes.

Our comprehensive women in development (WID) strategy includes dialogue at all levels with aid-recipient Governments on opportunities for women as well as requests that they nominate more women for ODA training awards. ODA and British Council officials are seeking more nominations for women on all types of courses. We are exploring opportunities for more in-country courses, where representation of women is often higher than for courses in Britain, and we have sought to remove obstacles which are particularly daunting for women in attending United Kingdom courses. But all our efforts will be ineffective if developing country Governments are not willing to nominate more women for training awards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimates are for the United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations development fund for women in 1990.

Subject to parliamentary approval, £100,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many forestry projects have been approved under the memorandum of understanding between Her Majesty's Government and the Brazilian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what forestry projects have been agreed with the Brazilian authorities for financing from the overseas aid programme.

One forestry project, on climate research, has been agreed with the Brazilian authorities. Details of this were given in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 1 March, column 283. We have also recently told the Brazilian authorities that we are ready to provide finance to an ITTO-sponsored forest management project in the Tapajos reserve, the detailed project agreement for which is now under discussion between Brazil and the ITTO.A further dozen proposals are under preparation or are being considered by the Brazilian Government. We hope to reach agreement shortly on some of these, to allow them to begin in the second quarter of this year.