To ask the Attorney-General if he has any plans to substitute stipendiary magistrates for lay magistrates in Wales.

No. Stipendiary magistrates are appointed in order to give support to the lay magistracy not to supplant them.

To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions the immigration appeal tribunal has sat in Scotland in each of the last five years.

None. The immigration appeal tribunal sits at its headquarters at Thanet house, London.

To ask the Attorney-General how many persons qualified in Scottish law have sat as members of the immigration appeal tribunal in the last five years.

In the last five years none of the members of the immigration appeal tribunal has been qualified in Scottish law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the allocation of grant aid for the improvement of private street works.

I do not give specific grant aid for the improvement of private street works. Where these are undertaken by local authorities they normally bill the frontagers, but they can meet some of the costs themselves where they consider that wider community benefits justify it.Under section 13 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 I give grants both to private sector developers and to local authorities towards providing road access for new industrial development in assisted areas. Expenditure by a local authority on these schemes which could otherwise be rechargeable to domestic frontagers can be taken into account in assessing eligible expenditure for these grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached on the future of marine radionavigation in United Kingdom waters.

Following a lengthy period of public consultation and careful consideration, I have concluded in principle that, on technical and cost grounds, the balance of advantage for the United Kingdom would be to join the international civil Loran C system currently proposed for north-west Europe and the north Atlantic. This would be dependent on a satisfactory international agreement being reached within an acceptable time scale with the other interested states.This decision has not been an easy one. It would mean closing down in 1997 the present widely respected United Kingdom Decca navigator system, the origins of which date back to the second world war. The Decca system has been successfully operated by Racal Decca Marine Navigation Ltd. and its predecessors for several decades, and the marine community owes a considerable debt to the service, which is highly regarded.I have had the benefit of a wide range of responses to the Department's consultative document of June 1989. Many in the marine community, here and abroad, agree that we should not be wholly dependent for marine navigation on non-European military satellite systems such as the American global positioning system (GPS) and the Soviet GLONASS system and that a terrestrial civil alternative is needed. I am satisfied that the Loran C system would meet the United Kingdom's navigational requirements to acceptable technical standards and additionally would provide more extensive cover, and be less affected by seasonal and night-time errors.I have given particular consideration to the representations from the fishing industry, which is concerned about the costs of convering to Loran C. I fully appreciate the industry's extensive use of the Decca system for fishing as well as for navigation and I have considered the industry's points very carefully. However, if we introduce Loran C the fishing industry will gain some important benefits. Loran C's avoidance of seasonal and night skywave effects makes it a more consistent system. Moreover, a Loran C system would allow significant cost reductions, which will work through as lower light dues paid by fishermen. In the meantime I will look specifically at the light dues paid by fishermen at present, in light of representations they have made. The fishing industry will also be aware that I am currently considering a report by the British Ports Federation which recommends that pleasure craft should be brought into the light dues system so as to share the costs falling on the general lighthouse fund.Moreover, I am determined to ensure that there is a reasonable transitional period between Loran C becoming fully available and the Decca system being switched off. Given satisfactory progress in the international negotiations, the new United Kingdom transmitter could be operating by the end of 1992 and satisfactorily validated for use in repeatable mode before the end of 1993. This would allow a transitional period of over three years to 1997 for the conversion of the fishing industry's Decca records. The final reconfiguration of the new system would be in place at the latest by January 1995. I am also satisfied that the financial considerations favour adopting the Loran C scheme. There would be an even stronger financial case for Loran C, were it not for the cost of running both systems in the transitional period. I am satisfied that the cost to users of premature replacement of receivers, while difficult to assess, is not sufficient to undermine the case for change.My conclusion, therefore, is that the United Kingdom should not stand aside from the opportunity now offered for adopting a standard terrestrial regional radionavigation system under independent European control. Many countries are awaiting the United Kingdom decision before reaching their own, and in the longer term a favourable decision by the United Kingdom seems likely to increase the prospects of there being continuous Loran C cover throughout Europe, including the Mediterranean, the Iberian peninsula and the Baltic.It remains to be seen whether an acceptable Loran C international agreement can be concluded among a sufficient number of interested countries to produce a suitable international system. Our appraisal of the proposal has been on the assumption that there would be cost sharing with Canada, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway. My officials will be making it clear to the countries involved in the international discussions that the United Kingdom will finally commit itself to a binding agreement only if the terms are right. This means that the eventually agreed system must remain a genuinely international dimension and have sufficient financial support from other benefiting countries in terms which for the United Kingdom are no worse than the current cost and cost share provisionally attributed to it. The United Kingdom's final commitment is also conditional on

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answers to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley of 3 April, Official Report, column 501, when he decided not to publish the responses received to the consultation document on Scottish lowland airports policy; what objections were raised by respondents to the proposals of paragraph 17 of the consultation document on Scottish lowland airports policy that it was assumed that respondents have no objection to their responses being published, unless they specifically indicate otherwise; and what considerations of public policy underlay his decision to change his policy regarding the publication of responses to the consultation document on Scottish lowland airports policy from that set out in paragraph 17 of the consultation document.

Paragraph 17 of the consultation document did not represent a policy statement. A presumption of publication was offered as the basis for respondents to make their wishes on this known. In the light of the wishes expressed, my right hon. Friend took a policy decision not to publish any responses, for the reasons explained to the hon. Member in my reply of 3 April 1990, Official Report, column 501.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average cost of construction of one mile of virgin road in respect of (a) single carriageway roads, (b) dual carriageway roads and (c) six-lane roads including average costs of land acquisition and design work; and if he will make a statement.

Construction costs of roads vary substantially depending on factors such as location and the need for structures. In view of this, the Department does not prepare information on the average construction costs per mile."Trunk Roads, England into the 1990s" contains full details, including estimated works costs, of all schemes in the trunk road programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the amount of money spent by the railways and financed by Government on safety of the railways over the past five years, and the amount planned to be spent for the next three years for safety on the railways.

It is not possible to identify separately figures for British Rail's expenditure on specific safety measures over the last five years. Much general investment brings with it enhancements in safety. On 20 March I announced that the public sector obligation grant cash ceiling for 1989–90 would be increased by £8 million specifically to accommodate the grant-aided sector's share of additional safety-related expenditure. We have endorsed BR's plans for expenditure of £125 million on specific safety measures over the next three years. BR is currently assessing the costs of implementing the longer-term recommendations of the Hidden report on the Clapham accident, and will include them in its 1990 corporate plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information he has on the number of children of school age killed or injured in bus or coach accidents while on a journey to and from school, or on school-sponsored trips, over the last 10 years, five years and one year or over such period as such relevant information is available;

The table shows the numbers of children up to 16 years of age killed and injured while on a journey to or from school on a public service vehicle for each of the

Children up to age sixteen: Killed or injured on public service vehicles: On journeys to and from school; by activity
	Casualties
Severity	Boarding	Alighting	Standing	Seated	All1
1979
Killed	1	1	0	0	2
Injured	24	57	47	261	391
All casualties	25	58	47	261	393
1980
Killed	1	1	0	0	2
Injured	36	67	71	310	484
All casualties	37	68	71	310	486
1981
Killed	0	0	0	0	0
Injured	21	50	57	241	369
All casualties	21	50	57	241	369
1982
Killed	0	3	0	0	3
Injured	35	84	75	200	397
All casualties	35	87	75	200	400
1983
Killed	0	2	0	0	2
Injured	25	86	98	206	415
All casualties	25	88	98	206	417
1984
Killed	0	0	0	0	0
Injured	37	78	101	342	564
All casualties	37	78	101	342	564
1985
Killed	0	0	0	0	0
Injured	36	70	68	346	529
All casualties	36	70	68	346	529
1986
Killed	0	0	1	0	1
Injured	19	73	81	290	463
All casualties	19	73	82	290	464
1987
Killed	0	0	0	0	0
Injured	24	46	53	362	485
All casualties	24	46	53	362	485
1988
Killed	0	0	0	0	0
Injured	17	46	54	331	452
All casualties	17	46	54	331	452
1 Includes a small number of cases where the activity of the passenger was not reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what gauge railway lines will be used for the channel link route.

UIC "B".

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received representations seeking a change from

I have received some suggestions that BR should begin to convert some or all routes to the continental loading gauge. This is a matter for BR to consider but any ungrading must be commercially justified. BR considers that the cost of conversion to continental loading gauge is prohibitive and that it is more effective to use new wagon technology. All wagons presently in service with BR can run on continental gauge railways. BR are looking to develop a fleet of new, smaller wheeled intermodal and conventional wagons which have the same loading capacities as those generally available in mainland Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the conclusions of the energy technology support unit report entitled "Energy Use and Energy Efficiency in UK Transport" up to the year 2010; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

I have been asked to reply.This report was published in January as the 10th paper in the Energy Efficiency Series with the results and conclusions as chapter 6.I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many projects have been funded by the inner city task forces since they were set up.

I am answering this question because the inner cities task forces are a responsibility of the DTI. Between the start of the initiative in February 1986 and the end of March this year, 1,870 projects have been approved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department is aware of any evidence to suggest that the use of benzene in consumer products is carcinogenic.

I have been asked to reply.We are not aware of any evidence which indicates a link between benzene in consumer products and the onset of cancer. Benzene is toxic at high doses and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen on the basis of data from workers who were exposed to high levels in the past. The maximum concentration of benzene permitted under European directives in consumer products is 0·1 per cent.; except for motor fuels which are covered by a separate directive, this limits the amount of benzene in petrol to 5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will deposit in the Library (a) a copy of the provisional contractual agreement of March 1988 for the sale of Rover Group to British Aerospace, and (b) a copy of the final contractual agreement of July/August 1988 for the sale of the Rover Group to British Aerospace.

I have today made arrangements to put in the Libraries of both Houses copies of both documents. The provisional agreement with British Aerospace of 29 March 1988 was subject to EC Commission clearance and was superseded by the final contractual agreement of 14 July 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the total estimated cost of the Royal Ulster Constabulary operation in connection with the visit of Mr. Charles Haughey to Belfast; on what date the operation commenced; and on what date the operation was ended;(2) how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were involved each day in connection with the security operation for the visit of Mr. Charles Haughey to Belfast on Wednesday 11 April.

The extra cost incurred by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the operation could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is not considered appropriate, for security reasons, to give details of the number of police involved and the time scale of the operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the level of grants applicable to Northern Ireland students studying in Great Britain will be increased in the 1991–92 academic year to take account of the liability of students for community charge.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the bank, post office, wages and comparable robberies which have occurred in Northern Ireland since the beginning of 1989 where the Provisional Irish Republican Army or other paramilitary groups are deemed to have been involved; and what is the amount of moneys stolen in each case.

[holding answer 2 April 1990]: It is not always possible to attribute robberies to particular organisations. Nor do paramilitary organisations have a monopoly of armed robbery. However, in the period from 1 January 1989, there are believed to have been around 751 armed robberies of all kinds in Northern Ireland, in which the amount of money stolen is estimated at over £1·7 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any representations about thefts of personal valuables from hospital patients.

I am not aware that any such representations have been received by the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the increases or otherwise in real terms of the pay of police constables, at various levels of seniority, for the periods (a) 1974 to 1979, (b) 1979 to 1984 and (c) 1984 to 1989; and if he will list other significant changes in the terms and conditions of service of police officers and the dates at which they became effective.

Increases in real terms in the basic pay of police constables for the periods in question are set out in the table. Since 1974 other significant changes in the terms and conditions of service of police officers have included changes in pension arrangements in 1975 (counting of war service) and 1982 (increase in contributions) and increases in annual leave (1979; 1983 and 1987). Allowances payable in addition to basic pay have been uprated on a regular basis.

1. 1974–19791
Rank and Service	Percentage Increase (Real Terms)
Constable	Percentage
Under 1 Year	16·74
After 1 Year	17·52
After 2 Years	17·84
After 3 Years	16·39
After 4 Years	15·75
After 5 Years	11·67
After 6 Years	8·00
After 7 Years	9·95
After 8 Years	13·76
After 9 Years	8·48
After 13 Years	13·97
After 17 Years	13·26
1 1 April 1974—1 April 1979.

2. 1979–841
Rank and Service	Percentage increase (real terms)
Constable	Per cent.
Under 1 year	28·84
After 1 year	29·95
After 2 years	30·94
After 3 years	29·76
After 4 years	29·18
After 5 years	31·12
After 6 years	32·91
After 7 years	34·59
After 8 years	33·93
After 12 years	34·90
After 15 years	35·27
1 1 April 1979–1 April 1984

3. 1984–891
Rank and Service	Percentage increase (real terms)
Constable	Per cent.
Under 1 year	11·20
After 1 year	4·77
After 2 years	10·44
After 3 years	10·47
After 4 years	10·43
After 5 years	10·46
After 6 years	10·44
After 7 years	10·45
After 8 years	10·62
After 12 years	10·48
After 15 years	10·44
1 1 April 1984–1 April 1989

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms his Department has to deal with services and policies on child care and family services.

A ministerial group on women's issues was established in 1986 under Home Office chairmanship to co-ordinate policy issues of special concern to women. The group meets regularly and has focused in particular on child care and domestic violence in the last 12 months.Home Office Ministers and officials also maintain regular contacts with the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Women's National Commission and with many voluntary organisations and groups.In addition there are staff in the Home Office establishment department responsible for equal opportunities for women, and the Department's equal opportunities officers play their part in Cabinet Office-led activities designed to promote equal opportunities in the civil service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to introduce a standardised form of passport visa stamp.

Responsibility for the format of visa stamps rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. My officials are consulted about the inclusion of safeguards against forgery. I understand that the possibility of introducing a single format, stick-in visa for the United Kingdom at all overseas posts is now under active consideration, although no final decision has been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the provisions to make restriction orders under section 15 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 will come into effect; and if he will make a statement.

These provisions came into effect on 24 April. Guidance to the courts, the police, and to the Football Spectators Restriction Orders Authority which will administer the scheme centrally has been placed in the Library. These provisions are expected to be of value in deterring and preventing hooliganism in respect of certain football matches outside England and Wales by prohibiting offenders who are made subject to restriction orders by the courts from attending those matches.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what different types of medical qualification exist for prison staff involved in medical care of prisoners; and what is the minimum level of such personnel available at all times in prison.

All prison service establishments are served by one or more medical officers all of whom are registered medical practitioners. Many have psychiatric or other special qualifications. Twenty-four hour medical cover is required and is achieved by a combination of daily attendance and an emergency "on call" rota.Nursing services are provided by hospital officers (prison officers who specialise in health care) and civilian nurses. All the latter, and about 16 per cent. of hospital officers, have a recognised professional nursing qualification. Other hospital officers have received in-service training (currently of 24 weeks duration) in basic nursing techniques. The staffing levels and working patterns are conditioned by the size and function of individual establishments.

Average population of Cardiff remand centre and local prison: by type of prisoner
1979 to 1990
	Remand prisoners		Sentenced prisoners1		Non-criminal prisoners	All prisoners
	Under 21	Adult	Under 21	Adult
	Number	Number	Number	Number	Number	Number
1979
Remand centre	44	—	40	—	—	84
Local prison	—	73	—	305	5	383
1980
Remand centre	46	—	48	—	—	93
Local prison	—	88	—	289	3	380
1981
Remand centre	61	—	48	—	—	109
Local prison	—	86	—	288	5	379
1982
Remand centre	63	—	48	—	—	112
Local prison	—	86	—	324	1	410
1983
Remand centre	52	—	35	—	—	87
Local prison	—	93	—	301	1	395
1984
Remand centre	49	—	38	—	—	88
Local prison	—	78	—	243	3	323
1985
Remand centre	51	—	47	—	1	98
Local prison	—	128	—	245	1	375
1986
Remand centre	61	—	31	—	—	92
Local prison	—	113	—	296	2	410
1987
Remand centre	74	—	38	—	—	113
Local prison	—	97	—	328	1	427
1988
Remand centre	71	—	38	—	—	107
Local prison	—	100	—	320	3	422
1989
Remand centre	66	—	19	—	—	85
Local prison	—	102	—	291	2	394
19902
Remand centre	70	—	17	—	—	87
Local prison	—	117	—	245	2	364
1 Including fine defaulters.
2 31 January and 28 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the maximum number of prisoners accommodated at Cardiff prison at any point during each of the past 10 years and in the current year to date; and how many were (a) sentenced offenders, (b) remand prisoners and (c) young prisoners in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average number of prisoners accommodated at Cardiff prison during each of the past 10 years;(2) what was the average number of

The information is given in the table.

The greatest number of prisoners held in each establishment at a point during each year is calculated annually, and published in the report of the work of the prison service. Details are set out in the tables. Figures are not routinely collected in a way which enables the provision of a breakdown into the categories requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Greatest number of inmates held at Her Majesty's Prison and Her Majesty's Remand Centre Cardiff
Year	Local prison1	Remand centre1
1989–902	382	84
1988–89	465	128
1987–88	487	147
1986–87	482	128
1985–86	452	137
1984–853	379	126
1983	461	130
1982	465	142
1981	435	141
1980	454	127
1979	422	104

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether, subsequent to privatisation, he will require electricity companies to publish information about pollution control either in the directors' report or separately.

I have no plans to require electricity companies to publish information about pollution control which is, in any case, a matter for the Department of the Environment. However, the Government will continue to collect and publish information on fuel consumption and pollution from the electricity industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the electricity privatisation prospectus will give information about the cash flow of the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The prospectuses of those successor companies to the Central Electricity Generating Board to be floated will contain information about sources and applications of funds. The final years of the existence of the CEGB will be covered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will seek powers to require electricity companies to publish information about the safety of its operations.

I have no plans to do so. The industry has published information on safety matters annually both centrally and on a board-by-board basis and I see no reason why this should not continue. Should he consider it necessary, the Director General of Electricity Supply has the power to arrange for the publication of such material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid has been offered to the new Government in Chile; and if he will make a statement.

We are aiming for some expansion in the existing level of UK programmes for training Chileans in this country and for supporting links between Chilean and UK academic institutions. We also hope to develop a new programme of assistance in the technical education sector, and an English language training project. We have in addition agreed to increase our support to the World University Service (UK) by providing £100,000 a year for three years from 1990 to assist Chilean exiles in the UK to return to Chile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to close the royal naval stores depot at Trecwn in Dyfed.

There are no plans at present to close the royal naval armaments depot at Trecwn, but MOD storage requirements are kept under review in the light of changing needs and circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any Royal Air Force low-flying training aircraft using Wales for exercises carry any live ammunition or weapons.

Practice bombs, using only small spotting charges, and practice ammunition are carried frequently in the United Kingdom. Inert bombs may also be used on some ranges. Live weapons with full charges are not generally carried in training, but there is a need for aircrew to have some very limited practice in their use and a range in Sutherland is normally used by the Royal Air Force for this purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of and list any regular low-flying exercises which concern the United Kingdom.

Regular exercises which incorporate a major military low flying element over the United Kingdom include Exercises Elder Forest (once every two years), Elder Joust (once a year), Central Enterprise (once a year), Mallet Blow (twice a year), OSEX (once a year) and Salty Hammer (once a year). Some of these exercises test and practice the United Kingdom air defences while others primarily provide aircrews with training in tactical low flying techniques. Several airborne exercises are also held each year to provide joint Army/RAF training in the parachuting or airlanding of troops and stores.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the results of the survey into the effects of low-level radiation on the long-term health of those service men who served on Christmas Island in 1957 and 1958.

The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published its report on mortality and cancer incidence in United Kingdom participants in "UK Atmospheric Nuclear Weapon Tests and Experimental Programmes" (NRPB-R214) in 1988. The study included service men who served on Christmas Island.The NRPB concluded in its report that a long-term health study along the lines suggested by the hon. Member was impracticable and unnecessary and its advice has not changed. The Government must rely, of course, on the expert and wholly independent advice of the NRPB on this matter.A follow-up mortality study is due to be completed by the end of 1991. The Government are confident that safety procedures during the tests were such that no one should have suffered harm as a result of exposure to ionising radiation. This was confirmed by the 1988 report which established no causal relationship between exposure to ionising radiation and increased incidence of any disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the exercise named Elder Forest and whether this is a regular exercise; how many of these exercises have recently taken place; which nations' aircraft were involved; over which countries the exercises took place; what aircraft were involved; what was the cost of each exercise to the United Kingdom; and if he will give details of any accidents which took place during the exercises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exercises along the lines of Elder Forest are planned for the years 1990–95; what is the number of missions in each exercise; what is the type of aircraft expected to be involved; which nations' aircraft are expected to be involved; over which countries are the exercises expected to take place; over which areas of the United Kingdom are the exercises projected to take place; and what will be the projected cost of each exercise.

Elder Forest is a biennial United Kingdom air defence exercise, centred on the United Kingdom air defence region, but involving aircraft from a number of NATO nations as well as the RAF. This year's is the sixth such exercise. Participating nations have typically included the United States, France, Germany, Norway, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, contributing attack and electronic warfare support aircraft. The RAF will contribute tanker, air defence and attack aircraft. The costs of individual exercises are not kept centrally and it would involve disproportionate cost and effort to collate them. There has been one major accident involving an aircraft participating in Exercise Elder Forest since the series began. This occurred on 20 April 1988 when an RAF Phantom crashed into the sea 20 nautical miles east of Dundee. It is not possible at this stage to say how many missions will be flown in this year's exercise or in future ones.We expect the Elder Forest series of exercises to continue biennially for the foreseeable future, but it is too early to give precise details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications took place between his Department and Sheffield Forgemasters regarding the sale of metal tubes to Iraq prior to 11 April.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications took place between his Department and the firm Walter Somers regarding the sale of equipment to Iraq prior to 11 April.

My Department has records of two occasions on which telephone conversations took place between Walter Somers Ltd. and a Ministry of Defence metallurgical expert in 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications took place between his Department and the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) concerning contracts with Iraq prior to 11 April.

These matters are being looked into at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice is provided by his Department to firms who have queries regarding the application of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989.

Queries of this nature are a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry. My Department is not responsible for advising firms in this regard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the development of binary fuels for use in large-scale artillery.

My Department monitors developments in this field but is not currently undertaking any such research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the pay of members of the Women's Royal Naval Service.

The Government have consulted the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) about the implications for pay of the decision announced earlier this year that members of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) will in future be eligible to serve at sea. The AFPRB has recommended that from I April 1990 all WRNS non-commissioned personnel liable to serve at sea, whether as new entrants or as volunteers from among existing members of the WRNS, should receive the rates of basic pay already applicable to male ratings. The review body proposes that volunteers should be accepted as liable for sea service once they have completed a sea safety course.The Government have accepted these recommendations in full. WRNS officers already receive the same rates of basic pay as male officers of the Royal Navy.Members of the WRNS, in common with members of the other women's services, will continue to receive a rate of X factor 1 per cent. below that received by men. The AFPRB has stated that it intends to review this differential in its next report in the light of the initiatives being taken to widen the role of women in all three services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the work of Dr. Gerald Bull.

No formal assessment has been made, but interested Ministry of Defence staff kept abreast of professional papers written by Dr. Bull.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research into further possible earthquakes is taking place, in the light of the earthquake that occurred in England and Wales on 2 April.

It is not possible at this time to assess the likely occurrence and location of future events with any precision because earthquakes are rare in the United Kingdom, and because the forces that cause them are not well known. However, important information can be obtained by monitoring the aftershocks which generally occur after an earthquake. In the week following the "Bishop's Castle" earthquake of 2 April 1990, the Natural Environment Research Council's British geological survey (BGS) installed 10 seismometer stations within 25km of the epicentre to study the aftershocks, in order to learn more about the earthquakes in that area and their implications for seismic risk assessment. Together with the information from the improved national seismic monitoring network, this approach will eventually lead to a better capacity in seismic risk assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in ensuring all schools attain his Department's guidelines standards in first aid provision.

Responsibility for first-aid arrangements in schools rests with local education authorities and other education powers. The results of a recent survey by St. John Ambulance are being studied by my Department in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive, and we shall consider the need for any possible additions to the existing guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department collects about financial incentives paid to teachers, particularly in repect of their numbers, values and distribution on scales A to E between infant, junior and senior schools; and if he will make a statement.

The Department's database of teacher records contains information, collected on an annual basis, on the numbers of incentive allowance holders in maintained schools. The data can be disaggregated by rate of allowance, local education authority, type of school and by various other factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage increase in the amount allocated for student grants for the current academic year over the amount allocated for 1988–89; and whether the increase includes an amount to meet students' community charge payments.

The main rates of mandatory student grant are 5 per cent. higher (9·4 per cent. higher for those studying away from home in London) in the current academic year than in 1988–89. In setting these, students' net liability for 20 per cent. of the community charge following abolition of domestic rates was among the factors taken into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds have been allocated, or what proposals exist for such funding, to the British geological survey for an improved seismic monitoring network; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 24 April 1990]: The British geological survey's (BGS's) programme of monitoring and studying earthquakes has been supported principally by grant-in-aid from my Department to the natural environment research council (NERC) for the past 20 years. The BGS's work has been supplemented by seismographic stations established by Department of the Environment (DOE), Department of Energy (DEng) and others.In 1989–90, the NERC and the DOE consolidated the BGS work within the framework of the United Kingdom seismic monitoring and information service, co-sponsored by a customer group of Government Departments and commercial organisations, to support the improvement of the seismic monitoring network. In 1989–90, funding amounted to £400,000—70 per cent. contributed by NERC grant-in-aid. The cost of upgrading to a uniform network at 70 km spacing is estimated at £1 million spread over three years, with total running costs of about £1 million per year. Further efforts are being made to enlarge the customer group in order to achieve this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what percentage Government support for the Welsh language has increased since 1978–79.

In 1990–91 direct Government support for the Welsh language will total £5·87 million. This compares with £349,542 in 1978–79; a cash increase of 1,579 per cent. or 580 per cent. in real terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate what percentage of drinking water in Wales is contaminated by faecal organisms.

I have been informed by Dwr Cymru that between January 1989 and March 1990 the company examined some 52,000 samples of treated public water supplies in its area of which 0·66 per cent. showed possible faecal contamination. Water quality standards and sampling regimes relating to public supplies are prescribed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No. 1147). Advice on remedial action to be taken in the event of water quality standards being infringed is contained in the Department of Environment-Welsh Office publication "Guidance on Safeguarding the Quality of Public Water Supplies".Local authorities have a duty to monitor the quality of water supplied for domestic purposes in their areas, including private supplies. Information on the results of samples taken by authorities is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate what percentage of the volume of sewage discharged into the Welsh coastal waters has received (a) primary treatment only and (b) primary and secondary treatment.

I understand from information provided by Dwr Cymru that, based on population served, approximately 7 per cent. of the sewage discharged into Welsh coastal waters, including estuarial waters, receives primary treatment only and 22 per cent. receives primary and secondary treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the report that his Department funded jointly with the Welsh water authority concerning viruses in sea and fresh water by Dr. J. M. Tyler.

Yes. The results of the research have been broadcast in various seminars and symposia and in a number of publications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of actual pollution incidents in Wales during the last three years whereby industrial chemicals were discharged illegally into surface waters.

This is a matter for the National Rivers Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report (i) the number of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools and (ii) the number of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools who (a) have had no experience of teaching in primary schools, (b) have had no experience of work outside education, (c) whose gross salary is below £30,000 per annum, (d) hold the qualification of D.Sc., (e) are graduates of universities outside Wales, (f) hold masters or doctoral degrees in mathematics, (g) hold masters or doctoral degrees in physics, (h) hold masters or doctoral degrees in chemistry and (i) hold masters or doctoral degrees in engineering.

The numbers are as follows:

(i) 54 with two more in process of appointment;

(ii) (a) 47 I also refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 18 March 1986:

(b) 2 have not held permanent posts outside education although most have some experience of work outside education;

(c) 8;

(d) none;

(e) 21;

(f) 1;

(g) 2;

(h) 2;

(i) 2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the date when final approval of the scheme for local management of schools was given by his Department for each local education authority.

The information is as follows:

LEA	Date of Approval
Clwyd	9 March 1990
Dyfed	29 March 1990
Gwent	30 March 1990
Gwynedd	9 March 1990
Mid Glamorgan	16 March 1990
Powys	29 March 1990
South Glamorgan	28 March 1990
West Glamorgan	29 March 1990

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of assisted place pupils in each school in Wales in the scheme and the number of assisted place pupils from each Welsh local education authority.

As at September 1989 the number of assisted place pupils in participating schools in Wales was:

	Number
Monmouth boys school	139
Monmouth girls school	67
Howells school, Llandaff	190

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what target he has set for each health authority in Wales to seek through (a) donations, (b) charitable gifts and (c) direct fund-raising activities (i) in 1990–91 and (ii) over the next 10 years.

My right hon. Friend has set no such targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give, on a county-by-county basis, the funds allocated by the Government to meet the costs of (a) repair and (b) maintenance of the fabric of schools in the public sector in Wales.

[holding answer 24 April 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested. Allocations of credit approval to local authorities are formula-based. Capital allocations since 1984–85 are unhypothecated between services. The public expenditure provisions for education capital at an all-Wales level are shown in the table:

Constant 1988–89 prices
Year	Number
1984–85	37
1985–86	37
1986–87	38
1987–88	44
1988–89	46
1989–90	48

For 1990–91 I have already announced credit approval for local authority education purposes of some £50·1 million with an assumed gross capital expenditure of £53·7 million. Because of changes in the capital control system effective from April 1990 these figures are not directly comparable with those in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give, on a county-by-county basis, the most recent assessment of the costs of (a) repairing and (b) maintaining the fabric of schools in the public sector in Wales.

[holding answer 24 April 1990]: Responsibility for the repair and maintenance of schools rests with the local education authorities, and the Department has no comprehensive information in the form requested.In the context of my efficiency initiative, local authorities have established a property management group and this is addressing the condition of the local authority estate, including educational establishments. A report on property management has been prepared which recommends the setting up of appropriate records in regard to the age and condition of buildings including schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the health authorities and units that are working on specimen contracts for health care in respect of his National Health Service reforms;(2) if he will list the research programmes his Department is running on the National Health Service reform proposals;(3) if he will list the health regions and health districts that are working on the detail of the internal market for his proposed National Health Service reforms.

All health authorities are now preparing to implement the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients", subject to the passage of the necessary legislation. The Government are, in addition, supporting development work in a number of authorities where this is more advanced. The purpose of this support is to build up practical experience and understanding of how the new arrangements will operate so that this can benefit the service as a whole. The Department is supporting a programme of development work rather than research but the results will be evaluated fully.The following health authorities are involved in work on contracting for services, including the development of specimen contracts:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will reconsider his decision not to approve the nine consultant posts and support staff to the North Staffordshire district health authority out of the funds to alleviate excessive waiting lists.

The new consultant posts provided under the 100 consultants scheme, announced in the White Paper "Working for Patients", were allocated on the basis of criteria set out when bids for these posts were invited. These were that posts should:

(i) reduce long waiting lists and times;

(ii) help reduce junior doctors' hours;

(iii) help improve the career structure in "out of balance specialties.

North Staffordshire's bid for a consultant gynaecologist was successful and is to be funded from April 1990. We will not be reconsidering the distribution of other posts under this scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals and other units that are seeking trust status.

Formal applications for NHS trust status can be invited only when Parliament has approved the necessary legislation. However, the following 83 units have expressed interest in seeking NHS trust status in 1991:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the units which have indicated that they wish to develop their application for National Health Service trust status over a longer time scale.

Formal applications for NHS trust status can be made only when Parliament has approved the necessary legislation. Individual sponsors will then decide whether or not to submit an application for trust status in April 1991 at this stage, it would be premature to identify those units which may or may not wish to develop their application over a longer time scale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the number of (a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets born in England and Wales in 1989; and what was the total number of maternities in that year.

Details of multiple births occurring in 1989 are not yet available; it is hoped that the information will be ready in early May; the information will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take in the light of the report on the death of Joseph Watts in Broadmoor special hospital; and whether he will publish the report of the special hospital service board.

The report of the inquiry team has been the subject of detailed consideration within the Department and, in the light of the Department's initial comments, by the general manager of Broadmoor hospital. The report, with the hospital's interim response, has now been referred to the Special Hospitals Service Authority (since 1 October 1989, the body responsible for the management of the special hospitals). The authority has been asked to address the report's findings; review follow-up action taken to date; and consider the further handling of the report, including the arrangements for its wider distribution. We expect to receive the authority's proposals shortly, and then to make a further statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to increase public awareness of the hospital travel costs scheme.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 30 January at column 129. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources have been given to Dorset to help in the care of AIDS victims.

Wessex regional health authority has been allocated £5,027,000 in 1990–91 towards additional costs incurred in preventing the spread of HIV infection and in providing treatment and care for those who have the virus. It is for the RHA to decide allocations to district health authorities to cover the needs of people living in Dorset. We have separately given Dorset county council a grant of £13,897 this year towards the costs of its planned expenditure on social services for people with AIDS and HIV infection.

Revenue expenditure on hospital and community health services (HCHS)
	Total salaries and wages expenditure
	Review body staff		All other staff		Total Non-pay	Expenditure
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
	(cash)	(at 1989–90 prices)	(cash)	(at 1989–90 prices)	(cash)	(at 1989–90 prices)
1974–75	953,859	4,030,226	838,841	3,544,254	558,428	2,359,459
1975–76	1,253,163	4,210,941	1,105,441	3,714,558	722,576	2,428,036
1976–77	1,437,313	4,261,274	1,254,433	3,719,080	820,606	2,432,892
1977–78	1,552,699	4,044,067	1,368,900	3,565,355	1,009,503	2,629,291
1978–79	1,745,353	4,106,467	1,533,099	3,607,075	1,143,039	2,689,342
1979–80	2,312,709	4,659,068	1,680,011	3,384,466	1,340,202	2,699,904
1980–81	3,161,777	5,382,419	2,081,018	3,542,600	1,642,636	2,796,325
1981–82	3,466,215	5,374,505	2,258,307	3,501,595	1,905,463	2,954,497
1982–83	3,746,024	5,417,238	2,333,346	3,374,322	2,061,859	2,981,716
1983–84	3,957,260	5,467,390	2,456,394	3,393,779	2,211,703	3,055,711
1984–85	4,227,113	5,563,726	2,551,322	3,358,050	2,356,419	3,101,519
1985–86	4,520,820	5,647,047	2,594,567	3,240,926	2,494,012	3,115,320

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that in all Health Service contracts placed with hospitals there is a requirement that translators are provided where any patients might need them.

Guidance to the NHS has made it clear that each district health authority will be required to place contracts which secure access to a comprehensive range of high-quality services for all members of its resident population. In doing so, they will need to take account of any particular linguistic or cultural needs. A number of interpreters and linkworkers are already employed in the NHS and the Department is encouraging the appointment of more. It must be for district health authorities themselves to negotiate the exact specifications of contracts in the light of local needs and circumstances. It would be too prescriptive to insist that all contracts required the provision of translators or interpreters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the report from the Disablement Services Authority regarding the provision of powered wheelchairs for outdoor use; if he will publish the recommendations in the Official Report; and if he intends to accept them.

I understand that the Disablement Services Authority has now completed the indoor/outdoor electric wheelchair pilot study. A copy of the report on the study has been placed in the Library. The authority is in touch with the Department about the next steps to be taken and we shall make an announcement in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of hospital and community health services expenditure on (a) staff now covered by pay review bodies, (b) other staff and (c) goods and services, in cash and constant prices in each year since 1974–75.

[holding answer 5 March 1990]: Information derived from annual accounts submitted to the Department is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to alter the guidelines given to family practitioner committees on the drawing of general practitioners' practice boundaries.

[holding answer 23 April 1990]: No. Subject to approval by the medical practices committee, a general practitioner may choose the area from which his patients are drawn provided he can fulfil his obligation to visit patients on his list. A general practitioner must, however, notify the family practitioner committee of his proposed practice area as a condition of acceptance on to the medical list. He may, at any time, change this area with the consent of the family practitioner committee or on appeal to the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what mechanisms his Department has to deal with services and policies on child care and family services.

I am a member of the interdepartmental ministerial group on women's issues which was established in 1986 to co-ordinate policy issues of special concern to women. The group meets regularly and has focused in particular on child care and domestic violence in the last 12 months.I also chair the advisory committee on women's employment which meets regularly to discuss matters affecting women's employment. This committee includes the Equal Opportunities Commission's chair, my hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe), the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson), representatives of the CBI, TUC and the Women's National Commission.My ministerial colleagues and I also meet interested groups and address meetings. In addition the Department

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when results will be available from the follow-up survey of employment training trainees, and if he will place a full copy of results in the Library.

When sufficient data are available to satisfy my right hon. and learned Friend of the reliability of more detailed analyses he will consider placing a report in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of accidents on employment training, fatal, major and minor, for each month since the start of the scheme to the latest available date.

ET accident figures are collected quarterly, as for YTS. The table gives the accident figures.

	Accidents1
	Fatal	Major2	Minor
5 September 1988 to 31 December 1988	nil	24	91
1 January 1989 to 31 March 1989	nil	31	161
1 April 1989 to 30 June 1989	nil	53	276
1 July 1989 to 30 September 1989	nil	52	286
1 October 1989 to 31 December 1989	13	67	246
1 Training Agency figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.
2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.
3This was a road traffic accident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employer-based work placements and how many project-based work placements have either been rejected or closed on health and safety grounds since employment training was introduced.

Separate figures for closures and rejections for employer-based and project-based work placements are not kept. The table gives figures of closures and rejections on health and safety grounds from 5 September 1988 to the present date. The figures are provisional.

Closed	Rejected
15	nil

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual expenditure on ET from the start of the programme to the estimated outturn for 1990–91; how much of that budget in cash terms was used to pay (a) the trainees' training allowances, and (b) the trainees' training premium; and if he will make a statement.

The table shows the annual expenditure on employment training (ET) from the start of the programme to 1990–91.

(£ million)
	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91
	(from 5 September 1988)	provisional outturn	estimate
Total Employment
Training
expenditure	425	1,096	1,156
Training
allowances	151	527	585
Training premium
(estimated)	34	102	108

Employment training is currently helping over 200,000 unemployed people to obtain the skills and experience they need to get jobs. The Government believe that the level of financial support for ET trainees is reasonable given the need to devote adequate resources to maintaining the quality of training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances will an unemployed claimant, following the changes in regulations under the

Actively Seeking Work and Refusal of Employment Referrals and Disqualifications
Period 9 October 1989—23 February 1990
	Actively Seeking Employment				Refusal of Employment
Regions	Claimants Issued Warning Letters	Claims Referred to Adjudication Officer	Allowed	Disallowed	Claims Referred to Adjudication Officer	Not Disqualified	Disqualified
Northern	914	156	23	57	33	6	16
Yorkshire and Humberside	874	142	28	46	89	15	13
East Midlands and Eastern	1,131	186	37	46	190	73	55
London and South East	5,828	930	180	191	1,048	117	159
South West	826	207	39	57	73	21	10
Wales	1,186	193	37	40	91	20	21
West Midlands	1,438	258	71	114	193	41	35
North West	1,918	225	56	75	107	20	22
Scotland	2,291	278	80	72	78	24	10

The 1989 social security provision on refusal of employment makes no distinction between long-term, short-term or temporary work. If a job is offered to an unemployed person by the employment service which he or she can reasonably be expected to do, it is for the person to show good cause for refusal. The temporary or short-term nature of the job would be only a factor to be considered by the independent adjudicating authorities, in the event of refusal, with any other reasons put forward by the claimant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance is given to offices about the treatment of a legally separated unemployed person with access rights to children at weekends in respect of the availability for work effect on his or her entitlement to benefit.

There is no specific guidance issued to offices about the treatment of unemployed persons who are legally separated and who have access rights to children at weekends. A person with domestic or other commitments who restricts himself or herself to working only on certain days of the week would need to show that the restriction is reasonable and that it would not limit his or her prospects of obtaining work. Benefit can be disallowed for those days that the claimant is clearly not available, and for other days claimed if, because of restrictions imposed, he or she has no reasonable prospects of obtaining work. Each case has to be considered individually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed claimants in each month since 9 October 1989, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, have been (a) issued with warning letters for not actively seeking work, (b) had their claims referred to an adjudication officer for not actively seeking work, (c) had their claims (i) allowed or (ii) disallowed, and (d) have been referred to an adjudication officer for refusing suitable employment; and how many of those in (d) have had their benefit disqualified.

The table shows the statistical information for the period 9 October 1989 to 23 February 1990 on questions of "actively seeking employment" and "refusal of employment".

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to carry out an urgent independent investigation into the fire on Thursday 19 April at the Marchon chemical plant in Whitehaven and publish its findings; and if he will make a statement.