Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 17 October 1991
Attorney-General
Law Of Domicile
To ask the Attorney-General what plans the Government have in relation to the Law Commissions' joint report on the law of domicile, Cm 200.
Following publication of the Law Commissions' joint report in September 1987, the Government have consulted a broad range of interested groups. In the light of the comments received, the Government have accepted the recommendations in the report and will introduce legislation when a suitable opportunity arises.
Northern Ireland
Family Planning Education
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds were allocated to family planning education by each of the four area health boards in each of the past five years.
The total expenditure on family planning services by the four health and social services boards in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years was as follows:
Northern Board £ | Southern Board £ | Eastern Board £ | Western Board £ | Total NI £ | |
1986–87 | 152,785 | 51,007 | 308,327 | 91,059 | 603,078 |
1987–88 | 158,078 | 66,754 | 387,157 | 109,675 | 721,664 |
1988–89 | 163,563 | 86,658 | 388,945 | 132,127 | 771,293 |
1989–90 | 184,571 | 94,210 | 424,166 | 158,364 | 861,311 |
1990–91 | 194,359 | 62,960 | 528,083 | 143,441 | 928,843 |
Health Centre, Portavogie
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the need for a health centre in Portavogie; and if he will make a statement.
The population of Portavogie is too small for a general medical practitioner to set up a permanent practice there, and it would not therefore sustain a health centre. General medical services are, however, provided by three practices using their own branch surgery facilities and a full range of community services is also available.
Aids
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of AIDS have been confirmed in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; how many persons have died as a result of AIDS in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on education to combat the spread of AIDS in Northern Ireland.
The information requested is as folllows:
Year | AIDS Cases | AIDS-related deaths |
1986 | 2 | — |
1987 | 1 | 1 |
1988 | 6 | 1 |
1989 | 7 | 7 |
1990 | 5 | 9 |
1991 | 14 | 23 |
1 to 30 September. | ||
2 to 30 September. |
Child Mothers
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many girls aged 14 years and under gave birth to children in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years.
The information requested is as follows:
Year | Number |
1986 | 4 |
1987 | 9 |
1988 | 4 |
1989 | 5 |
11990 | 7 |
1 Provisional. |
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many girls aged 16 years and under gave birth to children in each of the past five years; and how, many of these girls were single.
The information requested is as follows:
Live births | Still births | |||
Year | Total | Single girls | Total | Single girls |
1986 | 172 | 148 | 2 | 2 |
1987 | 170 | 155 | 1 | 1 |
1988 | 190 | 172 | — | — |
1989 | 170 | 162 | 1 | 1 |
11990 | 154 | 149 | — | — |
1 Provisional. |
Source: Statistics held by General Register Officer.
Nursing Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reduction in numbers within the North Down and Ards community unit of management there has been in the past three months in (a) bank nurses and (b) twilight nursing services; what effect these reductions will have on the community nursing budget; and if he will make a statement on the impact of these reductions on the constituency of Strangford.
There have been no reductions over the last three months in staffing levels in the district nursing service within the North Down and Ards community unit of management and no reduction in the community nursing budget. Absences due to sickness in the twilight nursing service in the Ards area have been covered by using the nurse bank which is a pool of nurses, not on contract, who work as required and are paid for the duties performed. The nurse bank scheme was suspended temporarily earlier this year but is now, once again, fully operational and will be used as required to ensure the continued provision of the best possible community nursing service.
Armagh Health Clinic
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of the proposed extension to the Armagh health clinic; how many additional staff will be employed following completion of the extension; how many additional car parking places will be provided on site; what additional contributions will be made by the medical general practices towards the cost of this scheme; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this project on competition between private general medical practices.
The estimated cost of the proposed extension to Armagh health centre is £295,574, not including VAT, fees and equipment. One additional member of staff will be appointed. No additional car parking places will be provided and no additional contributions will be made by the general medical practices to the cost of the scheme. There are no private general medical practices in Armagh.
Animal Liberation Front
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the locations of attacks by the Animal Liberation Front in 1991 to date; what was the form of each attack; how many people have been charged for each incident; if he will consider making the Animal Liberation Front an unlawful organisation; and if he will make a statement.
I have been informed by the RUC that the following significant incidents which may be attributable to animal rights extremists have been carried out in Northern Ireland this year:
Location and form of attack
Clandeboye
Damage to 3 marquees and a number of fences on a point-to-point course.
Ballymena
Attempted arson at poultry house and daubing of slogans.
Newtownards
Fire damage to a butcher's shop.
Kircubbin
Damage to poultry houses and daubing of slogans.
Belfast
Fire bomb device dealt with by Army at Gun and Tackle shop.
Belfast
Bomb hoax device received by newspaper reporter.
Portaferry
Caravan destroyed by fire at fishing farm. Slogans daubed.
Eglish
Caravan belonging to Hare coursing club destroyed by fire. Fire damaged parked vehicles. Slogans daubed, damage to coursing track.
Claudy
Fire damage to farm property.
Craigantlet
Petrol bomb device found under car.
In addition, there have been a number of other incidents resulting in damage to commercial premises, principally in the Belfast and Bangor area. The damage resulted in broken windows, slogans being daubed on walls, doors and windows and the glueing of locks.
To date no persons have been charged with any of these offences and it is therefore not possible to say definitely which of the incidents listed was the work of the Animal Liberation Front.
The only powers available to me to proscribe any organisation are those granted under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991. Their use would not be appropriate in this case. I am in any event satisfied that the ordinary criminal law is adequate to deal with the unlawful activities in which some members of the Animal Liberation Front are engaged and which I utterly condemn.
Southern Health And Social Services Board
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Southern health and social services board decided to promote the substitution of tinned and frozen foods for fresh food; what policy decisions have been made by each of the other area health boards in this respect; and whether he approved the policy; and if he will make a statement.
The Southern health and social services board aims to provide nourishing and balanced meals for its patients, staff and clients. Quality fresh, frozen, chilled, dried and tinned foods are all used as appropriate to the catering arrangements at individual facilities. This is a long established policy. A similar approach is adopted in the other health and social services boards. All boards continually review their catering policies to take account of developments in food technology.
Young Mothers
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women under the age of 20 years gave birth to babies in each of the last five years within the Eastern health board area; how many of these women were single; and if he will make a statement.
The information requested is as follows:
Live births | Still births | |||
Year | Total | Single women | Total | Single women |
1986 | 852 | 547 | 5 | 3 |
1987 | 833 | 571 | 7 | 6 |
1988 | 869 | 646 | 3 | 2 |
1989 | 769 | 604 | 3 | 2 |
11990 | 728 | 599 | 4 | 3 |
1 Provisional. |
Source: Statistics held by General Register Office.
Renewable Energy
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the development of renewable energy in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
The draft Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order, which will be laid before the House shortly, will provide for the encouragement of the use of renewable energy in Northern Ireland. It is planned to seek proposals from interested developers next year.
Ruc
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he received the application from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary for an increase in the strength of the RUC; what increase in members was requested; and if he will make a statement.
The bid for an increase of 239 in the establishment of the regular RUC and for 202 in the full-time reserve was received from the police authority on 23 November 1990. That bid has received careful consideration and a response will shortly be sent to the authority.
Electricity (Cuts)
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the extent of cuts in the electricity supply to the areas of (a) Cloughey and (b) Kircubbin during the past month.
Cloughey's sub-station failed between 13.50 and 16.50 hours on 3 October. Supply to Kircubbin was interrupted 37 times between 3 and 28 September due to a fault which was eventually located and repaired on the latter date.
Chief Electoral Officer's Report
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 1990–91 will be published.
The Chief Electoral Officer's report was laid before the House today and is published as a House of Commons paper No. 660. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament, together with my response.
Employment Schemes
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in how many cases funding to Action for Community Employment schemes has been terminated on the grounds that the management committee of such a scheme was deemed insufficiently qualified;(2) what advice the Training and Employment Agency gives to the management committees of Action for Community Employment schemes concerning the com-position of such communities;(3) what professional or other qualifications members of the management committees of Action for Community Employment schemes are required to possess;(4) what are the procedures employed by the Training and Employment Agency to approve the management committees of Action for Community Employment schemes.
[holding answer 15 October 1991]: ACE management committees have direct employer responsibilities for those on the scheme and are accountable for the financing provided to them. The Training and Employment Agency is not prescriptive about qualifications for membership of management committees, but in contracting agreements it must be satisfied that—relative to the size of the work force and the range of activities undertaken—people serving on a committee have the skills, knowledge and experience to competently manage a project. Agency staff maintain contacts with each ACE project through a programme of regular visitation and provide written advice and direction. The agency has never terminated an agreement on the grounds that the management committee of a scheme was deemed to be insufficiently qualified.
Television Licences
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many television licences have been issued during the past year; and how many persons have been prosecuted for not having a current television licence during the past 12 months, giving the figures for each county and city.
I have been asked to reply.The following information has been provided by the BBC, which is responsible for the administration and enforcement of TV licences. At 31 March 1991, a total of 19,545,830 licences were recorded as being in force in the United Kingdom, including 307,590 in Northern Ireland. In the year ending 31 March 1991, there were 182,721 prosecutions for unlicensed use of television in the United Kingdom, including 2,032 in Northern Ireland. It is not possible to give a breakdown by county or city.
Transport
Railway Noise
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is now able to announce the Government's conclusions on the report "Railway Noise and the Insulation of Dwellings" by the committee chaired by Dr. Mitchell.
I expect to be able to do so next month.
London Assessment Studies
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in implementing the public transport proposals contained in the London assessment studies, and, in particular, what progress has been made to plans to extend the Northern line from Kennington southwards to Streatham and Crystal Palace, and to extend the east London line to Balham.
The London assessment studies contained a number of proposals for improving public transport at certain key locations. Among the main schemes which are being taken forward are east-west crossrail, also recommended by the central London rail study—CLRS—and the extension of the docklands light rail to Lewisham. In addition, the route for the Chelsea-Hackney line, again, recommended by CLRS, has been safeguarded.
The specific schemes mentioned are still being evaluated by London Transport. Any implementation will be subject to the availability of resources. At present LT's resources are fully committed to relieving congestion in the central area and improving the overall safety and reliability of the existing Underground system.
Coastguards
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the coastguard service in Yorkshire and Humberside from 1 January 1992.
HM coastguard in Yorkshire and Humberside will continue to co-ordinate maritime search and rescue operations from its modern and well-equipped maritime rescue sub-centre—MRSC—at Bridlington, for the foreseeable future. Local resources are being reviewed with the aim of further improving the level of support given to the MRSC in its co-ordinating role from an efficient and well-trained sector and auxiliary coastguard organisation.
Lockerbie Disaster
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken in respect of his Department's air accident investigation branch report No. 2/90; and if he will make a statement.
The report by the air accidents investigation branch into the Lockerbie disaster contained five safety recommendations four of which were directed at the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA accepted all four of the recommendations and is working with a number of other bodies, in addition to participating in the work of a study group of the International Civil Aviation Organisation concerned with the incorporation of security into aircraft design.The fifth recommendation directed at the Department of Transport—that it provide funds for a specific study concerning aircraft recorders—has also been accepted and the Department is providing funding.
Coastguard Lookout Stations
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any proposals to close any coastguard lookout stations in Dorset and Hampshire; and if he will make a statement.
HM Coastguard has undertaken an internal review of the sector and auxiliary coastguard organisation around the country. Proposals and recom-mendations have been put forward to clearly define the role of the modern day coastguard service, and to improve levels of readiness, responsiveness, and efficiency. These proposals and recommendations form a consultative document and not a statement of intent. A full statement will be made in due course, once a final decision has been reached.
Low Flying
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to provide a legal definition of noise pollution relating to privately owned helicopters and light aircraft flying low over areas that are not adjacent to an accepted landing place.
No. Civil aircraft, including helicopters, are already subject to the Rules of the Air 1990 which specify the minimum heights at which aircraft may operate when not taking off or landing. Section 76 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 does not exempt civil aircraft from actions for nuisance if these rules have not been observed without good reason, taking into account all the circumstances of the case.In addition, any aircraft considered to be in breach of these regulations, or generally flying in a dangerous manner not in accord with normal aviation practice, may be reported to the air safety enforcement branch of the Civil Aviation Authority or to the police.
Channel Tunnel
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his announcement of 9 October concerning the route of the high-speed channel tunnel railway, he will list those locations, other than Ashford, Stratford, and King's Cross to which Her Majesty's Government assign developmental significance.
Identifying development opportunities, and how the rail link might contribute to their realisation, will form an important part of British Rail's work in the coming months in defining the route of the rail link, its connections and stations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, consequent to his announcement of an extended timetable for the construction of a fast rail link to London from the channel tunnel, he will provide funding to enable the British Railways Board to quadruple rail tracks between Ashford International and Tonbridge and to construct related high-speed flyovers at that junction.
As my right hon. and learned Friend said in his statement on 14 October, overall the choice of the preferred route will not have any material effect on when the new line might come into operation. British Rail has not suggested that these works are needed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now table a White or Green Paper concerning the Government's policy for the funding of the Channel high-speed rail link on his preferred route.
No. My right hon. and learned Friend explained the Government's policy in his statement on 14 October.
Greater Manchester Relief Road
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now intends to publish his Department's preferred routs for the Greater Manchester western and northern relief road; and when he expects the public consultation process to begin.
I expect public consultation to start next year. Preferred route announcement would follow consideration of the consultation response.
Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to end the current practice whereby the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sends out advertising literature on behalf of the British School of Motoring with every new provisional licence.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency concluded the test mailing on 4 October.
Railfreight Distribution
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has received from the chairman of British Rail about the future of Railfreight Distribution's service to Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
British Rail has today announced that, following competitive tendering, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company will provide port facilities in the United Kingdom for its container services to and from Ireland. I have arranged for a copy of BR's announcement to be placed in the Library of the House.
M25
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate the maximum design flow in passenger car units per hour of four sections of the M25 motorway between named intersections; and for each sector indicate the measured or estimated recent use, in both volume and intensity, together with the increased additional design capacity he now proposes, together with its respective capital cost.
[holding answer 14 October 1991]: The volumes of traffic that can be carried by a given section of motorway varies according to a number of factors, including the mix of traffic, its distribution throughout the day, the proportions of traffic joining and leaving at junctions and gradients. However a flow of 1,800 vehicles per lane per hour provided a reasonable guide to the maximum unperturbed flow on the existing motorway and a starting point for preliminary designs for widening.The data requested is not available in terms or passenger car units. The annual average daily traffic flows—AADT—total vehicles in both directions—derived from surveys in 1991 together with the peak hour flows—one direction—for the four sections between junctions 5 and 9 are set out in the table.
Junction | AADT | Peak hour |
5–6 | 91,000 | 4,750 |
6–7 | 100,000 | 5,000 |
7–8 | 113,000 | 5,500 |
8–9 | 110,000 | 5,250 |
Environment
Packaging
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to implement the EEC draft direction on minimum packaging and reusable liquid containers.
The European Commission has not yet brought forward a formal proposal for a directive on packaging and packaging waste. Consideration as to how such a directive might be implemented is therefore premature. However, the Government are already discussing the issue of packaging waste with the packaging industry and others, in line with the policies set out in our White Paper on the environment "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 1200, September 1990.
Environmental Strategy
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the objectives set out in the departmental Minis 12 document regarding the water directorate, pollution control and wastes directorate, environmental policy and analysis directorate and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution have been reported upon in each instance in Cm. 1655, the first year report on Britain's environmental strategy.
The MINIS 12 documents set out management objectives and targets for each of the directorates of the Department of the Environment. These objectives and targets are intended to support the overall policy objectives of Ministers and the Department. Thus in the environmental area the management objectives of the units referred to support the policy objectives set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" and reviewed in Cm 1655. It would not be appropriate in a document such as Cm 1655 to report on all the detailed objectives and tasks set out in the MINIS 12 documents. But the two documents are related and support one another as described.
Education And Science
Parents Charter
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which newspapers and magazines the parents charter has been advertised; on what dates; and at what total cost.
The planned advertising schedule to 13 October was as follows:
Daily Express | 28 September, 3, 7, 12 October |
Daily Mail | 28 September, 4, 7, 12 October |
Daily Mirror | 30 September, 3, 7, October |
Daily Star | 28 September, 1, 8, 9 October |
The Daily Telegraph | 30 September, 2, 5 October |
Evening Standard | 27 September |
The Guardian | 28 September, 3, 8 October |
The Independent | 30 September, 5, 12 October |
The Independent on Sunday | 29 September, 6 October |
The Mail on Sunday | 6 October |
News of the World | 29 September, 13 October |
Observer | 13 October |
Sunday People | 29 September |
The Sun | 28, 30 September, 9 October |
Sunday Express | 29 September |
Sunday Mirror | 29 September |
The Sunday Telegraph | 6, 13 October |
The Times | 28, 30 September |
Today | 28 September, 1, 5, 12 October |
TV Quick | 7 October |
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) for what purpose the telephone bureau service which is dealing with requests for copies of the parents charter asks for evening telephone numbers of callers;(2) what is the cost of the telephone bureau service to which readers of advertisements concerning the parents charter are directed.
It is standard procedure to ask callers for the contact telephone number in case there are queries about their order; a small sample of the numbers may also be used to check on the effectiveness of distribution arrangements and on the use made of the charter. Callers are not pressed to give numbers if they do not wish to do so.The cost of setting up the service and handling all calls up to noon on 15 October was £34,000, exclusive of VAT. This includes the cost of the 0800 number which enables respondents to make calls free of charge.
School Sport
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will publish his response to the report of the Select Committee on Education, Science and the Arts "Sport in Schools".
This report by the Select Committee is being given detailed consideration within the Department, and a formal response will be published as soon as possible.
Minister For Sport
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list, in full, the official engagements of the Minister for Sport for 18 September.
I had no official engagements on 18 September.
Sport Policy
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply of 5 February, Official Report, column 131, to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde, what is the reason for the delay in publishing his review of Government policy for sport; and when this review will be published.
The issues require careful consideration and consultation. I hope to publish a statement on policies and priorities for sport soon.
Home Department
Brixton Prison (Escapes)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Director of Prisons has taken on holding an inquiry into the workings of the directorate of custody 1; and if he will make a statement.
As my right hon. Friend indicated in the statement which he made on 5 August 1991 in response to the report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on the escapes from Brixton on 7 July, we have asked Mr. Ronald Hadfield, chief constable of the West Midlands and Mr. Gordon Lakes, a former deputy director general of the prison service to address Judge Tumim's recommendation that there should be such an inquiry. This is in hand.
Refugee Policy
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning United Kingdom refugee policy, following his statement of 2 July; how many such representations (a) broadly supported his proposals and (b) opposed his proposals; and if he will make a statement.
We have received about 100 letters from hon. Members forwarding correspondence from their constituents and about 650 letters from members of the public. About half the letters received have been from members of Amnesty International, Charter 87, A Charter for Refugees, the Asylum Rights Campaign, and the Refugee Council, many on duplicated pro-formas. The majority of correspondents have expressed opposition to one or more aspects of the Government's proposals. The Government continue to believe that their proposals for reforming asylum procedures, including the introduction of new rights of appeal before removal for all those refused asylum, will ensure the protection of genuine refugees, while dealing effectively with the present misuse of asylum procedures.
Procurement Expenditure
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when targets for savings on procurement expenditure in his Department for 1991–92 were promulgated through his Department.
Targets for procurement savings on suppliers and services were defined in consultation with individual management units engaged in procurement and promulgated in final form in July 1991 in accordance with the reporting arrangements laid down by the central unit on purchasing. Targets for project performance are not set on an annual basis but in terms of the relationship between estimates prior to tender and forecast outturn for the project.
Taylor Report
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his reply of 30 November 1990, Official Report, column 491, to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde, when he will implement the recommendation of Lord Justice Taylor's final report into the Hillsborough disaster that it be made an offence to sell tickets for and on the day of a football match without authority from the home club to do so.
We shall introduce the new offence when parliamentary time allows.
Prison Officers Association
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the meetings with the Prison Officers Association to discuss the dispute in south Wales that have been (a) held, (b) cancelled and (c) are planned for the current year.
Formal meetings with the Prison Officers Association to discuss the current dispute at Her Majesty's prison Cardiff were held on 13, 19, 20 and 28 June and on 12 September. I am not aware that any scheduled meetings did not take place. Discussions with national POA representatives have subsequently taken place aimed at agreeing the basis for a further meeting to see if this matter can be resolved. That meeting, at national level, will be arranged shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the total additional costs to his Department, police authorities and local authorities so far incurred by the dispute with prison officers in south Wales;(2) if he will list
(a) the number of cells currently unused in Cardiff prisons, (b) the number of remand prisoners currently held in police station cells in Wales and (c) the number of remand prisoners currently held in police station cells outside of Wales as a result of the present dispute.
On 15 October, the latest date for which figures are available, 193 prisoners were held in police cells who would normally have been accommodated in Cardiff prison; of these 82 were held in Wales and 111 in constabularies in England. I regret that it is not possible to identify separately remand and other classes of prisoner.Industrial action by officers at Cardiff prison is currently limiting receptions to the uncrowded capacity of the establishment; all available cells are therefore in use.Information in respect of the cost of holding prisoners from Cardiff in police cells is not available centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Police Establishments
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish (a) the establishment level and (b) the actual strength of the police forces of England and Wales for each year from 1974–75 to date.
I will write to the hon. Member.
Table 1 | |||||||||
Domestic homicide indictments 1982 to 1989 (including lover, former lover etc.) | |||||||||
England and Wales | Number of persons | ||||||||
Indictment | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | Total |
Women | |||||||||
Murder | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 164 |
Manslaughter | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
Football Offences Act
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of arrests and convictions made under each section of the Football Offences Act 1991 since the beginning of the 1991–92 football season.
Firm statistics are not yet available, but I understand from the national football intelligence unit that the number of arrests made under each section of the 1991 Act up to 16 October 1991 and reported to the unit is as follows:
Number | |
section 2 | |
(throwing of missiles) | 10 |
section 3 | |
(indecent or racialist chanting) | 23 |
section 4 | |
(going on to the playing area) | 40 |
Total | 73 |
Poll Tax
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have now been taken to court and convicted for non-payment of poll tax in each local area; and how many have received prison sentences.
In the period 1 April 1990 to 30 June 1991 the magistrates courts made 3,960,111 liability orders. During this period the courts ordered the immediate or suspended committal to prison of 448 non-payers. Information for the period 1 July to 30 September should be available in mid-November and will then be placed in the Library in the usual way.
Domestic Homicide
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistical information he has on the acceptance of defences to murder from women and men in cases of domestic homicide and their treatment by the courts; and if he will make a statement.
The information in the tables relates to domestic homicides committed in England and Wales from 1982 to 1989 inclusive.Ninety-five per cent of those indicted for homicide of a spouse, cohabitant or lover, including previous relation-ships, were indicted for murder. However, women were nearly twice as likely as men to be indicted for the lesser charge of manslaughter. Table 1 gives the indictment figures separately for women and men.
Indictment
| 1982
| 1983
| 1984
| 1985
| 1986
| 1987
| 1988
| 1989
| Total
|
Total | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 177 |
Manslaughter as a percentage of murder + manslaughter | 11 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Men
| |||||||||
Murder | 108 | 84 | 88 | 93 | 109 | 80 | 90 | 101 | 753 |
Manslaughter | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
Total | 110 | 89 | 95 | 98 | 115 | 83 | 92 | 103 | 785 |
Manslaughter as a percentage of murder + manslaughter | 2 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
At trial 22 per cent. of women and 5 per cent. of men were acquitted of all charges.
In the outcome 65 per cent. of all domestic homicide convictions were for manslaughter. Thirty-one per cent. were on grounds of diminished responsibility under
Table 2
| |||||||||
Domestic Homicide Convictions 1982 to 1989 (including lover, former lover etc.) Women
| |||||||||
England and Wales
| Number of persons
| ||||||||
Conviction:
| 1982
| 1983
| 1984
| 1985
| 1986
| 1987
| 1988
| 1989
| Total
|
Murder | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 27 |
Section 2 Manslaughter | 3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 36 |
Other Manslaughter | 8 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 70 |
Lesser offence | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Acquitted/unfit to plead | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 40 |
Total | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 177 |
Manslaughter as a percentage of murder + manslaughter | 79 | 88 | 94 | 73 | 93 | 61 | 78 | ||
76 | |||||||||
80 |
Men
| |||||||||
England and Wales
| Number of persons
| ||||||||
Conviction
| 1982
| 1983
| 1984
| 1985
| 1986
| 1987
| 1988
| 1989
| Total
|
Murder | 34 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 43 | 26 | 38 | 51 | 278 |
Section 2 manslaughter | 44 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 22 | 20 | 27 | 239 |
Other manslaughter | 27 | 27 | 26 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 20 | 225 |
Lesser offence | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 |
Acquitted/unfit to plead | 5 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 37 |
TOTAL | 110 | 89 | 95 | 98 | 115 | 83 | 92 | 103 | 785 |
Manslaughter as a percentage of murder plus manslaughter | 68 | 67 | 66 | 69 | 61 | 66 | 57 | 48 | 63 |
Women are more likely than men finally to be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. Around half of the homicide convictions for women were for other manslaughter on the grounds of provocation, compared with 30 per cent. for men.
When convicted for manslaughter, men were more likely to receive a prison sentence and it was likely to be longer. Between 1986 and 1989, 70 per cent. of men received a prison sentence compared to 45 per cent. of women. The average lengths of sentence were 59 months for men, excluding life sentences, and 33 months for women—no life sentences.
section 2 of the Homicide Act 1957, the remaining 34 per cent. for other mansulaughter were mostly on grounds of provocation Table 2 gives details of the conviction, separately for women and men.
Women were also more likely to receive a probation order or suspended prison sentence. Between 1986 and 1989, these sentences accounted for 27 per cent. of decisions for women and 8 per cent. of decisions for men.
Prime Minister
Electoral Registration
Q8.
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on electoral registration trends in Great Britain in the light of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys' analysis on pages 1 to 3 of "Population Trends 64".
I have been asked to reply.There has been a relatively small decline since 1987 in the estimated proportion of the population registered to vote. As the article in "Population Trends" explains, there are a number of reasons why this proportion may change, and it is not possible from the evidence available to identify separately the effect of any particular factor.
Nuclear Test Veterans
To ask the Prime Minister if, when he next meets President Bush, he will discuss the policy of the United States of America in relation to the payment of compensation to United Kingdom veterans of its nuclear tests; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has no plans to discuss this matter with President Bush.
Bank Of Credit And Commerce International
To ask the Prime Minister how many meetings he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England concerning BCCI over the last (i) 12 months and (ii) 24 months.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister meets the Governor of the Bank of England from time to time to discuss a variety of matters.
To ask the Prime Minister when he was last briefed by the Bank of England about the events surrounding BCCI.
I have been asked to reply.The Bank of England and the Treasury have kept my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in touch with developments over the recess.
To ask the Prime Minister if he will meet a delegation of hon. Members to discuss the effects of the closure of BCCI on depositors and staff.
I have been asked to reply.My hon. the Economic Secretary has kept closely in touch with developments in the BCCI case, and has seen a number of delegations representing those affected as have the Chancellor and the Governor. If hon. Members wish to make further representations to the Government on these issues the Economic Secretary stands ready to receive a delegation.
To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to give evidence to the Bingham inquiry.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already made it clear that he will give evidence to the Bingham inquiry if asked to do so.
To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received from members of the public or depositors of BCCI.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received a large number of representations.
To ask the Prime Minister when he was told that the restructuring plans for BCCI would not go ahead.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was informed of the contents of the press statement issued by the majority shareholders on 3 October, shortly before it was released.
Pensioners' Costs
To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest estimates of the average weekly cost to senior citizens for heating and lighting in each region of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.Estimates on expenditure on fuel, light and power for households whose heads were women aged over 60 or men over 65 for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are shown in the table. Data are not available for the regions of Scotland. The estimates are based on two years' results from the 1988 and 1989 family expenditure surveys.
Average weekly expenditure on fuel, light and power for households with heads of pensionable age 1988 and 1989 | |
£ week | |
United Kingdom | 8·7 |
Scotland | 9·2 |
Wales | 9·7 |
Northern Ireland | 13·4 |
England | 8·6 |
North | 8·5 |
Yorkshire and Humberside | 8·6 |
North West | 8·4 |
East Midlands | 8·7 |
West Midlands | 8·7 |
East Anglia | 9·1 |
South East total | 8·3 |
Greater London | 7·6 |
Rest of South East | 8·6 |
South West | 9·4 |
Source: Family Expenditure Survey.
Commonwealth Conference
To ask the Prime Minister if he has any plans to put forward proposals for the promotion of good government and human rights at the Commonwealth conference in Harare; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.The promotion of good government and human rights are major issues in the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting discussions in Harare. Britain is playing a full role in these discussions and in the follow-up to them.
China
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those political and religious prisoners on whose behalf he made representations to the Chinese Government during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.The individual names passed to the Chinese Government were intended to be a representative selection of cases of concern, not an exhaustive list. They included student demonstrators, religious believers in Tibet and elsewhere, and Hong Kong detainees. We are continuing to raise human rights with the Chinese authorities at every suitable opportunity.
Abu Dhabi
To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to seek to visit Abu Dhabi.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has at present no plans to do so.
Engagements
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 October.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Harare.
Nuclear Disarmament
To ask the Prime Minister what response he made to the proposal by President Mitterrand of France that the four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council that deploy nuclear weapons in Europe hold an urgent summit meeting to discuss future multilateral nuclear arms cuts.
I have been asked to reply.We welcome President Mitterrand's proposal for a meeting with the Soviet Union to discuss the future security of its nuclear weapons. We believe that this is a matter to be taken forward in consultation with all our NATO allies.
Mr Li Ka Shing
To ask the Prime Minister what was the purpose of his meeting in Hong Kong with Mr. Li Ka Shing, chairman of Cheung Kong; what topics were discussed; what United Kingdom Government officials were present; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's normal practice is and will continue to be neither to confirm nor deny whether meetings with private individuals have taken place, even in those cases where no such meeting has occurred.
Correspondence
To ask the Prime Minister when the hon. Mrmber for Walsall, North will be receiving a reply to the letter he wrote on 23 September.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will reply to the hon. Member's correspondence shortly.
Num (Sequestration)
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 June, Official Report, column 35, if he will place in the public domain the information requested and obtained from the Government, by the sequestrators of the National Union of Mineworkers funds, relevant to the discharge of their duties to the court.
No. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's answer of 10 June to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galloway) at column 425.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
To ask the Prime Minister if, during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing in September, he discussed the implications of the Chinese Government announcement that they intend to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed China's decision to accede to the NPT with Mr. Li Peng. China's action is an important step in the field of non-proliferation.
Party Funds (Donations)
To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines are issued to Cabinet members and other members of the Government about the granting of access where there has been payment to party funds.
I have been asked to reply. None.
Senior Civil Servants (Guidelines)
To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines exist for senior civil servants about discussing political matters; and whether these guidelines apply also to the chief executive of the national health service.
I have been asked to replyGeneral guidance for civil servants on discussing political matters in public is contained in the civil service pay and conditions of service code and in the note on the duties and responsibilities of civil servants in relation to Ministers issued by the former head of the home civil service in December 1987. This guidance does not preclude individual civil servants, including the chief executive of the national health service, from explaining Government policy when appropriate.
Energy
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what progress has been made by the International Atomic Energy Agency in its assessment of the ways to implement special unannounced safeguards inspections, pursuant to articles 73 and 77 of INFCIRC/153 (1971), as requested in the final document of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty fourth review conference in September 1990; and what role has been played by the depository states for the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in supporting this assessment;(2) if he will make a statement on the actions taken by the international nuclear safeguards authorities, pursuant to the proposals made by Her Majesty's Government in the statement at the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on 22 August 1990, and in particular on special safeguards inspection regimes.
In his statement of 26 February of this year to the board of governors, the director general of the IAEA, Dr. Blix, outlined a number of proposals for improving international safeguards; these included a proposal for the increased use of special inspections. Detailed proposals are currently being developed by the IAEA and will be discussed in due course by the board of governors. The United Kingdom will play a full part in these discussions.
Sellafield Thorp
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provisions have been made for the decommissioning of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield; what volume of decommissioning waste it is expected to generate; what is the projected cost of decommissioning; and who is expected to cover the costs of decommissioning the plant.
I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry) to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 21 June 1990 at column 659.
Electricity Companies (Pensions)
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the Director-General of Electricity Regulation concerning the level of provisions made by the 12 regional electricity companies following the GRE-Barber case on future pension entitlement and the amount of provisions generally.
Provisions made in annual accounts are a matter for the companies concerned.
Gas Prices
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the Director General of the Office of Gas Supply concerning the status of the April 1991 agreement with the board of British Gas plc to accept new price increase controls from 1 April 1992.
The terms of the agreement regarding the new tariff price formula are a matter for the Director General of Gas Supply and British Gas. I am pleased the agreement reached will reinforce the downward trend in gas prices since privatisation.
Nuclear Materials
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards releasing to Parliament details of nuclear materials and technology exports from the United Kingdom.
It is the Government's policy to assist Parliament by being as open as practicable about details of such goods licensable for export from the United Kingdom, subject to the constraints of national security and commercial confidentiality.It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of individual applications.
Coal Privatisation
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recommendations Rothschilds have made about the future size of the coal industry and the impact of privatisation.
As is generally known, Rothschild's has been asked by my Department to analyse possible options for privatising British Coal. One of the key criteria of this work, which is being carried out in close conjunction with British Coal, is the Government's objective of achieving the largest economic United Kingdom coal industry in the longer term. Clearly, Rothschild's task can only be done against a background of a range of assessments about the potential future United Kingdom market for coal. Rothschild's has not been asked to make recommenda-tions on the future size of the industry, or on the number of pits, or on the future of individual pits. As we have made repeatedly clear, decisions on the form and timing of the privatisation of British Coal will not be taken until after the next general election.The future size of British Coal's operations will depend on the size of the United Kingdom coal market and the share of that market that it can win. This is the key issue, which recent ill-informed and mischievous press specula-tion has obscured. Given that sales to the electricity industry account for around 80 per cent. of British Coal's market, the contracts with the electricity generators will be crucial to its future. British Coal's success in this market will depend on its ability to improve productivity and to reduce its unit costs to enable it to sell profitably into that market at competitive prices. British Coal has made great strides in increasing productivity—up by over 100 per cent. compared to pre-strike levels. More needs to be done if the corporation is to compete with its major competitors, but I am confident that it will be able to achieve this.The negotiation of the post-1993 contracts with the electricity generators has not yet started, and therefore speculation about the future size of the United Kingdom coal industry is premature.British Coal will have to face the challenge of the market whether it is in the public or private sector. Coal privatisation is not the issue.Speculation about the future size of the industry is damaging to British Coal's drive to increase the competitiveness of its business and undermines the objective of creating the largest economic United Kingdom coal industry in the longer term.
Petroleum Engineering Directorate
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Government have replied to that part of the Energy Committee's seventh report which deals with the location of the petroleum engineering directorate—PED—of his Department.
The successful development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom continental shelf —UKCS—has brought great benefits to oil industry and supply centres across the United Kingdom. I am determined that these benefits should continue.So far this year I have approved 17 new oil and gas developments with a total value of £4·2 billion, there have been nine significant finds, and drilling activity has continued at high levels. Capital investment in the UKCS in the first six months of this year was about 30 per cent. higher than in the first half of 1990. All this activity is helping to sustain and develop the economies of the regions concerned.The Offshore Supplies Office of my Department is, of course, already located in Glasgow.I agree with the Energy Committee that further studies are needed of the case for relocating the PED to Aberdeen and this is made clear in the reply that the Government have made today to the Committee's report. I have therefore decided to commission a thorough review of all the issues to be carried out by independent consultants. The results of this review will be published.
Social Security
Social Security Appeals
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social security appeals by category are awaiting determination or are outstanding; and if he will make a statement.
Responsibility for the administra-tion of social security and medical appeal tribunals lies with the president of the Independent Tribunal Service, his honour Judge Holden, and the hon. Member may wish to contact his office direct to obtain this information.
Child Support Agency
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the appointment of the chief executive of the Child Support Agency.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced on 1 October the appointment of Mrs. Rosalind Hepplewhite as chief executive of the Child Support Agency, following recruitment by open com-petition. Mrs. Hepplewhite is currently national director of MIND, having previously spent most of her career in the National Health Service. Her appointment will take effect on 1 January 1992.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the criteria to be used to assess the performance-related bonus scheme for the chief executive of the Child Support Agency.
Award of bonuses to the chief executive of the Child Support Agency will depend on the achievement of specific standards of performance set by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State. These are currently being developed and will cover key areas of work including service to the public.
Residential Care
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provision his Department makes for having the fees of residential and nursing homes assessed for a fair level of fees (a) currently and (b) under "Care in the Community".
We receive a large number of representations, some of which include survey results, throughout the year both from representative bodies and individuals. We consider this evidence together with the available statistical information and will continue to do so.
Benefits
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to introduce six-monthly uprating of benefits in line with the cost of living for all recipients over 60 years.
We have no plans to do so.
Government Policies
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of Government policies on the economic well-being of the poorest decile of the income distribution.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of Government policies on the economic well-being of the poorest decile of the income distribution.
Information on the living standards of people living in the lower half of the income distribution is presented in the series of tables "Households Below Average Income 1981–1987" copies of which are available in the Library. The Social Security Select Committee has now produced figures for 1981 to 1988 in its first report "Low Income Statistics: Households Below Average Income Tables 1988". These show that there has continued to be an increase in living standards at all levels of the income distribution, including the bottom decile.
Trade And Industry
Argentina
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current availability of medium-term cover to Argentina from the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the use of British exporters.
Cover is not available from the Export Credits Guarantee Department for exports from the United Kingdom to Argentina which are sold on medium-term credit.
Iraq
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all items that are currently banned for export to Iraq by British exporters.
The Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990 prohibits without a licence granted by the Secretary of State the export of all goods from the United Kingdom to any destination in Iraq, or to any destination in any other country for delivery, directly or indirectly, to a person for the purposes of any business carried on in or operated from Iraq.
Restraints (Exports)
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the export of leg irons, leg cuffs and similar devices manufactured in the United Kingdom.
The export of leg irons, shackles—excluding handcuffs—and gang chains is subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989 and requires an export licence from my Department.In the light of recent publicity I have reviewed the Government's long-standing policy of not issuing licences for these items and I can confirm that this will remain the policy.I am advised that exports have taken place of "oversized handcuffs" and linking chains. I have sought advice from the police scientific development branch of the Home Department about the definition of "handcuff". I have decided that in future in determining whether goods are handcuffs for the purposes of export control my Department will use the US National Institute of Justice standard 0307·01. This standard defines the maximum length of two cuffs and connecting chain as 240 mm. This standard would bring "oversized handcuffs" under control. The only United Kingdom exporter is being advised.
Foulkes Ingram And Co
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold an inquiry into the reasons for the Securities and Investments Board making a favourable report following its inquiries into Foulkes Ingram and Co. of Aberystwyth in the period 1988 to 1991; and if he will make a statement.
The conduct of the Securities and Investments Board's inquiries is a matter for the board.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will order a public inquiry into the collapse of Foulkes Ingram and Co. of Aberystwyth and the resulting loss by small investors; and if he will make a statement.
I have no plans to order an inquiry. The regulatory authorities took action this year following complaints from investors and I understand the matter is now being investigated by the police.
Scotch Whisky (Chile)
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's and EC's negotiations with the Government of Chile concerning the exports of Scotch whisky and the tax discrimination practised by that country.
Ministers raise the question of the discrimination against Scotch whisky with their Chilean counterparts whenever suitable opportunities arise. I raised the matter with the Chilean Foreign Minister when I visited Chile last February.The EC has discussed the issue with the Chilean Government, and it now remains for discussion during the Uruguay round, where I hope it can be satisfactorily resolved.
Export Credits Guarantee Department
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the premium levels set for British manufacturers by the Export Credits Guarantee Department; and if he has plans to enable the ECGD to lower its premium rates.
I have received a number of representations about Export Credits Guarantee Department premium rates from project and capital goods exporters. The ECGD reviews its premium rates regularly, taking into account representations which have been made to Ministers, the rates of other export credit agencies, and the risks to the taxpayer that premium income may not be able to cover underwriting losses.
Funerals
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, further to his reply of 3 July, Official Report, column 307, what response he has had from the National Association of Funeral Directors to his suggestion that its code of conduct should include a commitment to itemise the costs of a basic funeral.
In my statement to the House on 3 July I said that I would ask the National Association of Funeral Directors to amend its code of practice to require its members to provide itemised estimates of their charges for funeral services.I raised the issue of itemised estimates when I met the association on 11 July. I told it that I was convinced that customers would benefit from being provided with clearly itemised estimates of charges in advance of their purchase of a funeral. Such itemised estimates would enable customers to compare the services offered by different funeral directors and choose that which gave best value.To reinforce the points I made at our meeting I wrote to the NAFD on 16 October to urge it to amend its code of practice. I am awaiting its reply.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Albania
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the problems facing the people of Albania; and if he will detail both what Her Majesty's Government have done to advance practical assistance and what further measures Her Majesty's Government intend to pursue unilaterally or in concert with other states.
Albania faces major economic problems including severe food shortages and has at the same time to build a democratic society after decades of Stalinism. As part of the European Community effort Britain is contributing towards medical aid and 145,000 tonnes of wheat. The total cost is some £12·25 million, of which Britain's share is over £2 million. We have also given £50,000 to the British charity Feed the Children, which has received over £500,000 in total through an appeal run by The Sunday Times newspaper. We will continue to co-ordinate our response to Albania's need through the European Community and with other international donors. Finally the Community is preparing for negotiations on a trade and co-operation agreement.
Mordechai Vanunu
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have made any recent representations to the Israeli Government over the continued imprisonment in solitary confinement of Mordechai Vanunu; and if any recent communication has been received on behalf of Mr. Vanunu from the Mordechai Vanunu Trust.
We have made no recent representations to the Israeli Government regarding Mordechai Vanunu, nor have we received any recent communication from the Mordechai Vanunu Trust. But, as we have stated in the past, Mr. Vanunu's imprisonment and treatment appear to be compatible with the normal judicial process and practice in Israel.
United Nations (Minister's Speech)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the main proposals and commitments made in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September; and whether he has costed the proposals and commitments.
In my right hon. Friend's speech to the UN General Assembly on 25 September he outlined the case for the establishment of a register of arms transfers and measures to improve the UN's response to humanitarian emergencies. If the General Assembly decides to adopt the proposals, the Secretary-General, as chief administrator of the UN, will prepare the cost estimates. The costs to the UN budget will depend on the level of involvement of the secretariat envisaged by the adopted resolutions.
Aung San Suu Kyi
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the award to Aung San Suu Kyi of the Nobel peace prize; and what further actions Her Majesty's Government intend to take to put pressure on the government of Burma to hand over power to the democratically elected government of the National League for Democracy.
We warmly welcome the award of the Nobel peace prize to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award is a fitting tribute to her commitment to the cause of democracy and civil liberty in Burma, and a reminder to the world community that the Burmese people's struggle for political and human rights continues.We have repeatedly called on the military authorities to hand over power to democratically elected representatives of the Burmese people. In joint actions with our EC partners, we have suspended all non-humanitarian aid and placed an embargo on all defence sales to Burma. We will continue to do everything possible to encourage peaceful democratic change in Burma, in the first instance by working for a resolution on Burma at the present session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Inhumane Weapons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to expand the inhumane weapons protocol 1981 to include bulldozers when used to bury soldiers alive.
No. The use of bulldozers to breach set defences is consistent with the established laws of armed conflict.
Nuclear Test Ban
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government made to the proposals put forward in September by the Government of the Soviet Union and Presidents of the Russian Federation and Kazakh republic that all nuclear testing should be halted and a verifiable nuclear test ban agreed at an early date.
None. While there remains a need for a nuclear deterrent the UK will continue to carry out underground nuclear tests from time to time to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the deterrent. A comprehensive test ban is therefore a long-term goal.
Weapons Of Mass Destruction
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have actually been destroyed under supervision internationally; what is the timetable for the remaining weapons to be destroyed; and if he will make a statement on this and related matters.
We understand that inspectors of the United Nations Special Commission have supervised the destruction so far of 62 ballistic missiles, 18 fixed Scud missile launch pads, 10 launchers, 11 dummy missiles, 32 ballistic missile warheads, 127 missile storage supports, a number of missile related support vehicles, a substantial amount of rocket fuel, an assembled 350 mm supergun, components for 350 mm and 1000 mm superguns, 1 tonne of supergun propellant and 8,100 unfilled chemical munitions. Inspectors have also confirmed the destruction by coalition bombing of several missile repair and production facilities.Security Council resolution 687 requires the destruc-tion, removal or rendering harmless, under international supervision, of all Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and related items. Iraq's declarations of such weapons have been shown to be both misleading and incomplete. The timetable for the destruction of the remaining items covered by SCR 687 will therefore depend on what emerges from future inspections. The destruction of Iraq's chemical weapons stocks which have so far been found will be a major task and will probably continue into 1993. The International Atomic Energy Agency is planning to destroy, remove, or render harmless in the near future those items related to Iraq's nuclear weapons capability which it has discovered or have been declared.
Iraq (Un Inspection Team)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria was adopted in choosing the personnel in the United Nations special inspection team sent to Iraq, pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 687; how many members of the team are from the United Kingdom; and whether the United Kingdom has made any financial donation to support the work of the team.
Personnel for the inspection work undertaken in Iraq by the United Nations special commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency —IAEA— are chosen by the executive chairman of the special commission and the director general of the IAEA respectively. We understand that a number of factors are taken into account, primarily the need for professional expertise but also the desirability of as broad a geographical representation as practicable.To date there have been nineteen inspections in Iraq. The United Kingdom has provided personnel for sixteen of these, in varying numbers. We have made available £1 million this financial year to pay for the provision of practical support.
Hong Kong
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of all his engagements and meetings during his most recent visit to Hong Kong.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs accompanied my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on his visit to Hong Kong on 4 and 5 September. With my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, he met the Governor and members of the Executive Council; attended a dinner hosted by the Governor for business and political leaders and a lunch hosted by the Chief Secretary for community leaders and representatives; visited the mass transit railway and the city polytechnic and attended a private dinner.He also visited the border to meet the Gurkhas and Royal Hong Kong police and visited a Royal Naval patrol craft; had a meeting with British business men and attended a private reception.
South Africa
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards sporting links with South Africa.
Our policy has not changed since the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport gave to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 23 July. We have continued to encourage all concerned to promote racially integrated sport in South Africa. We hope that contact with integrated sports will resume as soon as possible.
Nuclear Proliferation
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on nuclear proliferation and control of sensitive technology sales, held in London on 26 September.
The recent experts' meeting in London discussed arms transfers and non-proliferation, in particular the development of agreed guidelines governing conventional arms transfers and the development of modalities of a consultation and information exchange mechanism on arms transfers to, as a matter of priority, the middle east. Senior officials are meeting again in London on 17 and 18 October to continue this process.
"Community Alone" Agreements
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have reviewed the publication of the so-called "Community Alone" agreements as Command Papers; and what proposals they have for future publication.
As "Community Alone" agreements are already published in the Official Journal of the European Community, their publication as Command Papers is an unnecessary waste of resources. Consequently we have consulted the Chairmen of the Select Committees concerned and have agreed that this practice should cease. In order that hon. Members are kept fully informed I will instruct officials responsible for drawing up the White Paper on developments in the Community to ensure that in addition to the current annex C on major treaties arid agreements signed by the Community there is an additional annex on "Community Alone" agreements.
Wales
Sports Facilities
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has of the number of sports clubs and sports facilities incurring 100 per cent. costs and 50 per cent. of the business rate; and how many receive 100 per cent. rate relief.
In 1990–91 Welsh local authorities received 756 applications for discretionary rate relief from non-profit making clubs used for recreational purposes including sporting organisations. Of the 673–89 per cent.—organisations granted relief,
The number of non-profit-making recreational clubs paying 100 per cent. rates is not known.105 (16 per cent.) were granted relief of up to 20 per cent. of rates payable; 297 (44 per cent.) were granted relief of 21–50 per cent. of rates payable; 80 (12 per cent.) were granted relief of 51–80 per cent. of rates payable; 191 (28 per cent.) were granted relief of over 80 per cent. of rates payable.
Sports Expenditure
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the estimated local authority capital expenditure in recreation and sport in 1989–90 and 1990–91, respectively; and what is the estimated expenditure in 1991–92.
Gross capital expenditure by local authorities in Wales on recreation, parks and baths was £39·6 million in 1989–90. Comparable information for 1990–91 and 1991–92 is not yet available.
Poll Tax
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people in Wales have not paid the poll tax for the year 1990–91;(2) how many people have paid the poll tax for the year 1990–91.
The information requested is not available centrally.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the percentage of arrears for the last financial year for the poll tax in Wales;(2) what is the amount of cash outstanding from non-payment of the poll tax in Wales in the last financial year.
At 31 March 1991, local authorities reported that arrears of community charges in Wales were £49 million; around 12 per cent. of the full amount due—a collection rate of 88 per cent. Local authorities have continued to recover 1990–91 arrears, but precise figures are not available because of the difficulty of distinguishing between the payment of arrears and the payment of 1991–92 charges. Local authorities have estimated that they expect to collect some 94 per cent. of the full amount of the 1990–91 charges—100 per cent. of the amount they had budgeted to collect.
School Nurses (Regrading)
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many school nurse regrading claims are outstanding in each of the health authority areas of Wales.
Information on numbers of grading appeals outstanding from nurses employed in particular posts, such as school nurses, is not held centrally.
Health Authorities (Administration)
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many administrative staff there were in each of the health authority areas of Wales (i) currently, (ii) in 1984 and (iii) in 1987.
The number of administrative staff in each of the health authority areas of Wales for the three periods concerned are shown in the table.
WTE of Staff in post at the relevant date | |||
DHA | as at 30 August 1991 | as at 30 September 1984 | as at 30 September 1987 |
Clwyd | 981 | 704 | 800 |
East Dyfed | 693 | 501 | 518 |
Gwent | 1,089 | 936 | 965 |
Gwynedd | 597 | 516 | 541 |
Mid Glamorgan | 1,285 | 1,035 | 1,097 |
Pembrokeshire | 261 | 156 | 174 |
Powys | 251 | 172 | 193 |
South Glamorgan | 1,754 | 1,443 | 1,490 |
West Glamorgan | 1,021 | 710 | 824 |
Nhs Trusts
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what pilot exercises or investigations were undertaken by or on behalf of his Department into the cost to a hospital or unit of preparing a bid for trust status; and if he will give a breakdown of the major elements within the total.
This is for potential applicants to consider as part of their business planning and will vary according to local needs and circumstances.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the maximum sum available from his Department's finances to any single hospital or unit to assist in preparing a bid for trust status;(2) if he will list the criteria being used by his Department in order to decide whether to grant money to any hospital in Wales towards drawing up an application for trust status.
If a hospital or health service unit is invited to prepare an application for NHS trust status, any subsequent bid for financial assistance to help with the process will be considered on its merits.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the figure given or offered by his Department to each hospital in Wales towards the costs of drawing up an application for trust status.
A contribution of £50,000 was made available to Pembrokeshire health authority to help towards costs incurred in preparing the application, associated printing and during the consultation period.
Mr Peter Williams
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the reasons for the dismissal of Mr. Peter Williams from the post of unit general manager of Bronglais hospital, Aberystwyth.
This is a matter for the East Dyfed health authority.
Hill Sheep Farmers
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the prospects of hill sheep farmers.
I am currently, in consultation with the Welsh farming unions, reviewing the economic conditions and prospects for our less-favoured area farmers as part of the annual hill livestock compensatory amounts autumn review. The conclusions of the review will be announced in due course.
Nhs Managers
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will give a list of community services managers, or their equivalents, within the health service in Wales, together with their grades and pay scales and any appropriate qualifications;(2) if he will give a list of unit general managers within the health service in Wales together with their grades and pay scales and any appropriate qualifications.
I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Bronglais Hospital, Bangor
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects an advertisement to be placed for the post of unit general manager at Bronglais hospital, Aberystwyth.
This is a matter for the East Dyfed health authority. I understand that it has filled the post with an acting general manager until 31 August 1992.
Opencast Coal Mining
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the Government's response to the Welsh Affairs Committee Report, HC Paper 28, Session 1990–91, on the future of opencast coal mining in Wales.
I am pleased to announce that the response has been published today as Command Paper 1652.
Scotland
Higher Education
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what percentage of Scottish 18, 19 and 20-year-olds went into full-time higher education in each year since 1979;
Percentage of Scottish domiciled young people entering full-time higher education in the United Kingdom | ||||||
Academic session | ||||||
Age at December | 1984–85 | 1985–86 | 1986–87 | 1987–88 | 1988–89 | 1989–90 |
17 years and under | 4·01 | 3·99 | 4·19 | 4·24 | 4·39 | 4·60 |
18 years | 11·28 | 11·21 | 11·40 | 12·40 | 12·63 | 14·67 |
19 years | 2·84 | 2·83 | 2·89 | 2·93 | 3·03 | 3·73 |
20 years | 1·32 | 1·31 | 1·36 | 1·40 | 1·42 | 1·75 |
Storm Damage
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities will benefit from the Bellwin scheme invoked after the severe storms in January of the current year; and by how much.
Claims for special financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme have now been assessed and I can announce that £85,000 in grant will be made available to three authorities which suffered an undue financial burden in responding to the storms and floods of January under the terms of the scheme which I announced on 8 January.The details of grant are:
£ | |
Cunninghame district council | 72,100 |
Kyle and Carrick district council | 8,932 |
Dumbarton district council | 4109 |
85,141 |
Overseas Development
Sport And Recreation
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to the reply of 16 May, Official Report, column 233, to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde, if he will list for each of the past 10 years, and as a total over the same period, the total amount included in the bilateral aid programme for sports and recreation projects expressed as (a) a total amount and (b) a percentage of the total bilateral aid programme.