To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 October, Official Report, columns 436–37, if he will list the progress made in attaining improvements to the probate service in England and Wales in respect of each of the proposals in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's report "Probate—Service to the Public"; and if he will make a statement.

Following the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in February 1992, an internal review was commissioned to report on such matters as staffing levels, the organisation of the service, storage of records and computerisation. That review reported in April 1993 and made several recommendations which are presently under consideration, although, like the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, it confirmed that the structure and organisation of the probate service were generally sound. When further information is available, I will make a statement, but the hon. Member for Dundee, East can be assured that the high standard of service provided by staff in the probate service will be maintained.

To ask the Attorney-General when the report into the West Yorkshire police's handling of the Stefan Kiszko case by the Lancashire constabulary was completed and handed to the West Yorkshire police; and when the report was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The report was submitted to the West Yorkshire police on 2 June 1993 and to the Director of Public Prosecutions on 3 June 1993.

To ask the Attorney-General how Stefan Kiszko and the family of Lesley Molseed have been kept up to date with the progress of the investigation, and whether they have been informed of the contents and conclusions of the Lancashire constabulary report, on the handling of the Stefan Kiszko case by the West Yorkshire police.

The police service rather than the Crown Prosecution Service has the responsibility for maintaining appropriate contact with victims and others affected by crime. I understand that the investigating officer and his team have kept the legal representative of Stefan Kiszko and the family of Lesley Molseed informed in general terms as to the progress of their investigation. The contents of police reports relating to investigations are, however, confidential.

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 10 June, Official Report, column 334,(1) how many Ministers were among those who made representations to him over Polly Peck prosecution;(2) what action he took regarding the

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 10 June, Official Report, column 334, on Asil Nadir, how many of the representations received were (a) from Ministers and (b) from other hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

I receive many representations from hon. Members of all parties, both written and oral, about matters within my ministerial responsibility which they believe raise points either of general concern or of concern to particular constituents. Statistics are not maintained for either the overall number of such representations or the particular class mentioned by the hon. Members.In some cases where the representations are informal or insufficiently precise, I may invite the hon. Member to write to me.Whenever the representations are sufficiently formal and particularised I consider the points raised carefully and dispassionately, causing inquiries to be made as necessary, before responding to the hon. Member.I do not intend to expand on my answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 10 June,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences under section 3(1) of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 were reported in 1992; and how many resulted in (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions.

Offences committed under the Football Offences Act 1991 are not notifiable. However, the football unit of the National Criminal Intelligence Service has advised that there were 76 arrests at Football League matches under section 3 of the Football Offences Act 1991, which came into force on 10 August 1991, for the 1991–92—August-May—season.In England and Wales in 1991, there were six prosecutions under section 3 of the Act, five of which resulted in a conviction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racial incidents were reported to each police division in 1992; what proportion of those incidents involved assault or violence; and how many resulted in (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions.

The only information held centrally relates to the number of reported racial incidents and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 26 April, Official Report, column 266.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to improve the quality of service provided by the North Wales police force; and if he will make a statement.

The quality of service provided by North Wales police is the responsibility of the chief constable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prostitution-related offences were recorded in 1992; and how many resulted in (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions.

Information on the number of prostitution related offences is not recorded centrally.The table shows the number of "known offenders"—those cautioned and found guilty—and the number of defendants prosecuted and convicted in England and Wales for prostitution-related offences in 1991.1992 data will not be available until the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether Ruislip kennels, Bracknell, is conforming with the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963; and when they were last inspected.

Enforcement of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 is a matter for local authorities, which have powers to inspect licensed boarding establishments at all reasonable times and, if they wish, may nominate a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostels there are within 50 miles of York; how many beds each of these hostels have; and on how many nights in the past 12 months (a) all or (b) 90 per cent. of those beds have been occupied.

There are four approved bail hostels within a 50-mile radius of York:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) of 9 June, Official Report, column 246, what were the voting figures for each member state recorded in the meeting of the EC Home Affairs Council held on 2 to 3 June.

Work in the field of intergovernmental co-operation proceeds by consensus; decisions at the meeting of Immigration and Trevi Ministers on 1 and 2 June therefore required the agreement of all member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish new penal institutions in Wales; where such prisons would be situated and for what complement of prisoners; whether such institutions would be run by the private or public sector; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of credit approvals/capital allocations given to local authorities in (a) England, (b) Greater London and (c) the south-east, excluding Greater London, for each year since 1982–83; and what is his estimate for 1992–93.

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated annual cost of maintenance of the Limehouse link in respect of (a) ventilation, (b) electricity, (c) surface repairs and (d) other expenses by category.

The estimated annual cost of maintenance for the Limehouse link tunnel is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the report by the energy technology support unit assessing methane emissions from landfills.

The report is being prepared as part of a series of reports from the controlled waste management research programme. It should be available within two months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many residential care homes are liable for council tax in each local authority; what consideration he has given to allowing council tax discounts to such homes if there are resident staff; and if he will make a statement.

The total number of residential care homes in the area of each social services authority as at 31 March 1992 is set out in the table. No information is available on the distribution of these between districts in non-metropolitan areas or on the council tax liabilities relating to them.People receiving care in registered homes are not counted towards the personal element of the council tax. The council tax bill for a dwelling where all the residents are recipients of care will therefore be subject to a 50 per cent. council tax discount—the tax payable will be the same as that due for any empty property. Members of staff with accommodation in the home will not affect this discount provided that their main home is elsewhere. If separate, self-contained accommodation is provided for staff, this will be subject to a separate council tax bill, and will not affect the tax payable in respect of the care home itself.If, on the other hand, a member of staff has his sole or main residence in the care home itself, discount entitlement may be lost. But where this is the case, the discount forgone is likely to be smaller than the council tax for which the person would have been liable if he or she had lived elsewhere. It is also very likely to be smaller than the community charge which the member of staff will have paid in previous years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that all mineral planning permission is reviewed at intervals of no longer than five years; and if he will make a statement.

We consulted last year on options for the updating and review of old mineral permissions. I hope to issue a further consultation paper on detailed proposals for change later in the summer. It would be wrong to pre-empt the content of that paper or to prejudge the outcome of further consultations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the procedure for an area coterminous with a shire county to be considered for unitary authority status by the Local Government Commission.

If people living in localities bordering on an area being reviewed by the Local Government Commission feel that their area should be included in that review, they may make representations to the commission. Where the commission judges that there is strong community support for a review to be extended across a county boundary, it may ask the Secretary of State for a direction to widen the scope of the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the development of compulsory competitive tendering of housing management.

I have today issued a consultation paper to all housing authorities in England, the local authority associations and other interested organisations. The paper sets out the Government's detailed proposals on some of the key components of compulsory competitive tendering—CCT—of housing management. I am placing copies in the Library.The consultation paper follows discussion with the local authority associations and the eight local authorities which are piloting housing management CCT. It also takes account of work done by consultants in co-operation with the pilot authorities.The proposals in the consultation paper address the scope of the defined activity, which lists the functions which authorities will have to subject to CCT, unless they contract them out voluntarily, the timetable that authorities will have to meet when they are introducing housing management CCT, and the size of contract packages. It is intended that the orders implementing the first two components should be in place from 1 April 1994. The third component will be implemented by way of guidance.I hope that issuing our proposals at this stage will help authorities in their detailed preparations for the introduction of housing management CCT. In addition, I am keen to have authorities' comments on the practical implications of the proposals, so that the final package takes account of the different circumstances prevailing in different authorities.CCT represents a new direction and opportunity for the management of local authority housing. Competition will improve quality of service and value for money by testing the market. It will expand the opportunities for the involvement of the private sector in housing management, while ensuring that local authorities themselves have every opportunity to compete. The consultation provisions of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Bill, currently before Parliament, will ensure that tenants are fully involved throughout this process.The Government want tenants to secure the benefits of CCT as soon as possible, allowing for the healthy development of the market. It is intended therefore that housing management CCT should be phased in over three years with the first contracts in operation from 1 April 1996. The proposals contained in this consultation paper are at the centre of housing management CCT and represent a major step towards its successful introduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bow and Poplar (Ms Gordon) of 8 June, Official Report, column 191, how many people attended the London Docklands development corporation banquet on 7 May; what proportion of the total cost was met from public funds; who were the catering contractors; and if he will place a list of those attending in the Library.

Approximately 650 people attended the Limehouse link dinner on 14 May. The London Docklands development corporation paid £27,750 to-wards the cost, the remaining £21,950 was contributed by a variety of companies and individuals. The catering contractors were Crown Catering Group of Romford, Essex. I have asked the LDDC to send a list of participants to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish the scheme council tax, used in calculating the transitional reduction for 1993–94, for each local authority in England;(2) if he will publish the amount of other adjustments which formed part of the personal community charge in 1992–93 for each local authority in England;(3) if he will publish the amount of the collection fund deficit at the most recent available date for each local authority in England.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire), on 24 May, Official Report, column 369.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations Ministers or officials in his Department have received from, or on behalf of councillors, former councillors or officers who are the subject of the investigation by the district auditor into the designated sales programme of Westminister city council; and how many such representations were made by right hon. and hon. Members of this House.

I am not aware of any such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Local Government Commission will commence its inquiry into the county of Lancashire.

On 20 September 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received calling for a public inquiry to consider the potential environmental impact of planned radioactive discharges from BNFL's thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield; what is his policy on holding such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 June 1993]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations calling for a public inquiry into the draft authorisations for the disposal of radioactive waste from BNFL's Sellafield site. He has received the regulators' report on the public consultation and is considering it and, in accordance with the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, is considering whether to call in the applications for authorisation and if so whether to cause a local inquiry to be held.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with, and what representations he has received from, senior management at BNFL on draft discharge authorisations for BNFL's thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 June 1993]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with senior management at British Nuclear Fuels plc. The chairman of BNFL has written to the Secretary of State on one recent occasion, about the timing of the issue of new authorisations for BNFL's Sellafield site.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations the Government have received calling for a joint Department of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food hearing to consider the potential environmental impact of planned radioactive discharges from BNFL's thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield; what is his policy on holding such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 June 1993]: The Government have received a number of representations calling for a hearing into the draft authorisations for the disposal of radioactive waste from BNFL's Sellafield site. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have received the regulators' report on the public consultation and are considering it and, in accordance with the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, are considering whether to afford a hearing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the current timetable for the establishment of an M1 to M62 link road; and if he will make a statement;(2) what plans he has, following the formal consultation process, to alter or abandon the proposals for the M1 to M62 link road.

We expect to be in a position to make an announcement about the way forward on this scheme before the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.

The Department of Transport's market-testing programme for the year from October 1992 to September 1993 was set out in the first report on the citizens charter. None of the cases has yet reached award stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) of 11 June, Official Report, columns 383–84, what were the voting figures for each member state recorded in the meeting of the European Community's Transport Council held on 7 to 8 June.

No formal votes were taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make announcements on the subject of increasing the capacity of the M25 in (a) Kent, (b) Surrey, (c) Buckinghamshire, (d) Hertfordshire and (e) Essex.

My right hon. Friend will make a statement in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent on building works, maintenance and equipment at the Civil Service College, Sunningdale in each of the last five years.

The information requested covering college expenditure at the Sunningdale site is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total monetary value of overseas aid distributed in the 1992–93 financial year.

The provisional outturn of gross domestic expenditure on the Overseas Development Administration's external assistance programmes for developing countries and for eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union in 1992–93, including the United Kingdom's share of European community aid expen-diture, is £2,098,886,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the future of the aid and trade provision.

The Government have concluded their review of the aid and trade provision—ATP. They have decided that the scheme should continue. It will help finance sound projects that will contribute to sustainable development and that are of particular industrial and commercial importance to Britain. The ATP budget for 1993–94 of £110 million will be enhanced by £7 million subject to parliamentary approval. The scheme will in future focus on creditworthy, low-income—income per head under $700—developing countries.There will he a transitional period during which a few projects already at an advanced stage of consideration, which would not be eligible under the revised scheme, will exceptionally be taken forward. The selection of projects under the revised scheme will take account of the new OECD rules governing the use of tied aid which came into force in 1992. Specific measures to improve the effectiveness of ATP and achieve better value for money will be implemented immediately.This revised scheme will provide a clearer framework for industry within which companies should be able to obtain an early indication of the prospects for ATP funding for individual projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the United Nations took place prior to the withdrawal by the United Nations of invitations to British-based human rights organisations concerned with human rights in (a) the Punjab, (b) Kashmir and (c) Assam, to attend a United Nations conference on human rights in Vienna; and if he will make a statement.

The secretariat of the United Nations world conference on human rights was informed in advance of the conference that we had no objection to any British-based human rights non-governmental organisation being invited to participate. On learning of the withdrawal of the invitations to those organisations referred to by the hon. Member, we protested to the secretariat. As a direct result of this pressure, the invitations were reinstated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to persuade the Government of Burma to comply with the European Community statement of 12 March.

With our European Community partners, we continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Burma, and take every opportunity to underline our concern to the Burmese and in the appropriate international bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Indonesia concerning the trial and imprisonment of Xanana Gusmao.

Following the trial's conclusion, Her Majesty's ambassador, together with other European Community representatives in Jakarta on 10 June, impressed on the Indonesian Government the importance the Community attach to humane treatment of Gusmao, including regular access by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Indonesia to urge it to meet the requirements of the International Committee of the Red Cross with regard to prison visits in East Timor.

Our ambassador in Jakarta with his European Community colleagues have urged the Indonesian authorities—most recently in representations this month—to facilitate the early resumption of International Committee of the Red Cross access to prisoners in East Timor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the market tests that have taken place in his Department since November 1992 and indicate, in each case, whether the result was the maintenance of in-house provision, or whether the service was contracted out.

Of the activities to be investigated for market testing in the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, decisions have been reached on three. The client function for the television facilities unit has been transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the Central Office of Information; installation of local radio networks and satellite communications by in-house teams will effectively be abolished in 1994; and supply services for office stationery and machinery are being contracted out. Of the activities scheduled to be market tested in the aid wing, one, administration of overseas pensions, has almost been completed. The service is to be retained in-house.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Guatemala about human rights abuses against its indigenous peoples; and if he will make a statement.

We take every opportunity to make clear to the Guatemalan authorities the concern felt in this country about observance of human rights, including those of the indigenous people. We welcome President Ramiro de Leon Carpio's commitment to improve matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consequences in terms of the availability of consular and other services are imposed on United Kingdom citizens who take up work in Libya against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The United Kingdom has no diplomatic relations with Libya. As a result, the small British interests section of the embassy of our protecting power, Italy, can offer only limited consular services to British nationals in Libya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has received on whether the drugs found in the possession of Karyn Smith and Patricia Cahill, currently serving gaol sentences in Bangkok, could have physically fitted in the luggage of the two women, as alleged in court; and if he will make a statement.

The solicitor for the family of Karyn Smith has provided documentation to support his view that the drugs could not have fitted into the suitcases. HM Customs and Excise have reviewed this documentation. They have examined the photographs of the luggage and the drug containers. They are satisfied that the compressed heroin could have fitted into the luggage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of the European Community have not signed (a) The Hague and (b) the European conventions on child abduction.

Ten countries of the European Community have ratified The Hague convention; Italy and Begium have yet to ratify the convention.Eleven countries have signed and ratified the European convention. Italy has yet to ratify.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 7 and 9 June.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 7 to 9 June.At an inter-institutional meeting between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on 7 June, no agreement was reached either on an inter-institutional agreement on subsidiarity or on a decision by the European Parliament on procedures for the ombudsman to be appointed by the Parliament. Both issues were blocked by the Parliament. Ministerial sessions of the accession negotiations with Norway, Austria, Sweden and Finland were held in the margins of the Council. These registered useful progress.Ministers had a substantial discussion on former Yugoslavia. They reaffirmed the overriding importance of efforts to achieve a lasting and equitable peace in co-operation with the rest of the international community, their full support for Lord Owen and Mr. Stoltenberg in their contacts with the parties, and their commitment to the Vance/Owen peace plan. They agreed that measures contained in the joint action programme set out by the United States, France, Spain, Russia and the United Kingdom on 22 May should be followed up: they will support the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts to attract further troops and funding to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 836 on safe areas. They called for an increase in the international presence in Kosovo and Macedonia to help pre-empt possible spillover of the conflict.The Council heard a report by Sir Leon Brittan on recent developments related to the GATT Uruguay round negotiations. The French Foreign Minister presented his Government's recent memorandum setting out the French position on the round. The Council had a thorough exchange of views on both of these statements. We share the Commission's hope that it will be possible to agree the outline of an agreement on market access and services by the time of the economic summit in Tokyo in July.The Council also approved the EC/United States oilseeds agreement, which was negotiated as part of the Blair House agriculture package last November.Over lunch, Ministers discussed the humanitarian situation in northern Iraq, the continuing need for emergency aid, and the requirement for longer term development assistance. Ministers agreed the EC response to the establishment of the transitional executive council in South Africa. This will include the lifting of some of the remaining restrictions other than those related to the United Nations arms embargo, and the launch of the new EC development initiative. Sir Leon Brittan reported on his recent visit to Moscow.In the afternoon, the Council discussed the Commission's paper for the Copenhagen European Council on strengthening relations with the central European associate countries.The Council then discussed a Commission paper on openness access to information, summarising progress made since the Edinburgh European Council.The Council discussed the revision of the regulations governing the EC structural funds. The Commission reaffirmed its inclusion of Merseyside and the highlands and islands of Scotland in its proposed list of objective 1 regions. The Minister of State argued for further regions in the United Kingdom to be added to the list of areas in the Community classified as objective 1. There was also discussion of how objective 2 and 5b areas should be determined. In the discussion of the proposed new objective 4, the United Kingdom reiterated its reserve of principle and argued against the diversion of European social fund money away from helping the long-term unemployed. The question of greater Council involvement in decisions relating to Community initiatives under the structural funds was also raised. It was agreed that an extraordinary General Affairs Council be held on 2 July to discuss these matters further.The Danish presidency briefed the Council on its plans for the Copenhagen European Council. The main agenda items are likely to be economic growth and unemployment, the Community's relations with central and eastern Europe, the Community's relations with Russia, the progress of the enlargement negotiations, subsidiarity and the situation in the former Yugoslavia.No formal votes were taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to safeguard high-quality early years education; and what measures he will take to ensure the continued provision of suitably qualified graduate teachers for this age group.

The Government's policies are designed to improve standards at all levels of education, including pupils' early years in school. My right hon. Friend has recently issued for consultation proposals for an additional route into early years teaching, to allow those who are sufficiently able and experienced to reach the necessary standards in one year; this will complement and not replace existing routes into teaching. The Government believe that schools should be able to decide for themselves among teachers with different academic qualifications who have the required knowledge and skills for effective teaching.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what date he plans to send to schools plans for next year's tests.

My right hon. Friend has written to all chairmen of governors and head teachers advising them of the streamlined arrangements for the 1994 tests for seven and 14-year-olds, which he announced to the House on 11 May. Detailed decisions on the scope and coverage of the tests will be made in the light of recommendations from Sir Ron Dearing, which are expected in July. Further information will be sent to schools as soon as possible thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on the statutory duties and responsibilities on head teachers; and what monitoring is carried out to see they are fulfilled.

Head teachers of maintained schools, including self-governing—grant-maintained—schools, have statutory responsibility for a number of functions relating to the organisation and management of the school, the discipline of its pupils and the curriculum. In undertaking these functions, they are accountable in the first instance to the governing body of the school and to the local education authority in those schools which it maintains. Parents also have a formal opportunity to discuss the way the head teacher has carried out his or her duties, at the annual meeting which governors must hold for parents. Independent inspections of schools every four years under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 will report on quality and standards in schools, including how effectively they discharge their statutory functions. Reports and governors' action plans will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received on the subject of top-up fees for university students; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 14 June, Official Report, column 420.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pre-school places for three to five-year-olds are provided in England and Wales by (a) local authorities, (b) private sector employees, (c) central Government for their own employees and (d) the private sector.

I have been asked to reply.The information held centrally covers places for children aged under five in day nurseries, playgroups and with childminders. This shows local authority provision, registered and non-registered provision and is recorded in the publication "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 1991, England", copies of which are available in the Library. The number of pre-school places provided in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the figures for (a) killings by terrorists, (b) terrorist shooting incidents and (c) terrorist bombs, including explosions and defusings in 1985; and in which of the subsequent years the number of offences in each category has been lower.

In 1985, there were 47 murders believed to have been carried out by terrorist organisations, 237 terrorist shooting incidents and 215 terrorist bombs, including explosions and defusings. The number of terrorist incidents in each of these three categories has not been lower in any subsequent year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were charged with terrorist offences in 1985; and in which of the subsequent years the number of such persons has been higher.

A total of 522 persons were charged with terrorist offences in 1985. The only subsequent year in which the number of such persons has been higher is 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the business plan for 1993–94 for the Compensation Agency will be published.

The Compensation Agency's business plan for 1993–94 will be published today. The plan explains the agency's business and organisation and sets out assumptions about workloads and resources which underpin the plans and targets identified for the agency this year. I have made arrangements for copies to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 7 June, Official Report, column 13, if he will list the organisations or individuals to whom the United Kingdom report to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development has been or will be distributed.

Copies of the progress report have been sent to the commission's secretariat and copies are available for delegates attending the commission's meeting this week and next in New York. Copies were also made available to delegates who attended an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development meeting in Paris last week.

To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the President of Colombia.

I look forward to meeting President Gaviria again during his planned visit to this country from 26 to 30 July

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the total amount paid in grants by central Government Departments to voluntary bodies during the financial year 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

Central Government funding to voluntary organisations in 1991–92 amounted to £3,387 million. Of this, £2,897 million consisted of payments to voluntary housing associations and £490 million went directly to a variety of voluntary organisations to support provision of services and a wide range of activities and projects.The amount spent under individual departmental programmes was as follows:

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 June.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 June.

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

To ask the Prime Minister to which Cabinet Minister the Teaching Company management committee reports.

[holding answer 16 June 1993]: The Teaching Company management committee is a subcommittee of the Science and Engineering Research Council—SERC—and, therefore, formally reports to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. However, the terms of reference of this committee require it, inter alia, to report to the engineering board of SERC and to the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as to other funding bodies, and to advise SERC's engineering board, the DTI and others on the development of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information he has on the number of theatres that have closed in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland since 1979.

The information requested is not held centrally. I am however advised by the Theatres Trust that the rate of loss of theatres has slowed significantly since the mid-1970s; indeed, a number of theatres referred to as being closed in the report of a 1982 survey have subsequently reopened.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee (1) whether compensation has been sought from the firm which failed to scrap or remove the two portcullis engravings from the two consignments of House of Commons cutlery and silverware as agreed;(2) which firm failed to carry out the undertaking either to remove all marks or scrap the two recent consignments of House of Commons cutlery and silverware; and to which firm the items were subsequently sold.

This is a matter for the Director of Catering Services and I shall ask her to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the average time spent in fostered care/social service care prior to adoption by children adopted in each of the last 15 years;(2) what was the average time spent in foster care/social service care prior to adoption in each of the last 15 years for children adopted at the age of less than one year, one to four, five to nine, 10 to 14 and 15 to 17 years.

Information held centrally relates to the length of time a child was in care under the last legal status before leaving care. This will often be less than the total time he or she was in care. Averages for children leaving care on adoption or being freed for adoption for the year ending 31 March 1991 are shown in the table; figures for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of children leaving care in six duration bands are published in "Children in Care of Local Authorities, England", of which copies are available in the Library. Statistics on the total time looked after are being collected from 14 October 1991, but processing for the period ended 31 March 1992 is not yet complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for each of the hospital trusts in the Trent region, the names of the chairman and non-executive directors, their occupations or professions and details of any allowances or remuneration payable.

The names of chairmen and non-executive directors of national health service trusts in Trent region and the most up-to-date information about their occupations are shown in the table:NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS TRUST

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths and severe injuries were caused by sport in each of the last five years; and if she will publish figures for the number of such incidents for each main sport.

The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys publishes statistics on sporting deaths in the monitor "Fatal accidents during sporting and leisure activities", series DH4, a copy of which is available in the Library. The latest year for which information is available is 1991. The information for 1987 to 1991 has been summarised and will be placed in the Library. More detailed information may be obtained from the monitor.The information for severe injuries is published by the Department of Trade and Industry. Copies of the table will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of residential places available for people with mental illness in the most recent year available; and how many of these were family placements or provided respite care or housing.

The information available centrally shows that at 31 March 1992 in England there were 11,569 places in staffed local authority and independent sector residential homes, primarily for people with mental illness and 1,997 places in unstaffed local authority homes. Information is not available centrally for unstaffed homes in the independent sector. Information on places is not broken down by the type of care.In addition, there were 284 staffed residential homes reported at 31 March 1992 as serving mentally ill people as a second or third client group within the home, but information is not available on the number of places specifically designated for mentally ill people in these homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what redress and compensation are available to patients when health authorities and trusts fail to meet service commitments made in local and national patients charters.

Health authorities and hospitals are responsible on a day-to-day basis for delivering patients charter rights and standards and are expected to ensure that service commitments are fully met.In two specific instances the patients charter offers redress. Under the citizens charter, patients are guaranteed treatment within a maximum of two years—18 months for hip and knee replacement and cataract operations—from the date when their consultant places them on a waiting list. Where a hospital cannot give treatment within the guaranteed maximum waiting time, then health authorities should make alternative arrangements with another provider.Also operations should not be cancelled on the day a patient is due to arrive in hospital. If this happens twice, then treatment should be arranged within one month of the date of the second cancellation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures are being taken to ensure that all children who suffer from Battens disease are treated before they are three years of age;(2) how many cases of Battens disease have been recorded in each year since 1983.

Battens disease is extremely rare, and its prevalence is not precisely known. There is no known effective treatment for Battens disease. In the infantile forms, with onset before the age of three, the health care of the children is guided by the basic principles which apply to all types of progressive disorder with handicap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice her Department gives to health authorities and trusts regarding employment contracts with particular reference to clauses designated to prevent staff speaking to the media.

Where explicit clauses on safeguarding confidentiality are included in individual contracts of employment, they must not conflict with the principles set out in the advice "Guidance for staff on relations with the public and the media" EL(93)51, issued recently by Sir Duncan Nichol to all health authorities and trusts. A copy of the guidance is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of chldren now have parent-held records;(2) what percentage of purchasing authorities are contracting for parent-held records.

Information from the British Paediatric Association, which has produced a model personal child health record, shows that 107 district health authorities are contracting for the record. Information on the number of children who have been issued with the record is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of general medical service funds is for budget holding in (a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93, (d) 1993–94 and (e) 1994–95.

The main component of spending on the general medical services—GMS—non-cash-limited element, consists of the payment of general practitioners fees and expenses. Arrangements are identical for fund holders and non-fund holders and no special allocations are made to the former. For the cash-limited component, the proportion of funds allocated by the Department to regional health authorities specifically for GP fund holders is shown in the table. Regional health authorities can supplement the national funding from their revenue allocations for hospital and community health services. Information on supplementary funding is not available centrally. No decisions have been taken on the funding to be made available in 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the guaranteed admission times for hospital treatment for each health authority.

As purchasers of health care, district health authorities will shortly be publishing their first annual report on performance achieved by their providers against all patients charter standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to her answer of 7 June, Official Report, column 44, what plans she has to assess the actual hours worked over 83 per week by junior doctors; and if she will make a statement.

We continue to make clear to health authorities and trusts that, as well as monitoring reductions in the contracted hours of junior doctors and dentists, they should ensure that actual hours of duty do not exceed contracted hours. We are determined to ensure that junior doctors and dentists see real improvements in their working lives from the new deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adult training centres exist in each local authority for people with learning disabilities; what places are available; and what figures she has on the number of people assessed as suitable for admission to an adult training centre for whom there are currently no places available.

The latest available information on the number of adult training centres, and the number of places available in them, by local authority, is published in "Adult Training Centres for People with Learning Disabilities and Local Authority Day Centres for Adults, at 31 March 1991, England", a copy of which is available in the Library.Information on the number of people assessed as suitable for admission to an adult training centre for whom there are currently no places available is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the budget for the corporate affairs intelligence unit for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 22 February at columns 482–83.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on how the dental health care of children is being improved; and what further plans she will bring forward;(2) what monitoring of adult and child dental health care her Department is now doing; and if she will make a statement.

The provision of dental treatment and the monitoring of the dental health of all age groups of the population is a matter for district health authorities to undertake jointly with family health services authorities. Health authorities also arrange for the screening of teeth of children in state-funded schools at least three times in each child's school life.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to bring forward new proposals for dental remuneration; and if she will make a statement.

We shall announce our proposals in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what indemnities have been given by Yorkshire regional health authority to Yorkshire Water plc against all claims

Though indemnities against liabilities arising from fluoridation may be provided, Yorkshire Water plc has not yet sought them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the chairmen and non-executive members appointed to the South West regional health authority and to NHS trusts in the south-west, listing their current occupations and whether their main residence is within the authority or trust area.

A list of all such appointees and the most recent information about their occupations, where this is held, is shown in the table. Where possible, people appointed to health authorities and national health service trusts are expected either to live or work in, or have other connections with the area served by the authority or trust.