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Written Answers

Volume 228: debated on Monday 12 July 1993

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Written Answers To Questions

Monday 12 July 1993

Lord Chancellor's Department

Commercial Leases

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what new proposals he has to improve the law on leases on commercial property.

As I announced in my answer on 31 March to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Hendry), Official Report, column 197, the Government have, after careful consideration, decided to implement the recommendations in the Law Commission's report on Landlord and Tenant Law: Privity of Contract and Estate (Law Com. No. 174), for future leases but not for existing leases.My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has also announced the publication of a consultation paper on upward-only rent reviews, confidentiality clauses and dispute resolution procedures in relation to new

NumberMenWomen1BarristerSolicitorBlack/Asian
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary101010
Lords Justices29 (+2)28 (+2)129 (+2)
Heads of Division (excludes Lord Chancellor)444
High Court Judges88 (+4)83 (+3)5 (+1)87 (+3)1 (+1)
Circuit Judges491 (+9)463 (+5)28 (+4)436 (+11)55 (-2)2
Recorders815 (+51)778 (+51)37743 (+42)72 (+9)8 (+2)
Assistant Recorders (excludes Assistant Recorders in training)436 (-50)386 (-49)50 (-1)359 (-48)77 (-2)9 (+1)
Stipendiary Magistrates77 (-1)68 (-1)93839 (-1)1
Industrial Tribunal Chairmen70 (+9)59 (+9)1135 (+4)35 (+5)1
Value Added Tax Tribunal Chairmen333
Social Security Appeal Tribunal Chairmen29 (+4)20 (+1)9 (+3)7 (+3)22 (+1)
1 Or member of the Faculty of Advocates.

Legal Aid

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects a final decision to be made on the eligibility for legal aid of Mrs. J. M. Ward, 4 St. John's road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Decisions on the grant of civil legal aid are a matter for the Legal Aid Board. I understand that the legal director of the Legal Aid Board wrote to the hon. Member on 7 July explaining in detail the background to this case and the current position.

Attorney-General

Asil Nadir

31.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on further discussions he has had on issues arising from the Asil Nadir case.

commercial leases. The Government will carefully examine the responses before considering whether it is appropriate to legislate or take any other action on any of these issues.

Appointments

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department further to his answer of 12 February, Official Report, column 788, what changes have taken place since 1 January in the total number of (a) Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (b) Lords Justices of Appeal, (c) Heads of Division, (d) High Court judges, (e) circuit judges, (1) recorders, (g) assistant recorders, (h) stipendiary magistrates, and (i) full-time chairmen who are (i) men, (ii) women, (iii) barristers, (iv) solicitors, (v) black or Asian, and (vi) ex-Oxford or Cambridge; and if he will give revised figures for the average ages in each category.

The available information, as at 1 July 1993, is set out in the table, with net changes since 1 January 1993 shown in brackets. As before, the figures for black or Asian office-holders are believed to be correct, but since the formal recording of the ethnic background of applicants for judicial office began only on I October 1991, such information may be incomplete. Aggregated information is not generally kept on the university background of judges or their average ages and no new information is available in relation to these matters.

To ask the Attorney-General how many (a) witten and (h) oral representations he received from honourable Members regarding the case of Mr. Nadir before his departure from the United Kingdom.

Pursuant to my answer given on 10 June 1993, col. 334, to the honourable Member for Walsall, North, I should add to that list letters written by two honourable Members to the then Home Secretary about Mr. Nadir to which my predecessor replied on points relating to the arrest and investigation. Because of the indirect route by which they came to my office they were not recorded on the departmental register of Members' correspondence so as to be included in my original answer. The overall number of Members who have made representations to me or my predecessor is therefore eight rather than six—since the honourable Member for East Hampshire (Mr. Mates) made both oral and written representations, he figured twice in my answer of 10 June. I have not included questions tabled by honourable Members in replies relating to representations.

My reference to correspondence from whichever part of the House, Official Report, 30 June 1993, col. 969, was founded on recollection of a list prepared by officials detailing all occasions when the case was raised through parliamentary channels which included reference to a question asked by the right honourable Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 12 November 1990, col. 34.

Magistrates Courts

32.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the proportion of Crown Prosecution Service prosecutions in the magistrates courts which are successful.

For the year ending 31 March 1993, 97·6 per cent. of cases which proceeded to a hearing in the magistrates court resulted in either a guilty plea or a conviction.

Constitutional And Legal Functions

33.

To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to reassess the constitutional and legal functions of his office.

The constitutional and legal functions of my office have an essential part to play in the administration of justice. My object is to uphold them.

Crown Prosecution Service

34.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the staffing of the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Crown Prosecution Service has recently completed a recruitment campaign which has resulted in a further 45 experienced lawyers being recommended for appointment. There are now very few vacancies for either legal or administrative staff.

International Investments Ltd

To ask the Attorney-General what recent representations have been made to the Gibraltar authorities regarding the letter of request for information relating to inquiries into International Investments Ltd. Gibraltar, in liquidation.

Officials of the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland have been in recent oral and written communication with Senior Crown Counsel of the Attorney-General's Chambers in Gibraltar in order to finalise arrangements for the attendance of counsel and the investigating officer from the Royal Ulster Constabulary at a judicial hearing scheduled to take place in Gibraltar on 12 July 1993. This hearing is in response to the letter of request for evidence in relation to the affairs of International Investments Ltd. (In Liquidation) issued by Belfast magistrates court on 1 November 1990 and forwarded to the Gibraltar authorities on 5 November 1990 under the provisions of article 9 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence Etc) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988.

Serious Fraud Office

To ask the Attorney-General how many persons of Greek-Cypriot ethnicity are employed in the Serious Fraud Office.

The Serious Fraud Office is aware of only one employee whose ethnic origins lie within the Greek Cypriot community. Ethnic survey questionnaires are issued to all staff joining the Serious Fraud Office and are completed on a voluntary basis. The categories covered are those agreed with the civil service unions for the purposes of such a survey and do not isolate Greek Cypriot origins as a separate ethnicity.

United Nations

To ask the Attorney-General how many staff in his Department have as their primary function work in connection with his duty of providing advice on matters involving adherence to international law in respect of the United Nations and use of force.

One member of my Department has as his primary function work in connection with my duty of providing advice on matters involving adherence to international law.

House Of Commons

Silverware

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what provision was made in the terms of the sale of House of Commons silverware for scrap to forbid resale or to require erasure of identifying marks or the scrapping of the material.

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

Vote Office

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed. representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the Vote Office.

In April 1992 Vote responsibility for parliamentary printing, publications and supply services was transferred from Her Majesty's Stationery Office to the House. An interim arrangement was entered into with HMSO to ensure continuity of existing services. In May 1993, the House of Commons Commission approved in principle the establishment of new systems for the management of the printing and publishing requirements of the House. The particular aim of the changes was to bring closer together within individual Departments the management responsibility for generating House docu-ments and the financial responsibility for paying for those publications. As part of this process, the Commission has agreed the transfer of the Vote Office from the Library Department to the Clerk's Department with effect from 1 November 1993; and the creation within that Office of improved facilities for the production of certain internal House documents.

Environment

Market Testing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the market-testing programme has cost his Department since November 1992.

Since November 1992, the cost of my Department's market-testing programme has amounted to approximately £729,000 and the Department has already achieved efficiency savings in the relevant activities worth about £1 million annually. This is in advance both of the results of the majority of tenders and of calculating the gains expected from Property Holdings' programme of putting out professional services to competitive tender which is due for completion at the end of this year.

Nuclear Waste

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whom he has consulted in regard to. miscellaneous paper 179 (1993) on the advice given by his Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in its letter of 10 October 1992 on British Nuclear Fuels plc's proposals for the return of waste resulting from reprocessing of nuclear spent fuel to overseas utilities.

There have been no formal consultations on RWMAC's advice in its report on waste substitution. There remain a number of technical points on which we require further information from RWMAC before their advice can be considered properly.

Building Regulations (Fuel And Power)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses he has received to his Department's consultation document on building regulations (conservation of fuel and power); and what proportion (a) endorsed the Government's insulation proposals, (b) wished to see a reduction in, or postponement of, the Government's insulation proposals and (c) sought an improvement in the Government's insulation proposals giving a greater reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and an improved rate of energy conservation.

A total of 170 responses have been received to the consultation document which proposed strengthening of the building regulations for the conservation of fuel and power. The proposals include improved standards of insulation for roofs, walls, floors, windows and doors together with alternative higher standards for rook and floors.To date the Department has analysed 70 per cent. of the responses. Of these:

  • (a) 26 per cent. favour the recommendations in the consultation document. A further 28 per cent. did not specifically comment on the insulation standards, and it could be assumed that they are also content with the proposals;
  • (b) 8 per cent. wished to see the alternative higher standards for roofs or floors;
  • (c) 8 per cent. wished to see a reduction or postponement of the insulation proposals; and
  • (d) 30 per cent. sought an improvement in one or more of the insulation standards.
  • In deciding what action to take in the light of these responses, the reasoning behind the arguments advanced will of course be given due weight rather than relying on a numerical breakdown of this sort.

    Waste Disposal

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when section 61 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be implemented.

    The Secretary of State announced on 24 March, Official Report, columns 633–34, a review of responsibilities for contaminated land and liabilities. The duties and powers of authorities under section 61 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in respect of landfill sites form part of the subject matter of the review. The Government do not propose to bring section 61 of the Act into force while it is still the subject of that review.

    Letting Value

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of whether the establishment of letting value under part I of the Housing and Urban Development Bill 1993 will be prevented by the absence of or withholding of estate records; and what forms of indirect alternative evidence of letting value including pre-1963 rating records there are, from which such letting values could appropriately be derived.

    We have no evidence from landlords, tenants, or professional bodies that the derivation of letting values in relation to the rent test in section 4 of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 has caused difficulties. We do not anticipate any difficulties with establishing letting values for the purposes of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Bill. Most professional valuers have the knowledge and experience to do it.Estate records are not essential to the assessment of letting values, although they might provide evidence to show that a particular lease is not at a low rent.Indirect alternative evidence includes pre-1963 rating records, calculations deduced from capital values and the experience of solicitors and valuers in practice at the relevant time. In many cases, in particular for very old leases, the rent will often be so low as to create no doubt that it is a low rent as defined.

    Olympic Games

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest efforts to attract the 2000 Olympic Games to Manchester.

    The Government are doing all they can to back Manchester's bid to stage the Millennium Games in Britain. In particular:—

    We have made available up to £75 million to support the bid and the immediate construction of key facilities. Excellent progress is being made on the Olympic arena, the national cycling centre and the acquisition and clearance of the site for the Olympic stadium in East Manchester.
    There has been a large number of visits by International Olympic Committee members to Manchester in recent months and over 70 members will have seen what Manchester offers by the time the IOC decide the nomination on 23 September. Minsiters are playing a full part in these discussions.
    We have given full backing to Manchester's recent initiative for a $25 million Millennium Foundation to help with the training and travel cost of teams competing in the Manchester Olympic Games. This far-sighted proposal will promote equality of opportunity and provide assistance for teams who need it.
    The Prime Minister welcomed members of the IOC to Downing street on 28 June; he is meeting IOC President Samaranch again this week; and he has announced that he will be going to Monte Carlo to help promote Manchester's hid at the time of the IOC vote in September.

    Water Contamination

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to publish the full reports prepared by the drinking water inspectorate on all water contamination incidents.

    Reports by the drinking water inspectorate will continue to be made public where its investigations of the particular incident show that there are lessons to be learnt or reveal issues of general interest.

    Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following his recent announcement on a further consultation period for THORP, he will set out the terms of reference for the consultation.

    The consultation will provide an opportunity for public comment on the additional material mentioned in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 28 June to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson), Official Report, col. 392.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to comply with the Paris Commission resolution regarding radioactive discharges from nuclear reprocessing plants; by what dates he will supply the information detailed in the resolution; by what means he intends to consult the Paris Commission; and how this relates to the further consultation period recently announced for THORP.

    I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Paris Commission recommendations 93/5. The United Kingdom did not accept this recommendation. We shall therefore be taking no specific action as a result of it.

    Radioactive Waste

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the HM IP report on draft authorisa-tions for the discharge of radioactive wastes from Sellafie!d will be published.

    The inspectors' report will be made available when the further round of public consultation which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 28 June is initiated.

    Housing Associations

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy as to the proportion of seats which should be reserved for tenant representatives on the management committees of housing associations formed to take over local authority housing stock; and if he will make a statement.

    This is a matter for the Housing Corporation as the body responsible for regulating housing associations. The corporation encourages the involvement of tenants on the committees of LSVT associations but does not specify any particular proportion of seats for them.The corporation also expects committee members to have an appropriate range of financial, legal and management skills relevant to the running of a housing association.

    Shelter

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much grant has been paid by his Department to Shelter for each of the last three years; and what proportion of the total grants budget this represents.

    Shelter has received grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 of £422,000 in 1990–91; £916,500 in 1991–92, and £995,500 in 1992–93, to provide specialist homelessness advice to citizens advice bureaux outside London and an emergency homelessness telephone advice service in London. These payments represented 21 per cent., 20 per cent., and 17 per cent. of the funds allocated for section 73 schemes around the country in each of those years.

    Houses In Multiple Occupation

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to abolish local authorities' power to introduce registration schemes for houses in multiple occupation under section 346 of the Housing Act 1985.

    The Department has reviewed local authorities' power to set up HMO registration schemes. We have no plans to remove this power.

    Local Authority Management

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report of the joint working party on the internal management of local authorities in England will be published.

    The working party's report will be published tomorrow and copies will he available in the Libraries of both Houses by 11 am.

    Homelessness

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects his survey of local authorities to evaluate the impact of the code of guidance on homelessness legislation on their homelessness policies to be completed; and when he expects to publish it.

    [holding answer Friday 9 July]: Research on the evaluation of the code of guidance is currently being commissioned. The study is due to start in August 1993 and is expected to be completed by the end of 1994. The Department expects to publish the results in due course.

    Local Government Commission

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the Audit Commission's review of the Local Government Commission costings.

    It is for the Local Government Commission to decide whether to publish any opinions provided to it by the Audit Commission. I have therefore written to the chairman of the Commission, Sir John Banham, to ask if he would write to the hon. Member with his comments.

    Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

    China

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed the matter of nuclear testing with his Chinese counterpart during his recent visit to China.

    No. My right hon. Friend did, however, raise proliferation issues—both in relation to North Korea and the sales of Chinese M-11 missiles to Pakistan.

    Maastricht Treaty

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the German constitutional court to rule on the constitutional validity in Germany of the Maastricht treaty; and what is his estimate of the effect on the ratification process.

    The German Constitutional Court held an oral hearing on the constitutional validity of the Maastricht treaty on 1–2 July. A ruling is not expected before the end of September. The Maastricht treaty will enter into force on the first day of the month following ratification by the last signatory state to do so.

    Macedonia

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to enable citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to obtain in that country visas to visit the United Kingdom.

    We have no plans to issue visas in Skopje at present. The office of the British Government representative in Skopje has just been set up, and is operating as a one-person post. Even when it reaches planned full strength, with two United Kingdom diplomats, it will have neither the capacity nor resources to offer such a service. Whether the post might offer a service at some time in the future would depend on both demand and the availability of resources, in the light of competing priorities.

    DestinationPurpose of visitDates
    TurkeyBilateral21–23 April 1992
    GreeceBilateral23 April 1992
    PortugalInformal EC Foreign Ministers Meeting1–2 May 1992
    SpainBilateral2–4 May 1992
    CzechoslovakiaBilateral4–5 May 1992
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council10–11 May 1992
    FranceIn attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen12 May 1992
    ItalyBilateral15 May 1992
    KuwaitGulf Cooperation Council15–16 May 1992
    EgyptBilateral16–17 May 1992
    MexicoBilateral26–30 May 1992
    FranceIn attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen9–12 June 1992
    LuxembourgForeign Affairs Council14–15 June 1992
    GermanyWestern European Union Ministerial Meeting18–19 June 1992
    LuxembourgEC Foreign Ministers Conclave20 June 1992
    PortugalEuropean Council25–27 June 1992
    GermanyG7 Economic Summit5–8 July 1992
    FranceEuropean Parliament Plenary8 July 1992
    FinlandCSCE Summit9–10 July 1992
    YugoslaviaOfficial Talks15–18 July 1992
    MacedoniaOfficial Talks18 July 1992
    AlbaniaOfficial Talks18–19 July 1992
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council19–20 July 1992
    PhilippinesASEAN Conference23–26 July 1992
    Hong KongOfficial Talks26–28 July 1992

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where is the nearest United Kingdom diplomatic point to Macedonia at which citizens of that country can obtain a visa to visit the United Kingdom.

    The British embassy in Sofia is able to issue visas to Macedonians wishing to visit the United Kingdom. Macedonians may also apply for visit visas at any other British mission offering a full visa service.

    Multi-Fibre Arrangement

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the effect of the multi-fibre arrangement on developing countries' economies; and if he will make a statement.

    A number of hon. Members have written to me and to ministerial colleagues on this subject. The Government support a progressive and orderly phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement. We recognise the positive impact that the removal of trade barriers can have on economic development and the eradication of poverty in the third world. Free and fair trade in textiles and clothing is a goal to which we are committed. However, the ending of the MFA must be conditional upon our trading partners elsewhere giving a commitment to open their markets to our exports and to abide more closely by GATT rules and disciplines.

    Overseas Visits

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the destination, dates and purpose of each official overseas visit he has undertaken since April 1992.

    Destination

    Purpose of visit

    Dates

    MalaysiaBilateral28–29 July 1992
    South AfricaBilateral1–4 September 1992
    USA47th Session of the United Nations General Assembly21–30 September 1992
    LuxembourgForeign Affairs Council4–5 October 1992
    PortugalBilateral7 October 1992
    SpainBilateral7–8 October 1992
    NetherlandsBilateral9 October 1992
    BelgiumBilateral9–10 October 1992
    GermanyIn attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen19–23 October 1992
    FranceCouncil of Europe27 October 1992
    PhilippinesEC/ASEAN Ministerial29–30 October 1992
    PakistanBilateral31 October to 1 November 1992
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council8–9 November 1992
    ItalyWestern European Union Ministerial Meeting19–20 November 1992
    BelgiumEC Foreign Ministers Conclave26–27 November 1992
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council and EC Foreign Ministers Conclave6–8 December 1992
    SwedenCSCE Ministerial Meeting14–15 December 1992
    SwitzerlandInternational Conference on the former Yugoslavia15–16 December 1992
    BelgiumNorth Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting16–17 December 1992
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council20–21 December 1992
    GhanaBilateral3–4 January 1993
    NigeriaBilateral4–5 January 1993
    ArgentinaBilateral6–10 January 1993
    ChileBilateral10–11 January 1993
    FranceBilateral13–14 January 1993
    NetherlandsBilateral20 January 1993
    BelgiumBilateral25 January 1993
    SwitzerlandWorld Economic Forum29–31 January 1993
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council31 January to 2 February 1993
    FranceCouncil of Europe2 February 1993
    Germany30th Munich (Wehrkunde) Conference on Security Policy5–6 February 1993
    GermanyBilateral17 February 1993
    FranceBilateral24 February 1993
    BelgiumNorth Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting25–26 February 1993
    SpainAnglo/Spanish Talks on Gibraltar28 February to 1 March 1993
    USAUnited Nations3 March 1993
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council7–8 March 1993
    USABilateral24–25 March 1993
    GermanyAddress the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung29 March 1993
    FranceBilateral1 April 1993
    RussiaBilateral2 April 1993
    IndonesiaBilateral3–5 April 1993
    JapanBilateral6–7 April 1993
    KoreaBilateral7–9 April 1993
    JapanJoint Ministerial G7 Meeting12–15 April 1993
    DenmarkEC Foreign Ministers Informal Weekend24–25 April 1993
    FinlandBilateral25–26 April 1993
    SwedenBilateral26–27 April 1993
    IrelandBilateral30 April 1993
    HungaryIn attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen6–7 May 1993
    BelgiumForeign Affairs Council9–10 May 1993
    FranceCouncil of Europe Parliamentary Assembly13–14 May 1993
    ItalyWestern European Union19 May 1993
    USABilateral21 May 1993
    DenmarkEC Foreign Ministers Troika with Turkey24 May 1993
    BelgiumBilateral24 May 1993
    FranceBilateral1 June 1993
    RomaniaBilateral1–3 June 1993
    BulgariaBilateral3–4 June 1993
    MacedoniaBilateral4 June 1993
    LuxembourgForeign Affairs Council7–9 June 1993
    GreeceMinisterial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council9–11 June 1993
    DenmarkEuropean Council21–22 June 1993
    SingaporeBilateral5–6 July 1993
    JapanG7 Economic Summit7–8 July 1993
    ChinaBilateral8–9 July 1993
    Hong KongOfficial Talks9 July 1993

    Yugoslavia

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the peace negotiations in the former Yugoslavia.

    We fully support the continuing efforts of Lord Owen and Mr. Stoltenberg to secure a peace settlement, acceptable to all parties and based on the principles of the London conference. The latest peace proposal for Bosnia-Herzegovina is a Serb and Croat initiative which has not been endorsed by the international community. We are actively supporting the co-chairmen's efforts to encourage all three sides to engage in serious negotiations.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise at the next meeting of EC Ministers Croatia's response to the warning of the EC Foreign Ministers on 8 June of their obligations to co-operate with the international commun-ity in ensuring a peaceful resolution of the problems in the Krajinas and in Bosnia-Herzegovina; what is his policy towards the introduction of sanctions against Croatia; and if he will make a statement.

    The meeting of EC Foreign Ministers on 19 July is likely to address how the European Community can contribute further in support of the co-chairman's efforts to achieve a peace settlement in Bosnia, including the question of further pressure on Croatia.

    Mrs Naseem Akhtar

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision is to be taken by the United Kingdom post in Islamabad on the application by Mrs. Naseem Akhtar and her children (REF: IMM/B7202) to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

    In the absence of any information about this case, I have asked the High Commission in Islamabad for a full report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

    Sudan

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made lo the Khartoum Government over their human rights record.

    Such representations have been made on many occasions, most recently by the EC troika ministerial mission which visited Khartoum on 22 June, and in which the United Kingdom was represented.

    Transport

    Teesside Park

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will provide signs to Teesside park on the A 19 northbound and southbound in the vicinity of its junction with the A66;

    (2) if he will provide signs to Teesside park on the A66.

    It is not my policy to install such signs at the intersection of two primary routes. However, I am reviewing the particular circumstances of this case.

    Superintendent Earnshaw

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to reply to a letter from Superintendent Earnshaw of Stockton police dated 21 April, Ref. DN 504726/1/01.

    M66, Manchester

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now take steps to arrange the meeting recommended in paragraph 16.33.1, on access to Nut Bank house, in the inspector's report on the public inquiry into the M66-Manchester outer ring road (Denton to Middleton section) proposals, published on 19 February.

    We are in contact with solicitors acting for the owner of Nut Bank house. A meeting will be arranged as soon as possible.

    Al, Lancashire

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's current plans for a major road development linking the Lancashire border to the A1; and if he will make a statement.

    I have no current plans for a new major road development linking the Lancashire border to the A1. The trans-pennine study considered options for roads in the area. The consultation period on the study has only recently finished and I shall make a statement in due course.

    A13, Newham

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of installing a footbridge, together with approach ramps suitable for prams and push chairs, across the A13 Newham way near to its junction with Beckton road or Forty Acre lane.

    At present, there are no plans for a footbridge at this location. However, if a bridge was to be provided typical construction costs would be of the order of £300,000 depending on circumstances at the site.

    Roads

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to publish a White Paper on roads.

    My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to publish a White Paper on roads. He is at present consulting on his Green Paper "Paying for Better Motorways".

    Ferries

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which roll-on roll-off ferries operating from United Kingdom ports do not yet full conform with safety regulations arising from the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster; by what date the vessels are expected to conform; and if he will make a statement.

    All roll-on roll-off passenger ferries operating from United Kingdom ports must comply with national and international safety regulations including those arising from the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster.

    M25

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the various studies he has commissioned or put out to tender to consider the need for widening the M25 beyond eight lanes and the sections of the M25 to which they apply.

    Three commissions have already been let to study the need for the feasibility of providing more than four lanes on the M25. They relate to the following sections:

    • Junctions 10–12 (A3 to M3)
    • Junctions 12–15 (M3 to M4)
    • Junctions 15–16 (M4 to M40)

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to announce a preferred route for the link roads proposed alongside the M25 from junctions 12 to 15.

    My right hon. Friend hopes to have completed his consideration of the issues to enable a decision to be issued soon.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has carried out to date into the effects of building link roads alongside the M25 between junctions 5 and 28 on (a) pollution including carbon dioxide emissions, (h) development pressures and (c) sites of nature conservation and landscape importance.

    Each individual scheme's environmental statement includes an assessment of the impact of the proposals on both atmospheric pollution and any land to he affected. No studies have yet been carried out into development pressures resulting from M25 widening proposals.

    Birmingham Northern Relief Road

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his powers to control the levels of tolls on the proposed Birmingham northern relief road, and on his reserve powers to take over the operation of the proposed road.

    My right hon. Friend has no powers to control the level of tolls on the Birmingham northern relief road. The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 provides for a toll order to specify the maximum tolls which a concessionaire may charge only in the case of major crossings to which there is no reasonably convenient alternative.The 1991 Act provides that where a concession agreement terminates for any reason before the end of a toll period the Secretary of State shall take reasonable steps to secure the appointment of a new concessionaire; and that he may himself collect tolls pending such appointments or in accordance with an extension toll order.

    Departmental Expenditure

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide an estimate of the proportion of his Department's total expenditure, including an appropriate allocation of running costs, which is spent on (a) road transport, (b) railways, (c) aviation and (d) shipping.

    Full details of the Government's expenditure plans for transport are published in the Department of Transport report 1993, Cm 2206. Over the three-year period 1993–94 to 1995–96 total planned expenditure is £18,351 million of which 53 per cent. is for national and local roads, 38 per cent. for public transport, including rail, and just over 2 per cent. for air and sea transport; the remainder is accounted for by central administration, the Department's executive agencies, and miscellaneous services.

    British Rail

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had from the North West Regional Association about British Rail privatisa-tion; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.

    An official reply was sent to the secretary of the North West Regional Association on 1 July in response to its letter of 23 June. I am sending a copy of the correspondence to the hon. Member.

    Railways (Vandalism)

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 14 May, Official Report, columns 613–4, if he will provide a regional breakdown of prosecutions for acts of vandalism on rail lines.

    A6(M)

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions he has made to ensure there is no conflict of interest between the advice given by L. G. Mouchel and Partners as consultants to his Department in respect of traffic modelling and design for the A6(M) and their acting as consultants to the applicants in respect of planning applications for a superstore on Melford road, Stockport, and a superstore on Stockport road west, where his Department is a statutory consultee.

    I am aware of the consultants' involvement and believe that they are acting in a proper and professional manner.The application for Melford road has been considered largely in relation to its impact on the existing road network, given its distance from the proposed bypass.My Department has formed its own view on all the evidence available in connection with the Stockport road west development and has responded accordingly.

    Motor Vehicles

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of motor vehicles on the road that are (a) unlicensed, (b) do not have a valid MOT certificate or (c) whose regular driver is uninsured; what these figures approximate to in terms of numbers of vehicles and drivers and how many prosecutions were undertaken in respect of each category in the most recent year for which figures are available.

    In Great Britain there are 35 million drivers holding full or provisional driving licences and 24·8 million licensed vehicles.It is estimated that there were 1·3 million unlicensed vehicles in use on the public road at the end of September 1992. In 1992–93 over 435,000 vehicle licence evaders were penalised either by prosecution—193,000 —or through out-of-court settlement—242,000—recover-ing £37·5 million in revenue. In addition it is estimated that 180,000 evaders relicensed their vehicles as a direct result of enforcement action recovering a further £14 million.There is no reliable estimate of the percentage of motor vehicles on the road which do not have an MOT test certificate or whose regular driver is uninsured. In 1991, 253,813 persons were found guilty in England and Wales of vehicle insurance offences and in Scotland 15,816 drivers were found guilty of driving while uninsured. In the same period in Great Britain 141,450 persons were found guilty of vehicle test offences.

    Speed Limits

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the trials of the variable speed limits outside schools are to begin; and if he will make a statement.

    The first experimental site at Howick on the A5092 trunk road in Cumbria has come into operation today. This is the first of the 14 school sites on trunk roads and 100 sites on local authority roads where variable limits are being introduced on an experimental basis. The results will be monitored and, if the signs are effective in reducing drivers speeds, provision will be made to permit variable speed limits to be more widely applied.

    M27 Aircraft Crash

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 5 July at column 8, whether the aircraft which crashed on the M27 on 26 May carried a co-pilot licensed to act as pilot in command.

    I understand that the co-pilot holds a licence which entitled him to act in the capacity of a co-pilot on that particular aircraft, but not as a pilot in command.

    Night Flights

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, (1) using the new system for restricting night flights announced on 6 July, how many noise quota points would have been used up by the aircraft that operated into and out of Heathrow airport during (a) the night quota hours of the 1992–93 winter period and (b) the night quota hours of the 1992 summer period;(2) using the new system for restricting night flights an nounced on 6 July and the aircraft that have operated or are scheduled to operate into or out of Heathrow airport during the night quota hours of the 1993 summer period, how many noise quota points will be used up during this period.

    More data on aircraft type, engine fit and maximum certificated landing and taking off weights are required to classify aircraft under the new night restrictions system than under the present regime. Not all this data is available for past movements, so only estimates can be given. These are (a) about 6,000 in winter 1992–93 (b) about 6,225 in summer 1992 and (c) about 6,400 in summer 1993.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air traffic movements took place at Heathrow airport during (a) the night quota hours of the 1992–93 winter period and (b) the night quota hours of the 1992 summer period.

    The total number of runway movements— that is, air transport movements and all other movements such as empty positioning flights —during the night quota periods was

  • (a) 3,413:1992–93 winter
  • (b) 3,409: 1992 summer
  • Of these movements at

    (a) 3,078 counted against the main quota, 21 counted against the delayed quota, 225 were by aircraft exempt from the restrictions, and 89 movements were granted dispensations and exemptions according to current arrangements.

    Of the movements at (b) 2,649 counted against the quota, 60 counted against the delayed quota, 678 were by aircraft exempt from the restrictions and 22 were granted dispensations and exemptions according to current arrangements.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air traffic movements he estimates will occur at Heathrow airport during the night quota hours of the 1993 summer period on the basis of the number of aircraft that have or are scheduled to operate into and out of the airport.

    Bus Companies

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to bring in legislation to require municipal authorities to sell off their bus companies; and if he will make a statement.

    Our manifesto contained a pledge to privatise the remaining local authority bus companies. I am pleased that many authorities are selling their companies voluntarily. It is our intention to introduce legislation at an early opportunity to require the rest to do so.

    East London River Crossing

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Government have spent on the proposed east London river crossing up to 7 July.

    Approximately £31 million. The bulk of the expenditure has been on scheme preparation but the figure also includes some £3 million on advance works and £9 million on land and property purchase.

    Civil Aircraft

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consideration his Department has given to the mandatory fitment of high-intensity strobe lights to civil aircraft regularly involved in low-level flying activities such as power line and pipeline surveying and crop spraying;(2) what consideration his Department has given to the provision of air-to-air transponder equipment for civil aircraft regularly engaged in activities at low altitude;(3) what capability the civil aircraft notification procedure has for the notification of linear activities such as power line and pipeline surveying;(4) what measures have been introduced by his Department since 1988 to encourage civilian pilots and aircraft operators to make use of the civil aircraft notification procedures; and if he will make a statement as to what further measures are under consideration.

    Aviation safety matters such as these are for the Civil Aviation Authority, in the first instance. I have therefore passed the hon. Member's questions to the chairman of the authority, asking him to write to the hon. Member.I am always ready to consider any proposals for changes in primary or secondary legislation which the authority may put to me.

    German Merchant Fleet

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he is making to the European Commission about German plans to increase tax concessions to the German merchant fleet.

    It is our policy to urge the Commission to look into all cases of state aids in the transport sector, including aids to shipowners, in order to secure the removal of those that distort competition. I understand that what is proposed by Germany in this particular case would renew fiscal arrangements that have been in place for some time.

    Home Department

    Stefan Kiszko

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to provide the families involved with the results of the investigation on the completion of any criminal proceedings arising from the Lancashire police force's investigation into the Stefan Kiszko case.

    It is for the chief constable of West Yorkshire police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide what information may be disclosed to the Kiszko and Molseed families. As the Prime Minister has already informed the hon. Member, West Yorkshire police have assured both families that they will brief them fully about what happened as soon as they are free to do so.

    Firearms

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many thefts of shotguns there were in 1991 in each police force area (a) from domestic premises and (b) from all premises.

    The following table shows, for each police force in England and Wales in 1991, the number of notifiable offences of burglary and theft in which shotguns were reported to have been stolen from domestic and all premises:

    Notifiable offences of burglary and theft in which shot guns were stolen
    Police force areaDomestic premisesAll premises
    Avon and Somerset1520
    Bedfordshire48
    Cambridgeshire910
    Cheshire713
    Cleveland34
    Cumbria78
    Derbyshire56
    Devon and Cornwall2735
    Dorset22
    Durham2124
    Essex1417
    Gloucestershire46
    Greater Manchester45
    Hampshire1620
    Hertfordshire22
    Humberside77
    Kent3046
    Lancashire1827
    Leicestershire713
    Lincolnshire69
    London, City of
    Merseyside67
    Metropolitan Police District2228
    Norfolk1725
    Northamptonshire1011
    Northumbria1521
    North Yorkshire1218
    Nottinghamshire14
    South Yorkshire2026
    Staffordshire
    Suffolk1111
    Surrey1720
    Sussex1316
    Thames Valley2135
    Warwickshire610
    West Mercia811
    West Midlands811
    West Yorkshire711
    Wiltshire35
    Dyfed-Powys36
    Gwent
    North Wales610
    South Wales26
    England and Wales416574

    False Imprisonment

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to ensure that compensation awards to persons having been falsely imprisoned are harmonised; and if he will make a statement.

    It has been the long-standing practice for the amount to be paid in an award of compensation under section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, or under the related ex-gratia scheme, to be settled according to the assessment or advice of an independent assessor, currently Sir David Calcutt QC. The assessor applies principles analogous to those governing the assessment of damages for civil wrongs. I am satisfied that these arrangements result in fairness and consistency in the determination of amounts to be paid.

    Mr John Matthews

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his decision to place an exclusion order on Mr. John Matthews;(2) what consideration he gives to

    (a) acquittal decisions by the courts in respect of terrorist-related offences with which a person has been charged and (b) decisions by the Crown Prosecution Service to withdraw charges against such a person, in deciding whether to place an exclusion order on such a person.

    On Tuesday 6 July I exercised the powers conferred upon me by part II of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 to exclude John Gerard Matthews from Great Britain. Before reaching a decision I carefully reviewed all the information which had been placed before me. On the basis of that information I was satisfied that the criteria set out at section 5 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act were met in this case.The decision which I am required to take in relation to exclusion orders is different in kind from that which the prosecuting authorities apply in deciding whether to continue criminal proceedings. They consider whether, on the basis of evidence which will be admissible in court, there is a realistic prospect of persuading a jury beyond reasonable doubt that a person is guilty of a specific offence. I have to be satisfied that a person is or has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland. In making that assessment it is open to me to consider information which would not be admissible in court. Whilst I would have regard to the fact that a person had been acquitted, or criminal proceedings discontinued, that fact would not preclude the making of an exclusion order.

    Notifiable Offences, London

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notifiable offences were reported in the Metropolitan police area in the first three months of 1993; and if he will give a breakdown of the figures by category of offence.

    Parliamentary Boundaries

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current timetable for the work of the Boundary Commission for England in reviewing the current parliamentary boundaries; and what will be the effect on this timetable of re-examination by the commission of the population figures on which its work has so far been based.

    The Boundary Commission for England is required, by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, to make its final report by 31 December 1994. I understand that it is confident that it will be in time. The enumeration date for its review is February 1991, and the release of subsequent electoral statistics, or indeed a more recent evaluation of the accuracy of the electoral register, will not affect its timetable.

    Fire Services, Merseyside

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority following its consideration of the report of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services; and if he will make a statement.

    My right hon. and learned Friend has received from the clerk to the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority a copy of a resolution made at the authority's annual general meeting on 28 June. The resolution relates to the report of an inspection of the Merseyside Fire Brigade conducted by Her Majesty's inspector of fire services during the week beginning 25 January 1993. We shall consider the resolution carefully alongside the report of the special inspection of the Merseyside brigade which was conducted during the week beginning 5 July, once that report is available.

    Ex-Offenders

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions the Prison Department has had with each training and enterprise council regarding schemes to provide employment for ex-offenders;(2) how much the Prison Department spent in

    (a) 1991 and (b) 1992 on funding schemes which provide employment for ex-offenders; and what proportion this was of the Prison Department's budget.

    Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated July 1993:

    TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCILS EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES FOR EX-OFFENDERS

    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question seeking information about what discussions the Prison Service has had with each Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) regarding schemes to provide employment for ex-offenders.

    TECs are responsible for adult and youth training schemes. Prison Service establishments are encouraged to work with their local TEC in helping to meet offenders' training needs. Discussions between the Prison Service and individual TECs normally take place at a local level; the details are not recorded centrally.

    As a result of these local contacts, a number of important joint ventures between prisons and TECs have been developed. To build on these, the Prison Service is working with the Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate and the Probation Service to produce a good practice guide for TECs on meeting the training needs of offenders and ex-offenders. The guide will be issued later this year.

    Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated July 1993:

    Expenditure on Employment schemes for ex-offenders

    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how much the Prison Department spent in 1991 and 1992 on funding schemes which provide employment for ex-offenders.
    The Prison Service undertakes a wide range of work aimed at preparing, training and assisting prisoners to find jobs on release. The cost of this is not separately distinguished. The work is described in "Employment in Prisons and for Ex-Offenders. The Government Reply to the First Report from the Employment Committee Session 1991–92 HC30". I enclose a copy of the Report, which I hope will help to fill out the picture for you. Since the Government's Reply was published, the Employment Service has agreed to provide additional funding to enable the number of prison job clubs and prisons running job search preparation courses to be increased. In consequence, as part of its business plan for 1993–94, the Prison Service aims to increase the number of prisons running job search preparation courses from 24 to 48 and the number of prison job clubs from 5 to 10.

    Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the working group examining the future of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have (a) English legal qualifications and (b) Scottish legal qualifications.

    There is no working group examining the future of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. As my right hon. and learned Friend the member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) announced on 23 November 1992, col 457, the Government have decided that the present criminal injuries compensation scheme should be replaced in 1994 by one based on a tariff of awards. The intention is to offer a better, more straightforward service to claimants.Officials are working up the more detailed proposals in the normal course of their duties under the direction of Ministers. The officials take legal advice as and when appropriate. Details of the new scheme will be set out in the White Paper within the next two or three months.

    Bosnian Refugees

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to accelerate the programme for the reception of Bosnian refugees and their dependants announced on 30 November.

    In response to the humanitarian organisations' priorities the programme has initially concentrated on former detention camp inmates and their dependants. We have already received a total of 250 ex-detainees and 421 dependants, but there have been difficulties, particularly in securing further releases from the detention camps. In discussion with UNHCR we have made clear our readiness to consider other vulnerable individuals for inclusion in the 1,000.

    Anti-Abortion Protesters

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prevent the entry into the United Kingdom of anti-abortion protesters from the United States.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prevent the entry to the United Kingdom of activitists from (a) Operation Rescue and (b) Rescue America.

    Citizens of the United States of America are subject to immigration control and must qualify to enter under the terms of the immigration rules. My right hon. and learned Friend may direct exclusion if a person's presence would not be conducive to the public good. Consideration will be given to any evidence which would justify exclusion on this ground.

    City Of London (Road Closures)

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held with the City of London Corporation on the closure of roads on security grounds; and what is the maximum time that such road closures can be maintained.

    The experimental traffic scheme now in operation was introduced by the Commissioner of Police for the City of London with the agreement of the Corporation of London, under section 12 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A scheme introduced under this section may remain in force for up to six months and may thereafter be continued for a maximum of 12 months in all. The City's proposals did not require my approval, although the City corporation and police discussed them with members of my Department before implementation.

    Immigration Rules

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the progress of discussions on proposals to remove sex discrimination from the immigration rules; when he expects the conclusions to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

    We are currently considering these and other aspects of the immigration rules and hope to publish proposals shortly.

    Macedonia

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the visa requirement for citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

    Car Park Attacks

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning (a) the attacks on women that have taken place recently in supermarket car parks in south London and (b) the consideration he is giving to crime prevention advice to shoppers and to the proprietors of supermarkets about improved security; and if he will make a statement.

    All such attacks are investigated and an arrest has been made in the recent case of an attack on a women shopper returning to her car parked in a supermarket car park. There is no indication that this type of crime is increasing. Sensible precautions are promoted by the Metropolitan police and the national "Secured Car Parks" scheme operates in London. This scheme extends throughout the Metropolitan police district and is open to all car park owners and operators, including supermarket proprietors.

    Sheehy Inquiry

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the experience or qualifications possessed by each member of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards prior to their appointment which were considered to be of particular relevance to that appointment.

    The chairman and each member of the inquiry between them possessed an impressive range of skills and experience drawn from the management of large private and public sector organisations, a practical understanding of business, and in particular effective service delivery.

    Electoral Register

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to bringing forward proposals for a rolling register whereby names can be added to the list of voters throughout the year; and if he will make a statement.

    The introduction of a "rolling" electoral register is one of the matters being discussed in the post-election review. The five working groups set up as part of the review are expected to report their findings in

    Recorded racial incidents in the Metropolitan police area
    Ethnic grouping
    YearWhite EuropeanDark-skinned EuropeanBlack/Afro-CaribbeanAsianOrientalArabic/EgyptianOrigin unknown/OtherTotal
    1988270545321,3483215252,276
    1989384865581,6163525432,747
    19904391046491,6614636272,962
    19916101146861,893364723,388
    19926541307961,86058421343,674

    Note.—These figures do not agree with the table for classified racial incidents as in certain cases there is more than one victim per incident.

    Quangos

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of individuals who (a) are spouses of hon. Members, (b) are members of the House of Lords, (c) are spouses of members of the House of Lords and (d) have been party candidates for Parliament, indicating for which party, who have been appointed by his Department since 1988 to quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations giving, in each case, the title of the post, any salary payable, and the duration of the appointment.

    The information requested is not available, apart from the following information in respect of part (b) of the question:

    • Lord Belstead
    • Chairman of the Parole Board
    • Salary £45,060
    • Appointed 3 October 1992 until 2 October 1997
    • Lord Brassey of Apethorpe
    • Member of the Board of Visitors, HM Prison, Gartree Expenses only
    • Appointed 1981 for 3 years; reappointed on a 3-yearly basis
    • Rt. hon. Lord Carlisle of Bucklow, QC
    • Chairman of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
    • Salary £31,350
    • Appointed 1 March 1989 until 31 March 1995
    • Lord Kimball
    • Chairman of the Firearms Consultative Committee Expenses only
    • Appointed for 5 years from 1989
    • Lord Macaulay of Bragar, QC
    • Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
    • Fee £246 per day

    the late summer. Representatives of the political parties and the local authority associations will then be invited to discuss the reports at a meeting in the autumn.

    Racial Incidents

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 17 December 1992, Official Report, column 443, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures given by ethnic group of victim, for the last five years for which figures are available.

    The information given to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey can only be further broken down by ethnic group for the Metropolitan police district, and is given in the table.

    • Appointed 12 January 1989 until 31 March 1995
    • Baroness Masham of Ilton
    • Member of Board of Visitors, HM Young Offender
    • Institution, Wetherby
    • Expenses only
    • Appointed 1963; reappointed on a 3-yearly basis
    • Lord Nathan
    • Chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee
    • Expenses only
    • Appointed January 1990 until February 1993
    • Professor Lord Soulsby of Swaftham Prior
    • Member of the Animal Procedures Committee
    • Expenses only
    • Appointed 1985; renewed 1987 for 4 years
    • Lord Swaythling
    • Member of the Horserace Totalisator Board
    • Salary £7,772
    • Appointed 1981; reappointed for 5 terms until 1993
    • Lord Wyatt of Weeford
    • Chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board
    • Salary £92,000
    • Appointed 1976; reappointed 1993 for 2 years.
    Information in respect of the Parole Local Review Committees is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Overseas Development Administration

    Oxfam

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to consult Oxfam before the G7 conference about the issues to be raised there.

    The conclusions in Oxfam's recent report "Africa, Make or Break" were widely considered in the run-up to the summit, and my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met representatives of Oxfam on 8 July. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also met members of the all-party group, the "Africa Caucus", on 29 June, and discussed issues raised by the report.

    Kashmir

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to withhold aid programmes to India until the Indian Government allow independent observer groups from the British Parliament to visit the Indian-occupied area of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

    Vegetable Waste (Exports)

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he will take in the light of the representations made to him concerning the production of compost/soil enricher from vegetable waste for export to the third world; and if he will make a statement.

    We do not believe exporting compost from the United Kingdom is an appropriate or cost-effective way to improve soil fertility in the developing world.We aim to address developing country problems through promoting economic growth and self-reliance, and are assisting smallholder farms in Africa and Asia to produce compost from their own organic wastes.

    Indonesia

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 April to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon), Official Report, column 172, when it became the policy of Her Majesty's Government to seek to influence Indonesia by dialogue rather than by attaching conditions to aid.

    The Government explained their policy on good government in speeches by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 6 June 1990 and by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 25 June 1991. When determining the flows of development aid, Her Majesty's Government studies each individual case carefully. Respect for human rights, among other factors, is taken into account.

    Irrigation Projects

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of United Kingdom aid for irrigation projects; which are the main countries involved; and if he will make a statement.

    In financial year 1992–93, we spent £6·54 million on irrigation and associated drainage projects. The main beneficiaries were Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. We also spend about £750,000 per annum on research into irrigation and drainage and fund scholarships in the United Kingdom for irrigation specialists from overseas.

    Trade And Industry

    Hotel And Restaurant Industry

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had from the hotel and restaurant industry regarding deregulation.

    The hotel and restaurant industry is represented on the sectoral task forces and many individual operators and trade organisations have provided evidence of over regulation. The issues identified are being pursued vigorously with the Government Departments concerned.

    Thorp

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what approaches he has received from foreign customers for BNFL's THORP regarding the cancellation or amendment of contracts, the return of fuel or whether it will be reprocessed.

    Music Industry

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount in exports earned by the British music industry in 1992.

    Exports of records, cassettes and compact discs as reported by Customs and Excise and shortly to be published by the British Phonographic Industry in its 1993 handbook were £211·9 million in 1992. BPI will also publish an estimate of invisible earnings in the form of royalties returning from overseas of £500 million in 1991.

    Regional Assistance

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what monitoring his Department undertakes of firms receiving regional financial selective assistance once their projects have been completed.

    Regional selective assistance offer letters require beneficiaries to confirm to the Department at intervals of 18 months and 36 months after the last payment of grant, that job totals and assets relating to the project remain in place or to explain any changes and the reasons for them.

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 254, what information he has about any of the firms benefiting from regional financial selective assistance now having ceased trading.

    The Department may become aware that individual firms have ceased trading at any time during the normal monitoring of regional selective assistance and this information would be recorded on the case file. However, identifying all such cases would involve disproportionate costs. Firms that discontinue trading after completion of the monitoring period are treated as all other firms and the Department keeps no specific record of them.

    Post Office (Privatisation)

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those remaining Crown post offices which it is intended to convert to privatised status.

    No. Decisions on which individual Crown post offices should be proposed for conversion to agency status are an operational matter for the Post Office. The Post Office always consults publicly on individual proposals in accordance with a code of practice agreed with the Post Office Users National Council.

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he held with the Post Office on its decision to convert an additional 200 Crown post offices to privatised status; and if he will make a statement.

    I understand that the Post Office has made no decision about the number of Crown offices to be converted to agency status. The Crown office conversion programme delivers costs savings which help to protect the rest of the post office network; it also ensures that the delivery of post office services is responsive to customer needs by, for example, increasing opening hours. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade does not have detailed discussions with the Post Office on implementation of this programme, which is a matter within their operational responsibility.

    Public Houses

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, column 35, how many of the representations from Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. lessees expressed concern over rent levels; how many referred to the effect of a beer tie on rent levels; and how many of the complainants have obtained redress of their grievances as a result of his intervention.

    The majority of representations received recently by my Department from Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. lessees expressed concern over rent levels. Levels of rent are essentially a commercial matter between company and lessee. We understand from the company that rent levels negotiated by the company take account of the individual circumstances of each public house, including whether or not it is tied. The Government asked all the major brewers in 1991 to introduce procedures associated with long-term leases to be determined by independent arbitration or through independent assess-ment by a professional expert where they could not be agreed with the tenants; these are available under the IEL lease. It would not be appropriate for the Government to intervene in individual cases.

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, column 35, what were the specific issues raised with Mr. R. G. Williams, chairman and managing director of Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd. in respect of Inntrepreneur leases; what was his response; what reduction in rents resulted from the removal of beer ties; and if he will make a statement.

    The purpose of the discussion was to assist officials in advising me on how to respond to points made in representations to the Department. In particular the Department needed to be clear whether the representations made to us revealed any evidence that the company was not complying with the Beer Orders or undertakings given to the Director General of Fair Trading following the MMC report on the Elders IXL Ltd./Grand Metropolitan plc merger; and further, whether the company was abiding by assurances given to Ministers in 1991 about treatment of tenants. On the level of rents, the release of a pub from tie affects its market rent because it allows the tenant/lessee freedom of choice in sourcing his beer and in obtaining discounts.

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, column 36, what assurances have been obtained from Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. in respect of its treatment of their lessees since 1991; and if he will make a statement.

    In meetings with the company, my officials have been assured that the company continues to abide by the assurances given to Ministers in 1991 about the treatment of tenants. In addition, I understand that the company has recently introduced more flexibility into leasing arrangements; for example, the incorporation, where appropriate, of a three-year break clause, exercisable by the lessee only, into the standard Inntrepreneur lease.

    Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the operation of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

    [holding answer 22 June 1993]: There has been no formal assessment of the legislation by the Attorney-General. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has responsibility for the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. The Department monitors the effectiveness of all legislation for which it is responsible.

    Nuclear Waste

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade (I) what volume, in cubic metres, of intermediate level radioactive waste will remain in the United Kingdom under return of waste agreements between British Nuclear Fuels plc and overseas customers (a) in absolute terms and (h) as a proportion of the waste imported;(2) what volume, in cubic metres, of low level radioactive wastes will remain in the United Kingdom under return of waste agreements between British Nuclear Fuels plc and overseas customers

    (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a proportion of the waste imported.

    [holding answer 23 June 1993]: Since 1976. BNFL's contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. Under these agreements, the company has the right to return all three types of waste—high, intermediate and low-level—to the country of origin. The possible substitution for low and intermediate-level waste of a radiologically equivalent amount of high-level waste, in addition to the customer's normal HLW allocation, was referred to in my reply to the hon. Member of 7 June 1993, Official Report, column 161.

    European Regional Development Fund

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, 2 July in relation to the European regional development fund.

    [holding answer 8 July 1993]: I refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardine and Deeside on 6 July, Official Report, columns 105–06.

    Misleading Pricing

    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee on Misleading Price Indications; and if he will publish their report.

    [pursuant to the answer given by the hon. Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh) on 7 May 1993, Official Report, columns 276–77]: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms has announced today that the Department is going out to consultation on proposed regulations under section 26 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which would require resellers of tickets for theatre performances and other such events to tell consumers the standard of the seat being offered including its face value.

    Northern Ireland

    Ballygowan

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated population of Ballygowan; and what the population of Ballygowan was 10 years ago.

    Prior to 1991, the official mid-year estimates of population were not produced to ward level. However, the 1991 census records the population of the ward of Ballygowan as 4,027. Allowing for boundary changes, the comparable 1981 census figure is estimated at 2,949.

    Optical Appliances Vouchers

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total number of optical appliances vouchers redeemed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1986; and what was the total cost of the optical appliances voucher scheme in Northern Ireland in each year since 1986.

    The information is as follows:

    YearTotal number of vouchers redeemedTotal cost of vouchers scheme (£)
    1986162,519972,808
    1987124,2222,287,157
    1988122,0802,485,425
    1989119,2072,681,090
    1990118,1522,889,159
    19912141,6873,573,688
    19922162,3654,381,207
    1 The 1986 figures represent only six months as the scheme was introduced on 1 July 1986.
    2 The figures for 1991 and 1992 are provisional.

    Source: Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for Health and Personal Social Services.

    Opera House, Belfast

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of repairing the Opera house in Belfast after its recent bombing; if he expects this cost to be met from ordinary funding of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

    The estimated cost of repairing the Grand Opera is £1·75 million. The Compensation Agency has accepted liability for the necessary repairs.

    Arts Council

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding is allocated to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for the current year; and what were the figures for the five preceding years.

    In the current financial year the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will receive funding amounting to £6·349 million. Allocations in the five preceding years were:

    £ million
    1988–894·272
    1989–904·797
    1990–915·565
    1991–926·461
    1992–936·580

    President, Irish Republic

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representatives of Her Majesty's Government have been in attendance during engagements performed by the President of the Irish Republic during each of her private visits to Northern Ireland.

    A representative of Her Majesty's Government was in attendance at one event attended by the President of the Irish Republic in February 1992 during one of her five private visits to Northern Ireland. On that occasion the then Secretary of State, Mr. Brooke, hosted a reception in Stormont castle.

    Disallowed Unemployment Benefit

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by month for the last 12 months and by employment region the number of people disallowed unemployment benefit.

    Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 8 July 1993:

    As I am responsible for Social Security operational matters, your recent Parliamentary Question on the number of disallowances of Unemployment Benefit in the employ-ment regions of Northern Ireland each month in the last 12 months has been passed to me for reply.

    Unemployment benefit disallowances in Northern Ireland from July 1992 to June 1993

    1992

    1993

    District

    July

    August

    September

    October

    November

    December

    January

    February

    March

    April

    May

    June

    Belfast North175145136134160140140150140152115201
    Belfast South and Down174150161182197161139178193137111168
    North West132101141170163168133119148181180172
    Laganbann123165147240217210201203212182186202
    North East150104122186203189174176210211184176
    Central16172105132948216710512317099112
    Mourne121113107164149151131165174131153151
    East184205266715545349317435364369404542
    Belfast West62926759693389611014911486
    South East Antrim194218238410265235299350342329259315
    West10464118120113126911431501458385
    TOTAL1,5801,4291,6082,5122,1751,8441,8812,0852,1572,0561,8882,210

    Prime Minister

    Uk-Japan Nuclear Trade

    To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed the matter of United Kingdom-Japan nuclear trade during his visit to the G7 summit in Tokyo.

    At our meeting, the Prime Minister of Japan and I discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues.

    Serbia

    To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had during the past two weeks with Lord Owen on the issue of the selective lifting of sanctions against Serbia; and if he will make a statement.

    I have had no such discussions with Lord Owen during the past two weeks. At the Group of Seven economic summit in Tokyo on 7–9 July, 1 and other Heads of Government reaffirmed that sanctions will be upheld against Serbia and Montenegro until the conditions in the relevant Security Council resolutions on the former Yugoslavia are met.

    DestinationPurpose of visitDates
    ItalyNATO Summit Meeting6–8 November 1991
    GermanyBilateral10 November 1991
    ItalyBilateral27 November 1991
    GermanyBilateral27 November 1991
    NetherlandsBilateral1 December 1991
    Republic of IrelandBilateral4 December 1991
    NetherlandsEuropean Council8–10 December 1991
    USAUnited Nations Security Council Meeting30–31 January 1992
    PolandBilateral25–26 May 1992
    CzechoslovakiaBilateral26–28 May 1992
    HungaryBilateral28–29 May 1992
    GermanyBilateral5 June 1992
    USABilateral6–9 June 1992
    ColombiaBilateral9–10 June 1992
    BrazilUnited Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)10–12 June 1992
    PortugalEuropean Council25–27 June 1992
    GermanyG7 Economic Summit6–8 July 1992

    There are 11 Districts in Northern Ireland for social security purposes. The number of people disallowed Unemployment Benefit for each of the last twelve months in the Districts is set out in the table attached.

    I hope you find this information helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report and copies will be placed in the Library.

    Public Bodies

    To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy towards the appointment of known members of the Labour party to non-ministerial public bodies, including health authorities and hospital trust boards.

    The Government seek to make all appointments, including those to health authorities and NHS trusts, on merit. Individuals are carefully appraised against the key criteria set for each appointment which cover the qualities, skills and experience required. Details of political affiliation are not specified, and are not required on nomination forms. The successful candidate is the one who meets the criteria, and has the ability and aptitude to meet the demands of the appointment, and to contribute to the effective working of the body concerned.

    Overseas Visits

    To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the destination, dates and purpose of each official overseas visit he has undertaken since November 1991.

    Destination

    Purpose of visit

    Dates

    FinlandCSCE Summit9–10 July 1992
    SpainOlympic Games7–9 August 1992
    SpainBilateral16–17 September 1992
    FranceBilateral30 September 1992
    Egypt50th Anniversary Commemorations at El Alamein23–25 October 1992
    BelgiumBilateral23 November 1992
    ItalyBilateral27 November 1992
    LuxembourgBilateral30 November 1992
    GreeceBilateral27–28 November 1992
    SpainBilateral30 November to 1 December 1992
    PortugalBilateral1 December 1992
    DenmarkBilateral2 December 1992
    NetherlandsBilateral6–7 December 1992
    Republic of IrelandBilateral7 December 1992
    FranceEuropean Parliament Plenary15–16 December 1992
    CanadaEC/Canada Talks17–18 December 1992
    USAEC/United States Talks18–20 December 1992
    BosniaVisit British Forces22 December 1992
    IndiaRepublic Day Celebrations23–28 January 1993
    OmanBilateral28 January 1993
    Saudi ArabiaBilateral28 January 1993
    USABilateral23–25 February 1993
    SwitzerlandBilateral5–6 April 1993
    AustriaBilateral6 April 1993
    FranceBilateral27–28 May 1993
    DenmarkEuropean Council20–22 June 1993
    JapanG7 Economic Summit5–9 July 1993

    Scotland

    Mortgage Rescue Schemes

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress Scottish Homes has made with developing mortgage rescue schemes in Scotland; and if he will make a statement relating to future plans for progressing such schemes.

    I asked Scottish Homes in 1991 to consider the need for such schemes in Scotland. After consulting the Building Societies Association it advised that due to the generally low level of repossessions and the relative buoyancy of the Scottish housing market, specific mortgage rescue schemes were not appropriate in Scotland. The situation is kept under review.

    Crown Office

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representatives of the Crown Office have attended courses in racial awareness.

    The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is an equal opportunities employer whose training courses where appropriate have a component dealing with racial awareness. Procurators fiscal are also encouraged to meet representatives of local community relations councils and similar bodies to discuss issues of concern to ethnic minorities. Crown Office staff meet and correspond from time to time with the Commission for Racial Equality.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to enable the Crown Office to equip procurators fiscal and depute fiscals to prosecute in cases of racially motivated crimes.

    It is not the function of the Secretary of State for Scotland to equip prosecutors to carry out their duties. Procurators fiscal have been instructed by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate always to take into account, when considering whether proceedings are in the public interest, evidence that a crime was racially motivated. They will also ensure that information about such an aggravating factor is brought to the attention of the court before sentence is passed.