Written Answers To Questions
Tuesday 11 March 1986
Prime Minister
Disabled Persons (Services, Representations And Consultations) Bill
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister what response she has given to representations made to her concerning the Government's attitude towards the Disabled Persons (Services, Representations and Consultation) Bill; and if she will make a statement.
I have so far received only one letter about the Government's attitude towards the Bill from the hon. Member, and I have already responded.As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health has made clear, the Government would like to see a measure emerge which genuinely helps to improve services for disabled people without imposing impracticable and inflexible burdens on local authorities, distorting priorities and diverting scarce resources.
Westland Plc
Q153.
asked the Prime Minister what action Mr. Charles Powell understood her to have taken after receipt of the letter from the Solicitor-General to the then Secretary of State for Defence on 6 January; and what basis he had for this understanding.
I have nothing to add to the account which I gave to the House in my statement on 23 January, at columns 449–60, and in the debate on 27 January, at columns 651–58.
Engagements
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 11 March.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 11 March.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 11 March.
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Northern Ireland
asked the Prime Minister whether United States or other foreign aid for Northern Ireland will be accepted by Her Majesty's Government if it is made conditional on external supervision or intervention in matters within the internal jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.
The Government have welcomed the possibility of United States aid for Northern Ireland. Although there are now Bills before the United States Congress, no arrangements or definite proposals have yet been put to us.
Lord Chancellor
asked the Prime Minister if, following his refusal to divest himself of his interest as a name at Lloyd's before the Financial Services Bill reaches the House of Lords for consideration, she will dismiss the Lord Chancellor.
No.
Wales
Mentally Handicapped People
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he proposes taking to help integrate people suffering from mental illness within the community; whether any necessary resources for such a strategy will be over and above those already allocated for the all-Wales strategy for mentally handicapped people; and if he will make a statement.
The Department is now reviewing the progress made so far in implementing the mental handicap strategy and is, at the same time, considering whether any additional steps should now be taken with regard to mental illness services.
Perinatal Deaths
asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and the rate of attendances for antenatal care after 19 weeks; and if he will make a statement;(2) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and certain methods of foetal monitorings; and if he will make a statement;(3) what information he has on research findings asseting a correlation between perinatal deaths and ultra-sound examination; and if he will make a statement;(4) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and the status of persons delivering babies;(5) what information he has on research asserting a correlation between impaired foetal development, high perinatal mortality and the nutritional value of a mother's diet; and if he will make a statement;(6) what information he has on research asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal death and the unemployment history of partners or parents; and if he will make a statement;(7) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal death and the social class of parents; and if he will make a statement;(8) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal death and the use of X-ray examinations; and if he will make a statement;
(9) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal death and the time between intramuscular analgesia and delivery; and if he will make a statement;
(10) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and the status of persons attempting to resuscitate babies; and if he will make a statement;
(11) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and the mode of delivery; and if he will make a statement;
(12) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and breech presentation before 37 weeks; and if he will make a statement;
(13) what information he has on research findings asserting a correlation between the incidence of perinatal deaths and the nature of presentation at delivery; and if he will make a statement.
I am aware that a number of studies and reports have been published on perinatal mortality and the factors listed in the hon. Gentleman's questions. However, a summary of the findings of these could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The perinatal mortality survey group set up by my right hon. Friend to identify the significant causes of perinatal mortality in Wales will be giving consideration to relevant research in this field in presenting its report later this year.
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last five years for each health authority, the perinatal standardised mortality ratio.
The Welsh Office does not produce estimates of perinatal standardised mortality ratios.
Birth Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the information that is available to him, by health authority in Wales, of the number of babies delivered at home in each of the last five years.
The numbers of births in the years 1980 to 1984 which were registered as having occurred at the mother's usual place of residence are given in the table:
| Births at home District Health Authority of mother's usual residence | |||||
| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | |
| Clwyd | 33 | 36 | 38 | 29 | 29 |
| East Dyfed | 51 | 56 | 42 | 44 | 40 |
| Pembrokeshire | 11 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 11 |
| Gwent | 46 | 44 | 50 | 36 | 37 |
| Gwynedd | 16 | 17 | 23 | 30 | 40 |
| Mid Glamorgan | 129 | 98 | 126 | 88 | 91 |
| Powys | 17 | 10 | 23 | 13 | 21 |
| South Glamorgan | 29 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 40 |
| West Glamorgan | 50 | 45 | 39 | 26 | 48 |
| Wales | 382 | 349 | 387 | 304 | 357 |
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last five years, for each health authority in Wales, the percentage of all babies born who had a low birthweight, under 2,501 grams.
The information is given in the table:
| Percentage of live and still births with birthweight under 2,501 grams | |||||
| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | |
| Clwyd | 6·3 | 6·7 | 6·2 | 6·8 | 5·6 |
| East Dyfed | 5·7 | 6·3 | 6·0 | 6·2 | 5·6 |
| Gwent | 7·1 | 6·8 | 6·2 | 7·6 | 7·1 |
| Gwynedd | 5·8 | 6·5 | 5·9 | 6·0 | 5·8 |
| Mid Glamorgan | 7·1 | 6·9 | 7·6 | 7·2 | 7·1 |
| Pembrokeshire | * | * | 6·7 | 7·4 | 6·9 |
| Powys | 4·5 | 5·8 | 5·8 | 5·7 | 7·9 |
| South Glamorgan | 7·0 | 7·5 | 7·9 | 7·2 | 8·0 |
| West Glamorgan | 6·0 | 7·1 | 7·1 | 7·0 | 5·8 |
| * Figures are included with East Dyfed. | |||||
Health Authorities (Minutes Of Meetings)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the information known to him as to those health authorities in Wales which send minutes of their meetings to right hon. and hon. Members.
I understand that the Gwynedd health authority regularly circulates its minutes to the respective Members of Parliament, but that it is not the normal practice of the other district health authorities in Wales to do so.
Bereavement Counselling Service
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information is available to him as to which health authorities in Wales operate a bereavement counselling service for mothers.
This information is not kept centrally.
Education And Science
Burnham Teachers Panel
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next plans to review the allocation of seats on the Burnham teachers panel; and if he will institute a system of regular reviews to ensure that the panel accurately reflects changes in the membership of the teachers organisations.
I have only recently completed a review of the teachers' panel of the Burnham primary and secondary committee and I shall continue to keep the changes in membership of the teacher unions under careful observation.
European Studies (Great Britain And Ireland)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the project known as European Studies (Great Britain and Ireland) and promoted by his Department together with the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
This curriculum development project, the planning of which began in early 1984, is to be organised and funded jointly by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland, the Department of Education, Dublin, and the Department of Education and Science, London. It will extend their long-standing co-operation in the educational field.The project, which will begin in the school year 1986–87 will involve six secondary schools in Northern Ireland, six in the Republic of Ireland and six in Great Britain, and will attempt to encourage pupils in the United Kingdom and Ireland to explore both the common elements and the rich diversity of their heritage. History and geography will be the main subjects involved and pupil skills in these subjects will be developed by way of individual and group research as well as project work. The project will also concentrate on the acquisition of new skills and techniques in the area of information technology.
Pupil-Teacher Ratios And Class Sizes
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information he has on the average pupil-teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools in other advanced industrial countries including the United States of America, Japan, West Germany, France, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;(2) what information he has about the average class size in primary and secondary schools in other advanced industrial countries, including the United States of America, Japan, West Germany, France and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The available information is shown in the following table but it is not possible to provide data on a strictly comparable basis for each country. Data are mainly based on full-time equivalent teachers numbers except where stated. The precise definition of "teacher" can vary between countries and may include staff not engaged in teaching. Reference is made to further differences in the footnotes to the table. Average class size data for up to first level are included in the table. Class size information for second level education is not available.
| Pupil/Teacher ratios, class sizes* 1982–83 | |||
| Country | Class size | Pupil/teacher ratios | |
| up to 1st level† | up to 1st level† | 2nd level‡ | |
| United States | . . | 24·5 | ║13·7 |
| Japan | . . | ║24·2 | ║18·1 |
| Germany, Federal Republic of | 22·7 | 21·9 | ¶17·5 |
| France | |||
| —public | 22·4 | 22·4 | 13·6 |
| —private | 25·3 | 25·3 | . . |
| USSR | . . | ║•14·0 | |
| Belgium | |||
| —Dutch speaking | 19·1 | 18·2 | . . |
| —Francophone | 20·8 | 21·9 | . . |
| Ireland | 31·2 | 27·5 | 15·2 |
| Italy | 16·5 | 15·2 | ■ 10·1 |
| Netherlands | 24·8 | 21·4 | *19·2 |
| United Kingdom | |||
| —1982–83 | #25·1 | **22·1 | ‡‡14·7 |
| —1983–84 | #25·0 | **22·0 | ‡‡14·5 |
| . . Not available. | |||
Footnotes:
* Data extracted from reply to a written European parliamentary question (1503/84) except where otherwise stated.
† Equates broadly with nursery and primary education.
‡ Equates broadly with secondary school education and non-advanced further education.
║ Based on head counts not full-time equivalent.
¶ Derived from FDR publication.
• 1983–84.
■ Lower secondary schools only.
* Second level general only.
# Covers maintained primary schools in England, corresponding figures for maintained secondary schools are 21·1 in 1982–83 and 20·9 in 1983–84.
* * Maintained nursery and primary schools.
‡‡ Maintained secondary schools and non-advanced further education. The figures for maintained secondary schools alone are 16·2 in 1982–83 and 16·0 in 1983–84.
Trade And Industry
Value Added And Data Services
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to take decisions on the future licensing régime for value added and data services; and if he will make a statement.
As its next major step in its programme for the liberalisation of telecommunication services in the United Kingdom, the Government have decided further to open up competition in value added and data network services.The Government's proposals, set out in a consultative document issued in December 1985, follow extensive earlier consultation, and have been generally welcomed by the public telecommunication operators, the industry and users. A copy of the consultative document has already been placed in the Library of the House. The Government now intend to use these proposals as the basis for a single class licence of 12 years duration to be issued by my right hon. Friend under the Telecommunications Act 1984.The single class licence will be applicable to all but public telecommunication operators, members of their groups and associates. The licence will authorise the provision of all value added network services and all basic conveyance services except basic conveyance voice and telex services. Basic conveyance voice services will, however, be permitted as part of a directory information service. They will also be permitted when in necessary support of a value added service or as an integral part of a single more comprehensive service such as video conferencing; though in these latter cases the provision of voice services will be subject to a tariff condition.Authorised services will, as at present, have to be conveyed between premises by means of fixed links provided by the PTOs. Simple resale as defined in the PTOs' own licences will also continue to be prohibited.The Government believe that the provisions in the new licence applicable to small value added network service providers should be kept as simple as possible. Such providers, those below a certain financial threshold, will be authorised to operate their services subject only to a privacy and safety condition and to standard conditions for the running and maintenance of telecommunication systems to be set out in the licence.For those value added service providers considered capable of distorting competition in the value added services market and for all basic conveyance service providers, additional licence conditions will apply to ensure that fair trading obligations and the provision of services to open system interconnection standards can be met. After considering the comments received in the consultation process the Government intend that these obligations should apply to those value added network service providers whose annual telecommunications business turnover exceeds £1 million or who belong to a group with a total annual turnover in excess of £50 million. The Director General of Telecommunications will, however, be given the power to vary this figure in the light of experience. Basic conveyance service providers too will be subject to these conditions though the possibility of allowing certain market entry exemptions is under consideration.The specific licence conditions to apply to the value added and basic conveyance service providers identified above will include
though the precise obligations will not be finalised until the outcome of negotiations between the Director General of Telecommunications and the PTOs to amend the main PTO licences in an appropriate manner are known.
The Government have been persuaded from consultation with industry and users that in the light of the above safeguards the creation of a separate licensed category of monopoly apparatus or software supplier would not contribute further to fair competition but would add significantly to the complexity of the regulatory environment. The Government therefore do not intend to introduce these further categories of licence holder.
The Government are committed to promote the adoption of open system interconnection standards. The licence will permit the continued use of proprietary standards; but in order to widen the choice of equipment and service available to users and to increase opportunities for equipment manufacturers, the licence will impose a requirement to provide for access and use of both new and existing services by means of OSI standards. In-house systems will be exempt as will services for which the Director General is satisfied that there is no existing or potential user demand for OSI access. The licence will provide for a 12-month notification period to service providers of the obligation to provide access to individual OSI standards. The Director General will have the power to extend the notification period in exceptional circumstances. Licensees will need to be able to demonstrate how their services conform to OSI standards and, where access by proprietary standards is provided in addition to OSI, that the OSI access provides a broadly comparable service in terms of performance and price.
The provision of value added network services can often be associated with the need to transmit occasional basic conveyance messages allied to the value added service. The Government therefore intend to permit those small value added network service operators to whom the fair trading and OSI obligations would not otherwise apply to provide a small percentage of basic conveyance services, associated with value added services, without this provision of basic conveyance services triggering the requirement to meet those fair trading and open system interconnection conditions contained in the licence.
The licence will also extend the already permitted uses of international private leased circuits, for the provision of the services being opened to competition, to the extent consistent with the Government's international obligations.
The Government have considered certain representations that access for overseas service providers should be made available only on the basis of reciprocity. The Government will continue to press for the widest possible multilateral liberalisation of international telecommunications, but do not believe that it would be right to deprive telecommunications users of the benefits of a wide choice of services simply because of different conditions applied by other Administrations in overseas markets.
BT and Mercury have already agreed in principle to the modification, by the Director General of Telecommunications, of their existing licences, so as to prohibit their unfair cross-subsidy by appropriate separate accounting as well as to require the provision of OSI facilities; so that in the areas newly opened up to competition they will be offering their services on an equitable competitive basis with other service providers in this market. The Director General of Telecommunications will be pursuing this further with them in the months ahead. In the same period my Department will be circulating for comment a full draft of the proposed licence to ensure that in technical and legal terms it fulfils the aims set out in this statement. The aim is to have the full licence in place before 6 August 1986, the date when the validity of the existing 1982 VANS general licence under the transitional provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1984 comes to an end.
The Government believe that these new proposals taken together will provide a regulatory environment in which users can benefit from the latest technology through the provision on a competitive basis of significant facilities which are not yet normally available from PTOs without having as their main effect the diversion of PTO traffic revenues. All services which are legitimately permitted under the existing 1982 VANS general licence will of course remain liberalised. The further liberalisation which the new licence will initiate should allow British Telecom, Mercury and the other companies in this rapidly expanding industry the opportunity, while competing fairly to satisfy the increasing demands for new services, both to the service providers' benefit and to the benefit of users of telecommunications services.
Capital Investment
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the value of capital investment by British companies in (a) the United States of America, (b) Japan and (c) France in each of the past 10 years.
The available information relates to outward direct investment (excluding oil) and is given in the table.
United Kingdom net outward direct investment (excluding oil)
| |||
£ million
| |||
USA
| Japan
| France
| |
| 1974 | 398 | 17 | 73 |
| 1975 | 244 | 3 | 68 |
| 1976 | 378 | 1 | 79 |
| 1977 | 453 | 17 | 98 |
| 1978 | 962 | 32 | 70 |
| 1979 | 1,612 | 39 | 89 |
| 1980 | 1,712 | 15 | 127 |
| 1981 | 2,477 | 17 | 130 |
| 1982 | 1,440 | 14 | 62 |
| 1983 | 1,952 | 26 | 119 |
Source: Business Monitor MA4.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the value of inward capital investment into the United Kingdom from (a) the United States of America, (b) Japan and (c) France in each of the past 10 years.
The available information relates to net inward direct investment (excluding oil) and is given in the table.
| Inward Direct Investment in the United Kingdom in all Industries (Excluding Oil) | |||
| USA £ million | Japan £ million | France £ million | |
| 1974 | 410 | -22 | 25 |
| 1975 | 310 | -41 | 28 |
| 1976 | 550 | -16 | 85 |
| 1977 | 636 | 99 | 89 |
| 1978 | 809 | -24 | 151 |
| 1979 | 994 | 51 | 12 |
| 1980 | 1,912 | 14 | -109 |
| 1981 | 117 | 173 | 15 |
| 1982 | 377 | -63 | -2 |
| 1983 | 1,236 | 190 | 161 |
Business Monitor MA4.
Computer Modems (West Midlands)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the 12,000 computer modems for schools will be distributed among schools in the west midlands.
The intention of the modems in schools scheme is to provide each middle and secondary school in the United Kingdom with one modem. On this basis the proportion distributed to the west midlands will be 4 per cent.
Airbus
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles on 21 February, Official Report, column 359, he will reconsider his reply about the percentage of the British aerospace industry's contribution to the A320 Airbus; if he will express this contribution in total terms; if he will break the percentages down into engine, airframe, avionics, and other components; and if he will make a statement.
The reply to the hon. Member on 21 February, at column 359, set out in percentage terms, based on the figures currently available, the contribution in total terms of the British aerospace industry to the Airbus A320 series production. On the latest information available, the contribution of the British aerospace industry to the series production of the main constituent elements of the A320 will be in the order of:
| Per cent. | |
| Engine including nacelle | |
| V2500 | 36 |
| CFM 56–5 | 6 |
| Airframe | 25 |
| Equipment | 20 |
National Metrological Co-Ordinating Unit
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the annual report of the national metrological co-ordinating unit as required by section 60(1) of the Weights and Measures Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
The report covering the period 1 April 1984 to 31 March 1985 has been published today. I have arranged for copies of the report, which includes the audited statement of accounts, to be placed in the Library.
Matthew Brown Plc
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received a report from the investigator who inquired into the alleged leak of information about the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in regard to the bid by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries plc for Matthew Brown plc; and if he will make a statement.
The investigator appointed to inquire into this alleged leak has now reported after a thorough and painstaking inquiry. No proof has emerged of a deliberate leak having occurred, although the investigator could not rule out the possibility that some information about the Monopolies and Mergers Commission findings may have leaked. He concluded, however, that if this were the case, any such leak was likely to have resulted from indiscretion or accident rather than intentioned revelation. He has not been able to identify a source. He found that the letter written by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to a member of the public on 8 October was not responsible for stock market movements or the article in The Times and had no bearing on the main events of the case.
Fireworks (Injuries)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the figures for injuries caused by fireworks in 1985.
According to reports from hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland, 968 people required treatment for injuries caused by fireworks during a four-week period in October and November 1985. The figures for 1985 and the preceding four years are as follows:
| 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 | |
| Place of Accident | |||||
| 1. Family or private party | 255 | 231 | 311 | 189 | 231 |
| 2. Semi-public party (eg scouts, cricket club) | 76 | 65 | 84 | 53 | 58 |
1985
| 1984
| 1983
| 1982
| 1981
| |
| 3. Large public display | 117 | 108 | 111 | 88 | 101 |
| 4. Casual incident in street etc | 435 | 298 | 257 | 220 | 229 |
| 5. Other place | 64 | 59 | 54 | 61 | 46 |
| 6. Indoors | 21 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
| Total | 968 | 778 | 833 | 626 | 681 |
Type of Firework
| |||||
| 1. Banger | 241 | 175 | 184 | 147 | 167 |
| 2. Rocket | 197 | 115 | 107 | 71 | 102 |
| 3. Roman candle, colured fire etc | 90 | 103 | 114 | 84 | 107 |
| 4. Home-made or extracted powder | 27 | 21 | 15 | 35 | 26 |
| 5. Other proprietary fireworks | 73 | 74 | 78 | 82 | 64 |
| 6. Sparklers | 67 | 65 | 95 | 40 | 48 |
| 7. Unspecified type | 273 | 225 | 240 | 167 | 167 |
Severity of injury
| |||||
| 1. Fatal Injury | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2. Detained more than one night | 53 | 55 | 61 | 33 | 24 |
| 3. Sufficient to cause absence from work or equivalent | 231 | 161 | 147 | 67 | 62 |
| 4. Minor injury | 632 | 506 | 592 | 489 | 531 |
| 5. Unspecified injury | 52 | 55 | 33 | 37 | 64 |
| Eye injuries (included in 2–5) | 341 | 295 | 293 | 241 | 261 |
Age Group of injured persons
| |||||
| Over 20 | 214 | 180 | 215 | 139 | 132 |
| 16–20 | 161 | 109 | 108 | 73 | 89 |
| 13–15 | 271 | 208 | 173 | 149 | 173 |
| Under 13 | 322 | 281 | 337 | 265 | 287 |
General Motors (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of General Motors-manufactured motor cars imported into the United Kingdom and made in the United Kingdom, respectively, for each of the last five calendar years.
[pursuant to his reply 5 March 1986, c. 132]: Available information is shown in the table:
| General Motors' United Kingdom passenger car sales by source(*) | ||
| Built Overseas | Built in United Kingdom | |
| 1981 | 58,876 | 68,265 |
| 1982 | 79,164 | 102,573 |
| 1983 | 139,027 | 123,114 |
| 1984 | 165,116 | 117,719 |
| 1985 | 168,709 | 134,764 |
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Note:* New registrations by country of final assembly.
Vickers Shipbuilding And Engineering Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, further to his statement in the House on 7 March, he will state what was the further term in the other bid for Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. which he found very difficult to accept.
The term, which I can now reveal, required British Shipbuilders to repay with interest virtually the whole of the sum offered for VSEL
Although the bidder made clear that it"in the event that neither of the following events has occurred:(a) a binding agreement for the Trident vessel being in place by 25 February 1987 (b) the agreed formal contract documents for the Trident vessel having been issued by MOD by 25 February 1988".
and also undertook that if it was successful it would"would procure that VSEL would negotiate in good faith with the MOD and would use its best endeavours to conclude a contract with MOD as quickly as possible",
I repeat that I found this clawback term very difficult to accept."procure that VSEL negotiates with the MOD a contract for the SSBN05 on the basis of terms and conditions, price and programme no less favourable than the conditions of which we have been made aware as modified by any undertaking given to you by the VSEL Management Consortium by 5.30 pm on 5 March 1986",
Home Department
Ealing Vicarage (Rape)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the progress of police action to seek to apprehend the gang responsible for rape and assault at the Ealing vicarage on 6 March; and if he will make a statement.
I understand from the Commissioner that investigations into this incident are being taken forward with all urgency and that the police have been greatly assisted in their inquiries by an outstanding response from the public who have come forward with a considerable amount of information which may prove helpful to the investigation. I fully support the Commissioner's operational commitment to tracing the offenders in this case. Rape is an offence which is taken with the utmost seriousness by the police and the Commissioner has recently introduced a number of changes in the force's procedures for handling rape victims which, while recognising the trauma they experience, is designed to improve the sympathetic treatment which they need.
Prisons (Mortality)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners died in prisons in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, during each of the past five years for which records are available; what ages were the deceased; and how many of such deaths were from natural causes.
The information requested for England and Wales is as follows:
| Year | Number of deaths | Ages | Deaths | Number of natural causes |
| 1981 | 58 | 16 | 1 | 35 |
| 18 | 3 | |||
| 21 | 2 | |||
| 22 | 3 | |||
| 24 | 2 | |||
| 25 | 2 | |||
| 30 | 1 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 31 | 1 | |||
| 32 | 3 | |||
| 33 | 2 | |||
| 34 | 1 | |||
| 35 | 1 | |||
| 36 | 1 | |||
| 37 | 2 | |||
| 38 | 2 | |||
| 39 | 2 | |||
| 41 | 1 | |||
| 42 | 1 | |||
| 45 | 1 | |||
| 46 | 1 | |||
| 48 | 1 | |||
| 49 | 2 | |||
| 52 | 2 | |||
| 53 | 2 | |||
| 55 | 1 | |||
| 56 | 3 | |||
| 57 | 2 | |||
| 58 | 3 | |||
| 59 | 1 | |||
| 61 | 3 | |||
| 62 | 2 | |||
| 63 | 1 | |||
| 65 | 1 | |||
| 71 | 1 | |||
| Total | 58 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 1982 | 61 | 17 | 4 | 28 |
| 18 | 3 | |||
| 19 | 1 | |||
| 20 | 2 | |||
| 21 | 2 | |||
| 22 | 2 | |||
| 23 | 1 | |||
| 24 | 2 | |||
| 25 | 1 | |||
| 27 | 1 | |||
| 28 | 4 | |||
| 29 | 1 | |||
| 30 | 1 | |||
| 31 | 2 | |||
| 32 | 1 | |||
| 33 | 2 | |||
| 34 | 3 | |||
| 35 | 1 | |||
| 37 | 1 | |||
| 39 | 1 | |||
| 41 | 2 | |||
| 42 | 1 | |||
| 44 | 1 | |||
| 46 | 3 | |||
| 47 | 1 | |||
| 50 | 1 | |||
| 52 | 2 | |||
| 53 | 1 | |||
| 54 | 1 | |||
| 56 | 3 | |||
| 57 | 2 | |||
| 59 | 1 | |||
| 60 | 2 | |||
| 65 | 1 | |||
| 67 | 1 | |||
| 73 | 1 | |||
| 76 | 1 | |||
| Total | 61 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 1983 | 64 | 17 | 1 | 33 |
| 19 | 1 | |||
| 20 | 2 | |||
| 21 | 1 | |||
| 25 | 4 | |||
| 26 | 3 | |||
| 28 | 2 | |||
| 29 | 1 | |||
| 31 | 1 | |||
| 32 | 1 | |||
| 33 | 3 | |||
| 35 | 2 | |||
| 36 | 2 | |||
| 37 | 1 | |||
| 38 | 2 | |||
| 39 | 2 | |||
| 40 | 3 | |||
| 41 | 2 | |||
| 42 | 2 | |||
| 43 | 3 | |||
| 44 | 1 | |||
| 45 | 5 | |||
| 46 | 2 | |||
| 47 | 2 | |||
| 49 | 1 | |||
| 50 | 2 | |||
| 52 | 3 | |||
| 54 | 1 | |||
| 55 | 2 | |||
| 58 | 1 | |||
| 59 | 2 | |||
| 60 | 1 | |||
| 61 | 1 | |||
| 65 | 1 | |||
| Total | 64 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 1984 | 65 | 17 | 2 | 31 |
| 18 | 1 | |||
| 19 | 3 | |||
| 20 | 2 | |||
| 22 | 1 | |||
| 23 | 2 | |||
| 24 | 3 | |||
| 26 | 3 | |||
| 27 | 2 | |||
| 30 | 1 | |||
| 31 | 1 | |||
| 32 | 1 | |||
| 33 | 3 | |||
| 34 | 1 | |||
| 36 | 1 | |||
| 37 | 5 | |||
| 38 | 1 | |||
| 40 | 2 | |||
| 41 | 1 | |||
| 42 | 3 | |||
| 43 | 1 | |||
| 44 | 2 | |||
| 47 | 4 | |||
| 48 | 3 | |||
| 49 | 1 | |||
| 50 | 1 | |||
| 51 | 1 | |||
| 53 | 2 | |||
| 55 | 2 | |||
| 56 | 2 | |||
| 62 | 2 | |||
| 64 | 1 | |||
| 66 | 1 | |||
| 74 | 2 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 79 | 1 | |||
| Total | 65 |
Year
| Number of deaths
| Ages
| Deaths
| Number of natural causes
|
| 1985 | 59 | 18 | 4 | *20 |
| 19 | 1 | |||
| 20 | 1 | |||
| 21 | 5 | |||
| 23 | 2 | |||
| 24 | 4 | |||
| 26 | 2 | |||
| 27 | 3 | |||
| 28 | 1 | |||
| 29 | 1 | |||
| 31 | 5 | |||
| 32 | 2 | |||
| 33 | 1 | |||
| 34 | 2 | |||
| 35 | 1 | |||
| 38 | 3 | |||
| 39 | 1 | |||
| 40 | 2 | |||
| 44 | 1 | |||
| 45 | 1 | |||
| 46 | 1 | |||
| 48 | 2 | |||
| 50 | 1 | |||
| 51 | 1 | |||
| 52 | 1 | |||
| 53 | 1 | |||
| 54 | 1 | |||
| 57 | 1 | |||
| 59 | 1 | |||
| 60 | 2 | |||
| 63 | 1 | |||
| 72 | 1 | |||
| 74 | 1 | |||
| 79 | 1 | |||
| Total | 59 |
* Not including 15 on which verdicts still awaited.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland are responsible for the equivalent information in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Disciplinary offences dealt with at Featherstone
| Rule 43 cases
| |||||
Year
| Assaults on staff
| Escapes
| Prisoners punished
| Total offences
| No. prisoners
| No. occasions
|
| 1976 | Nil | 5 | 6 | |||
| 1977 | 8 | 157 | 291 | |||
| 1978 | 2 | 333 | 438 | |||
| 1979 | 7 | 248 | 476 | |||
| 1980 | 2 | 211 | 381 | |||
| 1981 | Nil | 200 | 304 | |||
| 1982 | Nil | 198 | 269 | 37 | 38 | |
| 1983 | 1 | Nil | 207 | 330 | 25 | 25 |
| 1984 | Nil | Nil | 201 | 319 | 15 | 16 |
| 1985 | Nil | 7 | 320 | 480 | 29 | 30 |
Glen Parva Youth Custody Centre
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been introduced in screening or in other medical procedures in Glen Parva youth custody centre since October 1984.
None.
Immigration
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate whether the answer to the hon. Member for Billericay's question for written answer of 29 November 1985, Official Report, column 694, will include figures produced manually or by computer; and if he will make a statement.
The figures contained in the reply I sent to my hon. Friend on 5 March, of which copies have been placed in the Library, were produced from the computer system.
Rape
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted of rape or sex offences during the last seven years have won reductions on the length of their sentences resulting from Court of Appeal rulings.
Of the 320 appellants to the Court of Appeal in 1984, against sentence for a sexual offence, 52 had a custodial sentence reduced; the corresponding figures in 1983 were 248 and 41. The numbers who had a custodial sentence reduced include 11 appellants in 1984 and 10 appellants in 1983 who had been convicted of rape. Corresponding information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information for 1985 is not yet available.
Featherstone Prison
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults on staff, escapes and other discipline offences have occurred each year in Her Majesty's prison Featherstone, near Wolverhampton; and how many prisoners in the same prison have been subject to rule 4 each year.
Featherstone started receiving prisoners in November 1976. The following is the available information up to the end of 1985:
The figures for escapes refer to the numbers of prisoners, not the number of incidents. The 1985 figures for disciplinary offences are provisional.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners Her Majesty's prison Featherstone, Wolverhampton, was intended to accommodate; how many are now in the prison; and what was the average annual occupation each year from opening to the present date.
The certified normal accommodation of Her Majesty's prison Featherstone is 510. On 7 March the population was 530. The average annual occupation has been as follows:
| Average Annual Occupation | |
| 1976 | *8 |
| 1977 | 253 |
| 1978 | 374 |
| 1979 | 476 |
| 1980 | 478 |
| 1981 | 484 |
| 1982 | 511 |
| 1983 | 516 |
| 1984–85 | 519 |
| * Did not open until November. | |
Local Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Broadcasting Authority will have any advisory capacity in his allocation of franchises for the new network of local radio stations; and if he will make a statement.
We are now considering the allocation of experimental community radio licences in the light of proposals from the advisory panel on community radio appointed for this purpose by the then Home Secretary. The membership of the panel includes a member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and a member of the staff of the BBC, both appointed in an individual capacity on the basis of their knowledge of broadcasting matters; but neither the authority nor the corporation has played or will play any part in the selection process.
Marriage Services (Offences)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place in each of the last three years for offences in relation to marriage services conducted in the United Kingdom in contravention of the Marriage Acts.
Records available to me, which may be incomplete, cover only England and Wales and show three persons proceeded against in 1982 for offences against the Marriage Acts 1949 and 1954, none in 1983 and none in 1984. Corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Medium-Range Missiles
55.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards a zero solution for the elimination of United States of America and Soviet medium-range missiles.
A global zero-zero solution remains Alliance policy. President Reagan's recent proposals offer a realistic basis for achieving that aim, consistent with the maintenance of our security at all times. Those proposals have our full support.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
56.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding the difficulties of verification in negotiating a comprehensive test ban treaty.
We have received 23 letters on this subject, 12 from the general public and 11 from hon. and right hon. Members.
57.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to seek to introduce a trial test ban in consultation with other nuclear powers.
No. We remain committed to seeking progress towards balanced and verifiable arms control agreements which contribute to United Kingdom security, including a comprehensive test ban treaty. Introducing a trial test ban, which would not meet these criteria, would not be in our interests.
Nuclear Materials (Export Ban)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy in negotiations on the future of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to press for a ban on the export of fissile nuclear materials between nuclear weapons states for defence purposes.
No.
Embassy Staff
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomatic staff stationed in British embassies abroad have had their assignments prematurely terminated or shortened during the last seven years, and in which countries these took place.
British diplomatic staff in several posts abroad have had their appointments prematurely terminated for a variety of reasons during the period in question. These include political grounds, such as the expulsion of 23 diplomats from the Soviet Union over the last seven years, and personal, operational safety and other reasons. No central records are kept of the numbers of staff involved.
Employment
Youth Training Scheme
asked the Paymaster General what is the latest estimate of the number of YTS places lost as a result of cutback in Manpower Services Commission funding of mode B placement schemes in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside and (c) West Yorkshire; and how many redundancies are involved in each case.
There will be some reductions in mode B1 type provision under two-year YTS, but we intend to meet the needs of young people and the number of premium and ITEC places next year will be substantially higher than the number of filled B1 places this year.The figures are:—
| England | Yorkshire & Humberside | West Yorkshire | |
| Number of approved mode B1 places at 28 February 1986 | 55,193 | 7,072 | 2,893 |
| Highest level of filled B1 places in 1985–86 | 43,040 | 5,297 | 1,933 |
| Latest estimate of planned premium & ITEC First and Second Year provision, 1986–87 | 57,907 | 7,217 | 2,803 |
asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the details of the trainee agreement for YTS trainees.
The training agreement will provide trainees with information about their training programme and about the terms and conditions under which they will participate. The scope of this information is currently the subject of discussion between officials of the Manpower Services Commission and interested parties, including the CBI and TUC.
Wider Opportunities Training Scheme
asked the Paymaster General how many unemployed people have taken part in the wider opportunities training scheme since its inception; what percentage of those taking part subsequently found employment and what was the individual cost of providing each job.
The wider opportunities training programme was introduced in April 1985 as one of the Manpower Services Commission's adult training programmes. It built on work preparation, its predecessor under the training opportunities scheme. At January 1986, 41,300 unemployed people were in or had completed training under the WOTP. Follow-up results for the first six months of 1985–86 show that 51 per cent. of trainees had found employment or further training three months after completion of their course, at an estimated cost of £1,337 for each person helped.
Deregulation Unit
asked the Paymaster General how many staff are employed in the Department of Employment deregulation unit by grade; what is the cost of the unit; and if he will make a statement.
The enterprise and deregulation unit employs the following civil service staff.
| Number | |
| Under Secretary (Grade 3) | 1 |
| Assistant Secretary (Grade 5) | 2 |
| Principal (or equivalent) | 6 |
| Higher Executive Officer/Higher Executive Officer (Development) | 5 |
| Executive Officer | 1 |
| Clerical Officer | 1 |
| Senior Personal Secretary | 1 |
| Personal Secretary | 3 |
| Specialist Typist | 1 |
Factory Inspectors
asked the Paymaster General whether there has been any delay in the appointment of factory inspectors to the Health and Safety Executive.
Inspectors are appointed to the Health and Safety Executive as quickly as practicable. The time scale depends on the satisfactory completion of inquiries into age, health etc., and on the period of notice a candidate may have to give his existing employer.Seventeen factory inspectors have recently taken up post and up to 12 more are expected to join the Health and Safety Executive shortly.
Beer, Wines And Spirits
asked the Paymaster General (1) how many people were employed in the brewing industry in England and Wales in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date;(2) asked the Paymaster General how many workers were employed in the wines and spirits industry in June 1979; in England and Wales; and how many at the latest available date.
The available information is as follows:
| Employees in Employment in Great Britain | ||
| Industry | June 1979 | December 1985 |
| Brewing, malting, cider and perry | 71,500 | 54,600 |
| Spirit distilling and compounding | 29,400 | 20,400 |
Nuclear Submarine Bases
asked the Paymaster General whether representatives of the Health and Safety Executive are empowered to carry out inspections at (a) United Kingdom and (b) United States' nuclear submarine bases on the Clyde.
Representatives of the Health and Safety Executive are authorised to inspect any nuclear submarine bases on the Clyde.
Tobacco Industry
asked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the numbers employed in the tobacco industry for each quarter since 1979.
The figures for the period March 1979 to September 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:
| Employees in employment in the tobacco industry in Great Britain | ||||
| March | June | September | December | |
| 1979 | 31,300 | 31,300 | 31,900 | 31,600 |
| 1980 | 31,600 | 31,500 | 31,500 | 30,900 |
| 1981 | 29,500 | 30,100 | 29,900 | 29,300 |
| 1982 | 29,000 | 28,500 | 28,700 | 28,100 |
| 1983 | 27,700 | 26,900 | 26,700 | 25,900 |
| 1984 | 25,000 | 22,000 | 21,500 | 20,700 |
| 1985 | 20,300 | 19,600 | 18,700 | n/a |
Transport
Western Isles (Rescue Helicopter)
58.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for a helicopter to be based for rescue purposes at one of the airports in the Western Isles.
As I have already informed the House, following the loss of the Bon Ami, I have asked the United Kingdom search and rescue committee to consider helicopter coverage of the seas off the north-west of Scotland.
Lorries (Overloading)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions there have been over each of the last three years against lorry owners for allowing their lorries to be driven while being overloaded.
The number of prosecutions taken by the Department of Transport and local authority trading standards departments against goods vehicle operators for overloading offences were as follows:
| Number | |
| 1983 | 7,012 |
| 1984 | 6,352 |
| 1985 | 7,454 |
M1-M25 (Congestion)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of congestion on the M1 motorway, southbound, from a point some miles prior to its junction with the M25 and continuing up to that junction; what steps he proposes to take to improve the slip road from the M1 to M25; and if he will make a statement.
No interchange between the M1 and M25 will exist until junction 6A of the M1 is opened in the autumn as part of the final section of the M25. The congestion on the approach to junction 6 should then be much reduced. We shall in due course consider whether alterations are needed. In the meantime we are erecting signs on the M1 to warn of delays ahead.
Temporary Spare Wheels
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received in favour of the use of temporary spare wheels; and how many he has received against.
Requests have been received over the years from individual motorists and from vehicle manufacturers to provide clearly in our regulations far the use of temporary spare tyres. Views have also been expressed that we should ban their use. We are about to provide an opportunity for all organisations concerned to make representations to us in the context of a proposal for amending regulations which will permit the use of these spare tyres provided the vehicle is not driven at a speed in excess of 50 mph.
Road Accidents
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accident have occurred in each of the past 10 years, involving loss of life or serious injuries in which at least one of the drivers involved had under 12 months experience after passing their driving test.
This information is not available because details of drivers' licences are not given in accident reports.
Dangerous Substances
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if trimethylolpropane triacrylate has been (a) approved as a dangerous substance that is permitted for conveyance by road and (b) classified for the purpose of assigning a hazard warning sign on transporting vehicles.
This substance is not regarded as dangerous in transport and vehicles carrying it in tanks are not required to display hazard warning panels.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if binapacryl has been (a) approved as a dangerous substance that is permitted for conveyance by road and (b) classified for the purpose of assigning a hazard warning sign on transporting vehicles.
This substance is a solid substituted nitrophenol pesticide. It is regarded as "toxic" for the purposes of supply and use under the Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulations 1984 and packages must be marked with a number of appropriate risk and safety phrases. No further labelling is required for transport purposes but tank vehicles carrying the substance in solution should display a full hazard warning panel with the "harmful" diamond and the toxic liquid mixture identification number 2810.
A23 Warninglid-Brighton (Inquiry)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the report of the inspector for the A23 Warninglid to Brighton public inquiry; and when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the inspector's recommendations.
We are at present considering the inspector's report on the A23 proposals. I hope to be able to announce a decision in the early summer.
Shipping Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of ships, giving tonnage, which have (a) sunk and (b) requested assistance in each of the following sea areas:; (i) Pentland Firth (ii) Minch, (iii) Little Minch, (iv) Sea of the Hebrides and (v) North Channel since 1980; and of these if he will state how many in each case were crude oil-carrying tankers.
| 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | |||||
| Coast guard SAR areas | Commercial vessels | Fishing vessels | Commercial vessels | Fishing vessels | Commercial vessels | Fishing vessels | Commercial vessels | Fishing vessels |
| Pentland | 1 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 15 |
| Clyde | 3 | 15 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Oban | 3 | 16 | 5 | 21 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 27 |
| Stornoway | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Belfast | 2 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
East London River Crossing
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on plans for a new east London river crossing.
[pursuant to the reply, 10 March, c. 366–367]: Plans for a new east London river crossing were published in 1984 and 1985. These plans are currently the subject of public local inquiries, which started last September.
Energy
Alternative Energy Sources
asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what investigations into alternative sources of energy are being conducted in Wales; what progress these are making; and if he will make a statement;
| £ million | ||||||||||
| 1975–76 | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | |
| Wind | 0·5 | 0·3 | 1·3 | 0·3 | 0·6 | 0·8 | 0·9 | 2·5 | 2·5 | 4·8 |
| Wave | 1·8 | 3·0 | 3·3 | 4·4 | 3·1 | 1·0 | 0·4 | |||
| Geothermal aquifers | 0·2 | 1·3 | 1·7 | 2·6 | 1·5 | 1·8 | 1·1 | |||
| Geothermal hot dry rocks | — | — | 0·6 | 5·6 | 3·0 | 2·9 | 4·6 | |||
| Solar | 0·2 | 1·2 | 0·9 | 0·7 | 1·4 | 0·9 | 0·5 | |||
| Biomass | — | 0·1 | 0·3 | 0·4 | 0·7 | 0·3 | 0·2 | |||
| Tide | — | 0·6 | 1·4 | 0·4 | — | — | 0·3 | |||
| ETSU services | 0·7 | 1·2 | 1·1 | 1·4 | 2·2 | 2·3 | 2·0 | 1·9 | 2·1 | |
| TOTAL | *0·5 | *1·0 | *2·5 | 3·6 | 8·2 | 11·2 | 17·3 | 14·2 | 11·3 | 14·0 |
| * Includes energy conservation research and development. | ||||||||||
[pursuant to the reply, 10 March, c. 366]: The records held in my Department show that in the period 1980–85 there were 30 casualties to ships in the areas referred to and a total of nine vessels sank, as follows:
| Location | Total Casualties | Total sinkings | Total Tonnage |
| Pentland Firth | 5 | 2 | 92 |
| Minch | 6 | 2 | 44 |
| Little Minch | 8 | 3 | 106 |
| Sea of the Hebrides | 5 | 1 | 18 |
| North Channel | 6 | 1 | 68 |
A detailed account of the alternative energy technologies we are examining as part of our research and development programme, details of individual projects, their progress and the prospects for their exploitation in the United Kingdom is given in ETSU R28, R30 and N3/85. Copies of the first two reports are already in the Libraries of the House. I am placing copies of the third report, a register of research and development projects in the Libraries of the House today.Total expenditure by my Department is currently running at an average of about £14 million per annum. Actual expenditure on the individual technologies from 1975–76 to 1984–85 was as follows:
The Government have identified the most promising alternative energy technologies, and increased support is being given to their research and development.
Overseas Development
Central America
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom aid programme to central America.
British aid to the six countries of central America (excluding Belize) in 1984, the latest year for which figures are available, amounted to £5·38 million. This included loans worth £4·47 million. In addition, we support small development projects co-financed with British voluntary agencies and, in the last two years, have contributed over £1·25 million to international relief organisations to help refugees and displaced persons in central America.
Scotland
Wines, Spirits, Beer And Tobacco
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many workers were employed in the wines and spirits industry in Scotland in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date;(2) how many workers were employed in the tobacco industry in Scotland in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date;(3) how many workers were employed in the brewing industry in Scotland at June 1979; and how many at the latest available date.
The only available information is derived from the annual census of production: the estimated average number of workers employed in Scotland during the year is shown in the table.
| 1979 | 1983 | |
| Spirit distilling and compounding; wines, cider and perry | 23,600 | 16,700 |
| Brewing and malting | 4,500 | 3,000 |
Macaulay Institute For Soil Research
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from scientists regarding the future of the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research; and from which institutions and countries they have come.
My right hon. and learned Friend has received 104 letters from scientists associated with the following organisations:
United Kingdom universities and scientific organizations
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Birmingham
- British Antarctic Survey
- British Society of Soil Science
- University of Cambridge
- British Clay Minerals Group
- University of Glasgow
- Institution of Professional Civil Servants
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecology
- Macaulay Institute for Soil Research
- Mineralogical Society
- North of Scotland College of Agriculture
- Resource Use Institute Ltd.
- Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology
- Schlumberger Cambridge Research Ltd.
- University of Sheffield
- University of Strathclyde
- University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
Overseas universities and organizations
- CSIRO, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Australia
- University of Western Australia
- University of Leuven, Belgium
- Agricultural Canada Research Branch, Canada
- University of Saskatchewan, Canada
- University of El-Zagazig, Egypt
- University of the South Pacific, Fiji
- Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, France
- Universite Louis Pasteur, France
- Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, West Germany
- Technische Universitat Munchen, West Germany
- Universita degli studi di Napoli, Italy
- Universita degli studi Pavia, Italy
- Universita degli studi Torino, Italy
- Ehime University, Japan
- Kyushu University, Japan
- Nagoya University, Japan
- Agricultural University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand
- Society of Soil Science, New Zealand
- Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Agricultural University of Norway
- Statoil a.s., Norway
- International Rice Research Institute, Manila, Philippines
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
- University of Cukurova, Turkey
- University of California, Berkeley, United States of America
- Colorado School of Mines, United States of America
- United States Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, United States of America
- International Humic Substances Society, United States of America
- Iowa State University, United States of America
- Michigan State Univeristy, United States of America
- Mineralogical Society of America, United States of America
- New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, United States of America
- Purdue University, United States of America
- Schlumberger-Doll Research, United States of America
- Texas A & M University, United States of America
- International Association for the Study of Clay (AIPEA)
- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Cancer (Dunoon)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information or statistics he has as to the levels of leukaemia and other cancers in the Dunoon area compared with average figures for the United Kingdom.
It is not possible to provide United Kingdom comparisons readily, as cancer statistics are collected separately in Scotland and England.Information immediately available about the incidence of leukaemia and other cancers in the Dunoon area relates only to cases occurring in the 0 to 24 year age group of
| Dunoon, Kilmun Inverchaolain Kilmodan | Scotland | Dunoon (Postal District PA23) | Scotland | |
| *1968 to 1974 | *1975 to 1982 | |||
| Actual Registrations | ||||
| Leukaemia | 2 | 420 | 2 | 463 |
| All other cancers | 6 | 1,678 | 6 | 2,224 |
| Expected No. of Registrations | ||||
| Leukaemia | 0·9 | 1·2 | ||
| All other cancers | 3·8 | 5·8 | ||
| * Because of local Government reorganisation the area covered from 1975 onwards is slightly different from before that date. | ||||
Defence
Nimrod
5.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement on the Nimrod programme.
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to seek to ensure the successful final development of the British Nimrod advanced early warning project and its bringing into service with the Royal Air Force.
45.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has reached a decision on the future of the Nimrod advanced early warning programme.
There is nothing I can add to the full account I gave to the House during our debate on the Royal Air Force on 26 February, at columns 962–65.
Trident
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to conclude the contracts for the Trident submarine.
It is hoped to conclude shortly with the new owners of VSEL the contract for the first Trident submarine.
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of that portion of the Trident contract which will be made in the United Kingdom.
Approximately 55 per cent., or some £5,400 million by value, of the total estimated cost of Trident (£9,869 million at 1985–86 prices and at £1=$1·28) is planned to be spent in the United Kingdom.
54.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest estimates of the cost of the Trident programme; and what proportion is of British manufacture.
I refer to the answers which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon.
the population. Statistical information about leukamia in respect of the age group is currently being validated and updated.
The following table shows the actual and expected numbers of registrations of both leukaemia and all cancers except leukaemia in the Dunoon area and in Scotland as a whole.
Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) and which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) earlier today.
Raf Trainer Aircraft
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the slippage in the trainer replacement programme for the Royal Air Force.
As I told the House in opening the debate on the Royal Air Force on 26 February, at column 962, there will be a few months' delay in the delivery of the first aircraft, but it is hoped to recover some of the slippage later in the delivery programme. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in early 1987 and the first twelve by the end of 1987.
Saudi Arabia (Aerospace Contract)
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected total value of the recently signed aerospace contract with Saudi Arabia.
The memorandum of understanding signed on 17 February 1986 covers the provision of aircraft, associated equipment, initial spares, training and technical support to a value in the order of £5 billion.
Defence Programme (Costings)
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made on the long-term costings of the defence programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Members for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Lamond) and for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay).
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what weapons system he expects to cancel or postpone as a result of his long-term costing of the defence programme.
I cannot anticipate the outcome of my right hon. Friend's consideration of the long-term costing.
Rimpac Naval Exercise
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom will be taking part in naval exercises in the Pacific later in the current year; and what other countries are involved in these exercises.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 4 February, at column 122.
Western Europe (Missile Defence System)
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has commissioned any research on the feasibility of a ballistic missile defence system for western Europe; and if he will make a statement.
No, although NATO's requirements for air defence are kept under constant review.
King Vessels
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now place an order with British Shipbuilders for the fleet support King vessels.
We have studied this design with interest, but the Royal Navy does not at present have a requirement for a vessel of this type.
Recruitment
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the quality and quantity of recruits for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.
I am generally satisfied both with the numbers, and quality, of those offering themselves for service. The vast majority of those selected achieve standards above the minimum set for entry.
Falkland Islands
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest estimates of all costs of defending the Falklands for 1986–87 and 1987–88, respectively.
Our latest estimates of costs is in line with the provision of £442 million and £292 million, respectively, which was announced in "The Government's Expenditure Plans for 1986–87 to 1988–89" (Cmnd. 9702—II).
Reservists (Military Training)
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to which West European armies have a requirement for regular reservists to undertake a period of military training in excess of one day each year or biannually.
Levels of reservists training in other west European countries are not readily comparable with the standard suggested by my hon. Friend.
European Fighter Programme
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the European fighter programme.
As I told the House during the debate on the Royal Air Force on 26 February, at columns 958–60, work on the European fighter aircraft project is proceeding well, and there is much work to be done in the coming months before the industrial report on project definition is submitted to the four Governments for appraisal later this year.
Youth Training
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the participation of Her Majesty's forces in the revised YTS scheme.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on the armed services YTS on 11 February 1986, at column 444.
Turkish Prime Minister
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he makes of the prospect of selling Tornados to Turkey in the light of the Turkish Prime Minister's recent visit to Britain.
It is not our policy to comment on individual sales prospects.
Defence Sales
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the current level of defence sales compares with a year ago.
Complete figures for contracts signed in 1985 are not yet available, but are expected to show a significant increase over the previous year.
British Payload Specialist
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, following the American shuttle accident, there will be any delay in the launch of the British payload specialist.
The planned launches of two Skynet 4 communications satellites, which are due to be assisted by British payload specialists, will be delayed as a result of the shuttle accident, but the extent of the delays has yet to be finally determined.
Tornado Aircraft
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in selling Tornado aircraft to United Kingdom North Atlantic Treaty Organisation partners.
Panavia and the individual Tornado partners continue to pursue actively not only NATO but also world markets for Tornado aircraft. To date 80 Tornados have been sold, 72 to Saudi Arabia and eight to Oman, and potential sales are currently being promoted both in Europe and elsewhere.
Strategic Defence Initiative
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had concerning a battle management system for the strategic defence initiative.
The arrangements between the United States and United Kingdom Governments provide the opportunity for United Kingdom participation in SDI research in a number of advanced areas, of which examples have been placed in the Library. The Ministry of Defence will assist United Kingdom organisations who so wish, and have relevent capabilities, to participate in such areas.
39.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Soviet strategic defence initiative; and if he will make a statement.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) on 26 November 1985, at columns 562–64.
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if United Kingdom companies taking part in strategic defence initiative research will be free to exploit the results of their research independently.
The memorandum of understanding and supporting documentation related to British participation in the SDI research programme provide satisfactory safeguards in, amongst others, the area of intellectual property rights. The documentation is confidential.
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on the strategic defence initiative of the proposals in the recent publication by Dr. Colin Gray, "Britain and the SDI", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
Her Majesty's Government welcome the publication of any material which enhances the public debate on the strategic defence initiative. The United Kingdom's position on this subject remains as set out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in the House on 19 February 19816.
52.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to discuss with his American counterpart the possibility of British contracts connected with the strategic defence initiative.
My right hon. Friend will be able to discuss any current matters affecting United Kingdom participation in SDI research when he meets Mr. Weinberger during his visit to London next week.
Supersonic Vstol Aircraft
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the development of a supersonic vertical short take-off and landing aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
There is as yet no established requirement for such an aircraft. We are, however, undertaking studies of relevant technologies jointly with the United States Government under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed on 23 January 1986.
Royal Ordnance Plc
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the support given by his Department to Royal Ordnance plc, in furtherance of export contracts.
My Department's general policy is to give the same comprehensive support to Royal Ordnance plc as it does to any other United Kingdom company engaged in defence exports. One exception to this is a special facility over a transitional period which allows the company to draw on Ministry of Defence owned spares for royal ordnance factory products. Another exception to this general policy is set out in Cmnd. 9746.
Small Firms (Tendering)
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current measures taken to publicise procedures for small firms tendering for Ministry of Defence contracts.
Publicity is primarily provided by a booklet produced by my Department and entitled "Selling to the MOD". It was first published in September 1983, and some 45,000 copies have been distributed at trade fairs, through trade associations and to individual companies. A second edition is in the course of preparation.In addition MOD officials attend and address functions and seminars arranged by industry and by small firms organisations. Officials also participate in events organised by chambers of commerce, industrial development associations, enterprise agencies and similar organisations.
Type 23 Frigates
asked the Secreary of State for Defence what annual average ordering rate of type 23 frigates is needed if the fleet in the 1990s is to reach its target of around 50 destroyers and frigates.
It is our intention to maintain a surface escort fleet of about 50 destroyers and frigates and this would imply an ordering rate of around three new vessels per year. However, these figures are subject both to availability of resources and the length of hull life.
Nuclear Warheads
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the balance of the intermediate range nuclear warheads held by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries and the Warsaw pact countries in Europe.
Information on the nuclear forces of the Warsaw Pact and NATO is contained in annex A of volume 1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1985". We plan to update this information in the Statement of Defence Estimates for 1986.
Chemical Weapons
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to meet the United States Defence Secretary to discuss modernisation and deployment of United States chemical weapons in Europe; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend has no plans for a specific meeting with the United States Defence Secretary to discuss this particular issue. He will meet the United States Defence Secretary for both bilateral and NATO discussions later this month.
51.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations will take place between Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and Her Majesty's Government before a decision is reached on any new deployment of chemical weapons in Europe by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 7 March, at column 313. The United States Government have indicated that they have no plans to deploy binary chemical weapons in any foreign country in peacetime and that should such a deployment be considered in the future the United States would consult beforehand with the countries concerned.
Defence Budget
43.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about the defence budget.
Since 1 January 1986, three letters relating to this subject have been received from right hon. and hon. Members, and five have been received direct from the general public.
Cruise Missiles (Raf Molesworth)
46.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider a delay in the deployment of cruise missiles at Molesworth in view of recent Soviet proposals.
No.
Ballistic Theatre Missile Defences
47.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his West German counterpart on the development of European ballistic theatre missile defences.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence met his West German counterpart, Dr. Manfred Woerner, in West Germany on 17 February, when a wide variety of subjects of mutual defence interest were discussed. Among these subjects was the possibility of improving NATO's air defences in Europe. Details of the discussions are, of course, confidential.
Crown Proceedings Act 1947
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning the abolition of section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947.
I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the right hon. Gentleman on 20 February 1986, at column 326.
Ulster Defence Regiment
53.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any changes in the role and deployment of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been made following the conclusion of the Anglo-Irish agreement; and if he will make a statement.
As I said to my hon. Friend in my reply to him on 22 January, at column 237, there are no plans to change the operational role of the Ulster Defence Regiment. There are also no plans to make any significant changes in deployments at present although detailed deployments of course vary from day to day in response to operational needs.
Bp Shipping Co Ltd (Tankers)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the BP Shipping Company Ltd's oil tankers in the defence interests of the United Kingdom.
Defence planning includes the use of oil tankers of varying sizes in support of Royal Navy operations.
Holy Loch
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to the presence of cobalt 60 in the waters of the Holy Loch.
There is no measurable level of cobalt 60 in the waters of the Holy Loch.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an independent inquiry into the level of radioactivity in the silts at the head of Holy Loch.
No.The levels of radioactivity in the sediment at the Holy Loch are monitored regularly, and the results published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in its aquatic environment monitoring reports, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The Strathclyde regional council also commissioned an independent study of radioactivity in the Firth of Clyde, including the Holy Loch, the results of which were published in 1985. There is no scientific evidence of hazardous radioactivity from submarines operations in the Holy Loch. There is therefore no case for an independent inquiry.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has commissioned any studies into the levels of radiation emitted by the reactors of nuclear submarines based in the Holy Loch on (a) start-up and (b) flushing-out.
The level of radiation emitted from nuclear submarine reactors is very low. Routine radioactive discharges from nuclear submarines directly into the environment are not permitted. Routine radioactive discharges are permitted from the depot ship; the very low levels of radioactivity are published in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's aquatic environment monitoring reports, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Routine monitoring of the inter-tidal zones shows levels indistinguishable from those in areas remote from nuclear facilities.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the creation of a restricted military zone at the vicinity of the Holy Loch was brought into being at the request of the United States navy.
No restrictions other than those under the dockyard port of the Holy Loch Order 1967 currently apply to the area. Draft byelaws regulating the use of the protected anchorages in the Holy Loch for defence purposes will shortly be advertised locally for public comment. These have been prepared on the initiative of this Department. The United States Navy has been consulted.
Environment
Sellafield
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the chemical constituent components of the discharge from Sellafield on 23 January in terms of concentrations of organic and aqueous solvents, including an inventory of any quantities of tributyl phosphate, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and sodium nitrate contained within the discharge together with the concentration of uranium metal, by parts per million, carried in solution or otherwise within the discharged liquor.
The information on the chemical components referred to is as follows:
| In parts per million, by weight | |
| Organic solvents: tri-butyl phosphate | 27 |
| Odourless kerosene | 3 |
| Free Nitric Acid | 0 |
| Free Sulphuric Acid | 0 |
| Sodium Salts | about 1,000 |
| Uranium (as Ammonium diuranate associated with ferric hydroxide floc) | 300 |
| No uranium metal was present. |
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent (a) operator error and (b) plant malfunction contributed to the circumstances precipitating need for the discharge from Sellafield to the Irish sea on 23 January; whether this discharge was wholly made following a prior instruction from British Nuclear Fuels Limited management; and if he will make a statement.
The release of uranium was initiated by a plant malfunction which led to material reaching the sea tanks, and it was terminated by operator action to control the malfunction. The discharge from the sea tanks took place later, after consideration by British Nuclear Fuels management and a decision by it that this was the appropriate action. The circumstances are the subject of investigations by the Radiochemical Inspectorate and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
Nuclear Waste
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as part of its search for available sites for the disposal of shorter-lived nuclear waste, the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has now concluded that there are no suitable sites in east Devon and Lyme bay: and if he will make a statement.
The sites announced by my right hon. Friend on 25 February are the only ones which NIREX proposes to investigate in connection with the development of a near-surface facility.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Barnetby parish council to discuss proposals for nuclear waste disposal in the area; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Ukeby parish council to discuss proposals for nuclear waste disposal in the area; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Immingham town council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(4) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from South Killingholme parish council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(5) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from North Killingholme parish council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(6) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the East Halton parish council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(7) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from Cleethorpes borough council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(8) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from Humberside county council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(9) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Glanford borough council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(10) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Barrow on Humber parish council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(11) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the Barton on Humber town council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(12) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the organisation known as Humberside Against Nuclear Dumping to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement;(13) if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the New Holland parish council to discuss proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste in the area; and if he will make a statement.
I shall be happy to meet, on behalf of my right hon. Friend, a deputation led by my hon. Friend.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what interval he intends to allow at the end of the consultation period in respect of the proposals for nuclear waste disposal announced in the statement he made to the House on 25 February, before he lays a special development order before Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend hopes to lay the order before Parliament in late April.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions special development orders have been laid before Parliament since 1970.
Twelve special development orders have been laid and made in England and Wales since 1970.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors he proposes to take into account in deciding whether to amend the draft special development order relating to nuclear waste disposal before the order is laid before Parliament.
Any proposed amendments will be considered on their merits.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the names of all sites which have been considered by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive at some stage since 1 January 1985 as possibilities for the disposal of nuclear waste.
No.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information his Department has about the geology of South and North Killingholme in relation to the feasibility of dumping nuclear waste;(2) if he will make it his policy to arrange for a separate assessment of the analyses of the results of the geological studies to be undertaken by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive at the four sites proposed for possible nuclear waste dumping; and if he will make a statement.
My Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will make an independent assessment of any proposals put forward by NIREX. The assessment will include the results of geological studies undertaken by NIREX of the sites involved.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the precise geological, demographic and safety features which led the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive to conclude that South Killingholme was potentially attractive as a nuclear waste dump.
I understand that NIREX has recently sent my hon. Friend a copy of the brochure explaining its site selection procedures.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to allocate special resources from his Department to local authorities and others in Humberside to assist with defraying any reasonable expenses incurred in presenting to a public inquiry their views on nuclear dumping in South Killingholme.
It is not Government policy to give financial aid to local authorities and objectors at public inquiries of this nature.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has at any time considered the possibility of selecting a site in the county of Surrey for investigation as a possible nuclear waste dump; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has at any time considered the possibility of selecting a site in the Greater London council area for investigation as a possible nuclear waste dump; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive has at any time considered the possibility of selecting a site in the county of Avon for investigation as a possible nuclear waste dump; and if he will make a statement.
The decisions on which sites to investigate and which to propose were matters for NIREX.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with bodies, apart from the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive, to assist him in formulating his policy regarding nuclear waste disposal.
My right hon. Friend consults widely in formulating radioactive waste policy. Those consulted include other Government Departments, the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee, the National Radiological Protection Board, enviromental groups and the nuclear industry.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the factors to be addressed in assessing any proposals which the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive may present to a public inquiry relating to the disposal of nuclear waste.
The principles to be applied in the assessment by the relevant Departments, in considering whether to give a general authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for any proposed disposal facility are set out in a booklet published by my Department in January 1985; "Disposal Facilities on Land for Low and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Wastes: Principles for the Protection of the Human Environment". Copies are available in the Library. It also lists the factors NIREX has to address in preparing an environmental assessment for consideration at a public inquiry into development proposals. In addition, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is preparing principles relating to its own responsibilities for disposal sites.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to visit the site selected by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive in South Killingholme for possible nuclear waste disposal; and if he will make a statement.
I intend to visit each of the alternative sites in due course. I will inform the hon. Members concerned when I have firm plans.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received relating to the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive's proposals to investigate South Killingholme as a possible site for the dumping of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
I have received a number of representations from hon. Members representing Humberside constituencies. I met my hon. Friend and the hon. Members for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) and for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Hickmet) on 17 December to discuss the question of sites. I have also received representations from local authorities and residents of the South Humberside area. I am aware that a petition has been presented to Parliament. My Department's Yorkshire and Humberside regional director has recently received a similar petition.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board relating to the disposal of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
The civil nuclear power programme is an important contributor to the volume of radioactive waste expected in the future; and not unexpectedly it is a subject the chairman has raised with me when we have met informally, as for example we shall do when I have lunch with the CEGB on 26 March.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be in a position to announce authorisation for the commissioning of a nuclear waste dump; and if he will make a statement.
The stage of formal authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 will not be reached until a facility has been built. This will probably not be until the early 1990s assuming that one of the four sites announced proves suitable. The authorising Departments will, however, give their provisional view on whether any facility subsequently proposed for development would be suitable for authorisation, before a public inquiry is held into that proposal. Consultations with the local planning authority and other bodies will take place before that view is given. An inquiry is unlikely to be held before late 1988 at the earliest.
Norwegian Environment Minister (Visit)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the itinerary of the Norwegian Environment Minister on her forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom, and the nature of the agenda for discussions; and whether acid rain will be among the main items to be discussed.
The Norwegian Minister of Environment, Mrs. Rakel Surlien, will visit the United Kingdom at the Government's invitation from 17 to 19 March, for discussions with Ministers and others on matters of common interest in environmental pollution control, including atmospheric pollution and acid rain. Mrs. Surlien's programme will also include visits to the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (Edinburgh), a coal-fired power station (Fiddlers Ferry, Warrington), and the Mersey Basin campaign; and a presentation on the proposed Dounreay European demonstration nuclear fuel reprocessing plant.
Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many meetings he has had with Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive since April 1985;(2) on how many occasions he has met the chairman of Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive since 8 January 1986.
My right hon. Friend and I, and members of my Department, have met NIREX and its representatives from time to time since April 1985 to discuss issues that were within our respective responsibilities, in pursuit of the Government's published policy on the disposal of radioactive waste.
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that, in the event of a local authority failing to make its 1986–87 rate by 31 March, the rate support grant will not be paid to that authority until it has made a lawful rate.
I am advised that the payment of rate support grant cannot under present legislaton be made contingent upon the making of a rate.
Natterjack Toad
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the changes of breeding status for the natterjack toad which have occurred during the last 10 years; and if acidification of breeding ponds has played a major role in these changes.
I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that the most recent survey of natterjack toad populations, carried out in 1980, concluded that there had been no significant changes in breeding status of this species since the early 1970s.Acidification has generally not been a problem, since most breeding sites are within areas of calcareous sand dunes. However, there is concern about acidification at one heathland site in southern England and the Nature Conservancy Council is funding an investigation there.
Acid Rain
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy in representing the United Kingdom's position on acid rain in the light of the video on acid rain issued by the Central Electricity Generating Board, a copy of which has been sent to him.
The Government's policy on acid rain is set out in our reply (Cmnd. 9397) to the report of the Select Committee on the Environment. The Central Electricity Generating Board's video is entirely a matter for the board.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many payments of £1 have been received by him as part of the acid rain campaign organised by Friends of the Earth.
A total of £874 has been received to date.
Canary Wharf
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now commission an environmental impact analysis in connection with proposals for the development on Canary wharf in the Isle of Dogs.
No, but the LDDC is currently undertaking a series of wider appraisals of the development which will consider its economic, social and environmental impact.
Asbestos
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what technical advice has been given to local authorities about the further use or removal of asbestos as a building material in council houses and flats; and how much additional finance Government have made available for remedial purposes in each year since 1978.
The Department of the Environment issued a technical guidance note on asbestos materials in buildings in August 1983. Copies were sent to all local authorities in England and Wales. The guidance note is at present being revised and updated, and will be re-issued later this year. Funds are not made available specifically for remedial work on asbestos, but rate support grant is paid in support of authorities' revenue expenditure generally, including expenditure on asbestos.
London Borough Grant Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the contribution made by each borough to the London borough grant scheme.
The budget of the London borough grant scheme, and so the contributions of individual authorities, is a matter for the boroughs and not for me. But section 48(3) of the Local Government Act 1985 provides that each authority's contribution to the scheme shall be in proportion to its population.
Consent Applications
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 6 March, Official Report, columns 278–79, if he will identify the outstanding applications for consent on which he is awaiting further information requested from the Greater London council.
These applications are as follows. In four cases the information requested has since been received; consent has been issued in one case.
Outstanding GLC applications awaiting further information
- 5 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1
- Agricultural Restoration
- Anti-racist Awareness
- Battersea Park
- Burgess Park
- Burgess Park
- Burgess Park
- Burgess Park
- Carrington House Support Team
- Civil Defence Video Films
- Cromwell Road/Ashburn Place*
- Dial-a-Ride
- East London Family Service Unit
- Finsbury Park
- GLC Arts & Recreation Department
- Housing Advisory Centre
- Indemnity
- Indemnity to Employees
- Jubilee Gardens, Lambeth
- LFB Training Centre
- LFB Training Centre
- Londoners Action Kit
- Mile End
- Mile End Park
- Mile End Park
- Mile End Park
- Mile End Park
- Parliament Hill
- Roundhouse Arts Centre*†
- Sidworth Street, Hackney
- Spar Housing Association
- St. Hilda's East
- Thames Road Civic Amenity Site*
- Trinity College
- Unit 1, Parkhouse Trading Estate*
- Victoria Park-Burdett Gardens
- Woolwich Common/Nightingale Place
- Yarnton Way, Thamesmead
Notes:
- * Information now received.
- †Consent given on 10 March.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 1986, if he will give the dates on which the Greater London council applied for each of the 58 applications for consent which have been outstanding for more than two months.
A list of these applications, together with details of the dates on which they were received, is as follows. One of these has since been given consent and five have been refused consent.
| Applicant | Date |
| 1985 Brent Carnival* | 4 October 1985 |
| 5, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 | 30 August 1985 |
| Accommodation for the Homeless | 25 October 1985 |
| Agricultural Restoration | 6 June 1985 |
| Anti-Racist Activity* | 27 September 1985 |
| Anti-Racist Awareness | 14 June 1985 |
| Battersea Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Burgess Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Burgess Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Burgess Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Burgess Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Car Park at Feelon Place | 19 November 1985 |
| Carrington House Support Team | 9 December 1985 |
| Civil Defence Video Films | 27 March 1985 |
| Cromwell Road/Ashburn Place | 9 December 1985 |
| Dial-a-Ride | 1 August 1985 |
| Disability Resource Team | 11 November 1985 |
| East London Family Service Unit | 8 July 1985 |
| Finsbury Park | 15 July 1985 |
| GLC Arts and Recreation Department | 23 October 1985 |
| Hockey Development* | 5 December 1985 |
| House Condition Survey | 9 December 1985 |
| House Condition Survey | 9 December 1985 |
| Housing Advisory Centre | 23 December 1985 |
| Indemnity | 22 July 1985 |
| Indemnity to Employees | 26 September 1985 |
| Improvement of Properties in Brixton | 20 December 1985 |
| Jubilee Gardens, Lambeth | 12 December 1985 |
| LFB Training Centre | 1 August 1985 |
| LFB Training Centre | 1 August 1985 |
| Local Household Survey | 19 November 1985 |
| Londoners Action Kit | 17 July 1985 |
| Market Road Recreation Site | 23 December 1985 |
| Market Road Recreation Site | 20 December 1985 |
| Mile End | 15 July 1985 |
| Mile End Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Mile End Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Mile End Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Mile End Park | 15 July 1985 |
| Neasden Rail Freight Depot | 12 November 1985 |
| One Islington* | 5 November 1985 |
| Parliament Hill | 15 July 1985 |
| Prince Regents Lane | 20 December 1985 |
| Prince Regents La Recreation | 23 December 1985 |
| Roundhouse Arts Centre† | 17 July 1985 |
| Sidworth Street, Hackney | 23 December 1985 |
| Spar Housing Association | 26 November 1985 |
| Sports Assistance* | 20 December 1985 |
| St. Hilda's East | 8 July 1985 |
| St. Paul's Recreation Site | 20 December 1985 |
| St. Paul's Recreation Site | 23 December 1985 |
Application
| Date
|
| Thames Road Civic Amenity Site | 23 December 1985 |
| Tower Hamlets | 6 December 1985 |
| Trinity College | 15 July 1985 |
| Unit 1, Parkhouse Trading Estate | 29 July 1985 |
| Victoria Park Burdett Gardens | 30 September 1985 |
| Woolwich Comm/Nightingale Place | 9 December 1985 |
| Yarnton Way, Thamesmead | 18 July 1985 |
Notes:
* Consent refused 6 March 1986.
† Consent issued 10 March 1986.
Local Authorities (Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish, for each local authority, the reductions in block grant, compared with the December block grant entitlements in columns 6, 7 and 8 of the tables showing grant entitlements, consistent with the guaranteed total of recycled grant for 1986–87.
Authorities block grant entitlements will depend on their own spending decisions. This information is not yet available. A wide range of spending assumptions would produce £500 million of grant for recycling.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the extra block grant available to local authorities in 1986–87 in addition to the £8,280 million originally announced in December 1985.
£22 million. I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 February 1986, at column 463, to the hon. Member for Hyndburn (Mr. Hargreaves) for details.
Local Authority Housing
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the average cost in inner city areas per unit of accommodation of (a) housing management and (b) housing repairs and maintenance for local authority housing.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1986, c. 286]: In 1984–85, inner city authorities spent on average £213·9 per dwelling on supervision and management for their housing stock, and £257·5 per dwelling in revenue expenditure on repairs and maintenance.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Potatoes
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total hectarage of potatoes grown in the United Kingdom in the crop year 1985–86; and how much of this was subject to the ordinary levy of the Potato Marketing Board.
The total field area of potatoes in the United Kingdom in the crop year 1985–86 is provisionally forecast as 192,300 hectares. All plantings of potatoes in Great Britain by producers registered with the Potato Marketing Board are subject to the board's ordinary area levy. The board estimates that such plantings amounted to 162,720 hectares in 1985–86, of which approximately 8,500 hectares were also subject to the payment of excess area levy.The difference between the areas of potatoes in the United Kingdom and in Great Britain is accounted for by plantings in Northern Ireland (13,000 hectares approximately), plantings by unregistered producers in Great Britain (5,000 hectares approximately) and by the fact that the PMB statistics are based on planted area, which disregards unplanted parts of fields, such as headlands and ditches (11,000 hectares approximately).
Farm Prices
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will resist any proposals in the European Economic Community Agriculture Council on farm prices which would breach the strict budgetary controls on spending agreed at the Dublin summit.
I have made it clear to the Council that the Government oppose the Commission's proposals for the 1986–87 price fixing because among other things they would breach the reference framework for 1986 as presently calculated.
Spending Trends
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Commission last submitted a monthly report to the Council of Ministers about trends in agricultural spending under paragraph 6(b) of the decision of the Council of 4 December 1984; and if he will make a statement.
The Commission has not recently produced a formal monthly report to the Council but makes available to the member states each month a detailed analysis of current agricultural expenditure.
Ec (Expenditure)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Commission has submitted any report to the Council of Ministers under the early warning procedure of possible budget overruns on agricultural spending under paragraph 6(b) of the decision of the Council of 4 December 1984 in the current calendar year; and if he will make a statement.
The Commission has not specifically reported under this procedure but has included in its 1986 price fixing proposals an analysis of the budgetary situation, which indicated that, in its view, a supplementary budget will be required in 1986.
Waste Dumping (River Tyne)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many occasions in the last 12 months the MV David Marley and the MV Adderstone have requested a location fix from the coastal radar station whilst dumping waste off the mouth of the River Tyne under licence.
I understand that the MV David Marley and the MV Adderstone have their own equipment to establish their position at sea and therefore have not needed to request location fixes from the coastal radar station during disposal operations off the mouth of the River Tyne.
Broilermeat And Chickenmeat
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the imports of broilermeat and chickenmeat in Scotland, England and Wales in the years 1983, 1984, 1985 and to the nearest available date in 1986; and if he will give the ports of entry.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Frozen Chickens (Imports)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions took place for imported frozen chickens in 1983, 1984, 1985 and to the nearest available date in 1986; and if he will list the countries involved in the imports.
The port health and food and drugs authorities are responsible for enforcement of the Imported Food Regulations 1984 and the European Community's regulations on the water content of frozen chickens. They are not required to inform my Department of prosecutions but I am aware of two successful prosecutions for excess water content since 1983—one in December 1985 and the other in February 1986. The countries of origin were France in the first case and Denmark in the second.
Ec (Farm Statistics)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each year since 1979 for the European Community as a whole (a) the amount devoted in the European Community budget to agriculture, (b) the estimate of the number of farmers in the European Community and (c) the cost per farmer of the common agricultural policy.
The information requested is as follows:
| (a) Cost of the common agricultural policy excluding fisheries | |
| Mecus | |
| 1979 | 10,834·4 |
| 1980 | 11,900·0 |
| 1981 | 11,531·0 |
| 1982 | 13,021·9 |
| 1983 | 16,582·0 |
| 1984 | 19,031·6 |
| 1985 | 20,594·7 |
(b) Censuses of Community farmers are not carried out on an annual basis. In 1977 the number of agricultural holdings in the Community of Nine and Greece was 6,520,000. For 1983, the latest year for which figures are available, the number of holdings in the Community of Ten is provisionally put at 6,518,000.
(c) On the basis of Community holdings of 6,520,000 the cost per holding of the common agricultural policy is
Ecus
| |
| 1979 | 1,662 |
| 1980 | 1,825 |
| 1981 | 1,769 |
| 1982 | 1,997 |
Ecus
| |
| 1983 | 2,543 |
| 1984 | 2,919 |
| 1985 | 3,159 |
Pesticides
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce maximum pesticide residue levels for all crops in collaboration with other European Economic Community countries; and if he will make a statement.
Certain maximum residue levels for pesticides on fruit and vegetables have been adopted by the European Community and these have been notified to food and drugs authorities in the United Kingdom as presumptive standards under the Food Acts. Proposals for maximum residue limits for certain pesticides on cereals and on foodstuffs of animal origin are still under discussion in the Community.
Sellafield
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what limits are placed on the chemical, as distinct from radiochemical, constituents of discharges from Sellafield to the Irish sea; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the authorisations issued to British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. in this respect.
I have been asked to reply.Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 conditions to control discharges into coastal waters have recently been introduced. Under these conditions BNFL made application to the North-Western water authority to discharge components which are not radiochemical and thereby obtained deemed consent to continue its discharges to the Irish Sea. The authorisation is on the public register and a copy will be placed in the Library. The conditions for discharge will be periodically reviewed.
Intervention Stores
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of various perishable foodstuffs and fish, respectively, which were withdrawn from the market by the intervention board in 1985; and what part of each of these totals was destroyed.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 March 1986, c. 89]: Estimated 1985 United Kingdom production of apples, pears, cauliflowers and tomatoes was 731,800 tonnes of which 16,663 tonnes (2·3 per cent) were withdrawn from the market and 11,660 tonnes (1·6 per cent.) destroyed. Provisional landings of fish in the same period were 753,000 tonnes of which 36,784 tonnes (4·9 per cent.) were withdrawn and 456 tonnes (0·06 per cent.) destroyed.
Northern Ireland
Wines, Spirits, Beer And Tobacco
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many workers were employed in the wines and spirits industry in Northern Ireland in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date;
(2) how many workers were employed in the brewing industry in Northern Ireland in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date;
(3) how many workers were employed in the tobacco industry in Northern Ireland in June 1979; and how many at the latest available date.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Contraceptives (Minors)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to circulate doctors in Northern Ireland to ensure that they are aware that the guidelines on the issuing of contraceptives to minors do not apply in that region.
I have no plans to circulate doctors at this stage. The advice on family planning in Northern Ireland, which has not changed since 1975, is to be reviewed in the light of the Law Lords' judgments in the Gillick case and the revised guidance on provision of contraceptives to minors issued recently by the Department of Health and Social Security. Doctors in Northern Ireland will be notified of the results of this review—confirming the existing guidance or advising of any changes in the guidance, as appropriate.
Social Services
Housing Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioner households lost all housing benefit as a result of the changes which came into effect in November 1985; and, of these, how many were tenants and how many owner-occupiers.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the average delay between claiming, and receiving the first payment of, housing benefit for each year since the system was introduced.
Responsibility for the administration of the housing benefit scheme rests with the individual local authorities. Information about the speed with which claims are processed is not collected centrally.
Severe Weather Payments
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants in Bradford have received exceptionally severe weather payments in 1986; if he will list the number of payments made each week, to date, in the current year; how many other offices of his Department in west Yorkshire have made such payments this year; if he will give information about weekly payments made by each office, to date, this year; and if he will make a statement.
Information on the number of single payments made for extra fuel used during the recent period of exceptionally severe weather is not yet available. When the period during which such payments are likely to be so made is over, each local office will be asked to make a return giving the total number of payments made, and the total cost of such payments.
Abortions
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the abortion rates among resident girls under 16 years of age between March 1984 and June 1985.
The table shows quarterly numbers and rates for March 1984 to June 1985 inclusive, together with an annual figure and an annual rate for 1984, for notifications of legal abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967.
| Legal abortions to resident women aged under 16. England and Wales. Numbers and rates per 1,000 women March 1984 to June 1985. | ||||
| 1984 | 1985 | |||
| Quarter | Number | Rate per 1,000 women* | Number | Rate per 1,000 women* |
| March | 1,067 | 1·43 | 985 | 1·32 |
| June | 973 | 1·30 | 925 | 1·24 |
| September | 1,017 | 1·36 | ||
| December | 1,048 | 1·41 | ||
| Total† | 4,158 | 5·58 | ||
| * The rates (per 1,000 women) for the under 16 age-group are based on the population of women aged 14–15. The denominator is the mid-1984 estimated resident population figure. | ||||
| † Includes 53 late notifications not assigned to any quarter of 1984. | ||||
Administration (Staffing)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many staff, whole-time equivalents, were employed by his Department on National Health Service administration in 1978–79 and in the latest year for which figures are available.
The number of staff employed in the Department of Health and Social Security on work relating to the administration of the National Health Service in 1978–79 was 1048. This compares with the latest available figure for the current year, 1985–86, of 772.
Nhs (Drug Purchasing)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the National Health Service expects to spend on the purchase of drugs in 1986–87 compared with 1985–86 and 1984–85.
The information requested is:
| Drug Expenditure (England) | |||
| £ million | |||
| Year | Family Practitioner Services | Hospital and Community Health Services | Total |
| 1984–85 | 1,195 | 279 | 1,474 |
| 1985–86 | *1268 | ‡— | — |
| 1986–87 | †1,365 | ‡— | — |
| * (provisional). | |||
| † (estimated). | |||
Note:
‡ Health authority expenditure on drugs is available only for past financial years.
Departmental Office, Bloomsbury
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the live caseloads at Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square, are still awaiting the November 1985 benefit uprating; and how many are still awaiting the November 1984 uprating.
None. Both benefit uprating exercises have been completed.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many new claims for social security were made in the past 12 months to the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office at Tavistock square; how many of these are still awaiting assessment; and how long they have, on average, been awaiting assessment.
Information is not available in the precise form requested. 12,228 supplementary benefit claims were cleared in the 12 months up to 11 February 1986. On that date 202 claims were still awaiting assessment. On average, claims are processed within three weeks; this includes the time taken, in some cases, to collect additional information from claimants.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many live claims for social security the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office at Tavistock square is currently handling.
On 11 February 1986 the total number of live cases was 9,194. This is marginally more than the
| Complement March | Staff in post on 1 March | Number of cases in action—February | |
| 1981 | 52 | * | * |
| 1983 | 67 | 75 | 7,239 |
| 1985 | 76 | 92 | 8,682 |
| 1986 | 90 | 94 | 9,194 |
| * Not available | |||
Note In July 1984 there was a boundary change which resulted in five posts being transferred from Bloomsbury area office to Euston integrated local office.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent needs payments have been made in the last 12 months by the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square; and how many are currently outstanding.
In the 12 months up to 11 February 1986, 1,557 urgent needs payments were made and on that date (the latest for which figures are available) none was outstanding.
Taste And Smell Mechanism
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people are estimated to have suffered from loss of sense of smell in 1985, 1975, 1965 and 1956;(2) what are the principal reasons known to his Department for loss of the sense of smell;(3) what hospitals specialise in treatment for loss of smell.
In many cases loss of sense of smell is a side-effect or symptom of an underlying condition. The principal reasons for temporary loss of sense of smell are common ailments such as colds and hay fever. Head injury
figure for claimants receiving supplementary benefit on that date, as it includes some cases of claimants whose benefit entitlement had recently finished.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many requests for home visits have been received by Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square, in the past 12 months; how many are currently outstanding; and, on average, for how long they have been outstanding.
Records are not kept of the number of requests for home visits. In the 12 months up to 11 February 1986, 3,775 home visits were made and 178 visits were outstanding on that date. This includes visits initiated by the local office. Over the 12 months period, visits have taken on average about three to four weeks to clear, but now they are being made more quickly.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the approved and actual staffing levels at the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square, in March 1981, March 1983, March 1985 and today; and if he will give the number of live claims in the office for each of these dates.
Information is not available in the precise form requested. The information that is available is as follows:or local trauma can also result in loss of this sense, which can on occasion be long-lasting or permanent. Causes of loss of sense of smell are too diverse for reliable estimates to be made of numbers of people affected. Such conditions are treated, in hospital or in the community, according to clinical indications. Some need no treatment and for others, unfortunately, no reliable treatments are yet available. We are not aware of any hospital specialising in this.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what research sponsored by his Department has taken place and is taking place into how the taste and smell mechanism works;(2) what research sponsored by his Department is currently taking place into the loss of the sense of smell.
The Department has not sponsored nor is currently sponsoring any research into how the taste and smell mechanism works or into the loss of sense of smell. The main Government-funded body undertaking biomedical research is the Medical Research Council, which is funded by grant-in-aid from the science Vote of the Department of Education and Science.
Ageusic Anosmic
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what grants are made by his Department to Ageusic Anosmic.
We have received no application for grant-aid from this organisation.
Residential Care (Supplementary Benefit)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of persons in residential care who are disaggregated for the purposes of supplementary benefit but whose partners are still asked to contribute to their maintenance as a liable relative; what is his policy in such circumstances where the partner is in employment; and if he will make a statement.
There are no figures from which such an estimate could be made, but the number of cases where a liable relative is required to contribute when supplementary benefit is paid in respect of a spouse in residential care is thought to be small. In considering any liability to maintain under the supplementary benefit legislation, account is taken of any contribution already being made towards the claimant's accommodation.
Organ Transplants
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give his Department's best estimate of the percentage of the population who (a) take kidney donor cards, (b) fill in kidney donor cards and (c) carry kidney donor cards; and if he will make a statement.
A Gallup poll conducted on behalf of the British Kidney Patient Association in January this year suggested that 21 per cent. of the population carried an organ donor card and that a further 7 per cent. had an organ donor card which they were not carrying at the time. We would like all people who are willing for their kidneys and other organs to be used for transplantation after their death to sign and carry a donor card and to let their relatives know.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any assessment has been made of the number of occasions in which the next-of-kin of dead persons have expressed regret at not having been asked permission to remove the organs of the dead person for transplant purposes; if he will consider commissioning a short inquiry to research such donor organ losses; and if he will make a statement.
We are not aware of any such assessment. The decision whether organs are to be removed from cadavers is a clinical one for the doctors concerned, but nevertheless it is helpful if relatives inform the doctors if they know that a dead person wished to be an organ donor. I informed the hon. Member in my reply of 4 March, at column 123, of a study which we are considering supporting.
Infertility
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women per thousand population have sought treatment for infertility in each of the last five years for which figures are available in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland.
Information collected centrally is given in the table for the most recent years available. Figures for Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Northern Ireland.
| NHS non-psychiatric hospitals, England | |
| Year | Estimated number of female in-patient and day cases treated for infertility per thousand population |
| 1979 | 0·92 |
| 1980 | 1·11 |
| 1981 | 1·07 |
| 1982 | 0·93 |
| 1983 | 1·04 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has concerning the total cost to his Department of the treatment for infertility of women in their main childbearing years in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) England and Wales in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
I regret this information is not available centrally.
Venereal Disease
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has concerning the number of women aged over 24 years per 1,000 women in the population who sought treatment for venereal diseases in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available;(2) what information he has concerning the number of women aged under 24 years per 1,000 women in the population who sought treatment for venereal diseases in
(a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Statistics on sexually transmitted diseases by age group are collected centrally only for primary and secondary syphilis and post pubertal gonorrhoea. Figures for Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Northern Ireland. The available information is given in the table.
| New cases seen at National Health Service clinics, England | ||
| Women aged over 24 years per hundred thousand population ages 25 to 59 | ||
| Primary and secondary syphilis | Post pubertal gonorrhoea | |
| 1980 | 0·89 | 61·59 |
| 1981 | 0·87 | 52·15 |
| 1982 | 0·70 | 55·65 |
| 1983 | 0·50 | 47·63 |
| 1984 | 0·51 | 44·96 |
New cases seen at National Health Service clinics, England
| ||
Women aged over 24 years per hundred thousand population ages 15 to 24
| ||
Primary and secondary syphilis
| Post pubertal gonorrhoea
| |
| 1980 | 3·32 | 400·40 |
| 1981 | 2·88 | 368·15 |
| 1982 | 2·14 | 363·89 |
| 1983 | 1·58 | 350·49 |
| 1984 | 1·52 | 353·40 |
Cervical Cancer
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has concerning the incidence of cervical cancer per 1,000 women in the population (a) in England and Wales and (b) in Northern Ireland in women aged under 24 years in each of the last five years for which figures are available;(2) what information he has concerning the incidence of cervical cancer per 1,000 women in the population
(a) in England and Wales and (b) in Northern Ireland in women aged over 24 years in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
The tables show the latest available information on registrations of newly diagnosed cases or malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri, and of carcinoma-insitu of cervix uteri.
| Registrations of carcinoma in-situ of cervix uteri women aged 25 years and over | ||
| Year | Number | Rate per 1,000 population of women aged 25 years and over |
| England and Wales | ||
| 1978 | 3,618 | 0·21 |
| 1979 | 3,994 | 0·24 |
| 1980 | 4,331 | 0·26 |
| 1981 | 5,171 | 0·31 |
| 1982 | 5,015 | 0·30 |
| Northern Ireland | ||
| 1978 | * | |
| 1979 | * | |
| 1980 | 53 | 0·12 |
| 1981 | 45 | 0·10 |
| 1982 | 55 | 0·12 |
* Figures include in total for malignant neoplasms of cervix uteri.
Women aged 24 years and under
| ||
Year
| Number
| Rate per 1,000 population of women aged 24 years and under
|
England and Wales
| ||
| 1978 | 316 | 0·04 |
| 1979 | 300 | 0·03 |
| 1980 | 369 | 0·04 |
| 1981 | 397 | 0·05 |
| 1982 | 412 | 0·05 |
Northern Ireland
| ||
| 1978 | *
| |
Year
| Number
| Rate per 1,000 population of women aged 24 years and under
|
| 1979 | *
| |
| 1980 | 10 | 0·03 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0·01 |
| 1982 | 14 | 0·04 |
1978—ICD (8) 234·0.
1979–1982 ICD (9) 233·1.
* Figures included in total for malignant neoplasms of cervix uteri.
Registrations of malignant neoplasms of cervix uteri women aged 25 years and over
| ||
Year
| Number
| Rate per 1,000 population of women aged 25 years and over
|
England and Wales
| ||
| 1978 | 3,826 | 0·23 |
| 1979 | 3,843 | 0·23 |
| 1980 | 3,918 | 0·24 |
| 1981 | 3,981 | 0·24 |
| 1982 | 3,867 | 0·23 |
Northern Ireland
| ||
| 1978 | *117 | *0·26 |
| 1979 | *138 | *0·31 |
| 1980 | 71 | 0·16 |
| 1981 | 89 | 0·19 |
| 1982 | 79 | 0·17 |
1978—ICD (8) 180.
1979–1982—ICD (9) 180.
* Figures include an unspecified number of carcinoma in-situ registration.
Women aged 24 years and under
| ||
Year
| Number
| Rate per 1,000 population of women aged 24 years and undere app
|
England and Wales
| ||
| 1978 | 46 | 0·01 |
| 1979 | 36 | 0·004 |
| 1980 | 45 | 0·01 |
| 1981 | 43 | 0·004 |
| 1982 | 42 | 0·004 |
Northern Ireland
| ||
| 1978 | *4 | *0·01 |
| 1979 | *6 | *0·02 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0·01 |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 4 | 0·01 |
1978—ICD (8) 180.
1979–1982—ICD (9) 180.
* Figures include an unspecified number of carcinoma in-situ registration.
Contraception
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has concerning the total amount paid to doctors specifically for the prescription of contraceptive drugs and devices per 1,000 population in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
General medical practitioners do not receive any specific payment for prescribing contraceptive substances or any other drugs and appliances. For the provision of contraceptive services (which may or may not include the prescribing of contraceptive substances) payments per 1,000 population were made to general medical practitioners in England and Wales as follows:
| £ | |
| 1975–76 | 67·73 |
| 1976–77 | 162·75 |
| 1977–78 | 171·38 |
| Expenditure on Contraceptive Services Fees England and Wales | ||||||
| Year | Population '000 | Ordinary £ | By '000 Pop £ | I.U.D. £ | By '000 Pop £ | Total |
| 1984–85 | 49,763·6 | 20,517,188 | 412·29 | 4,239,353 | 85·19 | 497·48 |
| 1983–84 | 49,653·7 | 18,154,729 | 365·63 | 3,320,337 | 66·87 | 432·50 |
| 1982–83 | 49,601·4 | 16,474,830 | 332·14 | 3,048,509 | 61·46 | 393·60 |
| 1981–82 | 49,599·3 | 14,591,951 | 294·20 | 2,707,771 | 54·59 | 348·79 |
| 1980–81 | 49,282·6 | 12,589,968 | 255·46 | 2,470,083 | 50·12 | 305·58 |
| 1979–80 | 49,206·2 | 9,161,969 | 186·20 | 1,975,345 | 40·14 | 226·34 |
| 1978–79 | 49,153·7 | 7,854,468 | 159·79 | 1,492,144 | 30·36 | 190·15 |
| 1977–78 | 49,151·9 | 7,576,386 | 154·14 | 847,168 | 17·24 | 171·38 |
| 1976–77 | 49,173·0 | 7,459,048 | 151·69 | 543,862 | 11·06 | 162·75 |
| 1975–76 | 49,186·8 | 3,189,165 | 64·84 | 142,014 | 2·89 | 67·73 |
Expenditure.
Figures derived from the Annual Accounts of District Health Authorities in England and Wales (Include FPC Payments)
The population figures used are the Mid-Year estimates of resident population. It is emphasised that these figures make no allowance for differences in morbidity and age/sex structure of particular populations.
Conception Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many girls per 1,000 population aged under 16 years at the time of conception have (a) given
| Conceptions to Girls aged under 16 at the time of conception per 1,000 girls aged 13–15 | |||
| Northern Ireland* | England and Wales‡ | ||
| Year of Conception | Conceptions leading to maternities† | Conceptions leading to maternities† | Conceptions terminated under the 1967 Abortion Act |
| 1974 | 3·2 | 4·4 | 4·1 |
| 1975 | 3·2 | 3·9 | 4·2 |
| 1976 | 2·3 | 3·7 | 4·2 |
| 1977 | 2·7 | 3·6 | 4·0 |
| 1978 | 3·0 | 3·7 | 3·9 |
| 1979 | 2·5 | 3·4 | 4·2 |
| 1980 | 2·4 | 3·3 | 3·9 |
| 1981 | 2·2 | 3·1 | 4·1 |
| 1982 | 2·6 | 3·4 | 4·4 |
| 1983 | 3·0 | 3·6 | 4·7 |
Notes:
* The 1967 Abortion Act does not apply to Northern Ireland.
† Maternities at which one or more live or still births occurred.
‡ Conceptions to residents of England and Wales only.
Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women per 1,000 population
£
| |
| 1978–79 | 190·15 |
| 1979–80 | 226·34 |
| 1980–81 | 305·58 |
| 1981–82 | 348·79 |
| 1982–83 | 393·60 |
| 1983–84 | 432·50 |
| 1984–85 | 497·48 |
Matters relating to Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
birth, (b) miscarried or (c) had abortions in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
The following table shows the information available on conceptions that lead to maternity in Northern Ireland and England and Wales and those that are terminated under the Abortion Act 1967 in England and Wales. Information on miscarriages is not available in the form requested.sought treatment for pelvic inflammatory diseases in each of the last five years for which figures are available in
(a) Northern Ireland and (b) England and Wales.
I regret this information for England is not available as it is not collected centrally. Figures for Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland.
Leeds Western Health Authority
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received from the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority regarding the chairmanship of the Leeds western health authority;(2) why Mr. Robin Good is not being reappointed as chairman of the Leeds western health authority;(3) what representations he has received from medical staff in relation to the chairmanship of the Leeds western health authority; and if he will make a statement.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Aids
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what experts have been consulted by his Department to assist with preparation for the forthcoming information campaign on acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Members of the expert advisory group on AIDS and representatives of the Health Education Council, the Terrence Higgins Trust, the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse and the College of Health have been among those consulted.
Prescription Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning
| Numbers of deaths with any mention of hypothermia, by age and month of registration; United Kingdom, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales (provisional) | |||||||||
| United Kingdom | |||||||||
| Month of registration | Under 25 | 25–34 | 35–44 | 45–54 | 55–64 | 65–74 | 75–84 | 85+ | Total |
| January | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 54 | 124 | 78 | 276 |
| February | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 32 | 85 | 68 | 206 |
| March | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 24 | 67 | 41 | 157 |
| April | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 38 | 23 | 98 |
| May | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | 8 | 29 | 11 | 59 |
| June | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 9 | 11 | 28 |
| July | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 19 |
| August | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 20 |
| September | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 8 | 6 | 20 |
| October | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 31 |
| November | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 27 | 25 | 74 |
| December | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 11 | 16 | 36 | 23 | 94 |
| Total | 22 | 14 | 15 | 34 | 63 | 185 | 448 | 301 | 1,082 |
| England* | |||||||||
| January | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 29 | 88 | 60 | 190 |
| February | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 63 | 52 | 160 |
| March | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 52 | 32 | 123 |
| April | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 26 | 20 | 72 |
| May | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 44 |
| June | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 9 | 21 |
| July | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| August | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| September | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| October | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 10 | 2 | 21 |
| November | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 37 |
| December | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 13 | 63 |
blanket exemptions from prescription charges for the elderly and children; and if consideration has been given to a means-tested system for prescription charges within those categories; and if he will make a statement.
Many representations are received regarding the prescription charge exemption arrangements, the vast majority of which seek additions to the present exempt categories. Automatic exemption of the elderly and children was one of the many points raised in a letter from the British Medical Association.As I made clear in my statement to the House on 10 March at column
671, I have no plans to change the existing range of exemptions or the list of exempted medical conditions.
Hypothermia
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for the United Kingdom, and for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland separately, the number of deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate for the year 1985; and if he will break down the figures by (a) month of the year and (b) by age groups (i) under 25, (ii) 25 to 34, (iii) 35 to 44, (iv) 45 to 54, (v) 55 to 64, (vi) 65 to 74, (vii) 75 to 84 and (viii) 85 years and over.
[pursuant to his reply, 3 March 1986, c. 64]: The tables show the provisional numbers of deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, irrespective of whether it did or did not appear as the underlying cause of death for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries for 1985 by age group and month of registration.
Month of registration
| Under 25
| 25–34
| 35–44
| 45–54
| 55–64
| 65–74
| 75–84
| 85+
| Total
|
Northern Ireland
| |||||||||
| January | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| February | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| March | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| April | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 |
| May | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 |
| June | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 |
| July | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| August | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| September | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| October | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| November | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| December | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 27 |
Scotland
| |||||||||
| January | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 19 | 29 | 11 | 65 |
| February | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 18 | 11 | 15 |
| March | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 24 |
| April | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
| May | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| June | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| July | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| August | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| September | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| October | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 6 |
| November | — | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 32 |
| December | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 27 |
| Total | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 46 | 93 | 66 | 233 |
Wales
| |||||||||
| January | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| February | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| March | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | 8 |
| April | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 4 |
| May | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| June | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 |
| July | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| August | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| September | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 |
| October | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| November | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| December | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 |
| Total | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 15 | 23 | 17 | 59 |
* Includes 4 deaths of persons usually resident outside England and Wales.
Social Security Reform
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what will be the housing benefit paid to (a) a single person aged under 18 years, (b) a single person aged under 25 years, (c) a single person aged 25 to 59 years, (d) a couple without children where rates and rent are (i) 25 per cent., below average, (ii) average and (iii) 25 per cent., above average and gross weekly income is
| Table 1 Amounts of weekly housing benefit under current scheme | ||||||||||
| Weekly Income Level Gross Earnings | ||||||||||
| Unemployment Benefit | £45 | £55 | £65 | £75 | £85 | £95 | £110 | £125 | At which housing benefit no longer payable | |
| Single person 16–17 years | ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 17·09 | 18·00 | 14·70 | 11·40 | 7·20 | 3·00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91·85 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 14·07 | 14·25 | 11·85 | 8·55 | 4·35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84·71 |
(1) at the level of unemployment benefit, (2) earnings of £45, (3) £55, (4) £65, (5) £75, (6) £85, (7) £95, (8) £110 and (9) £125 a week under current provisions and under the assumptions set out in the technical annex to Cmnd. 9691; and in each case at what level of income the entitlement to housing benefit would disappear.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1986, c. 157–58]: The information is given in the following tables.
Weekly Income Level Gross Earnings
| ||||||||||
Unemployment Benefit
| £45
| £55
| £65
| £75
| £85
| £95
| £110
| £125
| At which housing benefit no longer payable
| |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 19·44 | 20·85 | 17·55 | 14·25 | 10·95 | 5·85 | 1·65 | 0 | 0 | 98·99 |
Single person 18–24 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 17·09 | 18·00 | 14·70 | 11·40 | 7·20 | 3·00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91·85 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 14·07 | 14·25 | 11·85 | 8·55 | 4·35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84·71 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 19·44 | 20·85 | 17·55 | 14·25 | 10·95 | 5·85 | 1·65 | 0 | 0 | 98·99 |
Single person 25–59 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 17·09 | 18·00 | 14·70 | 11·40 | 7·20 | 3·00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91·85 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 14·07 | 14·25 | 11·85 | 8·55 | 4·35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84·71 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 19·44 | 20·85 | 17·55 | 14·25 | 10·95 | 5·85 | 1·65 | 0 | 0 | 98·99 |
Couple under 60 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 18·32 | 19·00 | 19·00 | 18·72 | 15·53 | 12·23 | 8·26 | 1·76 | 0 | 114·35 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 14·25 | 14·25 | 14·25 | 14·25 | 12·68 | 9·38 | 5·41 | 0 | 0 | 107·21 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 21·17 | 23·75 | 23·75 | 21·68 | 18·38 | 15·08 | 11·11 | 4·81 | 0 | 121·49 |
Table 2 Amounts of weekly housing benefit under proposed scheme
| ||||||||||
Weekly Income Level Gross Earnings
| ||||||||||
Unemployment Benefit
| £45
| £55
| £65
| £75
| £85
| £95
| £110
| £125
| At which housing benefit no longer payable
| |
Single person 16–17 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 8·16 | 2·54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50·26 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 3·67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41·68 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 12·65 | 7·44 | 2·75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60·98 |
Single person 18–24 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 12·80 | 7·59 | 2·78 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61·03 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 8·31 | 3·10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50·32 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 17·29 | 12·08 | 7·76 | 2·45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70·17 |
Single person 25–59 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 17·96 | 12·87 | 8·55 | 3·51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71·52 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 13·47 | 8·38 | 4·06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62·39 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 22·45 | 17·36 | 13·04 | 8·00 | 2·96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80·65 |
Couple under 60 years
| ||||||||||
| —average rent and rates | 16·96 | 17·96 | 17·96 | 16·00 | 10·61 | 5·56 | 1·87 | 0 | 0 | 85·50 |
| —75 per cent. average rent and rates | 12·47 | 13·47 | 13·47 | 11·51 | 6·12 | 1·06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98·77 |
| —125 per cent. average rent and rates | 21·45 | 22·45 | 22·45 | 20·49 | 15·10 | 10·06 | 6·54 | 0 | 0 | 108·19 |
Notes to tables
1. The average weekly rent and domestic rates levels have been assumed to be £13·80 and £5·20 respectively.
2. The current minimum rent rebate and rate rebate levels of 50 pence have been used throughout.
3. The level at which housing benefit is not payable had been calculated for an earning single person/couple.
4. In the case of an earning couple it has been assumed that only one partner is in work.
5. The current income tax allowances, national insurance rates and unemployment benefit rates have been used throughout.
6. Other assumptions are based on the illustrative figures used in the technical annex to Cmnd. 9691, with a 20 per cent. contribution towards rates.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of (a) single people aged under 18 years, (b) single people aged 18 years to 24 years, (c) single people aged 25 years to 59 years and (d) couples where the claimant is aged under 25 years who currently receive some housing benefit; and approximately how many in each category will lose all their housing benefit under the proposals in the Social Security Bill, on the assumptions in the technical annex to Cmnd. 9691.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1986, c. 157–58]: Using the illustrative assumptions in the technical annex to the White Paper (Cmnd. 9691) the information requested is as follows:
Housing benefit: caseload and numbers affected by proposals
| |||
Thousands, Great Britain
| |||
Estimated number of recipients affected with no residual entitlement
| |||
Estimated number of recipients under present scheme
| with 20 per cent. rates contribution
| without 20 rates contribution
| |
| Single aged under 18 years | *
| *
| *
|
| Single aged 18 to 24 years | 210 | 20 | 10 |
| Single aged 25 to 59 years | 640 | 90 | 60 |
| Couples, head aged under 25 years | 30 | 10 | 10 |
Notes:
(1) Present scheme estimates have been made on a similar basis to that outlined in paragraphs 2.6 to 2.10 of the technical annex. The caseloads shown here are consistent with the caseloads underlying the technical annex tables.
(2) The estimates are not adjusted for differential take-up.
(3) The estimates exclude single parents and couples with children.
(4) * Indicates estimates of less than 5,000.
Sickness Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people received reduced rate sickness benefit in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of these subsequently obtained invalidity benefit.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1986, c.161]: The number of claims giving rise to entitlement to sickness benefit at the reduced rate is provisionally estimated at 41,000 in 1983–84 and 28,000 in 1984–85. The number of these going on to obtain invalidity benefit was 4,000 and 5,000, respectively. I regret that the information is not available for earlier years.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the annual cost of paying sickness benefit to anyone who had paid or been credited with contributions on earnings of 25 times the lower earnings limit in the relevant tax year.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1986, c. 161]: On the evidence available, an estimated £120 million in 1986–87, of which approximately £2 million is attributable to people with contributions paid or credited on earnings between 25 and 49 times the lower earnings limit.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of people each year who will fail to qualify for invalidity benefit as a result of the proposal in the Social Security Bill to abolish reduced rate sickness benefit.
[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1986, c.161]: 6,500 in 1987–88.
Genito-Urinary Treatment
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what genito-urinary treatment he expects will be available on a continuing basis in the Lewisham and North Southwark district after 1 April.
| 1980–81 | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | |
| £ million outturn | £ million outturn | £ million outturn | £ million outturn | £ million outturn | |
| Departmental running costs* | 7,959 | 8,995 | 9,799 | 11,293 | 11,986 |
[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1986]: I understand that the Lewisham and North Southwark health authority has recently consulted publicly on the future of genito-urinary services in the district. Services are now concentrated, with the local community health council's agreement, on one site, the Lloyd clinic at Guy's hospital. The health authority plans to improve the service during the next financial year by providing extra walk-in clinics.
National Finance
Civil Service
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the figures for the years 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively (a) for the cost of the Civil Service and (b) the average cost for each civil servant; and if he will break down the average cost for each civil servant into pay, national insurance, superannuation, and other costs, such as office space, heating, lighting, car allowance, travel allowance, telephone, and so on.
As part of the introduction of the new running costs control system reported in the 1986 public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9702), there has been a reappraisal of the allocation of costs between the administrative and opertional areas and some changes have been made. The reappraisal has been reflected in the running costs figures for all years in Cmnd. 9702. The adjustments were not, however, made to the level of detail requested by my hon. Friend, and I am not, therefore, able to provide the precise information requested.Although there was a significant reduction in manpower numbers during the last five years, not all of the related costs (such as accommodation) can be expected to reduce at the same rate. The cost per head figures should be viewed in that light. However, the following figures are based on those published in Cmnd. 9702.
1980–81
| 1981–82
| 1982–83
| 1983–84
| 1984–85
| |
| Staff totals (average staff in post): | |||||
| Civil Service (excluding Trading Funds) | 665,300 | 648,400 | 630,600 | 611,100 | 596,000 |
| Armed Forces† | 58,000 | 58,000 | 58,000 | 58,000 | 58,000 |
| Northern Ireland Civil Service | 28,600 | 27,200 | 26,200 | 25,500 | 25,000 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Costs per head (cash terms) | 10,585 | 12,261 | 13,709 | 16,258 | 17,652 |
* Departmental running costs comprise pay costs, personnel overheads, accommodation costs, office services and other services. They do not include notional accruing pensions liability, pensions in payment or capital expenditure. | |||||
| † Running costs coverage for 1986–87 has been revised to include the pay of armed forces personnel only where they are engaged in headquarters and support activities; 58,000 for 1986–87 (Cmnd. 9702). Figures for these activities are not available for the period covered by this table, so the 1986–87 figures of 58,000 has been used throughout. | |||||
Building Industry (Vat)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be (a) the revenue impact and (b) the employment impact of (i) removing value added tax on building improvements and alterations and (ii) reducing value added tax on all building repairs, improvements and alterations to 5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
It is estimated that the net revenue loss in a full year at 1986–87 prices of removing value added tax on building improvements and alterations would be of the order of £500 million; that of imposing value added tax on all building repairs, improvements and alterations at a rate of 5 per cent. would be about £450 million. It is not possible to estimate the effects on employment.
Wines And Spirits, Beer And Tobacco
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the duty payable on a hectolitre of 1037 deg original gravity beer in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; by how much in cash percentage terms such duty increased in each of those years; and what is this percentage increase in real terms.
The information is as follows:
| Post-Budget duty rate of 1037 OG (£ per hectoliter) | Percentage increase in cash terms | Percentage increase in real terms | |
| 1975 | 10·31 | — | — |
| 1976 | 11·94 | 15·8 | - 0·6 |
| 1977 | *13·14 | 10·0 | - 5·0 |
| 1978 | 13·14 | Nil | - 7·7 |
| 1979 | 13·14 | Nil | -11·8 |
| 1980 | 16·10 | 22·5 | 3·9 |
| 1981 | 22·20 | 37·9 | 23·3 |
| 1982 | 25·16 | 13·3 | 4·3 |
| 1983 | 26·64 | 5·9 | 1·2 |
| 1984 | 29·60 | 11·1 | 5·8 |
| 1985 | 31·82 | 7·5 | 1·3 |
| * This duty rate became effective from 1 January 1977 as a result of a 10 per cent. regulator surcharge on the 1976 Budget duty rate. | |||
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised through excise duty on tobacco in each of the past six years.
The information requested is as follows:
| £ million | ||
| Excise duty | VAT* | |
| 1979–80 | 2,584 | 450 |
| 1980–81 | 2,821 | 630 |
Excise duty
| VAT*
| |
| 1981–82 | 3,420 | 720 |
| 1982–83 | 3,446 | 770 |
| 1983–84 | 3,806 | 810 |
| 1984–85 | 4,140 | 860 |
* Estimates based on consumers' expenditure date. | ||
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many petitions have been sent to him by hon. Members opposing any substantial increase in duty on tobacco products; and if he will make a statement.
About 200 such petitions have been forwarded by hon. Members.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much revenue was raised through excise duty on wines and spirits in each of the past six years;(2) how much revenue was raised through excise duty on beer in each of the past six years.
I refer the hon. Member to table 3 on page 32 of the report of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise for the year ended 31 March 1985. There is a copy in the Library of the House.
Lump Sum Payments
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many appeals against decisions of inspectors of taxes to seek to assess lump sum payments made in consideration of taking up employment have been heard before (a) the general commissioners and (b) the special commissioners in the last 12 months; and in how many cases the commissioners have held the payments not to be assessable;(2) if he will introduce legislation to amend the law relating to the assessment to income tax on lump sum payments made in consideration of taking up employment; and if he will make a statement;(3) what clearances have been given by the Inland Revenue for schemes providing for payment of a lump sum contingent on a partner remaining within a particular partnership for a specified period that they will not seek to tax them as income; and if he will make a statement.
I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.
Glynn Valley (Tree Felling)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from the Treasury Solicitor to Mr. Michael Robertson, the owner of a designated woodland in the Glynn valley, regarding tree felling.
I have been asked to reply.The Treasury Solicitor's office has been unable to trace any letter to Mr. Michael Robertson on the subject of tree-felling. It did, however, write on 4 February 1986 to solicitors representing Messrs. C. M. Robertson (Developments) Ltd., of which Mr. Robertson is chairman, concerning the release of an area of woodland from the Forestry Commission's dedication scheme. The text of this letter is reproduced. The release of this woodland from dedication does not, however, imply permission to fell trees: any felling done is subject to the provisions of the felling regulations.Dear SirsDEDICATED WOODLANDS (RELEASE)PENGELLY ESTATE CORNWALLC M ROBERTSON (DEVELOPMENTS) LIMITED
I have been advised by the Forestry Commission that your Clients own the freehold of 3·3 hectares of land coloured red on the plan enclosed in duplicate which is at present restricted by Deed of Forestry use. At request the Forestry Commissioners have agreed to release the land from this restriction.
Accordingly I should be grateful if you would provide me with a copy of the conveyance vesting this land in your Clients, including a copy or extract from the plan attached or referred to therein.
In the meantime I enclose a draft Deed of Release together with a copy thereof for your use please return one copy approved by you. I will then order plans and engross the Deed of Release, to be executed solely by the Commissioners.
Once the Deed has been sealed I will complete the matter, sending you the original Deed which you will note attracts no Stamp Duty. Thereafter the cancellation of the relevant Land Charge Entry will be dealt with and I will let you have a copy of the cancellation certificate for your records.
The terms agreed for the release were that the Commission should bear your Clients' reasonable legal costs in this matter. In submitting your invoice (which I suggest that you should so at completion) it would be helpful if you could show VAT separately, although it should be marked 'this is not a tax invoice'. The Owners should only be reimbursed for such of the VAT on your costs as the Owners cannot recover otherwise; so that I can tell how far your Clients should be reimbursed for VAT kindly return the enclosed VAT Certificate filled in on behalf of your Clients.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
K. Dowling
for the Treasury Solicitor
Exchange Rates
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 March, Official Report, column 95, what was the value of the dollar against the European currency unit on the date when the Council of Ministers agreed the financial guideline for agricultural market support expenditure in the current year, and what is the current value of the dollar against the European currency unit.
[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1986]: The reference framework for 1986, including the financial guideline for agricultural market support expenditure was established by the Council of Ministers on 8 July 1985. The dollar/ECU exchange rate on that day was $1=1.347 ECU. On 7 March 1986, the exchange rate was $1=1.041 ECU. The 1986 EC budget was prepared using an assumption of an exchange rate of $1=1·20 ECU.
Mr R H Hoyle
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the enforcements office of the Inland Revenue to refrain from instituting proceedings against Mr. R. H. Hoyle of Golden Plam, Kingswear, relating to his alleged liability for his deceased brother's debts, until the outstanding matters raised in connection with this case in correspondence between the hon. Member for South Hams and the Financial Secretary, the right hon. Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Moore) have been resolved; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1986]: I have written to my hon. Friend in reply to his recent letter about Mr. Hoyle's case.
Civil Service Contributory Pension
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in his consideration of proposals for a Civil Service contributory pension system.
[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1986]: The Government have no plans to place the principal Civil Service pension scheme on an overtly contributory basis in the foreseeable future.