Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Friday 23 May 1986

House Of Commons

Staff Training

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission what is the average time spent by employees in each Department of the House in on-the-job and off-the-job training.

With the exception of certain off-the-job training courses provided to staff on a House-wide basis, details of which are given at the end of this answer, training is arranged by each House Department according to its individual requirements. Statements of each Department's arrangements appear below. For the reasons indicated in those statements, it is not possible to give figures of average time spent by employees in training activities.

Department of the Clerk of the House

Training is principally on-the-job. Throughout a probationary period (two years for Clerks, one year for others), and for longer if necessary, employees work under the close supervision of more senior staff. During the period a training programme informs them about the work of different Offices within the Department, and of other Departments. From time to time staff also participate in courses at the Civil Service College, language training at the Diplomatic Language Training Centre, Civil Service secretarial proficiency courses and commercial computer courses. Total time spent on formalised or off-the-job training was estimated at 824 hours in 1985.

Department of the Serjeant at Arms

Staff of the Department have attended courses on the following subjects:

Employment Law
Occupational Health
First Aid at Work
Interview Techniques
Building Security
Secretarial Proficiency Courses
Internal Mail Handling

In addition to the above, Attendant staff receive training in the operation of copying machines.

The following courses are in prospect:

Chairing meetings
Searching techniques

Due to the specialised nature of the work in the House of Commons, much of the training must be carried out at work. The Department is actively seeking to broaden the range of courses attended within the constraints of the manning levels required.

Department of the Library

Training tends to be concentrated on staff at the earlier stages of their careers, so it would not be very meaningful to compute an average using the total staff as a denominator. Estimates for the readily quantifiable forms of training for the calendar year 1985 are as follows:

	Courses/ Trainees	Trainee Days^*
Introductory courses arranged by the Administration Department	8	16
Word processor training (secretaries)	5	16
Secretarial Proficiency training	2	4
Civil Service College Courses	9	13
Other externally provided training	16	20
Programme of visits to Library Sections (recent recruits)	11	19
Training and re-training on the Library's POLIS data-base	66	52
Training on other data-bases (eg BLAISE, LEXIS)	7	8
First-aid training	4	4
Study leave and examination leave (further education and training scheme)	3	13
Pre-licentiate (Library qualification) training	2	31
Other internally provided training	3	5
Total	136	201
^* Numbers of trainees multiplied by the length of the course.

"On-the-job" training continues for as long as is necessary for the individual member of staff, i.e. until he or she is capable of carrying out his/her duties without close supervision. Its length varies with the grade of post and with the previous experience of the post-holder and it is not therefore possible to provide even approximate figures.

In the Vote Office,all training to date is giver. on-the-

job. It is carried out in a four-year cycle as follows:

First Year—Parliamentary Section documentation.
Second Year — Non-Parliamentary and Northern Ireland documentation.
Third Year—European documentation.
Final Year—Sale Office, photo-reproduction micro-fiche.

In addition there are proposals to nominate a number of more senior staff for training in computer skills and management, but this is dependent on when the Office's proposed microcomputer system becomes operational.

Administration Department

It is impossible to state the average time spent by staff in the Administration Department in on-the-job training. Such training is given according to an individuals needs and depends upon his previous experience and the demands of the work to which he is from time to time assigned.

Off-the-job training is also provided to meet the needs of the individuals according to the work to which they are currently assigned, and since this varies according to the frequency of any changes in duties which become necessary, it is not possible to provide a realistic average figure of this form of training for all staff.

Staff of the Administration Department have attended both functional and grade related (e.g. management skills) off-the-job training courses run by the Civil Service College and other outside organisations. During the last two years 212 staff days have been devoted to participation in such training courses.

Department of the Official Report

The training programme for Trainee Reporters is normally two years under the Stenograph system, of which at least the first year is taken up with full-time training. The training time for a transcriber is normally a year, but that is wholly 'on-the-job' training.

Currently 13 reporters out of an establishment of 19 are receiving training, nine full time and four in post, and nine transcribers out of an establishment of 27 are in training.

Refreshment Department

It is the policy of the Refreshment Department to recruit professional staff who are adequately qualified academically and fully experienced. From time to time, however, this may be supplemented through specialised external training course, e.g. City and Guilds course in catering.

Off-the-job training provided to staff on a house-wide basis co-ordinated by the establishment office
Number and Grades of Staff	Type of course	Where held	Length in days
All newcomers to staff of the House irrespective of grade 66 (to date) volunteer First-Aiders on House staff	Introduction Course	House of Commons	2
	First Aid Training
	(i) Initial Training Course	St. John Ambulance Association	3
	(ii) Requalification Course (once every 3 years)	St. John Ambulance Association	2
	(iii) Refresher Training (once every year)	St. John Ambulance Association	1
All Secretarial and Typing Grades	Typing Training Course	DOE Typing Training Centre	2
	Shorthand or Audio Training Course	DOE Typing Training Centre	2
Various Grades (as and when required—10 to date)	Selection Interviewing Techniques Course	Civil Service College	3
	Promotion Board Interviewing Techniques Course	Civil Service College	3

Further Education

On a House-wide basis, co-ordinated by the Establishments Office, staff are encouraged to undertake courses of further education and training. For approved courses, staff are given assistance towards the cost of fees, board and travelling, and in addition may be given time off for study and to take examinations. The length of time over which assistance is given varies greatly, e.g. from one year for an O-level course in one subject to several years for an Open University degree course.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Krugerrands

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take to preclude the import of Krugerrands and other South African gold coins.

Following the commitment given by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Nassau last October, we have been considering what action might be possible to preclude the import of Kruggerands. Account has been taken of the fact that South Africa is now minting the new Protea coin.We have now decided that the import of all gold coins originating in South Africa, and consigned to the United Kingdom from that country, shall be prohibited with effect from midnight tonight. A copy of Notice to Importers 2086, detailing these arrangements, is being placed in the library of the House.

Syria

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his policy on the issue of visas to citizens of Syria.

Following the unjustified expulsion by the Syrian Government of three members of the British Embassy in Damascus, including the Vice-Consul, the issue of visas at Damascus has had to be suspended until

At the moment three staff are attending day-release courses of this nature. One member of staff, who is a union representative, is attending a day-release course in aspects of union procedure. The Catering Accountant last year attended a Civil Service College course in Government accounting.

the Embassy is adequately staffed. Procedures for the issue of visas to Syrians have also been reviewed. They will normally be required to attend for interview and their applications will be referred to London. All Syrians seeking to enter the United Kingdom in transit, even if they propose to remain here less than 24 hours, will in future be required to obtain transit visas.

Education And Science

Further Education College Students

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of further education college students are engaged on courses funded out of the education budget; and what information he has as to the percentage who are taking courses, the funding of which comes under the responsibility of other Government Departments.

Full information on the funding of courses in further education establishments is not available. Five per cent. of students on full-time and sandwich courses and thirteen per cent. of students on part-time day courses were on MSC schemes in maintained, assisted and grant-aided further education establishments in November 1984.

University Of Dacca (Awards)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reasons for his Department's decision no longer to accept degree awards from the University of Dacca as suitable qualifications for the granting of a Department of Education and Science (teaching) number.

My Department has not made such a decision. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will write to me with the details I will be glad to consider them.

Initial Teacher Training

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report (a) all those initial teacher training institutes which fully satisfy all the criteria that he sent to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North and (b) all the initial teacher training institutes which have failed to satisfy all the criteria and have been given the opportunity to meet the criteria fully, indicating those criteria which have not been met.

The criteria referred to by the hon. Member are a summary of the main principles that informed the planning of initial teacher training intakes. My right hon. Friend's provisional decisions are based on an overall judgement of how intakes can best be deployed to ensure the most effective provision of initial teacher training in the public sector as a whole, taking account of those principles and the proposals received from the training institutions and others concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for primary initial teacher training in Humberside in the degree of bachelor of education and postgraduate certificate of education.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's Answer of 14 May at column 457.

University Academics (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state for each 12-month period beginning 2 October 1979, the percentage rise in university academics' pay and the comparable rise in the retail prices index.

The information requested is as follows:

Period^*	University non-clinical academics Pay rise per cent.	Retail Prices Index (per cent, increase)
2 October 1979 to 1 October 1980	†25·2	15·4
2 October 1980 to 1 October 1981	‡3·2	11·7
2 October 1981 to 1 October 1982	5·0	6·8
2 October 1982 to 1 October 1983	║4·7	5·0
2 October 1983 to 1 October 1984	¶4·8	5·0
2 October 1984 to 1 October 1985	•5·25	5·4

Notes

^* Salary incremental date was 1 October up to 1980, 1 March in 1981, and 1 April thereafter.

†Consists of 17 per cent. phased Clegg-equivalent award paid on I April and 1 October 1980, plus 8·2 per cent. paid on 1 October 1980 which was the first part of a two-part settlement extending over 18 months.

‡Second part to two-part settlement paid on 1 March 1981 consisting of 3 per cent. on all scale points plus £100 on the maximum of the lecturer scale and on the corresponding point of the senior lecturer scale.

║4·6 per cent. on all scale points plus increase of 0·1 per cent. arising from elimination of bottom point of lecturers scale, £75 to be added to first seven points of lecturers scale, and the 26 age point on the lecturers scale to be replaced by a 27 age point one point up the scale.

¶ 4·6 per cent. on all scale points plus £150 to the maximum of the

lecturer scale.

• 5·2 per cent. on all scale points plus £110 on first 4 points of the lecturers scale.

National Finance

National Savings Certificates

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why National Savings certificates are no longer after this week to be able to be purchased through banks in Northern Ireland.

Banks in Northern Ireland are still able to arrange for their customers to buy National Savings certificates. All that has changed is that the Department for National Savings is introducing a new system of issuing National Savings certificates directly from their Durham office by post to savers throughout the United Kingdom. This means that agent banks will no longer hold stocks of certificates. Under the new system Northern Ireland banks will no longer have to arrange for their branches or associate branches in Great Britain to send National Savings certificates to their customers in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland banks can obtain application forms either from their associates in Great Britain, or from the Department for National Savings office in Durham, from where the certificates will be sent directly to customers.

Departmental Staff

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the responsibilities of each of the deputy secretaries in his Department and the number and ranks of staff reporting to each.

The information at l May 1986 is as follows:DEPUTY SECRETARY (GRADE 2), OVERSEAS FINANCE

Responsibilities:

European Community Group
Aid and Export Finance Group
Senior United Kingdom Director of the European Investment Bank
United Kingdom representation at international financial and economic meetings

Two Grade 3, four Grade 5 and 43 other staff.

DEPUTY SECRETARY (GRADE 2), PUBLIC FINANCE

Responsibilities:

Fiscal Policy Group
Home Finance Group
Public Sector Finance Group
North Sea Development and Policy
Finance Economic Unit

Three Grade 3, six Grade 5 and 90 other staff.

DEPUTY SECRETARY (GRADE 2), INDUSTRY

Responsibilities:

Public Enterprise Group
Industry, Agriculture and Employment Group

Two Grade 3, six Grade 5 and 68 other staff.

Deputy Secretary (Grade 2), Public Expenditure

Responsibilities:

Local Government Group
Social Services and Territorial Group
Home Transport and Education Group
Treasury Officer of Accounts and Purchasing
Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency
Financial Management Co-ordination
Staff Inspection and Evaluation
Running Costs and Management
Treasury/MPO Joint Management Unit

Chairman of the Public Expenditure Survey Committee
Chairman of the Procurement Policy Committee

Six Grade 3, 17 Grade 5 and 662 other staff.

DEPUTY SECRETARY (GRADE 2), PAY

Responsibilities:

General Pay issues
Civil Service Pay and Allowances
Public Sector Superannuation
Civil Service Industrial Relations
Civil Service Catering Organisation

One Grade 4, four Grade 5 and 1,148 other staff including 816 industrial civil servants at CISCO.

DEPUTY SECRETARY (GRADE 2), DEPUTY CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER

Responsibilities:

Micro economic analysis, special studies
Expenditure Support Group
Public Enterprises Analytic Unit
Economics of Taxation and Social Security Division
Statistics and Computing Services

One Grade 3, six Grade 5 and 58 other staff.

Establishments and Organisation Group, the Central Unit, the Information Division and the Rating of Government Property Department (1,055 staff), report direct to the Permanent Secretary: the Defence Policy and Materiel Group and General Expenditure Policy Group (78 staff) to the Second Permanent Secretary (Public Expenditure); the Forecast and Analysis Group and the Medium Term and Policy Analysis Group (34 staff) to the Chief Economic Adviser; the External Finance Group (22 staff) to the Second Permanent Secretary (Overseas Finance); and the Accountancy Advice Group (44 staff) reports to the Accountancy Adviser to the Treasury and the Head of the Government Accountancy Service.

Ships (Capital Allowances)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has of the cost of restoring capital allowances to owners of British-registered vessels and vessels built in the United Kingdom.

I assume my Hon. Friend has in mind the restoration of 100 per cent. first year allowances in place of the present system of writing down allowances. The additional direct revenue cost of such a change for capital expenditure from 1986 onwards on British-registered vessels, including those built in the United Kingdom, could be some £100 million in the first full year declining to about £50 million a year by the end of the decade.

Civil Service

Data Protection

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the Prime Minister's Office in No. 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and the Management and Personnel Office correctly completed and submitted the applications for data protection registration on time.

All applications for data protection registration for 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and the Cabinet Office (MPO) were completed and submitted within the correct time limits. Acknowledgements of receipt for the registrations have been received from the Registrar.

The Arts

Museums (Loans)

asked the Minister for the Arts when loans to provincial museums will be resumed by the Tate Gallery and the National Gallery.

I am happy to say that agreement has now been reached with the two galleries on a form of words which clarifies the arrangements for considering compensation in the event of loss or damage to items loaned from the collections. On this basis the galleries have indicated that they are ready to resume loans to provincial museums without the prior requirement of commercial insurance.

Home Department

Boundary Commission (Information Technology)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the resources made available to the Boundary Commissions so as to enable them to accommodate modern developments in information technology.

The Parliamentary Boundary Commissions have not so far requested any increase in their resources for this purpose. Any request which might be made in the future would be considered on its merits, taking account of the Government's general desire to ensure that the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions have sufficient resources to comply with their statutory duties.

Fire Services

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance indices he uses to monitor the comparative performanceof different fire brigades.

My concern is that brigades provide effective, efficient and economical fire protection. We look accordingly to professional advice on, amongst other things, the characteristics of particular brigade areas and on the ratio of firefighters to pumping and other appliances; the ratio of management and supervisory staff to firefighters who ride on appliances; on the staffing of fire prevention departments; and on training provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the numbers of firemen, supervisory grades and management grades have occurred in the West Yorkshire fire services since 1974; and during this period what changes have occurred in the number of fires attended and the average response time.

The available information is shown in the table. Information on the number of fires attended by each fire brigade has been published annually since 1976 by the Home Office in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom" (in the supplements to the main volumes before 1982). The number of such fires shown in the table excludes chimney fires. Information on average response times could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

West Yorkshire Fire Service
Year	Whole time operational strength (as at 31 December)	Retained operational strength (as at 31 December) in 24 hour units	Number of fires attended
1974	1,431	332	na
1975	1,554	289	na
1976	1,591	275	15,722
1977	1,596	269	9,618
1978	1,696	263	9,146
1979	1,849	268	9,905
1980	1,808	319	11,029
1981	1,774	305	10,314
1982	1,802	328	11,941
1983	1,805	316	11,369
1984	1,802	281	15,606
1985	1,858	264	na
na means not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how statistics of incidents attended by fire brigades are collated; and what measures are taken to ensure that double counting of incidents does not occur when more than one fire station is called out.

Statistics of incidents attended by local authority fire brigades are compiled by the Home Office from reports submitted by the brigades. Information for England and Wales is published annually in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom", and in the report of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services. The guidance provided to brigades by the Home Office as to who completes a fire report should prevent double counting where more than one station attends the same fire. The report is usually completed by the person in charge of fire fighting at the scene of the fire or by a person deputed to do so.

Foreign Visitors

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his answer of 15 May 1985, Official Report, column 516, when he intends to provide the information sought on foreign visitors.

As soon as the necessary analysis of the available records relating to Libyans has been completed.

North Wales Police Force

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) special constables there were in the north Wales police force for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

The information is as follows:

North Wales Police
On 31 December	Police Strength	Special Constables
1976	1,238	586
1977	1,239	550
1978	1,251	219
1979	1,271	421
1980	1,290	256
1981	1,288	193
1982	1,303	164

On 31 December	Police Strength	Special Constables
1983	1,275	201
1984	1,281	200
1985	1,251	215

Between December 1982 and December 1985 the strength of the north Wales police dropped by 52 but civilian staff numbers increased by 73. Thirty-seven additional police posts have been approved for the force since May 1979; the police establishment is currently 1,316, and police strength on 30 April 1986 was 1,261.

Immigration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past 12 months officers from the immigration service have refused entry to people in receipt of entry clearance letters.

The available information relates to persons refused and removed from the United Kingdom who held an entry clearance or work permit on arrival. In the 12 months to March 1986, there were 74 cases of such removals.

Local Government Boundaries

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward legislation to permit partial reviews of local government boundaries.

The Local Government Act 1972 already permits the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to review any part of the boundaries of a county, district or London borough. However, there is no power to make partial changes in electoral arrangements, except in consequence of such a review. My right hon. Friend has no plans for legislation on this matter.

Naturalisation

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications have been made by refugees from south-east Asia for naturalisation in each year since Her Majesty's Government's policy of admission for Vietnamee refugees was instituted;(2) how many applications have been received for naturalisation and how many accepted in each of the last seven years for which figures are available, listed by way of ethnic origin or country of origin or other similar categorisation.

Details of the previous nationality of those naturalised in each of the last seven years for which figures are available have been published in the following papers:

Year	Cmnd. Papers
1978	7637
1979	7998
1980	8325
1981	8627
1982	9009
1983	9331
1984	—^*
^* Home Office Statistical Bulletin 21/85 published 29 August 1985.

The other information requested in not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria and process of

naturalisation applications by refugees from south-east Asia; if it is invariable practice that all applicants are interviewed; what standard of use of English is required; and if he will make a statement.

Applications from those who are refugees are considered like other applications for naturalisation as quickly and as economically as possible and in accordance with the criteria set out in section 6 and schedule 1 to the British Nationality Act 1981. Proper account is taken of the particular circumstances of refugees in exercising discretion under the Act. Not all applicants for naturalisation are interviewed. Applicants for naturalisation other than those applying as the spouses of British citizens are required under paragraph 1(1)(c) of schedule 1 to have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language. The standard is that an applicant should have sufficient knowledge of the language to mix easily in the society in which he lives and to fulfil his duties as a citizen.

Drugs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the Council of Europe's moves to increase international co-operation in combating drugs, making special reference to the Pompidou group.

The United Kingdom plays a very active part in stimulating European co-operation on drugs issues through its chairmanship of the Council of Europe co-operation group to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs (the Pompidou group). We have obtained agreement to a meeting of the group at ministerial level to be held next January, in order to give further impetus to its work. That meeting will also provide a valuable opportunity to follow-up any recommendations which emerge from the discussion of the penal aspects of drug abuse and control by Council of Europe Justice Ministers at their conference in Oslo on 17–19 June.

Radio Services

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the British Broadcasting Corporation the suspension of its activities concerning further development of local radio pending the publication of the Green Paper on local radio referred to in his answer of 8 May, Official Report, columns 206–7.

We have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the Independent Broadcasting Authority the suspension of its activities concerning the development of an independent national radio pending the publication of the Green Paper concerning the future of radio services as whole and referred to in his answer of 8 May, Official Report, columns 206–7.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority is developing plans for the introduction of an independent national radio service (which would require legislation to supplement the preparatory provisions in. 48 of the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984) and has discussed preliminary proposals with my right hon. Friend and others. We do not propose to discourage public debate on the nature and organisations of such a service: indeed, we have made it clear that its development will figure in the Green Paper referred to in the answer of 8 May.

Crossbows

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his consultations about preventing crossbows from falling into the wrong hands.

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble, (Mr. Atkins) on 24 April at column 186. A number of meetings with interested parties have taken place. We shall report our conclusions to the House as soon as possible.

Police Operations (Wapping)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made for allocating the cost of the police operations at Wapping between the different forces involved.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that only the Metropolitan and City of London police forces have been involved in policing marches and demonstrations at or in connection with the News International plant at Wapping. Under a long-standing agreement between the Commissioners of Police of the two forces, the policing costs of events which are jointly policed lie where they fall.

Conservative Party Conference (Policing Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now prepared to make additional financial resources available to Lancashire county council towards policing costs involved for the 1985 Conservative party conference.

No. My right hon. Friend gave very careful consideration to the points put to him by the Lancashire police authority but he concluded that there was insufficient justification for departing from the normal arrangements for meeting police expenditure.

Traffic Law Enforcement

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with his study of the extent to which there is a need for further increases in police resources for road traffic law enforcement; what applications he has received from police authorities for increases in establishment on the basis of demonstrated need in this area; and whether his recent accouncement concerning an increase in police manpower takes account of this factor.

Two police authorities, Hertfordshire and Surrey, have applied for increases in their police establishments for motorway policing duties. My right hon. Friend shall consider these, and other applications for increases in police establishments, on the basis of proven need and in the light of advice from H.M. inspectors of constabulary. The day-to-day deployment of police officers is the responsibility of the chief officer of police concerned, and it is for him to decide how best to allocate manpower and other resources locally.

Refugees (Hong Kong)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on his admission policy for refugees from Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Police Complaints Authority

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any additional appointments are to be made to the Police Complaints Authority.

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Gerry Gillman, formerly General Secretary of the Society of the Civil and Public Servants, has accepted my invitation to serve as an additional member of the authority. He will be taking up his appointment at the beginning of June. The need for an additional member arises from the authority's high level of activity, and the vigour with which it is approaching its task.

Magistrates' Courts

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of contested cases were acquitted in the magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively;(2) what percentage of all cases were convicted in magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1986, c. 17]: Reliable information on plea is not available. Information on defendants acquitted in magistrates' courts is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables" (volume 1 in table 1.1(A)). The proportion of defendants who were convicted (regardless of plea) was 93 per cent. in 1983 and 91 per cent. in 1984. Corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.

Northern Ireland

Parades

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the estimated number of people participating in the republican parades during the Easter adjournment for which the required statutory notice was not given to the police; and against how many people prosecutions have been initiated as a result;(2) what is the estimated number of people participating in the Loyalist parades during the Easter adjournment, which were held in contravention of a prohibition under Article 4(3) of the Public Order (NI) Order 1981; and against how many people prosecutions have been initiated as a result.

During the Easter adjournment (27 March to 8 April) approximately 2,100 people took part in four republican parades for which no statutory notice had been given to the police. Seventy-five people have already been identified with a view to prosecution and another 36 still have to be interviewed by the police.Between 3,000 and 3,500 people participated in the loyalist parades which took place in Portadown on 31

March in contravention of a prohibition under article 4(3) of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Twenty-nine people have been charged in connection with the parades and associated disorder, and another 60 still have to be interviewed by the police.

This was the only prohibition under the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 during the Easter adjournment.

Drunkenness

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of drivers involved in accidents in Northern Ireland with a positive breath test or failure to provide a specimen in each of the past seven years; if he will further break each figure down by the numbers of these which relate to each of the periods— 04.00 to 10.00 hours, 10.00 to 16.00 hours, 16.00 to 22.00 hours and 22.00 hours to 04.00 hours.

Information in the form requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining the Royal Ulster Constabulary's policy in regard to cautioning drunkenness offenders; and whether he has giver advice comparable to the advice to chief officers in Britain contained in Home Office Circular 14/1985.

At present no instructions on the cautioning of drunkenness offenders exist within the force but the Royal Ulster Constabulary has always exercised a discretion in prosecuting offenders for simple drunkenness or less serious cases of aggravated drunkenness.As a general rule, the infrequent offender is detained until sober, released and proceeded against by way of summons or caution. No hard and fast rule exists in relation to the cautioning or prosecution of persistent offenders and the course of action taken in any particular case will depend on the circumstances.The advice contained in Home Office circular 14/85 has not been communicated to the force as yet in relation to drunkenness but the cautioning of adults generally in accordance with the Home Office circular is presently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining arrangements which the Royal Ulster Constabulary has with health authorities, social services or non-statutory alcohol agencies to help with drunkenness offenders who come to the notice of the police frequently.

No special arrangements exist between the Royal Ulster Constabulary and health authorities, social services or non-statutory alcohol agencies to assist drunkenness offenders who come to the notice of the police frequently. Consultations on an ad hoc basis do, however, take place in appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining the number of drunken driving offences in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years, further indicating the numbers of these which occurred in the Christmas and new year period.

The following table gives the number of prosecutions for drunken driving offences during the years 1981–1985.

Number of Prosecutions
	Number
1981	1,924
1982	1,916
1983	1,917
1984	1,794
1985	2,014

Information on the number of prosecutions for drunken driving over the Christmas and new year period is not available. However, during the seven-week period for Christmas 1984 to new year 1985 there were 243 detections in respect of major drunk in charge offences and positive excess alcohol offences. The figure for the same period in 1985–86 was 202.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the proportion of traffic fatalities in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years in which excess alcohol consumption might have been a factor.

The following table gives the number of accidents involving death and injury, the number in which alcohol was a principal factor and shows the percentage of all death/injury accidents.

	Total number of accidents involving death or injury	Accidents involving death or injury due to alcohol	Percentage of all death injury accidents
1981	5,245	358	6·8
1982	5,551	358	6·4
1983	5,425	363	6·7
1984	5,978	362	6·1
1985	5,725	292	5·1

Youth Training

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the employment record of people coming off the youth training programme, by sector and area.

In the financial year 1985–86, 57 per cent. of young people who left YTP full-time training schemes and whose destinations were known entered employment immediately on completion of training.A recent sample survey has shown that 82 per cent. of young people completing a year of employment with training in YTP workscheme remained in employment either with their training employer or another employer.This statistical information is not available on a sectoral or area basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what figures are available to indicate the number

Average waiting periods (weeks)
	L tests (motor cars and part II motorcycle tests)			Part I motorcycle tests
Traffic area	26 April 1985	25 October 1985	24 April 1986	26 April 1985	25 October 1985	24 April 1986
North East (Newcastle)	8½	9½	7	12	8	13
North-East (Leeds)	19	20	14½	15	15	15
North-Western	12	12	11	8	10	10
West Midland	17½	19	14½	16	9	6
Eastern (Nottingham)	13	15	13½	15	15	12
Eastern (Cambridge)	17	18	17½	10	13	12

of people on the youth training programme in further education colleges who are pursuing in whole or in part the same course as further education students.

In whole, none; in part, approximately 2,000.

Intimidation

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acts of intimidation have been reported since 1 January and in which cases these acts were against Protestants, and in which cases against Catholics, showing what organisation was responsible, where this is known, and how many people the incidents involved.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1986, c. 225]: The information is not available in the form requested, but 450 acts that one thought to have been intimadatory or sectarian in intent have been recorded during the first four months of this year excluding ones directed against members of the security forces. Information is not readily available as to the organisations responsible for these acts. Nor are statistics collated in such a way as to indicate the religious affiliation or the numbers of persons involved.

Transport

Air Fares

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to bring about the ending of the Saturday night rule as it applies to cheap air fares to European destinations.

Our aim is to secure freedom for airlines to introduce new types and levels of air fares, in accordance with their commercial judgment, rather than to prohibit particular conditions (like the Saturday night rule) which airlines may choose to apply to some tickets. This freedom is a feature of the liberal aviation arrangements which we now have with five European countries and is something for which we are pressing in current EC negotiations.

Driving Tests

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the current average regional waiting times for car and motorcycle driving tests; and what are the comparable figures for six months and one year ago, respectively.

Waiting times are currently lower in almost all traffic areas than they were six months and a year ago. The figures are as follows:

	L tests (motor cars and part 11 motorcycle tests)			Part I motorcycle tests
Traffic area	26 April 1985	25 October 1985	24 April 1986	26 April 1985	25 October 1985	24 April 1986
South Wales	18	23½	13	14	10	5
Western	14	18	13	17	16	16
South-Eastern	16½	19	14½	12	15	11
Scotland	16	19	19	14	14	9
Metropolitan	25½	18	16½	12	14	14
National average	18	18	15	13	12	11

M20 (Service Areas)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current plans for the provision of motorway service areas on the M20 motorway.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend shortly.

Marine Pilots (Compensation)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the terms of the statutory compensation scheme to be made available to marine pilots for whom there will no longer be work following the proposed transfer of responsibility for pilotage to the harbour authorities.

My right hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed on 24 March, in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, East (Mr. Sayeed) that the Government intend to bring forward as soon as possible legislative proposals for the reform of pilotage administration. Those proposals will include provision for a compensation scheme, to be funded by the industry, for those licensed pilots whose services are not required by the harbour authorities once they have taken over responsibility for pilotage.Although attempts to obtain agreement among the parties concerned on the terms of compensation payments have previously been unsuccessful, it was considered right to make one further attempt, and at my right hon. Friend's request Mr. James Davidson, the chairman of the Pilotage Commission, held discussions with representatives of the pilots, the shipowners and the harbour authorities about the terms of a compensation and linked early retirement scheme. He has also held discussions with the Pilots National Pension Fund whose board of management has agreed to make available £15 million from the fund's surplus towards the cost of early retirement.Mr. Davidson has now reported that he has been able to secure the agreement in principle of the United Kingdom Pilots Association (Marine) and of the British Ports Association to terms which he has drawn up; however, the General Council of British Shipping has not been prepared to agree them.Under the terms proposed by Mr. Davidson, any pilots over the age of 50 whose services were not required would receive a lump sum payment equivalent to one year's recommended level of earnings set for 1984 for his district under the former Letch agreement, increased by RPI until the scheme takes effect. Payments in districts not formerly covered by the Letch agreement would be related to the equivalent earnings for 1984, subject to the same increases. For pilots over the age of 60, the sum would be reduced by one-fifth for each year by which the pilot exceeded the age of 60. I understand that the rules of capital gains tax will apply to the lump sum payments.

As regards pension arrangements, Mr. Davidson has reported that although the board of management of the PNPF had taken no decision as to the precise benefits to be applied to individuals, they had prepared a scheme under which surplus pilots aged 55 and over would be able to retire with an immediate pension determined on the basis that:

i the abatement factor on the pensions of those retiring early applied under the normal PNPF rules would be removed;

ii credits of 1/60 per year to cover the years to age 60 and, for those due to retire at 65 or over double credits to age 65 would be added;

iii pre-membership service credits of ½ per cent per month would be added in respect of expected service from age 60 to 65 (with a maximum of 30 per cent);

iv the maximum additional credits under ii and iii above would be 15/60 per man and the Inland Revenue limit on the size of pension would of course apply.

Any pilots aged between 50 and 55 who are surplus to requirements would receive similar benefits save that the abatement factor referred to in (i) above of ½ per cent per month would apply. Mr. Davidson has advised me that in his view the sum allocated by the PNPF would be adequate to meet the early retirement on this basis of such pilots as are surplus when the new legislation takes effect, and also any further surpluses over the ensuing three years.

I know that some may regard the lump sum and pension terms set out above as generous, and it is indeed unusual for such payments to be made to people who are classified as self-employed. However, in view of the fundamental change which our proposed legislation will cause to the circumstances and expectations of many pilots, I accept that there is an obligation to ensure that they are fairly treated, and it is my intention that the statutory scheme to be introduced in association with the new legislation wall provide for compensation on the basis which the representatives of the pilots and of the harbour authorities have now agreed.

I am grateful to Mr. Davidson for his efforts in bringing forward these proposals.

Scotland

Geriatric Beds (Occupancy)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the rate of occupancy of geriatric beds in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland.

The rates of occupancy are as follows:

	30 September 1984	30 September 1985 (provisional)
Strathclyde	94·6	94·3
Scotland	95·2	95·2

Nurses (Establishment Levels)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those hospitals in Scotland which have applied the Aberdeen formula for deciding nursing levels and the extent, in percentage terms, to which they applied it in each case; and what were the results compared with the actual nursing establishments in each hospital.

In September 1984 89 per cent. of hospitals in Scotland had calculated nurse staffing requirements for some or all specialties by means of the Aberdeen formula. Fifty-eight per cent. of hospitals had then used the formula as the basis for funded nurse staffing establishments, but 46 per cent. of hospitals had adopted the results only in part. The following table shows those hospitals where the percentage of the formula used is known. The actual nursing establishments before the application of the formula are not known.

Hospital	Per cent, of Aberdeen Formula
Royal Alexandra Infirmary	85·0
Inverclyde Royal Hospital	85·0
Thorn Hospital, Elderslie	85·0
Royal Alexandra Infirmary Annexe	85·0
Johnstone Hospital, Paisley	85·0
Barshaw Hospital, Paisley	85·0
Bridge of Weir Hospital	85·0
Paisley Maternity Hospital	85·0
Hawkhead Hospital, Paisley	85·0
Dykebar Hospital, Paisley	85·0
Elderslie Hospital	85·0
Broadfield Hospital	85·0
Caldwell House Hospital	85·0
Merchiston Hospital	85·0
Royal Victoria Eye Infirmary	85·0
Heathfield Hospital (New Units)	85·0
War Memorial, Isle of Arran (New Units)	81·0
Davidson Cottage Hospital	100·0
Crosshouse Hospital	87·0
Ballochmyle Hospital (General and Geriatric wards)	85·0
Biggart Hospital, Prestwick	^*100·0
Ravenspark Hospital	76·0
Holmhead Hospital, Cumnock	100·0
Ayrshire Central Hospital (Maternity wards)	69·0
Ayrshire Central Hospital (other wards)	86·0
Peel Hospital, Galashiels	100·0
Garrick Hospital	†88–9
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary	‡86·0
Castle Douglas and District Hospital	†86·0
Lochmaben Chest Hospital	†86·0
Newton Stewart Hospital	†86·0
Thomas Hope Hospital	†118·0
Thornhill Hospital	100·0
Crichton Royal Hospital (Psycho-Geriatric and Mental Illness wards)	85·0
Nithbank Hospital	†89·0
Dalrymple Hospital	†85·0
Cresswell Maternity Hospital and Glenoch Maternity Ward, Dalrymple Hospital	†80·0
Adamson Hospital and Cupar Health Centre	100·0
Milesmark Hospital	91·0
Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital	99·0
Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital	85·0
Northern Hospital, Dunfermline	90·0
Glenrothes Hospital	100·0
Netherlea Hospital	100·0
Cameron Hospital	100·0
Craigtoun Hospital, St. Andrews	100·0
Victoria and Hunter Hospitals	93·0
Forth Park and Craigtoun Hospitals	100·0
Falkirk and District Royal Maternity Hospital	100·0
Stirling Royal Infirmary (Maternity wards)	100·0

Hospital	Per cent, of Aberdeen Formula
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary	95·0
Woodend Hospital	94·0
Dr. Gray's Hospital, Elgin	89·0
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital	87·0
Leanchoil Hospital	92·0
Jubilee Hospital, Huntly	94·0
Peterhead Cottage Hospital	93·0
Chalmers Hospital and Maternity Annexe	94·0
Fraserburgh Hospital	95·0
Turner Memorial Hospital	86·0
Seafield Hospital, Buckie	89·0
Inverurie Hospital	94·0
Insch War Memorial Hospital	96·0
City Hospital, Aberdeen	88·0
Tor-na-Dee Hospital/Roxburgh House	89·0
Woodend Hospital Site, (Glenburn Wing)	89·0
Morningfield Hospital, Aberdeen	78·0
Woodcot Hospital, Stonehaven	91·0
Maud Hospital	100·0
Ugie Hospital, Peterhead	99·0
Campbell Hospital	93·0
Turriff Cottage Hospital	96·0
Fleming Cottage Hospital, Aberdeen	89·0
Spyrue Hospital, Elgin	95·0
Stephen Hospital, Dufftown	86·0
Aboyne Hospital	87·0
Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (including Summerfield and Fonthill)	86·0
Kincardine O'Neil War Memorial Hospital, Torphins	73·0
Maryhill Maternity Hospital, Elgin	100·0
Glen O'Dee Hospital	93·0
Bilbohall Hospital, Elgin	100·0
Woolmanhill OPO	98·0
Stobhill Hospital (General wards)	85·0
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow	75·0
Duke Street Hospital including Carfell House (Geriatric wards)	100·0
Belvidere Hospital	85·0
Lightburn Hospital	85·0
Blawarthill Hospital	85·0
Lenzie Hospital	100·0
Cowglen Hospital	100·0
Knightswood Hospital	85·0
Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital	85·0
Queen Mother's Hospital (including Community Midwives)	85·0
Rutherglen Maternity Hospital and Community Midwives	85·0
Royal Samaritan Hospital	85·0
Ruchill Hospital	100·0
Duntocher Hospital	85·0
Royal Northern Infirmary	84·0
Raigmore Area General Hospital	83·0
Raigmore Area 2—Maternity	100·0
Bignold Hospital, Wick	100·0
Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie	100·0
Mackinnon Memorial Hospital, Isle of Skye	92·0
Belford Hospital (General and Maternity Wards)	92·0
Caithness Central Hospital, Wick	100·0
Ross Memorial Hospital, Dingwall	94·0
Portree Hospital	97·0
Ian Charles Hospital, Grantown-on-Spey	100·0
Town and County Hospital, Nairn	84·0
Hilton Hospital, Inverness	90·0
County Hospital, Invergordon	89·0
Glencoe Hospital	100·0
Gesto Hospital, Skye	93·0
Migdale Hospital, Bonar Bridge	100·0
Cambusavie Hospital, by Dornoch	100·0
Dunbar Hospital, Thurso	100·0
Culduthel Hospital	90·0
Town and County Hospital, Wick	100·0
Nicolson Mackenzie Hospital, Strathpeffer	100·0
Hairmyres Hospital	85·0
Stonehouse Hospital	85·0

Hospital	Per cent, of Aberdeen Formula
Law Hospital	85·0
Cleland Hospital	90·0
Roadmeetings Hospital	90·0
Wishaw Hospital	94·0
Strathclyde Hospital	100·0
Coathill Hospital	100·0
Kello Hospital, Biggar	90·0
Victoria Cottage Hospital, Kilsyth	95·0
Bellshill Maternity Hospital	95·0
Motherwell Maternity Hospital	100·0
William Smellie Memorial Maternity Hospital	95·0
Udston Hospital	95·0
Hartwood Hospital (Psycho-Geriatric wards)	78·0
Lochart Hospital and Hozier House, Lanark	90·0
Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh	85·0
Western General Hospital	85·0
City Hospital	85·0
Deaconess Hospital	85·0
Bangour General Hospital	85·0
Bangour General Maternity Hospital	85·0
Eastern General Hospital	90·0
Eastern General Maternity Hospital	85·0
Leith Hospital	95·0
Roodlands Hospital	90·0
Chalmers Hospital	85·0
Royal Victoria Hospital	85·0
St. Michael's Hospital	85·0
Drumshoreland Hospital	85·0
Tippethill Hospital	85·0
Belhaven Cottage Hospital	95·0
Corstorphine Hospital	85·0
Royal Edinburgh Hospital	97·0
Astley Ainslie Hospital	85·0
Edenhall Hospital	83·0
East Fortune Hospital	75·0
Northern General Hospital	85·0
Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall	98·0
Eastbank Hospital, Kirkwall	98·0
Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick	95·0
Montfield Hospital	92·0
Lewis Hospital, Stornoway	92·0
Daliburgh Hospital, South Uist	92·0
County Hospital, Stornoway	92·0
Lochmaddy Hospital, North Uist	92·0
^* Approximately.
† 100 per cent, night duty.
‡ 100 per cent, day duty for specialised departments and night duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those hospitals in Scotland which have applied the Telford consultative approach for deciding nursing levels and the extent, in percentage terms, to which they applied it in each case; and what were the results compared with the actual nursing establishments in each hospital.

In 1984, 26 hospitals in Scotland had calculated nurse staffing requirements for some or all specialties by means of the Telford consultative approach. Of these, nearly half had used the approach as the basis for funded nurse staffing establishments but only three hospitals specified the percentage of the Telford formula results which they had used. These are as follows. The actual nursing establishments before the application of the Telford consultative approach are not known.

Hospital	Per Cent of Telford
Ballochmyle Hospital (Mental Illness Wards)	85·0
Crichton Royal Hospital (Mental Illness Wards)	100·0

Hospital

Per Cent of Telford

Duke Street Hospital including Carfell House (Mental Illness Wards)

100·0

Women's Refuges

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what information he has as to how many women live in women's refuges in Scotland at present; and what was the figure for each year since 1979;(2) what information he has as to how many women at present living in women's refuges in Scotland have been living there for 10 weeks or more in each of the local authority areas in Scotland.

The information requested is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on his Department's guidelines to local authorities in Scotland for re-housing women who have left home due to domestic violence, and who are living in temporary accommodation.

The allocation of council houses is primarily the responsibility of the housing authority concerned, and the Scottish Development Department has not issued guidelines on this specific subject. The 1980 report by a sub-committee of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the "Allocation and Transfer of Council Houses" made general recommendations for local authority allocation policies and included, at chapter 4, advice on housing separated spouses. In addition the Housing (Scotland) Bill makes amendments to the Tenants' Rights Etc (Scotland) Act 1980 which will prevent discrimination against applicants for council housing on the grounds of their marital status.

Radioactivity

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the locations of the three areas of highest rainfall in Scotland for which samples of rainfall have been analysed to detect levels of radiation since the Chernobyl disaster; and if he will publish a full record of the date and time of readings, and the level of each of the various forms of radioactivity which were recorded, together with the normal level and the lower emergency reference level for each such type of radioactivity.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the first check was made in Fife for radiation levels after the Chernobyl incident.

As part of the monitoring put in hand in Scotland in connection with the Chernobyl accident, measurements were made in Fife of the gamma dose rate and of the concentration of radioactivity in air from 28 April and 1 May respectively.

Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many producers eligible for hill livestock compensatory allowances had not received full payment of their 1986 balances by 22 May.

Claims are still being received, but on the basis of last year's experience we expect about 19,000 applications in total. By 22 May, full payment had been made to 12,646 producers. A further 1,636 payments will be made in the week commencing 26 May, leaving payments to be made to some 4,700 producers, most of whom have, of course, already received 75 per cent. of their entitlement. The majority of outstanding payments will be made within the next three weeks.

Wales

Housing

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list showing for each of the housing authorities in Wales (a) the total income they have received in each of the past six years from the sale of council houses, (b) the money from such sources that each

Receipts from council house sales 1980–81 to 1985–86
Local authority	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85
	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)
Alyn and Deeside	773	528	218	262	258
Colwyn	565	728	663	529	415
Delyn	820	753	436	318	301
Glyndwr	28	782	890	456	254
Rhuddlan	19	409	316	326	299
Wrexham Maelor	—	1,997	1,244	467	464
Carmarthen	772	1,631	1,269	919	880
Ceredigion	459	1,562	1,858	1,141	783
Dinefwr	—	700	544	276	220
Llanelli	137	1,562	1,545	1,813	974
Preseli	137	2,548	1,326	1,376	822
South Pembroke	—	277	1,110	1,416	562
Blaenau Gwent	47	935	1,313	756	507
Islwyn	6	1,652	8,274	2,702	1,615
Monmouth	485	690	864	1,326	1,431
Newport	308	1,217	1,421	1,726	1,727
Torfaen	405	2,668	2,750	1,921	2,137
Aberconwy	—	1,080	1,206	697	464
Arfon	27	1,006	639	457	491
Dwyfor	—	526	506	235	129
Meirionnydd	—	569	1,081	618	293
Ynys Môn	—	1,081	974	382	344
Cynon Valley	—	529	1,048	461	465
Merthyr Tydfil	—	1,361	1,732	978	670
Ogwr	—	1,229	2,982	1,614	1,370
Rhondda	—	362	171	191	132
Rhymney Valley	—	1,884	2,487	1,711	1,258
Taff Ely	45	1,056	936	1,694	1,378
Brecknock	—	1,838	830	915	831
Montgomeryshire	—	1,779	1,183	698	452
Radnor	—	692	658	655	246
Cardiff	187	1,312	5,089	2,239	583
Vale of Glamorgan	917	1,127	1,836	1,936	1,485
Port Talbot	17	803	1,483	1,607	1,197
Lliw Valley	—	598	1,262	508	401
Neath	—	1,604	970	417	536
Swansea	49	1,067	1,629	1,267	1,139
TOTAL WALES	6,203	42,142	54,743	37,010	27,513

local authority has spent up to the latest date for which this information is available, (c) the residual balance of funds from the sale of council houses held by those councils on that date and (d) the amount of money from these sources each council will be allowed to spend or commit during the present financial year.

The information requested is as follows:

(a) The income received by each local authority from the sale of council houses for the financial years 1980–81 to 1984–85 is given in the following table. The comparable information for 1985–86 is not yet available.

(b) and (c) This information is not held centrally.

(d) This information is not available since precise cash figures are not held centrally however during the present financial year each council will be allowed to enhance its capital spending allocation by the addition of 15 per cent. of the value of any accumulated capital receipts which have not already been used in this way.

Senior House Officer Vacancies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in ear, nose and throat in Wales, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;(2) if he will publish in the

Official Report, the number of senior house officer vacancies in ophthalmology in Wales, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;

(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in anaesthetics in Wales, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;

(4) if he will publish in the Official Report, the number of senior house officer vacancies in trauma in Wales, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled.

This information is not available centrally.

Hospitals (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of those hospitals in Wales that have, during the last two years, reduced night-time, emergency or casualty cover in (a) ophthalmology, (b) anaesthetics, (c) trauma and (d) ear, nose and throat, giving the reason as shortage of specialist staff.

This information is not held centrally.

Cervical Cancer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the report on facilities for radiotherapy treatment for carcinoma of the cervix to be available.

A review of the provision of radiotherapy treatment in South Wales is presently being undertaken and I expect to have the results within the next three months.

	Iodine 131		Caesium 137
Date	Trawsfynydd	Wylfa	Trawsfynydd	Wylfa
May 3	2,845	552	220	‡
May 4	1,533	57	128	‡
May 5	112	^*	25	^*
May 6	52	^*	<13	^*
May 7	^*	^*	^*	^*
May 8	20	^*	<7	^*
May 9	15	95	<17	†
May 10	9	†	<11	†
May 11	<7	^*	<10	^*
May 12	<8	†	<;7	†
May 13	^*	^*	^*	^*
May 14	^*	^*	^*	^*
May 15	<7	†	<9	†

The normal background levels for the sum of these radionuclides are less than 1 becquerel per litre. The following concentrations (initial ones measured following the incident measured in Bq L

^-1 ) are those at which substitution of drinking water supply would be required to avoid receiving doses in excess of either the annual effective dose limit of 5 millisieverts or 50 millisieverts to an individual organ were the water to be drunk for the appropriate period of time:—

Dwyfor District Council

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to how many complaints have been received by the local government Ombudsman in Wales concerning alleged maladministration by Cyngor Dosbarth Dwyfor; and how many of these were upheld.

I have no information about the numbers of complaints against individual local authorities. The information that the hon. Member seeks would be available from the Commissioner for Local Administration in Wales who is independent of Central Government.

Inatrogenesis

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the numbers of patients admitted to hospital in Wales as a result of inatrogenesis.

This information is not available centrally.

Radiation Monitoring

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the locations of the two areas of highest rainfall in Wales from which samples of rainfall have been analysed to detect levels of radiation; and if he will publish a full record of the date and time of readings, and of the level of each of the various forms of radioactivity which were recorded, together with the normal level and the lower emergency reference level for each such type of radioactivity.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1986, c. 39]: The information for iodine 131 and caesium 137, radiologically the most significant radionuclides found in British rainwater following the Chernobyl accident, from samples taken during May at the Wylfa and Trawsfynydd nuclear power stations is as shown in the following table, expressed in becquerels per litre:

Period	Iodine 131	Caesium 137
2 days	11,000	51,000
7 days	3,700	15,000
14 days	2,400	7,300
100 days	║1,700	^**1,000
^* no rain
† no activity detected
‡ trace
ob/ thyroid limit
^** effective limit

Prime Minister

Quangos

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will list the quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations established by Her Majesty's Government;(2) how many quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations have been abolished since 1979.

From 1979 to April 1985, 756 non-departmental public bodies (quangos) have been abolished, rationalised or substantially reduced. In the same period 242 bodies have been created. The net reduction is therefore 514. Listed below are those bodies created since April 1983. Similar information for earlier years was not compiled centrally and could now only be reconstructed at disproportionate cost.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies established April 1983-April 1985

Ministry of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (10)

Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee
Area VII White Fish Industry Advisory Committee
Food Advisory Committee
6 Priorities Boards for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Office of Arts and Libraries (2)

Science Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum

Ministry of Defence (3)

Meteorological Office Research Sub-Committee
Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth
Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport

Department of Education and Science (8)

Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Economic and Social Research Council
Open University Visiting Committee
Schools Curriculum Development Committee
Secondary Examinations Council
Visiting Committee for Cranfield Institute of Technology
Visiting Committee for the Royal College of Art
Voluntary Sector Consultative Council

Department of Employment (7)

Advisory Committee on Genetic Manipulation
5 Area Manpower Boards
National Steering Group for Local Collaborative Projects Under the Adult Training Strategy

Department of Energy (1)

Renewable Energy Advisory Committee

Department of the Environment (6)

Audit Commission for Local Authorities in England and Wales
Black Country Limestone Advisory Panel
Board of Trustees for the Amouries
Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England
London and Metropolitan Government Staff Commission
1 Region Council for Sport and Recreation

Department of Health and Social Services (17)

Cardiology Liaison Committee

Computers in Dentistry Steering Group
Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
Joint FPC Working Group on Personnel
Joint FPC Working Group on Financial Arrangements
Joint Group on Performance Indicators
Medical Boarding Centres (Respiratory Diseases)
National Property Advisory Group
Neurosciences Liaison Committee
Review of Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres
Review of Child Care Law Working Party
Social Security Appeal Tribunals
Steering Committee on Review of Health and Personal Social Services Works Function and Review Team
Supraregionial Services Advisory Group
Training Allowance Advisory Committee
Working Group for the Revision of the Electrical Safety Code for Hospital Laboratory Equipment
Working Party on Continuing Education for General Practitioners

Home Office (28)

Office of the Data Protection Registrar
27 Parole Board and Local Review Committees

Northern Ireland Office and Departments (10)

Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics Services Advisory Committee
Clinical Imaging Services Advisory Committee
Committee for Centre for Education Management
Committee for Nature Conservation
3 Committees for the Employment of Disabled People
Fair Employment Appeals Board
General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
Laboratory Services Advisory Committee

Scottish Courts Administration (2)

Lands Tribunal for Scotland
Pensions Appeal Tribunal for Scotland

Scottish Office (3)

1 Local Review Committee for Her Majesty's Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions
Scottish Vocational Education Council
Scottish Tertiary Education Advisory Council

Office of Telecommunications (3)

3 Advisory Committees on Telecommunications (for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.)

Department of Trade and Industry (2)

London Regional Passengers' Committee
Persons hearing Estate Agents Licensing Appeals

Department of Transport (2)

Honorary Medical Advisory Panel for Driving and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel of Advisers on Disability

Her Majesty's Treasury (2)

Nurses', Midwives' and other NHS Professions' Review Body
Pharmacists' Review Panel

Welsh Office (5)

All Wales Advisory Panel on Development of Services for Mentally Handicapped People
Committee for Under Fives Initiative
Health Education Advisory Committee for Wales
Perinatal Mortality Survey Group
Welsh Computer Strategy Committee

Family Policies

asked the Prime Minister if she will list those policies implemented by her Government in each year since 1979 which are designed to fulfil the commitment of the Government to support the traditional family as the fundamental unit of society.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames) on 20 February, at columns 263–65.

Channel Tunnel

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from ACTS (Against Channel Tunnel Schemes) relating to the proposed Channel tunnel; what reply she has sent; and if she will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Transport has received a letter from ACTS and will reply in due course.

Korea

asked the Prime Minister if the question of human rights, democracy and the peaceful re-unification of Korea was discussed on her recent visit to Korea; and if she will make a statement.

Yes. I did discuss progress towards fuller democracy and peaceful reunification during my visit to the Republic of Korea from 2–4 May. I had talks with the President and Prime Minister and met other prominent Koreans. I also visited the demilitarised zone between south and north and laid wreaths at the Korean and United Nations cemeteries, and at the memorial to the Glorious Glosters.

Energy

Nuclear Reactors

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement as to the comparative safety performance of advanced gas-cooled reactors and Magnox nuclear reactors; and what equivalent information he has about the RBMK reactor systems of the type used at Chernobyl and about the comparative arrangements for the containment within these different reactor types of a failure of the nuclear component of the plant.

The Magnox and AGR stations operating in the United Kingdom have an excellent safety record. There has been no incident involving significant radiological hazard to the public in the 29 years since the commissioning of the first Magnox station. They are regularly inspected by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the HSE.No equivalent information is available on the safety record of the RBMK system used at Chernobyl, which is quite different in design from any reactor in use or proposed for use n the United Kingdom. I am advised that in Magnox Reactors, which have strong primary containments, the coolant is a gas, which never becomes more than mildly radioactive and secondary means for containing coolant in the event of a leak have been judged unnecessary. Any water-cooled reactor proposed for licensing in the United Kingdom would require not only a strong primary containment but also an adequate secondary containment to prevent the escape of radioactive coolant to the environment. The Chernobyl RBMK reactor appears to have had some containment, both of reactor and for escaped coolant, but of inadequate strength.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Magnox reactors and the advanced gas-cooled reactors at Hinkley Point, Trawsfynydd, Heysham and Hunterston

meet those of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's safety standards which have been introduced since those reactors were first constructed.

In the United Kingdom, the operation of commercial nuclear power stations is regulated by a comprehensive set of regulations. The responsibility of ensuring that nuclear power stations are safe rests with the licensees, within the terms of the site licences issued by the Health and Safety Executive. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the HSE carries out a continuous programme of assessment and inspection to ensure that each station is operated in accordance with the conditions attached to the site licence. In addition to this continuous programme of assessment the NII has required the operators of the Magnox nuclear power stations to carry out long-term safety reviews of their stations at about 20 years' operating life. The objectives of these long-term reviews are to confirm that the stations are safe for continued operation; to identify any potential life-limiting factors; and to compare the installations with modern safety standards in order to determine if any improvements should be introduced. The long-term safety reviews of the Magnox power stations at Hinkley Point, Trawsfynydd and Hunterston are being carried out by their licensees at present and the results of the reviews will be examined by the NII. The conclusions will be published in due course.The AGR power stations at Hinkley Point, Heysham and Hunterston are or modern design with advanced safety features and there is no immediate need to re-examine their standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many of Britain's Magnox and advanced gas-cooled reactors have facilities for complete secondary containment.

Britain's Magnox reactors, which are gas-cooled, and advanced gas-cooled reactors have strong primary containments. Secondary means for containing coolant in the event of a leak have been judged unnecessary because the gas never becomes more than mildly radioactive.

ed the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library a copy of the safety assessment of a nuclear reactor of the type akin to that at Chernobyl.

I shall place in the Library of the House a copy of the Report "The Russian Graphite Moderated Channel Tube Reactor" NPC(R)1275 prepared in 1976 by the Nuclear Power Company Limited, predecessor of the present National Nuclear Corporation Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many people and how many children under five and under 18 years, respectively, live within five, 10, 25 and 50 miles, respectively, of power generating nuclear reactors.

I shall reply to the hon. Member with available information as soon as possible.

Berkeley Nuclear Power Station

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the 20-year safety review on Berkeley nuclear power station will be completed.

The CEGB's long term reviews of Berkeley nuclear power station are complete apart from a

few remaining sections which are expected to be submitted shortly to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive for consideration.

Power Output

asked the Secretary of State of Energy if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the maximum power output available in the United Kingdom assuming use of all existing power stations by means of (i) coal (ii) oil/gas (iii) nuclear and (iv) hydro, (b) the additional power projected as available in the feasibility studies tidal barrages at (1) Severn (2) Mersey (3) Solway and (4) Morecambe and (c) the average and maximum demands for power in each of the last three years.

The information is as follows:

(a) Plant capacity of the public electricity supply industry at the end of 1985
	Capacity Megawatts sent out
(i) Coal fired stations	36,672
(ii) Oil/gas^*	14,354
(iii) Nuclear	6,399
(iv) Conventional hydro	1,295
(v) Pumped storage	2,788
(vi) Dual/mixed firing	2,286
Total declared capability	63,794
Output available†	54,225
^* Includes conventional oil fired steam raising, gas turbine and diesel plant.
† Assuming notional availability of 85 per cent, (actual availabilities in each category at the time will have differed from this figure, which is used in planning). The public electricity supply industry also imports small amounts of power from stations operated by others; no allowance for this is made in the table. Reserve capacity is excluded from the total.

(b) Power projected as available from tidal barrages^*
	Power Megawatts
(i) Severn	7,200
(ii) Mersey	621
(iii) Solway Firth	7,200
(iv) Morecambe Bay	3,000
Total output rating	18,021
Firm capacity credit†	2,753
^*Sources: Severn Barrage Committee Report 1981 except for Mersey, from the Merseyside County Council Report 1986.
† Includes a calculation which takes into account that demand may occur at any state of the tide, on which capability depends.

(c) Average and maximum demands for power on the public electricity supply system in the last three years
	Megawatts
	Average	Maximum
1983	27,813	48,595
1984	28,345	52,970
1985	29,879	52,255

Dungeness B Power Station

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer of 12 May, Official Report, column 336 what has been the output of each reactor at Dungeness B in MW hours in each year since commissioning.

total output from Dungeness B reactor 1, which was synchronised to the grid in April 1983, has been:

Megawatt hours
	Output
April to December 1983	350,000
January to December 1984	620,000
January to December 1985	2,430,000
January to April 1986	690,000

Since this reactor was commissioned on 1 April 1985 total output has been 2,500,000 Megawatt hours.

Reactor 2 is expected to be commissioned during 1986. Total output since synchronisation on 29 December 1985 until end April 1986 was 510,000 Megawatt hours.

Employment

Tourism

asked the Paymaster General what information he has about the number of proposed visits to the United Kingdom in the current year by tourists from (a) the United States of America and (b) other countries which have been cancelled since 15 April; what information he has as to the principal reasons given for these cancellations; and what estimate is available to him of their cost to the United Kingdom tourist industry and to the United Kingdom economy.

We have no detailed or reliable information on the number of cancellations by prospective tourists since 15 April. Some sources in the industry have suggested that the number of tourists from the United States of America could be down this year by around 15 per cent. as a result of growing fears since the beginning of the year of terrorist activity and other causes such as exchange rates. Such a reduction could lead to a drop in tourist spending in the United Kingdom of around 3 per cent. I can assure the hon. Member that we are taking every opportunity to convey the message to prospective visitors that Britain is a safe destination. There is no evidence of any cancellations from any other countries at present.

Youth Training

asked the Paymaster General what research work his Department and the Manpower Services Commission have undertaken, giving references to published work, on the operation and effect of the YTS, the community programme and the young workers scheme.

The information requested is:YOUTH TRAINING SCHEME

MSC Research

Regular follow-up of YTS Trainees to be published over the Summer as

The Youth Training Scheme—the first 3 Years

MSC Research and Development Series No. 34.
YTS Provider Survey—results published in a short note in the Employment Gazette of April 1985, p.163 and a full article in August 1985.

Ethnic Minorities and YTS

MSC Research and Development Series No. 20.

Review of the Information Technology Centre Programme

MSC Research and Development Series No. 27.

The Youth Training Schemes: A study of non-participants and early leavers

Research and Development Series No. 34, Summer 1986.

YTS Trainee Follow-Up of Non-Respondents Interview Survey

Reports made available to the House of Commons Library.

School Leavers Cohort Survey—Sheffield and Bradford Pilot

Four Publications are available from the MSC:

Choices at 16; Report No. 1—Young peoples views on YTS

Choices at 16; Report No. 2—Staying on

Choices at 16; Report No. 3—The Gender Gap

Futures in Black and White—Two studies of the experience of young people in Sheffield and Bradford.

Report on the 1984 pilot of the Scottish Young Peoples Survey

Available from MSC.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMME

MSC Research

Surveys of CP participants and ex participants, were undertaken Autumn 1983, Spring 1984 and Autumn 1984. Partial follow-up surveys of CP participants were carried out in 1984 and 1985.

Social and Community Planning Research have published one report "Survey of CP Participants 1984". (SCPR ref: 01/797).

A survey of CP sponsors was undertaken in 1984. Copies of reports on the other surveys have been made available to the House of Commons Library but not published elsewhere.

The report of an efficiency review conducted by the Cabinet Office entitled "Value for Money in the Community Programme" was published on 14 April 1986 and is available free direct from the Department. An article entitled "After the Community Programme — Results of the First Follow-Up Study" was published in the Employment Gazette in January 1985.

The MSC has also produced a report entitled

"Training Linked to the Community Programme"

outlining good practice, copies of which are available from the MSC.

YOUNG WORKERS SCHEME

DE Research

Young Workers Scheme Survey of Employers 1983
Young Workers Scheme Survey of Employers 1985
Young Workers Scheme Survey of Participants 1985

All three surveys were conducted for the Department by Social and Community Planning Research. A continuous postal survey of employers claiming payments was managed within the Department.

A summary of this material has been published in the Employment Gazette of May 1986 in an article entitled "Evaluation of the Young Workers Scheme".

asked the Paymaster General if he will show, for each year or operation of the youth opportunities scheme and the YTS, the level of the allowance payable under the schemes, both in current prices and in constant 1986 prices.

Expressed in terms of prices in March 1986 the following shows the level of allowance each year from April 1978 until March 1986:

	Allowance £	Allowance at 1986 prices £
April 1978	19·50	38·24
March 1979	20·55	37·24
March 1980	23·50	35·56
March 1981	23·50	31·58
March 1982	25·00	30·44
March 1983	25·00	29·09
March 1984	25·00	27·64
March 1985	26·25	27·36
March 1986	27·30	27·30

With the introduction of two year YTS, trainees in their second year of training will receive an enhanced allowance of £35·00. Allowance levels must reflect the fact that trainees are only learning, and YTS provices substantially, upgraded training compared with the youth opportunities programme.

asked the Paymaster General if he will indicate the number and proportion of workers on (a)the YTS scheme and (b)the young workers scheme, who are engaged in wages council sectors.

I regret that the information requested is not available for young people engaged on YTS.A survey conducted by Social and Community Planning Research (SCPR) in 1985 found that 33 per cent. of those employed under support of the young workers scheme were covered by a wages council or board that set statutory minimum rates of pay. However the survey asked about "statutory" bodies but replies included many references to non-statutory bodies.

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish available information about the earnings of those who remain in employment following the completion of a place under the YTS or support under the young workers scheme.

The Manpower Services Commission conducts a regular follow-up survey of leavers from YTS three months after they leave their programmes. The latest results are for young people who left YTS in November 1985. The survey gives the following information on the weekly net take home pay of leavers during the period April to November 1985, who were in full-time employment at the time of the survey.

YTS leavers in the period April to November 1985
Weekly take home pay	Percentage of leavers^*
Up to £20	0·1
£20 to £40	24·2
£40 to £60	55·8
£60 to £80	16·3
£80 to £100	2·7
£100 and over	0·8
^* In full-time employment at time of survey.

From research carried out by social and community planning research (SCPR) for my Department, those youngsters who were employed after young workers scheme support had ended, had received average increases of 30 per cent. over their pay at the time of entry. However this evidence is based on a very small sample of youngsters.

Wages (Arrears)

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table showing for each year from 1979 to 1985 (a) the amount of arrears assessed by the Wages Inspectorate as due to workers covered by wages councils but not recovered, (b) the amount where recovery was not considered practicable, (c) these amounts expressed as

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
(a) Arrears assessed but not recovered £	143,246	195,597	263,980	425,110	556,243	559,037	719,694
(b) (a) above as a percentage of arrears paid	†9·5	†9·3	†2·9	†22·8	†29·9	†29·8	†41·2
(c) Arrears which it was considered not practicable to pursue £	^*143,246	^*195,597	263,980	174,749	243,507	267,015	365,272
(d) (c) above as a percentage of arrears paid	†9·5	†9·3	†12·9	†9·4	†13·l	†l4·3	†20·9
(e) Workers for whom arrears were assessed but not recovered	766	941	1,365	1,844	2,338	2.242	2,670
(f) (e) above as a percentage of workers paid arrears	†3·4	†3·3	†5·6	†79·9	†12·6	†14·2	†18·7
(g) Workers for whom it was considered not practicable to pursue arrears	^*766	^*941	^*1,365	851	1,111	1,193	1,450
(h) (g) above as a percentage of workers paid arrears	†3·4	†3·3	†5·6	†4·6	†6·0	†7·5	†10·1
^* These figures include data relating to arrears waived. Information concerning arrears which it was considered not practicable to pursue is not separately identifiable for 1979, 1980 and 1981.
† per cent.

Home Workers

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish for each year from 1979 to 1985 the total number of home workers in respect of whom the Wages Inspectorate examined employers records; and in how

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Homeworkers whose pay was checked	3,570	2,565	1,665	1,358	1,974	1,883	1,606
Homeworkers found to have been underpaid	101	160	91	113	59	122	21
Arrears paid £s	4,065	5,326	4,815	10,221	8,325	25,814	2,242

In every establishment inspected where work was given out a sample of homeworkers was selected for visit to confirm the accuracy of the employers' records.

Wages Orders

asked the Paymaster General if he will publish for each year from 1979 to 1985 the total number of establishments where employers were found by the Wages Inspectorate not to have displayed copies of wages orders as a percentage of the establishments visited by the inspectorate.

The information requested is given in the following table.

Establishments not displaying wages council notices as a percentage of establishments visited.
	per cent.
1979	24·5
1980	26·5
1981	27·9
1982	18·2
1983	28·0
1984	32·1
1985	31·9

percentages of the arrears actually recovered, (d) the number of workers in respect of whom arrears were assessed but not recovered, (e) the number of workers for whom recovery of arrears was not considered practicable and (f) both numbers as percentages of the number of workers to whom arrears were actually paid.

The information requested is given in the following table:many cases the accuracy of the employers' records were checked, the total number of home workers found to be underpaid and the total amount of arrears collected for home workers.

The information requested is given in the following table.

Restart Courses

asked the Paymaster General on what basis the 30 providers were chosen for the pilot restart courses.

In choosing providers of restart courses in the nine pilot areas, the Manpower Services Commission sought a wide variety of providers from both the public and the private sector.

asked the Paymaster General if the providers in the pilot schemes for restart courses include any individuals with particular experience in work with the ethnic minorities.

Information about individual tutors on restart courses is not held by the Manpower Services Commission but most training providers in areas where there are significant ethnic minority populations have such experience.

asked the Paymaster General if the restart scheme provides opportunities of training and benefit for the various constituent sections of the long-term unemployed.

The restart programme will provide opportunities for all categories of long-term unemployed people.

asked the Paymaster General what short courses are being offered under the restart scheme; and how they relate to those which are offered within the Manpower Services Commission-funded wider opportunity scheme.

The short courses offered under the restart scheme are of one week's duration with a further drop-in facility of one day per week for up to 13 weeks. The courses will concentrate on re-motivation and reassessment of skills, strength and potential as well as improving techniques of job search, application and interview. They are shorter than most courses run under the wider opportunities training programme although the two programmes have many shared aims. Every effort will be made to develop the relationship between the two programmes in the light of operational experience.

asked the Paymaster General if the Manpower Services Commission will give consideration to providing special provision for the needs of minority groups in the restart scheme.

The Manpower Services Commission's policy is to make its services available equally to all regardless of sex, ethnic origin or disability. In developing its programmes the Commission aims to target provisions in areas of greatest need and provide courses particularly for ethnic minorities where they have special needs or where they are under-represented in particular skills or occupations.

asked the Paymaster General what consideration has been given, when providing for the needs of minority groups within the long-term unemployed in the restart schemes, in respect of (a) location, (b) course content, (c) training methods and (d) choice of training agency.

Jobcentres are being asked to take account of the needs of minority groups in the provision of restart courses. Location, course content, training methods and choice of training agency are all important.

asked the Paymaster General what arrangements the Manpower Services Commission has made in Lancashire with local training providers to meet the increased demand for training arising from the introduction of the restart scheme.

It is too early to predict the exact number of people who may be advised to consider training as a result of participation in the restart scheme. However, I expect that referrals for training can be contained within the expanding range of adult training provision currently supported in Lancashire by the Manpower Services Commission. Officials of the Manpower Services Commission's training and employment services divisions will be monitoring closely the relationship between people counselled under the restart programme and intake both to the restart course and other training schemes to ensure that adequate training opportunities are provided for the people concerned.

asked the Paymaster General how special provision has been made in Lancashire for the increase in numbers of ethnic minority adults requiring training as a result of the restart scheme.

No special provision has been made. The Manpower Services Commission will closely monitor

general and specific training needs stemming from the extension of restart to see how they are being met by existing provision and whether any additional arrangements should be made. The MSC will continue to encourage take up of suitable training by ethnic minority or other groups.

asked the Paymaster General what analysis his Department made, prior to introducing the restart scheme, of previous experience and special needs relating to minority groups within the long-term unemployed.

The restart programme was piloted in nine areas of the country. Two of these areas, Ealing and Huddersfield have significant ethnic minority populations. The national restart programme is based on experiences learned from the pilots.

Short Training Courses

asked the Paymaster General (1) how the £50 million which has been made available to the Manpower Services Commission to fund short training courses through local training providers in 1986–87 will be distributed;(2) of the additional £50 million to be allocated to the Manpower Services Commission to fund short training through local training providers, what percentage is to be allocated to the north-west.

The money made available to the Manpower Services Commission will be distributed roughly in proportion to the numbers of long-term unemployed people in each part of the country and the demand that might arise for such courses in each locality.

asked the Paymaster General what short training courses under the restart programme are being funded in Lancashire; and who are the local training providers.

Negotiations are currently taking place throughout Lancashire with potential providers. No contracts have yet been signed.

Area Manpower Boards

asked the Paymaster General if he will now take steps to gather information as to how many members of area manpower boards are registered unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

I see no useful purpose in collecting such information since employment status is not necessarily a factor in nominating people to area manpower boards (AMBs).

Labour Statistics

asked the Paymaster General which constituency in Great Britain has reduced its unemployment level the most in absolute terms between April 1984 and April 1986; and if he will make a statement.

The following information is in the Library. Between April 1984 and April 1986 the number of unemployed claimants in the Glanford and Scunthorpe parliamentary constituency fell by 568. This comparison is marginally affected by the change in the method of compilation of unemployment statistics in March 1986.

Ex-Mineworkers (Circular)

asked the Paymaster General if he will now withdraw his Department's circular dated 15 April, entitled "Ex-mineworkers — Enquiries about Claiming Unemployment Benefit"; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 19 May at column 48.We have no plans to withdraw this circular.

Income Maintenance Payments And Allowances

asked the Paymaster General if he will update to 1984–85 and 1985–86 his answer to the hon. Member for Kensington, Official Report, 14 February 1985, columns 248–50, showing the costs in those years of all the incetme maintenance payments and allowances for which his Department is responsible, distinguishing between the different schemes, showing the rates of allowance paid, and also the full costs of each scheme, with sub-totals for administration.

I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Attorney-General

Duty Solicitor Scheme

asked the Attorney-General what are the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the local 24-hour duty solicitor schemes in the Metropolitan police area.

There are substantial viariations in coverage of the 24-hour scheme within the Metropolitan Police Area. South of the Thames coverage is 75 per cent. overall; in the two regions north of the river it is 15 per cent. and 31 per cent. overall respectively. This is due to a shortage of solicitors in these areas prepared or available to participate. I understand that the Law Society, which is responsible for administering the scheme, is now confident that it is making substantial progress in overcoming these difficulties.

Trade And Industry

Furnishings (Inflammability)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has completed his review of regulations concerning the inflammability of furniture and furniture coverings sold in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

The review is almost completed and I shall be making a statement shortly.

Telecommunications (Consumer Representations)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the operation of the regional and local consumer representation and consultation set up under the terms of the Telecommunications Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Advisory Committees on Telecommunications are providing useful advice on the

consumer interest to the Director General of Telecommunications. The local advisory committees are active in pursuing local consumer problems with the public telecommunications operators and are currently taking part in surveys of call boxes and domestic telephones organised by the Office of Telecommunications.

Regional Aid

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional aid in total has been paid or committed to how many companies, firms or individuals in the Glanford and Scunthorpe parliamentary constituency since June 1983; and what effect this has had on unemployment.

Information is available on a constituency basis for the new regional development grant scheme (RDG II) and regional selective assistance (RSA) but for the old regional development grant scheme (RDG I) figures relate to the Scunthorpe employment office area. The number of companies in receipt of RDG I payments is not available. The information relating to the period since June 1983 is as follows:

Payments of RDG I in amounts over £25,000 (£ thousands)	11,478
RDG II Number of companies	83
Value of payments (£ thousands)	2,130
RSA Number of offers	18
>Value of offers (£ thousands)	3,364

Only RDG II and RSA grants are related to jobs. The number of new jobs created or to be created as a result of the above projects amount to over 1,600.

Krugerrands

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to make arrangements to identify Krugerrands separately from other imported gold coins.

At present, I have no plans to separate Krugerrands from other gold coins in the "Overseas Trade Statistics."

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Wool

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to announce the guaranteed price for wool for the 1986–87 marketing year; and if he will make a statement.

Together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, I have reviewed the state of the wool market and prospects for the 1986 clip. When last year we increased the wool guarantee by 9p/kg to 129p/kg, the price of British wool stood at about 143p/kg, well above the new level of the guarantee. The longer-term prospects for wool also looked good. In the event, however, this situation lasted only a few months. As sterling strengthened against the major wool trading currencies, the auction prices for British wool fell and prices are now 22 per cent. lower than a year ago. As a result, the deficit in the Board's stabilisation fund (which had been reduced from £18·8 million to £8·6 million between December 1983 and July 1986) has risen again, and now stands at £12·9 million. Further Exchequer

advances to the fund will also be necessary until the Board's remaining stocks of wool from the 1985 clip have been sold.

My colleagues and I are however aware of the need to provide stability in producer returns and an adequate incentive to maintain and improve the quality of British wool. We have therefore decided that the guarantee should be maintained at its present level of 129p/kg for the 1986 clip. For the future however producers should recognise that, until there has been a substantial reduction in the deficit in the stabilisation fund, they should not look for any increase in the level of the guarantee.

Food From Britain

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future structure of Food From Britain.

The current Agricultural Bill, when enacted, will provide for the maximum membership of the FFB council to be expanded from 15 to 21. Within the new limit, and after consultation with the interests concerned, I envisage a restructuring of the council in September when many current appointments expire. The new council would include appropriate representation of the farmers' unions and of food manufacturers, a representative of each of the milk, meat and cereals sectors and of retailers and also others with particularly relevant qualifications. In addition it is widely agreed that the work of FFB in the home market, in the export market, and for co-operation should be supervised by three Boards appointed by the council, chaired by a member of it, and composed of individuals expert in the area in question.

Milk

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much milk and milk products New Zealand exported to the United Kingdom which originated in countries other than New Zealand or the United Kingdom, in the last three years for which figures are available.

None in the years 1983 to 1985. But after arrival in the United Kingdom some of the butter imported from New Zealand is blended with other butters for marketing under the Acorn label. I understand that United Kingdom butter is frequently used in this blend, but that butter from elsewhere in the European Community may be included from time to time.

Ec Budget

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring up to date, including the forecast outturn for 1986, the table published in the Official Report in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Great Grimsby dated 9 May 1985, Official Report, column 500, concerning the share of the EEC budget taken by the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund.

The percentage share of total Community expenditure taken by the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund since 1984 is as follows:

	per cent.
1984	70
1985	^*70
1986	†63
^* Budget.
† Budget adopted by the European Parliament.

Final outturn figures for total expenditure in 1985 are not yet available. The Commission are expected to propose a supplementary and amending budget for 1986 which would reduce the above figure to 62 per cent.

Cereals

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in the Official Report the measures which have been taken to curb protection since the written reply dated 11 April 1984, Official Report, column 334, concerning the effect of the EEC budget settlement on the production of cereals, the production and consumption figures for 1984 and 1985 together with the forecast for this year; and if he will make a statement.

Since April 1984 a number of measures have been taken in the Community to curb the overproduction of cereals. Details of these measures are contained in notes on the outcome of the 1985 and 1986 CAP price settlements which have been deposited in the Library of the House.Cereals production and consumption figures are given in the table below:

EC-10 total cereals-(million tonnes)
	August to July
	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86^*
			(forecast)
Production	123·7	151·3	160·7
Consumption	113·2	117·4	141·9
^* EC-12.

Channel Tunnel

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussons his Department has held with the promoters of the Channel fixed link concerning the control of rabies and what preventive measures have so far been agreed.

Several meetings have taken place at official level between the Ministry and representatives of Eurotunnel, the promoters of the channel fixed link. In these discussions we have set out the physical and operational requirements to minimise disease risk. These cover the detailed specifications relating, for example, to sealed trains, grids and disinfestation procedures. The promoters have agreed to incorporate these factors in the design of the link.

Data Protection

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department correctly completed and submitted its applicatins for data protection registration on time; and if he will make a statement.

My Department correctly completed and submitted its application for data protection registration on time.

Whiting Fishery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is seeking to secure a derogation from the proposed European Economic Community mesh size increase so as to allow the North Sea whiting fishery to continue.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Environment

Urban Housing Renewal (Hyndburn)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has reached a decision on proposals submitted to the urban housing renewal unit by the borough of Hyndburn; and if he will make a statement.

	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)
	England	North West Region	Greater Manchester	City of Manchester	Telford^*
	£	£	£	£	£
1979	52,713,360	14,606,290	243,060	45,300	—
1980	33,337,900	7,831,740	4,073,640	3,164,340	—
1981	65,536,005	11,771,100	2,500,800	—	—
1982	84,145,943	25,995,800	6,881,400	2,756,100	—
1983	100,969,300	36,629,860	3,412,200	—	—
1984	180,207,976	46,600,900	22,066,300	10,798,800	—
1985	138,337,071	34,526,897	15,949,964	2,888,964	8,433,500
1986	5,371,150	1,123,350	87,500	—	—
^* Telford only became eligible for ERDF grants following the Government's review of regional aid announced in November 1984.

In addition, the total grant awarded under the non-quota section of the fund since its introduction in 1982 is as follows:

(a)	(b)	(c)
England	North West Region	Greater Manchester
£	£	£
15,754,471	9,306,606	1,287,232

Information on annual allocations is not readily available. The city of Manchester and Telford do not qualify for grant under the non-quota measures.The figures exclude ERDF aid committed in 1985 to the Mersey Basin (£39,123,500) and the Shildon-Newton Aycliffe-Bishop Auckland (£6,580,000) programmes. They also exclude grant awarded under the fund's industry section, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Departmental Circulars (Photocopying)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gives to local authorities and other bodies on photocopying departmental circulars.

My Department does not issue formal advice to local authorities and other bodies on photocopying Departmental circulars. Advice is given as and when the need arises. Most cases are referred to Her Majesty's Stationery Office in whom Crown copyright is vested and who, as Government publishers, issue the majority of my Department's circulars.Where a circular is available only from my Department, permission to reproduce it is usually give to local

I hope to make an early decision on this scheme.

European Regional Development Fund

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of total European regional development fund moneys for each year since 1979 for (a) England, (b) the north-west region, (c) Greater Manchester, (d) the city of Manchester and (e) the borough of Telford.

The following information gives the annual amounts of European regional development fund grant aid in £ sterling awarded to local and public authorities carrying out infrastructure works under the main project-financing section of the Fund:authorities and others where the photocopying is required for their use alone. In future, these circulars will be imprinted with a notice to this effect.

Rate Support Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy in giving reasons for particular decisions taken by him in relation to rate support grant.

I have written to the hon. Member today explaining why I do not think it right to give reasons in declining requests for disregards.

Chess (Funding)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of the Sports Council regarding the funding of chess; and if he will make a statement.

The Sports Council is given powers under its royal charter to foster the knowledge and practice of sport and physical recreation. Chess is not judged by the council to be a physical recreation and is thus not recognised for grant or services. I regard that judgment as one for the council itself to take. Some chess bodies are funded by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

Conservative Party Conference (Policing Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to excluding for grant penalty purposes the additional costs incurred,

net of police grant, by Lancashire county council for additional policing costs for the 1985 Conservative party conference.

The Secretary of State considered Lancashire county council's request that he disregard this item of expenditure for grant abatement purposes in 1985–86, and decided not to agree to its request. He will of course reconsider the representations before signing further supplementary reports for the year in question.

Enterprise Zones (Glanford And Scunthorpe)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many companies have received benefits or are eligible to receive benefits from the three enterprise zones in the Glanford and Scunthorpe parliamentary constituency and at what present cost and projected cost to the Exchequer.

There were 11 businesses in the enterprise zones in Glanford and Scunthorpe at September 1984, the date of the most recently published survey of enterprise zones. The cost to the Exchequer of rates exemptions for these zones from designation to the end of the financial year 1985–86 was £1,034,519. The projected cost of this exemption for 1986–87 is 1·7 million.

Parking Fines

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide an analysis of the 157 parking fines incurred by the Department of Energy in 1985 and paid by the Department of the Environment; and how many of the fines were in respect of ministerial vehicles.

During 1985, 155 parking offences occurred in the Millbank/Thorney street area of London. One parking offence occurred at London airport. One parking offence occurred in Knightsbridge. All 157 parking fines were in respect of ministerial vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide an analysis of the 167 parking fines incurred by the Scottish Office in 1985 and paid by the Department of the Environment; and how many of the fines were in respect of ministerial vehicles.

During 1985 164 parking offences occurred in Whitehall. Two parking offences occurred in Little College st. W1. One parking offence occurred in Greek street W1. All 167 parking fines were in respect of ministerial vehicles.

Rates

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average amount paid by domestic ratepayers in 1985–86 in (a) Leeds, (b) Sheffield and (c) Bradford.

The average unrebated domestic rate bills in 1985–86 were:

	£
Leeds	263
Sheffield	370
Bradford	253

Local Authority Chief Officers (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the pay scales of local authority chief officers with education responsibilities; when these were last increased and by how much; and if he will make a statement.

The pay scales of local authority chief officers with education responsibilities are determined from within the salary range agreed by the joint negotiating committee for chief officers of local authorities. Details of these pay scales are available from the local authorities' conditions of service advisory board. The salaries of chief officers were last increased by 5 per cent. from 1 July 1985, with a further increase from 1 April 1986—calculated on 30 June 1985 levels—of between 1 per cent. and 4·2 per cent. depending on the population range within which the salary is based.

Chernobyl Disaster

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many telephone calls his Department received on the hot line following the Chernobyl disaster.

The inquiry unit in my Department received 3,771 calls about the Chernobyl accident between the 7 and 21 May. The busiest day was Thursday 8 May when the unit logged 991 calls.

Industrial Waste

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the importation of polychlorinated biphenyls in the United Kingdom for disposal as industrial waste.

In the Government's view it is legitimate to trade internationally in waste materials provided that the disposal proceeds in accordance with United Kingdom controls.

Radiation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the maximum permitted level of exposure to radiation (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other countries for which the information is available.

In the United Kingdom the nuclear industry works to a target of public exposure one tenth of the 5 milliseivert per annum limit recommended by the ICRP and in the case of disposal sites one fiftieth of the limit. In other countries limits are expressed in different ways but standards of protection are similar.

Housing Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total public expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom as a proportion of the gross domestic product in each year from 1976 to the latest year from which figures are available;(2) what was the total private expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom as a proportion of the gross domestic product in each year from 1976 to the latest year for which figures are available.

[pursuant to his answer, 13 May 1986, c. 428]: Total public expenditure and total private expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1984 are shown in the table as percentages of gross domestic product at factor cost. Private expenditure is net of public grants, loans, subsidies (including housing benefit) and tax relief, and includes purchases of houses from public authorities. Public expenditure includes capital formation, grants, loans, and housing benefit; capital formation is shown gross before deducting house sales. The sum of the percentages in any one year does not exactly equal the percentage of total expenditure on housing, public and private, because: (i) expenditure on purchase of houses from public authorities is included in private expenditure but not netted against public expenditure; and (ii) private expenditure is net of tax relief, but tax relief is not treated as being part of public expenditure.

	Private expenditure on housing as percentage of gross domestic product	Public expenditure on housing as percentage of gross domestic product
1976	7·3	3·9
1977	6·9	3·6
1978	6·7	3·4
1979	7·5	3·5
1980	8·1	3·5
1981	8·9	2·6
1982	9·5	2·5
		^*
1983	9·0	2·8
1984	9·5	2·8
^* Discontinuity between 1982 and 1983 is due to introduction of housing benefit and consequent exclusion of rent from supplementary benefit paid by tenants.

Okehampton Bypass

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to ensure the South-West water authority has access to all the information from the supplementary soil tests currently being conducted along the proposed route of the Okehampton bypass.

[pursuant to her answer, 15 May 1986, c.552.]: I refer the hon. Member to the the reply by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 15 May, at column 509 in the Offical Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, following the letter of 26 March from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold) to Lady Sayer, what consultations he intends to have with the South-West water authority on the possible contamination by arsenic of the rivers East and West Okement arising from the construction of the Okehampton bypass on the southern route.

[pursuant to her answer, 15 May 1986, c. 552–53]: The quality of the rivers East and West Okement is a matter for the South-West water authority. My officials will maintain liaison with the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the South-West water authority about the possible

contamination of the rivers West and East Okement by metals, including arsenic, during the construction of the Okehampton bypass along the southern route.

[pursuant to her answer, 15 May 1986, c. 553]: Any such discussions are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the correspondence he has had with the South-West water authority on the subject of the metallic contamination of water courses in the vicinity of the southern route of the Okehampton bypass.

[pursuant to her answer, 15 May 1986, c. 553.]: There has not been any such correspondence.

Napoleonic Barracks, Modbury

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he hopes to reply to the letter sent by the hon. Member for South Hams to his Department on 23 April, regarding the condition of the barracks wall at Modbury, south Devon;(2) what steps the Government are taking to ensure the continued preservation of the Napoleonic barracks wall at Modbury, south Devon; and when he hopes to reply to the letter sent by the hon. Member for South Hams on 28 April outlining the current situation.

My hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Planning and Regional Affairs will be replying to the letters shortly. As that reply will make clear, it is for the South Hams district council to take whatever action it considers appropriate (for example, under the Town and Country Planning Acts) to secure preservation of the barracks wall at Modbury.

Data Protection

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department correctly completed and submitted its application for data protection registration on time; and if he will make a statement.

My Department's applications for data protection registration, including that for the Property Services Agency, were submitted by the due date following due consultation wih the registrar to ensure acceptability.

Radiation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the figure laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency as being the level of radioactivity in milk at which official action is recommended; and to what factors he attributes differences between any of these figures and the relevant figure for the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply.We are advised by the National Radiological Protection Board that they are not aware of any emergency reference levels published by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The National Radiological Protection Board action levels used by this Department have been derived from recommendations published by the International

Commission on Radiological Protection. We have not been officially notified of the levels employed in Denmark and the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what risks to health are posed by natural background radiation; and to what extent this varies in different parts of England.

I have been asked to reply.The risk to health from natural background radiation for the country as whole has been estimated to be in the order of one in 100,000 of developing fatal cancer. As the dose to the public from background radiation outdoors in different parts of the country varies by a factor of approximately 10, in theory the risk will vary by the same amount. In practice however, epidemiological studies have not demonstrated that this occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure that the present accepted levels of whole body exposure to radiation are safe; whether there are any plans to reduce them further; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The levels are based on recommendations made by the International Commission on Radiological Protection and, as such, have international recognition. In the United Kingdom, the National Radiological Protection Board advises Government on the implementation of the ICRP recommendations, and has endorsed its recommendations in this area. In this regard, the effective dose limit for members of the public has recently been reduced from 5 millisievert to 1 millisievert per annum. There are no plans to reduce the present levels further at present, but both the ICRP and the NRPB review their advice whenever new scientific evidence becomes available.

Social Services

Unemployed Persons (Benefits)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will present a table showing the total

Number of deaths of persons aged 60 and over by age group and by six-monthly periods, J April 1976 to 30 September 1985—England and Wales
Period	Age Group
	60–69	70–79	80 and over
1 April 1976–30 September 1976	56,086	83,985	79,921
1 October 1976–31 March 1977	63,623	99,578	97,102
1 April 1977–30 September 1977	56,243	87,194	83,608
1 October 1977–31 March 1978	62,822	101,675	100,466
1 April 1978–30 September 1978	54,448	87,894	82,065
1 October 1978–31 March 1979	61,382	104,655	103,726
1 April 1979–30 September 1979	52,658	88,841	83,997
1 October 1979–31 March 1980	58,348	101,304	99,862
1 April 1980–30 September 1980	52,526	88,774	85,433
1 October 1980–31 March 1981	57,706	101,403	104,203
1 April 1981–30 September 1981	51,003	87,722	86,298
1 October 1981–31 March 1982	57,808	104,422	110,338
1 April 1982–30 September 1982	51,151	88,023	88,605
1 October 1982–31 March 1983	57,482	103,202	110,941
1 April 1983–30 September 1983	50,765	88,331	90,264
1 October 1983–31 March 1984	54,512	98,956	106,859
1 April 1984–30 September 1984	49,190	87,007	91,720
1 October 1984–31 March 1985	55,657	102,670	117,664
1 April 1985–30 September 1985	48,927	88,249	96,511
1 October 1985–31 March 1986	Information not yet available

payments to, and the number of unemployed people receiving, housing benefit in Great Britain for each year since 1979.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

London Teaching Hospitals (Resources)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has sent to senior surgeons and physicians who have written to him about the effects on the resources available to London teaching hospitals as a result of the transfer of financing from London health authorities to increase National Health Service provision to the midlands and the north; if he will give urgent consideration to their request for resources to prevent the proposed closures and withdrawal of treatment facilities; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such letter.

Nhs (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the National Health Service management side in the Whitley council for administrative and managerial staff did not make a flat rate offer in response to the trade union's flat rate pay claim.

Negotiations are a matter for the Whitley council, and it is for the management side to determine the nature of offers it makes.

Deaths (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of deaths among those aged (a) 60 to 69 years, (b) 70 to 79 years and (c) 80 years and over for each complete six-monthly period from 1 April 1976 to 31 March 1986, for England and Wales.

The available information is shown in the table.

Maternal Deaths

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the maternal deaths reported to the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths in England and Wales in 1979 to 1981 were of women of non-Caucasian origin; and if he will subdivide these into (a) direct maternal deaths, (b) indirect maternal deaths, (c) fortuitous maternal deaths and (d) late maternal deaths.

The information is as follows:

	Number
Direct maternal deaths	38
Indirect maternal deaths	15
Fortuitous maternal deaths	5
Late maternal deaths	6

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the maternal deaths reported to the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths in England and Wales in 1979 to 1981 were of women born in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the Republic of Ireland, (c) the New Commonwealth and Pakistan, (d) India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, (e) the West Indies, (f) Africa, (g) Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus, (h) New Commonwealth countries not included in (d) to (g)(i) foreign countries not included in (a) to (h) and (j) country unstated; and if he will subdivide these into (i) direct maternal deaths, (ii) indirect maternal deaths, (iii) fortuitous maternal deaths and (iv) late maternal deaths.

Information about the birthplace of the mothers concerned was not collected as part of the inquiry.

National Radiological Protection Board

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment the National Radiological Protection Board has made of (a) its available staff and (b) its available telephone lines to cope with a nuclear emergency; and if he will make a statement.

The National Radiological Protection Board reviews annually the number of staff allocated to each of its areas of work, including emergency arrangements, in order to ensure that it has adequate staff in each area, taking account of priorities and available resources. Staff are taken from other work to meet short-term demands when necessary. The board's headquarters at Chilton is served by 16 telephone lines; additional lines are provided temporarily when required. The board is undertaking a review of its communication facilities.

Health Expenditure, Leeds

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Leeds East district health authority, what were the totals for 1978–79 and 1985–86, respectively, of (a) capital spending in cash and real terms, (b) revenue spending, in cash and real terms, (c) nurses and midwives, (d) doctors and dentists and (e) patients treated.

Returns for 1985–86 are not yet available centrally. Figures for 1978–79 are not comparable with those for the years following the 1982 reorganisation because prior to then Leeds eastern health authority formed part of the old Leeds area health authority. My hon. Friend may therefore wish to contact the chairman of Leeds eastern health authority direct for any information he requires.

Heating Additions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the annual expenditure on estate-rate heating additions for each of the last three years in (a)England and Wales, (b) the Yorkshire and Humberside region and (c) the Calderdale metropolitan borough.

I regret that the full information requested is not available. We estimate that current net annual expenditure for Great Britain is of the order of £10 million.

Heating Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the review of the cold weather heating allowance to be published; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering the provision to help with extra fuel costs during exceptionally severe weather further in the light of last winter's experience. It is, however, too early to say when that consideration will be completed.

Computer Bed Bank (West Midlands)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 135, to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire about the pilot scheme for the introduction of a computer bed bank in the West Midlands regional health authority, if he will indicate (a) when his Department first conveyed its decision to introduce the scheme to the West Midlands regional health authority, (b) when precisely the project co-ordinator was appointed, (c) what were the terms of the project co-ordinator's appointment, (d) what are the qualifications and experience of the project co-ordinator, (e) when doctors in the participating districts were first requested to provide relevant information, (f) the names of the 100 selected practitioners and (g) the names of the selected districts.

The possibility of a pilot project was first raised with the region in a letter in April 1982. Interviews for the post of project co-ordinator were held in February 1985 and the successful candidate took up her post in April 1985. I understand that all districts in the region, with the exception of Rugby, will participate in the project by providing information on waiting times. The selected general practitioners are located in the following districts: north Staffordshire, Mid-Staffordshire, east Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Herefordshire, Kidderminster, Sandwell. Dudley, west Birmingham, Worcestershire, central Birmingham and Shropshire.My hon. Friend may wish to write direct to the chairman of the regional health authority for the further information he requires on the project and its co-ordinator.

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the number of (a) single payments and (b)urgent needs payments, weekly and one-off, paid to

claimants who are (i) under pensionable age and are not required to register for work, (ii) persons under pensionable age required to register for work and (iii) persons over pensionable age; and what is (x) the average rate per 1,000 claimants in i, ii and iii, (y) the average payment made to claimants in i, ii and iii and (z) the number of claimants in i, ii and iii with dependent children for the latest available year at Doncaster, Wath-on-Dearne and Mexborough Department of Health and Social Security offices.

A—Single payments
	Doncaster East	Doncaster West	Wath-on-Dearne
Claimants under pensionable age not required to register for work
Number of payments	5,615	8,030	4,972
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	1,675	1,968	2,050
Average amount	£82·65	£85·91	£78·10
Claimants under pensionable age required to register for work
Number of payments	7,916	11,156	5,933
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	1,466	1,623	1,572
Average amount	£78·19	£86·63	£79·97
Claimants over pensionable age
Number of payments	901	1,034	1,160
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	314	298	587
Average amount	£50·65	£63·92	£46·53

B—Urgent needs payments^*
	Doncaster East	Doncaster West	Wath-on-Dearne
Claimants under pensionable age not required to register for work
Number of payments	247	259	142
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	74	63	59
Claimants under pensionable age required to register for work
Number of payments	398	230	162
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	74	33	43
Claimants over pensionable age
Number of payments	6	3	3
Average rate per 1,000 claimants	2	1	2
^* The amounts of urgent needs payments are not recorded.

The number of awards of single payments and urgent needs payments for the year ending April 1986 have been set against the count of live cases in action as at 12 February 1986 to arrive at a rate per 1,000 claimants. These are the latest available figures.

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of claimants in receipt of (a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit/pension, (c) industrial disablement benefit and (d) non-contributory invalidity pension/housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension or severe disablement allowance for the latest available year at Doncaster, Wath-on-Dearne and Mexborough Department of Health and Social Security offices.

Wath-on-Dearne local office deals only with claims for supplementary benefit. The number of

The table shows, for the categories of claimants specified, numbers of single payments and urgent needs payments made in the year up to 8 April 1986 by the Doncaster and Wath-on-Dearne offices.The office at Mexborough does not deal with supplementary benefit claimants who are handled by Wath-on-Dearne office.Comparable information about the number of claimants with dependent children is not available.claimants in receipt of sickness and invalidity benefit/ pension and severe disablement allowance as at 8 April 1986, and in receipt of industrial disablement benefit as at 11 February 1986 (the latest dates for which information is available) at the Doncaster (East), Doncaster (West) and Mexborough Department of Health and Social Security offices is as follows:—

	Doncaster East	Doncaster West	Mexborough
Sickness and Invalidity Benefit/Pension	3,457	4,805	1,642
Severe Disablement Allowance	513	925	195
Industrial Disablement Benefit	1,556	2,510	747

Separate records are not kept of the number of claimants in receipt of sickness and invalidity benefit/pension

Child Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the additional cost of awarding child benefit payments to all parents of students in full-time higher education whose children are disqualified from receiving grants by virtue of the level of their parents' income.

The additional cost would be £25 million a year, on the basis that entitlement to child benefit would extend beyond the present age limit of 19, and that no provision was made for those students receiving grants tapered according to the level of their parents' income.

General Practitioners

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what has been the total cost to the National Health Service of fees and reimbursements paid to general practitioners in each of the years since 1960;(2) what information he has concerning

(a) the net average annual income and (b) the gross average annual income of general practitioners in each of the years since 1960.

The information requested is as shown in the table. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Financial year	Intended average net remuneration per general practitioner (Great Britain)	Average gross remuneration paid per general practitioner (England)	Total expenditure (England)
	^*£	£	£ million
1960–61	2,425	4,655	86·782
1961–62	2,425	3,929	74·284
1962–63	2,425	3,962	75·401
1963–64	2,765	4,187	79·825
1964–65	2,765	4,279	81·204
1965–66	2,775	4,810	90·349
1966–67	3,006	5,217	97·104
1967–68	3,700	6,067	112·953
1968–69	3,775	6,372	119·367
1969–70	4,000	6,825	129·008
1970–71	4,800	8,250	157·567
1971–72	5,185	8,861	171·675
1972–73	5,575	9,431	186·497
1973–74	5,750	10,113	202·226
1974–75	6,286	11,745	237·482
1975–76	8,735	14,963	304·903
1976–77	8,963	16,735	343·931
1977–78	9,313	17,777	369·699
1978–79	10,230	20,231	425·663
1979–80	12,867	24,563	524·586
1980–81	16,955	31,616	689·613
1981–82	17,970	35,480	791·337
1982–83	18,990	39,244	894·215
1983–84	20,288	41,605	967·482
1984–85	21,615	46,411	1,097·146
^* Review Body reports did not identify average net remuneration between 1 April 1966 and 31 March 1971. The rates shown are those assessed as appropriate by the Review Body in its 1971 report. The rates from 1 January 1960 to 31 March 1965 include unspecified amounts from hospital or other official sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has concerning the number of general practitioners in each of the regions of England and Wales in each year since 1960, (2) what

information he has concerning the average size of general practitioners' patient lists in each of the regions of England and Wales in each of the years since 1960.

Time series data showing the number of unrestricted principals and average list sizes separately for England and Wales are published in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics", copies of which are available in the Library. The data for 1963 to 1973 are analysed by standard regions (1974 edition): for 1973 to 1977 by standard region and by regional health authority (1978 and 1982 editions); for 1978 onwards by regional health authority only (1982 and 1985 editions).

Cervical Screening

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to increase the general facilities for cervical cytology to reduce the interval between tests from five to three years and to promote improved screening for younger age-groups; and if he will make a statement.

Improvements to cervical cancer screening programmes have been made a service development priority for all health authorities, including implementation of computerised call and recall systems no later than April 1988 and ensuring that laboratories avoid backlogs. The screening interval and the call and recall of women under 35 are currently under review.

Hospitals (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report,a list of those hospitals in England that have, during the last two years. reduced night-time, emergency or casualty cover in (a) ophthalmology, (b) anaesthetics, (c) trauma and (d) ear, nose and throat, where the reason given was shortage of specialist staff.

I regret that the information the hon. Member requests is not held centrally.

Overseas Doctors

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many overseas doctors applied for limited registration in order to work in Britain in (a) 1975, (b) 1980, (c) 1984 and (d) 1985: and what is the latest available figure for 1986.

The category of limited registration was introduced by the Medical Act 1978 and superseded the former category of temporary registration. Numbers of registrations granted by the General Medical Council are published in its annual reports and the available figures are set out in the table. Other information may be available from the council.

Registration of Doctors qualified Overseas
	1975	1980	1984	1985
Initial grants of limited registration^*	1,934	1,682	1,123	1,024
Full registration†	2,741	2,990	1,696	1,869
^* Temporary registration in 1975.
† 1980–85 figures exclude doctors qualified in the European Community.

House Officer Vacancies

dell asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in ophthalmology in each health authority in England, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;(2)if he will publish in the

Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in anaesthetics in each health authority in England, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;

(3)if he will publish in the Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in trauma in each health authority in England, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled;

(4)if he will publish in the Official Report the number of senior house officer vacancies in ear, nose and throat in each health authority in England, together with the mean, median and mode of the number of days that the vacancy has remained unfilled.

I regret that I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks, as it is not collected centrally.

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recipients of supplementary benefit have (a) claimed and (b) received assistance towards mortgage interest payments in each year from 1976 to 1985; what was the total cost of such payments; and what was the average payment per claimant.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. Information on the number of supplementary benefit recipients where the assessment of their benefit includes an allowance towards mortgage

Area/District	Hospital	Amounts received £ million	Number of beds
Bedfordshire	Daneswood Convalescent Home	0·262	44
Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow	Temple Hill House	0·777	18
Brent	Leamington Park	—	95
Barnet	West Hendon	6·7	134
North Hertfordshire	North Hertfordshire Maternity	—	85
Victoria	All Saints	—	45
Victoria	Vincent Square Day	—	18
Paddington and North Kensington	Chepstow Lodge	^*2·75	47
Paddington and North Kensington	Hereford Lodge	^*2·75	43
Hounslow and Spelthorne	St. John's	0·62	33
Hillingdon	St. John's	—	102
North Bedfordshire	Park	—	38
South Bedfordshire	Priory	—	36
^* Includes property at Pembridge Square.

Family Credit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the implications of European legislation or of decisions of Community institutions with regard to any decision by Her Majesty's Government as to whether family credit should be payable on a sexually defined basis.

interest and/or ground rent together with the average weekly payment and the estimated total cost of these payments for each year since 1976 is as follows:

Year	Claimants	Average weekly amount (£)	Total cost (£ million)
1976	123,000	4·22	27
1977	124,000	5·12	33
1978	105,000	4·81	26
1979	98,000	5·96	31
1980	134,000	10·18	71
1981	196,000	12·18	124
1982	235,000	13·87	170
1983	242,000	12·12	†150
^*1984	277,000	n/a	n/a
1985	n/a	n/a	n/a
^* Provisional.
†Mortgage interest has only been collected as a separate item since 1983. Previous estimates were based on owner occupiers' residual housing costs (that is after the deduction of rates.water rates, and repairs/ insurance) and included an element for ground rent.
n/a Not vet available.

Hospital Closures

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the hospitals within the North-West Thames regional health authority which have been closed since 1980, together with their bed complement and, where sold, the price paid by the purchaser and the percentage of that sum which was allocated to the district health authority concerned.

Details of hospitals in the North West Thames regional health authority approved for complete closure between 1 January 1981 and 30 June 1985, the latest date for which information is available centrally, are shown in the table.I regret that the further information asked for is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to approach the chairman of the North West Thames regional health authority for the information.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Income Support

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the transitional protection of supplementary benefit

claimants on the introduction of the income support scheme, in particular the proposal to limit such protection to an amount fixed in cash terms and advocating the introduction of provisions to maintain the protection when receipt of benefit is interrupted, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering recent representations received from organisations representing disabled people and the suggestions made by the hon. Member and other hon. Members during the debate in Standing Committee B on 29 April 1986.

Westminster Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of cancer patients treated in the radiotherapy and onocology department at Westminster hospital in each of the last three years; what was the number of clinical and other staff at present employed; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that I cannot give the hon. Member all the information he seeks. The information available centrally is given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Riverside district health authority for the other information requested.

Westminster Hospital
Specialty	1982	1983	1984
RADIOTHERAPY
In-patient cases	540	522	494
Day cases	nil	1	1
Total out-patient attendances	^*	12,042	12,801
Medical Oncology
In-patient cases	864	1,077	966
Day cases	2	2	6
Total out-patient attendances	3,109	3,284	3,713
^* Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services until when he proposes to postpone further consideration of the proposals to close Westminster hospital; and if he will make a statement.

The Riverside health authority has under review the future pattern of services in the district. It is considering a range of options for the way services are provided and where, including those at present provided by the three district general hospitals (St. Stephen's, Westminster and Charing Cross Hospitals). Decisions on future service provision will be taken in the light of this work. There is no presupposition that one of these three hospitals must close.

Cancer Treatment (North-East Thames)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the proposals in the Coopers and Lybrand review of cancer treatment services for the North-East Thames regional health authority in the light of the material which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Brent, South.

Following full public consultation and consideration of all views expressed, North East Thames regional health authority on 19 May adopted a policy of

moving toward a pattern of care for cancer patients focussed on district general hospitals, supported by larger, better equipped specialist cancer treatment centres. The regional health authority has commissioned further research to consider all relevant evidence and will be considering recommendations on the choice of sites for the treatment centres at its July meeting. Any proposals to change the disposition of existing services will be subject to full public consultation under normal National Health Service procedures. including, if the relevant community health council objects, the referral of any final decision to Ministers. It would not therefore be appropriate for Ministers to comment further at this stage.

Health Authorities (Land Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on the consideration to be given to the development needs of other health authorities when one health authority plans to sell land located within the boundaries of a neighbouring regional and district health authority.

Where surplus property is situated within another region the disposing authority is required to notify both the neighbouring regional and appropriate district heath authorities in case they have a need for it.

South London Hospital For Women

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services (1) whether he has sanctioned the sale on the open market of the site of the South London hospital for women;(2) whether he had prior notice that the West Lambeth district health authority had notified the Wandsworth health authority of its interest in acquiring part of the site of the South London hospital for women to provide services for patients to be discharged into the community from its own long-stay hospitals designated for closure;(3) whether he will take steps to ensure full consultation between the Wandsworth and West Lambeth health authorities on the future disposal and use of the site of the former South London hospital for women;(4) whether he will make a statement on the future use of the site of the former South London hospital for women.

The sale of the South London hospital site is subject to normal disposal procedures on the open market and does not require the Secretary of State's involvement. Bids were closed by the South West Thames regional health authority on 16 May. They consulted the other Thames regions on the sale of the site but no interest was registered.

West Lambeth Dha (Land Purchase)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has of the needs of the West Lambeth district health authority to purchase land to provide services for patients to be discharged into the community from its own long-stay hospitals designated for closure.

I am aware of the need of West Lambeth health authority to purchase land to house patients discharged from its long stay hospitals. I understand from

the regional health authority that the district is at present involved in negotiations to purchase two local sites on which suitable facilities can be built.

Ambulance Service (London)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, pursuant to the answer of 18 February, Official Report, column 116, he will make a statement on the future of London's ambulance services following the consideration given to this service by the South West Thames Regional Health Authority.

Since February there have been improvements in response and activation times on emergency calls by the London ambulance service. There continue to be problems for the non-emergency service but these too are being tackled and an accelerated recruitment programme has provided 78 more ambulance persons for non-emergency work than in March. Sixty five more recruits are in training and will become operational in the next few weeks. Further interim measures are also in hand. The South West Thames regional health authority is continuing to review the situation.

Primary Health Care

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to issue a correction slip to paragraph 1 of chapter 4 of the Green Paper on primary care.

The error does not affect the conclusions reached and there are no plans to issue a correction slip.

Potassium Iodate

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many potassium iodate tablets would be required to prevent radioactive iodine collecting in the thyroid of five, 10 and 18 year-olds, respectively, at levels of radiation reported within five miles of Windscale in 1957 and within five, 10 and 20 miles of Chernobyl in 1986.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Health Authorities (Revenue Allocations)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each district health authority wholly or partly in Greater London including the special health authorities, the total revenue allocations they have received in each year since 1978–79 at 1979 prices calculated by the National Health Service deflator.

Amounts of weekly housing benefit under current scheme
Table 1A: Pensioner households
	Weekly gross income level
	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Income level at which HB no longer payable
Single pensioner 65–79
(i) Average rent and rates	13·89	8·69	4·49	0·61	—	—	—	—	75·40
(ii) 75 per cent, average	11·4	5·84	1·44	—	—	—	—	—	68·26
(iii) 125 per cent, average	16·74	11·54	7·34	2·68	—	—	—	—	82·54
Single pensioner 80+
(i) Average rent and rates	13·89	8·69	4·49	0·61	—	—	—	—	75·40

It is not appropriate to revalue district health authority expenditure by reference to centrally assessed movements in pay and prices because the composition of that expenditure can differ substantially from the national average. For other information on health authority expenditure in the Greater London area I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 17 December 1985 at columns 145–148.

Prisoners Of War (Compensation)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much compensation has been paid to ex-prisoners of war by the Japanese Government to date; and if he will make a statement.

Under articles 14 and 16 of the treaty of peace with Japan, just over £4·6 million was received from Japan and about £175,000 from Thailand. During the early 1950s about £4·25 million of the total was distributed to some 59,000 former prisoners of war and civilian internees through the then Ministry of Pensions and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Apart from £3,000 held to meet possible future claims, the remainder is now held in a trust fund administered by the Far East (Prisoners of War and Internees) Fund.

Housing Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the housing benefit paid to (a) a single pensioner under 79 years, (b) a single pensioner over 80 years, (c) a pensioner couple under 79 years, (d) a pensioner couple over 80 years, (e) a single parent, working, with one child under 16 years, (f) a couple, one working, with one child under 16 years, (g) a single parent, working, with two children under 16 years and (h) a couple, one working, with two children under 16 years where the rent and rates are (i) 25 per cent. below average, (ii) average and (iii) 25 per cent. above average and gross weekly income is (x) at the level of unemployment benefit and (y) earnings of £45, £55, £65, £75, £85, £95, £110 and £125 a week, under the current provisions and under the assumptions set out in the technical annex to Cmnd. 9691, including the 20 per cent. contribution to rates; and in each case at what level of income the entitlement to housing benefit would disappear.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1986, c. 382]: The information requested is given in the following tables.

Weekly gross income level
	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Income level at which HB no longer payable
(ii) 75 per cent, average	11·04	5·84	1·44	—	—	—	—	—	68·26
(iii) 125 per cent, average	16·74	11·54	7·34	2·68	—	—	—	—	82·54
Pensioner couple 65–79
(i) Average rent and rates	19·00	19·00	15·64	9·74	5·54	1·35	—	—	97·90
(ii) 75 per cent, average	14·25	14·25	12·79	6·89	2·69	—	—	—	90·76
(iii) 125 per cent, average	23·75	23·75	18·49	12·59	8·39	4·19	—	—	105·04
Pensioner couple 80+
(i) Average rent and rates	19·00	19·00	15·64	9·74	5·54	1·35	—	—	97·90
(ii) 75 per cent, average	14·25	14·25	12·79	6·89	2·69	—	—	—	90·76
(iii) 125 per cent, average	23·75	23·75	18·49	12·59	8·39	4·19	—	—	105·04

Notes:

1. Average rent is assumed to be £13·80 per week and average rates £5·20 per week.

2. In each case the pensioners' income is assumed to be unearned.

3. No account has been taken of possible entitlement to housing benefit supplement.

Table IB: Working households (with one wage-earner)
Weekly gross earnings level
	Unemployment benefits	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Earnings level at which HB no longer payable
Single parent, 1 child
(i) Average rent and rates	21·60	21·60	21·60	21·16	18·06	14·76	11·05	4·75	—	120·61
(ii) 75 per cent, average	16·20	16·20	16·20	16·20	14·82	11·52	7·81	1·26	—	112·64
(iii) 125 per cent, average	27·00	27·00	26·74	24·60	21·30	18·00	14·29	7·99	1·53	125·16
Couple, 1 child
(i) Average rent and rates	21·60	21·60	21·60	21·52	19·56	16·26	12·96	6·66	0·54	125·16
(ii) 75 per cent, average	16·20	16·20	16·20	16·20	15·94	13·02	9·72	3·42	—	117·19
(iii) 125 percent, average	27·00	27·00	27·00	26·30	22·80	19·50	16·20	9·90	3·60	133·13
Single parent, 2 children
(i) Average rent and rates	22·80	22·80	22·80	22·80	21·26	17·96	14·66	8·62	2·6	130·39
(ii) 75 per cent, average	17·11	17·11	17·11	17·11	17·05	14·54	11·24	5·20	—	121·86
(iii) 125 per cent, average	28·51	28·51	28·51	28·51	24·68	21·38	18·08	12·4	5· 74	138·93
Couple, 2 children
(i) Average rent and rates	22·80	22·80	22·80	22·80	22·48	19·46	16·16	10·54	4·24	134·94
(ii) 75 per cent, average	17·11	17·11	17·11	17·11	17·11	16·05	12·75	7·13	0·91	126·41
(iii) 125 per cent, average	28·51	28·51	28·51	28·36	26·19	22·89	19·59	13·97	7·67	143·48

Notes:

1.The following average rent and rate levels have been assumed: £15·40 and £6·20 per week respectively for households with 1 child, and £16·50 per week and £6·30 per week for households with two children.

2.Child benefit and one-parent benefit have been assumed to be in payment, in addition to the earnings levels shown in the table, at November 1985 rates. The final column shows the earnings level at which housing benefit is no longer payable for consistency with the rest of the table; child benefit/one-parent benefit should be added to these figures to find the income level at which housing benefit is no longer payable.

3.No account has been taken of possible entitlement to FIS/Family Credit.

II: Amounts of weekly housing benefit under proposed scheme
Table 2A: Pensioner households
Weekly gross income level
	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Income level at which HB no longer payable
Single pensioner 65–79
(i) Average rent and rates	14·44	7·23	0·55	—	—	—	—	—	67·52
(ii) 75 per cent, average	9·95	2·30	—	—	—	—	—	—	59·30
(iii) 125 per cent, average	18·93	11·72	6·12	0·80	—	—	—	—	75·73
Single pensioner 80+
(i) Average rent and rates	16·24	9·03	3·42	—	—	—	—	—	70·73
(ii) 75 per cent, average	11·75	4·54	—	—	—	—	—	—	62·52
(iii) 125 per cent, average	20·73	13·52	7·92	2·15	—	—	—	—	78·94
Pensioner couple 65–79
(i) Average rent and rates	17·96	17·96	16·56	8·56	1·32	—	—	—	86·97
(ii) 75 per cent, average	13·47	13·47	12·7	4·7	—	—	—	—	78·75
(iii) 125 per cent, average	22·45	22·45	21·05	13·05	5·81	0·57	—	—	95·19

Weekly gross income level
	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Income level at which HB no longer payable
Pensioner couple 80+
(i) Average rent and rates	17·96	17·96	17·96	10·32	2·64	—	—	—	90·12
(ii) 75 per cent, average	13·47	13·47	13·47	5·83	—	—	—	—	81·90
(iii) 125 per cent, average	22·45	22·45	22·45	14·81	7·57	1·89	—	—	98·33

Notes:

1.The first two notes to table 1A also apply to this one.

2.November 1985 tax rates and allowances have been assumed and the current minimum benefit level of 50 pence has been used throughout. Pensioners are assumed to be over 65 for income tax purposes. Other assumptions are based on the illustrative figures used in the Technical Annex to Cmnd. 9691 including tapers of 60 per cent. (rents) and 20 per cent. (rates) and a minimum contribution inwards domestic rates of 20 per cent.

Table 2B: Working households (with one wage-earner)
Weekly gross earnings level
	Unemployment benefit	£45	£55	£65	£75	£85	£95	£110	£125	Earnings level at which HB no longer payable
Single parent, 1 child
(i) Average rent and rates	20·36	20·36	20·36	20·36	16·93	11·89	8·37	0·92	—	111·16
(ii) 75 per cent, average	15·27	15·27	15·27	15·27	11·84	6·80	3·28	—	—	100·65
(iii) 125 per cent, average	25·45	25·45	25·45	25·45	22·02	16·98	13·47	6·14	—	121·68
Couple, 1 child
(i) Average rent and rates	20·36	20·36	20·36	20·36	20·36	19·05	15·53	8·21	0·80	125·84
(ii) 75 per cent, average	15·27	15·27	15·27	15·27	15·27	13·96	10·44	3·12	—	115·32
(iii) 125 per cent, average	25·45	25·45	25·45	25·45	25·45	24·14	20·63	13·30	5·98	136·36
Single parent, 2 children
(i) Average rent and rates	21·54	21·54	21·54	21·54	20·59	15·55	12·03	4·71	—	119·25
(ii) 75 per cent, average	16·16	16·16	16·16	16·16	15·21	10·17	6·65	—	—	107·99
(iii) 125 per cent, average	26·93	26·93	26·93	26·93	25·98	20·94	17·42	10·10	2·52	130·53
Couple, 2 children
(i) Average rent and rates	21·54	21·54	21·54	21·54	21·54	21·54	19·19	11·87	4·55	133·92
(ii) 75 per cent, average	16·16	16·16	16·16	16·16	16·16	16·16	13·81	6·49	—	122·66
(iii) 125 per cent, average	26·93	26·93	26·93	26·93	26·93	26·93	24·58	17·26	9·94	145·21

Notes:

1.The notes to table 1B also apply to this one.

2.November 1985 tax rates and allowances, and national insurance rates, have been assumed. The current minimum benefit level of 50 pence has been used throughout. Other assumptions are based on the illustrative figures used in the Technical Annex to Cmnd. 9691 including tapers of 60 per cent. (rents) and 20 per cent. (rates) and a minimum contribution to rates of 20 per cent.

3.The children are assumed to be aged 15 (one child), and 10 and 15 (two children).

Community Psychiatric Nurses

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many whole-time equivalent community psychiatric nurses have been employed by each district health authority in each year from 1974 to the latest available date, broken down by (a) registered MNs, (b) RMNS, (c) SEN-M, (d) SEN-MH, (e) others and (f) total in England and Wales.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1986, c. 390]: Figures for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.Tables giving such information as is available centrally for England without incurring disproportionate cost have been placed in the Library.

Defence

Oil Prices (Cost Savings)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what cost savings there are to his Department as a result of the fall in oil prices for the 1986–87 Budget.

At current prices the volume of liquid fuel and lubricants provided for in the 1986–87 defence estimates will cost something of the order of £130 million

less than was assumed when those estimates were prepared. The outturn will, of course, depend on future price levels, exchange rates and the actual volume purchased. The defence votes are managed as a block cash limit and so savings arising from lower oil prices may be used to offset pay and price increases elsewhere in the defence budget higher than allowed for in the estimates.

6 Airborne Brigade

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future compositon and role of 6 Airborne Brigade.

On current plans the trial of 6 Airmobile Brigade in the airmobile role will finish in 1988, when it is due to commence remechanisation as part of the armoured re-equipment programme in BAOR. We plan to equip the brigade with armoured personnel carriers for both its infantry battalions and to strengthen it by the addition of the new in-theatre armoured regiment, the formation of which was announced in the 1985 "Statement on the Defence Estimates".

Shipbreaking (Naval Contracts)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that naval contracts for shipbreaking are offered only to British yards.

No. In view of the higher receipts that are likely to accrue to the defence budget it was decided last year to widen the scope of tendering for shipbreaking contracts to include overseas companies.

Jetfoil

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the evaluation of the use of jetfoils by the Royal Navy included analysis of staff requirements in relation to the use of the jetfoil in various operational modes; and if he will make a statement.

Since the acquisition of the jetfoil HMS Sp eedy in 1979 extensive consideration has been given to her use for various roles stemming from the relevant operational requirements. She is not however considered suitable for any of the roles examined and plans for her disposal by sale are proceeding.

Point Defence Gunnery Anti-Aircraft System

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the provision of point defence gunnery anti-aircraft systems to defend RAF airfields in the United Kingdom and abroad.

The Skyguard anti-aircraft gun system, which was captured in the Falklands conflict, is in service at RAF Waddington. We have at present no plans to purchase any further anti-aircraft gun system for the defence of RAF Airfields.

Nuclear Installations (Evacuation)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the contingency planning for evacuating either the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston or Royal Ordnance Factory Burghfield in the event of serious nuclear mishap.

Emergency plans at both establishments specify the actions to be taken and include the provision for the evacuation of single buildings, groups of buildings or the entire site as appropriate. Such evacuation would be carried out under the control of the establishment directors.In addition to these plans, comprehensive liaison arrangements exist with outside authorities, including the Health and Safety Executive, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of the Environment, the Thames valley police, and Berkshire county council Emergency Planning Department and the local authorities.Emergency plans are kept under constant review, and are tested and exercised periodically and up-dated as necessary.

Hms Tiger

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the shipbreaking contract for HMS Tiger; and if he will list the companies which have been invited to tender.

Tenders are now under consideration for the sale of HMS Tiger for scrap. Limitations on resale and, if the vessel is to be broken overseas, security and political factors will be considered before a contract is selected. Subject to that a contract will be awarded to the highest acceptable bidder.Tenders were invited from the following:

1. F. A. Ashmead and Sons Ltd., Avonmouth, Bristol.

2. Belcon Shipping and Trading Co. Ltd., Putney, London.

3. Mr. N. Betteridge, B. and B. Marines Ltd., Brotherton, Near Nottingley, West Yorkshire.

4. Birds Commercial Metals Ltd., Stratford-on-Avon, Warwicks.

5. Davies and Cann Ltd., Plymstock, Plymouth.

6. G. and T. Services Ltd., Barking, Essex.

7. Gulf Marine and Shipping Ltd., London.

8. Harland and Wolff, Belfast.

9. Lambert Bros. Offshore, London.

10. Liguria Maritime Ltd., Sittingbourne. Kent.

11. M. Lynch and Sons (Metals) Ltd., Rochester, Kent.

12. Medway Metals Ltd., Gillingham, Kent.

13. H. E. Moss and Co. Ltd., Liverpool.

14. Oldham Bros. Ltd., Liverpool.

15. Mr. J. Perkins, Stockport, Cheshire.

16. Pounds Marine Shipping Co., Havant, Hants.

17. W. and A. Roberts, Dumbarton, Scotland.

18. Romamet Ltd., Rochester, Kent.

19. Salvesen Diving, Liverpool.

20. Seaforth Maritime Ltd., Aberdeen.

21. Steel Supply Co. (Western) Ltd., Swansea, W. Glamorgan.

22. Shipbreaking (Queenborough) Ltd., Queenborough. Kent.

23. L. Todd (Swanscombe) Ltd., Swanscombe. Kent.

24. W. Visick and Sons Ltd., Truro, Cornwall.

25. West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co. Ltd., Troon, Ayrshire.

26. Westcroft Demolition Ltd., Co. Durham.

27 Jas. A. White and Co. Ltd., Inverkeithing, Fife.

28. Winchester Metals Ltd., Winchester, Hants.

29. Yorkthistle Ltd., Rochester, Kent.

30. S. C. Chambers and Co. Ltd., Shipbrokers, Liverpool.

31. H. Clarkson and Co. Ltd.. London.

32. Jacques Bakker and Zonen, Brugge.

33. Jade Stahl GMBH, Wilnelmshaven, Germany.

34. C. H. Rugg and Co., London.

35. Simpson Spence and Young Shipbrokers Ltd., London.

36. Smit Tak International, Rotterdam.

37. Andover Shipping Co., London.

38. Terry Bell International Shipping, London.

39. Deans Marine, Maidstone, Kent.

40. Naval Technical Services, Bicester.

41. Marine Systems Ltd., Zurich.

42. Mr. R. H. Wright, London.

43. Cycone Contractors, Bedhampton.

44. Bianchi of London Ltd., London.

45. Cairns and Byles, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

46. American General Resources Inc., Connecticut. USA.

47. Viscount Offshore Services, Edinburgh.

Admiralty Shipbreaking Contracts

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total value of Admiralty shipbreaking contracts since 1975.

About £5·7 million.

National Crisis (News Broadcasts)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements exist between his Department and the broadcasting authorities for dealing with news in times of national crisis; and if he will make a statement.

Arrangements with the broadcasting authorities are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. I understand, however, that in discussions in the early 1960s the BBC gave assurances that in a time of national crisis it would, without prejudice to its independence of editorial judgement, act with a full sense of responsibility and in consultation with the Government. In their response in Cmnd. 9499 to the Beach report on the protection of military information immediately prior to and during the conduct of operations, the Government agreed that compulsion of the media would be neither practical nor desirable and that voluntary co-operation should be the guiding principle. The Government also accepted that circumstances could arise where additional powers need to be taken for the control of information or special arrangements needed for the live reporting of Parliament. But such matters must be for the Government and Parliament of the day.

Volume 98: debated on Friday 23 May 1986

Written Answers To Questions

House Of Commons

Staff Training

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Krugerrands

Syria

Education And Science

Further Education College Students

University Of Dacca (Awards)

Initial Teacher Training

University Academics (Pay)

National Finance

National Savings Certificates

Departmental Staff

Ships (Capital Allowances)

Civil Service

Data Protection

The Arts

Museums (Loans)

Home Department

Boundary Commission (Information Technology)

Fire Services

Foreign Visitors

North Wales Police Force

Immigration

Local Government Boundaries

Naturalisation

Drugs

Radio Services

Crossbows

Police Operations (Wapping)

Conservative Party Conference (Policing Costs)

Traffic Law Enforcement

Refugees (Hong Kong)

Police Complaints Authority

Magistrates' Courts

Northern Ireland

Parades

Drunkenness

Youth Training

Intimidation

Transport

Air Fares

Driving Tests

M20 (Service Areas)

Marine Pilots (Compensation)

Scotland

Geriatric Beds (Occupancy)

Nurses (Establishment Levels)

Women's Refuges

Radioactivity

Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances

Wales

Housing

Senior House Officer Vacancies

Hospitals (Statistics)

Cervical Cancer

Dwyfor District Council

Inatrogenesis

Radiation Monitoring

Prime Minister

Quangos

Family Policies

Channel Tunnel

Korea

Energy

Nuclear Reactors

Berkeley Nuclear Power Station

Power Output

Dungeness B Power Station

Employment

Tourism

Youth Training

Wages (Arrears)

Home Workers

Wages Orders

Restart Courses

Short Training Courses