Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday 18 March 1987

Transport

Ports Industry

71.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet the European Commissioner with responsibility for ports to discuss harmonisation of the European Community ports industry.

My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the Commissioner responsible for transport, in the course of which questions of ports policy have been discussed. The Government do not, however, see any case for harmonisation in the ports field and have no plans to raise this idea with the Commission.

Roads

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the road schemes planned by his Department to which objection hearings in the High Court are awaited.

The only road scheme planned by the Department to which a hearing in the High Court is awaited is A5 Telford-Shrewsbury.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each metropolitan district and each London borough the estimated highways capital and highways maintenance expenditure for 1986–87.

[pursuant to his reply, 3 March 1987, c. 533]: I regret that my earlier answer contained a number of errors. The correct information is in the following tables.

Capital and maintenance expenditure on roads by London boroughs and metropolitan districts—1986–87
London Boroughs	Capital budget¹ £ million	Maintenance budget² £ million
City of London	2·390	4·187
Inner Boroughs
Camden	2·488	7·156
Greenwich	3·842	8·032
Hackney	2·826	3·742
Hammersmith and Fulham	0·310	4·981
Islington	1·078	3·070
Kensington and Chelsea	0·761	4·356
Lambeth	3·044	8·241
Lewisham	1·664	6·719
Southwark	2·675	6·909
Tower Hamlets	2·254	8·403
Wandsworth	7·640	4·515
Westminster	3·812	9·746
Outer Boroughs
Barking and Dagenham	2·000	3·221

London Boroughs	Capital budget¹ £ million	Maintenance budget² £ million
Barnet	1·715	8·483
Bexley	4·850	4·236
Brent	1·006	3·397
Bromley	2·268	9·321
Croydon	1·294	7·438
Ealing	5·984	6·125
Enfield	9·091	5·629
Haringey	2·443	3·481
Harrow	3·443	1·714
Havering	5·783	5·059
Hillingdon	11·208	5·667
Hounslow	1·818	2·541
Kingston-upon-Thames	7·917	3·644
Merton	4·938	5·491
Newham	3·794	4·163
Redbridge	4·260	5·115
Richmond-upon-Thames	0·918	4·609
Sutton	2·037	3·558
Waltham Forest	2·329	3·908
Source:
¹ Authorities' 1986 Transport Policies and Programmes.
² Authorities' Return of Expenditure and Rates '87.

Capital and maintenance expenditure on roads by London boroughs and metropolitan districts—1986–87
Metropolitan districts	Capital budget¹ £ million	Maintenance budget² £ million
Greater Manchester
Bolton	1·230	3·930
Bury	2·072	1·892
Manchester	11·961	9·837
Oldham	0·720	4·632
Rochdale	1·310	2·636
Salford	3·661	4·514
Stockport	3·807	4·781
Tameside	1·400	4·181
Trafford	4·072	5·809
Wigan	5·705	6·049
Merseyside
Knowsley	0·841	5·192
Liverpool	9·069	13·070
St. Helens	0·748	3·849
Sefton	1·031	8·288
Wirral	1·370	7·103
South Yorkshire
Barnsley	2·068	5·130
Doncaster	1·871	8·179
Rotherham	1·440	7·383
Sheffield	7·119	11·728
Tyne and Wear
Gateshead	1·320	7·220
Newcastle-upon-Tyne	2·054	7·517
North Tyneside	0·626	7·011
South Tyneside	3·559	5·071
Sunderland	6·692	6·783
West Midlands
Birmingham	15·813	19·106
Coventry	2·183	6·518
Dudley	2·805	5·512
Sandwell	2·876	7·093
Solihull	0·894	4·620
Walsall	3·913	4·508
Wolverhampton	6·878	4·414
West Yorkshire
Bradford	8·914	6·793

Metropolitan districts	Capital budget¹ £ million	Maintenance budget² £ million
Calderdale	0·999	6·566
Kirklees	4·040	7·938
Leeds	4·166	17·252
Wakefield	1·555	7·617
Source:
¹ Authorities' 1986 Transport Policies and Programmes
² Authorities' Return of Expenditure and Rates '87

Night Flying (Landing Procedures)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances, at night, the pilot of an aircraft is entitled to ask air traffic control to cancel his instrument flight rules plan during his approach to land and, thereafter, accept responsibility for maintaining his own separation from other aircraft.

The rules under which aircraft flying within the United Kingdom airspace may fly are laid down in the Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control Regulations 1985.Under these rules, the commander of an aircraft in flight outside controlled airspace at night is not required to file a flight plan for the purpose of obtaining an air traffic control clearance. However, if an instrument flight rules plan is filed, it may be cancelled at any stage of the flight but the commander must still comply with the instrument flight rules.For an aircraft in flight within controlled airspace at night, it is a requirement that an instrument flight rules flight plan be communicated to an air traffic control unit and that the aircraft must be flown in conformity with the air traffic control clearance obtained. The instrument flight rules flight plan cannot be cancelled in these circumstances.

London Transport (Safety)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implications for safety standards of the policy decisions taken by London Regional Transport or its London Buses and London Underground subsidiaries since 1983 relating to the improvement of commercial performance.

The primary responsibility for maintaining safety of both bus and underground systems rests with the operators. London Regional Transport is governed by the relevant statutory requirements and the bodies responsible for ensuring compliance. I am happy to report that the corporation's success at meeting its commercial objectives and so reducing the burden upon the taxpayer and London ratepayers has been achieved without weakening the very high standards of safety expected of its services.

Fishing Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan at columns 285–86 of the Official Report on 12 March, when consultations with representatives of the fishing industry will be completed; and if he will make a statement;

(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan at columns 285–86 of the Official Report on 12 March, if he intends to consult representatives of the Scottish Fishermens Federation and the Scottish White Fish Producers Association; and if he will make a statement.

We have asked the 56 representative bodies that we have consulted to let us have their written comments on the light dues proposals by 2 April, so that we may consider them prior to the meeting that we are arranging for 6 April. This will provide an opportunity for discussion of the proposals and for any further comments. That would effectively complete the consultation with the industry. The Scottish Fishermen's Federation and the Scottish White Fish Producers Association are among those consulted.

M23 (Traffic Congestion)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to reduce traffic jams at exit 10 on the M23 in the early mornings.

We have asked our agent, the West Sussex county council, to prepare a peak-hour traffic signal scheme.

Airports (Landing Charges)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about proposed increases in landing charges by the British Airports Authority.

A small number of representations have been received. From 1 April 1987, airport charges at BAA's London airports will be subject to price regulation by means of formulae that should ensure that airlines using Heathrow or Gatwick will enjoy, on average, real reductions in charges over the next five years.

Aircraft Noise (Gatwick)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the disposition of noise monitoring equipment at Gatwick airport; and if he will make a statement.

The four noise monitoring units at Gatwick continue to achieve their purpose of helping to protect communities close to the ends of the runway from high levels of noise disturbance by departing aircraft. The Department is considering whether new equipment should be installed and if so, where it should be positioned. In addition, the general noise climate around the airport is assessed each year by the Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of the Department, using mobile noise-monitoring equipment and computer modelling techniques.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce aircraft noise at Gatwick.

We have taken a number of important measures. Gatwick has benefited from the ban on non noise-certificated subsonic jet aircraft on the United Kingdom register, which took effect on 1 January 1986. It will also benefit from the ban on non noise-certificated foreign aircraft, which takes effect from 1 January 1988. The Government impose limits on the noise made by aircraft taking off, by day and by night, and restricts night movements. Movements at night by "noisier" jet aircraft (that is having a 95PNdB noise footprint exceeding 4 square miles on take-off or 2½ square miles on landing) will not be permitted from 1 April this year, except for emergencies and a few day-time flights that have been unavoidably delayed. In addition, disturbance is reduced by concentrating departing aircraft on noise preferential routes. The Government also encourage the use of quiet take-off and landing procedures at the airport.For the future the Government remain committed to taking all the measures they sensibly can to reduce disturbance due to aircraft noise near busy airports; and we are considering a number of initiatives that should help to alleviate disturbance at Gatwick and elsewhere.

Assessment Studies (London)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to consult boroughs on terms of reference for stage 2 of the London assessment studies; and if he will make a statement.

We are writing to the local authorities concerned today to consult them on the proposed terms of reference. We shall also be inviting comments from other interested organisations.The report on stage 1 analysed the problems in the study areas. The aim of stage 2 is to develop possible ways of dealing with them. The studies will look at a wide range of options, with a view to identifying possible alternative strategies for each area. They will take full account of the operation of the local road system, the role of public transport, and the safety and convenience of pedestrians and cyclists.The proposed terms of reference are as follows:

1. The aim of stage 2 of the studies is to identify possible options for reducing the problems identified in stage 1 of the studies.

2. The consultants carrying out the studies are to consider a range of options to enable the road system to cater more effectively for necessary longer distance traffic within London, including public transport improvements, better traffic management, control and enforcement of parking and junction improvements as well as possible new construction where that can be achieved without serious environmental damage.

3. It is not the aim to increase traffic in London. The objectives will be to deal more efficiently with existing traffic, where possible to stop it from using unsuitable residential roads and shopping streets, and to enable other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, to move more safely and freely.

4. It is not the Government's policy to restrict car use through road pricing within the foreseeable future, but it will be open to the consultants to consider proposals to charge for using specific roads or locations, and to estimate the effects on traffic in the study areas of more general measures, including completing the Government's policy of gradually raising to realistic levels the scale charges for taxing the benefit of having a company car available for private use.

5. One of the objectives of providing more effectively for longer distance traffic is to enable public road transport to function more efficiently and reliably. The consultants are to discuss with the operators how far traffic problems within the study areas could be helped by possible new or improved public transport facilities, interchanges and station car parks. Further work on possible new rail and underground investments will be carried forward under the aegis of the Secretary of State's London Passenger Transport Group.

6. The studies will need to take account of objectives for the study areas set out in local plans and strategic guidance for unitary plans as it is developed. In some places plans to maintain and develop economic activity depend on improved access. The Department is already supporting boroughs through TSG to achieve necessary improvements. The studies will consider whether further action is needed to improve access to the rest of London and the national road system. The consultants are to draw attention to development policies which could have undesirable consequences in overloading the road system.

7. The consultants are to assess the merits of these options, having regard to the Government's transport policies, including those for public transport, and their policies and guidance for roads and traffic in London, the Department's continuing concern to secure value for money and the sensitivity of the environment and the social fabric of the areas concerned. They are also to take account of the Government response to the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report on urban road appraisal.

Rural Bus Services

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the rate of grant for rural bus services in 1987–88.

The Government introduced a rural bus grant last April to encourage provision of rural bus services during the change over to deregulation. It is to be phased out over the following three years. The grant was paid at 6p per eligible bus mile in 1986–87. It will be paid at 5p per bus mile in 1987–88 and so will continue to be an important incentive for rural bus service operators.

Social Services

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recipients of supplementary benefit on Merseyside have had their payments suspended for not attending job training scheme interviews; how much in benefit has been withheld; and if he will make a statement.

The new job training scheme will not begin in Merseyside until April 1987. The scheme is entirely voluntary and no benefit sanctions will apply if someone does not wish to take up training or leaves prematurely.

National Insurance Contributions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many individuals have been excepted from payment of class 2 national insurance contributions because their earnings were below the limit for each year since 1979.

The information is as follows:

Year	United Kingdom
1978–79	27,450
1979–80	27,500
1980–81	29,500
1981–82	27,100
1982–83	39,900
1983–84	52,500

(1) The figures show the number of persons excepted from payment of class 2 contributions in the last week of the relevant contribution year.

(2) Final figures are not available for later years.

Ophthalmic Regulations

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (I) what steps are taken to monitor the operation of the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Amendment Regulations 1985 (SI 1985, No. 298); and if he will make a statement;(2) what powers are available to him to deal with allegations of breaches of the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Amendment Regulations 1985 (SI 1985, No. 298).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the operation of the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Amendment Regulations 1985 (SI 1985, No. 298); and if he will make a statement.

These regulations have been revoked and provisions relating to the general ophthalmic services are now contained in the National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No. 975). I understand that these new regulations are operating satisfactorily.The Department monitors the operation of these services through the information which it receives from family practitioner committees.Complaints which suggest a breach of the regulations are subject to investigation by the ophthalmic service committee of the family practitioner committee concerned in accordance with the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations 1974 (SI 1974 No. 455). These regulations provide a range of penalties which May be imposed on those practitioners found in breach of their terms of service.

Hearing Therapists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many hearing therapists have been trained; how many are currently employed; what has been the annual wastage rate; and what attempts are being made to reduce it;(2) how many hearing therapists are currently employed by the National Health Service.

Although records are not kept centrally, I understand that since 1978, 75 hearing therapists have been trained at the City Literary Institute. There are at present about 60 hearing therapists in post and 12 students on the current course. We continue to keep in close touch with the training authority and the British Society of Hearing Therapists about the development of hearing therapy in the National Health Service.

NHS consultants in audiological medicine: analysis by employing authority, showing changes in numbers since 1979 and 1983
				Change/number
	1986	1983	1979	1986–83	1986–79
England	14	15	8	-1	+6
Total of figures shown below¹	16	20	10
Trent
Nottingham HA	1	1	—	—	+1
North West Thames
North West Thames RHA	2	2	—	—	+2
Paddington/North Kensington HA	—	1	—	-1	—
Riverside HA	1	3	—	-2	+1
North East Thames
Bloomsbury HA²	5	7	4	-2	+1
South East Thames

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what financial provision is currently being made for the training of hearing therapists;(2) whether any estimate has been made of the number of hearing therapists needed in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Following seven years pump-priming by the Department, provision for the training of hearing therapists, and estimation of the numbers needed, is now the responsibility of individual district health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department has given on the desirability of districts employing hearing therapists.

The Department has consistently encouraged the establishment of hearing therapy posts in the National Health Service. In 1978 the Department issued a circular to all regional health authorities encouraging them to establish two or three hearing therapist posts in their regions. Until the cessation of central funding in 1985 the Department wrote each year to RHAs asking them to nominate candidates for the training course. In 1985, the Department, in conjunction with the National Health Service training authority, held a seminar to enable participants from the NHS to appreciate the value of hearing therapists and to demonstrate what they can achieve as an integral part of services for people whose hearing is impaired.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities employ at least one hearing therapist.

I regret that this information is not held centrally.

Audiological Consultants

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many audiological consultants are employed by the National Health Service and in which regions and districts; and what has been the increase in numbers since 1979 and since 1983.

Information on the employment of National Health Service consultants is not available centrally for all districts. Numbers of consultants contracts held by regional health authorities, district health authorities designated for teaching purposes, and special health authorities for the London post-graduate teaching hospitals are set out in the table. Some consultants hold contracts of more than one authority.

				Change/number
	1986	1983	1979	1986–83	1986–79
Camberwell HA	1	1	—	—	+1
South West Thames
South West Thames RHA	2	1	1	+1	+1
Wandsworth HA [Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth AHA(T) before April 1982]	—	—	1	—	-1
Wessex
Southampton and South West Hampshire HA [Hampshire AHA(T) before April 1982]	—	—	1	—	-1
North Western
Central Manchester HA	1	1	1	—	—
Salford HA	1	1	1	—	—
SHA/LPGTHs
Hospitals for Sick Children	1	1	1	—	—
National Hospital for Nervous Diseases	1	1	—	—	+1
¹ Some consultants hold contracts with more than one authority.
² Figures for 1979 include National Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital.
Other boundary changes may have affected some figures, but it is not possible to identify these.

Deafness

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children have been born profoundly deaf in each of the last five years; and how many specialised centres there are for their treatment in the United Kingdom.

No precise estimates are available but it is generally accepted that around one child in every 1,000 is born profoundly deaf. Responsibility for their treatment rests with individual health authorities and detailed information about the specific facilities provided is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to ease the conditions for compensation for industrial noise deafness; and to what extent an extension is affected by the current level of provision for audiological testing.

Noise-induced hearing loss was prescribed as an industrial disease on 28 October 1974 on the basis of recommendations in a report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (Cmnd. 5461 October 1973). In that and subsequent reports the recommendations have been influenced, among other things, by the availability of audiological resources.A further report is expected this year. Whatever the recommendations, these will be considered carefully, and in the light of other demands on the social security system.

Cases on in-patient waiting list for admission to NHS hospitals for general surgery at 30 September
				Change between
Regional health authorities	1979 Number of cases	1983 Number of cases	1986 Number of cases	1979–86 Number	Percentage	1983–86 Number	Percentage
Northern	10,740	9,906	9,034	-1,706	-15·9	-872	-8·8
Yorkshire	10,759	10,408	8,413	-2,346	-21·8	-1,995	-19·2
Trent	17,409	15,297	10,958	-6,451	-37·1	-4,339	-28·4
East Anglia	7,841	5,991	5,458	-2,383	-30·4	-533	-8·9
North West Thames¹	11,041	9,592	10,420	-621	-5·6	828	8·6
North East Thames¹	13,208	11,946	13,781	573	4·3	1,835	15·4
South East Thames¹	12,708	11,719	13,373	665	5·2	1,654	14·1
South West Thames¹	9,347	8,219	7,049	-2,298	-24·6	-1,170	-14·2
Wessex	8,802	9,883	9,407	605	6·9	-476	-4·8
Oxford	9,591	8,965	7,372	-2,219	-23·1	-1,593	-17·8
South Western	12,677	10,416	10,099	-2,578	-20·3	-317	-3·0
West Midlands	23,745	21,649	17,891	-5,854	-24·7	-3,758	-17·4

Audiological Centres

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many specialised audiological centres providing the full range of hearing tests there are in the United Kingdom; and what is the waiting time for a first appointment at each.

I regret that this information is not held centrally.

Waiting Lists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time, in each of the regions, for a first appointment with (a) a general surgeon and (b) an ear, nose and throat surgeon.

I am sorry I cannot give the right hon. Member the information he seeks. Statistical information on cases awaiting out-patient consultation is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give, for each region, the waiting lists for (a) general surgery and (b) ear, nose and throat surgery; if he will express the figures as numbers per hundred thousand of the population; and if he will give the percentage increase since 1979 and since 1983 respectively.

The information requested is given in the tables.

				Change between
Regional health authorities	1979 Number of cases	1983 Number of cases	1986 Number of cases	1979–86 Number	Percentage	1983–86 Number	Percentage
Mersey	11,961	10,624	7,789	-4,172	-34·9	-2,835	-26·7
North Western	16,295	13,898	10,718	-5,577	-34·2	-3,180	-22·9
SHA's¹	214	510	578	364	170·1	68	13·3
England	176,338	159,023	142,340	-33,998	-19·3	-16,683	-10·5

Cases on in-patient waiting list for admission to NHS hospitals for ear, nose and throat surgery at 30 September
				Change between
Regional health authorities	1979 Number of cases	1983 Number of cases	1986 Number of cases	1979–86 Number	Percentage	1983–86 Number	Percentage
Northern	5,960	8,036	4,068	-1,892	-31·7	-3,968	-49·4
Yorkshire	8,795	9,453	8,569	-226	-2·6	-884	-9·4
Trent	8,372	8,506	8,873	501	6·0	367	4·3
East Anglia	3,561	4,905	3,655	94	2·6	-1,250	-25·5
North West Thames¹	6,435	6,006	7,811	1,376	21·4	1,805	30·1
North East Thames¹	9,520	10,425	13,883	4,363	45·8	3,458	33·2
South East Thames¹	5,811	5,671	8,532	2,721	46·8	2,861	50·4
South West Thames¹	4,647	6,002	4,603	-44	-0·9	-1,399	-23·3
Wessex	8,486	7,231	5,451	-3,035	-35·8	-1,780	-24·6
Oxford	5,468	4,651	4,434	-1,034	-18·9	-217	-4·7
South Western	4,861	5,781	5,004	143	2·9	-777	-13·4
West Midlands	13,821	13,899	15,107	1,286	9·3	1,208	8·7
Mersey	5,727	5,268	3,354	-2,373	-41·4	-1,914	-36·3
North Western	11,919	10,332	10,364	-1,555	-13·0	32	0·3
SHA's¹	1,677	956	777	-900	-53·7	-179	-18·7
England	105,060	107,122	104,485	-575	-0·5	-2,637	-2·5

Cases on in-patient waiting list for admission to NHS hospitals for General Surgery expressed as a rate per 100,000 population
				Change between
Regional Health Authorities	1979	1983	1986	1979–86	1983–86
	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population (Mid-1985)	Per cent.	Per cent.
Northern	343·1	319·5	292·8	-14·7	-8·4
Yorkshire	298·4	289·3	272·6	-8·6	-5·7
Trent	380·1	332·4	355·1	-6·6	6·9
East Anglian	420·6	311·2	176·9	-57·9	-43·2
North West Thames¹	319·5	277·6	337·7	5·7	21·7
North East Thames¹	351·1	319·8	446·6	27·2	39·7
South East Thames¹	354·9	326·8	433·4	22·1	32·6
South West Thames¹	317·8	278·8	228·4	-28·1	-18·1
Wessex	322·5	352·7	304·9	-5·5	-13·6
Oxford	417·8	377·3	238·9	-42·8	-36·7
South Western	415·8	335·9	327·3	-21·3	-2·6
West Midlands	458·5	418·2	579·8	26·5	38·6
Mersey	484·0	436·5	252·4	-47·9	-42·2
North Western	401·8	347·0	347·3	-13·6	0·1
England	377·6	339·5	302·1	-20·0	-11·0

Cases on in-patient waiting list for admission to NHS hospitals for Ear, Nose and Throat expressed as a rate per 100,000 population
				Change between
Regional Health Authorities	1979	1983	1986	1979–86	1983–86
	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Per cent.	Per cent.
Northern	190·4	259·2	131·8	-30·8	-49·1
Yorkshire	243·9	262·7	238·1	-2·4	-9·4
Trent	182·8	184·8	191·9	5·0	3·8
East Anglian	191·0	254·8	186·0	-2·6	-27·0
North West Thames¹	186·2	173·8	224·3	20·5	29·1
North East Thames¹	253·1	279·1	370·1	46·2	32·6
South East Thames¹	162·3	158·2	236·9	45·9	49·8
South West Thames¹	158·0	203·6	155·4	-1·6	-23·7

				Change between
Regional Health Authorities	1979	1983	1986	1979–86	1983–86
	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Number of Cases per 100,000 population	Per cent.	Per cent.
Wessex	310·9	258·1	191·0	-38·6	-26·0
Oxford	238·2	195·8	181·9	-23·6	-7·1
South Western	159·4	186·4	158·8	-0·4	-14·8
West Midlands	266·9	268·5	291·5	9·2	8·6
Mersey	231·8	216·4	138·4	-40·3	-36·1
North Western	293·9	258·0	259·6	-11·7	0·6
England	221·4	226·6	220·1	-0·6	-2·9
¹ Because of National Health Service restructuring in 1982 figures are not strictly comparable over the whole period.

Ent Consultants

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many ear, nose and throat consultant posts

Consultant posts in otolaryingology: Analysis by region showing number and whole-time equivalent of all posts for the years 1986, 1983 and 1979, also whole-time equivalent of posts unfilled by locums in 1986 (30 September each year)
	1986			1983		1979¹
	Consultant posts		not occupied by locums	Consultant posts		Consultant posts
	Number	Whole-time equivalent	Whole-time equivalent	Number	Whole-time equivalent	Number	Whole-time equivalent
Northern	25	23·6	—	26	23·9	26	23·6
Yorkshire	24	23·3	2·0	27	24·1	25	23·1
Trent	35	31·9	—	32	29·8	30	26·6
East Anglian	13	13·0	—	14	13·9	13	12·9
North West Thames	27	18·6	—	31	21·3	39	23·1
North East Thames	45	33·0	0·8	49	32·0	42	28·9
South East Thames	33	29·1	—	37	29·5	38	27·8
South West Thames	31	24·2	0·8	31	24·6	32	21·8
Wessex	25	23·8	1·0	27	23·8	25	22·5
Oxford	19	18·1	—	18	18·0	16	15·8
South Western	23	21·7	—	24	22·8	25	21·5
West Midlands	40	39·5	—	39	37·9	37	34·1
Mersey	17	14·3	—	17	14·9	18	14·6
North Western	36	34·7	1·0	38	35·6	35	29·3
SHA/LPGTHs	11	2·8	—	12	3·1	24	12·2
¹ Due to the National Health Service restructuring in 1982, figures for 1979 are not strictly comparable.

Hearing Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what investigation there has been regarding the use that is made of National Health Service hearing aids after issue to (a) the general population and (b) elderly people; and what research has been done into the problems that are encountered with the use of hearing aids.

We hope that the national study of hearing being carried out by the Institute of Hearing Research will throw light on this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what type of follow-up help is normally provided to those supplied with National Health Service hearing aids.

District health authorities make their own arrangements using the staff and facilities available to them.

there are now in each of the regions; how many there were in 1979 and in 1983 respectively; and how many of the posts are currently unfilled.

The information requested is in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Social. Services how many new patients are supplied with hearing aids annually; and what is the average waiting period from the time of diagnosis that a hearing aid is needed to its eventual supply.

I am sorry that I cannot give the right hon. Member the information he seeks. It is not available centrally. Responsibility for the supply of National Health Service hearing aids now rests with the Mersey regional health authority. The right hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the regional chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the elderly population over 65 years of age have a National Health Service hearing aid.

Specific information is not available but it is known that hearing aid possession rises after retirement age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of elderly people over 65 years of age who have a hearing loss so great that they would benefit from the provision of a hearing aid;(2) what is his estimate of the proportion of the adult population who have a hearing loss so great that they would benefit from the use of a hearing aid.

Whether patients might benefit from the provision of a hearing aid depends on a complicated set of factors including, of course, the degree and type of hearing loss suffered. In view of this, it is not possible to give accurate estimates but I hope that people, especially elderly people, who feel that their hearing is becoming impared will seek medical advice so that the best treatment may be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the adult population have a National Health Service hearing aid.

It has been estimated that 3·8 per cent. of the adult population have hearing aids, 80 per cent. of these supplied by the National Health Service.

Audiology Technicians

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of audiology technician posts in the National Health Service in each of the past five years; what is the current number of vacancies; and what changes there have been in the percentage of posts that are vacant over the last five years.

Information on posts and on vacancies is not collected centrally. Numbers of physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:

30 September	Number
1981	760
1982	800
1983	790
1984	790
1985	780

Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many audiological technicians have been trained in each of the last five years; what is the estimated turnover; and what steps are being taken to reduce it.

Information on staff completing training, or on turnover of staff, is not collected centrally. The numbers of student physiological measurement technicians (audiology) in post for the five years to 1985 (the most recent year for which information is available) are as follows:

Staff in post in England—grades A and B
30 September	Number
1981	210
1982	190
1983	150
1984	150
1985	140

Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

Note: All figures rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations his Department has issued on the desirable number of audiological technicians per million population; and how many regions have achieved this recommended number.

None. The number of technicians required is a matter for determination by the individual health authorities.

Abortion

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during the last 12 months officials of his Department have visited the Leicester Nuffield clinic, Scraptoft Lane, Leicester in order to monitor the implementation of the Abortion Act and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act.

The Leicester Nuffield clinic, which has only two beds approved under the Abortion Act, has not been visited in the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during the last 12 months officials of his Department have visited the abortion clinic at Dean Park nursing home, Bournemouth, in order to monitor the implementation of the Abortion Act and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act.

The Dean Park nursing home has received one visit of inspection under the Abortion Act during the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during the last 12 months officials of his Department have visited the Wellesley hospital, Southend on Sea, Essex, in order to monitor the implementation of the Abortion Act and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act.

The Wellesley hospital, which has only two beds approved under the Abortion Act, has not been visited in the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide details of each death notified with legal abortions in England and Wales from 1982 to 1986, listed by (a) duration of pregnancy (i) under nine weeks (ii) nine to 12 weeks, (iii) 13 to 16 weeks, (iv) 17 to 19 weeks and (v) 20 weeks or over and (b) the abortion procedures and showing whether sterilisation was notified concurrently.

The information is shown in the table.

Number of notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967, specifying death of woman, by gestation, procedure and whether sterilization was performed England and Wales—1982 to 1986
Year	Number	Gestation	Procedure	Sterlisation
1982	3 cases	11 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	Yes
		12 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	Hysterectomy
		15 weeks	D & C	No
1983	1 case	8 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	Not stated
1984	3 cases	14 weeks	Prostaglandins only	Not stated
		17 weeks	Vacuum aspiration and D & C	No
		12 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	Yes
1985	2 cases	6 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	Not stated

Year	Number	Gestation	Procedure	Sterlisation
		8 weeks	Vacuum aspiration	No
1986	nil¹
¹ Provisional figure for notifications received by end of December 1986.

These statistics may exclude deaths occurring after the notification of the abortion.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of legal abortions without sterilisation performed in England and Wales from 1968 to 1986 (a) by gestation period of (i) under nine weeks, (ii) nine to 12 weeks, (iii) 13 to 16 weeks and (iv) 17 to 19 weeks and (b) by main procedure (1) aspiration, (2) D and C or D and E, (3) hysterotomy, (4) laminaria tents, (5) prostaglandines, (6) saline and (7) utus paste.

I regret that the exact information requested can he provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the available information on all abortions by period of gestation and procedure is shown in the following publications: "Registrar General's Statistical Review—Supplement on Abortion 1968–1973," table 13. "Abortion Statistics Series AB," table 3.1 1974–1980, table 14 1981–1985. Copies of these volumes are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during the last 12 months officials of his Department have visited the abortion clinic at Hampshire clinic, Basingstoke, in order to monitor the implementation of the Abortion Act and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act.

The Hampshire clinic has only two beds approved under the Abortion Act. Approval was granted in June 1986. Prior to approval the hospital received two visits of inspection in February and April 1986. It has not been visited since that time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during the last 12 months officials of his Department have visited the abortion clinic at Highfield hospital in Rochdale in order to monitor the implementation of the Abortion Act and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act.

The Highfield hospital, which has only three beds approved under the Abortion Act, has been visited once in the last 12 months.

Tricycles

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) new and (b) good condition second-hand tricycles are available in his Department; what plans his Department has for their disposal; and if he will make a statement.

There are no new invalid three-wheelers available in England. The last contract for the purchase of these vehicles was completed in April 1978.On 1 March 1987 there were 1,023 invalid three-wheelers in good condition available for re-issue. The Department also has some 1,100 vehicles around the country which are kept in reserve for the use of three-wheeler drivers when those they have on permanent loan are off the road.The future of these vehicles is a matter which we shall be considering over coming months.

Benefits (Claimants)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many supplementary benefit claimants are being assessed as board and lodgers in his Department's local offices in Greenock and Port Glasgow;(2) how many supplementary benefit claimants live in hostels and are treated as boarders by his Department's local offices in Greenock and Port Glasgow;(3) how many supplementary benefit claimants reside in private nursing or residential homes and are treated as boarders by his Department's local offices in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

I regret that the information requested is not collected by individual local offices and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Children In Care

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost to local authorities, as notified to his Department, of keeping children between the ages of (a) five to 11 years and (b) 11 to 16 years in care; and what range of costs the average covers.

Information is not collected centrally in the form requested. Some information about local authority expenditure on children in care is, however, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in its "Personal Social Services Statistics" publications, copies of which are available in the Library.

Streetwise (Parliamentary Question)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to answer the question of the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich, for answer on 24 February, regarding a request for funding by the organisation Streetwise.

I replied to the hon. Member on 17 March.

Cervical Cancer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to whether Calderdale health authority is operating a full computerised call and recall scheme for screening all women at risk of cervical cancer covering all the family doctor practices in the district.

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

Cancer (West Cumbria)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest position in implementing recommendation five of the report of the independent advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black which investigated the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria.

The Government have reached agreement in principle with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that we should establish there a small area statistics unit of which Professor Geoffrey Rose should be honorary director. The following terms of reference have been proposed far the unit."On behalf of the Government:

(i) to study available statistics in order to detect any unusual incidence of disease as early as possible and, where appropriate, to investigate;

(ii) to examine quickly reports (formal and informal) of unusual clusters of disease in the neighbourhood of industrial installations and advise authoritatively as soon as possible;

(iii) in collaboration with relevant bodies build up reliable background information on the distribution of disease amongst small areas so that specific clusters can be placed in proper context;

(iv) to develop the methodology for analysing and interpreting statistics relating to small areas."

The work of the unit will be guided by a steering committee drawn from those Government Departments in the United Kingdom responsible for health and environmental questions, the Health and Safety Executive and independent experts.

It is expected that the details of the contract with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will be finalised soon and the unit will start work in the early part of the next financial year.

Severe Weather Payments

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of advertising of the £5 cold climate allowance; what is the estimated cost of administration of the scheme (a) in the current year and (b) in January 1987; and what other expenditure has been incurred, apart from the cost of the payments themselves.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1987, c. 367]: The full cost of advertising and administering the exceptionally cold weather scheme in the current year will be assessed at the end of the winter period. However, total advertising costs for January 1987 were about £670,000.Additional manpower in the form of 300 overtime man-years was allocated to local offices to help process cold weather claims at a cost of some £4 million. Extra travel and subsistence in connection with overtime working and increased postage costs were also incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, how much was spent by his Department on advertising the availability of exceptionally severe weather payments (a) in 1986 and (b) so far in the current year in (i) Scotland, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Greenock and Port Glasgow.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 February 1987, c. 341]: The availability of exceptionally severe weather payments in 1986 was advertised on a national basis only, at a cost of £267,000.

TABLE I Income under Section 58 of The National Health Service Act 1977
	1983–84				1984–85				1985–86
Regions	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d	a	d
	£	£000	£000	per cent.	£	£000	£000	per cent.	£	per cent.
Northern	802	1	1	—	1,560	2	2	—	11,492	—
Yorkshire	6,972	8	8	—	10,819	11	11	—	49,638	—
Trent	18,386	20	20	—	40,955	43	43	—	73,711	0·01
East Anglian	16,068	18	18	—	53,685	57	56	0·01	64,943	0·01
North West Thames	11,941	13	13	—	27,535	29	29	—	36,864	—
North East Thames	4,839	5	5	—	5,800	6	6	—	12,778	—
South East Thames	17,107	19	19	—	57,069	61	60	0·01	164,154	0·01
South West Thames	9,748	11	11	—	29,979	32	32	—	63,228	0·01
Wessex	11,310	12	13	—	28,686	30	30	—	68,697	0·01

In January 1987 press and radio advertising was undertaken on a national basis at a cost of £400,000 and advertisments for insertion in local newspapers, leaflets and posters were produced and distributed centrally at an approximate cost of £68,000. Scotland also undertook its own advertising at a cost of about £54,700.

In addition, local advertising was undertaken, for which the estimated costs for January 1987, are as follows:

	£
Scotland	9,000
Strathclyde	4,000
Greenock and Port Glasgow	500

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the backlog of claims at the Gosford street and Park court offices of his Department in Coventry in January 1986, July 1986 and January 1987, respectively.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 March 1987]: The table sets out the information requested about outstanding claims to social security benefits at Gosford street.

Benefit	14 January 1986	29 July 1986	13 January 1987
Sickness/Invalidity	204	113	86
Maternity allowance	90	86	60
Severe disablement allowance	not known	12	42
Supplementary benefit	396	742	321
Retirement pension	263	250	245

Park court is an unemployment benefit office, rather than a DHSS office, and I understand there are no claims to unemployment benefit outstanding.

Finance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each year since 1979 the total income in each region under section 58, section 65 and section 66 of the National Health Service Act 1977; and if he will give these figures (a) in cash terms, (b) deflated to take account of inflation generally, (c) deflated to take account of the movement of National Health Service pay and prices and (d) as a percentage of total National Health Service expenditure.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1986, c. 122]: The following figures are derived from the annual accounts of health authorities. Reliable figures for section 58 income are not available for years before 1983–84.

	1983–84				1984–85				1985–86
Regions	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d	a	d
	£	£000	£000	per cent.	£	£000	£000	per cent.	£	per cent.
Oxford	15,865	18	18	—	44,566	47	47	0·01	60,747	0·01
South Western	57,430	63	64	0·01	60,854	65	64	0·01	74,919	0·01
West Midlands	31,215	35	35	—	77,303	82	81	0·01	67,627	—
Mersey	22,860	25	25	—	43,108	46	45	0·01	47,444	0·01
North Western	28,530	32	32	—	33,651	36	36	—	80,897	0·01
Special Health
Authorities for the London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals	43,458	48	48	0·02	88,918	94	94	0·05	141,804	0·07
Total	296,531	328	330	—	604,488	641	636	—	1,018,943	0·01

Table 2. Income under Section 65 of the National Health Service Act 1977
	1979–80				1980–81
	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d
	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.
Regions
Northern	520	839	897	0·11	767	1,044	1,034	0·13
Yorkshire	1,701	2,746	2,934	0·32	2,130	2,898	2,871	0·31
Trent	1,303	2,103	2,248	0·20	1,730	2,354	2,332	0·21
East Anglian	1,116	1,801	1,925	0·41	1,500	2,041	2,022	0·43
North West Thames	5,464	8,820	9,426	0·90	6,511	8,859	8,777	0·85
North East Thames	3,989	6,439	6,881	0·63	4,978	6,773	6,710	0·59
South East Thames	4,414	7,125	7,614	0·71	5,781	7,866	7,793	0·73
South West Thames	1,811	2,923	3,124	0·37	2,236	3,042	3,014	0·36
Wessex	1,199	1,935	2,068	0·31	1,711	2,328	2,306	0·34
Oxford	2,076	3,351	3,581	0·67	2,537	3,452	3,420	0·64
South Western	910	1,469	1,570	0·19	1,257	1,710	1,694	0·21
West Midlands	2,094	3,380	3,612	0·28	2,809	3,822	3,787	0·30
Mersey	766	1,237	1,321	0·19	1,065	1,449	1,436	0·21
North Western	2,119	3,420	3,655	0·32	2,863	3,896	3,859	0·34
Special Health Authorities for the London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals	3,838	6,195	6,621	3·76	4,744	6,456	6,395	3·64
Total	33,320	53,783	57,477	0·45	42,619	57,990	57,450	0·45

	1981–82				1982–83
	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d
Regions	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.
Northern	901	1,116	1,123	0·13	592	684	693	0·08
Yorkshire	2,626	3,252	3,272	0·34	2,016	2,328	2,359	0·24
Trent	1,789	2,216	2,229	0·19	1,714	1,980	2,005	0·17
East Anglia	1,917	2,374	2,389	0·49	1,552	1,793	1,816	0·36
North West Thames	7,360	9,115	9,171	0·85	6,073	7,014	7,105	0·69
North East Thames	5,793	7,175	7,218	0·62	8,520	9,841	9,968	0·80
South East Thames	6.472	8,016	8,064	0·74	6,135	7,086	7,178	0·65
South West Thames	2,597	3,216	3,236	0·37	2,573	2,972	3,010	0·35
Wessex	2,097	2,597	2,613	0·37	1,802	2,081	2,108	0·29
Oxford	2,773	3,434	3,455	0·62	2,599	3,002	3,041	0·53
South Western	1,462	1,811	1,822	0·21	1,359	1,570	1,590	0·18
West Midlands	3,314	4,104	4,129	0·31	2,395	2,766	2,802	0·21
Mersey	1,531	1,896	1,908	0·27	1,281	1,480	1,499	0·21
North Western	3,287	4,071	4,096	0·34	2,244	2,592	2,625	0·22
Special health authorities for the London postgraduate Teaching hospitals	5,425	6,720	6,758	3·63	5,309	6,130	6,213	3·28
Total	49,344	61,113	61,483	0·47	46,164	53,319	54,012	0·40

	1983–84				1984–85				1985–86
Regions	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d	a	d
	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	per cent.
Northern	930	1,028	1,035	0·12	961	1,019	1,011	0·11	960	0·11
Yorkshire	2,730	3,018	3,038	0·31	2,909	3,084	3,060	0·31	2,940	0·29
Trent	1,574	1,740	1,752	0·15	1,371	1,453	1,442	0·12	1,497	0·12

	1983–84				1984–85				1985–86
Regions	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d	a	d
	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	per cent.
East Anglian	1,763	1,949	1,962	0·39	1,476	1,565	1,553	0·30	1,784	0·34
North West Thames	5,909	6,532	6,577	0·64	5,733	6,077	6,031	0·58	5,727	0·55
North East Thames	8,307	9,182	9,246	0·74	8,063	8,547	8,482	0·68	8,134	0·66
South East Thames	6,190	6,842	6,889	0·62	5,894	6,248	6,200	0·56	6,267	0·56
South West Thames	2,620	2,896	2,916	0·34	2,501	2,651	2,631	0 31	2,256	0·26
Wessex	2,028	2,242	2,257	0·31	1,760	1,866	1,852	0·24	1,430	0·19
Oxford	2,734	3,022	3,043	0·53	2,882	3,055	3,032	0·51	3,190	0·54
South Western	1,585	1,752	1,764	0·20	1,426	1,512	1,500	0·17	1,678	0·19
West Midlands	2,938	3,248	3,270	0·24	2,890	3,063	3,040	0·22	2,794	0·19
Mersey	1,382	1,528	1,538	0·22	1,390	1,473	1,462	0·20	1,689	0·24
North Western	2,688	2,971	2,992	0·25	2,750	2,915	2,893	0·24	3,029	0·25
Special Health
Authorities for the London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals	6,116	6,759	6,808	3·42	6,681	7,082	7,030	3·66	8,412	4·32
Total	49,494	54,709	55,087	0·41	48,687	51,610	51,219	0·37	51,787	0·38

Table 3. Income under Section 65 of the National Health Service Act 1977
	1979–80				1980–81
	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d
Region	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.
Northern	79	128	136	0·02	121	165	163	0·02
Yorkshire	151	243	261	0·03	233	317	314	0·03
Trent	124	200	214	0·02	189	257	255	0·02
East Anglian	62	100	107	0·02	105	143	142	0·03
North West Thames	398	643	687	0·07	505	687	681	0·07
North East Thames	268	433	462	0·04	479	652	646	0·06
South East Thames	229	369	395	0·04	369	502	497	0·05
South West Thames	173	279	299	0·04	218	297	294	0·03
Wessex	89	144	154	0·02	154	210	208	0·03
Oxford	109	176	188	0·03	164	223	221	0·04
South Western	75	121	129	0·02	143	195	193	0·02
West Midlands	119	192	205	0·02	193	263	260	0·02
Mersey	66	106	114	0·02	115	156	155	0·03
North Western	182	294	314	0·03	233	317	314	0·03
Special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals	459	741	791	0·45	544	739	732	0·42
Total	2,583	4,169	4,456	0·04	3,765	5,123	5,075	0·04

	1981–82				1982–83
	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d
Regions	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.
Northern	156	193	194	0·02	114	132	133	0·02
Yorkshire	328	406	409	0·04	298	344	349	0·04
Trent	234	290	292	0·03	260	300	304	0·03
East Anglian	135	167	168	0·03	134	155	157	0·03
North West Thames	586	726	730	0·07	550	635	644	0·06
North East Thames	602	746	750	0·06	817	944	956	0·08
South East Thames	434	538	541	0·05	543	627	635	0·06
South West Thames	293	363	365	0·04	297	343	347	0·04
Wessex	222	275	277	0·04	258	298	302	0·04
Oxford	220	272	274	0·05	264	305	309	0·05
South Western	194	240	242	0·03	218	252	255	0·03
West Midlands	246	305	307	0·02	287	331	336	0·03
Mersey	175	217	218	0·03	191	221	223	0·03
North Western	348	431	434	0·04	299	345	350	0·03
Special Health Authorities for the London Postgraduate Teaching Hospitals	646	799	803	0·43	787	909	921	0·49
Total	4,819	5,968	6,004	0·05	5,317	6,141	6,221	0·05

	1983–84				1984–85				1985–86
	a	b	c	d	a	b	c	d	a	d
Regions	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	£000	£000	per cent.	£000	per cent.
Northern	187	207	208	0·02	231	245	243	0·03	312	0·04
Yorkshire	388	429	432	0·04	446	473	469	0·05	533	0·05
Trent	287	317	319	0·03	348	369	366	0·03	534	0·04
East Anglian	146	161	162	0·03	206	218	217	0·04	335	0·06
North West Thames	596	659	663	0·06	681	722	716	0·07	810	0·08
North East Thames	862	953	959	0·08	922	977	970	0·08	1,078	0·09
South East Thames	601	664	669	0·06	635	673	668	0·06	797	0·07
South West Thames	366	405	407	0·05	429	455	451	0·05	485	0·06
Wessex	285	315	317	0·04	318	337	335	0·04	359	0·05
Oxford	337	373	375	0·06	418	443	440	0·07	640	0·11
South Western	257	284	286	0·03	295	313	310	0·03	418	0·05
West Midlands	383	423	426	0·03	475	504	500	0·04	669	0·05
Mersey	206	228	229	0·03	257	272	270	0·04	348	0·05
North Western	361	399	402	0·03	438	464	461	0·04	661	0·05
Special Health
Authorities for the Teaching Postgraduate Hospitals	699	772	781	0·39	822	871	865	0·45	1,150	0·59
Total	5,961	6,589	6,635	0·05	6,921	7,336	7,281	0·05	9,129	0·07

Notes:

1. The figures in columns b have been adjusted to 1985–86 prices using the gross domestic product deflator.

2. The figures in columns c have been adjusted to the same 1985–86 base using centrally assessed movements in NHS pay and prices. They should be interpreted with caution as the composition of expenditure in individual regions is bound to vary from the national average. The calculation takes account only of pay and price movements affecting current expenditure by health authorities and does not reflect the different elements making up capital expenditure and that of the family practitioner services.

3. The total expenditure figures used to calculate the percentages in columns d include all current and capital expenditure by authorities together with expenditure on family practitioner services. The latter expenditure cannot strictly be attributed to particular regions but has been assigned to regions on a geographical basis from the annual accounts of family practitioner committees. The totals used to calculate the percentages for special health authorities do not include any of this expenditure and these figures are therefore not strictly comparable with those for regions.

4. Percentages too low to round to 0·01 per cent. are omitted.

Chiropodists And Speech Therapists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in respect of each English district health authority the ratio of (a) chiropodists and (b) speech therapists per head of population in 1980 and at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1987, c. 716]: Information is not held centrally in the form requested and would be disproportionately expensive to obtain. Figures available in respect of regional health authorities in England are given in the tables.

	1980	1985
NHS Speech Therapists Per 100,000 Population ¹ by Regional Health Authority
England²	3·5	4·9
Northern RHA	2·5	4·1
Yorkshire RHA	3·1	4·0
Trent RHA	3·2	4·8
East Anglian RHA	3·9	5·0
North West Thames RHA	4·3	5·4
North East Thames RHA	4·0	5·9
South East Thames RHA	4·0	5·1
South West Thames RHA	4·2	5·2
Wessex RHA	2·1	4·3
Oxford RHA	3·9	5·3
South Western RHA	3·6	5·1
West Midlands RHA	2·9	4·6
Mersey RHA	2·6	4·3
North Western RHA	3·9	5·4

	1980	1985
NHS Chiropodists Per 100,000 Population ¹ by Regional Health Authority
England²	4·4	5·0
Northern RHA	3·7	4·4
Yorkshire RHA	4·3	4·9
Trent RHA	3·3	4·5
East Anglian RHA	4·8	4·5
North West Thames RHA	5·1	5·1
North East Thames RHA	3·9	4·4
South East Thames RHA	5·3	5·3
South West Thames RHA	5·3	5·2
Wessex RHA	3·3	3·8
Oxford RHA	4·5	4·4
South Western RHA	4·6	4·9
West Midlands RHA	3·2	4·5
Mersey RHA	3·9	4·7
North Western RHA	6·6	8·6
Notes:
¹ Manpower figures used are whole-time equivalents at 30 September each year. Tutorial staff are excluded. Population figures used are mid-year estimates.
² Includes Special Health Authorities for the London Post-Graduate Teaching Hospitals.

Source:

DHSS Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.
OPCS Mid-Year Population Estimates.

Wales

Inland And Coastal Fisheries

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action has been taken by his Department to implement the recommendations of the consultation paper on the review of inland and coastal fisheries in England and Wales, published jointly by his Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Local Authority Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on how much money has been spent by local authorities in Wales on (i) twinning arrangements, showing separately the costs of related visits abroad, (ii) the establishment of nuclear-free zones and (iii) on emergency shelters; and if he will make a statement.

The information is not held centrally.

Children In Care

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost to local authorities, as notified to his Department, of keeping children between the ages of (a) five to 11 years and 11 to 16 years in care; and what range of costs the average covers.

Information is not available in the form requested. However, data published by the CIPFA statistical information service gives average figures for the Welsh counties as follows:

Children—residential accommodation Gross cost per child week excluding capital charges 1985–86 actuals (£)
	Observation and assessment centres	Community homes with education¹	Other community homes and hostels¹
Clwyd	280·33	—	205·41
Dyfed	204·72	—	225·39
Gwent	317·40	277·40	285·32
Gwynedd	203·63	—	212·06
Mid Glamorgan	798·21	434·10	206·12
Powys	—	—	147·68

Registration of cancers 1974–83
	1974–78	1974–78	1974–78	1979–83	1979–83	1979–83
	number	annual rate per 100.000 population	standardised registration rate	number	annual rate per 100,000 population	standardised registration rate
All leukaemias (ICD 204–208)
North Wales coast (Clwyd)	102	13·9	132	111	14·0	131
North Wales coast (Gwynedd)	92	11·4	109	104	12·8	117
North Wales coast	194	12·6	120	215	13·4	124
Wales	1,309	9·4	100	1,401	10·0	100
All malignancies (ICD 140–208)
North Wales coast (Clwyd)	3,813	520·2	110	4,070	515·0	10S
North Wales coast (Gwynedd)	3,898	483·9	104	4,283	527·6	104
North Wales coast	7,711	501·2	107	8,353	521·4	104
Wales	57,839	413·2	100	64,490	458·4	100

These confirm the elevated rates derived from the 1974 to 1978 quinquennial report of the Wales cancer registry. There is no evidence of a readily identifiable cause for this

	Observation and assessment centres	Community homes with education¹	Other community homes and hostels¹
South Glamorgan	633·61	791·28	353·85
West Glamorgan	269·74	366·10	180·37
Wales	316·63	474·86	230·51
¹ Own accommodation.

Appeals (Ministerial Adjudication)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what circumstances he has the role of adjudicator in appeals against decisions made by local authorities and public bodies in Wales; and if he will list the powers under which he fulfils that role.

A list of the various appellate powers is in preparation and I shall reply as soon as possible.

Cancer And Leukaemia

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is in a position to provide information concerning the levels for cancer and leukaemia along the coast of north Wales; and if he will make a statement.

In the 1974–78 quinquennial report of the Wales cancer registry it was noted that both Clwyd and Gwynedd had elevated rates of registrations for all cancers combined when compared with other areas in Wales. This result remained when allowance was made for the differing age and sex structures of the areas concerned. Initial work on the quinquennial report covering the years 1979 to 1983 indicated that this differential persisted. However, in view of the registry's concern about the validity of the cancer registrations of both Clwyd and Gwynedd a validation exercise was initiated. This work required the comparison of computer listed entries against individual case notes, which necessitated the prior consent of the consultant involved in each case. As a consequence, the exercise has taken some time to complete. The results are set out in the following table:differential, which remains even when allowance is made for the extent to which the age and sex structure of the population of the area differs from that of Wales as a whole. There are no grounds at this stage for assuming any particular environmental factor is responsible.Whereas the 1974 to 1978 quinquennial report of the Wales cancer registry indicated a higher rate of cancers for Gwynedd than for Clwyd, the present studies mostly indicate higher rates for the Clwyd portion of the north Wales coast than for the Gwynedd portion.I have invited Professor Hubert Campbell, Emeritus Professor of Medical Statistics at the University of Wales College of Medicine, to undertake some further investigation of this data under the auspices of the steering committee for the proposed small area statistics unit announced today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Health.

Notes:

1. The North Wales Coast area is defined as comprising the areas of the following pre 1974 local authorities:

Clwyd

Connahs Quay
Flint MB
Holywell UD
Holywell RD
Prestatyn UD
Rhyl UD
Abergele UD
Colwyn Bay MB

Gwynedd

Llandudno UD
Conway MB
Penmaenmawr UD
Llanfairfechan UD
Ogwen RD
Bangor MB
Gwyrfai RD
Caernarfon MB
Lleyn RD
Beaumaris MB
Menai Bridge UD
Amlwch UD
Holyhead UD
Twrcelyn RD
Valley RD
Aethwy RD

2. The incidence of cancer varies greatly with age. The standardised registration rate (SRR) is an index which enables ready comparison of incidence rates in populations in different age and sex structures. The set of age-sex — specific incidence rates for Wales as a whole is denoted as the standard. These "standard" rates are then applied to the age-sex distribution of a particular area to calculate the number of registrations that would have been "expected" in this population had the area experienced, at each age, the cancer o incidence of the standard population. The "expected" incidence so found is then compared with the "observed" incidence and the ratio is multiplied by 100 to give an index in which 100 is the norm.

SRR = Observed incidence x 100/Expected incidence

3. The apparent overall increase in the rates recorded in the later quinquennium compared with the earlier may well be attributable to more efficient reporting of cases and does not necessarily indicate any true increase in the incidence of leukaemias and other malignancies.

Environment

Miss Linda Bascombe (Member's Correspondence)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for a reply to be sent to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne in response to a letter passed to his hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) on 22 December 1986, concerning Miss Linda Bascombe, of 12 Trevithick road, Falmouth, Cornwall.

I wrote to my hon. Friend on 22 December, and have now sent a further letter.

Waste Disposal

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures for the quantities of trichlorotrifluoromethane that were disposed of at land-based waste sites in (a) 1985 and (b) 1986.

Trichlorotrifluoromethane (CFC 113) is used as a speciality solvent. Neither United Kingdom production figures nor import statistics are available for trichlorotrifluoromethane, and I cannot therefore quantify the usage of this material with any precision. However, extrapolation from European Community data suggests that no more than about 200 tonnes of this material is contained in the residues from solvent recovery which arise annually in the United Kingdom for disposal by incineration or landfil.

Planning Legislation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications within the town and country planning legislation are currently being determined by him; and if he will indicate those cases where consideration has taken longer than (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) one year.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to called-in planning applications. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State currently has 124 such applications under consideration, 62 of which were called in between three and six months ago; 47 between six months and one year ago; and 15 over one year ago.

European Year Of The Environment

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department is contributing to the European Year of the Environment.

The United Kingdom EYE Committee, of which the hon. Member is a member, has overall responsibility for the United Kingdom Programme for EYE.My Department intends to provide more than £750,000 in direct support of the committee and the team which we have established to run EYE on a day-to-day basis. This sum includes £300,000 which, subject to parliamentary approval of the Estimates, will be available to grant-aid individual projects and events within the EYE programme.DOE and PSA are sponsoring a number of events and projects for EYE, including an international pollution abatement fair and conference, the new "Better Environment" awards for industry (which will form part of a Community-wide award scheme) and a revised handbook on Community environmental policy. We have identified many other projects and activities to promote the themes of EYE, and will seek further opportunities to publicise the year and the activities of the committee.

Inner City Programme (Birmingham)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the contribution of the inner city programme to voluntary groups in Birmingham.

In 1985–86, one third (£8·6 million) of the Birmingham inner city partnership programme supported 465 voluntary sector schemes. The partnership aims to help inner city residents help themselves and this is often achieved through voluntary sector projects. £9·8 million of the 1986–87 programme has been set aside for the voluntary sector demonstrating increased support from the urban programme.

£ million
	Cumbernauld	East Kilbride	Glenrothes	Irvine	Livingston	Total
1988–89
Housing Capital
Land and Buildings purchased	—	0·1	—	0·1	—	0·2
New Construction	4·6	6·5	3·0	3·9	9·3	27·3
Major Rehabilitation	0·8	4·4	2·0	—	3·2	10·4
Total New Investment	5·4	11·0	5·0	4·0	12·5	37·9
Receipts from Sales	(4·7)	(5·2)	(2·5)	(1·0)	(2·9)	(16·3)
Net Capital Programme	0·7	5·8	2·5	3·0	9·6	21·6
1989–90
Housing Capital
Land and Buildings purchased	—	—	—	—	—	—
New Construction	5·0	6·9	5·3	3·5	11·1	31·8
Major Rehabilitation	0·2	4·4	1·7	—	0·8	7·1
Total New Investment	5·2	11·3	7·0	3·5	11·9	38·9
Net Capital Receipts from Sales	(2·5)	(3·5)	(2·5)	(0·8)	(2·8)	(12·1)
Net Capital Programme	2·7	7·8	4·5	2·7	9·1	26·8
1990–91
Housing Capital
Land and Buildings purchased	—	—	—	0·1	—	0·1
New Construction	4·9	6·8	5·0	2·9	11·8	31·4
Major Rehabilitation	0·1	4·4	1·4	—	—	5·9
Total New Investment	5·0	11·2	6·4	3·0	11·8	37·4
New Capital Receipts from Sales	(2·4)	(1·8)	(2·5)	(0·6)	(2·6)	(9·9)
Net Capital Programme	2·6	9·4	3·9	2·4	9·2	27·5

Abortion

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of each death notified with legal abortions in Scotland between 1981 and 1986 listed by (a) duration of pregnancy (i) under nine weeks, (ii) nine to 12 weeks, (iii) 13 to 16 weeks, (iv) 17 to 19 weeks and (v) 20 weeks or over and (b) the abortion procedure, and showing whether sterilisation was notified concurrently.

The information requested is not available, as the latest in the series of inquiries into maternal deaths in Scotland dealing with the period specified has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of legal abortions without

Scotland

New Towns (Housing)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the individual and total bids for housing capital allocation by the Scottish new towns development corporations in response to his letter of December 1986, including a breakdown between capital allocation, between rehabilitation and new construction, and the estimates by development corporations of expected revenue from sales of assets.

The following tables set out the estimates contained in the budgets recently submitted to my Department by the new town development corporations:sterilisation performed in Scotland between 1968 and 1986

(a) by gestation period (i) of under nine weeks, (ii) nine to 12 weeks, (iii) 13 to 16 weeks and (iv) 17 to 19 weeks and (b) by main procedure (i) aspiration, (ii) D and C or D and E, (iii) hysterotomy, (iv) laminaria tents, (v) prostaglandines, (vi) saline and (vii) utus paste.

The number of legal abortions without sterilisation performed in Scotland between 1968 and 1985 by gestation period is given in table 1. The available information about the number of legal abortions without sterilisation by method is given in table 2. Figures for 1986 are not yet available.

Table 1: Legal abortions without sterilisation by gestation Scotland 1968 to 1975
Year	Gestation (weeks)
	less than 9	9 to 12	13 to 16	17 to 19	20 plus	Not known
1968	235	414	203	63	31	30
1969	553	1,150	483	152	59	49
1970	982	1,985	586	188	74	23
1971	1,236	2,354	660	216	61	13
1972	1,706	3,016	787	200	60	21
1973	1,801	3,090	797	197	84	27
1974	1,884	3,233	781	189	63	—
1975	1,713	3,406	840	232	88	—
1976	1,740	3,358	840	209	82	2
1977	1,960	3,332	744	188	95	4
1978	1,979	3,506	736	176	75	5
1979	2,042	3,680	824	230	84	3
1980	2,106	3,828	810	233	97	—
1981	2,454	4,490	818	202	89	—
1982	2,599	4,040	741	220	72	—
1983	2,600	4,045	728	249	69	—
1984	2,696	4,507	920	268	56	—
1985	2,791	4,600	856	251	47	—

Table 2: Legal abortions without sterilisation by method Scotland 1968 to 1985
		Method of Termination
Year	D&C D&E	Hysterotomy	Vacuum Aspiration	Prostaglandin	Other
1968	550	165	129	N/A	132
1969	894	242	930	N/A	380
1970	1,175	285	1,898	N/A	480
1971	1,145	246	2,550	N/A	599
1972	1,204	216	3,637	N/A	733
1973	1,077	98	3,874	N/A	947
1974	794	68	4,184	N/A	1,104
1975	664	37	4,224	N/A	1,354
1976	639	36	4,416	N/A	1,140
1977	665	43	4,561	N/A	1,054
1978	738	27	4,726	N/A	986
1979	740	45	4,862	N/A	1,216
1980	813	22	5,068	N/A	1,171
1981	573	18	6,358	1,085	19
1982	405	15	6,250	983	19
1983	525	9	6,123	1,029	5
1984	626	6	6,611	1,193	11
1985	111	8	6,636	1,107	17
N/A = Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many National Health Service abortions were performed in each health board area in Scotland in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

The number of abortions performed in National Health Service hospitals in 1984 and 1985 is set out in the table by health board of treatment. The figures for the island health boards have been grouped together because of the small number of terminations performed. Figures for 1986 are not yet available.

Health board of treatment	1984	1985
Argyll and Clyde	436	541
Ayrshire and Arran	564	593
Borders	—	—
Dumfries and Galloway	230	245
Fife	598	582
Forth Valley	390	369
Grampian	1,065	1,150
Greater Glasgow	1,794	1,767
Highland	401	394
Islands¹	8	13

Health board of treatment	1984	1985
Lanarkshire	403	399
Lothian	2,000	1,929
Tayside	1,010	952
Total	8,899	8,934
¹ "Islands" consists of: Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles health boards.

Employment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many women in Greenock and Port Glasgow are employed by firms with fewer than 12 employees;(2) how many women in Greenock and Port Glasgow are employed for fewer than 21 hours a week;(3) how many women in Greenock and Port Glasgow are in employment; and how many began new jobs on or after 1 May 1985.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. Employment statistics are obtained from the census of employment, and the most recent information for local areas is for September 1981. Figures for September 1984 are not yet available below the levels of standard regions, nor is information available about the numbers taking up new jobs after May 1985. In September 1981 there were 16,490 women employed in the Greenock travel-to-work area (1984 definition) of which 6,051 were working not more than 30 hours a week. Analyses by size of firm or actual number of hours worked are not available.

Fuel Disconnections

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the numbers of domestic consumers disconnected from (a) their electricity and (b) their gas supply in (i) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland in each of the past five years.

The information requested on electricity disconnections is not held centrally, but I am asking the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board to write to the hon. Member.Information in respect of gas consumers is a matter for British Gas plc. I am asking the chairman to respond to the hon. Member's request.

Children In Care

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost to local authorities, as notified to his Department, of keeping children between the ages of (a) five to 11 years and (b) 11 to 16 years in care; and what range of costs the average covers.

The information is not available in the form requested. In 1985–86 the average gross cost to local authorities of residential care was £325 per child per week. The average cost of fostering and boarding out was £37 per child per week. Neither of these costs includes the costs of social workers involved in case work, culminating in children being placed in care.

Zircon Satellite

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Strathclyde as to the extent to which inquiries into the Zircon affair by the Strathclyde police are being conducted independently of the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement.

No.

Reprocessing Plant (Dounreay)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the recommendations of the reporter following the local planning inquiry into the proposal to locate a reprocessing plant for fast breeder reactors at Dounreay.

I understand that the reporter hopes to circulate part I of his report in May. Thereafter he will have to provide parties to the inquiry with an opportunity to comment, and then consider, in the light of comments, whether any amendment is required. I expect that a period of at least eight weeks will elapse between the circulation of part I by the reporter and my receipt of the final report.

Scottish Development Agency

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make available copies of the report of the review of the Scottish Development Agency.

Copies of the report of the review are now available in the House Library and copies have been sent to all right hon. and hon. Members with Scottish constituencies.

Energy

Dinorwig

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the generating capacity of the Dinorwig pump storage station, and make a statement on the feasibility of building further such facilities in the United Kingdom.

The declared net capability of the Dinorwig pumped-storage station is 1728 mw sent out. The Central Electricity Generating Board advises me that its system requirements for the foreseeable future do not require the addition of further pumped storage capacity.

Prime Minister

Caterpillar Truck Company

asked the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library copies of the letters she has written to the Caterpillar Truck Company regarding the proposed closure of the plant at Uddingston together with copies of the company's replies.

No. It is not my usual practice to publish exchanges of this kind.

Overseas Development

Beira Corridor

69.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on EEC aid for reconstruction of the Beira corridor as a means of securing for Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries in southern Africa transport routes alternative to those controlled by South Africa.

About 40 per cent. of the 110 mecu (over £75 million) available under the third Lomé convention for regional projects in southern Africa will be spent on improving transport and communications, particularly the Beira corridor. This was established in a memorandum of understanding which was signed by the European Commission and the member states of the Southern Africa Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC) in January 1986. A project worth around 40 mecu (about £30 million) for essential improvements to Beira port is now being prepared by the European Commission.Britain will also be contributing bilaterally to the Beira corridor project.

Nepal

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of aid given to Nepal; and if he will list the major projects.

Our aid disbursements to Nepal in 1986 are provisionally estimated at £9·9 million.Our main current projects are:

	£ million
Maintenance of British funded roads	8·7
Eastern Region Water Supply	4·2
Forestry Research	2·2
Malaria Control	1·0

Two important new projects are due to start shortly. These are:

	£ million
Maleku-Mugling road	7·7
A group of projects for the development of the Koshi Hills in Eastern Nepal	9·0

Our continuing programme of technical assistance includes support for the Nepal administrative staff college, the Lumle agricultural centre, the Budhanilkantha school and a training programme which brings to the United Kingdom over 100 trainees a year.

Trade And Industry

Export Performance

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what factors he attributes the decline in Britain's share of manufactured exports since 1979 and the trend of Britain's export performance in comparison with other European manufacturing nations.

Our share of world exports of manufactured goods reflects a variety of factors including both price and non-price competitiveness and the geographical and commodity composition of our exports. United Kingdom exports of manufactures were again at record levels last year and since 1981 the United Kingdom volume share of main manufacturing countries' exports of manufactures has been maintained, halting years of decline.

Regional Development Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total payments in regional development grant were made in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1978–79 and 1986–87.

Payments of regional development grants in the Yorkshire and Humberside region in 1978–79 were £30·2 million. The provisional figure for the first 11 months of 1986–87 is £24·4 million.

Post Office (Privatisation)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consideration he has given to privatising all or part of the Post Office.

I have followed with interest the recent public debate on this issue, but I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Roberts) on 19 February, at column 750.

Far East (Imports)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has had recent discussions with his European Economic Community counterparts on problems arising from imports from far eastern countries into the United Kingdom and other European Economic Community member states.

I have regular meetings with my European counterparts at which we discuss a range of issues including, when appropriate, problems arising from imports from far eastern countries into the United Kingdom and other Community states.

Films (Distribution)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to relax restrictions on the distribution of films following the conclusion of the experiments in Manchester and Glasgow.

My right hon. Friend will consider what action, if any, should be taken as a result of the Manchester and Glasgow film releasing experiment in the light of the Director General of Fair Trading's assessment of its results.

Westland Plc

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total expenditure by all Government Departments on Westland in each of the last five years.

This information is not readily available. I shall give a further reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Japan (Trade)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken and intends to take in the future to secure greater trade opportunities for British goods and services within the Japanese market.

We continue to press the Japanese Government fully to open their markets to imported goods and services. The Community has taken one issue, restrictions on imports of alcoholic drinks, to the GATT, and detailed discussions are in train on other sectors, including cars and medical equipment. In respect of financial services, I have made clear my readiness to use the reciprocity provisions in the Financial Services Act.

Home Department

Prisoners (Letters And Visits)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters and visits are allowed to prisoners; and whether he will review current arrangements.

All convicted inmates are entitled to one letter on reception and after that to one letter a week on which postage is paid at public expense. In addition, since last April a convicted inmate in open establishments may send and receive as many letters paid for from his earnings as he wishes. Other convicted inmates are allowed at least one additional letter a week on which postage is paid from prison earnings. There are no restrictions on the number of letters an unconvicted prisoner may send and receive: he may send at public expense any letter necessary to his defence or on any matter connected with his case and two letters a week to relatives or friends, the postage on any other letters being met from his earnings or private cash.Adult convicted prisoners are entitled to a visit on reception and every four weeks thereafter, and convicted young offenders to a visit on reception and every two weeks thereafter. Unconvicted prisoners are normally allowed daily visits (except on Sunday), but for operational reasons these arrangements may need to be altered at particular establishments. In such cases the length of visits is increased, wherever possible, to compensate for their reduced frequency.Governors are encouraged to allow letters and visits above the minimum entitlement wherever practicable. There are no present plans to review the numbers of visits to which an inmate is entitled. The removal last April of the restrictions on the number of letters which inmates in open establishments may send and receive was one element in the start we had made on implementing the recommendations of the control review committee for developing incentives in category C and D establishments.

Lordship Of The Manor Titles

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the sale of lordship of the manor titles detached from property.

The Government see no significant issues of principle in these transactions.

Amusement Arcades

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce greater control on amusement arcades under the present Gaming Act; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans at present to introduce greater controls on amusement arcades but are keeping the matter under review. To this end we are now considering whether we should initiate reseach into the extent to which under-16s use amusement arcades and the implications of this for the young people concerned.

Data Exchange

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current volume of data items exchanged between his Department and her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and what are the expected future volumes if the Government data network is fully implemented.

The only computer data supplied to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise by the Home Office is information on vehicle keepers — about 4,000 cases a week — provided on behalf of the Department of Transport as an inquiry-only service on the vehicle keepers index held on the police national comupter. There are no plans for any other exchange of computer data between the Home Office and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. The volume of data transfers is not expected to change as a result of the possible use of the proposed Government data network by the police national computer unit.

Data Protection Act

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the exemption orders under section 29 of the Data Protection Act; and when he expects to announce the data subject access fee.

My right hon. Friend will bring them forward when he has reached conclusions in the light of consultations, which are not yet complete, with interested parties about these orders.

Water Cannon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has completed his evaluation of the prototype water cannon; and if he will make a statement.

The two prototypes have now been evaluated and account has been taken of the use of water cannon by the police services of some of our European partners. In consultation with chief officers of police, we have concluded that in policing rioting of the kind experienced in this country in 1981 and 1985, any benefits in the deployment of water cannon would be outweighed by their operational and tactical disadvantages, including lack of manoeuvrability, quick exhaustion of water supply, and vulnerability to attack. It is not therefore proposed to add water cannon to the range of equipment now available to the police to deal with serious disorder. Arrangements will be made to dispose of the two prototypes. The Department will, however, continue to monitor developments, including the use of water cannon overseas, so that the position can be reviewed if necessary.

Police (Complaints)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer of 26 February, Official Report, columns 348–49, on civil actions against police officers, he will give details of the nature of the complaints, the names of the complainant and the numbers of officers, and their ranks, involved in each of the 10 cases referred to in his answer.

[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1987, c. 696]: In the absence of any knowledge of the wishes of the individuals concerned, we do not think it would be right to give the names of the complainants. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the other information requested is as follows:

Nature of allegation	Numbers and ranks of officers involved
1.Assault	Two Sergeants
	Three Constables
2.Unlawful imprisonment	One Chief Inspector
	Two Sergeants
3.Assault	One Sergeant
	One Constable
4.Assault and false imprisonment	Five Constables
5.Assault and false imprisonment	Two Constables
6.Assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution	One Sergeant
	Two Constables
7.Assault and false imprisonment	Three Inspectors
	Two Sergeants
	One Constable
8.Assault	One Sergeant
9.Assault	One Sergeant
10.Unlawful imprisonment	One Sergeant

Education And Science

Planning Education (Scotland)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received from the Royal Town Planning Institute about planning education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The implementation in Scotland of the recommendations of the transbinary working group on town and country planning was discussed briefly at a meeting that I had with a deputation from the Royal Town Planning Institute on 26 February 1987. Since then, the chairman of the Scottish branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute has written in similar terms about planning education in Scotland to Ministers in both the Department of Education and Science and the Scottish Education Department. As the correspondence centred on the Scottish dimension it was considered appropriate that it should be dealt with by the Scottish Education Department. This was the substance of my reply.

City Technology Colleges

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he is doing to encourage more private funding for city technology colleges.

My right hon. Friend is continuing a series of discussions with prospective sponsors of city technology colleges. Where companies have already indicated a firm interest the Department is encouraging them to widen the basis of local support by means of collaborative arrangements.

Class Sizes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing the number of classes and of pupils in classes of more than 30 pupils for each year since 1979.

The number of classes with more than 30 pupils and the number of pupils in those classes. in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in each year since 1979 was as follows. The analyses are in respect of classes taught by one teacher on a specified period on the day of the census count in January of each year. The figures should not be taken as representative of the pattern of classes over the academic year as a whole.

January each year	One teacher classes with more than 30 pupils	Pupils in these classes
1979	62,212	2,056,126
1980	53,242	1,754,062
1981	49,308	1,619,635
1982	45,643	1,499,397
1983	41,709	1,368,532
1984	38,821	1,271,277
1985	38,003	1,244,942
1986	36,406	1,194,116

Pupils (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the proportions of pupils in comprehensive, secondary modern and grammar schools in each local education authority.

The proportion of pupils in comprehensive, secondary modern and grammar schools in each local education authority in England in January 1986 was as follows:

LEA	Pupils in comprehensive schools as a proportion of all pupils	Pupils in secondary modern schools as a proportion of all pupils	Pupils in grammar schools as a proportion of all pupils
	percentage	percentage	percentage
South Tyneside	100·0	0·0	0·0
Sunderland	100·0	0·0	0·0
Isles of Scilly	100·0	0·0	0·0
Inner London	94·2	0·0	0·0
Avon	97·6	0·0	2·4
Bedfordshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Berkshire	84·1	8·3	7·5
Buckinghamshire	27·0	41·9	31·0
Cambridgeshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Cheshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Cleveland	100·0	0·0	0·0
Cornwall	100·0	0·0	0·0
Cumbria	100·0	0·0	0·0
Derbyshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Devon	75·7	14·3	7·1
Dorset	59·3	13·4	10·0
Durham	100·0	0·0	0·0
East Sussex	100·0	0·0	0·0
Essex	93·1	0·6	5·1
Gloucestershire	71·3	13·4	15·3
Hampshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Hereford and Worcester	100·0	0·0	0·0
Hertfordshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Humberside	100·0	0·0	0·0
Isle of Wight	100·0	0·0	0·0
Kent	45·1	34·9	17·4
Lancashire	91·1	5·8	3·2
Leicestershire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Lincolnshire	41·2	38·7	20·2
Norfolk	99·1	0·9	0·0
North Yorkshire	93·0	3·7	3·3
Northamptonshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Northumberland	100·0	0·0	0·0
Nottinghamshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Oxfordshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Shropshire	95·0	2·9	2·0
Somerset	99·3	0·0	0·0
Staffordshire	100·0	0·0	0·0
Suffolk	100·0	0·0	0·0
Surrey	98·8	0·0	0·0
Warwickshire	67·8	24·9	7·3
West Sussex	100·0	0·0	0·0
Wiltshire	90·0	6·3	3·7
Barking	100·0	0·0	0·0
Barnet	93·5	0·0	6·5
Bexley	44·8	19·6	11·9
Brent	100·0	0·0	0·0
Bromley	93·5	0·0	6·5
Croydon	100·0	0·0	0·0
Ealing	100·0	0·0	0·0
Enfield	93·3	0·0	6·7
Haringey	100·0	0·0	0·0
Harrow	100·0	0·0	0·0
Havering	100·0	0·0	0·0
Hillingdon	97·8	2·2	0·0
Hounslow	100·0	0·0	0·0
Kingston Upon Thames	3·4	77·4	19·2
Merton	100·0	0·0	0·0
Newham	100·0	0·0	0·0
Redbridge	90·8	0·0	9·2
Richmond Upon Thames	100·0	0·0	0·0
Sutton	30·9	44·5	24·6
Waltham Forest	100·0	0·0	0·0

LEA	Pupils in comprehensive schools as a proportion of all pupils	Pupils in secondary modern schools as a proportion of all pupils	Pupils in grammar schools as a proportion of all pupils
	percentage	percentage	percentage
Birmingham	92·7	0·0	7·3
Coventry	100·0	0·0	0·0
Dudley	100·0	0·0	0·0
Sandwell	100·0	0·0	0·0
Solihull	100·0	0·0	0·0
Walsall	94·6	0·0	5·4
Wolverhampton	97·2	0·0	2·8
Knowsley	100·0	0·0	0·0
Liverpool	96·2	0·3	0·0
St. Helens	100·0	0·0	0·0
Sefton	100·0	0·0	0·0
Wirral	63·7	19·9	16·4
Bolton	100·0	0·0	0·0
Bury	100·0	0·0	0·0
Manchester	100·0	0·0	0·0
Oldham	100·0	0·0	0·0
Rochdale	100·0	0·0	0·0
Salford	100·0	0·0	0·0
Stockport	100·0	0·0	0·0
Tameside	100·0	0·0	0·0
Trafford	5·1	58·9	36·0
Wigan	100·0	0·0	0·0
Barnsley	100·0	0·0	0·0
Doncaster	100·0	0·0	0·0
Rotherham	100·0	0·0	0·0
Sheffield	100·0	0·0	0·0
Bradford	100·0	0·0	0·0
Calderdale	70·6	15·4	14·0
Kirklees	94·0	4·0	2·1
Leeds	100·0	0·0	0·0
Wakefield	100·0	0·0	0·0
Gateshead	100·0	0·0	0·0
Newcastle Upon Tyne	100·0	0·0	0·0
North Tyneside	100·0	0·0	0·0

Note: In some LEAs there were also a number of secondary school pupils who attended technical or other secondary schools. These have been excluded from the table above, hence, in these cases the sum of the percentages does not add to 100.

Pupil-Teacher Ratios

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the pupil-teacher ratios for each local education authority for the most recent year for which figures are available, and for 1983 and 1979.

The pupil-teacher ratios in each local education authority in England in 1979, 1983 and 1986 were as follows:

Pupil-teacher ratios¹
January each year	1979	1983	1986
Barking	17·6	17·5	17·1
Barnet	17·4	16·2	15·7
Bexley	19·2	18·7	18·4
Brent	15·1	14·6	13·8
Bromley	19·2	18·0	18·1
Croydon	18·4	17·2	17·1
Ealing	17·4	16·4	16·2
Enfield	19·5	17·6	17·4
Haringey	17·3	15·2	13·5
Harrow	18·0	16·7	16·6
Havering	19·2	17·9	17·3
Hillingdon	18·8	18·0	18·6
Hounslow	17·7	16·4	16·3
Kingston-upon-Thames	17·9	18·1	16·8
Merton	18·7	17·9	17·3

January each year	1979	1983	1986
Newham	17·3	16·1	15·1
Redbridge	19·1	18·0	17·9
Richmond-upon-Thames	18·6	17·5	17·1
Sutton	19·0	19·2	19·0
Waltham Forest	16·7	15·6	15·0
Inner London	15·3	13·8	13·5
Birmingham	19·1	19·3	17·7
Coventry	18·4	18·0	16·6
Dudley	21·0	18·6	17·6
Sandwell	18·9	17·4	16·8
Solihull	19·2	19·2	18·2
Walsall	18·4	16·9	16·4
Wolverhampton	17·5	16·1	15·9
Knowsley	18·6	17·0	16·0
Liverpool	17·7	17·8	16·4
St. Helens	19·4	18·5	17·2
Sefton	19·6	18·6	18·3
Wirral	19·9	18·6	18·0
Bolton	20·0	18·9	18·1
Bury	19·4	17·9	17·0
Manchester	16·9	17·2	15·8
Oldham	20·7	19·0	17·8
Rochdale	17·9	16·5	16·4
Salford	18·3	17·3	16·8
Stockport	21·1	18·8	18·1
Tameside	19·5	18·5	17·8
Trafford	18·4	18·3	18·6
Wigan	18·3	17·3	16·3
Barnsley	19·1	17·9	17·2
Doncaster	18·6	17·9	17·5
Rotherham	20·0	19·0	17·7
Sheffield	18·7	17·6	16·6
Bradford	17·9	17·7	16·9
Calderdale	19·7	17·9	17·0
Kirklees	19·9	18·5	18·0
Leeds	19·7	18·2	16·9
Wakefield	19·6	19·2	18·6
Gateshead	18·2	17·6	17·0
Newcastle-upon-Tyne	15·9	15·4	15·6
North Tyneside	17·5	16·3	14·7
South Tyneside	17·5	16·4	15·8
Sunderland	19·5	18·5	17·8
Isles of Scilly	13·3	12·8	11·1
Avon	18·9	18·8	18·5
Bedfordshire	18·2	18·8	17·8
Berkshire	19·6	18·6	17·8
Buckinghamshire	20·1	19·5	19·2
Cambridgeshire	19·1	19·6	19·1
Cheshire	19·4	18·6	18·3
Cleveland	19·7	18·0	18·0
Cornwall	19·4	19·0	18·1
Cumbria	19·1	17·9	17·2
Derbyshire	20·2	19·0	17·7
Devon	20·1	19·0	18·4
Dorset	19·3	18·6	18·0
Durham	18·7	18·6	18·6
East Sussex	19·1	18·7	18·5
Essex	19·7	19·7	19·3
Gloucestershire	19·5	19·3	18·6
Hampshire	20·2	19·6	19·0
Hereford and Worcester	19·7	19·4	18·3
Hertfordshire	18·4	17·9	17·9
Humberside	18·5	17·6	17·4
Isle of Wight	19·4	18·4	18·6
Kent	20·0	19·4	19·0
Lancashire	19·6	18·8	18·5
Leicestershire	18·8	18·5	17·6

Table 1 New JTS-Entrants per week 13 February to 6 March
Area	Week ending Entrants	13 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	20 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	27 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	6 March In-training
Dundee	12	141	8	147	41	181	28	203
Billingham	11	89	19	103	7	109	0	105
Huddersfield	24	122	19	136	0	128	14	135

January each year	1979	1983	1986
Lincolnshire	19·7	19·5	18·7
Norfolk	19·7	19·1	18·3
North Yorkshire	19·0	18·1	18·0
Northamptonshire	19·4	18·2	17·2
Northumberland	18·3	18·6	18·0
Nottinghamshire	20·1	18·1	17·4
Oxfordshire	19·6	18·7	17·2
Shropshire	19·7	18·1	17·4
Somerset	20·7	20·6	19·0
Staffordshire	19·2	18·0	18·0
Suffolk	19·7	18·5	18·3
Surrey	18·8	18·7	18·1
Warwickshire	19·7	19·2	18·6
West Sussex	20·2	19·1	18·9
Wiltshire	19·7	19·3	19·0
¹ Pupil-teacher ratios over all maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools relate the total number of full time equivalent pupils to the total number of full time equivalent qualified teachers, student teachers and instructors being paid by LEAs and employed for service in maintained schools.

asked the secretary of state for Education and Science if he will publish the pupil-teacher ratio for England in each year since 1979.

:The overall pupil-teacher ratios in England in each year since 1979 was as follows:

January each Year	Pupil/teachers ratio ¹
1979	18·9
1980	18·7
1981	18·6
1982	18·5
1983	18·1
1984	17·9
1985	17·8
1986	17·6
¹ Pupil-teacher ratios over all maintained nursery primary and secondary schools relate the total number of full time equivalent pupils to the total number of full time equivalent qualified teachers, student teachers and instructors being paid by LEAs and employed for service in maintained schools.

Emplotment

Job Training Scheme

asked the Paymaster General if he will state for each new job training scheme pilot area, by male/female and by age group, 18 to 25 years, and 25 years plus, the number of entrants per week and the cumulative total of filled places per week since the week ended 6 February.

:The table shows, for each of the pilot areas form the week ended 13 February, the number of entrants per week and the weekly cumulative totals of trainees in training. The information on breakdown by sex and age group is not available in the form requested, but the second table gives a percentage breakdown for entrants in each area up to 6 March.

Area	Week ending Entrants	13 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	20 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	27 February In-training	Week ending Entrants	6 March In-training
Preston	27	147	14	157	26	178	14	179
Stoke	8	151	27	174	6	173	18	178
Leicester	24	79	31	100	32	118	28	134
Port Talbot	36	164	24	186	0	152	34	183
Plymouth	25	213	46	242	43	286	30	301
Crawley	16	97	8	102	8	107	10	111
Ealing	9	55	11	63	11	66	12	63

Table 2
New JTS: percentages of entrants up to 6 March 1987 Male/ Female, 18–24 years old/25 and over
Area	Male Per cent.	Female Per cent.	Under 25 Per cent.	Over 25 Per cent.
Dundee	80	20	55	45
Billingham	72	28	38	62
Huddersfield	63	37	64	36
Preston	78	22	48	52
Stoke	73	27	48	52
Leicester	82	18	34	66
Port Talbot	82	18	50	50
Plymouth	71	29	82	18
Crawley	70	30	23	77
Ealing	61	39	51	49

asked the Paymaster General what is the latest estimated financial provision for the new job training scheme for 1987–88; what percentage of that money is additional to existing funding; and how much will be transferred from other projects at present financed by the Manpower Services Commission.

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

Tourism

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the prospects for creating jobs in the tourism sector by means of Government funding in areas where industrial employment is depressed.

We are proposing to make an additional £5 million available in 1987–88 to the English tourist Board and the British Tourist Authority so that they can expand their marketing and development activities and continue to give priority to encouraging tourism in areas of unexploited potential and high unemployment. Some £2·6 million of this will be used to extend the ETB's section 4 scheme of assistance for tourism projects. The scheme has proved to be highly cost effective in creating jobs at local and regional level and there is scope for it to make a significant contribution to the creation of new sources of employment in areas experiencing a decline in traditional industrial employment.

National Finance

Ec (Financial Situation)

72.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the European Economic Community Foreign Affairs Council will next receive a report on the European Economic Community's own financial situation.

The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the Commission's report on the future financing of the Community budget at its meeting on 27–28 April.

Ec Budget

73.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the recent proposals by Mr. Jacques Delors, President of the European Economic Community Commission, for reform of the European Economic Community budget.

The president of the Commission's proposals for reform of the EEC budget contain a wide range of ideas, which Her Majesty's Government will be examining closely. The first priority must be to look at ways of controlling expenditure, especially on agriculture.

Company Appropriation Account

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1985 and an estimate for 1986 a company appropriation account on the same basis as in table 285 of the "Annual Abstract of Statistics, 1959".

The information is not available in the form requested.

Personal Taxation

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1957, 1961, 1971, 1981 and the latest year for which figures are available, the number of tax units taxed as self-employed compared to the number classified in the employment statistics and population censuses as self-employed, the amount of income assessed to tax, and the amount of income and the amount of tax paid per head in terms of 1980 prices; and if he will provide an estimate for the current financial year.

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

Clearing Banks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the assets and liabilities of the clearing banks as closely as possible to the basis shown in table 299 of issue No. 87 of the "Annual Abstract of Statistics".

I refer the hon. Member to the monthly financial statement published by the Banking Information Service. I have placed a copy of the latest statement in the Library.

Companies (Taxation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the OfficialReport a table showing for the years 1958, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979 and 1985 the gross overseas income for tax purposes of the companies and financial institutions, as defined on page 168 of the annual supplement to Economic Trendy 1987, the amount set off against tax of other countries under double taxation relief, and the amount of tax collected;(2) whether he will publish in the

Official Report a table showing in greater detail than table 1.10 in the edition of the "United Kingdom National Accounts 1986", for the years 1975, 1979 and 1985 the property income from abroad net of foreign taxes and the property income paid abroad less United Kingdom taxes for each sector, including financial institutions, together with the totals of United Kingdom tax and foreign tax payable and the amount of double taxation relief on income from abroad.

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

Current Account Statistics

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on what the surplus or deficit on current account of the United States of America, Germany, Japan, France, Italy and the United Kingdom has been in each year since 1973; and what is the forecast for 1987.

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

Local Government Finance

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total capital allocation made to local authorities in England and Wales in each year since 1979 to the latest available date.

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

Ec (Grants)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the new community instrument of 1,500 mecu (£1,100 million) is likely to come to smaller and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply.The Council of the European Communities has adopted a decision to make a facility of 750 mecu available under the new community instrument for lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide a further facility of 750 mecu for the same purpose. Applications for loans under both facilities will be made to the European Investment Bank. Funds will not be allocated to particular member states and it is not yet possible to estimate what proportion will come to the United Kingdom.

Defence

Properties (North Yorkshire)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many properties in the ownership of his Department are vacant in north Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

At 30 November 1986, the last occasion on which data were collected, there were 906 married quarters vacant in north Yorkshire. Of these, 397 were being held against a major new operational deployment at RAF Leeming; 273 were undergoing or awaiting modernisation, works services or furnishing; 131 had been allocated to incoming families; and 29 were in the process of disposal. There was, therefore, a balance of 76 married quarters at various stations for which there was no immediate requirement. These quarters will be disposed of if no service requirement is identified.

Park Vista Site

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 4 March, Official Report, column 602, if he will list all other restrictive covenants governing the southern boundary wall of the Park Vista site, Greenwich, to which he or any of his predecessors have been party; and if he will place copies of all such covenants in the Library.

There is no record of any restrictive covenant governing the southern boundary of this wall other than the one already placed in the Library.

Reserve Forces (Benefits)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now in a position to make an announcement about the payment of social security benefits to members of the reserve forces.

I am pleased to announce that volunteers in the Reserve Forces will be able to earn the standard quarter day's pay for each of up to 16 mid-week drill nights in a year without suffering any reduction in unemployment benefit. The necessary amending regulations will be introduced shortly.

Gurkhas

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military and civilian establishments Her Majesty's Government fund in Nepal for Gurkhas and their dependants.

Her Majesty's Government fund the following military and civilian establishments in Nepal for Gurkhas and their dependants:

Dharan:

Headquarters, British Gurkhas Nepal
British Gurkhas Depot (Recruitment, Eastern Nepal)
British Military Hospital
Gurkha Welfare Scheme
British Gurkhas Nepal Support Units (REME Workshops, ordnance depot, pay and records office, etc.)
Area Office, Property Services Agency
Educational and recreational facilities

Katmandu:

Gurkha Transit Camp
Movements Detachment

Pokhara:

British Gurkhas Centre (Recruitment, Western Nepal).

There are also married quarters at all three sites. In addition, there are a total of 27 area welfare centres. These are funded by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, a charitable organisation to which the Government make a small financial contribution.

Research And Development

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of gross domestic product is allocated to defence research and development.

In 1985–86 defence research and development expenditure was 0·6 per cent, of GDP.

Northern Ireland

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to lay before Parliament the statutory order designating the Mourne mountains an environmentally sensitive area.

A number of sites throughout Northern Ireland are being investigated but decisions have not yet been taken on which will be considered in detail for potential designation as environmentally sensitive areas in 1988.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sites he will consider for designation as environmentally sensitive areas in 1988 in Northern Ireland.

The enabling Order in Council will shortly be laid before Parliament. The statutory rule designating the Mournes and Slieve Croob as environmentally sensitive areas will be made as soon as possible after the coming into operation of the order.

Strip Searches

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Maghaberry, in February; if he will give the number of persons involved and the number of times each person was seached; whether any prison contraband, smuggled items or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and if he will indicate the reasons for the search, namely making an appearance in court, and in which court, on remand, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.

Forty searches were carried out on 24 prisoners during February; Nine prisoners were searched once, 14 were searched twice and one prisoner was searched on three occasions. No prohibited article was found during these searches and no prisoner refused to be searched. The searches were carried out in the following circumstances.

	Number
First admission on remand-awaiting trial	4
First admission on sentence-final discharge	25
Attending Bangor Remand Court	1
Attending Belfast Remand Court	4
Attending Newtownards Remand Court	1
Bail Court appearances	5

Children In Care

asked the secretary of state for Northern Ireland what is the average cost to public fund of keeping children between the ages of (a) five to 11 years and (b) 11 to 16 years in care; and what range of costs the average covers.

Information is not collected on a basis which would enable the segregation of costs into the age bandings requested. The average cost during 1985–86 to public funds of keeping children in care has been calculated as follows:

	£
1.Childrens' Homes run by Health and Social Services Boards.
Average running costs per resident week for 1985–86 (Costs range from £217 to £452)	277
2.Voluntary Childrens' Homes.
Average weekly charge levied on Health and Social Services Boards by Voluntary Homes (Costs range from £88 to £235)	172
3.Boarded out children.
Average weekly boarding allowances	44

Unfit Dwellings

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unfit dwellings there are in Newry rural housing district or Armagh rural housing district; and what steps he is taking to make grants available to relieve the situation.

[pursuant to his reply, 16 March 1987, c. 379]: "The Northern Ireland Housing Condition Survey 1984" published by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, estimates that 2,675 dwellings were unfit in the Newry and Mourne district council area. Of that figure, and in accordance with the Province-wide trend, the highest proportion, some 89 per cent. (2,393) were in the rural part of the district.The housing condition survey estimates that in 1984 there were 1,515 unfit dwellings in the Armagh housing district. It is not possible without disproportionate cost to disaggregate the rural figure. A range of renovation grants are available to relieve this problem and it is anticipated that the Executive's grants scheme will continue on a similar level in 1987–88 as in 1986–87.The improvement of unfit dwellings generally is a high priority area and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive encourages occupants to improve their dwellings using grant-aid. Recently the Executive has completed a pilot study into rural unfitness centred on Rosslea in Co. Fermanagh to assess the extent of the problem and the needs and preferences of people in the area. The findings of the report are now being considered in depth and I will look carefully at the recommendations which flow from it.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Central America

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Government about the implications for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Central America of the role of United States warships operating in the vicinity of Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend and other Ministers and officials regularly discuss important issues, including the situation in Central America, with the United States Administration and they are fully aware of our views.

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the implications for the possibility of a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Central America of the supply of arms to the Contra forces in Nicaragua.

We do not believe the problems of the region can be resolved by armed force and have constantly urged restraint on all sides. We have clearly demonstrated our support for a political solution to the problems of Central America on the basis of the Contadora objectives. Our actions have been, and will remain, consistent with that policy.

Angola

10.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on South African incursions into and attacks against the People's Republic of Angola that have taken place since October 1986.

We have no record of receiving any representations. We have always condemned cross-border violence in southern Africa.

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent meetings between Her Majesty's Government and representatives of the Angolan Government.

The most recent ministerial level meetings with a representative of the Angolan Government took place in July 1986 when my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Energy, my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry and myself had meetings with the Angolan Minister of Foreign Trade, Senor Ismael Martins, during his visit to the United Kingdom.

Soviet Union (Human Rights)

15.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian embassy over the difficulties that parliamentary human rights groups have experienced in obtaining visas to visit the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has protested to the Soviet authorities concerning the refusal to grant visas to a delegation from the all-party parliamentary committee for the release of Soviet Jewry.

I have made representations on two recent occasions: on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Committee for the Release of Soviet Jewry; and on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) and representatives of the Parliamentary Wives for the Release of Soviet Jewry. In the former case, Her Majesty's ambassador in Moscow also expressed his strong regret to the Soviet authorities that visas had not been forthcoming.

Cyprus

19.

asked, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Turkish Government as to the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

This is an issue which we have regularly raised with the Turkish Government. The withdrawal of foreign troops will obviously have to form part of any comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus dispute. We believe that the United Nations Secretary General's initiative is best placed to achieve such a settlement; and we therefore give his efforts our full support.

Ec Policies

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further proposals he intends to place before his European Community partners for the development of Community policies.

In the course of regular contacts with our colleagues from other member states and the Commission my right hon. and learned Friend and I have made clear our views on the need to reform the common agricultural policy, ensure better control of expenditure, relieve burdens on small businesses, complete the common market in goods and services and develop policies on other matters to the benefit of Britain and the Community as a whole.

Nicaragua

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current diplomatic relations with Nicaragua.

We have normal diplomatic relations with Nicaragua.

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning Her Majesty's Government's relations with Nicaragua.

We have received letters from right hon. and hon. Members, individuals and organisations on the subject of Nicaragua, including our relations with Nicaragua. In reply, we have made clear that we have normal diplomatic relations with Nicaragua, but that we want to see Nicaragua end its support for guerrillas in neighbouring countries and make progress towards genuine pluralist democracy.

54.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the United States Government about United States policy on Nicaragua, with particular reference to support for the Contras.

My right hon. and learned Friend and other Ministers and officials regularly discuss important issues, including the situation in central America, with the United States Administration and they are fully aware of our views.

South Africa (Buccaneer Aircraft)

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the meeting of the Security Council Committee set up by United Nations Security Council resolution 421 of 1977 on 27 February, he will investigate the supply of spare parts for Buccaneer aircraft to South Africa.

The meeting in question produced no new evidence that might form the basis of an investigation into the alleged supply to South Africa of spare parts for Buccaneer aircraft.

Oman

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's diplomatic relations with Oman.

61.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to make a visit to Oman.

Our relations with Oman are excellent. I visited Oman from 26 February to 1 March, and met His Majesty the Sultan and several of his Ministers. While in Oman I led the British side at the annual meeting of the Anglo-Omani joint commission.The Prince and Princess of Wales made a highly successful visit to Oman last November. Exercise Saif Sareea, a joint military exercise held in Oman from 16 November to 8 December, was a further illustration of the continuing close ties between the two countries.

Afghanistan

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his Soviet counterpart during his forthcoming visit to Moscow the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mr. Parry) on 11 March at column 225.

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan about the situation in Afghanistan and the problem of refugees from Afghanistan.

We remain in close touch with the Pakistan Government. As I told the House in the Adjournment debate on 5 March, Afghan refugees continue to flee into Pakistan: at least 85,000 over the last year. We condemn the recent callous and bloody bombing raids into Pakistan, which killed over 110 innocent civilians and Afghan refugees, and cast a pall over Soviet professions to want a peaceful settlement.

Sri Lanka

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will offer to act as intermediary in efforts to negotiate an end to communal violence in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

We have not been asked, neither would we wish to become involved in Sri Lanka's internal problems. We have made clear to all parties involved our view that a negotiated settlement is the best way to a lasting peace.

British Council

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet the chairman of the British Council to discuss future financial provisions for the council.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to do so.

Cyprus (Human Rights)

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the human rights situation in Cyprus.

Representations on human rights in Cyprus are regularly received from individuals and organisations. Most recently the Dodecanesian-Cypriot Association and the National Federation of Cypriots in Great Britain have written to us about them. President Kyprianou also wrote to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 January about the question of missing persons in Cyprus.

National Unity Of Salvadorean Workers

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has held with representatives of the National Unity of Salvadorean Workers; and if he will make a statement.

None, but representatives of this union called on Foreign Office officials in London in December 1986 and February 1987. As part of their normal duties, Her Majesty's diplomatic staff accredited to El Salvador maintain contact with the trade unions.

Guatemala

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from the Guatemalan Government about the reported incursion of British troops from Belize into the Peten region; and if he will make a statement on the progress of United Kingdom relations with Guatemala.

None. There was no incursion. Diplomatic relations were re-established between the United Kingdom and Guatemala on 29 December 1986. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office met President Cerezo on 10 February in Guatemala.

Bophuthatswana

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he or any of his Ministers have plans to make an official visit to Bophuthatswana.

We have no such plans.

Soviet Union (Trade)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he will raise the matter of development of trade.

Yes.

South Africa

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has yet met the new ambassador to the Court of St. James sent by the South African Government to replace Dr. Denis Worrall.

My right hon. and learned Friend met Mr. Killen during the visit which he paid to South Africa in July 1986 in his capacity as president of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Community.

55.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on making resolution 591 of the United Nations Security Council of 28 November 1986 regarding the arms embargo against South Africa mandatory.

The Security Council adopted resolution 591 by consensus as a voluntary resolution. Its voluntary status is therefore already determined and is not subject to change.

59.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the President of the European Economic Community Council of Ministers to continue to seek consensus on the inclusion of coal in the list of items of South African exports embargoed for purposes of import into the European Community.

In line with the statement by Ministers in European political co-operation on 15–16 September 1986, it rests with the presidency of the day to seek consensus on this issue.

62.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the European Commission Council of Foreign Ministers proposes to take any further initiatives on South Africa in the coming months.

The Foreign Ministers of the Twelve will continue their efforts to work to promote peaceful dialogue, with the aim of achieving fundamental change in South Africa.

64.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches have been made by the United States Administration seeking Her Majesty's Government's support for a multilateral programme of sanctions drawn from the list of measures included in the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1966.

None.

65.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on South Africa's failure to comply with United Nations resolution 435 regarding the independence of Namibia.

We have received representations from various sources on South Africa's failure to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 435. They include Parliamentary questions as well as letters from hon. and right hon. Members, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.

Saudi Arabia

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) on 11 March at column 211.

70.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department gives to British citizens intending to travel to Saudi Arabia about those offences which carry amputation as a possible penalty in that country; what is his policy with regard to making representations to the Saudi Government in cases where British citizens face such punishments; and if he will make a statement.

All British nationals travelling overseas are advised to respect local laws and customs. An advisory booklet "Living in Saudi Arabia—a brief guide", states that amputation is a possible penalty for theft in Saudi Arabia.The Saudi authorities are aware that certain penalties are abhorrent to British opinion. Appropriate representations are made if individual cases involving British nationals arise.

Argentina

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Argentina.

No.

Unesco

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to how many nations have withdrawn from UNESCO since 1980.

Three.

Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European North Atlantic Treaty Organisation colleagues about the Soviet offer to remove all intermediate nuclear forces from Europe; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend continues to have regular bilateral discussions with Foreign Ministers from NATO countries. These cover a wide range of topics including developments in arms control negotiations. Contacts at official level are also maintained on a regular basis.

Africa Fund

39.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British participation in the Africa Fund under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The United Kingdom already provides substantial aid to the front-line states both bilaterally and through the European Community. It is not our policy to give financial support to political parties or organisations committed to the use of violence.

Soviet Union

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit the Soviet Union.

My right hon. and learned Friend will accompany my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on her visit to the Soviet Union from 28 March to 1 April.

58.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss human rights problems when he next meets his opposite number in the Soviet Union.

Yes.

Lebanon

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with President Gemayel concerning the prospects of ending the civil war in the Lebanon.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 11 March at column 211.

Peru

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay a visit to Peru.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to do so.

Haiti

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay a visit to Haiti.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit Haiti at present.

Diplomatic Immunity

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make it his policy to seek a review of the Vienna convention to enable the tightening of international agreements to combat the abuse of diplomatic immunity.

We agreed (Cmnd. 9497) with the report in 1984 of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons on the abuse of diplomatic immunities and privileges that it would be wrong to regard amendment of the Vienna convention as the solution to the problem of abuse of diplomatic immunities in view of the difficulties of achieving any restrictive amendment and the doubtful net benefit even if we were successful. That remains our view. We further agreed with the Committee's recommendation that we should apply the existing provisions of the convention more firmly. We continue to attach importance to this. The Diplomatic Corps is well aware of the serious view which we take of abuses of diplomatic immunity.

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often he meets the doyen of the Diplomatic Corps; what matters he discusses with him; and whether, at his last meeting, he discussed abuses of diplomatic privilege.

My right hon. and learned Friend meets the doyen on a variety of occasions. The issues they have discussed have included aspects of the abuse of diplomatic privileges and immunities. However, we think it more appropriate that particular cases of alleged abuse should be discussed direct with the head of mission or missions concerned.

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which Governments he has made representations about standards of diplomatic behaviour, particularly concerning the aiding and abetting of terrorists.

All heads of mission in London are well aware of the stringent standards of behaviour which we expect of diplomats and of the grave view which we take of terrorist activity.We are determined to deal decisively with states that sponsor terrorism. On two occasions, the murder of WPC Fletcher and the attempt by Nezar Hindawi to blow up an airliner, the responsibility of the Libyan and Syrian authorities respectively was clear beyond doubt. In both instances we decided to sever diplomatic relations.

Iran-Iraq War

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of prospects for a peaceful settlement to the Iraq-Iran war; and if he will make a statement.

We have consistently made clear our desire to see an early negotiated settlement to this conflict. Regrettably there are no indications at present that Iran and Iraq are both willing to agree to a ceasefire and enter into negotiations leading to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. We continue to believe the best way forward is via the good offices of the United Nations Secretary General.

63.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European Economic Community counterparts, and particularly France, on the supply of arms and equipment to either side in the Iran-Iraq war.

The Iran-Iraq conflict has figured prominently in discussions at all levels within European political co-operation, including the recent ministerial meeting on 23 February. We continue to use all suitable opportunities to urge all countries both within the EC and outside, to adopt a policy as strict as ours on the supply of defence equipment.

Mozambique

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on violations of the Nkomati accord between Mozambique and South Africa by the South African Government.

Representations have been received in the past from the Government of Mozambique. We have urged the South African Government to abide by both the letter and spirit of the accord.

Southern Africa (Front-Line States)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he makes of the economic position of the front-line states in southern Africa.

A number of front-line states in southern Africa are experiencing severe economic problems, caused by worsening terms of trade, heavy debt burdens, regional insecurity and in some cases civil conflict and inappropriate economic policies. We are supporting the front-line states' economic development and efforts to reduce their economic dependence on South Africa. We are giving substantial support through bilateral and multilateral aid programmes, amounting to over US$1 billion to the region since 1980–81; we have also pledged £35 million to the Southern African development coordination conference for development in the front-line states, particularly Mozambique.

Test Ban Treaty

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to discuss the possibility of a comprehensive test ban treaty with the United States Government.

My right hon and learned Friend expects to meet Mr. Shultz shortly. Their discussions normally cover a range of arms control issues.

Chemical Weapons

56.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report progress towards the prohibition of chemical weapons at the conference on disarmament.

The chemical weapons negotiations resumed on 3 February. We hope it will be possible to build on the encouraging progress made last year.

Postal Communications

57.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the subject of postal deliveries to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been placed in the agenda of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, Helsinki review conference currently taking place in Vienna.

Our delegation has already raised this issue in debate on a number of occasions. With other Western countries, we have tabled a proposal aimed at ensuring freedom of transit of postal communications.

Middle East

60.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a middle east peace stettlement.

We are profoundly concerned at the absence of progress towards a solution of the Arab-Israel dispute. We and our European partners will try actively to help reduce the differences between the parties with a view to the convening of an international conference.

Grenada

66.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and Grenada; and what matters are currently causing problems in these relations.

We enjoy close and friendly relations with Grenada. There are no matters currently causing problems in these relations.

India

67.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth. Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit by his hon. Friend the Minister of State the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) to India, with particular reference to discussions concerning an Anglo-Indian extradition treaty.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) visited India on 9–12 December 1986. He had profitable discussions on a range of issues, including the possibility of concluding an extradition treaty with India. A further round of consultations between legal experts took place in New Delhi in February at which useful progress was made.

Csce (Human Rights)

68.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe discussions in Vienna with particular reference to human rights.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley West (Dr. Blackburn). The Vienna meeting has now entered its third and final phase, during which work will begin on drafting of a concluding document.

Military Equipment

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses in deciding whether parts supplied to either side in the Iran/ Iraq war under existing contracts are lethal equipment for the purposes of the guidelines set out in his answer of 29 October 1985, Official Report, column 450.

All applications for export licences are of course looked at in the light of our current policy on exports to Iran and Iraq. If there were any doubt over whether equipment under a contracts signed before the introduction of the current Guidelines in December 1984 was lethal or not, a judgement would be made as to whether such equipment would significantly enhance the capability of the recipient to prolong or exacerbate the conflict. Indeed it was precisely because of such definitional problems that the current policy was introduced in 1984.

Communications Officers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends any changes in the role of communications officer in British missions overseas; if he intends to reorganise the communications administration department of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Change in Diplomatic Service telecommunications to meet modern requirements is a continuing process. For the foreseeable future a mixture of locally engaged, general service and specialist communications staff will be employed on this work in British missions overseas. In common with other departments of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the communications administration department is subject to regular inspections and organisational changes as necessary.

Israel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to make it the policy of the European Community to make any further granting of EEC trade concessions to Israel dependent on progress by that country towards a peaceful solution to the middle east conflict.

No. We do not believe that such action would help our objective of bringing all the parties to the Arab-Israel dispute together for constructive negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions with the Israeli Government concerning forged passports used by agents of the Israeli Government; what assurances he has received from that Government that there will be no repetition of this behaviour; what impact he anticipates this behaviour will have on travellers to and visitors in adjacent Arab countries; and if he will make a statement.

We protested in strong terms to the Israeli Government at the misuse of forged British passports and sought an assurance that such unacceptable behaviour would not be allowed to happen again. The possible implications for British citizens in the Middle East were among the points which we raised with the Israelis. The Israeli Government subsequently expressed regret and informed us that steps had been taken to avoid recurrences. On the basis of these assurances we regard the incident as closed.

Foreign Affairs Council

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 16 and 17 March.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 16 March. My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade also attended.The Council agreed on the overall figure for the new generation of financial protocols for some of the Community's Mediterranean partners.Against the background of a continuing deterioraton in the trade balance between Japan and the Community, the Council invited the Commission to increase its efforts to improve access for European firms in Japan, particularly in the automobiles, medical equipment and leather goods sectors. A copy of the Council's statement has been placed in the Library of the House.The Council discussed EC-US trade relations and expressed concern at prospective trade legislation currently before the United States Congress. The Council stated that if the United States took restrictive measures affecting EC exports, the Community would respond in accordance with its GATT rights. A copy of the Council statement has been placed in the Library of the House.At the initiative of the United Kingdom, the council discussed the international implications of the Commission proposals for an oils and fats tax, particularly as regards developing countries, the United States and the Community's obligations under the GATT. Further discussion will take place in the Agriculture Council.My right hon. and learned Friend reported to the Council on his visit to Hungary on 8–10 March. The Council discussed the Commission's draft mandate for the negotiation of an EC-Hungary trade and economic cooperation agreement and agreed that it should aim to reach agreement on the mandate at the April Foreign Affairs Council.Discussion continued on rules for the exercise of the implementing powers of the Commission.Meeting in political co-operation, the Foreign Ministers issued a statement condemning the recent attacks across the Afghan border as deliberately aimed against civilian targets in Pakistan and calling on the Soviet Union to put a stop to such outrages and to agree to a rapid and total withdrawal of its troops. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

Volume 112: debated on Wednesday 18 March 1987

Written Answers To Questions

Transport

Ports Industry

Roads

Night Flying (Landing Procedures)

London Transport (Safety)

Fishing Industry

M23 (Traffic Congestion)

Airports (Landing Charges)

Aircraft Noise (Gatwick)

Assessment Studies (London)

Rural Bus Services

Social Services

Supplementary Benefit

National Insurance Contributions

Ophthalmic Regulations

Hearing Therapists

Audiological Consultants

Deafness

Audiological Centres

Waiting Lists

Ent Consultants

Hearing Aids

Audiology Technicians

Abortion

Tricycles

Benefits (Claimants)

Children In Care

Streetwise (Parliamentary Question)

Cervical Cancer

Cancer (West Cumbria)

Severe Weather Payments

Benefits

Finance

Chiropodists And Speech Therapists

Wales

Inland And Coastal Fisheries

Local Authority Expenditure

Children In Care

Appeals (Ministerial Adjudication)

Cancer And Leukaemia

Environment

Miss Linda Bascombe (Member's Correspondence)

Waste Disposal

Planning Legislation

European Year Of The Environment

Inner City Programme (Birmingham)

Abortion

Scotland

New Towns (Housing)

Employment Statistics

Fuel Disconnections

Children In Care

Zircon Satellite

Reprocessing Plant (Dounreay)

Scottish Development Agency

Energy

Dinorwig

Prime Minister

Caterpillar Truck Company

Overseas Development

Beira Corridor

Nepal

Trade And Industry

Export Performance

Regional Development Grant

Post Office (Privatisation)

Far East (Imports)

Films (Distribution)

Westland Plc

Japan (Trade)

Home Department

Prisoners (Letters And Visits)

Lordship Of The Manor Titles

Amusement Arcades

Data Exchange

Data Protection Act

Water Cannon