asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost at current prices (a) of the Tornado aircraft fleet and (b) of spares in stock and ordered; and if he will make a statement.

For the cost of the Tornado programme, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood ( Mr. Wilkinson) on 20 February last, at column 875. The value of spares in stock and currently on order is estimated at £636 million at current economic conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many bases in the United Kingdom are currently in use either in part or in whole by United States forces; and if he will make a statement.

There are currently 66 military bases and facilities in the United Kingdom made available for use by US forces. In addition, there are two NATO armament depots which provide a service for US forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Jaguar and (b) Tornado aircraft have crashed during flight operations since 1979; and what is the total cost in (i) lost aircraft, (ii) recovery operations, (iii) damage repairs and (iv) number of lives lost and pilots forced to discontinue flying because of severe injury.

Since 1979, 37 Royal Air Force Jaguars and 12 Tornados have suffered irreparable damage in crashes, as a result of which 18 aircrew died and two others sustained injuries which prevented them from undertaking further flying duties. The cost of the aircraft lost, in 1987 prices, is £430 million. It would not be possible to quantify associated recovery work without disproportionate cost and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the increase in destructive power over Polaris represented by the deployment of Trident nuclear missiles; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 6–11 of the essay entitled "The Minimum Deterrent" to be found on pages 39 to 42 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when employees in the royal dockyards will be informed of the financial value of their personal buyout pension bond; and what are the reasons for the delay in providing this information following the introduction of commercial management on 6 April.

Changes in the method of revaluation associated with personal buyout bonds have been announced by the Treasury since the royal dockyards were contractorised on 6 April 1987. Such transfers are, as a result, more widely available and there has been a considerable increase in demand for personal estimates. I am well aware of the concern of dockyard employees and plans are being made to deal with the new situation I shall be writing to my hon. Friend shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the procurement timetable for the AOR2 vessel.

Swan Hunter Shipbuilders has been given a preferential opportunity to tender for the second AOR, to the Harland and Wolff design. Its tender was received on 18 June and this is now being evaluated. We hope to be able to negotiate a contract based on the terms and conditions outlined by my right hon. Friend on 24 April 1986, at column 434, so that work can commence on the ship as soon as possible after negotiations are completed.

asked the Attorney-General what is the total cost, to the most recent practicable date, of legal representations in Australia and elsewhere in attempting to suppress publication of Mr. Peter Wright's book on MI5.

The total amount of costs expended to date in the proceedings to restrain the publication of Mr. Peter Wright's manuscript is about £292,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales and the National Farmers Union in Wales to discuss the devaluation of the green pound; and if he will make a statement.

I shall be meeting both unions next month, but I am well aware of the farming unions' views on the need for a substantial devaluation of the green pound in the current CAP price fixing negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the management of Scotrail to discuss the future of its Dundee depot; and if he will make a statement.

No. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to intervene in what is a management matter for the board.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of providing quarry materials by rail for the construction of the Airedale trunk road and the current cost using road-borne traffic; how many road transport contractors are involved; and how many vehicle inspections have been carried out in 1987 to the most recent practicable date.

The cost of providing materials by rail is not available for the two sections of the Airedale route under construction. Following investigation, the Department was satisfied that the cost of delivering bulk materials by rail was considerably greater than by road.The estimated cost of imported bulk fill by road for the first section of the route is £4·0 million; for the second section the estimated cost is £1·0 million. To date, 70 haulage subcontractors have been employed on the first section and 53 on the second.Inspections of loaded vehicles are not related to hauliers working on particular road schemes. The Department's traffic examiners and vehicle examiners carry out programmes of roadside checks on weights and other aspects and also fleet inspections to check mechanical conditions of vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet reached a decision on the retention of the Settle-Carlisle railway; and if he will make a statement.

I appreciate the concern caused by continuing uncertainty over this line's future. It is, however, the most complex closure case for many years and there are many issues involved. I am working to resolve them.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many grants for the installation of railway sidings under section 8 of the Transport Act 1974 have been made in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is as follows :

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of vandalism on British Rail; whether grant aid to remedy the damage is available; and if he will make a statement.

No estimate of the cost of vandalism on British Rail is available. There is no specific grant-aid to remedy damage caused by vandalism, but all the costs of operating the passenger railway, including those associated with vandalism and policing, are at present taken into account in determining the amount of PSO grant paid to BR. From next year, when the InterCity services cease to be eligible for grant, the cost of vandalism on those services will have to be met from fares.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to receive the consultative report on the operation of the United Kingdom's lighthouse-tender ships; and whether he will make copies available in the Library.

My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly. Copies of the report, when it is published, will be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the consultants' report on surface access to Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement.

The report of the Heathrow surface access study on travel between Heathrow airport and central London, which the Government commissioned in March 1986, is being published today by the consultants Howard Humphreys and Partners, who undertook the study in association with the MVA consultancy and Kennedy Henderson Ltd. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library and sent to those most closely involved. Further copies are available direct from the consultants.The consultants were asked to examine the implications of growth at the airport over the next 20 years, including the possibility of further terminal development on the Perry Oaks site. There are no plans for such a development, but it would have been wrong to conduct a long-term review of this kind without examining how the transport options considered could meet the increased passenger demand which would be created by any further development of this kind within the timescale dealt with by the study.The report confirms the general experience that roads in the Heathrow to London corridor are already heavily loaded and traffic is continuing to grow. If nothing is done, delays will get worse. While Healthrow traffic is only a small proportion of all traffic using these roads, the report proposes various ways of assisting the flow of traffic on the M4 and A4 to make journey times to Heathrow shorter and more predictable. Three of the schemes, to the west of Chiswick, are relatively straightforward; these have already been incorporated into the Department's programme of projects for the A4-M4 corridor. The report also identifies possibilities for more far-reaching schemes to the east of Chiswick.The study revealed that rail and road options were complementary rather than competing, and the report identifies a large number of possible rail developments involving both British Rail and improved Underground services. These have been evaluated on a financial basis using a computer model developed specially for the study. The report finds that some of these rail schemes should be commercially viable.In accordance with their remit to look beyond the end of the century, the consultants have considered the scope for more radical solutions. One possibility considered is the use of new technology to provide a dedicated link connecting the terminals at the airport directly with central London. A further possibility involves a tolled tunnel from Boston Manor on the M4 to the Shepherds Bush area. In view of the promising options that have been identified for cheaper and more conventional solutions, both road and rail, I do not propose to have these ideas taken forward as public sector projects for the time being.The Government will need to reflect carefully on the findings of this major study. I am therefore inviting comments on the report's conclusions from the main transport operators (British Airways, British Rail, Civil Aviation Authority, Heathrow airport, and London Underground), the relevant local authorities, and other interested parties. The Government will also be considering how the private sector might be involved in the development and financing of the schemes discussed in the report; no decisions have yet been taken on the provision of public sector finance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens from China are claiming political refugee status in the United Kingdom at the latest date.

As at 26 June there were three Chinese nationals whose initial application for refugee status was under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with inquiries into the matters raised in the "World in Action" television programme broadcast on 16 February concerning the Economic League and possible breaches of the law, including section 2 of the Official Secrets Act; and if he will make a statement.

We have received from the chief constable of the North Yorkshire police a report of an investigation carried out by a senior officer of his force into claims that information, in particular about criminal records, was passed to the Economic League by the police. Detailed examinations of police national computer transactions made by the force produced no indication that the PNC had been used to obtain criminal record information for the league. Further inquiries and interviews produced no evidence to support the implication that other police information had been passed to the league.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the public expenditure allocations to the Department of Health and Social Security in order to facilitate the full implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Priorities within the DHSS programme will be discussed over the next few months as part of the annual review of public expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will be considering changes in the law to remove obstacles to disincorporation; and if he will make a statement.

There may be circumstances in which those involved in running a company consider that it would he commercially preferable for the business to be run in unincorporated form. The Government have received representations that there are a number of fiscal and other legal deterrents to moving from corporate to unincorporated status. As indicated in the White Paper "Building Businesses … Not Barriers" (Cmnd. 9794) the Government have been considering ways of removing these deterrents. The Inland Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry will this week be publishing a consultative document seeking views on possible changes to company and taxation law relating to disincorporation. A copy of the document will be placed in the Library of the House and the closing date for comments will be 31 October 1987.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government now intend to reintroduce measures to enable members of occupational pension schemes to make additional voluntary contributions to a separate pension plan.

It remains our intention to reintroduce all the proposals dropped from this year's Finance Act as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he plans to introduce legislation to modernise the law of copyright.

As announced in the Queen's Speech, a Bill will be introduced to reform the law of copyright.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give figures for the levels of Japanese exports of leather to the United Kingdom for the last five years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give figures for the levels of finished leather garment imports from Turkey for each of the last five years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he intends to publish the report by the Director General of Fair Trading for 1986.

The 13th annual report by the Director General of Fair Trading has been published today. It covers the period 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1986. Copies of the report have been laid before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the number of employees in the Yorkshire woollen textile industry for 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to ensure that fire safety regulations for furniture sold for use in the home are stringently applied; if he is satisfied that there are adequate safeguards to ensure that toys are not inflammable; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the deficit in trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and the Common Market in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.

The information is in the following table:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to ensure that goods offered for retail sale are marked with the country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans to do so. The European Court of Justice, in its 1985 judgment against the former Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981, has already made it clear that such a requirement would be in breach of Article 30 of the treaty of Rome. However, it is and will remain a criminal offence to mislead consumers about the origin of goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has had from Shorts of Belfast about the export of arms to Afghanistan.

It is not the practice to comment on individual defence equipment export matters.

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

We have been following events in the Republic of Korea closely and are encouraged by reports of the latest developments. Our bilateral relations continue to be good.

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

We enjoy close and cordial relations with Nigeria, a fellow Commonwealth member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the diplomatic exercise to explain the new status of British National (Overseas) and the passport that goes with it.

Over a period of nine months we have conducted an intensive diplomatic campaign to explain the background to the 1986 Order in Council and the creation through it of the status of British National (Overseas). We have drawn attention to the fact that British passports in that status will be available from 1 July 1987, and have handed over specimen copies explaining the various endorsements which will help make the passport an effective travel document both before and after 1997. We have also made it clear that the arrangements we are introducing are in the full knowledge and understanding of the Chinese Government.The response we have received to these explanations has been overwhelmingly positive. No foreign or Commonwealth Government have said that they would not accept for entry to their territory travellers holding BN(O) passports. Many have let it be known publicly in Hong Kong that the passports are acceptable. There is therefore every reason to believe that holders of BN(O) passports will he able to travel as widely and freely as they were previously when using British dependent territories citizen passports. The Government will continue to monitor reactions carefully, and will make every effort to ensure that the arrangements which come into force on 1 July work smoothly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present, four meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for July. The incoming Danish presidency has indicated that it may call meetings of the Council earlier than those scheduled.The Economic and Finance Council is due to meet on 13 July. It is expected to consider the second quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community. The agenda may also include the effects on Spain and Portugal of the Council's decision to delay reimbursement to member states of losses incurred on the disposal of butter stocks; the Commission's proposals on the future financing of the Community; and the Economic Policy Committee's report on the Commission's 5-year financial forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any changes have occurred in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cash limits for 1987–88.

The cash limit for Class II, Vote 1, overseas Representation, will be decreased by £544,000 from £424,360,000 to £423,816,000 to take account of a reduced requirement for the installation costs of the FOLIOS computer project attributed to this Vote.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds he has given to Shorts of Belfast in relation to the development of surface-to-air missiles.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1987 c. 27]: The Secretary of State has given no funds to Shorts of Belfast for the development of surface-to-air missiles, but the missiles systems division of the company is in receipt of standard capital grants for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland in the last three years for which figures are available have been imprisoned for not paying a fine imposed by a court for failure to display a Road Fund Licence; and what information he has as to how many such fines are outstanding at present.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1987. col. 28] : In 1985 the last year, for which figures are available, 1,091 people were imprisoned in Northern Ireland in default of payment of fines. However, information about the number of persons imprisoned specifically for not paying a fine for failing to display a road fund licence is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.At 26 June 1987 the number of fines imposed at magistrates' courts for this offence and which remained unpaid totalled 1,087.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had on the case for nutritional guidelines for school meals.

My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions. Local education authorities have access to a wide range of expert professional advice on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he received a copy of Sir Clifford Butler's report on the future of geological surveying; and whether he will arrange for its immediate publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to publish the joint Natural Environment Research Council—Advisory Body for Research Councils study group report into geological surveying.

My right hon. Friend received a copy of Sir Clifford Butler's report on 22 June, with preliminary comments from the chairman of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils and the chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council. My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement on publication shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of wages inspectors in post for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.

The numbers of wages inspectors in post were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many claims made in the London borough of Camden entitlement to unemployment benefit has been disqualified on the grounds of voluntary unemployment or dismissal for misconduct, or both, since the new rules came into operation in October 1986; and in how many cases the disqualification was for the maximum period of 13 weeks.

Information is not readily available about claims made in individual local authority areas, and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister for the Arts when he expects to lay before Parliament a copy of the South Bank Board's report to the Arts Council for the year ended 31 March, as required by section 47 of the Local Government Act 1985.

I congratulate the South Bank Board on the success of its first year and welcome the 1986–87 report "Now we are one", a copy of which has been laid before Parliament today; the audited accounts for 1986–87 will be presented to Parliament later this year when they are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria will be applied to decide eligibility for the small cereals producer aid; and if he will make a statement.

In the United Kingdom eligibility for the small cereals producer aid intended to offset the effect of the cereals co-responsibility levy, will be restricted to those cereals producers with not more than 100 hectares of crops and grass, excluding rough grazing, who can supply evidence that during the 1986–87 cereals marketing year they have had the cereals co-responsibility levy deducted on their grain. The aid will be paid at a maximum rate of £3·37 per tonne on a minimum claim of 3 tonnes and up to a maximum of 25 tonnes (£84·33). The rate of aid will be reduced if the total amount of aid claimed by producers exceeds the 5·35 million ECU (£3·354 million) allocated to the United Kingdom for this purpose.Application forms are being despatched in England and Wales to those cereal producers believed to meet the criteria. Producers who believe they are eligible and do not receive an application form should apply to their local divisional office for a form. Separate arrangements for distributing application forms have been made in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Completed application forms must be returned to divisional offices by 31 July 1987. Payments will be made by 31 December 1987.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is proposed to change the cash limit on any departmental vote for which he has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limits on votes for which I and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland are responsible will be increased in order to make provision for the purchase of milk quota in Great Britain for issue to Northern Ireland producers as announced to the House on 31 March 1987 at column 445.The cash limit for Class IV Vote 4 (other Agricultural and Food Services and Support for the Fishing Industry) will be increased by £875,000 from £141,801,000 to £142,676,000 and that for Class XVI Vote 2 (Agricultural Services and Fisheries, Scotland) by £127,000 from £69,832,000 to £69,959,000. These increases will be contained within planned provision for programmes and will not involve a call on the reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the Tyneside Urban Development Corporation; and if he will state the annual remmuneration paid to each member.

The members of the Tyne and Wear development corporation are Mr. Paul Nicholson (Chairman), Mr. John Ward (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Graeme Anderson, Mr. John Barnsley, Councillor John Donnelly, Mr. John Hall, Dr. Ralph Iley, Mr. Joe Mills, Councillor Bert Moore and Councillor Septimus Robinson.All posts are part-time. The chairman is paid £13,610 a year on the basis of a time commitment of one and half days per week. The deputy chairman is paid £6,158 a year on the basis for a time commitment of 1 day per week. Members are paid at a flat rate of £3,610 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will designate Wimpey No-Fire houses under the Housing Act 1985 to permit the assistance of owner-occupiers who purchased such defective houses from local authorities.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase the housing investment programme allocation to Walsall to assist the local authority to deal with defective housing such as Wimpey No-Fire, Smith, Cornish and Reema.

Local authorities were notified last December of their HIP allocations for 1987–88. Although authorities were invited to bid for a share of £14 million extra HIP resources put aside for those experiencing particular difficulties with obligations under the housing defects legislation, Walsall decided not to submit an application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Liverpool of the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier).

I visited Liverpool on 22 June 1987 to see the work of the Merseyside Development Corporation. I met the chairman, chief executive and senior officials of the development corporation, toured a number of formerly derelict dockland sites and saw for myself what is being achieved by the corporation in partnership with the private sector, in revitalising large sectors of Liverpool's Docklands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the total urban programme for the financial years 1978–79 to 1987–88 (estimated); and if he will list the outturn urban programme grants paid to each partnership, programme and designated authority and the estimated figure for 1987–88, showing also for each authority the level of funding in each year on (a) housing subsidy receivable and (b) block grant, expressed in constant 1987–88 prices.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1987, c. 48]: I have placed in the Library a copy of the information on the detailed breakdown of the total urban programme for the financial years 1978–79 to 1987–88 and information on block grant to those authorities. Information on the level of funding on housing subsidy receivable is being placed in the Library pursuant to my reply of 29 June 1987, at column 49. I shall write to the hon. Member with the information requested on urban programme grants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the housing subsidy paid to each London borough, metropolitan district and non-metropolitan district in each of the years from 1978–79 to 1987–88 (estimated), expressed in constant 1987–88 prices.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 June 1987, c. 49]: I am placing in the Library the information requested for the years 1981–82 to 1987–88 inclusive. Information for the years before 1981–82, when the present housing subsidy system came into operation, cannot be provided except at undue cost.

asked the Prime Minister for what reason information in the report by Ministry of Defence civil servants, on the costs of Trident, prepared on the instructions of Sir Robert Armstrong, designed for an incoming Labour Government was given to The Independent newspaper in the first week of June.

I have been asked to reply.None of the material prepared for any incoming Government has been made public. The Independent newspaper approached the Ministry of Defence in early June with questions about Trident. It was given only information already publicly available.

asked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to increase opportunities for patients to choose the date, venue and doctor for their treatment within the National Health Service.

I have been asked to reply.The Government's aim is to make sure that all patients receive the treatment that they need within a reasonable time. That is why we have launched a waiting list initiative backed up by a special fund of £50 million which we expect to bring about the treatment of 200,000 extra patients from the waiting list over two years.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to visit Norwich.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received about Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the administration of the Welsh Office.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has received three such letters, including one from the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) and one jointly from the hon. Members for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas), for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) and for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones).

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Shettleston constituency.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 30 June.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is in Brussels for a meeting of the European Council.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions she had with Mr. Abdul Haq during his visit to number 10 Downing street on 11 March 1986, about the acquisition of Blowpipe missiles by persons or organisations opposed to the Kabul regime; and if she will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister what stage has now been reached in preparing a contingency plan to deal with the effects of any future nuclear accident overseas.

The main framework of the new contingency plan, to cater specifically for the consequences for this country of nuclear accidents outside the United Kingdom, is complete. Departments and organisations involved in implementing the plan are now preparing their own, complementary, individual contingency plans. Discussion of certain aspects with elected member representatives of the local authority associations will take place in the near future.The main features of the new plan are:—

asked the Prime Minister if she will now take steps to hold a referendum in Scotland on the issue of devolution in Scotland.

I have been asked to reply.The Government have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to health authorities about levying charges for treating patients from other health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he is offering to health authorities on charging other health authorities for services provided.

The Department is to discuss draft guidance on this issue with regional health authority treasurers at one of their regular meetings later this week. This will confirm the current legal position; that health authorities may enter into a charging arrangement by mutual consent but that an individual authority may neither impose a charge unilaterally nor refuse to treat a patient if no payment is made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the incidence of leukaemia around nuclear power stations.

The Department has established the independent expert Committee on the Medical Aspect of Radiation in the Environment to advise the Government on such matters. COMA RE has been asked to advise on the position in relation to Scottish nuclear sites and the Aldermaston/Burghfield area. More recently it has been asked to advise on the recent Office of Population Censuses and Surveys report on cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations in England and Wales. We await the Committee's advice.COMARE was set up in response to one of the recommendations in Sir Douglas Black's report on Sellafield. Action has been taken also to implement the other recommendations in that report. A small area statistics unit is being set up under Professor Geoffrey Rose at the London School of Hygiene, to study statistics on the distribution of disease amongst small areas and the interpretation of such statistics, and to study reports of unusual clusters of disease in the neighbourhood of industrial installations. The epidemiological studies recommended in Cumbria are well on their way towards completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are now living in households dependent on social security benefits.

Around 2·24 million children were living in families receiving supplementary benefit in February 1987, the date of the latest available statistics. The reformed social security structure to be implemented next April will target help more specifically on low income families with children through the new family credit and the family premium in income support.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action will be taken to measure the extent to which claimants do not receive benefits to which they are entitled, following the recently published report on the subject by the National Audit Office.

The Department's system of measurement covers underpayments and overpayments of benefit. The recent National Audit Office report drew attention to undetected errors. In the light of the report, officials are urgently considering ways in which detection, recording, and correction of wrong payments can be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals have closed in the United Kingdom since 1979.

Information is not held centrally on numbers of hospitals closed. We do however, keep information on hospital facilities approved for closure. From 1979 to end December 1986,284 hospitals have been approved for closure in England. For closure outside England, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Northern Ireland.Since 1987 (to date) some 230 schemes (costing £1 million and over, building and engineering costs) have been completed to provide about 22,000 new beds. In addition many smaller schemes have provided facilities in response to the care in the community initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to enable parents who have been accused of sexual abuse of children to have a second opinion provided from authorities outside their own local authority.

Parents can present their own evidence and expert medical opinion before the Court either in care proceedings or wardship and if they are prosecuted for alleged sexual abuse. The local authority's duty is to investigate and if need be apply for a place of safety order to protect the child. After assessment they may institute care proceedings. The assessment is multi-disciplinary with a substantial medical component for which the local authorities look to the health authorities who could arrange for a second opinion if this is thought appropriate. The Northern regional health authority has this week set up a pilot scheme under which cases of suspected child sexual abuse are discussed with consultants drawn from a special regional reference group.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to combat child abuse.

We have under way a considerable programme of work designed to provide help and advice to social services departments, health authorities and other agencies with a role to play in combating child abuse. In particular, a new guide and circular on interagency working is being prepared, following the circulation of drafts last year. We have embarked on a special initiative to help training of staff, especially but not only on child sexual abuse. The first stage of this was announced in October 1986, the second in April 1987; and further projects are possible. We are also developing practice guidance for social workers and health visitors. All of this is additional to our continuing programme of research and development projects and assistance to voluntary organisations working in this field.Social services provision for this work is decided by local authorities themselves who are responsible for deploying the resources available to them. The 1987–88 rate support grant provision for personal social services was a 12·9 per cent. increase on 1986–87 an included additional provision for children's services and for training.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of women have responded to the initial call in those districts where cervical cancer call and recall schemes have been introduced.

Information available from three of the first family practitioner committees to set up systems indicates that between 33 per cent. and 64 per cent. of women who received invitations to attend for screening responded, although some of the respondents merely gave a reason for not attending. After those who did not respond initially had been followed up the response rate rose to between 75 per cent. and 84 per cent.Information on the response in other areas is not yet available centrally. It will be reported by health authorities in their annual outturn reports due next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the target level of accuracy in National Health Service pathology laboratories for dealing with cervical smears.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information his Department has on delays in treating women whose cervical smears have proved positive.

Responsibility for providing services for treatment of cervical cancer and related conditions lies with the local health authorities. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Dewsbury health authority for information concerning Dewsbury. We do not routinely collect such information centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision he has made to monitor the standards of accuracy of cervical smear tests.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the professional standards of private sector companies offering breast cancer screening.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health authorities use their own pathology laboratories for dealing with cervical smears; and how many put them out to private contractors.

I shall let the hon. Members have replies as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether South Tees health authority has sufficient computer capacity to provide a full cervical cancer call and recall scheme.

I understand that a full cervical cancer call and recall system is operating in South Tees health authority and that the district is meeting the four-week target for reporting on smear tests.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the capital building programme at George Eliot hospital in Nuneaton.

Phase II of the capital building programme at the George Eliot hospital was completed earlier this year at a cost of £6·5 million. The first patients moved into the 54 acute beds provided on 30 May. Phase III of the development was approved in August 1986 and work on this £12 million scheme is due to start in July 1989, with completion due in April 1992.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the progress of the look after your heart campaign.

The Look After Your Heart campaign, launched on 22 April, has generated considerable interest and continues to gather momentum. Because the main aim of this phase of the campaign is to raise public awareness about the dangers of heart disease and what can be done to reduce or avoid the risk, further use of the mass media is planned, in particular a television advertising campaign starting in the late summer.An important part of the campaign strategy is to involve industry, commerce and the workplace directly. One way this is being done is through a scheme of healthy living contracts in which employers and organisations undertake to support the principles underlying the campaign by a series of practical innovations which can include providing no-smoking areas and healthy menus in public restaurants and works canteens, displaying and disseminating campaign material to staff and the public, and introducing "Look After Yourself" courses in exercise, nutrition and stress management. A contract signing ceremony with a number of company chairmen was a feature of the campaign launch, and there will be a further signing by some leading British industrial and commercial organisations on 14 July. An industry pack which includes suggested action plans on smoking, alcohol, stress, nutrition and exercise, has been produced for use in industry and has been endorsed by both the CBI and the TUC.Major food retailers are being encouraged to mount special promotions for healthier eating and negotiations are proceeding with various sectors of the food industry to encourage the wider availability of appropriate products.A further major strand is the healthy cities programme. A growing number of cities and towns are forming joint action teams, involving health and local authorities, local business, voluntary organisations and other local interests, to mount health promotion programmes for this purpose.Publications on various aspects of coronary heart disease have been produced to support the campaign. These include a leaflet about healthy living designed with the main target audience in mind, of which some 4 million will be distributed during 1987. Some four million copies of other leaflets on particular aspects of coronary heart disease are also being produced. A total of £2·5 million, an increase of £ 1 million on the original budget, will be devoted to the campaign in 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present value of the basic pension for a single person as a percentage of average earnings; and what will be the corresponding figure in the year 2030 on the assumptions made in the statistical annex to the White Paper, "Reform of Social Security".

At estimated April 1987 figures, the basic pension for a single person is about 21 per cent. of gross average male manual workers' earnings. If earnings increased consistently by 14 per cent. a year more than prices, and pensions were increased only in line with prices throughout the next 43 years, the proportion would be 11 per cent. in 2030.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will bring forward legislation to amend the rules for entitlement to full pension for women who marry prior to their 60th birthday to receive a full pension at the age of 60.

Where a married or single woman has retirement pension entitlement on her own contributions, this can be received from age 60 if she satisfies the condition of retirement. Women whose pension entitlement derives from their husbands' contributions cannot receive a pension until they are 60 and the husband has reached the age of 65 and retired. We have no plans to change these rules, which have existed since the start of the national insurance scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to seek to improve the take-up of severe weather payments.

We are currently reviewing last winter's experience, including the question of publicity arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further measures he plans to encourage the spread of personal pension schemes.

The Government's aim is to encourage the spread of both personal and occupational pension coverage, through the new choices and incentives introduced by the Social Security Act 1986, so that many more people will have a pension of their own. Regulations under the Act which set out the detailed arrangements for the new types of pension schemes will be laid before Parliament later this week, and will help providers finalise details of their new products. It will be for those providers to promote their schemes, but I am considering what role the Department might best play in ensuring that people are aware of the new choices open to them as a result of our pension reforms.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the number of specialist units available for the treatment of children suffering from serious arthritis.

Apart from the internationally renowned centre at Northwick Park hospital, Harrow, we do not have detailed information about other centres that provide treatment for children with this condition.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities have the facility to carry out intra uterine transfusions on pregnant women.

Information on the number of district health authorities which have the facility to carry out intra uterine transfusions on pregnant women is not held centrally.

Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement reporting progress with the new district general hospital for Solihull.

I understand that building work on Solihull's new district general hospital is due to start in July 1989 and is expected to be completed in July 1992. Planning work is proceeding on schedule.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he expects to be saved in 1987–88 by competitive tendering for cleaning, laundry and catering.

From estimates provided by regional health authorities and special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, we expect new savings of some £39 million to accrue for the first time in the financial year 1987–88 from competitive tendering for cleaning, laundry and catering services. We also estimate that by the end of March 1987, annual savings generated by the competitive tendering initiative in England exceeded £93 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he proposes to increase resources for the provision of care in the community for the mentally handicapped and their families.

Health authorities' strategic plans envisage continued growth in overall expenditure on mentally handicapped people. Most regional health authorities have developed their own funding arrangements to assist the development of community services. Joint finance can also be used on extended terms if necessary. We are keeping an open mind about whether any further steps may be necessary.The provision for personal social services in the rate support grant settlement for 1987–88 includes an extra £27 million for the development of community care generally. Decisions on priorities for local government spending are the responsibility of individual local authorities.Social security costs will inevitably rise as normal benefits for people remaining in or returning to the community replace the personal allowances paid in hospital.As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Government have asked Sir Roy Griffiths to undertake a review of community care, and to advise on options that would contribute to more effective care. This review will include consideration of whether the public funds used to support the community care policy are giving the best value for money, whether they are properly targeted, and whether the people assisted are being given the help most appropriate to their needs. The Government look forward to the completion of this review towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present average annual salaries of midwives and health visitors employed in the National Health Service.

Information in the form requested is not available. The current basic salary scales for midwives and health visitors are given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the future of the special diet allowance for diabetics on supplementary benefit.

We have received correspondence from the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, and several other hon. Members, on behalf of the British Diabetic Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to introduce a cold climate allowance based on regional variations of temperature.

We, like previous Governments, are not persuaded that it would be right to deviate from the principle of national benefit levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to reply to the First Report from the Social Services Committee, Session 1986–87, of 27 January 1987, HC37, 1986–87, on primary health care; and if he will make a statement.

As soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from Bexley health authority concerning health care provision within the district.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young people have had their benefit reduced or suspended for either (a) refusing a YTS place or (b) leaving a scheme early.

From December 1983, when the Department started keeping records of these cases, to the end of May 1987 2,244 people have had their supplementary benefit reduced for refusing a youth training scheme place and 23,453 for leaving courses early, without good reason.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding mobility allowances.

We regularly receive representations about the qualifying conditions for mobility allowance, particularly in connection with individual claimants' appeals against decisions by the independent adjudicating authorities. Recently there have been more general representations about the age 75 limit, and about extending the medical eligibility criteria to include disabled people who can walk but are not independently mobile.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make up the £5 million shortfall in the funding of Nottingham health authority, as measured by criteria laid down by his Department in its evidence to the former Social Services Committee.

Decisions on allocations of funds to district health authorities are a matter for regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has recently received regarding the closure of the cancer unit at Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

We have received this year six letters from hon. Members, and about 3,000 letters direct from members of the public, together with two petitions, about the closure of the radiotherapy department at Southend hospital. The North-East Thames regional health authority has proposed that the radiotherapy department is closed, but that most other cancer services will continue to be provided in Southend.If we are required to make a final decision on the proposal, we will take into account all representations which have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what date he aims to have fully operational all the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in implementing all sections of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Her Majesty's Government intend to implement in full the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

Section 4, 8(1), 9 and 10 of the Act were brought into force on 1 April 1987. The Government have always made it clear that those sections of the Act which have significant resource implications will be implemented only when the necessary funds can be made available. Discussions with the local authority associations about the costs of the various sections of the Act have been proceeding at official level, and I plan to meet the associations shortly to review progress. Decisions on the implementation of the outstanding sections can be taken only in the light of the outcome of these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations his Department has. received about the implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

Since the beginning of this year 243 representations have been received from hon. Members and 20 from other people or organisations about the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986. The majority of these have been concerned with implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the recent disruption to emergency ambulance services in east London and the reasons for reductions in non-emergency ambulance services in the Greater London area.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps his Department is taking to help overcome the poverty and unemployment traps.

The Government have already taken the following measures to help improve work incentives. The basic rate of income tax has been reduced from 33 per cent. to 27 per cent. and since 1979 personal tax allowances have been increased by over 22 per cent. in real terms. Family income supplement prescribed amounts have been increased by a minimum of 13 per cent. in real terms and extra help has been given to families with older children. Since October 1985 national insurance contributions have been reduced for those with low earnings and for their employers. In addition, the Department of Employment's claimant advisers explain to job-seekers that rapid access to family income supplement and standard housing benefit can be provided for those re-entering employment. All these measures help to overcome either the poverty trap or the unemployment trap.Looking ahead, the introduction of the reformed social security system in April 1988 will help alleviate the unemployment trap by bringing more generous help through family credit to double the number of working families that presently receive family income supplement. The alignment of the assessment rules for income-related benefits will also mean that people with similar incomes will be treated equally whether in or out of work. The poverty trap will be eased under the reformed structure because family credit and housing benefit will be assessed using net income. This will mean that it will no longer be possible for the withdrawal of in-work income related benefits to create a fall in net income when gross earnings rise.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the level of heating allowances for the elderly.

Help with heating costs is provided through the supplementary benefit scale rates and heating additions. We have extended automatic entitlement to the basic rate heating addition to supplementary benefit householders aged 65 or over and the higher rate to householders aged 85 or over.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many low income families will benefit from the new family credit when it is introduced in 1988.

On the basis of the illustrative amounts in the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9691), published in 1985, around 410,000 families would receive the credit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new measures his Department is taking to help disabled people.

The new income support arrangements, which are to be introduced next April, will result in increased expenditure on people qualifying for the disablement premium. The Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys is carrying out a major survey of the needs of disabled people, which will be completed next year.