Written Answers To Questions
Friday 23 October 1987
Environment
Poll Tax
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received regarding the introduction of a poll tax; and if he will indicate the percentage in favour of, and the percentage against, such a change.
A summary of responses received by my Department before 31 October last, when the consultation 53period on the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) ended, was placed in the Library on 15 December 1986. One thousand two hundred and seventeen responses were received. Though opinions varied, more than twice as many people wanted to abolish domestic rates as wanted to keep them. The community charge received considerably greater support than any other replacement for the rates. We continue to receive representation about specific aspects of our proposals as well as requests for further information.
Training Programmes (London Docklands Development Corporation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each training programme in, or related to, the area of the London Docklands Development Corporation, the contribution of that corporation to each, the numbers of persons recruited to and leaving each course, and the numbers obtaining full time employment respectively, each to the latest convenient date.
The best information available to date on training initiatives in docklands to which the London Docklands Development Corporation has directly contributed is as follows:
(a) Docklands New Technology Centre (ITEC)
LDDC has contributed £400,000 over 3 years for premises and equipment. 72 people were trained in 1986, all of whom found jobs.
(b) Delta Youth Training Scheme and Job Club
LDDC has contributed £60,000, helping to expand capacity from 20 to 50 places. Two thirds of trainees have so far found full-time employment.
(c) Stepney Green Furniture Workshop
LDDC has contributed £135,000, helping to increase capacity from 25 to 70 places. Two thirds of trainees have so far found full-time employment.
(d) Bethnal Green Youth Training Centre
LDDC contributed £3,000 in 1986–87 helping to provide seven places. Those assisted have not yet completed their training.
(e) Shadwell Basin Training Project
LDDC contributed £78,000 in 1986–87 to help in the training of outdoor pursuits instructors. The training is still in progress.
(f) Docklands Community Development Project
LDDC contributed £40,000 in 1986–87. The training is still in progress.
(g) Newham Parents' Centre
LDDC has contributed £110,000 over three years.
Of the 77 trainees assisted through the project, 13 have found full-time work, 20 are in part time jobs or other training, and 26 are still being trained.
The corporation has also grant-aided a number of voluntary sector projects with a training element; has assisted various relevant institutions to improve facilities; and through Docklands SKILLnet has this year helped support some 1,100 training places with a variety of training providers.
Statistics on the provision for training made by other agencies are not maintained by the corporation.
Storm Damage
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reimburse the London borough of Lewisham for costs incurred within his area of responsibility, in meeting the emergencies which resulted from the hurricane which hit London on 16 October.
I refer the hon. Member to the statement on Wednesday 21 October by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.
Block Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has carried out further estimates of block grant payable to local authorities for 1987–88.
The Secretary of State's previous estimates of local authorities' entitlements to block grant were made in May 1987 following approval of the Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) 1987–88. My right hon. Friend exercised his discretion under section 66(1) of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and made further estimates of the amounts of block grant payable on 20 October. He took account of the further information on expenditure or rateable value or both which he had received from 72 authorities on or before 19 October. The authorities concerned have been notified of the new estimates. I expect that revised payments will take effect from 6 November. The total of block grant payable to local authorities is now £8,749 million, £12 million less than the previous amount.
Liverpool (Ministerial Visit)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Liverpool.
My right hon. Friend visited Liverpool on 4 August 1987.In the morning he was given a tour of inner Liverpool, and then had discussions with the former leader of Liverpool city council, Councillor Harry Rimmer, and officials, followed by a press conference.In the afternoon he toured the Albert dock and held discussions with the chairman and chief officers of Merseyside development corporation.The Secretary of State then had a meeting with the Archbishop of Liverpool before returning to London after a political engagement.
Rating Reform
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if squash clubs and other sports facilities will be exempt from the proposals contained in Cmnd. 9714 "Paying for Local Government", and in the subsequent consultation documents issued by his Department.
[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1987, c. 820]: Sports clubs which are charities will continue to be entitled to 50 per cent. relief from non-domestic rates as of right and will be eligible for up to another 50 per cent. at the rating authority's discretion. Other non-profit-making sports clubs will be eligible for 100 per cent. relief at the discretion of the local authority. The cost of mandatory reliefs will be met by the national non-domestic rate pool. The cost of discretionary reliefs will be met 50 per cent. by the pool. Therefore, local authorities should generally be no less inclined to grant reliefs than at present.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to make earlier rate support grant settlements in order to allow local authorities to take earlier decisions on levels of community charge.
[pursuant to his answer, 21 October 1987, c. 820]: Rate support grant will be paid only for years up to and including 1989–90. Thereafter, we propose that revenue support grant should be the main source of Government grant for local services.
Defence
Nuclear Propulsion Reactors
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he is having about the disposal of the Royal Navy's discarded nuclear propulsion reactors; with whom he will be discussing the matter before reaching a decision; and if he will make a statement.
No decisions have yet been taken on the disposal route for the reactor compartments of decommissioned nuclear submarines. The consultation arrangements will depend upon the route proposed. The spent fuel itself will be disposed of in accordance with existing arrangements.
Home Department
Violence And Sex (Broadcasting)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for strengthening the oversight of the portrayal of violence and sex in broadcasting; and if he will make a statement.
We propose to establish a new Broadcasting Standards Council, divorced from programme making, which will act as a focus for public concern about the portrayal of violence and sex on all forms of television and radio receivable in the United Kingdom. Responsibility for enforcing programme standards and for responding to complaints will remain with the broadcasting authorities, but the new council will be able to monitor the relevant programme standards and publicise its findings, where necessary, on individual programmes. It will also be able to initiate studies and research on the relevant programme standards. The new council will not be concerned with complaints about unjust treatment and the invasion of privacy, which are the responsibility of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. The new council will be able to express general views about the portrayal of sex and violence in video works, but will not duplicate the functions of the British Board of Film Classification.We intend to put the Broadcasting Standards Council on a statutory footing at the earliest opportunity, but to establish it initially in advance of legislation.The broadcasting authorities and other interested bodies are being consulted. Further details will be announced in the light of those consultations.
National Finance
Public Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the latest years now available, identifiable public expenditure by function in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the United Kingdom expressed (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of United Kingdom total identifiable public expenditure, (c) as an amount per capita and (d) as an amount per capita expressed as a percentage of the United Kingdom amount per capita.
The term "identifiable expenditure" refers to expenditure that can be identified from official records as having been incurred in a particular country. Total identifiable expenditure accounts for just over 80 per cent. of total public departmental public expenditure.The remainder, unidentifiable expenditure, includes expenditure on defence, overseas aid and other overseas services which are deemed to have been incurred on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole. It also includes Government net lending to, and the market and overseas borrowing of, the public corporations (including nationalised industries), due to the difficulty of allocating this finance to expenditure in a particular country.Tables 1 to 5 show figures of identifiable public expenditure according to main function in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These are the only available figures comparing public expenditure by function in four countries of the United Kingdom. The analysis covers 1982–83 to 1986–87, the only period for which data are available on a consistent basis.Table 6 compares, for the latest year, 1986–87, expenditure in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland programmes with the total identifiable expenditure in the respective countries by function. It shows that identifiable expenditure has a wider coverage than expenditure within the responsibility of the Secretaries of State in the case of Scotland and Wales, and, in the case of Northern Ireland, it has a slightly wider coverage than the Northern Ireland programme in the public expenditure survey. This table also shows unidentifiable expenditure by function for 1986–87.In some cases expenditure which cannot be separately identified for England, Scotland or Wales can be allocated to Great Britain rather than the United Kingdom; for example, the majority of the financng of expenditure by the nationalised industries can be allocated to Great Britain. In these cases it is appropriate to compare Northern Ireland allocated expenditure with that allocated to Great Britain. Tables 7a and 7b provide this analysis over the five year period.The extent to which expenditure can be identified may vary from year to year and between countries. The coverage of particular functions can also vary between The tables use the terms and definitions of the last countries; for example, in Northern Ireland, expenditure on arts and libraries is contained in the education category.
| Table 1a | |||||||||
| Identifiable public expenditure 1982–83 | |||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||
| As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure | |||||||||
| England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 694·7 | 190·6 | 78·1 | 144·1 | 1,107·5 | 62·7 | 17·2 | 7·1 | 13·0 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 2,770·6 | 664·2 | 341·9 | 363·6 | 4,140·3 | 66·9 | 16·0 | 8·3 | 8·8 |
| Arts and libraries | 549·6 | 74·5 | 32·7 | — | 656·8 | 83·7 | 11·3 | 5·0 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 4,371·8 | 536·1 | 323·0 | 110·8 | 5,341·7 | 81·8 | 10·0 | 6·0 | 2·1 |
| Housing | 2,709·6 | 686·9 | 125·3 | 161·9 | 3,683·7 | 73·6 | 18·6 | 3·4 | 4·4 |
| Other environmental services | 3,299·0 | 493·2 | 265·6 | 147·5 | 4,205·3 | 78·4 | 11·7 | 6·3 | 3·5 |
| Law, order and protective services | 3,319·1 | 410·6 | 171·9 | 381·2 | 4,282·8 | 77·5 | 9·6 | 4·0 | 8·9 |
| Education and science | 12,312·0 | 1,892·7 | 777·2 | 535·6 | 15,517·5 | 79·3 | 12·2 | 5·0 | 3·5 |
| Health and personal social services | 13,865·7 | 1,913·7 | 858·8 | 589·2 | 17,227·4 | 80·5 | 11·1 | 5·0 | 3·4 |
| Social security | 27,183·0 | 3,068·1 | 1,729·4 | 1,005·0 | 32,985·5 | 82·4 | 9·3 | 5·2 | 3·0 |
| Other public services | 840·2 | 196·4 | 78·5 | 52·9 | 1,168·0 | 71·9 | 16·8 | 6·7 | 4·5 |
| Common services | 353·7 | 30·5 | 22·4 | 2·3 | 408·9 | 86·5 | 7·5 | 5·5 | 0·6 |
| Planning total | 72,269·0 | 10,157·5 | 4,804·8 | 3,494·1 | 90,725·4 | 79·7 | 11·2 | 5·3 | 3·9 |
| Table 1b | |||||||||
| Identifiable public expenditure 1982–83 | |||||||||
| £ per head | |||||||||
| As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure per head | |||||||||
| England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 14·8 | 36·9 | 27·8 | 93·7 | 19·7 | 75·5 | 187·5 | 141·5 | 476·4 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 59·2 | 128·5 | 121·8 | 236·4 | 73·5 | 80·5 | 174·8 | 165·6 | 321·5 |
| Arts and libraries | 11·7 | 14·4 | 11·6 | 0·0 | 11·7 | 100·7 | 123·6 | 99·9 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 93·4 | 103·8 | 115·1 | 72·0 | 94·9 | 98·5 | 109·4 | 121·3 | 75·9 |
| Housing | 57·9 | 132·9 | 44·6 | 105·3 | 65·4 | 88·5 | 203·2 | 68·2 | 160·9 |
| Other environmental services | 70·5 | 95·5 | 94·6 | 95·9 | 74·7 | 94·4 | 127·8 | 126·7 | 128·4 |
| Law, order and protective services | 70·9 | 79·5 | 61·2 | 247·9 | 76·1 | 93·3 | 104·5 | 80·5 | 325·9 |
| Education and science | 263·1 | 366·3 | 276·9 | 348·2 | 275·6 | 95·5 | 132·9 | 100·5 | 126·4 |
| Health and personal social services | 296·3 | 370·4 | 305·9 | 383·1 | 306·0 | 96·8 | 121·1 | 100·0 | 125·2 |
| Social security | 580·9 | 593·8 | 616·1 | 653·4 | 585·8 | 99·2 | 101·4 | 105·2 | 111·5 |
| Other public services | 18·0 | 38·0 | 28·0 | 34·4 | 20·7 | 86·6 | 183·2 | 134·8 | 165·8 |
| Common services | 7·6 | 5·9 | 8·0 | 1·5 | 7·3 | 104·1 | 81·3 | 109·9 | 20·6 |
| Planning total | 1,544·4 | 1,965·8 | 1,711·7 | 2,271·8 | 1,611·3 | 95·8 | 122·0 | 106·2 | 141·0 |
| Table 2a | |||||||||
| Identifiable public expenditure 1983–84 | |||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||
| As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure | |||||||||
| England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | United Kingdom | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 711·2 | 201·2 | 95·8 | 150·0 | 1,158·2 | 61·4 | 17·4 | 8·3 | 13·0 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 3,136·1 | 614·8 | 327·1 | 376·0 | 4,454·0 | 70·4 | 13·8 | 7·3 | 8·4 |
| Arts and libraries | 593·4 | 75·2 | 34·6 | 703·2 | 84·4 | 10·7 | 4·9 | 0·0 | |
| Roads and transport | 4,505·8 | 546·9 | 376·0 | 122·5 | 5,551·2 | 81·2 | 9·9 | 6·8 | 2·2 |
| Housing | 3,154·1 | 717·0 | 194·9 | 193·0 | 4,259·0 | 74·1 | 16·8 | 4·6 | 4·5 |
| Other environmental services | 3,469·2 | 525·7 | 274·9 | 167·3 | 4,437·1 | 78·2 | 11·8 | 6·2 | 3·8 |
| Law, order and protective services | 3,631·6 | 461·2 | 190·0 | 400·6 | 4,683·4 | 77·5 | 9·8 | 4·1 | 8·6 |
| Education and science | 12,973·0 | 1,973·2 | 820·0 | 565·6 | 16,331·8 | 79·4 | 12·1 | 5·0 | 3·5 |
The tables use the terms and definitions of the last public expenditure White Paper "The Government Expenditure Plans 1987–88 to 1989–90" (Cm. 56) but they incorporate later information.
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Health and personal social services | 14,711·2 | 2,036·2 | 916·0 | 634·8 | 18,298·2 | 80·4 | 11·1 | 5·0 | 3·5 |
| Social security | 29,407·8 | 3,327·7 | 1,884·3 | 1,094·3 | 35,714·1 | 82·3 | 9·3 | 5·3 | 3·1 |
| Other public services | 1,052·4 | 234·9 | 99·7 | 57·1 | 1,444·1 | 72·9 | 16·3 | 6·9 | 4·0 |
| Common services | -147·5 | -12·6 | 0·4 | 2·0 | -157·7 | 93·5 | 8·0 | -0·3 | -1·3 |
| Planning total | 77,198·3 | 10,701·4 | 5,213·7 | 3,763·2 | 96,876·6 | 79·7 | 11·0 | 5·4 | 3·9 |
Table 2b
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1983–4
| |||||||||
£ per head
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure per head
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 15·2 | 39·1 | 34·1 | 97·2 | 20·6 | 73·9 | 190·1 | 166·0 | 472·9 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 66·9 | 119·4 | 116·5 | 243·7 | 79·0 | 84·7 | 151·0 | 147·4 | 308·3 |
| Arts and libraries | 12·7 | 14·6 | 12·3 | 0·0 | 12·5 | 101·5 | 117·0 | 98·7 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 96·2 | 106·2 | 133·9 | 79·4 | 98·5 | 97·6 | 107·8 | 135·9 | 80·6 |
| Housing | 67·3 | 139·2 | 69·4 | 125·1 | 75·6 | 89·1 | 184·2 | 91·8 | 165·5 |
| Other environmental services | 74·1 | 102·1 | 97·9 | 108·4 | 78·7 | 94·0 | 129·6 | 124·3 | 137·7 |
| Law, order and protective services | 77·5 | 89·6 | 67·7 | 259·6 | 83·1 | 93·3 | 107·7 | 81·4 | 312·4 |
| Education and science | 276·9 | 383·1 | 292·0 | 366·6 | 289·8 | 95·5 | 132·2 | 100·8 | 126·5 |
| Health and personal social services | 314·0 | 395·4 | 326·2 | 411·4 | 324·7 | 96·7 | 121·8 | 100·5 | 126·7 |
| Social security | 627·8 | 646·2 | 671·0 | 709·2 | 633·8 | 99·0 | 101·9 | 105·9 | 111·9 |
| Other public services | 22·5 | 45·6 | 35·5 | 37·0 | 25·6 | 87·7 | 178·0 | 138·5 | 144·4 |
| Common services | -3·1 | -2·4 | 0·1 | 1·3 | -2·8 | 112·5 | 87·4 | -5·1 | -46·3 |
| Planning total | 1,647·9 | 2,077·9 | 1,856·7 | 2,438·9 | 1,719·3 | 95·8 | 120·9 | 108·0 | 141·9 |
Table 3a
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1984–85
| |||||||||
£ million
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 683·3 | 230·5 | 99·6 | 160·8 | 1,174·2 | 58·2 | 19·6 | 8·5 | 13·7 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 3,272·2 | 708·8 | 348·0 | 420·6 | 4,749·6 | 68·9 | 14·9 | 7·3 | 8·9 |
| Arts and libraries | 633·9 | 81·4 | 36·1 | 751·4 | 84·4 | 10·8 | 4·8 | 0·0 | |
| Roads and transport | 4,722·2 | 563·6 | 328·7 | 122·3 | 5,736·8 | 82·3 | 9·8 | 5·7 | 2·1 |
| Housing | 3,264·5 | 656·3 | 137·1 | 211·0 | 4,268·9 | 76·5 | 15·4 | 3·2 | 4·9 |
| Other environmental services | 3,679·6 | 533·9 | 274·2 | 175·2 | 4,662·9 | 78·9 | 11·4 | 5·9 | 3·8 |
| Law, order and protective services | 4,118·2 | 501·4 | 210·4 | 431·0 | 5,261·0 | 78·3 | 9·5 | 4·0 | 8·2 |
| Education and science | 13,472·9 | 2,024·5 | 842·5 | 593·0 | 16,932·9 | 79·6 | 12·0 | 5·0 | 3·5 |
| Health and personal social services | 15,758·2 | 2,182·2 | 986·1 | 666·9 | 19,593·4 | 80·4 | 11·1 | 5·0 | 3·4 |
| Social security | 31,867·5 | 3,601·4 | 2,049·3 | 1,182·5 | 38,700·7 | 82·3 | 9·3 | 5·3 | 3·1 |
| Other public services | 1,169·2 | 248·3 | 103·0 | 60·9 | 1581·4 | 73·9 | 15·7 | 6·5 | 3·9 |
| Common services | -82·1 | -6·9 | 6·0 | 2·6 | -80·4 | 102·1 | 8·6 | -7·5 | -3·2 |
| Planning total | 82,559·6 | 11,325·4 | 5,421·0 | 4,026·8 | 103,332·8 | 79·9 | 11·0 | 5·2 | 3·9 |
Table 3b
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1984–85
| |||||||||
£ per head
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure per head
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 14·6 | 44·8 | 35·5 | 103·7 | 20·8 | 70·0 | 215·4 | 170·6 | 498·8 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 69·7 | 137·7 | 124·0 | 271·4 | 84·1 | 82·8 | 163·7 | 147·4 | 322·6 |
| Arts and libraries | 13·5 | 15·8 | 12·9 | 0·0 | 13·3 | 101·4 | 118·9 | 96·6 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 100·6 | 109·5 | 117·1 | 78·9 | 101·6 | 99·0 | 107·8 | 115·2 | 77·7 |
| Housing | 69·5 | 127·5 | 48·8 | 136·1 | 75·6 | 91·9 | 168·7 | 64·6 | 180·0 |
| Other environmental services | 78·4 | 103·8 | 97·7 | 113·0 | 82·6 | 94·9 | 125·6 | 118·3 | 136·9 |
| Law, order and protective services | 87·7 | 97·4 | 75·0 | 278·1 | 93·2 | 94·1 | 104·6 | 80·4 | 298·4 |
| Education and science | 286·9 | 393·4 | 300·1 | 382·6 | 299·9 | 95·7 | 131·2 | 100·1 | 127·6 |
| Health and personal social services | 335·6 | 424·1 | 351·3 | 430·3 | 347·0 | 96·7 | 122·2 | 101·2 | 124·0 |
| Social security | 678·7 | 699·8 | 730·1 | 762·9 | 685·5 | 99·0 | 102·1 | 106·5 | 111·3 |
| Other public services | 24·9 | 48·3 | 36·7 | 39·3 | 28·0 | 88·9 | 172·3 | 131·0 | 140·3 |
| Common services | -1·7 | -1·3 | 2·1 | 1·7 | -1·4 | 122·8 | 94·2 | -150·1 | -117·8 |
| Planning total | 1,758·2 | 2,200·8 | 1,931·2 | 2,597·9 | 1,830·2 | 96·1 | 120·2 | 105·5 | 141·9 |
Table 4a
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1985–86
| |||||||||
£ million
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 689·0 | 250·6 | 106·1 | 155·0 | 1,200·7 | 57·4 | 20·9 | 8·8 | 12·9 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 3,366·1 | 778·4 | 380·2 | 448·3 | 4,973·0 | 67·7 | 15·7 | 7·6 | 9·0 |
| Arts and libraries | 660·6 | 88·5 | 38·6 | — | 787·7 | 83·9 | 11·2 | 4·9 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 4,759·6 | 582·7 | 340·5 | 122·2 | 5,805·0 | 82·0 | 10·0 | 5·9 | 2·1 |
| Housing | 2,866·3 | 614·7 | 126·1 | 227·3 | 3,834·4 | 74·8 | 16·0 | 3·3 | 5·9 |
| Other environmental services | 3,659·9 | 544·8 | 285·9 | 186·2 | 4,676·8 | 78·3 | 11·6 | 6·1 | 4·0 |
| Law, order and protective services | 4,176·0 | 525·5 | 215·3 | 470·4 | 5,387·2 | 77·5 | 9·8 | 4·0 | 8·7 |
| Education and science | 13,997·0 | 2,071·5 | 854·6 | 614·2 | 17,537·3 | 79·8 | 11·8 | 4·9 | 3·5 |
| Health and personal social services | 16,616·4 | 2,317·6 | 1,048·5 | 699·1 | 20,681·6 | 80·3 | 11·2 | 5·1 | 3·4 |
| Social security | 34,927·7 | 3,960·3 | 2,252·3 | 1,292·9 | 42,433·2 | 82·3 | 9·3 | 5·3 | 3·0 |
| Other public services | 1,290·8 | 255·2 | 106·9 | 63·4 | 1,716·3 | 75·2 | 14·9 | 6·2 | 3·7 |
| Common services | -100·1 | -9·0 | 3·2 | 2·3 | -103·6 | 96·6 | 8·7 | -3·1 | -2·2 |
| Planning total | 86,909·3 | 11,980·8 | 5,758·2 | 4,281·3 | 108,929·6 | 79·8 | 11·0 | 5·3 | 3·9 |
Table 4b
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1985–86
| |||||||||
£ per head
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure per head
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 14·6 | 48·8 | 37·7 | 99·5 | 21·2 | 69·0 | 230·0 | 177·9 | 469·1 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 71·4 | 151·5 | 135·2 | 287·7 | 87·8 | 81·3 | 172·5 | 153·9 | 327·6 |
| Arts and libraries | 14·0 | 17·2 | 13·7 | 0·0 | 13·9 | 100·8 | 123·8 | 98·7 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 101·0 | 113·4 | 121·1 | 78·4 | 102·5 | 98·5 | 110·6 | 118·1 | 76·5 |
| Housing | 60·8 | 119·7 | 44·8 | 145·9 | 67·7 | 89·8 | 176·7 | 66·2 | 215·4 |
| Other environmental services | 77·7 | 106·1 | 101·7 | 119·5 | 82·6 | 94·0 | 128·4 | 123·1 | 144·7 |
| Law, order and protective services | 88·6 | 102·3 | 76·6 | 301·9 | 95·1 | 93·2 | 107·5 | 80·5 | 317·3 |
| Education and science | 297·1 | 403·3 | 303·9 | 394·2 | 309·7 | 95·9 | 130·2 | 98·1 | 127·3 |
| Health and personal social services | 352·7 | 451·2 | 372·9 | 448·7 | 365·3 | 96·6 | 123·5 | 102·1 | 122·8 |
| Social security | 741·4 | 770·9 | 801·0 | 829·8 | 749·5 | 98·9 | 102·9 | 106·9 | 110·7 |
| Other public services | 27·4 | 49·7 | 38·0 | 40·7 | 30·3 | 90·4 | 163·9 | 125·4 | 134·2 |
| Common services | -2·1 | -1·8 | 1·1 | 1·5 | -1·8 | 116·1 | 95·7 | -62·2 | -80·7 |
| Planning total | 1,844·7 | 2,332·3 | 2,047·7 | 2,747·9 | 1,923·9 | 95·9 | 121·2 | 106·4 | 142·8 |
Table 5a
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1986–87
| |||||||||
£ million
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 675·3 | 229·3 | 114·9 | 170·5 | 1,190·0 | 56·7 | 19·3 | 9·7 | 14·3 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 3,844·5 | 912·7 | 490·5 | 419·3 | 5,667·0 | 67·8 | 16·1 | 8·7 | 7·4 |
| Arts and libraries | 755·2 | 94·8 | 40·7 | — | 890·7 | 84·8 | 10·6 | 4·6 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 4,720·8 | 601·5 | 349·5 | 121·4 | 5,793·2 | 81·5 | 10·4 | 6·0 | 2·1 |
| Housing | 2,558·1 | 643·4 | 158·4 | 237·6 | 3,597·5 | 71·1 | 17·9 | 4·4 | 6·6 |
| Other environmental services | 3,907·4 | 593·2 | 326·4 | 197·6 | 5,024·6 | 77·8 | 11·8 | 6·5 | 3·9 |
| Law, order and protective services | 4,662·3 | 572·4 | 234·2 | 520·2 | 5,989·1 | 77·8 | 9·6 | 3·9 | 8·7 |
| Education and science | 15,227·6 | 2,250·1 | 931·6 | 700·0 | 19,109·3 | 79·7 | 11·8 | 4·9 | 3·7 |
| Health and personal social services | 17,944·7 | 2,454·1 | 1,131·2 | 761·3 | 22,291·3 | 80·5 | 11·0 | 5·1 | 3·4 |
| Social security | 37,306·0 | 4,264·6 | 2,405·4 | 1,402·1 | 45,378·1 | 82·2 | 9·4 | 5·3 | 3·1 |
| Other public services | 1,460·4 | 285·9 | 121·0 | 76·2 | 1,943·5 | 75·1 | 14·7 | 6·2 | 3·9 |
| Common services | -81·4 | -4·8 | 1·8 | -0·1 | -84·5 | 96·3 | 5·7 | -2·1 | 0·1 |
| Planning total | 92,980·9 | 12,897·2 | 6,305·6 | 4,606·1 | 116,789·8 | 79·6 | 11·0 | 5·4 | 3·9 |
Table 5b
| |||||||||
Identifiable public expenditure 1986–87
| |||||||||
£ per head
| |||||||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure per head
| |||||||||
England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom
| England
| Scotland
| Wales
| Northern Ireland
| |
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 14·3 | 44·8 | 40·7 | 108·8 | 21·0 | 68·2 | 213·6 | 194·3 | 519·0 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 81·4 | 178·2 | 173·9 | 267·6 | 99·8 | 81·5 | 178·5 | 174·2 | 268·0 |
| Arts and libraries | 16·0 | 18·5 | 14·4 | 0·0 | 15·7 | 101·8 | 118·0 | 91·9 | 0·0 |
| Roads and transport | 99·9 | 117·5 | 123·9 | 77·5 | 102·1 | 97·9 | 115·1 | 121·4 | 75·9 |
| Housing | 54·1 | 125·6 | 56·2 | 151·6 | 63·4 | 85·4 | 198·2 | 88·6 | 239·2 |
| Other environmental services | 82·7 | 115·8 | 115·7 | 126·1 | 88·5 | 93·4 | 130·9 | 130·7 | 142·5 |
| Law, order and protective services | 98·7 | 111·8 | 83·0 | 332·0 | 105·5 | 93·5 | 105·9 | 78·7 | 314·6 |
| Education and science | 322·2 | 439·4 | 330·2 | 446·7 | 336·7 | 95·7 | 130·5 | 98·1 | 132·7 |
| Health and personal social services | 379·7 | 479·2 | 401·0 | 485·8 | 392·7 | 96·7 | 122·0 | 102·1 | 123·7 |
| Social security | 789·5 | 832·8 | 852·7 | 894·8 | 799·4 | 98·8 | 104·2 | 106·7 | 111·9 |
| Other public services | 30·9 | 55·8 | 42·9 | 48·6 | 34·2 | 90·3 | 163·1 | 125·3 | 142·0 |
| Common services | -1·7 | -0·9 | 0·6 | -0·1 | -1·5 | 115·7 | 63·0 | -42·9 | 4·3 |
| Planning total | 1,967·7 | 2,518·5 | 2,235·2 | 2,939·4 | 2,057·5 | 95·6 | 122·4 | 108·6 | 142·9 |
Table 6
| |||||||||||||
Planning total analysed by territorial area 1986–87
| |||||||||||||
£ million
| |||||||||||||
England
| Scotland (Total)
| Programme 151
| Scotland other
| Wales (Total)
| Programme 161
| Wales other
| Northern Ireland (Total)
| Programme 171
| Northern Ireland other
| United Kingdom
| Non Identified
| Total
| |
| Defence | 18,217·5 | 18,217·5 | |||||||||||
| Overseas services | 3,056·2 | 3,056·2 | |||||||||||
| Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry | 675·3 | 229·3 | 179·2 | 50·1 | 114·9 | 94·6 | 20·3 | 170·5 | 168·9 | 1·6 | 1,190·0 | 1,161·3 | 2,351·3 |
| Industry, energy, trade and employment | 3,844·5 | 912·7 | 377·6 | 535·1 | 490·5 | 174·0 | 316·5 | 419·3 | 416·8 | 2·5 | 5,667·0 | 1,594·5 | 7,261·5 |
| Arts and libraries | 755·2 | 94·8 | 81·1 | 13·7 | 40·7 | 33·1 | 7·6 | 890·7 | 41·5 | 932·2 | |||
| Roads and transport | 4,720·8 | 601·5 | 599·7 | 1·8 | 349·5 | 285·1 | 64·4 | 121·4 | 121·4 | 5,793·2 | -28·5 | 5,764·7 | |
| Housing | 25,58·1 | 643·4 | 643·4 | 158·4 | 158·4 | 237·6 | 237·6 | 3,597·5 | 96·4 | 3,693·9 | |||
| Other environmental services | 3,907·4 | 593·2 | 586·3 | 6·9 | 326·4 | 319·3 | 7·1 | 197·6 | 197·6 | 5,024·6 | 173·3 | 5,197·9 | |
| Law, order and protective services | 4,662·3 | 572·4 | 557·7 | 14·7 | 234·2 | 0·0 | 234·2 | 520·2 | 501·9 | 18·3 | 5,989·1 | 1,031·0 | 7,020·1 |
| Education and science | 15,227·6 | 2,250·1 | 1,960·3 | 289·8 | 931·6 | 780·3 | 151·3 | 700·0 | 698·5 | 1·5 | 19,109·3 | 81·5 | 19,190·8 |
| Health and personal social services | 17,944·7 | 2,454·1 | 2,454·1 | 1,131·2 | 1,131·2 | 761·3 | 761·3 | 22,291·3 | 26·7 | 22,318·0 | |||
| Social security | 37,306·0 | 4,264·6 | 0·0 | 4,264·6 | 2,405·4 | 0·0 | 2,405·4 | 1,402·1 | 1,390·6 | 11·5 | 45,378·1 | 432·2 | 45,810·3 |
| Other public services | 1,460·4 | 285·9 | 110·5 | 175·4 | 121·0 | 37·0 | 84·0 | 76·2 | 45·7 | 30·5 | 1,943·5 | 447·9 | 2,391·4 |
| Common services | -81·4 | -4·8 | 0·0 | -4·8 | 1·8 | 0·0 | 1·8 | -0·1 | 0·0 | -0·1 | -84·5 | 1,301·7 | 1,217·2 |
England
| Scotland (Total)
| Programme 151
| Scotland other
| Wales (Total)
| Programme 161
| Wales other
| Northern Ireland (Total)
| Programme 171
| Northern Ireland other
| United Kingdom
| Non Identified
| Total
| |
| Public expenditure on programmes | 92,980·9 | 12,897·2 | 7,549·9 | 5,347·3 | 6,305·6 | 3,013·0 | 3,292·6 | 4,606·1 | 4,540·3 | 65·8 | 116,789·8 | 27,633·2 | 144,423·0 |
| Privatisation proceeds | -4,403·0 | -4,403·0 | |||||||||||
| Planning total | 92,980·9 | 12,897·2 | 7,549·9 | 5,347·3 | 6,305·6 | 3,013·0 | 3,292·6 | 4,606·1 | 4,540·3 | 65·8 | 116,789·8 | 23,230·2 | 140,020·0 |
1 Programmes 15,16 and 17 relate to the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland programmes covered by the respective chapters of Volume II of the 1987 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 56). | |||||||||||||
Table 7a
| |||||
Identifiable Public Expenditure 1982–83 to 1986–871
| |||||
£ million
| |||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure
| |||||
Great Britain
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom identified
| Great Britain
| Northern Ireland
| |
| 1982–83 | 90,175·0 | 3,595·8 | 93,770·8 | 96·2 | 3·8 |
| 1983–84 | 96,145·3 | 3,853·8 | 99,999·1 | 96·1 | 3·9 |
| 1984–85 | 104,110·6 | 4,137·1 | 108,247·7 | 96·2 | 3·8 |
| 1985–86 | 107,441·3 | 4,391·8 | 111,833·1 | 96·1 | 3·9 |
| 1986–87 | 115,032·2 | 4,701·3 | 119,733·5 | 96·1 | 3·9 |
1 Financing of nationalised industries expenditure can be allocated between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and has therefore been included in this table. | |||||
Table 7b
| |||||
Identifiable Public Expenditure 1982–83 to 1986–871
| |||||
£ per head
| |||||
As a percentage of United Kingdom indentifiable expenditure per head
| |||||
Great Britain
| Northern Ireland
| United Kingdom identified
| Great Britain
| Northern Ireland
| |
| 1982–83 | 1,646·5 | 2,338·0 | 1,665·3 | 98·9 | 140·4 |
| 1983–84 | 1,754·3 | 2,497·6 | 1,774·7 | 98·9 | 140·7 |
| 1984–85 | 1,896·1 | 2,669·1 | 1,917·3 | 98·9 | 139·2 |
| 1985–86 | 1,951·3 | 2,818·9 | 1,975·2 | 98·8 | 142·7 |
| 1986–87 | 2,084·1 | 3,000·2 | 2,109·4 | 98·8 | 142·2 |
1 Financing of nationalised industries expenditure can be allocated between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and has therefore been included in this table. | |||||
Education And Science
Education Reform
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he proposes to make in the national curriculum for educating young people on their rights to vote; and if he will make a statement.
The Government's proposals for a national curriculum do not include political education as a foundation subject. It may however be taught through the medium of foundation subjects such as history, or among the non-foundation subjects. We are aware of the need to use the national curriculum to help to encourage a sense of social responsibility among young people; this will be drawn to the attention of the working groups which also will advise my right hon. Friend on attainment targets and programmes of study for relevant subjects.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the proposed legislation on charges for certain aspects of state school education.
The Government's recent consultation document on charging for school activities was issued in the light of a number of requests from individuals, local authorities and the local authority associations for clarification of the law. The document was issued on 2 October, requesting comments by 30 November. Fewer than 50 responses have so far been received. Copies of the consultation document are available in the Library of the House.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many responses he has received to each of the consultative documents on changes to the education system; what are the figures for each local education authority area; and what are the numbers and percentages of responses broadly for and against each of the proposals.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 22 October. The information on the numbers of responses from each local education authority area could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Department is still analysing the many thoughtful responses received to each of the consultation papers; many respondents have commented in some detail and responses could not readily be classified as requested.
Community Education
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy for community education.
My right hon. Friend will continue to support community education by encouraging and publicising good and successful practice. We believe that progress in this area is best achieved by local responses to local needs.
Schools (Annual Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the outcome of his request to Her Majesty's senior chief inspector of schools to consider a new style of annual report based on the Inspectorate's observations over a full academic year.
Her Majesty's senior chief inspector of schools has set in train preparatory work aimed at developing a new style of annual report which will offer a view of the nature, quality and effectiveness of education in schools and colleges over a whole academic year rather than just one term. The inspectorate's programme for the academic year 1987–88 has of necessity been planned and launched without the benefit of this work. But I have asked the SCI to consider whether it would be possible to publish in 1989 a transitional report covering that academic year. The first full report in the new style will relate to the academic year 1988–89 and I hope to be able to publish it early in 1990.
Prime Minister
Dhss Files (Access)
asked the Prime Minister if she will refer to the Security Commission allegations of (a) an improper computer link between the security services and Department of Health and Social Security offices in Newcastle and (b) improper access by security service officers to national insurance files.
No.
Equal Opportunities
asked the Prime Minister whether she will require the Civil Service to register with the Equality Exchange established by the Equal Opportunities Commission as an information network for employees, advisors and trainers interested in promoting equal opportunities for women in employment.
The equal opportunities division of the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service has registered with the Equality Exchange and circulates useful information to departmental equal opportunity officers. It is a matter for individual Departments to decide whether to register separately with the Equality Exchange.
Social Services
Staff Training
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to improve the training of social services staff.
I am glad to be able to announce that we intend to introduce a special training support programme for social services management and staff working with elderly people. This will cover both residential and domiciliary care, including home help organisers. The aim is to improve the quality of care, and the cost-effectiveness of these services.The programme will involve expenditure of £10 million in 1988–89, of which 70 per cent. will be met by a specific Government grant. Detailed arrangements will be discussed with the local authority associations.This new measure complements a wide range of other initiatives already under way to improve training in the field of child abuse and the training of social services management generally. We look forward to receiving shortly proposals from the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work for reform in arrangements for the training of all staff in the social services, including the qualifying training for social workers. We are grateful for the considerable work the council has put into preparing its proposals, to which the Government will give careful consideration.
Aids
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what funds are being made available to meet the cost of services for people with AIDS or HIV infection; and if he will make a statement.
In addition to the overall increase of 8·8 per cent. in 1987–88 in allocations to regional health authorities for hospital and community health services as a whole, including needs arising from AIDS and HIV infection, the Government have already made additional allocations totalling £6 million to the three regional health authorities on whom demands arising from AIDS have fallen disproportionately. These are North-West Thames, North-East Thames and South-East Thames. The first of these alone had well over half of all AIDS patients in England at the end of September; the three together accounted for over four out of every five.We have been keeping the position under careful review, and have decided to make available to these authorities a further £6·5 million in 1987–88 in recognition of the special extra demands placed upon them. North-West Thames will receive £3·9 million; North-East Thames £1·6 million; and South-East Thames £1 million.We also propose to make available a further £1·1 million in 1987–88 to the Public Health Laboratory Service to meet extra costs arising from HIV testing and monitoring the spread of infection, and a further £200,000 for associated work at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received advice from the Social Security Advisory Committee on the operation of regulations governing unemployment benefit payments to those regularly engaged in seasonal work; and if he will make a statement.
No, but I understand that the Committee will shortly complete its consideration of the operation of the seasonal workers' regulations, and will then report to my right hon. Friend.
Child Care
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many lone parents currently benefit from the provision in the supplementary benefit regulations which allows child care expenses reasonably incurred to be deducted from the calculation of earnings; and if he will supply this information in respect of (a) London north region, (b) London south region, and (c) England and Wales as a whole.
I regret that information about the number of lone parents who currently have child care expenses deducted from the calculation of their earnings is not available.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representation he has received regarding the effects on working lone parents of the provision in the draft income support regulations which does not deduct necessary child care expenses when calculating net earnings; (2) if he will amend the draft income support regulations so as to allow expenses incurred in connection with the care of another member of the family to be deducted from gross earnings where they are reasonably incurred in order to undertake paid work; and if he will make a statement.
We have received a small number of representations on this subject. The reforms of the income-related benefits in April 1988 will produce arrangements that are easier to understand and to operate and put the basic rules for the three income-related benefits—income support, family credit and housing benefit — on a common basis. The treatment of work expenses in these three benefits will be in line with those that currently apply in family income supplement and housing benefit, the main income-related benefits for people in work. At the same time we intend to increase to £15 the amount of part-time earnings a lone parent can have without reducing entitlement to income support. We expect many to gain from the simpler rules and higher disregard of earnings. Those who might otherwise receive less help at the point of change will have the level of state support maintained under transitional arrangements.
Disabled People
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to take action on matters within his area of reponsibility raised in the report of the Spastics Society, "Disabled People and the 1987 General Election," a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
I have studied the report with interest but the specific issues it raises are primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Cervical Smear Testing (Liverpool)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he received the report of the Liverpool health authority following its investigation into errors in cervical smear testing; what action he is taking to assist those who were the victims of these errors; what plans he has to ensure they will not be repeated in Liverpool or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.
The report of the independent review into problems arising from cervical cytology screening at The Women's hospital, Liverpool, was received by Liverpool health authority on 22 September 1987. The Department received a copy of the report at the same time.Liverpool health authority spared no effort in tracing the women affected and provided the staff, equipment and facilities necessary for their care. Special clinics were set up to enable these women to be seen as quickly as possible. Arrangements for counselling women who need further treatment is continuing.The Department is currently preparing fresh guidance for the National Health Service on cervical cancer screening which includes advice on quality control procedures in cervical cytology laboratories and also fail-safe mechanisms for the follow-up of abnormal smears. The hon. Member will wish to know that the findings of the Liverpool report are being taken into account. The guidance, in the form of a health circular, will become available before the end of the year.
Liverpool Health Authority
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met the chairman of the Liverpool health authority; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.
I met the Chairman of Liverpool health authority, Mr. James Fitzpatrick, in the House on 7 July this year and discussed at length problems arising from cervical cytology screening at The Women's hospital, Liverpool, between March 1983 and December 1985.Mr. Fitzpatrick was chairman of the independent review into the incident and his review team is to be commended for producing such a thorough report. Its findings are being taken into account in the circular on cervical cancer screening to be published shortly.
Schizophrenia
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what resources his Department makes available to assist schizophrenia sufferers; what representations he has received about the funding of self-help groups and day centres for schizophrenia sufferers; and if he will make a statement.
A substantial proportion of the £1 billion we will spend this year on mental illness services will be used for the care and treatment of people with schizophrenia.In addition we expect to spend about £1 million in 1987–88 on continuing research into the care and treatment of mentally ill people, much of which will be relevant to sufferers from schizophrenia; in 1986 we decided also to set aside an extra £0·5 million for six new research studies in mental illness, all including people with schizophrenia and one devoted exclusively to this group; these studies are now getting under way. Earlier the Department funded three action projects specifically aimed at achieving better co-ordination of after-care for sufferers from schizophrenia; the results are now becoming available and will be used to improve co-ordination nationally.In recent years we have received a few enquiries from voluntary organisations about the availability of central funding for local services provided for sufferers from schizophrenia. We have advised that under section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 applications for funding for local schemes should be made to district health authorities or local authority social service departments. We make a contribution under section 64 of this Act by grant-aiding the central administrative costs of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (current grant £91,000 per annum) and the Northern Schizophrenia Fellowship and the North West Fellowship (current grants £20,000 per annum each).
Hospital Services
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received expressing concern over the financial position of district health authorities; what plans he has to ensure that such authorities do not reduce essential hospital services; and if he will make a statement.
We have received representations from a number of health authorities and hon. Members on health authorities' budgets.Health authorities are required to operate within their budgets. This entails balancing the cost of increasing activity against other calls on them. It is for health authorities to decide on suitable measures which will enable them to sustain activity with their budgets, without detriment to essential services.
Voluntary Advice Services (Retraining)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reconsider his refusal to fund a short-term training team to meet the retraining requirements of the voluntary advice services which have arisen as a result of the changes in the social security system.
The legislative framework within which the Department operates makes no provision for financial assistance to voluntary advice agencies. There are no plans to introduce legislation to change this.
Trade And Industry
Iran
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the value of the United Kingdom's exports to, and imports from, Iran in each year since 1979; and if he will give a breakdown of the value of goods and services entering into trade between the two countries during the same period.
The Overseas Trade Statistics records visible trade only. The information available is in the following tables.
| United Kingdom Trade with Iran 1979–1986 | |
| £ million | |
| 1979 | |
| Total imports | 242·8 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 209·0 |
| Textile yarn, fabrics made-up artcles NES and related products | 12·0 |
| Vegetables and fruit | 7·9 |
£ million
| |
| Total exports: | 231·8 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 51·5 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 24·5 |
| General industrial machinery and equipment NES and machine parts NES | 21·3 |
1980
| |
| Total imports: | 107·2 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 85·7 |
| Textile yarn, Fabrics made-up articles NES and related products | 11·3 |
| Metalliferous ores and metal scrap | 1·9 |
| Total exports: | 392·7 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 114·1 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 49·8 |
| Medicinal and pharmaceutical products | 34·2 |
1981
| |
| Total imports: | 154·4 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 146·5 |
| Textile yarn, fabrics made-up articles NES and related products | 2·3 |
| Vegetables and fruit | 1·7 |
| Total exports: | 402·8 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 118·4 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 53·1 |
| Medicinal and pharmaceutical products | 46·5 |
1982
| |
| Total imports | 225·9 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 213·6 |
| Vegetables and fruit | 2·8 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 2·8 |
| Total exports | 333·6 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 87·9 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 51·1 |
| Medicinal and pharmaceutical products | 23·9 |
1983
| |
| Total imports: | 100·6 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 82·4 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 8·2 |
£ million
| |
| Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles NES and related products | 2·2 |
| Total exports: | 630·7 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 152·3 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 117·2 |
| General industrial machinery and equipment NES and machine parts NES | 56·8 |
1984
| |
| Total imports: | 368·6 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 323·3 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 26·1 |
| Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles NES and related products | 4·5 |
| Total exports: | 703·4 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 120·4 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 115·5 |
| Other transport equipment | 65·8 |
1985
| |
| Total imports: | 63·3 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 26·3 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 24·0 |
| Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles NES and related products | 3·7 |
| Total exports: | 525·6 |
| (of which) | |
| Road vehicles | 98·8 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 62·8 |
| General industrial machinery and equipment NES and machine parts NES | 51·6 |
1986
| |
| Total imports: | 100·3 |
| (of which) | |
| Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials | 52·8 |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 26·4 |
| Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles NES and related products | 7·9 |
| Total exports: | 399·4 |
| (of which) | |
| Power generating machinery and equipment | 72·1 |
| General industrial machinery and equipment NES and machine parts NES | 64·2 |
| Road vehicles | 50·2 |
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics 1986 figures provisional.
Cross-Border Mergers
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the proposals of the European Commission in respect of cross-border mergers.
The European Commission put forward a draft Regulation on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the "Merger Control" Regulation) in 1973. Various amendments have since been made to the text, on which explanatory memoranda have been deposited in the House. The European Commission have asked the Council to reach a decision by the end of November on whether or not to continue discussions on the draft regulation.
Us Trade
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has made to the Government of the United States of America in respect of the likely effects upon British trade of the Common Trade Bill currently before the United States Congress; and if he will make a statement.
The Government are working closely with the European Commission and our Community partners to ensure that the US Administration and Congress are fully aware of the Community's serious concern that a number of provisions in the draft trade legislation currently before the Congress would have a damaging effect on trade, and to emphasise that the Community will act if necessary to safeguard its rights under the GATT.
Llanelli Radiators
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress there has been on Rover Group's plans to dispose of Llanelli Radiators; and if he will make a statement.
Austin Rover Group Ltd. announced on 15 October that it had concluded an agreement for a management led employee buy-out of its Llanelli Radiator operation. This follows a decision announced last November (Official Report, 21 November 1986, columns 379–380) to seek a purchaser for the plant.Following the completion of the sale of Llanelli Radiators the Government will accept no further responsibility for ensuring the obligations of the company are met.
Whale Products
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which fully manufactured goods currently imported into the United Kingdom contain whale products.
[pursuant to his reply, 22 October 1987]: Fully manufactured goods are not separately identified in the Overseas Trade Statistics by reference to their containing whale products.
"Spycatcher"
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has regarding the number of copies of the book "Spycatcher" imported into the United Kingdom to date.
[pursuant to his reply, 22 October 1987]: Figures are not available on the import of individual books.
Transport
A3 (Hindhead)
asked the Secretary of Stale for Transport what plans he has to make an environmental impact assessment of his proposals for the A3 at Hindhead.
An environmental appraisal was undertaken prior to public consultation. The need for a more detailed assessment and an ecological study will be kept under review.
British Railways Board
asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list (a) the members of the British Railways Board, (b) the criteria for selection of members, (c) the relevant qualifications of present members, (d) the number of Trades Union Congress-nominated places and (e) how many trades Union Congress-nominated places are held by women.
The names of the 13 current members of the British Railways Board are set out in its annual report and accounts for 1986–87, a copy of which was laid before the House. The criteria for appointment are set out in section 1(3) of the Transport Act 1962. The five full-time executive members, including the chairman, are all career railwaymen. The eight part-time non-executive members, of whom two are women, come from a wide variety of business and commercial backgrounds.Appointments are made by my right hon. Friend after consultation with the Chairman. No organisation or individual has the right to nominate candidates, though suggestions are always considered carefully.
Stansted Airport
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to encourage the greater use of Stansted airport by charter flight operators.
My right hon. Friend has no specific proposals in mind; the 1985 White Paper "Airports Policy" (Cmnd 9542) described how the development of Stansted airport would be needed to meet the estimated demand on the London airports system. The rate of growth of Stansted and which airlines will use it are primarily matters for the civil aviation market itself to determine.
Settle-Carlisle Line
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to announce his decision on the future of the Settle—Carlisle line.
Shortly.
Railways
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate such information as is available to him as to the revenue turnover of each of the national railway systems of the Member States of the European Economic Community in either pound sterling equivalents, or ecu, together with the related sum derived from all public funds and its percentage of costs together with the equivalent figures for capital investment.
The most recent information available to my Department on the revenues, costs and public subsidy levels of the European Community's railway systems is contained in the Eighth Commission report on the transposed annual accounts of railway undertakings for 1984, (COM(87) 311 final), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. There are substantial variations between countries in accounting systems and in the arrangements for financial support, and the figures contained in the report only provide a broad comparison. We have no equivalent figures for capital investment.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate for each financial year from 1982–83 the total revenue support for the British Railways Board in both actual sums and at 1987 prices.
The figures for Government support for the British Railways Board taken from the final claims for grant in compensation for the public service obligation under EEC Regulation 1191/69 and section 3 of the Railways Act 1974 and for level crossings grant under EC Regulation 1192/69 from 1982 to 1986–87 are given below; 1984–85 is a 15-month period reflecting a change in the British Railways Board financial year. The figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 remain provisional; final claims have not yet been agreed. The following table also includes payments by the passenger transport executives under section 20(4) of the Transport Act 1968, as reported in the British Railways Board annual report and accounts.
| Cash | 1987–88 prices | |
| £ million | £ million | |
| 1982 | ||
| PSO Grant | 819·7 | 1,036·9 |
| Level Crossings Grant | 18·6 | 23·5 |
| PTE Payments | 69·9 | 88·4 |
| 1983 | ||
| PSO Grant | 853·6 | 1,028·2 |
| Level Crossings Grant | 19·4 | 23·4 |
| PTE Payments | 77·8 | 93·7 |
| 1984–85 | ||
| PSO Grant | 1,065·9 | 1,227·4 |
| Level Crossings Grant | 23·0 | 26·5 |
| PTE Payments | 103·2 | 118·8 |
| 1985–86 | ||
| PSO Grant | 820·0 | 882·6 |
| Level Crossings Grant | 19·7 | 21·2 |
| PTE Payments | 76·8 | 82·7 |
| 1986–87 | ||
| PSO Grant | 713·9 | 746·0 |
| Level Crossings Grant | 18·3 | 19·1 |
| PTE Payments | 72·5 | 75·8 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate is available to him of the reduction in rail fares required to bring about a switch of passenger traffic of 2, 5 and 10 per cent., respectively, from road to rail; and what estimate he has of the respective increases required in Exchequer support for British Rail.
There are in general no reliable estimates available of changes of this magnitude. The effect would vary widely from area to area depending on rail market share and other factors.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been (a) made by his Department and (b) submitted to his Department by British Rail as part of the Channel tunnel construction programme of the cost of improvements to the London-to-Dover main line needed to permit a 150 m.p.h. maximum speed over its straight sections; and if he will make it his policy to authorise the necessary expenditure.
I have asked the British Railways Board to carry out by next June a study of the best way of improving capacity and service quality, including speed, on the route between London and the Channel tunnel for both domestic and international traffic. The study will include estimates of cost.We expect the board's investments in connection with the Channel tunnel to meet the usual criteria for investment in their commercial sectors.
Buses
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions or conditions he or London Regional Transport places on the disposal of garage accommodation transferred to contractors to London Regional Transport or to subsidiaries of London Buses Limited.
LRT retain their property interests until they are no longer required for operational purposes when they are disposed of by LRT at best market value.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what form of primary or secondary legislation he expects to place before Parliament in order to implement his proposals for the deregulation of stage carriage services within the area of London Regional Transport.
The licensing of local bus services in London can be abolished by Order subject to affirmative resolution under section 46 of the Transport Act 1985. I am considering whether any additional measures might he desirable.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what additional tests, or other examinations, including those of health, are applied to holders of public service vehicle licences by (a) London Buses Ltd., (b) subsidiaries of London Buses Ltd. and (c) other contractors to London Regional Transport, respectively; and if he will make a statement concerning his policy for maintaining standards of bus driving in the London area.
In order to qualify for a PSV driver's licence applicants must demonstrate their competence by passing a stringent driving test and must satisfy the statutorily independent traffic commissioners as to their physical and mental fitness and good character before a licence is issued. This is a standard requirement for all operators. Other recruitment standards and tests are matters for bus operators themselves.
London City Airport
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to postpone authorising commercial flights to and from London City airport until initial safety exercises have taken place involving airport safety teams and local fire, ambulance and police services.
Civil aviation safety regulation is wholly the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. I understand from the authority that arrangements at London City airport satisfy the authority's requirements for the grant of an aerodrome licence for public transport.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Salmon
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received from water authorities in England and Wales about the incidence of salmon poaching since the passing of the Salmon Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
We are in regular contact with the water authorities on a range of issues concerning the enforcement of salmon and freshwater fisheries law. The most-up-to-date statistics available on poaching are for 1986, during which year water authorities mounted a total of 781 prosecutions for offences concerning salmon and migratory trout. When the new measures introduced by the Salmon Act 1986 have been in force long enough to permit an assessment of their impact, it is our intention to invite the Salmon Advisory Committee to examine their effectiveness.
Scotland
Inshore Fishing
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland, Official Report, 21 July, column 127, he will state what recent discussions there have been between Her Majesty's Government and officials of the European Commission on the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Carriage of Monofilament Gill Nets) (Scotland) Order 1986.
There have been no such discussions on this matter since August 1986.
Forestry
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to respond to the Nature Conservancy Council's report "Nature Conservation and Afforestation in Britain".
I have sent the following letter, setting out the Government's views, to the NCC's chairman, Mr. William Wilkinson.
"Dear Mr. Wilkinson,1. I am writing to let you have the Government's considered response to the recommendations contained in your report "Nature Conservation and Afforestation in Britain". 2. We are indebted to you for producing this comprehensive, clear and helpful view of the interaction between forestry and nature conservation. We particularly welcome the importance attached throughout the report to the need for balance in addressing the issues raised. Forestry and nature conservation have important roles to play in the development of the countryside and it is the Government's policy that forestry should take place in ways that are compatible with other land use interests, including nature conservation.
Forestry policy
3. Your report has come at a time when rural areas in Britain are facing important changes as a result of the need to tackle agricultural surpluses within the EEC. Along with other reports on the future of the countryside, it was a useful contribution in our consideration of policies for the rural economy and environment which resulted in the publication "Farming and Rural Enterprise". Our conclusions on the positive role that forestry has to play as an alternative use for agricultural land were outlined in the document "Farming UK" which formed part of that publication. We propose an expansion of the traditional forestry programme—to 33,000 hectares a year — with due regard being paid to environmental considerations. We shall also be encouraging the planting of an increased proportion of trees on low ground of better quality.
4. I hope you will welcome this new emphasis which should offer opportunities for landscape and habitat diversity, including a greater use of broadleaves. We also expect broadleaved woodlands to feature strongly in our new scheme to encourage the development of farm woodlands.
5. In the context of encouraging farmers to plant trees, your report suggested that a review of the present tax incentives for forestry should be carried out. We have taken careful note of what you have to say in this regard. Since your views were published, however, the Public Accounts Committee has reported on a review by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the objectives and achievements of the Forestry Commission which also touches on the question of fiscal incentives for private forestry. We shall be responding to the Committee's report very shortly. I am sure you will understand, therefore, that I cannot comment on the point about forestry taxation at this stage.
SSSIs
6. We welcome and support the continuing co-operation between the Forestry Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council on the management of the large number of SSSIs on Commission land, as evidenced by the Declaration of Intent signed by both bodies in 1986. We share your concern that SSSIs should, within the terms of the 1981 Act, be protected from damaging operations. I am pleased to note from your report that only one SSSI has in fact been damaged by forestry, and that, I understand, was accidental. I do not believe it would be reasonable, therefore, to put an absolute ban on planting within SSSIs. Unlike the case of NNRs, nature conservation is not the primary land use within SSSIs and the right course is to consider each case on its merits. I very much hope that there will continue to be the closest co-operation between your Council and the Forestry Commission to resolve cases where a balance had to be struck between nature conservation and other interests, with cases being referred to Ministers where this does not prove to be possible.
Controlling afforestation
7. As regards methods for ensuring that forestry developments take place in harmony with nature conservation, we do of course have well-established guidelines and mechanisms in place. There is already a strong commitment to conservation on the part of the Forestry Commission—both in its own operations and in its handling of private sector proposals—and it has sought over the years to adopt a balanced and flexible approach in considering each new issue as it arises. The Commission is required to consult, as appropriate, with the Agriculture Departments, local planning authorities and other statutory authorities on applications for grant-aid or felling licences and on draft plans of operations containing planting and felling proposals. The Nature Conservancy Council is consulted whenever a proposal falls wholly or partly within a National Nature Reserve, an SSSI or an area formally proposed for such designation to ensure that conservation factors are fully considered. Special arrangements for consultations on forestry proposals within Environmentally Sensitive Areas have also been introduced after discussion between the Forestry Commission and your Council. To take a recent example, because of the importance which your Council attaches to the flow country of Caithness and Sutherland, the Forestry Commission has further extended its formal consultations with you to embrace all applications for grant aid in these two districts to allow time for the nature conservation interest to be defined more clearly, and I am now giving careful consideration to the proposals you have made in that regard in your report 'Birds, Bogs and Forestry'. Local authorities are also encouraged to consult widely, for example with voluntary conservation groups.
8. Under the terms of a Ministerial Direction, where objections are raised which cannot be resolved, the application has to be referred to the Commission's Regional Advisory Committee, which makes further efforts to find a solution acceptable to all the parties; as you know, ways of widening the representation of non-forestry interest on these Committees and of making them more publicly accountable have been the subject of a review by the Forestry Commission, and I hope that an announcement can be made reasonably soon. It is also important to bear in mind that where an authority consulted under these procedures maintains its objections to an application beyond the Regional Advisory Committee stage, the Forestry Commission may over-ride them only with the endorsement of Ministers. There are therefore important safeguards for the environment built into the present procedures.
Planting licences
9. Your report proposes the introduction of a system of planting licences to strengthen the existing controls which operate through the forestry grant schemes. As I have said above, however, we consider that the present procedures have generally proved to be an effective form of control. That the private sector supports this voluntary approach is evidenced by its remarkably good record over the years; there have been very few instances where the consultation procedures have been side-stepped and the grant forgone. The Government therefore considers that there is insufficient evidence to suggest a need for the existing arrangements to be supplemented by statutory controls such as planting licensing, although this will be kept under review.
The wider countryside
10. There has been an important shift of emphasis on the part of the Forestry Commission in recent years in response to changing perceptions on environmental matters, including nature conservation, and in the light of advice it has received from the Nature Conservation Council and other statutory authorities such as the Countryside Commissions. The statutory remit of the Forestry Commissioners has been extended to include a duty to endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between timber production and the environment. That is not to suggest that the pursuit of this new duty will necessarily avoid conflicts of interest in every instance, but the Government believes that such conflicts will be reduced as the Forestry Commission's policies and practices develop. In this connection, I was pleased to learn that discussions have begun between the Forestry Commission and yourselves aimed at the provision of constructive advice on nature conservation issues in the wider countryside. Such a move can only be to the benefit of rural development and, with goodwill and a realistic approach on both sides, should lead to a better mutual understanding.
Return on investment in new planting
11. Your report placed some stress on the need to determine criteria for estimating an acceptable return on timber production, both for the Forestry Commission's own planting and as a qualifying threshold for grant-aid. It also suggested that the grant-aid function should be used as a regulator to achieve a reasonable balance between afforestation and other land uses in any county or district. Taking this last point first, the Government takes the view that the best method of achieving an acceptable balance between forestry and conservation, and of taking account of other legitimate land-use interests, is through the present consultation system rather than by means of regulation. The current conditions for grant-aid involve the careful examination of applications to ensure, as far as practicable, that proposals are sensibly drawn on nature conservation, land use and landscape ground before the consultation process is begun. The Forestry Commission is also required to satisfy itself that the proposed planting scheme is silviculturally suited to the site and will produce a utilisable crop of timber. Market forces also infuence the choice of species, and the main requirement for the wood-processing industry is for softwood. There is no evidence that setting a financial rate of return would in general help to safeguard nature conservation interests. It could, for example, militate against the use of broadleaves in many circumstances since these produce a lower return on all but the most fertile lowland sites. The Government would not therefore wish to stipulate acceptable rates of return which are, and should remain, matters to be determined by those investing in forestry.
12. As far as the Forestry Commission's own planting is concerned, a financial return on investment is calculated for each site taking into account such factors as soil and site characteristics and the species to be planted. However, this is only part of the evaluation process. Other factors have also to be considered, including employment, effective integration with agriculture, environmental safeguards and, where appropriate, opportunities for public access and recreation.
Increased planting of better agricultural land
13. Your report recommends a closer inter-relationship between forestry and agriculture, and the planting of enclosed agricultural land. This is in line with the Government's report "Farming UK", which confirmed our commitment to increasing the proportion of planting which takes place on low ground of better quality than hitherto. In addition, the consultation paper on the Farm Woodland Scheme proposed measures which should increase planting on agricultral land. In recent years, most planting has taken place in Scotland, and last year I announced changes in the criteria for the approval of agricultural land for forestry which are already providing new opportunities for planting, including, in certain circumstances, planting on enclosed agricultural land. There are few agricultural restrictions on new planting in England and Wales. The Forestry Commission will also keep in mind the need to encourage planting on better quality land in their regular reviews of grant rates.
Design and management of forestry schemes
14. I note that the report is deeply critical of "blanket" afforestation; however, we believe that there can be scope for large-scale afforestation, provided that a balance is reached with other relevant land use interests. New planting—on whatever scale — should continue to reflect the economic, landscape and nature conservation needs of the locality, and we agree entirely with you that appropriate design and management practices should be adopted in all forestry schemes. Applicants for grant aid are required to provide sufficient information in the draft plan of operations, which forms part of the application, to determine whether a reasonable balance can be achieved with other land use interests. This draft plan is sent to the appropriate statutory authorities for comment under mutually agreed arrangements, and those authorities are encouraged to give copies to, and seek views from, local interests including voluntary conservation bodies. Because the plan of operations prepared under the present system should take account of conservation factors where appropriate, we do not feel it is necessary to adopt your suggestion for a separate conservation plan.
15. We are certainly in total agreement when it comes to the need to develop and adopt silvicultural practices which minimise the adverse impacts of forestry on the environment. I know that the Forestry Commission has devoted considerable effort to this over the years. For example, the techniques of ploughing have been developed to minimise soil erosion; planting well back from stream-sides has also been promoted as good practice for some time, as has the avoidance of fertiliser run-off and the minimum use of pesticides.
Increasing the nature conservation value of forests
16. The Government fully endorses the suggestion that the Forestry Commission should continue its efforts to maximise benefits for wildlife within existing forests. To this end conservation plans have been drawn up for all Commission forests with the help and assistance of a wide range of voluntary and statutory conservation organisations, including the Nature Conservancy Council. The recommendation in your report for establishing experimental conservation areas could be useful in both a research and a demonstration sense, although the Forestry Commission intends to apply good conservation practice to all its forests.
17. While changes in attitude and approach towards conservation will be reflected in new planting where measures are considered from the inception of a scheme, because of the long-term nature of the industry it will take some time for dramatic changes to be seen in existing forests. Opportunities for diversification and modification will occur, however, when felling commences, and advantage can be taken at the time of subsequent restocking to introduce positive conservation measures.
Research
18. I am pleased to record that the research activities recommended in the report are being covered by the Forestry Commission's wildlife conservation research studies. I am also glad to learn that joint programmes of research between the Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council have been started and that opportunities will be sought to do more. Your Council's membership of the Forestry Research Co-ordination Committee, which we established in 1982, gives you the opportunity to comment on the Commission's research programmes, to the mutual benefit of both bodies. We commend such co-operation and look to its continuing development.
Training
19. The Government fully endorses the suggestion that opportunities should be taken for forestry staff in the public and private sectors to receive training on management for nature conservation. I understand that the Forestry Commission has already run courses with help and advice from the Nature Conservancy Council.
Conclusion
20. May I conclude by expressing once again the Government's gratitude for the helpful suggestions in your report. These have provided us with a timely and important contribution to the debate on the role of forestry in the countryside. It is appropriate that I should have directed my last remarks to the subject of training since this is of crucial importance if we are to continue to build upon the progress already made in protecting our natural heritage. I know that you have this question of education and the promotion of a more positive attitude to nature conservation very much in mind, and I would like to assure you that the Government supports most warmly all constructive attempts to achieve this very desirable objective."
Electricity
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the external financing limit for the South of Scotland electricity board in the current financial year.
My right hon. and learned Friend proposes to make the following change to the external financing limit of the South of Scotland Electricity Board in 1987–88:
| £million | |
| Previous limit | 84 |
| Revised limit | 125 |
| Change | 41 |
Employment
Job Training Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, by area, the numbers of additional staff recruited by the Manpower Services Commission in order to administer the jobs training scheme.
No additional staff were recruited by the Manpower Services Commission to administer the new job training scheme.
New Towns
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the levels of unemployment in each of the new town development corporation areas in (a) 1970, (b) 1975, (c) 1980 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available.
Following is the available information. Unemployment statistics for these areas are derived from the ward-based system and are available only since June 1983. The table therefore shows for June 1983 and the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of unemployed claimants in the local authority wards which most closely correspond to new town development corporation areas. The comparison is affected by the change in the compilation of the unemployment statistics in March 1986.
| New town development corporation areas | Unemployed claimants 9 June 1983 | Unemployed claimants 10 September 1987 |
| Milton Keynes | 6,841 | 5,750 |
| Telford | 9,413 | 8,055 |
| Aycliffe and Peterlee | 12,761 | 12,386 |
| Cwmbran | 3,022 | 2,865 |
| Peterborough | 7,918 | 6,888 |
| Washington | 4,333 | 4,266 |
Industrial Tribunals
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average remuneration of panel members of industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.
Lay members of industrial tribunals are paid on a sessional basis and their remuneration reflects the number of sessions that they sit. Members are expected to sit once every three weeks. The information on average payments is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The fees per session paid to members were £20 in 1977, £43 in 1987 and £67 for the year ending 31 March 1987.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the salaries paid to (a) the permanent chairman and (b) the part-time chairmen of industrial tribunals in (i) 1977, (ii) 1982 and (iii) the latest year for which figures are available.
Regional chairmen of industrial tribunals were paid a salary of £12,500 in 1977, £22,750 in 1982 and £41,500 as at 31 March 1987. The comparable figures for full-time chairmen of industrial tribunals were £11,750, £20,750 and £31,850 respectively, excluding London weighting. Part-time chairmen were paid fees of £45 per session day in 1977, £94 in 1982 and £145 in 1987, excluding London weighting.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total amount of compensation paid to claimants by industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.
Figures for 1977 and 1982 are not available. The total amount of compensation awarded in unfair dismissal, sex and race discrimination and equal opportunity cases for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987 was £5,125,573.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of successful claimants in industrial tribunals were reinstated to their jobs in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.
The proportion of successful applicants in unfair dismissal cases who were reinstated or re-engaged was 4·5 per cent. in 1977, 3·8 per cent. in 1982 and 4·5 per cent. in the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average amount of compensation paid to successful claimants in industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) he latest year for which figures are available.
The median award in unfair dismissal cases was £350 in 1977, £1,201 in 1982 and £1,805 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of applicants to industrial tribunals had their cases upheld in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.
Of those claiming unfair dismissal the figures were 30·8 per cent. in 1977, 30·7 per cent. in 1982 and 33·7 per cent. for the year ending 31 March 1987. For all jurisdictions for the period ending 31 March 1987 the figure was 40·7 per cent. Figures for all jurisdictions are not available for 1977 and 1982.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases were heard by industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.
18,962 in 1977, 16,602 in 1982 and 13,124 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total cost of administering (a) the industrial tribunals and (b) the employment appeal tribunal in (i) 1977, (ii) 1982 and (iii) the latest year for which figures are available.
£4,541,000 and £184,000 respectively for the 12 months ending 31 March 1977; £8,830,000 and £452,000 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1982; and £12,913,658 and £723,069 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987. The 1977 and 1982 figures exclude accommodation and associated services which were borne by the Property Services Agency. In the case of the Employment Appeal Tribunal the figures also exclude judicial salaries which are borne by the Lord Chancellor's Department.
Equal Opportunities
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is (a) the proportion of working time allocated to his departmental equal opportunities officer for equal opportunities duties, (b) the other duties carried out by the departmental equal opportunities officer, (c) the proportion, and the amount of the departmental budget allocated to equal opportunities work, (d) the number of occasions when the departmental equal opportunities officer meets equal opportunities officers from other Government Departments each year, (e) the guidelines issued to departmental training officers and equal opportunities officers to promote the use of section 47 of the Sex Discrimination Act and (f) what action has been taken to facilitate job share, part-time working and parental leave.
The information is as follows:
(a) 20 per cent. (but the five sectors within the DE Group also have equal opportunities officers); (b) personnel policy, including recruitment, promotion, management development and terms and conditions of
employment; (c) the information is not available because it cannot be separated from personnel and training costs; (d) about four times a year at meetings run by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service; (e) general advice is given in our personnel handbook. Demand for single sex training is met by Civil Service College courses and DE HQ workshops; (f) a policy agreed with the Trade Unions to increase opportunities for part-time work, including job-sharing, has been widely publicised and implemented successfully. Applications for special leave for childcare, maternity etc. are dealt with sympathetically and quickly.
Restart
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons nationally and in each region, have been selected for interview under the restart programme in each month since the programme started, and cumulatively up to the latest date; and of these how many had their benefit stopped; how many were placed in a job; how many were placed in a training scheme or programme; and what percentage each of these represents of the total number selected for interview.
I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Tourism
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what support from public funds is received by the British Tourist Authority and the regional tourist boards; and what plans he had to review this.
Support from public funds in the current financial year is as follows:
- — Grant-in-Aid to the British Tourist Authority £21·4 million.
- — Grant-in-Aid to the English Tourist Board £23·3 million including £12·0 million for the scheme of assistance of tourism projects operated under Section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969.