To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to which EEC member states currently operate cigarette duty rates higher than those generally prevailing in the United Kingdom; and what proportion of total EEC cigarette sales, sales in those member states represent.

One member state, Denmark, applies a higher level of excise duty to cigarettes than the United Kingdom. It is estimated that the volume of cigarette sales in Denmark represent less than 1½ per cent of total cigarette sales in the Community.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recommendation he has received from the Building Societies Commission on the building societies' request that the limit on their wholesale funds be raised; and what decision he has made.

The Building Societies Commission has considered the submission put to it by the Building Societies Association and accepts the case made for an increase in the limit on wholesale funds. The commission accepts that the present limit adversely affects the ability of building societies to compete for mortgage business with other financial institutions which have no restrictions on their acceess to wholesale funds. The limit is at present a constraint on the operation of only a few societies, but it hinders the planning of many more. Although the submission from the association only proposed an increase in the limit to 30 per cent., the commission has concluded that it would be right in the circumstances to raise the limit direct to 40 per cent., the maximum permitted by the 1986 Act. Setting the figure at 40 per cent. now should give societies a more certain basis for their longer-term planning.In addition to observing the statutory limit, each society is already required to agree with the Building Societies Commission an operatonal limit on its wholesale funding. That limit is set after taking account of each society's management expertise and systems and the types of funding instrument used. That system will continue.I have agreed that Treasury consent be given to the necessary order which will be laid before the House shortly. That order will also give effect to a number of minor changes to the definition of wholesale funds requested by the Building Societies Association.

To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for vetting applications by Government Departments to purchase equipment from Electronic Data Systems.

Each Department is responsible for its own purchasing decisions subject, where appropriate, to financial approval from the Treasury.

To ask the Prime Minister whether there have been any (i) contacts or (ii) discussions between any of the security services and(a) the Provisional Irish Republican Army, (b) the Official Irish Republican Army; (c) the Ulster Volunteer Force, or (d) any other paramilitary or terrorist organisation in Northern Ireland since 1979.

It has been the policy of successive Governments not to give information on any matters relating to the operations of the security and intelligence services.

To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received urging him to take legal action against drug companies following the announce-ment of Her Majesty's Governments new measures of support for haemophiliac AIDS sufferers.

None.

To ask the Attorney-General whether the Government propose to seek powers in the Legal Aid Bill to remove or alleviate the present effects on the conduct of the financial aspects of divorce cases of the Law Society charge on the former matrimonial home; and if he will make a statement.

Primary legislation is not necessary to adjust the operation of the legal aid statutory charge. The Government have already announced their intention to amend the regulations governing the statutory charge in legally aided cases to allow the charge to be postponed where a lump sum is awarded to the legally aided person for the purchase of a new home at the end of matrimonial proceedings, and to provide for simple interest to be levied on all postponed charges. These amendments will be introduced as soon as possible. The Government do not intend to make any other changes to the provisions governing the legal aid statutory charge which provides an important discipline to the conduct of litigation under the legal aid scheme.

To ask the Attorney-General what was the total amount of legal aid authorised by Legal Aid Office No. 4 (South-Western Area) in (a) 1980, (b) 1983 and (c) the last available year for which information is available.

The payment of civil legal aid bills is administered centrally and the amounts attributable to certificates issued by individual legal aid offices could not be ascertained without incurring disproportionate expense. The information available for the south-western area relates to legal advice and to criminal legal aid, and is as follows:

£ million
	1980–81	1983–84	1986–87
Legal Advice	2·034	4·096	6·618
Criminal Legal Aid	2·564	4·043	6·203

Legal advice includes assistance by way of representation and, for 1986–87, advice under the 24-hour duty solicitor scheme. The figures for criminal legal aid cover magistrates' court proceedings only and include, for 1986–87, payments under the magistrates' courts duty solicitor scheme.

To ask the Attorney-General why the Union Flag was not flown at the court room in Armagh City on Remembrance Sunday 8 November 1987; and if he will make arrangements to have it flown on all appropriate dates.

The Union Flag was flown at Armargh courthouse on 8 November 1987, but through oversight was not hoisted until approximately 11.15 am, contrary to standing instructions which require the flag to be hoisted at 8 am and remain up until sunset. The courthouse is in possession of standing instructions for the flying of flags on all appropriate dates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will amend the name of the newly reconstituted National Council for Vocational Qualifications so that its name reflects the fact that its geographical area includes more than one nation.

No. I am satisfied that the term "National" used in such a context is commonly understood to cover more than one nation within the United Kingdom.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Her Majesty's Government policy on the European Commission's proposed changes to the European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund intended to redirect investment and marketing to structurally backward regions.

As required by article 23 of the Single European Act, the Commission has proposed a framework of general policy and financial principles to govern the operations of the three Community structural funds, of which EAGGF guidance section is one. The Commission identifies five priority objectives for the funds: the objective mainly relevant to the guidance section is, with a view to reform of the common agricultural policy, the speeding up of the adjustment of agricultural structures and the promotion of the development of rural areas. The guidance section would also have a role in a further objective, that of promoting the development and structural adjustment of the less-developed regions. No specific changes in the various measures financed at present from the guidance section have yet been proposed by the Commission: the Government's attitude to any such proposals would depend on their likely consequences for the United Kingdom.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to amend the Food Act 1984 to enable local authorities to revoke the registration of a mobile food hawker who in the opinion of the local authority causes a nuisance to the population in the area in which he operates; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Officials have been asked to consult interested organisations to consider revision of the Food Act 1984. However, registration of food hawkers by local authorities under that Act is concerned solely with food hygiene.Local authorities have general powers to deal with nuisances under part III of the Public Health Act 1936 if they consider that the activities of any trade or business are prejudicial to the health of, or a nuisance to, inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department took with regard to the importation of 800 tonnes of contaminated soil from Holland at the Port of Mostyn, why the consignment was eventually allowed into the country and dumped near Rossett in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 26 November 1987]: Imported soil must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate confirming freedom from plant pests and diseases. In this particular case, special information was obtained from the Dutch Plant Health Authority to ensure that the consignment came from an industrial site and that there was no risk of it being infected with Rhizomania, a soil-borne disease of sugarbeet. The Ministry's plant health and seeds inspectorate checked that the waste soil did not come into contact with agricultural land and that it was safely transported and buried.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the quantities of milk supplied to each local education authority on which an EEC subsidy was claimed during the financial year 1985–86.

[holding answer 26 November 1987]: Quantities of school milk on which EC subsidy was claimed by local education authorities and local authorities in Great Britain are recorded by school year, not by financial year. During the 1985–86 school year the quantities were as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the publication of the Bannock report about commercial representation overseas.

The Bannock report ("Bringing More Manufacturers into Active Exporting"), concerning inter alia the extent of untapped potention amongst smaller and medium sized firms, was commissioned by the British Overseas Trade Board.In the light of the report, the Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is examining ways in which some of the United Kingdom's official export promotion services can be refined, to meet more effectively the needs of small and medium sized firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the applicability of currently proposed changes to the community programme in Britain to the operation of similar schemes in Northern Ireland.

I wish to give careful consideration to the applicability in Northern Ireland of the Government's proposals for a new programme for the long-term unemployed, including changes in the community programme, and conclusions will be announced as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his projection for the intake of apprentices over the next five years; and if he will provide a breakdown by trades.

Projected apprentice intake in Northern Ireland 1988–89 to 1992–93
	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93
Catering
Cookery	20	20	20	20	20
Clothing
Sewing machine mechanics	7	7	7	7	7
Knitting machine mechanics	2	2	2	2	2
Cutters	11	11	11	11	11
Construction
Joiners	456	456	456	456	456
Bricklayers	276	276	276	276	276
Plasterers	96	96	96	96	96
Painters	108	108	108	108	108
Slaters/Tilers	12	12	12	12	12
Wood machinists	32	32	32	32	32
Electricians	120	120	120	120	120
Plumbers	80	80	80	80	80
Distributive1	—	—	—	—	—
Engineering
Electrical	275	300	300	325	325
	Fabrication
	Mechanical
Food and drink
Mechanical/Electrical engineering	3	3	3	3	3
Fitters	2	2	2	2	2
Motor mechanics	3	3	3	3	3
Painters/Joiners	2	—	2	—	—
Plant bakers	12	12	12	12	12
Home bakery apprentices	40	40	40	40	40
Butchers	70	70	70	70	70
Textiles
Maintenance fitters	4	4	4	4	4
Electricians	2	2	2	2	2
Loom overlookers	5	5	5	5	5
Road transport
Light vehicle mechanic	800	800	800	800	800
Heavy vehicle mechanic	100	100	100	100	100
Light vehicle body repair	200	200	200	200	200
Electricians	30	30	30	30	30
Parts/Stores	20	20	20	20	20
Agricultural mechanics	100	100	100	100	100
Other industries
Printers	15	15	15	15	15
1 No information available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to ensure that Harland and Wolff maintains a design facility capable of catering for future orders without relying on subcontracts; and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily a matter for the Northern Ireland Training Authority and the industry training boards which have informed me that the information is as follows:

Maintenance of the design facility at Harland and Wolff is a commercial matter for the company and will be dependent on what future orders can be secured.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his projection of the numbers of employees in Harland and Wolff over the next five years.

Future employment levels at Harland and Wolff are dependent on the company's ability to secure orders on a commercial basis. The company is seeking new orders but, like all other European shipyards, faces a highly competitive world market.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will institute criminal proceedings against the Companies Registration Bureau of Companies House, PO Box 59, Nantwich, Cheshire.

There have been a number of complaints about the activities of this bureau, and I understand that a man has been charged with criminal deception; he is due to appear before Crewe and Nantwich magistrates on 15 January 1987.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consider referring to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the announcement by W H Smith and Octopus that they are setting up a joint book merchandising company.

The joint venture proposed by W H Smith and Octopus may qualify for reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the provision of the Fair Trading Act. If it is considered to qualify the Director General of Fair Trading has a duty to advise my right hon. and Noble Friend on the question of reference.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the conclusion of trade negotiations with Japan following the accession to the Community of Spain and Portugal.

When Spain and Portugal acceded to the Community in 1986 the revision of the Community's common customs tariff led to negotiations under article XXIV: 6 of the general agreement on tariffs and trade with certain trading partners who were affected by that revision. In the case of Japan, the reduction of tariffs and progressive removal of other trade barriers in Spain and Portugal significantly improves the access of Japanese goods to the Community. After protracted negotiations, it has been agreed that in return Japan will grant to the Community a package of tariff reductions and market-opening measures on items of particular but not exclusive interest to Spain and Portugal. This agreement was approved by the Council of Ministers on 24 November. Although the British Government considered the Japanese offer inadequate a majority of member states was prepared to except it. A decision was urgent because appropriate tariff rates on items of interest to Japan had to be included in the Community's common customs tariff, as amended in accordance with the new harmonised system of goods classification, in time for this to come into effect on 1 January 1988. In the view of the Commission, negotiations with Japan could not be further prolonged. The Government judged that it was in the interest of the United Kingdom that a decision should be taken to conclude them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the accident record in the last five years for the village of Theddingworth, Leicestershire.

Theddingworth is situated on the A427, a local road. Information on the accident record may be obtained from the highway authority, Leicestershire county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will designate the A427 as a trunk road for that section of the road which runs between Lutterworth and Market Harborough.

No. The proposed M1-A1 link, a new trunk road, will serve the movement of longer distance traffic in that area. Work on that scheme is expected to start during 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the London Fire Brigade reports on each station on the London Underground for the current year and previous years.

I am arranging for the most recent reports of the inspections undertaken by the London Fire Brigade (Fire Prevention Branch) and the Chief Fire Inspector of London Underground Limited on each deep-level tube section and station of the London Underground system to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers, location and status of self-inflicted deaths in Scottish penal institutions for each year from 1983 to the present; and how many of those were on suicide observation at the time of their death.

The numbers of self-inflicted deaths of inmates in Scottish penal establishments were six in 1983, five in 1984, six in 1985 and seven in 1986. Details of the establishment and status of the inmates in these instances were as follows:

Establishment	Status of inmate
1983
Barlinnie	Untried
Barlinnie	Convicted
Edinburgh	Convicted and sentenced
Glenochil Young Offenders Institution	Convicted and sentenced
Longriggend Remand Unit	Untried
Peterhead	Convicted and sentenced

Establishment	Status of inmate
1984
Barlinnie	Untried
Barlinnie	Untried
Barlinnie	Untried
Edinburgh	Untried
Glenochil Detention Centre	Convicted and sentenced
1985
Barlinnie	Untried
Barlinnie	Convicted and sentenced
Barlinnie	Convicted and sentenced
Glenochil Detention Centre	Convicted and sentenced
Glenochil Young Offenders	Convicted and sentenced
Institution
Perth	Untried
Peterhead	Convicted and sentenced
1986
Barlinnie	Convicted and sentenced
Barlinnie	Convicted and sentenced
Barlinnie	Untried
Cornton Vale	Untried
Edinburgh	Untried
Perth	Convicted and sentenced
Perth	Convicted and sentenced

In these 24 cases, 12 individuals were subject to observation or other precautions at the time of death and 12 individuals were not.In 1987 there have been 11 deaths in Scottish penal establishments. The death of any person in legal custody is the subject of a fatal accident inquiry. So far, fatal accident inquiries have been completed for only two of the deaths in 1987 and in each case the cause was acute myocardial ischaemia and not self-inflicted injury. Determinations of fatal accident inquiries are still awaited in the other nine cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of accused persons remanded in custody, for each year from 1985 to the present, principally on the grounds that they were of no fixed or unsatisfactory abode at the time of their remand.

I regret that this information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers and location of fines enforcement officers; and if he has any plans to increase their numbers.

Fifteen fines officers are in post in the Scottish court service. The sheriff courts at which they are based and the number of each court are as follows:

	Number
Aberdeen	1
Airdrie	1
Dundee	1
Dunfermline	1
Dumbarton	1
Edinburgh	2
Falkirk	1

	Number
Glasgow	3
Hamilton	2
Kilmarnock	1
Paisley	1

This scheme is currently being evaluated by the Scottish Home and Health Department, and in the light of the results I shall consider whether it might be extended.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail for each year since 1973 the average level of debt owed to the National Health Service by the private medicine sector (a) in the Strathclyde region and (b) in the Clydesdale area.

Information in the form requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, at 1987 prices (i) the full-time average wage for men and (ii) the full-time average wage for women in Scotland for each year since 1979, giving the percentage change between years.

The following information has been derived from the new earnings survey, conducted by the Department of Employment in April each year.

Average gross weekly earnings of adult full-time employees in Scotland whose earnings for the survey pay-period were not affected by absence
	Males aged 21 and over	Females aged 18 and over
(i) At April 1987 prices1
1979	189·7	113·2
1980	189·6	115·0
1981	192·4	119·7
1982	194·1	119·3
1983	202·3	125·6
1984	208·4	126·8
1985	206·8	127·2
1986	212·8	134·8
19862	209·8	135·3
19872	214·6	139·9
(ii) Percentage change since previous year3
1980	-0·1	+1·6
1981	+1·5	+4·1
1982	+0·9	-0·3
1983	+4·2	+5·3
1984	+3·0	+1·0
1985	-0·8	+0·3
1986	+2·9	+6·0
19872	+2·3	+3·4
1 The constant price estimates have been made using the retail prices index.
2 These relate to full-time employees on adult rates, as 1987 figures for males aged 21 and over, and females aged 18 and over, are not yet available.
3 Owing to the size of sample used in the survey all the annual figures are subject to sampling error, and the rates of growth may be particularly affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed in the oil industry in Scotland in each year since 1979.

The information given on numbers of employees is taken from the census of employment:

(a) Extraction of Mineral Oil and Gas in Scotland

• September 1981 – 17,500
• September 1984–19,600

(b) Mineral Oil Processing in Scotland

• September 1981–3,400
• September 1984–3,000

Information is not available for other years since 1979.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of his budget for assistance to industry in each year since 1979, at 1987 prices.

Gross expenditure on the items now forming part of my right hon. and learned Friend's industry programme in each year since 1979–80, at 1986–87 prices is as follows:

	£ million
1979–80	324·6
1980–81	365·6
1981–82	378·3
1982·83	561·2
1983–84	382·6
1984–85	347·6
1985–86	351·1
1986–87	388·0
11987–88	296·8
1 Estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage of YTS leavers in Scotland going into full-time paid employment within one month of leaving the scheme for each year for which records are available; and what proportion obtained paid work in the sector in which they were trained.

Information is not available in the form requested. Of those who left YTS in Scotland in the period April 1985 to March 1986 47 per cent. were in full-time paid employment three months after leaving the scheme and in the period April 1986 to March 1987 46 per cent. were in full-time paid employment three months after leaving the scheme; 24 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively of all YTS leavers were employed by the companies in which they trained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the index of industrial production and construction figures for Scotland for each quarter of each year since 1977.

The information requested is shown in the table:

Index of industrial production and construction, Scotland (1980 = 100)
Year	Quarter
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1978	107·1	108·9	106·1	106·7
1979	102·9	107·8	107·7	107·2
1980	104·6	101·4	98·5	95·8
1981	95·8	94·5	95·0	96·4
1982	96·2	96·7	96·8	96·1
1983	95·3	94·9	96·9	98·6
1984	99·3	98·1	99·3	100·2
1985	103·0	104·3	104·1	103·6
1986	100·0	99·7	101·2	101·6
1987	198–6
1 Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what information he has as to how many pupils have been excluded or expelled from more than one school in 1986 and 1987;(2) what information he has as to how many expulsions or exclusions took place in

None. This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of those involved on the YTS in Scotland move straight into jobs.

[holding answer 26 November 1987]: Information is not available in the form requested. Of those who left YTS in Scotland in the 14-month period to May 1987 (the latest figures available) 49 per cent. were in jobs three months after leaving the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for the result after a woman has undergone a cervical smear test within the National Health Service.

Information on which to calculate the average waiting period is not collected centrally.The target for all health authorities is a turn-around at the laboratory within one month. I understand that most districts are meeting this target and that no district in Yorkshire region has a backlog exceeding five weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total number of schizophrenic sufferers in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

I regret I do not have information on which to base an estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plan to lower the qualifying age for eligibility for the mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement.

We have no present plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of hospital beds (a) available and (b) occupied in England and Wales for the years 1985 and 1986.

The requested information is given in the table for England.The health services information steering group (chaired by Mrs. Körner) recommended in its first report that bed use data should include all patients using a ward in a 24-hour period and that aggregated bed occupancy statistics should not be used as an indicator of efficient bed use. A more useful measure of bed utilisation is patient throughput per available bed. For instance, in 1985 and 1986 respectively 19·5 and 20·3 in-patient cases were treated per available bed compared with 15 in 1979.Statistics for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

National Health Service Hospitals in England
	1985	1986
Average daily number:
available beds	325,487	315,714
occupied beds1	263,960	254,597
1 Bed occupancy figures are based on a midnight count and do not therefore reflect the use of beds by patients who do not stay overnight.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of people and the number of dependants covered thereby claiming housing benefit in 1979 and the latest available date; and if he will distinguish whether these payments are made for tenants in the public sector, the private sector or for payment with rates.

Figures for the number of people receiving housing benefit in the years requested are given in the table. I regret that detailed information is not kept of the number of people who make a claim for housing benefit, nor of the numbers of dependants in claimant households.

1987–88 Charges for Private Resident Patients
	Daily charges to patients not paying consultant(s) separately		Daily charges to patients paying consultant (s) separately
	Single room £	Other accommodation £	Single room £	Other accommodation £
Class A (Long-stay Hospitals)	83	75	78	71
Class B (Psychiatric Hospitals)	70	64	66	60
Class C1 (Mainly Acute and other hospitals in non-teaching districts)	138	125	129	118
Class C2 (Acute and other hospitals in non-teaching districts)	157	142	147	134
Class D (Hospitals in London teaching districts (other than hospitals in Classes A and B)	219	199	205	187
Class E (Hospitals in provincial teaching districts (other than hospitals in Classes A and B)	174	158	164	149

Housing Benefit Recipients: Great Britain
	(thousands)
	1979–80	1986–87
Rent rebates (for public sector tenants)	1,205	3,745
Rent allowances (for private sector tenants)	220	1,190
Rate rebates	3,065	7,120

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the numbers of pensioners, unemployed, single parents and chronic sick in the Western Isles entitled to supplementary benefit but not claiming; and what is the average amount unclaimed per week by each of these groups.

I regret that this information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost to the National Health Service of each pay bed; and how much of that cost is received by the National Health Service.

The cost of individual pay beds varies considerably according to local factors, but since charges are set so as to recover the average full cost of pay beds, the charges themselves are the best available indication of pay bed costs. Although a small number of health authorities determined their own charges for 1987–88, the majority adopted a central list of charges, which was as follows:

	Daily charges to patients not paying consultant(s) separately		Daily charges to patients paying consultant(s) separately
	Single room £	Other accommodation £	Single room £	Other accommodation £
Class F (London Postgraduate teaching hospitals managed by Special Health Authorities (other than hospitals in Class G)	238	217	224	204

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to help claimants in Liverpool claim their full benefit entitlement following the findings of the Liverpool Association for the Disabled that 58 per cent. of disabled people were underclaiming benefit entitlement by an average of almost £20 a week; and if he will make a statement.

There is a steady growth in the numbers receiving disability benefits and we shall continue our efforts to improve advice and information about the benefits available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the names and salaries of each of the officers on the main board, other senior officers, and all unit officers of the Norwich district health authority.

I regret that this information is not available centrally. Health authority officers are employees of the individual authority concerned and my hon. Friend may like to approach the acting chairman of Norwich district health authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for mobility allowance and attendance allowance have been made in the Carlisle constituency in 1985–86 and 1986–87, and how many have been rejected.

I regret that this information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, for each year since 1979, how many patients discharged from hospital in the Carlisle constituency area have been re-admitted again suffering from the same complaints or illnesses which had led to their original admission.

I regret that this information is not held centrally. Many conditions which persist over a long period may need repeated interventions. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of East Cumbria health authority, who may be able to provide the information he requires.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish information on the number of claims for supplementary benefit from people required to be available for employment made in the three-month period before 5 October 1986, showing how many of these claims were initially abated as a result of the operation of section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, together with a breakdown showing (a) the number of these initial disqualifications that were for less than six weeks, (b) the number that were later reviewed and the disqualification lifted or altered and (c) estimates of the proportions that fell under each of the heads (a) to (d) of section 20(1);(2) if he will publish information on the number of claims for supplementary benefit made in the three-month period after 5 October 1986, showing how many of these claims were initially abated as a result of the operation of section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, together with a breakdown showing

The number of claims for supplementary benefit from people required to be available for employment actually made in any given period is not available, but the number of such claims processed during the period in question is as follows:

Number
12 week period ending 23 September 1986	1,264,222
12 week period ending 16 December 1986	983,959

Information on the number of awards initially reduced pending a decision under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 and the outcome of later reviews is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the resources allocation working party system produces an equitable distribution of funds to Gloucestershire health authority.

Allocation of resources to Gloucester health authority is a matter for the South-Western regional health authority. We have no grounds for supposing that regional allocation policies are inequitable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the size of the child additions to (a) short-term and (b) long-term national insurance benefits in 1978–79 and currently; and if he will express changes in percentage terms.

The following table sets out the rates of child dependency additions and the percentage changes since April 1978. The additions payable with short-term benefits were abolished with effect from 26 November 1984.

	Long-term benefits		Short-term benefits
	Rate (£)	Index	Rate (£)	Index
April 1978	6·10	100	2·20	100
November 1978	6·35	104	1·85	84
April 1979	5·35	88	0·85	39
November 1979	7·10	116	1·70	77
November 1980	7·50	123	1·25	67
November 1981	7·70	126	0·80	36
November 1982	7·95	130	0·30	14
November 1983	7·60	125	0·15	7
November 1984	7·65	125	—	—
November 1985	8·05	132	—	—
July 1986	8·05	132	—	—
April 1987	8·05	132	—	—
April 1988	8·40	138	—	—

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence and representations he has received as to costs of a diabetic diet to low-income families, especially in respect of diabetic children; and what response he has made.

Representations have been received from the British Diabetic Association and from the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed and other hon. Members concerning the future of the diet allowance for diabetics on supplementary benefit. Under the new income support scheme, which comes into effect in April, there will be no special dietary addition. However, many diabetics will be entitled to a special premium on account of long term sickness, disability or old age. As the British Diabetic Association acknowledged, a diabetic diet need be no more expensive than an ordinary diet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent discussions he has had about the possibility of making blood glucose monitoring strips available to diabetics on National Health Service prescription.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 24 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about the diagnosis and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis; and what response he has made.

Since 1 September, there have been 12 letters from hon. Members on behalf of constituents and 23 letters from members of the public. All of these have been or will be assured that the National Health Service recognises and treats this disease. As the symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis resemble those of other forms of debilitating illness, it is not easy to diagnose single cases or draw up diagnostic guidance; nor is it the Department's policy to advise the medical profession on clinical practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what staff saving he estimates would result from purchase of a computer system for national insurance and social security operation; what are the running costs of such a system; and if he will make a statement.

It would be impracticable to attempt to quantify savings or running costs in the absence of specific plans or proposals to purchase such a computer system. The Departments operational strategy, which is developing the social security computer system, estimates staff savings of around 16,000 from 1992–93; with running costs of the system estimated at £45 million per annum at today's prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider removing the chairman of the Haringey health authority from his position on account of his handling of the health authority both financially and organisationally and the state of his local knowledge as a non-resident of Haringey.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to reply to the inquiries dated 1 October, 22 October and 10 November from the hon. Member for Easington in respect of Mrs. Jones of 43 Longnewton Street, Dawdon, Seaham and her claim for attendance and mobility allowance.

I wrote to the hon. Member yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken by the Committee on Safety of Medicines to investigate the activities of pharmaceutical companies prescribing drugs for the National Health Service which have been fined by the United States of America's Food and Drug Administration for convening drug regulations.

[holding answer 16 November 1987]: I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to him on 2 November at column 561. It is not licensing authority policy to give details of any action it may take in specific cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what checks are being carried out by the Committee on Safety of Medicines or his Department to ensure that all side effects, including deaths, which are known to a pharmaceutical company are reported to the committee; on how many occasions it has been found that a company has not made a complete report; and what action is taken in such circumstances.

[holding answer 16 November 1987]: Power under the Medicines Act 1968 and its subordinate legislation is used to make it a condition of the grant of a product licence that the licence holder must report to the licensing authority, in accordance with standard directions, adverse reactions associated with the medicinal product immediately they come to notice. Licence holders have been reminded of this requirement on a number of occasions in Medicines Act information letters, and given detailed guidance on reporting: the most recent guidance, MAIL 49 issued in March 1987, is in the Library. When the safety of a marketed drug is under particular scrutiny the licence holder may be asked to provide all information known to the company about adverse drug reactions. Information provided in response to such a request is compared with previous reports made by the company, and any discrepancies are investigated. Where the licensing authority is satisfied that the licensing conditions have been breached, the action open to it can include the suspension, revocation, or variation of the licence where safety or other relevant factors apply. The Department is currently conducting two investigations which relate to the possible failure to disclose serious suspected adverse drug reactions. Because information on suspected under-reporting is held on files relating to specific products and giving the full licensing history, a count of earlier possible instances cannot be made without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the Committee on Safety of Medicines carried out any investigation into the circumstances surrounding Eli Lilley's failure to report deaths attributed to Opren to the United States of America's Food and Drug Administration;(2) whether Eli Lilley gave any indication to the Committee on Safety of Medicines prior to the launch of Opren that the drug would cause particular problems for elderly people taking it; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 November 1987]: I am advised that as both the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Licensing Authority are involved in current legal actions concerning Opren, related matters are sub-judice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take in the light of new evidence that pharmaceutical companies providing drugs for the National Health Service have tried to prevent doctors from making critical comments about the company's drugs in court actions; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 November 1987]: If the right hon. Member has any evidence that a criminal offence (such as conspiracy to pervert the course of justice) has been committed, I hope he will bring it to the attention of the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has had any communication with his counterparts in (a) Belgium, (b) France or (c) the Federal Republic of Germany about recent evidence that plutonium from the safeguarded reprocessing plants in the European Economic Community has been sold on the black market in Khartoum, Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Meironnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 19 November at columns 617–18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether bilateral or international atomic energy agency safeguards have been applied to all plutonium originating in Central Electricity Generating Boards or South of Scotland Electricity Generating Board reactors and subsequently exported to the United States of America.

[holding answer 2 November 1987]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 21 October 1987 at columns 749–50.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the implications for continued United Kingdom investment on European fast reactor collaborative research and development of (a) the meeting on 1 December of the European Fast Reactor Consortium partners and (b) the plans to privatise the electricity supply industry and their impact on the Central Electricity Generating Board's current investment in the project.

I understand that the meeting of the European Fast Reactor Utilities Group on 1 December will discuss proposals from the European design companies for work on a common model. Eventual investment in new collaborative facilities will be considered by the utilities at the appropriate time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Council of Energy Ministers on 13 November.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State represented the United Kingdom at the Council of Energy Ministers on 13 November.The Council adopted a recommendation on measures to encourage, without distorting the market, the exploitation of renewable energy sources in the Community. Ministers noted the Commission's intention to prepare, with the assistance of experts from member states, an international conference in the second half of 1988 which would consider the marketability of renewable energy sources.The Council agreed conclusions recognising the need to establish procedures for spreading information on the energy efficiency of buildings. Ministers considered the binding nature of a directive as proposed by the Commission inappropriate, but discussion will continue on a possible Council recommendation.Ministers noted with interest the Commission's intention to prepare a programme for improving the efficiency of electricity use. The programme will be considered next year.The Council discussed the potential for the conversion of foodstuffs into ethanol for use as a blending component for petrol. There was general support for the Commission's decision not to table proposals on bioethanol since it is clear from technical and economic evidence that development of bioethanol is unjustified.Lastly, Ministers were unable to agree conclusions on the costs to refiners of complying with environmental legislation. The matter will be considered further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any changes are to be made to the Office of Gas Supplies running costs limit for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised by the Director General of Gas Supply that his office's running costs limit will be reduced by £500,000 from £ 1,750,000 to £ 1,250,000, reflecting a more gradual build-up of work load and hence of staff than earlier estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards energy efficiency in the light of the conclusions of the Association for the Conservation of Energy's report, "Regenerating The Inner City: The Energy Dimension", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will ensure all relevant inner city initiatives his Department takes include an energy efficiency dimension within their remit.

The Government are concerned that construction and rehabilitation projects, whether in inner cities or elsewhere, should take account of the need for energy efficiency. The report reinforces this view. Following consultation with, amongst others, the Association for the Conservation of Energy, the Department is considering changes to the building regulations designed to raise standards of insulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the effect his new unified business rate will have on rate levels for business in inner cities.

If the uniform rate poundage had been introduced in 1987–88, non-domestic rates in urban progamme authority areas would have fallen by around £380 million or 14 per cent. The uniform business rate will be a major stimulus to economic development in the inner cities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from businesses in (i) the London borough of Bexley and (ii) Greater London concerning the proposed national non-domestic rate.

I have received more than 3,500 letters about our proposal since June. They are not, however, categorised by subject or their place of origin. I am aware of concern from some businesses in both Greater London and the London borough of Bexley about the implications of a national non-domestic rate, but I believe that the advantages of the statutory guarantee that the business rate will not increase by more than the rate of inflation are increasingly recognised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce firm details of his plans for a National Rivers Authority.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to make a further announcement before the end of 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is proposing to take to ensure that British Nuclear Fuels Limited uses the most modern available technology in relation to the control of discharge arising from nuclear waste reprocessing of Sellafield.

British Nuclear Fuels plc is already taking account of the best available technology to limit the discharge of radioactive pollutants and is developing further techniques to ensure that the radioactive content of discharges is further reduced in the 1990s.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he used in reaching a decision as to the rate capping of Basildon council.

Basildon was selected for rate capping in 1988–89 because its budgeted total expenditure for 1987–88 was 112·3 per cent. above grant-related expenditure. The selection criterion for all the authorities previously selected for 1987–88, including Basildon, was that budgeted total expenditure was more than 12·5 per cent. above grant-related expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to seek to prohibit cross-subsidisation between different tenants of one local authority in the setting of rents.

We are still developing our proposals for all aspects of the financial arrangements for local authority housing and these will be the subject of consultation in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update his reply of 20 January, Official Report, column 477, to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore), and list in the Official Report those Acts of Parliament since June 1979 concerning (a) local government finance and (b) local authority duties, powers and responsibilities.

Five further Acts of Parliament passed this year should be added to update the list set out at columns 476–77 in the Official Report of 20 January 1987. They are:

• The Local Government Finance Act 1987'^*(C.6)
• The Access to Personal Files Act 1987 (C.37)
• The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (C. 27)
• The Rate Support Grants Act 1987^*(C.51)
• The Local Government Act 1987 (C.44)

I have again marked with an asterisk those Acts wholly or principally concerned with finance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether his Department has recently investigated levels of mustard gas remaining at the site of the world war 2 valley plant, at Rhydymwyn in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will describe decontamination procedures carried out at the valley mustard gas plant at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd

This is the responsibility of the Property Services Agency.The PSA commissioned the Laboratory of the Government Chemist in October 1985 to carry out a comprehensive survey of the Rhydymwyn site and identify and report on any chemical contamination present.Any contamination remaining is minimal and the risks involved are no higher than for any site which has been used for industrial purposes.The pits originally containing mustard gas production equipment were cleared, decontaminated and backfilled after world war 2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will be meeting the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board to discuss the future of the dairy industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans at present for such a meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what acreage of land was bought by the Land Authority for Wales in each district authority area in Wales in each year since its establishment to date;(2) if he will name all the purchasers of each of the sites which have been sold by the Land Authority for Wales in each year since its inception; at what price each of the sites was sold; and for what purposes the sites were sold;(3) how much money has been spent by the Land Authority for Wales on the management of each of the sites which are, and which have been, in its ownership since its establishment;(4) how much was spent by the Land Authority for Wales on the purchase of land in Wales in each year since its establishment.

I have asked the chairman of the authority to write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils attended each of the secondary schools in Wales in the school year 1986–87.

The information as at January 1987 is as follows:

Name of school	Number on roll
Gwent county council
Newport St. Julian's comprehensive school	1,215
Newport Duffryn comprehensive school	1,068
Hartridge comprehensive school	1,081
Newport Bettws comprehensive school	1,059
Lliswerry comprehensive school	1,160
Newport Queens comprehensive school	1,020
Brynmawr comprehensive school	573
Bassaleg comprehensive school	1,297
Newbridge comprehensive school	753
Pontllanfraith comprehensive school	855
Glyncoed junior comprehensive school	419
Blackwood comprehensive school	1,016
Llantarnam comprehensive school	1,074
Croesyceiling comprehensive school	1,341
Oakdale comprehensive school	827
Glanyrafon junior comprehensive school	464
Cwmcarn comprehensive school	679
Caerleon comprehensive school	1,202
Monmouth comprehensive school	1,208
Tredegar comprehensive school	1,083
Fairwater comprehensive school	1,330
King Henry VIII comprehensive school	1,394
Chepstow comprehensive school	1,058
Caldicot comprehensive school	1,438
Ebbw Vale senior comprehensive school	887
Risca comprehensive school	774
Abersychan comprehensive school	986
Trevethin comprehensive school	520
West Monmouth comprehensive school	1,085
Nantyglo comprehensive school	921
Abertillery comprehensive school	801
St. Joseph's comprehensive school	1,163
St. Alban's Roman Catholic comprehensive school	655
Gwynedd county council
Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen	488
Ysgol Botwnnog	456
Ysgol Brynrefail	668
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle	580
Ysgol Eifionydd	641
Ysgol John Bright	1,143
Ysgol Aberconwy	953
Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones	1,062
Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi	1,558
Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni	1,026
Ysgol David Hughes	1,246
Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern	775
Ysgol Y Gader	328
Ysgol Y Moelwyn	496.
Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn	395
Ysgol Y Berwyn	584
Ysgol Ardudwy	609
Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy	905
Ysgol Friars	1,172
Ysgol Tryfan	416
Ysgol Y Creuddyn	616
Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen	1,211
Ysgol Glan Y Mor	897
Loreto Roman Catholic Middle School	110
Mid Glamorgan council council
Afon Taf high school	1,299
Pen-y-Dre high school	1,210
Cyfarthfa high school	1,062
Vaynor and Penderyn	442
Bryn Celynnog comprehensive school	1,438
Coedylan comprehensive school	1,030
Hawthorn comprehensive school	1,123
Mountain Ash county comprehensive school	1,403
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen	1,048
Blaengwawr comprehensive school	656
Tonyrefail comprehensive school	1,232
Cynffig comprehensive school	1,115
St. Cenydd comprehensive school	901
St. Ilan comprehensive school	949

Name of school	Number on roll
Bryntirion comprehensive school	999
St. Martins comprehensive school	777
Maesteg comprehensive school	1,622
Heolddu comprehensive school	928
Ynysawdre comprehensive school	1,171
Lewis boys' comprehensive school	933
Pencoed comprehensive school	1,328
Lewis girls' comprehensive school	1,092
Brynteg comprehensive school	1,694
Porthcawl comprehensive school	1,199
Treorchy comprehensive school	1,479
Ferndale comprehensive school	1,015
Ogmore comprehensive school	828
Porth county comprehensive school	1,028
Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari	932
Rhymney comprehensive school	772
Bedwas comprehensive school	870
Tonypandy comprehensive school	1,217
Y Pant comprehensive school	856
Cymmer comprehensive school	619
Aberdare boys' comprehensive school	913
Aberdare girls' comprehensive school	825
Bedwellty comprehensive school	692
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni	830
Bishop Hedley high school	733
Archbishop McGrath school	443
Cardinal Newman catholic comprehensive school	735
St. John Baptist comprehensive school	691
Powys county council
Caereinion high school	440
Llanfyllin high school	520
Llanidloes high school	465
Ysgol Bro Ddyfi	353
Newtown high school	1,119
Welshpool high school	1,019
John Beddoes county secondary school	618
Llandrindod high school	781
Builth Wells high school	407
Maesydderwen comprehensive school	733
Brecon high school	986
Gwernyfed high school	572
Crickhowell high school	524
South Glamorgan County Council
Rumney High	921
Glyn Derw High	526
Cardiff High	1,083
Glan Ely High	979
Willows High	675
Fitzalan High	1,409
Llandedeyrn High	1,073
Cantonian High	1,077
Whitchurch High	1,763
Llanishen High	1,199
Llanrumney High	947
Howardian High	866
Cathays High	783
Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive	1,004
Barry Boys' Comprehensive	1,584
Bryn Hafren Comprehensive	1,442
Stanwell Comprehensive	979
St. Cyres Comprehensive	1,513
Cowbridge Comprehensive	1,076
Radyr Comprehensive	1,152
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf	992
ST. Illtyd's College	497
Heathfield House Roman Catholic High	620
Archbishop Mostyn Roman Catholic High	645
The Bishop of Llandaff High	1,108
St. Teils C.I.W. High	878
Bishop Hannon High	288
Lady Mary Roman Catholic High	929
St. Cadocs Roman Catholic High	449

Name of school	Number on roll
West Glamorgan County Council
Mynyddbach County Secondary	877
Penlan County Secondary for Boys	820
Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive	1,229
Olchfa Comprehensive	1,797
Morriston Senior Comprehensive	942
Llansamlet Junior Comprehensive	484
Dynevor Comprehensive	551
Pentrehafod Comprehensive	1,136
Bishop Gore Comprehensive	1,472
Cymer Afan Comprehensive	509
Glan Afan	666
Sandfields Comprehensive	796
Dyffryn Comprehensive	926
Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera	837
Penyrheol Comprehensive	987
Gowerton Comprehensive	1,290
Cefn Saeson Comprehensive	820
Cwmtawe Comprehensive	1,647
Llangatwg Comprehensive	1,068
Dwr Y Eelin Comprehensive	1,235
Cwrt Sart Comprehensive	656
Bishopston Comprehensive	931
Dillwyn Llewelyn Comprehensive	732
Pontarddulais Comprehensive	740
Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr	291
Bishop Vaughan Catholic	947
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Comprehensive	751
Clwyd county council
Hawarden high school	1,031
Rhyl high school	1,30
Mold Alun school	1,500
Elfed high school	1,06
Holywell high school	1,185
St. Davids high school	704
Prestatyn high school	1,469
The Maelor school	520
Castell Alun high school	1,108
Ysgol Uwchradd Maes Garmon	829
Deeside high school	639
Ysgol Glan Clwyd	920
Flint high school	832
Connah's Quay high school	757
Ysgol Bryn Elian	791
Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan	1,114
Eirias high	904
Denbigh high school	903
Ysgol Dinas Bran	893
Ysgol-y-Grango	839
Brynhyfryd school	984
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd	304
Ysgol Bryn Alyn	886
Darland school	914
St. David's school	1,289
Ysgol Bryn Offa	1,129
Yale sixth form college school	688
Ysgol Uwchradd Argoed	581
Ysgol Rhiwabon	853
The Groves high school	1,068
St. Richard Gwyn high school	1,060
Blessed Edward Jones high school	610
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic high school	511
Dyfed county council
Llandovery county high school	384
Ysgol Gruffydd Jones	373
Llandeilo country secondary	748
Amman Valley comprehensive school	1,376
Fishguard county secondary school	789
Milford Haven C.S. school	816
Ysgol Dewi Sant	362
Greenhill comprehensive school	1,457
Ysgol y Preseli	677
Milford Haven grammar school	587

Name of school	Number on roll
Pembroke comprehensive school	1,591
Lampeter county sec. comprehensive school	593
Aberaeron comprehensive school	822
Cardigan county secondary school	889
Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron	369
Penglais comprehensive school	1,044
Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig	548
Coedcae comprehensive school	883
Graig comprehensive school	908
Ysgol Gyfuny Strade	651
Glan-y-mor comprehensive school	754
Bryngwyn comprehensive school	1,049
Sir Thomas Picton comprehensive school	1,162
Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin	600
Queen Elizabeth Cambria comprehensive	704
Queen Elizabeth Maridunum comprehensive	669
Ysgol Gyfun Ddwyieithog Teifi	325
Ysgol Gyfun Emylyn	693
Ysgol Gyfun Ddwyieithog	481
Gwendraeth Valley comprehensive school	691
Whitland grammar school	475
Tasker Milward VC comprehensive school	998
St. John Lloyd Roman Catholic comprehensive school	319