To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the number of police officers for each year since 1979, who have been disciplined following complaints of misuse of information held on police computers.

The information is not readily available, and could be obtained only with difficulty and at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost in time and money of the preparation for an answer to the oral question put down by the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) for answer on 21 January, which was subsequently withdrawn by the hon. Member on 20 January.

About two and a half hours, at a total cost of about £50.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes, in their various categories, took place in Wolverhampton during (a) 1979 and (b) 1987.

I refer the hon. Member to the annual report of the chief constable of the West Midlands. The figures that are regularly collected centrally relate to entire police force areas; they are published each year in the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (tables 2.4. to 2.6 in the issue for 1986, Cm. 233). Copies of both publications are available in the Library. Figures for 1987 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are placed on the letters which can be received by people who have been remanded in custody to await sentence.

The receipt of letters is regulated by prison rule 34 and standing order 5B copies of which are available in the Library. The following is a summary of the main provisions concerning convicted prisoners awaiting sentence. One letter may be received on the prisoner's reception into prison and thereafter two a week, though governors have discretion to allow more. If a correspondent makes a practice of sending an excessive number of letters, the governor may return them. Correspondents who make a practice of sending overlong letters may be asked to confine future letters to four sides of paper and, if they ignore the request, the governor may return subsequent overlong letters. There is no restriction on the frequency or length of letters from a legal adviser in connection with legal proceedings to which a prisoner is a party. Letters may be stopped if they contain material which is prohibited for example, for security reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will publish a digest of the responses to the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities".

No, but I am placing in the Library a list of all those who responded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period of time the franchises for (a) independent commercial, (b) independent local and (c) community radio stations will extend.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer 1 gave to a similar question from him on 27 January at column 253.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the radio authority will have to prevent advertising or sponsorship influencing the editorial output of stations.

We envisage that the legislative proposals which my right hon. Friend will bring before Parliament will include provision for the radio authority to issue a code of practice covering these matters, adherence to which will be a licence condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the radio authority will have regional offices to supervise and monitor community radio stations.

This will be a matter for the radio authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimates he has of radio's projected share of national advertising revenue over the next five years;(2) if he will publish any estimates he has of radio's projected share of national advertising revenue over 'the next five years.

Our plans for independent radio will leave it well placed to increase its share—currently just over 2 per cent.—of total national advertising. Projections of this sort depend on a variety of assumptions, and I have not yet seen one which takes account of our announcement on 19 January. But it was forecast last year that radio advertising revenue could be over £270 million by 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the effects of the imposition of visas on admissions and the refusals of those seeking entry as visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Ghana; and if he will make a statement.

The available information, comparing the first nine months of 1987 with the same period in 1986, for nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana is given in the following table. Corresponding figures are not given for Nigeria because visas were not introduced there until February 1987. Although there was no delay in

Visitors admissions and refusals 1986–87
	Bangladesh	India	Pakistan	Ghana
Visitor admissions
January to September 1986	9,280	141,090	69,590	21,120
January to September 19871	7,200	118,200	52,200	14,000
Initial refusals (all categories) at the ports
January to September 1986	1,180	3,450	2,070	1,440
January to September 19872	1,080	660	390	480
Visitors refused entry clearance abroad
January to September 1986	380	150	30	n/a
January to September 1987	1,340	3,880	5,470	1,920
n/a—Not available.
1 Estimates based on admissions in January to August grossed up using the pattern of admissions in 1986.
2 Almost entirely persons who had arrived before mid-October 1986 but who, due to backlogs at the ports, were not 'initially refused' until 1987 (these refusals cannot be differentiated in the figures); and persons without a visa, for which there was no equivalent category of refusal in 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on recent allegations concerning the use of the royal prerogative in connection with security operations.

Yes. At no time have the Goverment asserted that any of the alleged actions which have featured in recent newspaper articles could lawfully be done under the prerogative when they would otherwise be criminal offences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following the decision of the Court of Appeal to uphold the convictions of the men in the Birmingham pub bombings case, he has any plans to recommend the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy in their cases.

I have noted the decision of the Court of Appeal and I understand that an application is to be made for leave to appeal to the House of Lords. Where, following a reference by me, the Court of Appeal has considered the issues at length, I would not think it right to intervene in the absence of any indication from the courts that I should consider doing so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will modify the proposed rate limitations for Lambeth in the light of representations made to him.

My right hon. Friend is considering the representations made to him by Lambeth and other authorities on the maximum rates he has proposed for 1988–89, and will reach a view shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish his consultative document on portable antiquities.

Very soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his decisions relating to the review of the Berkshire structure plan.

My right hon. Friend published his modifications to the submitted replacement structure plan for Berkshire yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the controller of the Crown Suppliers; and if he will make a statement on what was discussed.

Ministers meet the controller of the Crown Suppliers whenever they need to do so in connection with the management of his business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for medical aid to developing countries of the recent evidence showing that AIDS may be spread through a mother's milk.

Breast feeding has important health benefits for mothers and children in developing countries. The role of breast milk in HIV transmission is not fully understood. The World Health Organisation has considered the issue with care and advises that for the present breast feeding should continue to be promoted and supported. I have placed a copy of the WHO statement on this subject in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the organisations which requested assistance with the eight population projects or projects with a population component on which preparatory work was in hand on 31 December 1987; and if he will list the date on which each request was received.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Attorney-General what action has been taken to recover legal aid monies paid from public funds to Messrs. Blair Allison and Co. when they were acting as uncertificated solicitors.

The legal aid area office in Birmingham is looking into the matter. I will write to the hon. Member when those inquiries are complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to monitor the growth of violence in schools and the number of attacks on teachers; and what have been the results.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 11 January at column 53.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received seeking the establishment of an inquiry into the issues of discipline in schools and violence against teachers; and what response he has made.

The Professional Association of Teachers has written to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asking her to establish a commission of inquiry into discipline in schools throughout the United Kingdom. The Government are still considering the association's proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many means-tested schemes are run by his Department; if he will give in tabular form details of the number of children claiming such benefits; and if he will give comparable data for 1979.

The Department is responsible for the assisted places scheme and for the music and ballet scheme, both of which came into operation in September 1981. The number of pupils claiming fee remission in the academic year 1986–87 was as follows:

	Number of pupils
Assisted places scheme	22,853
Music and ballet scheme	496

Local education authorities operate their own schemes of assistance to pupils, for example, for school clothing, and are required to offer free school meals to certain pupils. The numbers receiving free school meals were:

	Number of pupils
October 1979	899,000
October 1986	1,144,000

Details of the take-up of other schemes run by local education authorities are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many directions under section 2 of the Science and Technology Act 1965 have been made to research councils in each of the last 10 years; and for each of the last four years what directions were given.

I am not aware of any direction to a research council under section 2 of the Science and Technology Act 1965 in any of the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures he has for the recruitment of teachers in Northumberland in the shortage subjects.

There are no unfilled vacancies in Northumberland in the shortage subjects at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total amount given by way of voluntary aid to each health authority in Wales during the last year for which figures are available.

The only information held centrally is that relating to donations and legacies in health authorities' income and expenditure trust funds accounts. Details for 1986–87 are given in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to make any change to the cash limit on class XVII, vote 5.

Yes. The cash limit on class XVII, vote 5 is being reduced by £900,000 to £213,669,000. This reduction will offset a corresponding increase to class XIII, vote 10 which will enable the Welsh Arts Council to complete the purchase of the Sherman theatre from University college, Cardiff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the individuals and their companies who were involved in the eight prosecutions since 1979 over defence contracts.

[holding answer 18 January 1988]: Of the eight prosecutions since 1979 over defence contracts, successful cases were brought against the following employees or directors:

• Norman Edward Gough
• Margaret Storrar
• Charles Richardson
• William Galloway MacLeod
• John Leslie Nixon
• William John Cackett
• Peter Riley Roberts
• Neil Leslie Sayer
• Duncan Graham McLachlan
• John Keith Tooley
• Malcolm Allen

No prosecutions were brought against the companies associated with the individuals mentioned above; therefore it would be inappropriate to give details of the companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems there have been over the procurement of software for Foxhunter.

[holding answer 22 January 1988]: While some of the problems encountered during the development of the Foxhunter radar have been software-related, radars which operate to an agreed interim standard are now in service with the Royal Air Force. A programme of modifications which will achieve the required performance has been agreed, and negotiations with Marconi defence systems on a firm price contract to complete this work are nearing completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what cost over-runs have been incurred with the Blue Vixen radar programme.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his French counterpart about co-ordinated nuclear weapons targeting; and if he will make a statement.

Details of the discussions between the British and French Governments on nuclear matters are confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of R company, Royal Marines; and if he will make a statement.

All aspects of future Royal Navy and Royal Marines manpower are kept under consideration. No decisions have been taken in the case of R company Royal Marines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the modernisation and deployment of cruise air-launched missiles will be discussed at the next summit meeting of Nato alliance leaders.

I expect a wide range of issues relating to the security of the NATO Alliance to he discussed, including the need to maintain modern and effective nuclear and conventional forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies and reports have been and are being undertaken by his Department into the operation of the Property Services Agency from 1979 up to the latest date available.

It is not the practice of the Ministry of Defence to conduct studies into the working of another Department. The Property Services Agency is required to examine its own operational efficiency. However, a number of initiatives have been taken jointly by MOD, PSA and central Departments to improve the effectiveness of the PSA's defence works and estate management. For example, in 1980 a review under Sir Derek Rayner studied the economy with which new building works were carried out and more recently the National Audit Office studied the control and management of the defence estate. These reports recommended further work which is being carried out jointly by MOD and PSA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans next to deploy a Royal Navy task group beyond the NATO area.

I am glad to say that we plan to deploy a Royal Navy task group to the far east, Australia and Indian ocean area, leaving the United Kingdom in June. The group, which will be led by HMS Ark Royal, will represent the Royal Navy at the fleet review in Sydney to celebrate the Australian bicentenary. It will spend some six months on deployment, before returning to the United Kingdom in December. Detailed planning of the deployment is still in progress. Further details, including visits to particular countries by ships of the group, will be announced in due course.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many private Bills have been laid before Parliament in each of the last 10 years.

The numbers of private Bills (including personal Bills and substituted Bills) first deposited in each of the last 10 Sessions are as follows:

Session	Number of Bills
1987–88	29
1986–87	25
1985–86	36
1984–85	36
1983–84	32
1982–83	18
1981–82	32
1980–81	26
1979–80	28
1978–79	21

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what his estimate is in current cost terms of the aggregate revenue specified as recoverable under the Severn Bridge Tolls Act 1965 between 1988 and 2005;(2) if, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 1987,

At current toll levels, updated in line with a low rate of inflation, revenue in the period 1988–2005 is estimated to be about £230 million to £260 million depending on assumptions about the rate of traffic growth. The debt of £77 million at the end of the 1986–87 financial year is estimated to rise by the end of that period, because of continuing annual deficits, to between £270 million and £310 million.A 70 per cent. tolls increase introduced immediately and maintained in real terms should, assuming high traffic growth and low inflation, enable debt to be eliminated by about the end of the period of 40 years specified in the Severn Bridge Tolls Act 1965.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the safety record of Carlton PSV Limited, following its acquisition of the Yelloway and SVT fleets;(2) if he will set up an inquiry into the safety record at Carlton PSV Limited.

The safety record of PSV operators is a matter for the traffic commissioners. I understand that Carlton PSV Limited does not hold an operator's licence in its own right. In June 1987 the North-Westerm traffic commissioner took action against Yelloways' licence, reducing the number of vehicles it could operate from 50 to 35.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the current level of capital debt on the Mersey tunnels;(2) what was the cost of operating the Mersey tunnels in the latest available year.

The passenger transport authority's published account for 1986–87 show that at the end of the financial year debt was £108·9 million and operating expenses £6·15 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the toll income from the Mersey tunnels over the last five available yars.

The published accounts show that the annual toll income has been as follows:

	£ million
1982–83	8·19
1983–84	8·15
1984–85	8·03
1985–86	8·13
1986–87	10·04

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the debt charges payable on the Mersey tunnels over the last five available years.

The published accounts show that the debt charges in each year were as follows:

	£ million
1982–83	9·56
1983–84	9·62
1984–85	8·69
1985–86	10·36
1986–87	13·64

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to enable him to compel London boroughs to issue new travel passes to pensioners from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

No. Adequate safeguards exist in the London Regional Transport Act 1984, which provides a reserve free travel scheme to come into effect in any year that the London local authorities fail to reach agreement on a satisfactory uniform concessionary travel scheme for pensioners and disabled people. I am pleased to see that for the next two years the London local authorities have reached agreement on the continuance of the present voluntary arrangements. The associated reissue of passes to pensioners is an administrative matter for LRT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to respond to the application from Somerset county council for a 40 mph speed limit on the A358 Cross Keys to Pen Elm section.

An application has not yet been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original source of the information given by officials of his Department that the railway line through Morningside was maintained only to freight standard; when and how the error was discovered; and if he will make a statement.

When providing the draft of a reply to a letter in November 1987 an official misread the description of the status of the railway line through Morningside and thought that it was only maintained to freight standards. This does not imply a lower standard of maintenance but that certain signalling requirements, which are applicable to passenger railways, are not necessarily provided. The error was discovered last week when a newspaper reporter, who had been in touch with British Railways, challenged the statement in the letter. The Morningside line, although not at present regularly used by passenger trains, is nevertheless signalled and maintained to passenger standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to monitor the quality of railway track supporting trains carrying nuclear material; and if he will make it his policy to request British Rail to upgrade such track.

Once a railway is opened the railway operator has the responsibility of maintaining the track to a standard fit for the traffic it has to bear; there are no statutory powers available to require the operator to make any improvements. The measure of his performance in meeting this responsibility forms part of the analysis in the "Annual Report on the Safety of Railways in Great Britain", copies of which are in the Library. It is not intended to take special steps to monitor the quality of track for any particular traffic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor cyclists are killed or injured on Britain's roads; and what is the casualty rate for motor cycles and for cars.

The casualty rate for motor cycle users is 14 times that for car users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the effect of the Transport Act 1981 on the numbers of motorcyclists taking training and the on-road test; and if he will make a statement.

The Transport Act 1981 sought to encourage learner riders to take proper training by introducing a two-part test for motor cyclists, part 1 being a new off-road test of machine handling skills. The Act also imposed a two-year limit on provisional motorcycle licences with a two year's ban if both parts of the test had not been passed in the two years.The proportion of new riders taking training has risen from about 10 per cent. in 1980 to about 30 per cent. in 1986. It is estimated that up to 80,000 new riders each year take to the road without any formal instruction, supervision or training. The two-year provisional licence restriction has failed to increase the proportion of provisional licence holders who take and pass the test. The total passing the test each year has fallen by about 50 per cent. Of those who take the test 75 per cent. now pass compared with 55 per cent. before the 1981 Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his progress in securing the South African Government's grant of clemency in relation to the Sharpeville Six.

In February 1986, Her Majesty's ambassador expressed to the South African Government our concern at the death sentences and at allegations that some of the accused had been tortured. After their appeals had been dismissed last December, the members of the European Community made a collective appeal for clemency. We also supported a statement issued on behalf of the United Nations Security Council. We have since reiterated our concern direct to the South African Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he, or any of the Ministers in his Department, have any plans to seek to visit refugee camps or townships of the Republic of South Africa so as to ascertain the conditions prevailing there; and if he will make a statement.

No ministerial visits to South Africa are at present planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government support the final agreement reached at the Central America peace summit held over the weekend of 16 and 17 January in San Jose, Costa Rica, and if he will make a statement.

Yes. We and our European Community partners issued a statement on 26 January supporting the declaration signed by the Central American Presidents and urging them to fulfil all their outstanding obligations under the Guatemala peace agreement unconditionally and without delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, on his recent trip to Japan, he discussed with members of the Government or nuclear industry (a) the transport of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan, (b) the Japanese contract for the use of the British Nuclear Fuels Limited thermal oxide reprocessing plant for reprocessing light water reactor fuel at Sellafield, (c) the current operational and safety status of the Tokai Mura British-designed Magnox nuclear plant, (d) the safeguarding of Japanese plutonium returned to Japan from Sellafield or (e) other nuclear energy.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in regard to the current United States-Soviet discussions in Geneva on nuclear testing and verification of a nuclear test ban, what

Organisation	Percentage Catholic	Percentage Protestant	Date	Source
Shorts	10	87	November 1987	Fair Employment Agency
Fire Authority (full-time firemen only)	16	82	1980	Fair Employment Agency (1984)
Southern Area Health Board	47	49	1984	Fair Employment Agency Report (1986)
Ambulance Service	24	74	1983	Fair Employment Agency Report (1985)
Ford Motor Company	38	57	May 1987	Company Report (1987)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what regulatory restrictions apply to the importation of (a) new cars and (b) new vans and other commercial type vehicles from the Irish Republic into Northern Ireland.

The current round of United States/Soviet negotiations is aimed at agreeing verification methods to allow ratification of the threshold test ban and peaceful nuclear explosions treaties. The difficulty is that of verifying that a nuclear test has not exceeded the 150 kilotons threshold. The verification problems associated with a comprehensive test ban are even more intractable since their solution demands the detection and identification of nuclear tests of very low yield. The United Kingdom does not participate in the current negotiations which are concerned with two bilateral treaties to which the United Kingdom is not a party; nor will we take a decision on future participation until the prospects for a successful outcome are clearer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the attempts by the Energy Research and Technology Committee of the European Parliament to obtain from the European Commission documentation of safeguards facility attachments for Sellafield's reprocessing line, for EURATOM safeguards inspectors.

We are aware of the Committee's interest in obtaining from the Commission details of safeguards arrangements at Sellafield. I understand that the Committee is consulting the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs following the Commission's refusal to disclose details of these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of workers in Harland and Wolff, Shorts, the fire service, the health and social services and the ambulance service, and Mackies and Ford automobile, respectively, are (a) Catholic and (b) Protestant.

We do not have all the information requested. The religious composition of work forces is available only in respect of the organisations listed, and at the dates specified.

[holding answer 27 January 1988]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland makes regulations for the registration of imported vehicles and construction and use requirements for vehicles intended to be used on the roads in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations he has had with the European Commission regarding COCOM; and if he will make a statement.

I have not had any consultations with the European Commission regarding COCOM.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in the establishment of the self-regulating organisations to be established under the Financial Services Act.

The Securities and Investments Board has now recognised three self-regulating organisations under the Financial Services Act 1986. These are the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association (recognised on 14 December 1987), the Association of Futures Brokers and Dealers (recognised on 13 January 1988) and the Investment Management Regulatory Association (recognised on 27 January 1988). Two other self-regulating organisations, the Securities Association and the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation, have applied to the board for recognition. These applications are still being considered.

To ask the Minister for the Arts if he plans to visit any cultural establishments in Glasgow in the near future.

I have no plans to visit Glasgow in the near future but hope to have the opportunity to do so, in view of the city's preparations for its year as European City of Culture in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in renal units; and what the ratio is at Glasgow royal infirmary.

There is no nationally recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in renal units in Scotland. The ratio of nursing staff to patients receiving dialysis within the renal unit at Glasgow royal infirmary is 8·6:38. In addition, two nurses are employed to assist the 67 patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, who attend the unit as out-patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer in the Official Report, 19 January, column 665, if the Scottish Home and Health Department's letter, dated 11 December 1987 and issued over the signature of Hugh Morison to health board general managers, was intended to be a legally binding directive to health boards under the terms of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act (1978) section 2.

Under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 health boards are appointed by the Secretary of State to act on his behalf in administering the Health Service. They are therefore under an obigation to act in accordance with Government policy and to give effect to instructions issued by the Secretary of State. The letter of 11 December from the Scottish Home and Health Department sets out firm instructions by the Secretary of State on action boards are to take, and they are obliged to implement them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Nature Conservancy Council has now negotiated a management agreement with the owners of Gualin national nature reserve in Sutherland to protect it from damage caused by sporting activities; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 21 January 1988]: I understand that the Nature Conservancy Council concluded a nature reserve agreement in 1971 with the then owner of Gualin estate. The council has obtained a legal opinion on the terms of that agreement which states that there is a right of vehicular access for estate purposes including the exercise of fishing rights by the present owners. The council has been unable to negotiate any change to that agreement. I understand that the owners of the estate have applied for planning permission to construct an access route within the Gualin national nature reserve, and that the council has indicated that it is willing, subject to planning permission being granted, to consider financial assistance towards the cost of constructing the route as a means of reducing the prospect of damage to the special interest of the reserve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the total expenditure on capital projects in each of the four Thames health regions in each of the last three years for which figures are available; (2) if he will list the total annual expenditure of each of the four Thames health regions in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Following is the information requested:

Hospital and Community Health Services1Total Expenditure
£ thousand
	Revenue	Capital	Revenue and Capital
North West Thames
1984–85	701,170	55,369	756,539
1985–86	728,848	64,906	793,754
1986–87	777,781	66,543	844,324
North East Thames
1984–85	881,326	66,652	947,978
1985–86	914,188	65,932	980,120
1986–87	976,100	75,904	1,052,004

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants will be eligible for transitional payments under the income support scheme throughout the United Kingdom.

The information requested is not available for Northern Ireland. The estimated number of claimants in Great Britain who will receive a transitional addition is 1.4 million.

Neonatal, post neonatal and infant mortality by sex (numbers and rates)
England and Wales 1985 and 1986
	Neonatal deaths		Post neonatal deaths		Infant deaths
	Number	1Rate	Number	1Rate	Number	1Rate
1985
Male	2,005	6·0	1,505	4·5	3,510	10·4
Female	1,526	4·8	1,105	3·5	2,631	8·2
Total	3,531	5·4	2,610	4·0	6,141	9·4
1986
Male	2,031	6·0	1,693	5·0	3,724	11·0
Female	1,458	4·5	1,131	3·5	2,589	8·0
Total	3,489	5·3	2,824	4·3	6,313	9·6
1 Rate per 1,000 live births.

Neonatal deaths: deaths in the first 28 days of life (27 completed days).Postneonatal deaths: deaths at ages 28 days and over, but under one year.Infant deaths: deaths at ages under one year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the most commonly mentioned ground upon which abortion was performed after 18 weeks gestation in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;(2) what was the most frequently noted number of previous children had by women upon whom abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the total numbers of sudden infant deaths in 1985 and 1986 and the numbers which occurred at ages (a) under one month, (b) one month, (c) two months, (d) three months, (e) four months, (f) five months and (g) six to 11 months.

The information is given in the table.

Numbers of deaths under one year of age with any mention of cot death, sudden infant death syndrome or similar term on the death certificate, by age at death
England and Wales 1985 and 1986 (provisional)
Age at death	1985	1986
Total under one year	1,301	1,506
Under one month	64	85
One month but under two months	233	279
Two months but under three months	317	332
Three months but under four months	242	269
Four months but under five months	149	180
Five months but under six months	104	117
Six months but under one year	192	244

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of neonatal, post neonatal and infant deaths among male, female and all babies in England and Wales and the rate per 1,000 live births in 1985 and 1986.

The information is given in the table.(3) what was the most commonly noted age group of women upon whom abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;(4) what was the most commonly noted marital status of women upon whom abortions after 18 weeks were performed in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;(5) what was the most commonly noted category of premises in which abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks was performed in such premises.

The information is given in the table.

Notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 at gestation 18 completed weeks and over most common age group, marital status, number of previous children, category of premises and statutory grounds. Numbers and percentages. England and Wales, residents and non-residents. 1986
	Number	Percentage of total
Total at 18 completed weeks and over	8,276	100·0
Age group 20–24 years	2,742	33·1
Marital status: single	6,123	74·0
Number of previous live or stillborn children: 0	5,770	69·7
Category of premises: non-NHS	7,097	85·8
Statutory grounds: 2 (alone)1	7,270	87·8
1 Grounds 2: the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when Lady Wagner's review of residential care for the elderly was begun; and what factors are preventing its publication before January 1989.

When the appointment of Lady Wagner as chairman of the review of residential care was announced by the National Institute for Social Work in December 1985 it was stated that the review would cover residential care for people of all ages and was expected to be completed in two years. The timing of the publication of the report is a matter for the institute and Lady Wagner but we understand it is planned for the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the national report of his Department's Social Services Inspectorate on the application of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

We expect the report to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress on the establishment of national standards governing private residential and nursing homes and on the provision of a national inspectorate for such homes.

The Residential Care Homes Regulations 1984 and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984 set out the facilities and services to be provided in these homes. An independent working party convened by the Centre for Policy on Ageing produced in the same year a code of practice for residential care, "Home Life", which was endorsed by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services and for Wales. The following year the National Association of Health Authorities published a handbook for health authorities, "Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes". Any changes in the existing arrangements for registration and inspection would need to take account of what is said about homes in the reports expected shortly of Lady Wagner's review of residential care, Sir Roy Griffiths' overview of community care and the Social Services Inspectorate's report on the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to respond to the letter dated 25 September 1987 from the assistant general secretary of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs asking him to meet a delegation of hon. Members to discuss the situation of medical laboratory scientific officers employed in the National Health Service.

It would have been inappropriate for Ministers to meet ASTMS during the recent pay negotiations. I understand that pay increases for 1987–88 were settled on 16 November 1987 and the management side agreed to put forward proposals for a comprehensive grade restructuring for medical laboratory scientific officers as soon as possible. As these points were the major agenda items it was unclear, in the absence of further correspondence whether the union wished to pursue their request for a meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will list those who were present at the meeting attended by the Minister for Health at the Grand hotel, Eastbourne, on 20 January; and those who stayed at the Grand hotel at public expense for the night of either 19 or 20 January;(2) which Ministers in his Department attended a meeting at the Grand hotel, Eastbourne, on 20 January; on what date was the date and place of that meeting decided and by whom; and what was the total cost to public funds of that meeting.

The conference held in Eastbourne on 20 January was arranged last year by my officials and the Inter-Regional Secretariat so that Health Ministers could discuss a wide range of official business with the fourteen RHA chairmen and other NHS representatives. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Health, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security and I attended the meeting along with Sir Roy Griffiths in his capacity as deputy chairman of the NHS Management Board. Thirty-two of the 35 people attending the conference stayed overnight in Eastbourne on 19 January. The total cost of the conference is estimated to be about £4,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time taken in each of the last three years by his Department to process applications made under article 3 of the Medicines (Exemption from Licences) (Special and Transitional Cases) Order 1971 as extended by article 3 of the Medicines (Exemptions from Licences) (Manufacture and Assembly Temporary Provisions) Order 1972.

The average length of time taken to process applications under this order for the last three years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what food imports have been refused entry to the United Kingdom since 26 April 1986 due to levels of radioactivity above the permitted limit; what was their country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

Central records on the monitoring of food imports by port health authorities for radiation contamination following the Chernobyl nuclear accident show that consignments of dried prunes from Romania, and hazelnuts, laurel bay leaves, oregano and sage from Turkey have exceeded maximum permitted levels. All consignments concerned have been refused entry into the United Kingdom.Port health authorities are continuing to monitor food imports from countries outside the European Community in accordance with the latest European Council regulation (EEC No. 3955/87 of 22 December 1987).

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of deaths and injuries have been reported in each of the last 10 years from the effects of the use of trichloro ethylene in industry.

I have been ask to reply.The information available is shown in the table. The figures given up to and including 1985–86 are for incidents of gassings caused by trichloro ethylene in factory premises which have been notified to the Health and Safety Executive's Factory Inspectorate and medically confirmed by the Employment Medical Advisory Service. For 1986–87 the numbers are for all persons affected by accidental exposure to trichloro ethylene reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR).

Persons affected by exposure to trichloroethylene
Year	Number of cases	Of which fatal
1977	14	0
1978	10	0
1979	12	0
1980	7	1
1981	4	0
1982 and first quarter of 19831	4	0
1983–84	4	0
1984–85	1	0
1985–86	4	0
1986–87	28	0
1 From 1 April 1983 the statistics were kept by financial year rather than calendar year.
2 Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to eliminate the failure of Girocheques to reach claimants on a Saturday morning in North Tyneside, by moving the Thursday signing on to a Wednesday; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.I am naturally concerned about unemployed people not getting their benefit cheques in time for the weekend.However, there have been no reported incidents of widespread delay in the North Tyneside area over recent months. In the case of delays being reported, we would approach the Post Office for improvement in its service where necessary. It is not practical for operational reasons to move Thursday signers to the earlier day of Wednesday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much each district health authority in Nottinghamshire overspent in the last financial year; and what estimate he has of projected overspend in the current year.

[holding answer 18 December 1987]: The following information is derived from the 1986–87 annual accounts of the district health authorities concerned. This shows the extent to which these districts relied on their accumulated balances to fund their total expenditure:

Health authority	Total available funds (excluding balances)	Total expenditure	Net addition to/(use of) balances
Bassetlaw	15,662	15,582	80
Central Nottinghamshire	50,699	51,508	(809)
Nottingham	145,631	146,129	(498)

The Trent regional health authority is responsible for monitoring its districts' income and expenditure under/ overspending positions and the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of that authority who may be able to assist with the information required for the last financial year and the current year.The Department does not routinely collect over/ underspending information for individual district health authorities. Regular formal monitoring of the income and expenditure position of authorities is, however, to be introduced.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing, as a percentage, the top marginal rates of tax on personal income, including as appropriate income tax, special contributions, supertax, surtax, surtax surcharge and investment income surcharge, levied since 1957–58 on individuals in the United Kingdom, showing the level of gross income, at both current and 1987 constant prices, assuming the income to be that of a married man with two children, at which the top marginal rate of tax is first applied and also showing the dates of changes in the top marginal rates.

The information is given in the table:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since 1 October 1987 regarding queues of lorries at Dover eastern docks; whether such representations referred to manpower shortages in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; what proposals he has to remedy the queuing; and if he would make a statement.

No such representations have been received since 1 October 1987. Queues can build up from time to time due to peaking of traffic. The peaking can become acute in the late evening and early hours of the morning as many vehicles load during the day and use the night hours for the Channel crossing.Significant changes in import and export documentation were introduced throughout the European Community on 1 January 1988. Problems experienced at Dover in early January due to errors or incorrect documentation are steadily being overcome.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1987, OfficialReport, column 847, he will publish estimates available to him on the value for money to be achieved from the Government data network.

No. Value for money information will be available only after tenders are received and compared to the costs of alternatives. Tender details will be commercially confidential and will not be disclosed publicly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the administrative costs of running the premium bond system in each of the last five years.

The administrative costs of running the premium bond system were as follows:

Year to 31 March	£ million
1983	26·0
1984	23·7
1985	21·9
1986	21·0
1987	20·2

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many valid premium bonds there have been in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

The number of valid premium bonds—including those held by people abroad, which are not recorded separately—was as follows:

At 31 March	Million
1983	1,586
1984	1,674
1985	1,768
1986	1,833
1987	1,916

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much prize money for premium bonds was not claimed in each of the last five years.

The prize money not claimed as at November 1987 for prize draws was as follows:

Prize draws in year to 31 March	£
1983	511,000
1984	618,000
1985	808,000
1986	1,124,000
1987	1,637,000

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was paid out in prize money for premium bonds in each of the last five years.