To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the planned recurrent grant to be allocated to (a) the universities, (b) the polytechnics and (c) other colleges of further and higher education in each year from 1988–89 to 1991–92, expressing the figures in cash terms and real terms, indexed so that 1988–89 = 100 and assuming constant annual inflation of (i) 5 per cent., (ii) 6 per cent. and (iii) 7 per cent., respectively.

Recurrent grant to universities in Great Britain and for higher education funded by the Polytechnic and Colleges Funding Council in England is as follows for the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90:

	UFC £ million	PCFC £ million
1988–89 (outturn)	1,586	n/a
1989–90 (estimate)	1,713	1,035

The plans for 1990–91 and 1991–92, which were set out in Chapter 12 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to 1991–92" (Cm. 612), are under review in the current public expenditure survey. The Government's assumptions about inflation in future years were set out in Chapter 21 "Supplementary Analysis and Index" (Cm. 621).It is not possible to estimate the amount of grant aid paid in support of Colleges of further and higher education maintained by local education authorities. Some of their higher education provision will now be funded by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council. Other further and higher education is supported from local resources and through the block grant received from central Government. That block grant is not hypothecated to individual services and its application is a matter for decision by individual local authorities. The same consideration applies to the expenditure in 1988–89 of those polytechnics and colleges formerly funded by LEAs and now funded by the PCFC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurogroup working groups are currently in existence within NATO; and which subjects they are considering.

There are five sub-groups within Eurogroup dealing with co-operation in the fields of operational concepts, logistics, communications, military medicine, and training. The USA and Canada also participate in the training sub-group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each of the past 10 years on infrastructure for military forces from NATO common funds; and what proportion was spent in the United Kingdom.

The details are as follows:

Calendar year	Expenditure from NATO common funds £ millions at 1988 prices	Proportion spent in common United Kingdom Per cent.
1979	347	9·8
1980	374	12·57
1981	391	21·99
1982	538	15·47
1983	626	23·95
1984	515	15·82
1985	533	17·17
1986	718	10·10
1987	809	13·98
1988	746	14·77

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the revenue cost in a full year of the garrison in Gibraltar.

The estimated cost of maintaining a garrison in Gibraltar in 1989–90 is £82 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when were the most recent discussions between European members of NATO and the United States executive branch of Government over expressed United States concern about the proportionate burden of NATO expenditure borne by the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

NATO's Defence Planning Committee published a report last December on "Enhancing Alliance Collective Security—Shared Roles, Risks and Responsibilities in the Alliance". There was further consideration of burden-sharing at the June meeting of the Defence Planning Committee. Discussions within the Alliance are continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are employed at each of the sovereign bases in Cyprus.

Some 837 Greek Cypriots are currently employed at the eastern sovereign base area (Dhekelia), and some 1993 at the western sovereign base area (Akrotiri); 322 Turkish Cypriots are employed at Dhekelia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what charges were directed to the office of the Minister for the Civil Service in respect of providing transport for the Prime Minister in the financial year 1988–89.

The Ministry of Defence charges the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service for the use of defence facilities at rates which are calculated in accordance with the rules laid down by the Treasury. These rates are designed to ensure that no residual costs are carried on defence votes. During 1988–89, bills to the value of £519,000 were raised on OMCS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the final cost charged to the Department of Transport in respect of service assistance in providing emergency parking facilities during the recent transport strike.

The bill has not yet been presented to the Department of Transport. I will write to the hon. Member when the final costs have been assessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost and the services provided by his Department for security at the 1989 (a) Labour party conference and (b) Conservative party conference.

In response to requests from the chief constables of the Lancashire and Sussex constabularies, small numbers of military personnel were employed to assist the police in searching the respective conference areas for explosive devices and in potential bomb disposal tasks. No other service assistance was provided at either party conference. In line with normal arrangements, no charges were raised against the respective constabularies. The related costs fell to MOD votes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what precautions has he taken to control the spread of avian flu among hens in the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland; if he is in consultation with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: The Republic of Ireland authorities have taken precautions necessary to deal with the risk of spread from the two outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry in Co. Monaghan.Poultry and their products may not be moved from the restricted area in the Republic of Ireland without a licence. They are not eligible for export to Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland has imposed movement restrictions in the Northern Ireland territory which falls within 10 km of the outbreaks in the Republic of Ireland. The necessary amendments have been made to Northern Ireland specific import licences for live poultry and hatching eggs to prevent the introduction of disease.The Department of Agriculture, Dublin, has kept us fully informed of the nature and virulence of the outbreaks and the eradication measures taken.Northern Ireland veterinary and animal health officials have remained in close contact.The situation is being kept under continuous review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Director of the Scottish Consumer Council; and if he discussed the problem of alcohol abuse by youngsters under the age of 18.

I last met the director of the Scottish Consumer Council when I attended a meeting of the council on 19 May. This topic was not among those that were discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has or is seeking regarding the involvement of Ferranti subsidiary ISC, or its shell companies, Darlow, Tool Techniques and Varitech in the selling of arms to South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

It is not our practice to comment on specific arms sales; however, Her Majesty's Government do abide by UN resolution 418 which prohibits the sale of arms to South Africa. Export licence applications under the Export of Goods (Control) Order for such exports would be refused.

To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has yet received the report he commissioned from Mr. Richard Wilding about the role of the Arts Council and Regional Arts Association.

I have now received the report which I commissioned from Mr. Richard Wilding in December last year about the structure of support for the arts in England.Mr. Wilding's report is the first major review of the structure and organisation of arts support for many years.I commissioned the report at a time of major growth and development in the arts and a change in the nature of arts funding by central Government, the private sector and local authorities. I felt it was important that the structure for distributing these funds was still achieving its primary objectives: to create an environment in which the arts in England could flower; and to sustain the confidence of the arts world and the public in the system of distribution of taxpayers' money to the arts.The report was to examine areas of possible concern: accountability for the public money spent by regional arts associations; lack of coherence between national funding bodies and the RAAs; cumbersome structures for handling business; and the cost of administering the whole system.Mr. Wilding has now prepared his report, following extensive consultations with the Arts Council, the regional arts associations and other bodies and individuals with an interest in the subsidised arts sector.I am keen to ensure that everyone who has an interest in the administration of the arts has the opportunity to comment on the proposals which have resulted from this process. That is why I have arranged for publication of the report, copies of which are available on request from my office. I have also arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.Mr. Wilding has produced a detailed and carefully researched analysis of the current framework for policy making, administration and funding of arts in England. He had identified a number of areas where he thinks there are weaknesses and has proposed specific changes for improvement.In so doing he has produced a very challenging document which unquestionably provides an invaluable foundation for debate in the arts world. I want that debate to be thorough but I also want to avoid prolonged uncertainty. In view of this, and the extensiveness of Mr. Wilding's own consultations, I propose a limited consultation period and would welcome comments on his recommendations, in writing, before 31 December. I shall want to take these comments fully into account before reaching decisions about Mr. Wilding's recommendations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any further proposals to assist in financing the Eurotunnel have been made to the European investment bank since 15 May 1987; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions between the EIB and its clients are commercially confidential and private.

	Financial mecu	Perspective £ million	Draft mecu	Budget £ million
Commitment appropriation
1. FEOGA guarantee	30,700	19,567	26,522	16,904
2. Structural Funds	11,555	7,365	11,527	7,347
3. R & D and Integrated Mediterranean programs	2,071	1,320	1,957	1,248
4. Other policies	2,729	1,739	2,500	1,593
5. Reimbursements and administration	4,930	3,142	4,688	2,988
6. Monetary reserve	1,000	637	1,000	637
Total	52,985	33,770	48,194	30,717
Total Payment appropriations1	50,791	32,372	46,139	29,407
1 There is only a global ceiling for payments.

Provision for agricultural guarantee expenditure is about 4,000 mecu (£2,549 million) below the financial guideline calculated in accordance with the Budget Discipline Decision of June 1988. The draft budget also includes provision of 1,470 mecu (£940 million) for the cost of depreciating existing agricultural stocks; and of 1,000 mecu (£637 million) for a monetary reserve which can be drawn up only to cover part of any additional agricultural expenditure arising from change in the $/ecu exchange rate.Non-obligatory expenditure (DNO) in the draft budget totals 16·3 becu (£10·4 billion) in commitments and 14·2 becu (£9·1 billion) in payments. In accordance with the conclusions of the 1988 February European Council, the Budget Council distinguished between so-called "privileged" and "non-privileged" expenditure. In the first category, the draft budget provides for the substantial

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 6 November 1987, Official Report, column 899, if the syndicate of banks formed to co-ordinate the financing of Eurotunnel have now agreed to give a guarantee to the European investment bank in respect of the £1,000,000,000 loan given by the Euro bank to the Eurotunnel; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, sir.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent meeting of the European Community's budget council.

The Budget Council met in Brussels on 28 July. The Paymaster General represented the United Kingdom.The Council established a first reading draft budget for 1990 totalling 48·19 becu (£30·7 billion) in commitment appropriations and 46·14 becu (£29·4 billion) in payment appropriations, respectively 708·3 mecu (£451·4 million) and 653·3 mecu (£416·4 million) below the figures proposed by the Commission in the preliminary draft budget (PDB).The 1990 budget is the second to be subject to the arrangements for budgetary discipline arising from the 1988 European Council and the inter-institutional agreement between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament which incorporates expenditure ceilings for 1988–92. The following table shows that the first reading draft budget is some way within those ceilings:increase in appropriations for the structural funds agreed at the February 1988 Council and for research and development appropriations at a level consistent with the framework programme adopted in September 1987. As regards non-privileged DNO, the Budget Council reduced the proposed provision in the PDB by an amount sufficient to ensure that, for this category of expenditure, the growth of both payments and commitments was contained within half the maximum rate of 6·1 per cent. communicated by the Commission.On 9 October, the ECOFIN Council established an amending letter to the PDB providing for economic restructuring aid to Poland and Hungary totalling 200 mecu. This expenditure is in excess of the relevant ceiling in the financial perspective (line 4 in the table) and, as a temporary device pending the necessary revision of the perspective, the Council agreed to a corresponding negative reserve.The European Parliament will consider the draft budget at its plenary session in the week beginning 24 October. The Parliament's amendments and modifications will be considered by the Budget Council on 14 November.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning applications for value added tax rebates for expenditure not eligible for grants made available to farmers practising low-impact conservation husbandry; and if he will consider varying such eligibility.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the standing arrangements made by her Majesty's Government for the employment of, or making contracts with, advertising agencies; and what advice, instructions and directions have been given to (a) regional water authorities and (b) the Central Electricity Generating Board in respect of similar activities.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: At all times the Government aim to obtain best value for money when selecting advisers and contractors. Contracts with advertising agencies for Government advertising campaigns are handled and placed by the Central Office of Information, which is advised by the Advisory Committee on Advertising. The advertising arrangements of the water authorities and the CEGB are matters for the industries themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of football hooliganism investigated for each year since 1979 involved direct or indirect organised and planned activities by racist or neo-Nazi groups;(2) how many police forces in England, Scotland and Wales are at present investigating the racial and neo-Nazi connotations of football hooliganism; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metropolitan police officers have been suspended from duty pending investigation of alleged misconduct to date in 1989.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 64 officers from that force have been suspended from duty so far this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis as to for what purpose the Metropolitan police helicopter was deployed in Forest Gate at around 7.30 pm on 2 August; and on how many occasions in the last 12 months helicopters have been used by the police in Newham;(2) if he will provide a breakdown by

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that at approximately 7.30 pm on 2 August the helicopter was deployed on two occasions. The first was to locate suspects in the grounds of the Gateway store and the second was to assist police who were in pursuit of a suspect car.Between 1 October 1988 and 30 September 1989, the helicopter was used on 4,277 occasions. Information about its use by police in individual London boroughs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what form information is kept in his Department regarding experiments on animals carried out by contractors working on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

The Home Office collects information about all licensees and their work, but not about funding bodies which may be supporting this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has regarding the overall force traffic strategy prepared by the Metropolitan police.

I understand that the Metropolitan police have for some time now, been working towards the formulation of a new strategic approach to traffic. I understand that this work is nearing completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total costs to public funds arising out of security measures provided by the various police forces at the 1989 (a) Labour party conference, (b) Conservative party conference, (c) SLD conference, (d) SDP conference and (e) Green party conference.

I understand from the chief officers of the forces concerned that the additional cost of policing the 1989 party conferences were estimated as follows:

Conference	Force	Additional cost £
Labour	Sussex	4,000
Conservative	Lancashire	1,080,000
Social and Liberal Democrats	Sussex	600
Social Democratic Party	North Yorkshire	None
Green Party	West Midlands	None

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ethnic groups have contacted him about levels of violence on television.

We receive a number of letters about violence portrayed on television, but have not received any specifically from ethnic groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met representatives of independent television companies in Scotland; and what subjects were discussed.

I visited the Scottish independent television companies on 27 and 28 February, when a wide range of broadcasting issues was discussed. I have also met their representatives on other occasions during discussions on the future of broadcasting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to how many of those arrested at football grounds during the 1987–88 season were subsequently (a) tried and (b) convicted.

Information about the outcome of the 6,106 arrests made at Football League matches during the 1987–88 season is not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to how many officers were serving with the serious crimes squad at the time it was disbanded.

I understand from the chief constable that there were 29 officers serving with the squad at the time that it was disbanded in August 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the current cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison.

The average cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison in 1988–89 (the most recent year for which information is available) was:

	£
Albany	586
Frankland	533
Full Sutton	742

	£
Gartree	555
Long Lartin	505
Parkhurst	829
Wakefield	365

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in police manpower since 1979.

At the end of July this year, police manpower stood at a record level of 169,022, made up of 125,808 police officers and 43,214 civilian staff. These figures represent a gain of 14,315 police officers and 8,584 civilians under this government since May 1979.My right hon. Friend will be able to approve a further 1,100 police posts for 1990–91 so that police numbers will continue to grow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many replies he has received to his request for opinions from the public on the introduction of random breath testing; and how many responses were in favour of this proposal.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 8 May 1989 at column 284.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last discussed the issue of plutonium-contaminated waste with the chairman of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the chairman of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. RWMAC advises my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales, with whom policy responsibility for radioactive waste management matters lies.

ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is for each year since 1979 the amount of public funds spent on research on energy produced by (a) off-shore wind turbines, (b) wave and tidal power, (c) solar technology and (d) other kinds of alternatives to coal, oil and nuclear energy.

The table sets out expenditure on renewable sources of energy supported by public funds since 1979. Information on expenditure on offshore wind R and D is included in the totals for wind R and D. Total expenditure on offshore wind since 1979 is £1·07 million (Department of Energy and CEGB).

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to implement the Central Electricity Generating Board scientific report on energy produced by wind turbines based off-shore.

I am not aware of the report to which the hon. Member refers. My Department is continuing to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of offshore wind energy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what research his Department is carrying out or sponsoring in order to improve energy saving techniques.

Research under the "energy efficiency best practice" programme is directed to four interrelated elements: compilation of "energy consumption guides" giving data on energy use so consumers can compare their performance with others in their sector; provision of "good practice guides" promoting proven techniques which are already enabling the better energy users to be more efficient; production of "new practice" case studies on first commercial applications of new energy efficiency techniques, to promote wider implementation; support for "future practice" pre-competitive research and development work on a joint venture basis.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will state for the period since 29 July (a) the countries she visited officially, (b) how many civil servants accompanied her, (c) the total cost involved, (d) the method of travel and (e) the number of journalists who used official transportation.

I have been asked to reply.Since 29 July, the Prime Minister has visited Japan and Moscow. She was accompanied by 12 civil servants, plus a further two for the Moscow leg. Transport was provided

To ask the Prime Minister what action has been taken by her Department to recover outstanding moneys from media organisations arising from their representatives accompanying her on overseas visits.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is satisfied that the arrangements used by her office for expediting the payment of overdue invoices are effective.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost in 1988–89 of the Prime Minister's policy unit.

I have been asked to reply.The cost in 1988–89 of the Prime Minister's policy unit was £351,832.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of (a) decoration and (b) furnishings in No. 10 Downing street during 1988–89; and what are the estimated totals for 1989–90.

I have been asked to reply.The total cost in 1988–89 for decorations and furnishings for 10 Downing street was £391,125. The estimated cost of similar works over 1989–90 is £606,313.The current works relate to the rooms used for state and public occasions; and reflect the costs necessary to refurbish part of one of the country's historic buildings, which had not been refurbished for nearly 20 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the arrangements for financing Eurotunnel insofar as they fall within his responsibility.

Responsibility for Channel tunnel financing arrangements is entirely a matter for Eurotunnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on measures to ensure security in the Eurotunnel, and arrangements to identify explosives in any vehicle.

The Government take very seriously the need to protect the tunnel and those who will use it. A security check regime will be required. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the details of the security arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he anticipates that Eurotunnel will be open to traffic.

I understand that Eurotunnel's projected opening date is 15 June 1993.

Trading vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and the Dependent Territories: 1979–89
Registry															Thousand tons
	United Kingdom			Crown Dependencies			Dependent Territories (excluding Hong Kong)			Hong Kong			Total Trading Fleet
Year	No..	Grt	Dwt	No..	Grt	Dwt	No..	Grt	Dwt	No..	Grt	Dwt	No..	Grt	Dwt
1979	1,756	26,905	44,296	0	0	0	236	1,902	3,210	87	1,443	2,231	2,079	30,250	49,737
1980	1,698	26,070	43,013	0	0	0	266	1,917	3,237	98	1,691	2,643	2,062	29,678	48,893
1981	1,552	24,417	40,473	0	0	0	250	757	1,154	132	2,553	4,060	1,934	27,728	45,688
1982	1,374	21,388	35,085	48	59	69	256	741	1,159	158	3,469	5,670	1,836	25,658	41,984
1983	1,217	18,103	29,000	43	45	47	308	1,345	2,145	183	4,348	7,237	1,751	23,841	38,429
1984	1,096	14,773	23,157	55	87	120	312	1,366	2,247	224	5,748	9,573	1,687	21,975	35,097
1985	1,019	13,236	20,805	55	103	138	337	1,905	3,022	265	6,813	11,314	1,676	22,057	35,230
1986	902	10,285	15,593	59	287	442	413	4,135	6,834	285	8,120	13,642	1,659	22,827	36,511
1987	734	5,578	7,371	112	1,913	3,468	377	5,358	9,406	281	7,974	13,446	1,504	20,822	33,692
1988	685	5,091	6,452	116	2,120	3,806	351	7,142	13,242	260	7,266	12,327	1,412	21,619	35,826
1989	573	4,328	5,351	115	2,084	3,749	280	7,053	13,227	286	6,189	10,470	1,254	19,655	32,797

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the Government's contribution to the disaster fund set up by the mayor of Southwark for the victims of the Marchioness disaster and their families.

Following the Marchioness disaster, the Government made a contribution of £125,000 to the river boat disaster fund. Neither the fund nor the Government's contribution to it will affect any possible claims for compensation.Parliamentary approval for this payment will be sought in a supplementary supply estimate for the administration and transport services vote. Pending that approval, the £125,000 donation has been met from a repayable advance

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to improve the present controls system which the Association of European Airlines report found to be fragmented, costly and inefficient.

Over the last year, the United Kingdom has successfully promoted a series of practical initiatives to improve co-operation and coordination between air traffic control authorities in Europe. The European Civil Aviation Conference recently established a task force to examine the scope for further integration of air traffic control systems. The task force's recommendation will be considered by European Transport Ministers early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is for each year since 1979 (a) the tonnage capacity of the British merchant fleet and (b) the number of the British merchant ships.

The number and tonnage of trading vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Crown dependencies and dependent territories at 1 July in each year since 1979 is as follow:from the Contingencies Fund. As savings have occurred in class VIII, 2, there will be no increase in the public expenditure planning total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many former registered dock workers have been made redundant since the abolition of the dock labour scheme; how much the Government have contributed towards the redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement.

As at 13 October, 3,938 former registered dock workers had been made redundant out of 9,221 on the register when the Scheme was abolished on 3 July. In accordance with the provision of the Dock Work (Compensation Payments Scheme) Regulations 1989, the Department has contributed £78,760,050 towards the redundancy compensation payments. It is estimated that further payments will bring the total in 1989–90 to about £90 million.Provision of £10 million was made in the summer supplementary estimate on class VIII, vote 3, and I shall be seeking parliamentary approval of a winter supplementary estimate on that Vote of a further £80 million for the compensation scheme.The number of redundancies is far higher than had been expected, but clearly demonstrates that the overmanning in ports under the dock labour scheme was greater than had been realised. A major improvement in the efficiency of working methods in the ports is now taking place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether discussions on the terms on which Sir Keith Bright departed from London Regional Transport have now been concluded.

Yes. After due consideration of a claim made by Sir Keith Bright, I have determined that London Regional Transport shall pay to him the sum of £34,000 in settlement of the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the users of the tunnel lids over the M25 at Bell Common, Epping and Holmesdale, Enfield and the A1(M) at Hatfield pay for the maintenance of the tunnel services in the form of a rent or lump sum up front.

The Department of Transport bears the whole cost of maintaining and servicing all three tunnels. There are no commercial uses of the M25 tunnel lids.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has for each year since 1979 on the amount of organic food produced in (a) Canada, (b) Denmark, (c) France, (d) the Federal Republic of Germany, (e) Holland, (f) Sweden and (g) the United States of America.

This information is not available.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the amount of (a) private and (b) public funds spent on research about organic farming for each year since 1979.

Information on the amount of public funds spent on research about organic farming for this year was given in the reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 18 May at col. 300. Information for earlier years can be produced only at disproportionate cost. Information on the amount of private funds spent on organic farming is not available.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to support and promote organic farming.

The Government are already encouraging British farmers in various ways to respond to consumer demand for organic produce. My Department was instrumental in setting up the United Kingdom register of organic food standards to produce national organic standards and an independent certification and inspection scheme. UKROFS is now well advanced in its work. The fallow option of the set-aside scheme enables farmers to prepare their land for organic production without forgoing income entirely. Similar support is being considered under the forthcoming extensification scheme. The farm and conservation grant scheme, co-operative sector assistance and ADAS advice are all available to organic producers. My department's R & D activities are also relevant to organic farming as is the recently announced comprehensive economic survey of organic farming which we are funding.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those grants now available to farmers practising low-input conservation husbandry.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: The full range of Government grants is available to those farmers pursuing less intensive husbandry systems with an emphasis on good conservation practice. Some are likely to match their more specific needs. For example, farmers who wish to convert to organic farming can take advantage of the fallow provisions of the set-aside scheme which enable them to prepare their land to meet organic standards without foregoing income entirely. Under the agricultural and horticultural co-operation schemes grant aid may be available towards formation and marketing costs of co-operatives formed to market organic produce or other foods produced under low input systems. Capital grants may also be available to established co-operatives towards the cost of buildings and equipment. In addition, incentives to protect and improve the environment exist under schemes such as the farm and conservation grant scheme, the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and the farm woodland scheme. Further assistance to less intensive farming under the options of the extensification scheme is under consideration.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Holland with Boston (Sir R. Body) of 27 July, Official Report, column 961, if he will make a statement on his detailed consultation with the United Kingdom Register of Organic Foodstuffs Board on synthetic chemicals.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: The reply of 27 July at column 961 referred to detailed consultations with the board of the United Kingdom register of organic food standards and other bodies representing the producers, processors, manufacturers and consumers of organic foods when the European Commission's proposals on organic agriculture are submitted to the Council of Agriculture Ministers. These proposals have not yet been submitted by the Commission.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list those Select Committee reports which have been debated on the floor of the House in each Session since 1966.

The information requested is as follows:

Select Committee reports debated in the House since 1966
1. Reports debated on substantive Motions1
	Date
Session 1965–66
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First Report (1965–66)	3 February 1966
Session 1966–67
Procedure Committee:
Fourth Report (1964–65), Report (1965–66) and First Report (1966–67)	14 December 1966
Estimates Committee:
First Report and Fifth Special Report (1966–67)	9 February 1967
Procedure Committee:
First, Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1966–67)	19 April 1967
Estimates Committee:
Fourth Report and Ninth Special Report (1966–67)	4 May 1967
Session 1967–68
Public Accounts Committee:
Fifth Report and First and Second Report (1966–67)	13 November 1967
Procedure Committee:
First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Reports (1966–67)	14 November 1967
Estimates Committee:
Ninth Report (1966–67) and Second Special Report (1967–68)	6 February 1967
Public Accounts Committee:
Third Special Report (1967–68)	25 April 1967
Agriculture Committee:
Report (1966–67)	14 May 1967
Science and Technology Committee: Report (1966–67)	23 May 1967
Session 1968–69
Estimates Committee:
Eleventh Report (1966–67) and Fifth Special Report (1967–68)	14 November 1968
Public Accounts Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1967–68)	5 December 1968
Estimates Committee:
Sixth Report (1967–68)	12 June 1969
Committee on Parliamentary Privilege:
Report (1967–68)2	4 July 1969
Session 1969–70
Public Accounts Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1968–69)	20 November 1969
Estimates Committee:
Eighth Report (1967–68)	5 February 1970
Session 1970–71
Public Accounts Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1969–70)	10 November 1970
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First Report (1970–71)	23 November 1970
Estimates Committee:
Fifth Report (1968–69)	7 December 1970

	Date
Scottish Affairs Committee:
Report (1969)	3 February 1971
Committee on Standing Orders (Revision):
Report (1970–71)	8 March 1971
Procedure Committee:
Second Report (1969–70)3	7 April 1971
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fifth Report (1970–71)	7 April 1971
Science and Technology Committee:
Second Report (1969–70)	27 May 1971
Committee on Parliamentary Privilege:
Report (1967–68)	16 July 1971
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Sixth Report (1970–71)4	30 July 1971
Session 1971–72
Expenditure Committee:
First Report (1970–71), Special Report (1971–72) and First Report (1971–72)	9 February 1972
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fourth Report	9 and 13 June 1972
Procedure Committee:
Fourth Report (1971–72)	28 June 1972
Expenditure Committee:
Second Report and Fifth Special Report (1971–72)	7 August 1972
Session 1972–73
Public Accounts Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1971–72)	7 December 1972
Committee on Parliamentary Questions:
Report (1972–73)	18 December 1972
Procedure Committee:
Second and Third Reports (1972–73)	18 December 1972
Joint Committee on Delegated Legislation:
Report (1972–73)	18 December 1972
Science and Technology Committee:
First, Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1972–73)	22 January 1973
European Secondary Legislation Committee:
First Report (1972–73)	18 April 1973
Nationalised Industries Committee:
Second Report (1971–72)	3 May 1973
Expenditure Committee:
First and Second Reports (1972–73)	9 July 1973
Session 1973–74
Procedure Committee:
Fifth Report (1972–73)	20 November 1973
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Eighth Reports (1972–73)	3 December 1973
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Sixth Report (1972–73)	10 December 1973
Expenditure Committee:
Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Reports (1972–73), Second Special Report (1970–71), Sixth Special Report (1971–72) and Second and Fourth Special Reports (1972–73)	15 January 1974
Session 1974
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1974)	27 June 1974
Session 1974–75
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Fourth Reports (1974)	13 January 1975
Expenditure Committee:
First Report (1974)	1 May 1975
Expenditure Committee:
Third Report (1973–74), Third Report (1974) and Seventh Report (1974)	10 July 1975
Procedure Committee:
First Report (1974–75)	3 November 1975
Session 1975–76
Committee of Privileges:
First Report (1975–76)	16 December 1975

	Date
public Accounts Committee:
First to Fifth Reports (1974–75)	22 January 1975
House of Commons (Services) Committee:	8 March and 16
First Report (1975–76)	March 1976
Expenditure Committee:
Eleventh Report (1974–75)	13 April 1976
Joint Committee on Sound Broadcasting:
First Report (1975–76)	3 August 1976
Session 1976–77
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Sixth Reports (1975–76)	9 December 1976
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Sixth Report (1975–76) and First Report (1976–77)	18 January 1977
Expenditure Committee:
Fifth Report (1974–75) and Eighth Report (1975–76)	14 March 1977
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First Report (1976–77) (resumed debate)	15 March 1977
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fourth Report (1976–77)	5 May 1977
Overseas Development Committee:
Second Report (1975–76), First Special Report (1976–77), Second Report (1976–77) and Second Special Report (1976–77)	13 June 1977
Committee on the Conduct of Members:
Report (1976–77)	26 July 1977
Joint Committee on Sound Broadcasting:
Second Report (1976–77)	26 July 1977
Session 1977–78
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Tenth Reports (1976–77)	9 January 1978
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fourth and Fifth Reports (1976–77)	26 January 1978
Committee of Privileges:
Third Report (1976–77)	6 February 1978
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Seventh Report (1976–77)	21 February 1978
Nationalised Industries Committee:
First, Second and Fifth Reports (1977–78)	9 March 1978
Expenditure Committee:
First Report (1976–77)	12 June 1978
Committee on Violence in Marriage:
Report (1974–75)	16 June 1978
Committee on Violence in the Family:
First Report (1975–76), First and Second Report (1976–77)	16 June 1978
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fourth Report (1977–78)	29 June 1978
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Fifth Report (1977–78)	28 July 1978
Session 1978–79
Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration:
First and Fourth Reports (1977–78)	1 December 1978
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Tenth Reports and First and Second Special Reports (1977–78)	4 December 1978
Expenditure Committee:
Eleventh Report (1976–77) and Twelfth Report (1977–78)	15 January 1979
Session 1979–80
Procedure Committee:
First Report (1977–78)	31 October 1979
Home Affairs Committee:
Second Report (1979–80)	5 June 1980
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Seventh and Tenth Reports (1979–80)	1 May 1980
Procedure Committee Report (1977–78) and (1976–77)	30 October 1980
Session 1980–81

	Date
Social Services Committee:
Second Report (1979–80)	5 December 1980
Public Accounts Committee:
Fifth to Thirty-fifth Reports (1979–80)	29 January 1981
Procedure Committee Report (1977–78)	31 January 1981
Session 1981–82
Education, Science and Arts Committee (1980–81)	22 February 1982
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Seventeenth Reports (1980–81)	19 April 1982
Committee on Members' Salaries (1981–82)	10 June 1982
Session 1982–83
Committee on Standing Orders (Revision) Report (1982–83)	30 March 1983
Session 1983–84
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Report (1982–83)	22 November 1983
Public Accounts Committee:
First Special and First to Eleventh Reports (1982–83)	20 March 1984
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Ninth Reports (1983–84)	20 March 1984
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	2 May 1984
Procedure Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	31 October 1984
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Second Report (1983–84)	31 October 1984
Session 1984–85
Public Accounts Committee:
Twenty-Fifth Report (1983–84)	1 May 1985
Public Accounts Committee:
Tenth to Twenty-Fourth Reports and Twenty-Sixth to Thirty-Fifth Reports (1983–84), and First to Twenty-Fifth Reports (1984–85)	24 October 1985
Session 1985–86
Committee on Members' Interests:
Second Report (1984–85)	17 December 1985
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Second Report (1984–85)	29 January 1986
Procedure Committee:
Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1984–85) and First Report (1985–86)	27 February 1986
European Legislation Committee:
First Special Report (1985–86)	5 March 1986
Environment Committee:
Second Report (1985–86)	13 May 1986
Privileges Committee:
Report (1985–86)	20 May 1986
Public Accounts Committee:
Twenty-Sixth to Thirty-Eighth Reports (1984–85) and First to Fourteenth and Sixteenth to Eighth Reports (1985–86)	3 July 1986
Trade and Industry Committee:
Second Report and Fifth Special Report (1985–86)	7 July 1986
Session 1986–87
Nil
Session 1987–88
Public Accounts Committee:
Fifteenth and Nineteenth to Fifty-Second Reports (1985–86), and First to Nineteenth Reports (1986–87)	3 December 1987
Public Accounts Committee:
First to Thirty-Sixth Reports, Forty-First Report and First Special Report (1987–88)	3 November 1988
Session 1988–89 (to 17 October 1989)

	Date
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Second Report (1987–88)	30 January 1989
Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House:
First Report (1988–89)	12 June 1989
1 Includes Reports debated on Supply Days, but not Reports debated on motions for the Adjournment (for which see table II).
2 See also 16 July 1971.
3 Named in a Motion but not debated.
4 Named in a Motion but not debated.

II. Reports referred to on the Order Paper as being relevant to debate in the House, including, inter alia, debates on motions for the Adjournment of the House and on Estimates Days.
	Date
Session 1979–80
Defence Committee:
Second Report (1979–80)	28 and 29 April 1980
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Second Report (1979–80)	7 May 1980
Session 1980–81
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fifth Report (1980–81)	9 April 1981
Defence Committee:
Second Report (1980–81)	19 and 20 May 1981
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Fifth Report (1980–81)	24 July 1981
Session 1981–82
Foreign Affairs Committee:
First and Second Report (1980–81)	17 February 1982
Foreign Affairs Committee:
First Report (1981–82)	17 February 1982
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1981–82)	6 April 1982
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fifth Report (1981–82)	21 April 1982
Social Services Committee:
Fourth Report (1980–81)	18 June 1982
Session 1982–83
Agriculture Committee:
First Report (1980–81)	17 November 1982
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1982–83)	9 March 1983
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Second Report (1982–83)	14 March 1983
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fifth Report (1982–83)	14 April 1983
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1982–83)	18 April 1983
Session 1983–84
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1981–82)	28 October 1983
Social Services Committee:
Third Report (1981–82)	25 November 1983
Employment Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	27 February 1984
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	6 March 1984
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1983–84)	6 March 1984
Public Accounts Committee:
Twelfth Report (1983–84)	8 March 1984
Energy committee:
Second Report (1983–84)	8 March 1984
Public Accounts Committee:
Ninth Report (1983–84)	12 March 1984
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1983–84)	10 April 1984
Social Services Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	4 May 1984
Education, Science and Arts Committee:
Eighth Report (1981–82)	14 June 1984

	Date
Defence Committee:
First Report (1983–84)	18 and 19 June 1984
Education, Science and Arts Committee:
First and Second Reports (1983–84)	4 July 1984
Environment Committee:
Second Report (1983–84)	4 July 1984
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Seventh Report (1983–84)	10 July 1984
Environment Committee:
Third Report (1983–84)	17 July 1984
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Second and Fourth Report (1983–84)	17 July 1984
Public Accounts Committee:
Twenty-sixth Report (1983–84)	17 July 1984
Defence Committee:
Third Report (1983–84)	22 October 1984
Session 1984–85
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
First Report (1984–85)	6 December 1984
Procedure Committee:
Report on Procedure Finance (1982–83)	6 December 1984
Energy Committee:
Fourth Report (1983–84)	18 December 1984
Environment Committee:
Fourth Report (1983–84)	11 January 1985
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1984–85)	22 January 1985
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Sixth Report (1984–85)	4 March 1985
Energy Committee:
Fifth Report (1983–84)	14 March 1985
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Fifth Report (1983–84)	14 March 1985
Treasury and Civil Service Committee
Eighth Report (1984–85)	29 April 1985
Employment Committee:
Fifth Report (1984–85)	6 June 1985
Defence Committee:
First and Third Reports (1984–85)	12 and 13 June 1985
Environment Committee:
Third and Fourth Reports (1984–85)	11 July 1985
Social Services Committee:
First and Second Report (1984–85)	11 July 1985
Trade and Industry Committee:
Third Report (1984–85)	18 July 1985
Session 1985–86
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Fifth Report (1984–85)	22 November 1985
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Second Report (1985–86)	12 December 1985
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Second Report (1984–85) and First
Report (1985–86)	17 December 1985
Social Services Committee:
First Report (1985–86)	28 January 1986
European Legislation Committee:
Seventh Report (1985–86)	3 February 1986
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1985–86)	20 February 1986
European Legislation Committee:
First Special Report (1985–86)	5 March 1986
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1985–86)	29 April 1986
Environment Committee:
Third and Fourth Reports (1985–86)	24 June 1986
Employment Committee:
First, Second and Third Reports (1985–86)	24 June 1986
Defence Committee:	30 June 1986
Second Report (1985–86)	and 1 July 1986
Trade and Industry Committee:
First Report (1985–86)	9 July 1986
Social Services Committee:
Fourth Report (1985–86)	9 July 1986

	Date
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fifth Report and Second Special Report (1985–86)	10 July 1986
Defence Committee:
Third and Fourth Reports (1985–86)	29 October 1986
Session 1986–87
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Second Report (1986–87)	17 December 1986
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1986–87)	18 February 1987
Energy Committee:
First Report (1986–87)	11 March 1987
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Sixth Report (1986–87)	22 April 1987
Session 1987–88
Defence Committee:
First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Reports (1986–87)	27 and 28 October 1987
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
Second Report (1984–85)	10 November 1987
Energy Committee:
First Report (1986–87)	20 November 1987
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Third Report (1986–87)	4 December 1987
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
First Report (1987–88)	14 January 1988
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Second Report (1987–88)	24 February 1988
Environment Committee:
Second Report and Second Special Report (1986–87)	26 February 1988
Agriculture Committee:
First Report (1987–88)	8 March 1988
Energy Committee:
Second Report (1987–88)	8 March 1988
Energy Committee:
First Report (1987–88)	9 March 1988
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1987–88)	26 April 1988
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Third Report (1987–88)	11 May 1988
Environment Committee:	14 June 1988 and
First Report (1987–88)	12 July 1988
Social Services Committee:
First and Third Reports (1987–88)1	5 July 1988
Defence Committee:
Fourth Report (1987–88)	7 July 1988
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fifth Report (1987–88)	11 July 1988
Procedure Committee:
Third Report (1985–86)	13 July 1988
Social Services Committee:
Third Report (1987–88)	21 July 1988
Employment Committee:
First Report (1987–88)	21 July 1988
Defence Committee:	19 and 20 October 1998
Third, Fifth and Sixth Reports (1987–88)
Environment Committee:	28 October and 4
First Report (1985–86)	November 1988
Environment Committee:
Third Report and Third Special Report (1986–87)	4 November 1988
Session 1988–89 (to 17 October 1989)
Procedure Committee:
Second Report (1984–85), Second Report (1985–86), First to Fourth Reports (1986–87) and First Report (1987–88)	30 November 1988
House of Commons (Services) Committee:
First Report (1987–88) and Second Report (1986–87)	2 December 1988

	Date
Energy Committee:
Third Report and Third Special Report (1987–88)	13 December 1988
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:	12 January and 9
First Report (1988–89)	February 1989
Social Services Committee:
Third Report (1986–87)	13 January 1989
Education Committee:
First Report (1988–89)	18 January 1989
Home Affairs Committee:
Third Report and Third Special Report (1987–88)	8 February 1989
Environment Committee:
First Report (1988–89)	24 February 1989
Defence Committee:
Sixth Report (1987–88)	28 February 1989
Agriculture Committee:
First Report (1988–89)	7 March 1989
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Fourth Report (1987–88)	7 March 1989
Energy Committee:
Third Report (1988–89)	13 April 1989
Treasury and Civil Service Committee:
Fourth Report (1988–89)	25 April 1989
Social Services Committee:
Fifth Report (1987–88)	11 May 1989
European Legislation Committee:
First Special Report (1988–89)	18 May 1989
Defence Committee:
First Report (1988–89)	8 June 1989
Environment Committee:
First Report (1986–87) and First Special
Report (1987–88)	15 June 1989
Home Affairs Committee:
First Report, Third Report and Fourth
Report (1988–89	6 July 1989
Trade and Industry Committee:
First Report 1988–89)	6 July 1989
Energy Committee:
Fourth Report (1988–89)	10 July 1989
Transport Committee:
First Report and Third Special Report (1988–89)	10 July 1989
Foreign Affairs Committee:
Second Report (1988–89)	13 July 1989
European Legislation Committee:
Thirty-First Report (1988–89)	25 July 1989
1 See also 21 July 1988.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Commons pass applications have been received during the summer recess in respect of overseas students working for Members; how many are still awaiting security clearance; what is the average time taken to process such applications.

I understand that 42 pass applications were received during the summer recess in respect of Members' temporary research assistants from overseas, 33 of which are still awaiting clearance. In response to the comments made by the Services Committee in paragraph 11 of its second report, 1987–88, and the House's approval of that report on 30 January this year, new procedures have been introduced for the clearance of all overseas nationals applying for Palace of Westminster photo-identity passes. All the sponsoring organisations were warned in writing by the authorities of the House on 20 June that ample time should in future be allowed for the clearance of such applications. They were also told that it was not possible to be precise on how long the procedures would take but that, at least initially, two months should be allowed for the applications to be processed.I regret that right hon. and hon. Members may be inconvenienced because the clearances have not yet been received, but the sponsoring organisations failed in the main to heed the warnings they were given. The Pass Office did not receive some of the completed application forms until September. I can assure the House that everything possible is being done to expedite clearance procedures; but timely submission of applications will remain essential if similar inconvenience is to be avoided in future.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the new security requirement that visitors to the Norman Shaw parliamentary office buildings shall use the Derby gate entrance rather than that from the Embankment, he will arrange with Westminster council, the Metropolitan police and the contractors working on the building adjoining Whitehall, to have this area cleaned and tidied and made more presentable for the reception of visitors.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: The area outside Derby gate is not a matter directly for me. However, I have asked the relevant House authorities to take up the question of its cleanliness and tidyness with Westminister city council and the contractors working on the phase 1 site of the new parliamentary buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present health and safety standards in the employment training programme.

Health and safety statistics on employment training do not yet enable a close analysis to be undertaken. They will be kept under close review, and adjustments on employment training health and safety arrangements will be made as necessary in the light of emerging experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what urgent measures he is taking to combat dangers to public health posed by rats and cockroaches.

Local authorities rather than health authorities are responsible under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 for ensuring, as far as is practicable, that their areas are kept free of rats and mice.In respect of food premises, the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 which are enforced by local authorities, require the prevention, so far as is reasonable practicable, of any risk of infestation by rats, mice or insects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to protect the public from expensive and unreliable private health check-ups.

The General Medical Council is responsible for the maintenance of ethical standards in the medical profession.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the present regulations regarding (a) the establishment and implications of private clinics and (b) controls to ensure that the staff of those clinics are properly qualified for the functions they are called upon to perform.

In England and Wales part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984 and its associated regulations require that relevant premises are registered and inspected at least twice a year, that the person in charge is appropriately qualified and that adequate professional. technical, ancillary and other staff are provided. In Scotland the corresponding legislation is the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 and the associated regulations. Neither Act contains powers to control health screening clinics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is for each year since 1974 the number of National Health Service ambulance staff.

The information is given in the table. Most of the increase shown for ambulance men and women represent qualified staff.

National Health Service staff in post in England—at 30 September
each year		Whole-time equivalent1
Year	Ambulance officers and Control assistants	Ambulancemen/Women	Total
19742	2,722	13,310	16,032
1975	3,008	14,489	17,497
1976	3,046	14,138	17,184
1977	3,130	14,272	17,402
1978	3,221	14,301	17,522
1979	3,156	13,979	17,129
1980	3,214	14,554	17,768
1981	3,293	14,928	18,221
1982	3,265	15,059	18,324

Year	Ambulance officers and Control assistants	Ambulancemen/Women	Total
1983	3,249	15,148	18,397
1984	3,174	14,930	18,103
1985	3,139	15,049	18,188
1986	3,124	15,841	18,966
1987	3,037	15,973	19,010
1988	2,980	15,781	18,761

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) at what intervals the inter-departmental consultative group on provision for under-fives meets;(2) if he will list the membership of the inter-departmental group on provision for under-fives.

The inter-departmental consultative group meets once a year or more frequently if appropriate.The following Government Departments and outside organisations are represented on the group:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the purpose of SF(J) circulars and whether he will place copies of them in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is for each year since 1979 the average pay increase for National Health Service (a) ambulance staff, (b) nurses, (c) doctors and (d) health board managers.

Average pay settlements are given in the table.

The main purpose of SF(J) circulars is to provide local office staff with administrative instructions relating to matters of financial control and security. It is therefore not departmental practice to make them publicly available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young persons in Glasgow have been given community care grants in the past six months; and how many applicants were refused.

This information is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing for each office of his Department in Glasgow the amount per month disbursed in (a) budget loans and (b) community care grants, in each month since these payments came into operation.