To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will place in the Library copies of the two hedgerow surveys he mentioned in his answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 13 March at columns 185–86.

Both reports are already in the Library. The survey carried out by Hunting Surveys and Consultants Ltd. was published in 1986 under the title "Monitoring Landscape Change". The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food "Survey of Environmental Topics on Farms, England and Wales, 1985" was published under that title as a MAFF statistics release (reference number 244/85) on 30 September 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all sites of special scientific interest currently the subject of (a) appeals and (b) inquiries.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Warley, West (Mr. Archer) on 21 March 1990, Official Report, column 679.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representatives his Department had at the Financial Times conference on industry and the environment, held in London on 23 and 24 April.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), gave the keynote speech at the conference on 23 April. He was accompanied by two officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the definition of (a) a married couple, (b) an unmarried couple and (c) persons who do not fall into either category (a) or (b) but who live together, for the purposes of community charge classification; and how many couples of each category there are in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) England, (iii) Norfolk and (iv) North Norfolk district council areas.

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: The definition of people who are married to each other for the purposes of the community charge is set out in section 16(9) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 which states that they are those who are married, or those who are not married but living together as husband and wife. The figures requested are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to instigate a monitoring programme in respect of static electricity levels within the House.

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what figures he has to enable a comparison to be made between static electricity levels within the House and those in comparable circumstances elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: There are no figures available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what (a) reviews his Department is carrying out and (b) legislation he is planning to introduce to reduce environmental pollution from heavy lorries.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) on 7 February at columns

To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the ending of research on fossil birds and plants at the natural history museum in London; and if he has proposals to increase funding to the natural history museum.

The day-to-day running of the natural history museum, and decisions on the museum's research programme, are matters for the director and trustees of the museum.With regard to funding, I announced in November 1989 that the Government were increasing the museum's grant-in-aid for 1990–91 by 16·5 per cent. over 1989–90. Future funding for the national history museum will be considered in conjunction with the funding bids from other national museums and galleries, details of which are contained in their 1990–95 corporate plans which are being submitted to me.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what compensation is available from the Inland Revenue to an applicant company in the event of excessive delay resulting in the loss of potential business expansion scheme investments and other improvements to finance.

As a general policy, the Inland Revenue will consider reimbursing expenditure which has arisen unnecessarily and is directly attributable to a serious error on the part of its staff. Serious error is defined as something which no responsible person, acting in good faith and with proper care, would reasonably do. Each case is considered on its merits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to amend section 294 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 to make explicit that bridges, equipment and track of private railways are to be regarded as plant and machinery.

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which rate of value added tax applies to the carriage of passengers on non scheduled flights, including scenic, pleasure and special passenger transport services in aircraft capable of carrying not fewer than 12 passengers, including pilot and crew; and if he will make a statement;(2) which rate of value added tax applies to the carriage of passengers by hot air balloons capable of carrying not fewer than 12 passengers, including pilot and crew, on non scheduled scenic, pleasure and special passenger transport flights; and if he will make a statement.

The VAT Act 1983 provides zero-rating for the transport of passengers in aircraft designed or adapted to carry not less than 12 passengers, but, in applying that relief, a distinction has been made between conventional aircraft and hot air balloons. Conventional aircraft are capable of performing the function of conveying passengers with certainty between specified places—the essential characteristic of a supply of transport. However hot air balloons, which are not capable of powered flight, are largely at the mercy of the

	All trainees		Disabled status trainees
	Early leavers	Per cent, all leavers	Early leavers	Per cent, all disabled leavers
Great Britain
1 April 1986–31 March 1987	223,400	52·1	6,770	58·7
1 April 1987–31 March 1988	260,100	79·4	8,510	73·8
1 April 1988–31 March 1988	276,900	66·7	10,880	70·9
1 April 1989–31 March 1990	245,000	63·5	8,560	65·6
West Midlands
1 April 1986–31 March 1987	31,100	54·2	630	54·7
1 April 1987–31 March 1988	36,300	80·0	920	73·0
1 April 1988–31 March 1989	37,300	69·7	1,120	69·0
1 April 1989–31 March 1990	28,900	65·1	840	65·6

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details for Great Britain and for the west midlands region, for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date, of the number of YTS leavers entering part-time employment (a) in total and (b) with disabilities.

	All Leavers		Disabled Leavers
	West Midlands	Great Britain	West Midlands	Great Britain
April 1986–March 1987	359	2,723	3	66
April 1987–March 1988	812	6,050	21	182
April 1988–March 1989	849	6,811	26	226
April 1989–November 19891	622	4,873	20	171
1 Subject to revision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the annual rate of growth for retail sales for the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 1 May 1990]: The volume of retail sales increased by 6·9 per cent. between 1987 and 1988 and by 2·2 per cent. between 1988 and 1989. Retail sales growth has clearly slowed sharply in response to monetary policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide details for each YTS in the Birmingham and Solihull and Sandwell and Dudley areas, for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date, of the number of YTS trainees (a) in total and (b) with disabilities.

The information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details for Great Britain and for the west midlands region for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date, of the total number and percentage of YTS trainees (a) who did not complete their full entitlement to YTS and (b) with disabilities who did not complete their full entitlement to YTS.

The information requested is set out in the table.

The number of YTS leavers for Great Britain and for the west midlands region for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date entering part-time employment (a) in total and (b) with disabilities are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details for Great Britain and for the west midlands region, for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date, of the number and percentage of YTS leavers gaining a qualification (a) in total and (b) with a disability.

	All Leavers		Disabled Leavers
	West Midlands	Great Britain	West Midlands	Great Britain
April 1986–March 1987	1,403	8,963	13	159
	11·8 per cent.	10·9 per cent.	6·8 per cent.	7·5 per cent.
April 1987–March 1988	7,160	49,675	79	790
	29·6 per cent.	28·7 per cent.	14·7 per cent.	16·2 per cent.
April 1988–March 1989	9,980	79,315	133	1,284
	40·7 per cent.	40·6 per cent.	22·5 per cent.	22·6 per cent.
April 1989–November 19891	8,636	70,869	112	1,090
	48·1 per cent.	47·2 per cent.	25·7 per cent.	27·3 per cent.
1 Subject to revision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details for Great Britain and for the west midlands region, for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date, of the number of YTS leavers entering full-time employment (a) in total and (b) with disabilities.

	West Midlands	Great Britain	West Midlands	Great Britain
	All leavers		Disabled leavers
April 1986–March 1987	5,174	37,442	38	473
April 1987–March 1988	13,976	97,649	154	1,516
April 1988–March 1989	16,278	123,869	211	1,979
April 1989–November 19891	11,984	97,206	174	1,533
1 Subject to revision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons on work-related Government training programmes in 1989 were nationals of other countries, showing European Community countries separately.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers and percentages of his staff in grades 1 to 7 who have each (a) arts, (b) science and (c) technical degrees, (d) who are qualified accountants, (e) have postgraduate qualifications in management and (f) who were educated in (i) local authority and (ii) private schools.

There are 817 grades 1 to 7 and equivalents who hold one or more degree-level qualifications. This equates to 50 per cent. of total staff in post for these grades. A detailed breakdown by subject of qualifications held and type of education cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a further statement about the sale of the Skills Training Agency.

The number and percentage of YTS leavers for Great Britain and for the west midlands region for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date gaining a qualification (a) in total and (b) with a disability in Great Britain and the west midlands are as follows:

The number of YTS leavers for Great Britain and for the west midlands region for each year from April 1986 to the most recent date entering full-time employment (a) in total and (b) with disabilities are as follows:

The sale of the majority of the businesses to Astra Training Services Limited was completed on 30 April. As a result 42 skill centre businesses, the STA head office, mobile training service, sales teams, and colleges, and the staff employed in them, have transferred to the private sector. The sale of the gas and water safety training business at Letchworth skill centre to Mr. James was also completed on 30 April. The sales to Astra of the businesses of four other centres, and the sales to other successful bidders, are planned for completion shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he is financing any expenditure in connection with the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency.

The full expenses will be covered by receipts from the sale. Some of the payments by the Government to training business purchasers need to be made before the arrival of receipts from the sale of assets not included in the business packages. Parliamentary approval for this new expenditure will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency (class VI, vote 5). Pending the necessary approval, urgent expenditure estimated at up to £16·324 million is being met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which unemployment benefit offices and jobcentres (a) are to be closed and (b) have been closed following the announcement of the reorganisation of the employment service in December 1989.

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: The employment service, which is responsible for jobcentres and unemployment benefit offices, became an executive agency on 2 April 1990. Mr. Mike Fogden, the Employment Service Agency's chief executive, will be replying in writing to the hon. Lady.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what information he has on the number and percentage of present permanent secretaries in the civil service who were educated at (a) public schools, (b) Oxford university and (c) Cambridge university.

The number and percentage of present permanent secretaries in the home civil service who were educated at (a) public schools, (b) Oxford university and (c) Cambridge university are:

	Per cent.
(a)17	49
(b)13	37
(c)9	26

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations for the insertion of an artificial hip are carried out on United Kingdom citizens in (a) National Health Service hospitals, and (b) private hospitals in England annually.

Health authorities in England reported 45,600 hip replacement operations in 1988–89.Information is not collected centrally on surgical operations carried out in private hospitals. However, a report "The Role of the Private Sector in Elective Surgery in England and Wales in 1986" by J. P. Nicholl, M. R. Beeby and B. T. Williams, published in the 28 January 1989 issue of the

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations his Department is (a) funding and (b) co-operating on in respect of (i) the sexual abuse of children and (ii) the ritual abuse of children.

The Department funds a programme of research into child sexual abuse. An interdepartmental group on child abuse meets regularly to discuss a number of cross-sector policy issues in relation to child protection. The Department also regularly meets those voluntary organisations that it funds. On the issue of ritual abuse, the Department is aware of a number of child sexual abuse networks that have been investigated by social services departments and the police. The Department arranged a meeting in November 1989 with representatives from the NSPCC, Childline, the Children's Society and the Association of Directors of Social Services. A further meeting is to be arranged. The social services inspectorate is continuing to monitor the situation in order to assess the scale and nature of child abuse networks and ritual abuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring arrangements he has in place to ensure that all guidelines issued to those social workers involved in cases of alleged child abuse incorporate the recommendations of the Butler-Sloss report.

Guidance issued by the Department in relation to child protection takes account of the recommendations of the Butler-Sloss report. The Department's social services inspectorate provide advice and support to local authorities, and as part of their inspection work look at practice in the light of local guidance issued to social workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what directives he has given to directors of social services arising from the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into child abuse in Cleveland in 1987.

Simultaneously with the publication of the report of the inquiry into child abuse in Cleveland in 1987 the Department of Health issued copies of the document "Working Together: a guide to arrangements for inter-agency co-operation for the protection of children from abuse", under cover of circular LAC(88)10/HC(88)38, copies of which are available in the Library, to statutory agencies in England with responsibilities for child protection. The Home Office and the Department of Education and Science issued complementary ciculars to the police and school service respectively. The guidance document and the circulars took account of the recommendations in the inquiry report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from local authorities about the need for additional funding required for the purpose of training social workers involved in cases of alleged child abuse.

The Department's training support programme has, since 1989–90, included an element for training local authority staff who provide social services for children and their families, including staff who deal with cases of alleged child abuse. All local authority social services departments receive grant aid under the programme in response to bids made to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by year for the last five years, the percentage of people who have suffered health problems from airborne emissions of (a) lead, (b) carbon monoxide and (c) particulates.

Except for instances of massive accidental exposure or deliberate self-exposure to carbon monoxide the informaton is not available. The effects of airborne emissions of lead, carbon monoxide or particulates currently experienced cannot be isolated from many other factors unrelated to air contaminants but contributing to health problems. Concentrations of these pollutants in the air are monitored at critical sites and, in general, they fall within the limit values prescribed under EC directives or the guidelines proposed by the World Health Organisation. Where these limit values or guidelines are exceeded occasionally, the measured levels have been within the recognised safety margins.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion Ministers had with suppliers of disposable equipment for hospitals, in drawing up the guide lines for the campaign, towards a greener NHS, to assess the degree to which materials used would be recycled, or disposed of with minimum environmental damage.

Departmental officials have been in touch with glass manufacturers and the Aluminium Can Recycling Association to assess the degree to which these materials, as used in hospitals, can be recycled or otherwise safely disposed of with minimum environmental damage. A review is in progress within the NHS procurement directorate on the potential costs and benefits of using recycled paper more widely in the NHS and this will involve discussions with industry representatives. A number of health authorities have also taken helpful initiatives in this area. The only safe way of disposing of much single use or otherwise disposable equipment after use in hospitals is via incineration. The Department's estates directorate is in regular touch with incinerator manufacturers to ensure that the best possible advice is always readily available to the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities currently exist to test for the effects of exposure to pesticides; whether he has any plans to improve diagnostic and treatment facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Doctors have access to the whole range of NHS testing facilities to assist them in diagnosis and treatment of people who may have been exposed to pesticides. They can seek advice from national poisons units and can arrange for special tests if necessary at pathology laboratories. There are no plans to make improvements specifically to pesticide testing facilities.All doctors receive training in the diagnosis of acute poisoning, including that from exposure to pesticides. In addition, all general practitioners and hospital accident and emergency departments have been issued with a copy of the book "Pesticide Poisoning", a copy of which is available in the Library. This gives guidance on the diagnosis and treatment where acute poisoning from pesticides is suspected, but not on exposure to the very low levels of residues in food as these are within the accepted safety limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will be in a position to respond to the Social Services Committee's follow-up report on food poisoning, listeria and listeriosis.

The Government have today published their response to this report. Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers and percentages of his staff in grades 1 to 7 who have each (a) arts, (b) science and (c) technical degrees, (d) who are qualified accountants, (e) have postgraduate qualifications in management and (f) who were educated in (i) local authority and (ii) private schools.

Full details could be recovered from personal files only at disproportionate cost. But the records held on computer for payroll purposes indicate that some 30 per cent. (164) of those in the relevant grades have arts degrees; 16 per cent. (88) have science and 4 per cent. (21) technical degrees; and there are on these records five qualified accountants and one person with a post graduate qualification in management. Type of school is not recorded, and the reliability of payroll data in respect of qualifications is sufficient only to illustrate orders of magnitude.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements for the disclosure of interests exist for members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

Members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines follow a code of practice on the declaration of interests. Details of the code and of interests declared are published with the annual report of the Medicines Commission. A copy of the 1988 report is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the number of women receiving Depo-Provera injections in each of the district health areas of west Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may like to contact Sir Bryan Askew, chairman of Yorkshire regional health authority for further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued to district health authorities with regard to the administration of Depo-Provera to women who have recently given birth.

Information about the use of Depo-Provera is set out in full in a product data sheet supplied to all doctors. The data sheet states that because of the risk of heavy or prolonged bleeding in some women, the drug should be used with caution in the puerperium and that if the puerperal woman will be breast feeding, the initial injection of Depo-Provera should be delayed until six weeks post-partum.Guidance about Depo-Provera is also contained in the "British National Formulary" which is published by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and issued twice yearly to all practising doctors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) reviews his Department is carrying out and (b) legislation he is planning to introduce to reduce environmental pollution from heavy lorries with particular reference to (i) minor and (ii) unclassified roads.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) on 7 February at columns 653–54. Local highway authorities already have wide-ranging powers in respect of heavy lorries using unsuitable roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of exports from and imports to the United Kingdom, excluding ferry operations, carried in British registered ships; and what approximate proportion of ships engaged in ferry services to and from the continent are registered in United Kingdom ports.

Information is not available in the form requested. However the table shows, for 1989, the percentage, by value and by weight, of imports and exports carried in United Kingdom-registered vessels, distinguishing separately trade with Eurpean countries:

Percentage of trade carried in United Kingdom registered vessels: 1989
	European Countries	Rest of World	Total
By weight
Imports	21	20	21
Exports	26	9	21
By value
Imports	40	18	34
Exports	44	20	37

Information on the proportion of ships engaged in ferry services to and from the continent that are United Kingdom registered vessels is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the approximate cost in sterling and other currencies, respectively, of carrying imports and exports of the United Kingdom in the years 1979 and 1989 at actual and weighted prices, together with the percentage of cost in sterling for both years.

The actual costs of carrying imports to the United Kingdom in 1979 and 1989 were £2,349 million and £2,992 million respectively. No information is available for the carriage of United Kingdom exports. In 1979 freight costs accounted for 5 per cent. of the value of goods imported as declared to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. In 1989 the percentage was 2·5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to appoint the traffic co-ordinator for London; what will be his powers and terms of reference; what size of secretariat he will control; and where it will be located.

The role of the Traffic Director was outlined in paras 7.34–7.38 of "Traffic in London" published following my right hon. Friend's statement on 14 December last. We shall be consulting the organisations concerned shortiy on proposals for legislation. The appointment will depend on the timing of legislation. The director will have a small staff, but its size and location have not yet been decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers and percentages of his staff in grades 1 to 7 who have (a) arts, (b) science and (c) technical degrees, (d) who are qualified accountants, (e) have postgraduate qualifications in management and (f) who were educated in (i) local authority and (ii) private schools.

The information available from our computerised staff record is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the contractual agreement between British Rail and the developers of the King's Cross site for national transport requirements.

In its discussions about the development of the King's Cross railway lands, British Rail has sought to preserve the option of desirable improvements to the national and local rail systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the blood-alcohol limits enforced on drivers in each country of Europe, including eastern Europe.

The most recent list of which we are aware relates to 1985. It is as follows:

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if she will receive a deputation from Clwyd county council concerning the impact upon people's property of the north Wales sea inundation;(2) what plans she has to visit houses flooded by the sea inundation in March on the north Wales coast; and if she will make a statement;(3) if she proposes to meet business men whose premises were flooded by the sea inundation in March on the north Wales coast.

As I told the hon. Member on 5 April at columns 735–36, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has already visited the area as has the Minister of State. Both Ministers and officials have held meetings with the local authorities most involved. These contacts continue and on 30 April the Secretary of State was able to announce that the Bellwin scheme at the rate of 85 per cent. would be extended to 31 July and that he would be ready to consider a further extension to the scheme in the light of circumstances nearer that date. I know that this continued close contact is the right approach to ensuring that the area returns to normal as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces.

The armed forces pay review body has submitted to me a supplementary report on the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces which recommends increases of between 6 and 10·7 per cent. The Government have decided to accept the recommendations in full, though, in common with the pay awards announced for other review body groups in February, implementation will be staged, with 7 per cent. payable from 1 April 1990 and the balance of the award payable from 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the local authorities that are actively producing energy from waste materials and show for each local authority from what source the material comes.

My Department is aware of the following:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is considering any further proposals to enhance safety on offshore oil installations in advance of the report by Lord Cullen into the Piper Alpha disaster; and if he will make a statement.

We are continuously looking to improve offshore safety standards. Regulations requiring emergency shutdown valves on offshore installations were introduced in June 1989, as were regulations requiring the election of offshore safety representatives and safety committees. Regulations relating to revised arrangements for first aid offshore were made in September 1989.Further regulations relating to sub-sea isolation systems are being prepared. Discussion documents have been issued detailing proposals for a review of the requirements for life-saving appliances, work permit procedures and fire and explosion protection on offshore installations, together with proposals requiring formal safety assessments to be applied as a continuous process at all stages of an installation's life cycle. In addition, a number of safety notices have been issued drawing the attention of the industry to specific areas of concern. The Government have made it clear that any improvements to safety recommended by the Piper Alpha public inquiry will be acted upon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers and percentages of his staff in grades 1 to 7 who have each (a) arts, (b) science and (c) technical degrees, (d) who are qualified accountants, (e) have postgraduate qualifications in management and (f) who were educated in (i) local authority and (ii) private schools.

I regret the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what new imports of gas have been agreed within the last 12 months.

None. If a purchaser wished to construct a marine pipeline to carry imports, consent would be required under the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 and a treaty would have to be negotiated with the country from whose territory the pipeline crossed to the United Kingdom. In the case of the pipeline from the Frigg field, which is now in rapid decline, a new treaty or amendment of the existing treaty would be required to govern any new uses of the line. British Gas plc gave an undertakkng in 1986 that it would consult the Government regarding any import plans as these develop. In considering any import proposals, we shall weigh carefully the availability of competitive UKCS gas supplies and the market opportunities open.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a formal hearing will be held by the Fair Employment Commission into a complaint made by Mr. T. Barker in November 1988 against Sean Quinn Quarries Ltd., Derrylin.

Investigations into an individual complaint of discrimination under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976 are governed by schedule 5 to that Act. The investigation must be conducted in private and it is, therefore, not the commission's policy to confirm that a complaint has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether valuations have been completed in respect of residences occupied by employees of the Department of the Environment (NI) water service; and when occupiers will be offered the opportunity to purchase their homes;(2) whether all tenants of Department of the Environment (NI) water service homes will have a right to purchase;(3) what progress has been made to date in the valuation of Department of the Environment (NI) water service tenanted residential properties in the

All water service dwellings are being considered for possible disposal. The first group to be offered for sale comprises 35 dwellings, 31 of which have been valued, 10 being in Northern division, nine in Southern division, 11 in Eastern division and one in Western division. The occupants will shortly be offered the opportunity to purchase the dwellings in which they live.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whom he will consult before he publishes his draft amending legislation on metric measures for spirits; and how long the consultation period will last.

As required by article 48(2) of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 the Department of Economic Development will again consult with interested organisations, including those listed in my reply of 9 March, at columns 863–64 before making any order.The period of consultation is normally between four and six weeks from publication of the proposal for the draft amending legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many cases in 1988 where application for planning approval was made for an additional farm dwelling evidence was sought from the Department of Agriculture as to the viability of a farm unit and the need for a farm labourer's dwelling.

It is the policy of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland to consult the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland on applications for planning permission for farm dwellings in areas where such permission is granted only when a need to live in the countryside can be demonstrated. Consultations with that Department are carried out occasionally on applications affecting sites in other areas. Information on the number of cases is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning approvals have been given for the building of dwellings for farm labourers in each of the last 10 years; what is the average size of such dwellings and the number of rooms provided; and how many are currently occupied by farm labourers.

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider funding towards the cost of providing opportunities for secondary school children who are in attendance at grant-aided schools to improve their knowledge of French, German or Spanish by attendance at specially designed residential language courses.

As part of its response to the challenge of 1992, the Government wish to encourage greater competence in a wider range of languages among pupils in Northern Ireland. The Department of Education for Northern Ireland has invited education and library boards to put forward proposals for support for programmes of European awareness drawn up by them. The enhancement of foreign language skills by various means, including residential courses provided by boards could form an appropriate part of such programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the number of approved and filled action for community employment projects in each year

	District councils	Other public bodies	Voluntary bodies	Private sector	Totals
March 1986
Approved	70	104	1,044	4	1,222
Filled	61	91	971	4	1,127
March 1987
Approved	48	54	540	1	643
Filled	48	52	540	1	641
March 1988
Approved	15	4	359	—	378
Filled	15	4	359	—	378
March 1989
Approved	16	4	345	—	365
Filled	16	4	345	—	365
March 1990
Approved	16	3	315	—	334
Filled	16	3	315	—	334

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the flexibilities recently introduced to apply to youth training in Great Britain will be extended to the youth training programme; and if he will make a statement.

The new flexibilities which are being introduced into youth training in Great Britain and which will be applied to the youth training programme (YTP) in Northern Ireland are:

a. an emphasis on outputs rather than training processes;

b. flexible design of individual schemes to achieve outputs;

c. all YTP entrants will have the opportunity to train for a national vocational qualification and the targets for level 2 and above are being increased over the next three years;

d. improved assessment and endorsement procedures for special training needs;

e. enhanced training opportunities to help unemployed trainees nearing the end of training to secure jobs;

f. extension of the guarantee to include certain groups whose entry into training has been unavoidably delayed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the destinations of people leaving action for community employment and the job training programme; how many leavers got jobs, became unemployed or went on to further training, and if he will make a statement.

A recent survey showed that three months after leaving the action for community employment programme, 32·1 per cent. of participants had obtained jobs, 58·8 per cent. were unemployed and 0·2 per cent. were receiving further training. The most recent survey information available for the job training programme (JTP) reveals that between May and July 1989 a total of 52 per cent. of participants leaving JTP did not return to the unemployment register, with the destination of 48 per cent. not determined. For the period August to October 1989, a total of 47 per cent. of participants leaving JTP did not return to the unemployment register, with the destination of 53 per cent. not determined.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the eligibility conditions that a person has

Details of approved and filled ACE projects 1986–1990 are as follows:to satisfy if they are to take up a job or training place on

The eligibility conditions that a person has to satisfy if they are to take up a job or training are as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the destination of youth training programme leavers for each year since 1986–87; and of those who found employment, how many were with the employer who provided their training.

The information is as follows:

	YTP leavers whose destination is known	To employment	Percentage of total
1986–87	10,271	5,686	55
1987–88	10,509	5,787	55
1988–89	10,232	6,428	63
1989–90	10,914	6,767	62

No figures are available for YTP leavers who found employment with the employer who provided their training.

	Full time education	Percentage of total	Unemployed	Percentage of total
1986–87	430	4	4,155	41
1987–88	503	5	4,129	40
1988–89	460	5	3,334	33
1989–90	649	6	3,498	32

No figures are available for YTP leavers who found employment with the employer who provided their training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unemployed claimants have, since 9 October 1989, (a) been issued with warning letters for not actively seeking work, (b) had their claims referred to an adjudication officer for not actually seeking work, (c) had their claims allowed or disallowed and (d) been referred to an adjudication officer for refusing suitable employment; how many of those in (d) have had their benefits disqualified; and if he will make a statement.

Up to 9 April 1990, just over 5,000 unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland were interviewed specifically about their efforts to find work. As a result, 67 claims were referred to the adjudication officer and of these 25 were allowed and 42 disallowed. In addition, a further five claims were referred to the adjudication officer on grounds of refusing employment and of these two were disallowed. Given the difference in administrative arrangements as compared with those in Great Britain, the actively seeking work condition has been introduced in Northern Ireland in a sensible and sensitive manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to visit the constituency of Upper Bann before 17 May.

[holding answer 27 April 1990]: It is not the custom to give details of ministerial programmes in advance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the number of road fatalities since 1 October 1989 and for each year from 1980 to 1990.

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: Royal Ulster Constabulary road traffic accident statistics show the following figures:

Month and year	Fatalities
October 1989	13
November 1989	12
December 1989	15
January 1990	18
February 1990	21
March 1990	121
April 1990	81
1980	229
1981	223
1982	216
1983	173
1984	189
1985	177
1986	236
1987	214
1988	178
1989	181
1 Provisional.

Since the road casualty reduction campaign started on 1 November, the preliminary provincial number of deaths is 13 per cent. down on the same six months over the previous two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Industrial Development Board and the Local Enterprise Development unit are taking to monitor the export performance of their client companies.

[holding answer 1 May 1990]: Companies in receipt of assistance from the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) are required to submit annual accounts as a condition of this assistance. These accounts assist the agencies to monitor the performance of these companies including their overall sales performance both domestic and export. Both agencies are currently in the process of introducing new computing systems which will further facilitate the monitoring process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for community charge benefit have been received from individuals qualifying under the new capital limits.

Arrangements have been made for the information to be collected by the housing benefit and community charge benefit management information system. The information will not be available until early 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review or alter the provision of application forms for (a) family credit and (b) other Department of Social Services benefits at post offices; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to alter the provision of the family credit application form, FC1, at post offices. FC1 is the only application form available at post offices.The facilities offered by the Post Office are used to display leaflets which inform about the whole range of benefits available and advise how claims can be made. The eight leaflets currently displayed include FB2, "Which Benefit?", a general guide to benefits, as well as those concerned with community charge benefit, housing benefit and income support. The leaflet about the new capital limits will shortly be on display.The leaflets and posters displayed are regularly reviewed to ensure best use of the facilities offered to inform the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance had their entitlement to that benefit reassessed following the completion of a YTS;(2) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance have had their entitlement to that benefit reassessed having left a YTS before completing the course.

A record is not kept of the number of previous recipients of severe disablement allowance who claim the benefit again after leaving a YTS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance lost their entitlement to that benefit having completed a YTS;(2) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance lost their entitlement to that benefit having left a YTS before completing the course.

This information is not available. Trainees who were receiving severe disablement allowance immediately before starting YTS can have it reinstated as a linked claim when they leave the course if they are incapable of work and make the fresh claim within eight weeks of leaving the YTS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance had their entitlement to that benefit reassessed following a short period of employment;(2) in the latest year for which figures are available how many people previously in receipt of severe disablement allowance lost their entitlement to that benefit as a result of a reassessment following a short period of employment.

This information is not available. If a break in entitlement to severe disablement allowance lasts no longer than eight weeks, benefit can be reinstated as a linked claim if the person again becomes incapable of work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the value, converted into £ sterling, of the basic pension per age paid in each European Community country, including any relevant major supplements.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's publication "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1989)," a copy of which is in the Library. These tables set out the level of pension in the national currencies together with the sterling equivalent converted according to the OECD's purchasing power parity figures as explained in the introduction to the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the steps that have been taken by his Department to assist war widows since May 1979.

The Government have honoured their pledge to maintain the value of war widows pensions. Since 1979 these pensions have been uprated annually in line with the retail prices index. In 1979 the basic pension was £30·20 a week. It is now £60·95.In 1979 the Government freed war widows pensions from income tax.In 1984 the Government introduced a new tier of age allowance for war widows aged 80 or over. Age allowances are paid in addition to the basic war widows pension. These age allowances were increased by more than the retail prices index in April 1990; from £6.10 to £7.00 a week for war widows aged 65–69, from £12.20 to £13.50 a week for those aged 70–79 and from £15.30 to £20.00 a week for those 80 or over.In 1987 the Government significantly improved the help with funeral costs for war pensioners whose death was due to service.In 1988 the Government increased from £4 to £5 a week the amount of war widows pension which is disregarded for the assessment of entitlement to income related benefits. From April 1990 the disregard was further increased to £10 a week and arrangements were also made to disregard completely the new special payments of £40 a week to pre-1973 war widows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of cases settled under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in the calendar years 1987, 1988 and 1989 together with the average length of time taken to settle such cases; if he will provide a separate similar analysis for cases involving police staff and pensioners settled in those years; and if he will give similar figures for the Northern region.

The number of applications resolved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in the calendar years 1987, 1988 and 1989 were 26,619, 38,016 and 38,484 respectively. Information about the average time taken to resolve applications is not available in the form requested, but the percentage of cases submitted to a single member of the board within certain periods from registration is shown in paragraph 6.1 of the board's 25th annual report (Cm. 900), a copy of which is in the Library. The relevant figures are:

	Year ended 31 March
	1989	1988	1987
	(per cent.)	(per cent.)	(per cent.)
Up to 3 months	1·0	1·5	1·5
3 to 6 months	2·1	2·6	5·1
6 to 9 months	4·8	6·7	16·4
9 to 12 months	19·0	20·0	26·8
Over 12 months	73·1	69·2	50·2
	100·0	100·0	100·0

The board does not keep separate statistics for applications from police and pensioners; nor are records maintained for separate regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what directive he has given to police forces arising from the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into child abuse in Cleveland in 1987.

Two circulars of guidance to the police have been issued to date. Home Office circular 52/1988, which was issued to coincide with the publication of Lord Justice Butler-Sloss's report into child sexual abuse in Cleveland, establishes the principle that the needs of the child should come first and recommends the joint interviewing of alleged child victims by police officers, social workers and, where necessary, doctors; interviewing in comfortable surroundings; and the video-recording of interviews with child victims.Home Office circular 67/1989 gives guidance to chief officers about specialist training for police officers who take part in joint interviews with social workers of alleged child victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what training is being made available to the police to enable the video taping of first disclosures by allegedly abused children for presentation in court;(2) what training is being made available to police surgeons in the physical examination of children suspected of being the victims of sexual abuse.

Responsibility for training rests with the chief officer of the force concerned. Home Office circular 67/1989, which gives guidance about the content of joint training courses for police officers and social workers responsible for investigating child sexual abuse, lists training in the video-recording of interviews as one of the essential components of a training course. There is no specific guidance about training for police surgeons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funds he has made available to police forces to enable the early implementation of the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into child abuse in Cleveland in 1987.

Chief officers have not sought additional funds specifically to deal with child abuse. It is up to them to decide on operational priorities and to allocate funds accordingly. Total police expenditure since the publication of the Cleveland report has risen from £3,643 million in 1988–89 to a projected £4,384 million in 1990–91.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines on sentencing he gives to magistrates about drink-drive offences; and if he will make a statement.

Sentencing is a matter for the courts within their overall powers as laid down by legislation and in accordance with the guidance given by the Court of Appeal. I understand that the Magistrates Association is revising the guidelines on road traffic sentencing that it issues to its members.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the British Government's response to the decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the case involving the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) and Ms. Patricia Hewitt.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has yet to adopt a resolution in this case. Until it does so, its decision remains confidential and I am unable to comment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on training; and if he will make a statement.

The advisory council's report "Problem Drug Use: A Review of Training" was published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The Government welcome this report and are grateful to the council for its comprehensive study of training. If the Government's strategy for tackling drug misuse is to have the most impact, it is clearly important that all those whose work brings them into contact with problem drug users are properly trained. The training needs of teachers and others involved in prevention programmes must also be considered. The threat of the transmission of HIV infection, which gives rise to AIDS, through the sharing of injecting equipment, highlights the importance of ensuring that all who deal with the treatment or prevention of drug misuse have developed the right skills to deal with the problems.The council's recommendations are directed at central and local government, health authorities, academic and professional bodies, the police and probation services and other health agencies including non-statutory drug services. The report will, therefore, be widely distributed. The Government will be responding to the report when it has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations fully.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters and other representations he has received concerning the continued provision of a teletext service.

We have received a considerable number of representations on this subject. As my hon. Friend will be aware, I announced on 15 March that we intend to amend the Broadcasting Bill to guarantee the continuation of a commercial teletext service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of his Department's staff are involved in monitoring and checking the quality of servicing and maintenance carried out by TNT on Green Goddess vehicles;(2) how many quality assurance and budgetary officers have been recruited to supervise the servicing and maintenance of the Green Goddess fleet by TNT;(3) if he is satisfied with the quality and level of servicing and maintenance presently being carried out by TNT on the Green Goddess fleet.

Arrangements are currently in hand for recruiting two quality assurance and budgetary officers. In the meantime, the servicing and maintenance of the Green Goddess fleet by TNT is being overseen by a Home Office official on site to ensure that the work is being carried out to an acceptable level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is (a) the current cost of the TNT contract for servicing the Green Goddess fire appliances and (b) the original agreed contract price;(2) what is the value of contracts entered into by his Department with

Formal contracts are still under negotiation and it is unlikely that they will be signed until planning permission has been received for the construction of a purpose-built storage facility at Bruntingthorpe airfield. In the meantime, interim arrangements entered into with TNT plc and C. Walton Ltd. for storing and servicing the Green Goddess fire appliances have been given effect through restricted instructions which are limited in both time and value. The details of these arrangements must, necessarily, remain commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long he intends to retain the present level of servicing and maintenance of the fleet of emergency fire service vehicles and equipment.

The current level for servicing and maintaining the fleet of emergency fire service vehicles and equipment will continue for as long as is considered necessary. The proposed contract, which will ensure the maintenance of the fleet to current in-house standards, will be for an initial period of five years with an option for a further period of five years to run consecutively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the in-house tender price for the contract to service the Green Goddess fire appliance fleet.

In accordance with Treasury guidelines the in-house organisation did not tender for the contract to service the Green Goddess fire appliance fleet, but provided estimates of costs and service levels as the base line against which the commercial tenders were to be compared and contrasted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the extra cost in building, land and plant incurred by his Department as a result of putting the servicing of Green Goddess fire appliances out to private tender;(2) what extra facilities his Department is supplying in terms of land, buildings and plant to TNT to enable it to carry out the servicing of the Green Goddess fire appliance fleet.

Under the proposed contracts for servicing the Green Goddess fire appliances all necessary buildings and land are to be supplied by the contractors. Minor items of plant, which formed part of the Green Goddess fleet and were used to service the appliances, have been made available to TNT.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department following the introduction of confiscation of assets following conviction of drug offences, what is the total amount so far confiscated, and what this money has been used for.

The latest figures, which are in respect of confiscation orders made in 1987 and 1988, are given in table 7.25 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales, 1988," a copy of which is in the Library. These show that over £9 million were ordered to be confiscated in those two years. The current estimate by the national drugs intelligence unit of the cumulative total of confiscation orders made since the Drug Trafficking Offences Act came into force in January 1987 is in excess of £16 million.Under present public accounting arrangements confiscated money is treated in the same way as fine revenue, and paid directly into the Consolidated Fund from which Government expenditure generally—including substantial support for drug-related work—is financed. Ministers are considering the detailed arrangements whereby a proportion of the sums confiscated from drug traffickers as a result of international agreements might be used directly to strengthen the United Kingdom's enforcement and other efforts to curb drug misuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the costs of national emergency planning provision in Great Britain; and what information he has on comparable costs in (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Italy, (d) Holland, (e) Belgium and (f) Denmark;(2) what is the total annual cost of national emergency planning in Great Britain excluding provision for military nuclear disaster;(3) what is the total annual cost of national emergency planning provision in Great Britain;(4) what are the costs per head of population of national emergency planning provision in the United Kingdom; and what information he has on comparable costs per head of population in other EEC states.

Expenditure on civil preparedness in the United Kingdom in 1990–91 is estimated at £128,837,000. No figure for total expenditure by central and local Government on emergencies in peacetime is available. Nor are comparable figures for other EC countries.Assuming a population of 57 million, the cost per head of the civil preparedness programme in 1990–91 is estimated as £2·26.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total cost of emergency planning in the Greater London area excluding provision for military nuclear disaster;(2) what is the total cost of emergency planning provision in the Greater London area.

Civil Defence approved expenditure for the London fire and civil defence authority in the financial year 1990–91 is £2·45 million. Planning for all emergencies in peacetime may be carried out by London boroughs at their own discretion under section 138 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of black police officers currently serving in British police forces.

The most recent figures relate to January 1990 when 1,312 officers from ethnic minority communities were serving in police forces in England and Wales. This represents 1·04 per cent. of total strength compared, for example, to 273 officers or 0·24 per cent. of total strength in March 1980.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of probation officers are black.

The results of a survey of probation officers carried out on 31 December 1987 were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Equal Opportunities Commission letter suggesting amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act was received; and when he intends to reply to it.

The EOC's formal proposals for amending the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 were received in March 1988. The Government are considering the commission's proposals, but we shall not be in a position to reply until we have been able to consider the results of the commission's review of the Equal Pay Act 1970 which we await in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would the increase in the grant in aid to the Equal Opportunities Commission over the last six years have needed to be to have kept in line with inflation.

The table sets out the information requested for the last six years and also gives details of the grant in aid the Equal Opportunities Commission will receive in 1990–91, subject to approval by Parliament.

Year	Equal opportunities commission's grain-in-aid	Increase in EOC's grant-in-aid over the previous year	Increase needed to keep pace with inflation1
	(£)	(£)	(£)
1984–85	3,387,000	219,000	157,450
1985–86	3,434,000	47,000	181,543
1986–87	3,538,000	104,000	116,756
1987–88	3,716,000	178,000	189,637
1988–89	3,810,000	94,000	264,580
1989–90	3,894,000	84,000	247,650
1990–912	4,579,000	685,000	253,110
1 Calculated using the GDP inflators.
2 Subject to approval by Parliament.