To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the achievements of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

The Government have continued to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures, and through specific programmes of support and assistance.To assist in obtaining better value for money through broadening its competitive base, the Ministry of Defence has continued to provide a new suppliers service responsible for encouraging and assisting small firms to compete for defence business. Over the past 12 months the new suppliers service has attended a wide range of seminars and "meet-the-buyer" events and has given advice to about 2,200 companies on how to sell to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence has also continued to produce a fortnightly contracts bulletin, which includes notice of almost all contracts the Department expects to place valued at more than £500,000. Since 1 January 1990 clothing and textile requirements have been included in the bulletin at a lower threshold of £250,000. The bulletin will shortly include details of sub-contract opportunities, which will be of particular value to small companies. The success of these measures to encourage a widening of our supplier base is in part reflected by our having placed 67 per cent. of headquarters contracts by value by competition or otherwise by reference to market forces in 1989–90. Details of payments made by the Ministry of Defence to small firms in 1989–90 are not yet available.In addition, the small firms research initiative aims to encourage small firms to bid for research work. In 1989–90, 36 research contracts were placed with small firms at a total value of £1·3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report by the review board on its sixth general review of the profit formula for Government contracts.

The main recommendation in the report is for an increase, based on comparability, in the overall target rate of return on non-competitive contracts.After careful consideration I have concluded that we cannot adopt that recommendation and that the current target rate should remain in force. This decision implies no criticism of the review board. It is based on my assessment in present circumstances that the maintenance of the existing target rate for such contracts will ensure adequate industrial resources to meet our current needs.The report raises a number of other issues relating to the operation of the profit formula and the pricing of non-competitive contracts. My officials will be pursuing these with representatives of the CBI and with the review board, as appropriate.A copy of the review board's report has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he makes of the effect of tape-recorded interviews of suspects upon the speed of trials, the delays in bringing cases to trial and the number of pleas of guilty being entered.

The effect of tape-recorded interviews has not been assessed pending the completion of the nationwide introduction of the scheme.

To ask the Attorney-General for what reasons the Union flag is no longer flown on the flagpole on top of the courthouses in Armagh city; whether the Union flag being flown on a pole at ground level at the courthouse has been damaged; and if he will make a statement.

The flagpole on top of the courthouse at Armagh is no longer used for safety reasons. This position affords little or no protection when raising or lowering the Union flag and staff were in danger of falling. The new flagpole was fixed to the inward side of the perimeter wall. A flag was damaged on barbed wire at the new location. Two strands of barbed wire have been removed, and a new flag supplied. It has been flown subsequently without difficulty.

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) of 26 June, Official Report, columns 141–42, if he will make a further statement on the juridical implications of Factortame, in the light of the decision of the House of Lords.

The Factortame case was reinstated in the House of Lords on 2 July and the hearing concluded on 9 July. It has been indicated that the House of Lords has decided in principle to grant interim relief in favour of the applicants to the effect that the Secretary of State for Transport should not withhold registration in respect of any fishing vessel if the owner is an "original applicant" for interim relief who is disentitled to registration under section 14 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 by reason only of a failure to meet the conditions requiring directors and shareholders of owning companies to be resident and domiciled in the United Kingdom. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the House of Lords' decision until it has determined the form of its order and it has given its fully reasoned judgment.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the achievements of the Lord Chancellor's Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors these achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

The Government have continued to place a high priority on helping small businesses through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures, and through specific programmes of support and assistance.The Lord Chancellor has implemented a number of policies designed to ensure that all litigants enjoy the greatest possible quality and speed of service from the civil courts. However, as these policies are not specifically targeted on small businesses, no performance indicators are kept in this regard.The Lord Chancellor's Department has continued to encourage the use of small businesses as suppliers in line with the Government purchasing initiative. Within the last 12 months guidance issued by the Department of Employment—Central Unit on Purchasing has been circulated to all purchasing and supply staff, and there has

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the amount of revenue that would accrue to the Government from fiscal drag if the tax system were simply indexed in the 1991 Budget.

Chapter 2 of the 1990–91 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" shows total taxes and national insurance contributions, including the community charge, rising from £206 billion in 1990–91 to £216 billion in 1991–92, on the assumption that the tax system is indexed in the 1991 Budget. This allows for the effects of real fiscal drag, and also for the build-up of effects of the 1990 Budget and earlier Budgets, including independent taxation for husbands and wives.

To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will specify the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half year ended 30 June of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historical or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed by testators or executors in the matter of allocation; whether he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax or capital transfer tax; and whether a press notice will be issued from his Department covering the information given in his reply.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: The information the hon. Gentleman requests is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect of not indexing excise duties in the 1991 Budget, by product, on (a) inflation and (b) revenues in 1991–92 and a full year.

The effects of revalorising excise duties on the revenue yield and the retail prices index in 1991–92 and 1992–93 will be published in the autumn statement. The information requested will not be readily available before then.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount of income tax the Exchequer would forgo in 1990–91 (a) if all income from savings were exempted from the tax and (b) if income tax were chargeable only to higher rate taxpayers on such income.

The direct revenue cost of exempting from income tax the investment income received by individual savers, including interest received on bank and building society accounts, national savings and dividends received from companies, is estimated to be about £10·5 billion. If the income from savings of higher rate taxpayers remained chargeable to income tax, at their marginal rate of tax, the cost would be reduced to about £5 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give (a) the gross incomes before tax and (b) the net incomes after tax of each income decile for each year since 1978–79 and also for the top 1 per cent. and the top 5 per cent. of the income distribution, the income level which is the dividing line between the deciles for the top 1 per cent. and 5 per cent. in each case for each year and the average income for each group during each year.

The latest available analyses of the distributions of before and after tax incomes relate to the years 1978–79, 1981–82 and 1984–85 and were published in the November 1987 issue of "Economic Trends", No. 409, a copy of which is available in the Library. The additional details and data for other years requested by the hon. Member could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish an updated version of table 6·7 in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1990–91".

The latest outturn figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are shown in the table. These outturn figures are subject to revision as more information becomes available. It is not the normal practice to publish forecasts other than at Budget time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the number of taxpayers divided into basic rate and top rate and by sex.

Estimates for 1990–91 are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the expenditure by programme in England to which (a) Scottish block expenditure, and (b) Welsh block expenditure are held to be comparable for the purposes of the territorial allocation formula; and if he will place in the Library a document explaining the implications for the operation of this formula of the introduction of the new planning total.

The annual public expenditure White Paper shows the individual programme elements of both the Scottish block and the Welsh block—table 15·1 of Cm. 1015 and table 16·1 of Cm. 1016: housing and education. It is the corresponding English programmes which are held to be comparable. The introduction of the new planning total affects the programmes within the Scottish and Welsh blocks in the same way as it affects the corresponding English programmes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effects the Treasury model currently incorporates concerning the impact on the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment of the differences in regional levels of unemployment; and what is the scale of these effects.

In common with other macroeconomic models of the United Kingdom economy, the Treasury model is not disaggregated to a regional level.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the recent report of the Retail Prices Index Advisory Committee.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) on 4 July, at column 577, the report examines how the price of holidays might be incorporated into the retail prices index and recommends that the Central Statistical Office should begin to collect relevant data and examine a new methodology which the committee has developed. However, there is no recommendation to include holiday prices in the retail prices index for the moment. I am asking the Central Statistical Office to put in hand the data collection and further work necessary to determine whether it will be possible to overcome the methodological problems associated with incorporating a holiday price index into the retail prices index in due course.The report also examines the way financial services are taken into account in the retail prices index. On this it recommends that the annual fees which are being introduced for the holders of certain credit cards should not be covered by the retail prices index, and that any supplements which retailers might charge to customers using credit cards should also be ignored in constructing the index, at least for the present. It is also recommended that charges for personal banking services and transaction charges incurred by households buying and selling investments should be excluded from the index, but that the coverage of insurance should be extended to include personal accident and "protection-only" life insurance. I have decided to accept these recommendations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his answer of 5 July, Official Report, column 699, when he will be able to provide up-to-date figures on the same basis as those provided to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East in his answer of 8 January, Official Report, columns 559–64, revising his figures to include an estimate of the effects of the introduction of the community charge; and what estimate he has made to date of the effect on the tax burden of the introduction of the community charge.

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: It will be possible to provide estimates of the effects of the introduction of the community charge on the basis requested when relevant data from the family expenditure survey for 1990, the first year of the charge's operation in England and Wales, are available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show for each stamp duty office in the United Kingdom the income for stamp duty, the number of transactions, the other functions and the other income, for each of the last three years;(2) if he will publish a table in the

[holding answer 17 July 1990]: More time is needed to collect the necessary information and I shall write to the hon. Member when it is available and place a copy in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (a) the number of individual shareholders in the United Kingdom and (b) the number who are direct shareholders in privatised companies.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: There are now nearly 11 million individual shareholders in the United Kingdom and over 5 million who are direct shareholders in privatised companies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of corporation tax received from privatised companies in 1989–90.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: The companies privatised since 1979 paid about £1½ billion in corporation tax in 1989–90.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much gross domestic product per capita in south Yorkshire falls below (a) the Community average and (b) the United Kingdom average.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: In 1987, the latest year for which county figures are available, and taking the Economic Community average as 100, the figures are, based on purchasing power parities—

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief goes on mortgage tax relief (a) at basic rate and (b) in excess of the basic rate in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: Provisional estimates are given in the table; 1990–91 estimates are based on the assumption that interest rates remain at their current levels.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government estimate gross domestic product will be in 1990–91 and 1991–92 both in current and constant prices.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: The information requested can be calculated from table 2·1 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1990".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people would pay more tax than they do at the present time if capital gains tax exemption were at the same level as the personal allowance; what is their average pre-tax income and the distribution of income; and what would be the average and distribution of increased capital gains tax payments;(2) how many people would pay more tax if capital gains tax exemptions were £3,000; what is their average pre-tax income and the distribution of income; and what would be the average and distribution of increased payments.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: It is tentatively estimated that about 260,000 individuals and trusts would pay more capital gains tax in 1990–91 disposals if the annual exempt amount were reduced from £5,000 to either £3,000 or £3,005—the 1990–91 personal allowance—assuming a proportionate reduction in the annual exempt amount for trusts. About 100,000 of these 260,000 losers are not expected to pay capital gains tax on 1990–91 disposals under current rules. The full-year yield from this change is estimated to be about £70 million, implying an average additional payment of about £275 per loser, but estimates of the distribution of extra payments are not available. The estimates allow for some change in taxpayers' behaviour in response to the reduced annual exempt amount, but do not allow for possible short-term effects. No allowance has been made for any change in the treatment of capital gains of companies which are taxed within corporation tax.Estimates of the income distribution of the 260,000 losers are not available. Some information about the taxable income of capital gains taxpayers in 1985–86 is available in table 11·5 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1989".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps are taken to make available properties disposed of by his Department to housing associations or local authorities;

The Department sold 2,575 prison officers' quarters during the 18-month period 1 January 1989 to 30 June 1990, of which 2,415 were sold to officers under the Department's discount sales scheme and 160 were sold as vacant houses on the open market. During the last three months of that period 223 quarters were sold, of which 194 were sold to officers and 29 were sold on the open market.Most quarters are sold to officers in occupation under the Department's discount sale scheme. The policy in dealing with vacant quarters is that, unless they are to be retained for essential reallocation, redevelopment or security reasons, they are placed on the open market for sale to the general public at the best price obtainable. No special steps are taken to make such properties available to housing associations or local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the money realised from any sales of domestic properties by his Department is treated.

Receipts from the sale of prison officer's quarters are appropriations-in-aid and, as such, are offset against planned expenditure on the prison service. Any receipts in excess of the anticipated level go to the Consolidated Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements have been made to monitoring posts since the review of warning and monitoring was completed; what the costs of such improvements have been in each of the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90; what further improvements are planned or under consideration; and what the costs of any such further improvements are expected to be in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

Since the review of warning and monitoring was completed, a supply of replacement generator sets has been made available to those monitoring posts whose equipment had become unserviceable. The cost was £26,000 in 1989–90. A study has been undertaken into the provision of ventilation systems and field trials are planned to evaluate costs and effectiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what possible replacements for AWDREY and other Royal Observer Corps instrument systems have been identified; and how much such replacement systems are expected to cost.

Possible replacement systems for AWDREY and other Royal Observer Corps instrument systems have been identified. The systems are based on seismic, optical and electromagnetic pulse detectors but further development is required before the full costs can be estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what options are being considered for the realignment of United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation sector boundaries; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options.

Several options for revising the group and sector warnings and monitoring boundaries to conform with the home defence regions are under consideration. Work is continuing on estimating their costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any progress has been made regarding the setting up of new systems to convey data within the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation.

A study is being conducted into the use of an enhanced emergency communications network to convey data within the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation. This study will take account of the scope for introducing new information technology for both administrative purposes and wartime operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what options are being considered for the collocation of UKWMO and Royal Observer Corps headquarters; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options.

The Property Services Agency has identified three collocation options for basing the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation and Royal Observer Corps headquarters at Cowley, Oxford. A full feasibility study is to be conducted which will include estimates of the costs of each option.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any conclusions have been reached regarding replacement RADIAC instrumentation for monitoring of nuclear fallout; and what costs have so far been identified.

No conclusions have been reached on replacing the RADIAC instrumentation for monitoring fallout. The costs will be identified when the customer requirements have been established.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what options are being considered for the refurbishment and replacement of warning sirens; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options;(2) whether any alternative to the use of sirens for warning of air attack is under consideration.

A study of the refurbishment and replacement of sirens has concluded that it would be expensive as a warning option. Further research is therefore being conducted on the cost effectiveness of alternative warning options such as the use of radio and television.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are currently serving a prison sentence in England and Wales.

According to the records held centrally, on 31 March 1990 about 320 sentenced prisoners in prison service establishments in England and Wales who were citizens of the United Kingdom or whose citizenship was unknown were known to have been born in Northern Ireland.The recording of nationality in the records held centrally for citizens of the Republic of Ireland is not completely reliable because it depends upon information provided by the prisoner. On 31 March 1990 about 440 sentenced prisoners in establishments in England and Wales were recorded as citizens of or born in the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the new police computer, known as PNC2, will be operational; and what its capacity will be.

Present plans are for PNC2 to come into operational service by the end of the year. The system's processors will be capable of handling 62 millions of instructions per second. Its main memory will be capable of storing 192 million bytes of data; it will also have sufficient disk capacity to store 80,000 million bytes of data.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of information are considered admissible for entry on the criminal record system; what restrictions are applied; and what is the purpose of information that is not factual.

The information included in the national collection of criminal records is set out in form NIB 74. A copy of the form is available in the Library, as part of the memorandum submitted by the Home Office to the Home Affairs Committee in connection with its recent inquiry into the collection and use of criminal records.The national collection of criminal records is maintained by the police to meet its operational needs. All the information contained in it is used primarily for this purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when guidelines will be issued to chief constables to assist them in deciding whether or not to allow access to police records; and whether there are any plans to update Home Office circular No. 45/1986.

Guidance to chief officers of police about disclosure of information from police records is contained in a number of Home Office circulars including HOC 45/1986 which is scheduled for revision next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when full responsibility for Caledonian sector will be transferred from the Scottish Office to the Home Office; whether this will result in staff redeployment; and what is the expected net cost or gain to be made from this transfer.

Full responsibility for Caledonian sector will be transferred when the detailed arrangements have been finalised. The staff affected and the departmental trade union sides have been consulted, although no staff redeployment is likely to be involved. There is no expected net cost or gain from this proposed transfer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the Prison Governors Association dated 15 June; and if he will make a statement.

We have no record of a letter of 15 June from the Prison Governors Association although I understand that a copy of the letter sent by the vice-chairman of the association on 4 June about the reorganisation of the prison service was included in the association's bulletin to its members of 15 June. I replied to the letter on 18 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to chief constables that the police should use cautions more widely when dealing with mentally disturbed offenders.

A forthcoming circular on provision for mentally disordered offenders will emphasise the need to divert such offenders from the formal criminal justice system wherever possible. Cautioning is included among the recommended methods of diverting mentally disturbed offenders from the criminal justice system, the importance of which is emphasised in the circular.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to facilitate the transfer of mentally ill prisoners from prisons to mental hospitals.

The prime consideration is to seek to avoid mentally ill people unnecessarily being sent to prison in the first place. The revised Home Office booklet "The Sentence of the Court" and a circular to be issued soon to the police and probation services as well as the courts have the aim of encouraging the diversion of mentally disordered offenders into the care of the health or social services.The recommendations of the working group of Home Office and Department of Health officials on mentally disordered offenders in the prison system, a copy of whose report is in the Library, include measures designed to facilitate transfer to hospital and these have been brought to the attention of prison medical officers. Consolidated guidance on transfer procedures under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 is to be issued soon to the prison medical service in conjunction with a review of the standing order on health care. This guidance emphasises the need for action to be initiated promptly, including arrangements for a consultant to make an assessment visit, when it is thought that a prisoner's transfer to hospital may be warranted.The number of mentally disordered prisoners including those who were mentally ill transferred to hospital under section 47 or 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 has doubled over the last six years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there has been an increase or decrease in the number of psychiatric referrals of prison inmates in the last two years.

The number of inmates referred to visiting or consultant psychiatrists rose from 12,465 in 1986–87 to 16,937 in 1988–89. That represents an increase of 36 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of mentally ill people who are in prison.

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 5 July at columns 639–40.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to incorporate the prison medical service within the national health service.

There are no plans to do so. The prison medical service already makes exclusive use of national health service in-patient and out-patient facilities, general practitioners and specialists. However, there will be an opportunity to look afresh at the organisation of the prison medical service when we have the findings of the efficiency scrutiny announced on 20 December 1989 at columns 274–75. The scrutiny team's report is expected shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who committed suicide in the last decade underwent psychiatric treatment or assessment before entering custody.

The information is not available. Prison medical officers would normally be aware of any previous psychiatric treatment or assessment only if the inmate chose to disclose the details at interview on reception. The only totally reliable source of information would be any confidential report on an inmate's psychiatric condition prepared by a consultant psychiatrist at the request of the court.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what suicide prevention procedure is recommended for Her Majesty's prisons; what changes in standing orders have been made or are proposed to be made to accommodate this; and if he will make a statement.

Circular instruction 20/1989, a copy of which is in the Library, describes the range of measures taken by the prison service in England and Wales to try to prevent suicide and self-injury among prisoners. The main elements are systematic screening and assessment; suitable location and supervision; sympathetic and supportive contact with staff and others; reducing the opportunities for suicide by physical prevention measures; and ensuring staff awareness.The prison service is constantly looking to improve its suicide prevention strategy. Among present initiatives are: a planned trial of the use of closed circuit television; the continuation of the "family ties" programme, including the installation of cardphones in category C establishments, a proposed experiment at Winchester prison in the use of cardphones by remand prisoners and a pilot scheme to reduce routine censorship in category B—non-dispersal—establishments; and encouraging the increasing involvement of the Samaritans.In addition, Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons has been asked to review the effectiveness of the prison service's policy and procedures for the prevention of suicide and self-harm, with particular reference to the risks posed by mentally disturbed prisoners. Judge Tumin is expected to report in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to transfer the functions of traffic wardens to the private sector; and if he expects this service to be operated by existing or by new businesses.

We have no plans to transfer the functions of traffic wardens to the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to institute a review of the judicial system in the Channel Islands to fulfil his responsibilities to ensure that good government is being maintained.

I have no reason to believe such a review is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what rights of appeal British citizens have to British courts and Government Departments when they have a grievance against courts in the Channel Islands;(2) how he ensures that the United Kingdom citizens have the same rights of legal review of court decisions in the Channel Islands as on the mainland in cases where appeal judges from the English bench are involved.

The Channel Islands are not within the United Kingdom. They have their own courts and courts of appeal with full jurisdiction. Senior barristers from the United Kingdom, appointed by the Queen, serve on the panel from which appeal court judges are drawn. There is a final avenue of appeal to the judicial committee of the Privy Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

The Government have continued to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures, and through specific programmes of support and assistance. The success of these policies is demonstrated by the latest statistics which show a record increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT of 1,700 a week during 1989. Over the decade the overall increase has been 373,000.Over the past 12 months, the Home Office has helped small firms by continuing to develop and improve the information, access and opportunities necessary to enable them to tender for our business. We have revised and reissued a booklet entitled "Selling to the Home Office", which, together with the list of contact points for each of our local establishments throughout England and Wales, provides details of our typical purchasing needs and guidance for potential suppliers on where and how to make the initial approach. This has been reinforced by the provision of a central point of contact in the Home Office for general supplier inquiries and representation at exhibitions and seminars held locally for small firms.Home Office performance indicators on purchasing are directed to securing better value for the money we spend, and do not differentiate between the size of firms to which contracts are awarded or provide statistical information about the business placed with small firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any representations about the quality of the news and current affairs service provided by the managing editors of Greater London Radio, Greater Manchester Radio, and BBC Radio WM for the communities which they serve; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning the future of Greater Manchester Radio.

So far this year I have received nine letters from hon. Members and four letters from members of the public expressing support for BBC local radio stations in metropolitan areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the current number of listeners to Greater London Radio.

Any information on listenership is derived from the BBC which will be able to give my hon. Friend its latest estimates and details of the methodology employed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce safeguards to protect the rights of the individual against the dangers of data matching; and if he will make a statement.

Not at present. I will consider carefully any recommendation the Data Protection Registrar may make when his consideration of this issue is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances east African holders of former United Kingdom passports, which did not give a right of abode in the United Kingdom, who have adopted east African citizenships are permitted to renounce those citizenships and to resume the status of British overseas citizen.

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any new appointment has been made to the Police Complaints Authority.

Mr. Edward H. Wignall, who retired from the Electricity Council in September 1989, has accepted my invitation to serve as a member of the Police Complaints Authority. He will take up his post on 30 July 1990. This appointment is being made to fill a vacancy created by the departure of one of the members from the authority to take up the offer of a Harkness fellowship.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reached a decision on the recommendations made in the report of the working group on grievance procedures concerning the introduction of new procedures for handling prisoners' requests and complaints and the possible establishment of a prison ombudsman.

I have decided that, in the light of experience gained in pilot schemes at Hull, Lindholme and Wakefield prisons, the new procedures which have been developed for handling prisoners' requests and complaints, and which are intended to replace the present petitioning system, should be introduced in all establishments on 25 September to coincide with the reorganisation of prison service headquarters. I have also decided to accept the working group's recommendation that it would be sensible to defer a decision on whether or not to establish a prisons ombudsman until there has been time for the new requests/complaints procedures to bed down and for their impact to be assessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest information he has on the proportion of community service orders and probation orders successfully completed; and what was the proportion which were followed by reconvictions for further offences, relative to persons discharged from custodial sentences.

A total of 79 per cent. of the 43,150 probation orders that ended in 1988 were successfully completed—ran their full course, or were terminated early for good progress or were replaced by a conditional discharge order. The specified hours were completed in 72 per cent. of the 35,600 community service orders which ended in 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to acquire the information required to total the number of firearms certificates and shotgun certificates which were in force in England and Wales on 31 December 1989.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: The number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue at 31 December 1988 was published in Home Office statistical bulletin 18/89, a copy of which is in the Library. Information relating to 31 December 1989 will also be published soon in a Home Office statistical bulletin.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the most recent estimate he has made of the cost of (a) establishing and equipping and (b) operating the proposed Birmingham public Inquiry office; and when he now estimates it will be opened.

[holding answer 5 July 1990]: The estimated total cost of furnishing and equipping the office is £44,000, of which some £14,000 has already been spent. Annual running costs are expected to be in the region of £140,000. We intend to open the office when the necessary funding can be made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a woman European Community student is entitled to bring her husband into the United Kingdom if the husband is not a European Community national.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: European Community law confers right of entry upon spouses and certain other family members of nationals of other EC states who are exercising EC treaty rights in this country. If an EC national is receiving a service which is provided as an economic activity then, under EC law, he or she is exercising those rights. This is normally the case where a student is paying for education at a private college, but not where the education is provided as part of the state education system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce an immediate ban on Sunday working on the Thornbridge viaduct of the M6 motorway, Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

No. The contractors are encouraged to complete the work as quickly as possible in accordance with restrictions laid down within their contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what form of compensation is available to residents whose homes are covered in dust from the work on the Thornbridge viaduct of the M6 motorway, Birmingham.

The Department's standard conditions of contract require contractors to be insured against third party claims. The contract for the reconstruction of the concrete verges of both carriageways of the Thornbridge viaduct is a standard one. The contractor has written to local residents giving them a telephone number to contact if problems arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has taken any noise measurements of the repair work on the Thornbridge viaduct of the M6 motorway, Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

No noise measurements of the repair work have been carried out so far but our agents will take measurements of noise if considered necessary. The environmental health officer for Birmingham has visited the site but as far as we are aware did not take any noise measurements. He is able to take whatever noise measurements he decides.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress made on the design and consultation process leading to the planned construction of the A39 bypass of Wadebridge, north Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.

We have almost completed the statutory procedures. Subject to a successful outcome it should be possible to invite tenders next spring in accordance with the national trunk road programme published in the roads report earlier this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times houses in the vicinity of Heathrow airport have suffered vortex damage from aircraft in respect of which repairs have been carried out or compensation paid under the airport compensation scheme in each year since the scheme was instituted; and how many such houses have suffered from damage once, twice, three times, four times, five times or more than five times.

Information on vortex damage should be sought from Heathrow Airport Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the money realised from sales of domestic properties by his Department is treated.

Proceeds from the sale of properties acquired in connection with the construction of motorways and trunk roads are appropriated in aid of class VII, vote 1—national roads, England. Proceeds from the sale of coastguard cottages are appropriated in aid of class VII, vote 2—administration and transport services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the King's Cross-St. Pancras project to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 22 to 26 October 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the average daily traffic flows for the A629-A650 Airedale route at (i) Kildwick to Steeton, (ii) Steeton to Beechcliffe, (iii) Hard Ings road, Beechcliffe to Victoria Park and (iv) Victoria Park to Crossflatts.

The 24-hour average daily traffic flows recorded in 1989 on the A629-A650 Airedale route were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the vehicle inspectorate executive agency annual report for 1989–90 will be published.

The annual report has been published today. Copies are being placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage further private sector involvement in rail freight.

I welcome greater private sector involvement in the railways and have today launched "Charterail", a new rail freight joint venture between British Rail, GKN and City investors. "Charterail" plans to offer customers a total door-to-door distribution operation and is primarily aimed at the fast-moving consumer goods market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to implement the recommendations of the chief inspector of marine accidents' interim report on the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle.

Directly after the tragedy I announced immediate requirements for chartered Thames river craft to record passenger numbers before sailing, and lodge the record ashore, and that passengers should be given proper instructions on where to find emergency equipment and what to do in the case of an emergency. Regulations to make these provisions mandatory for all passenger craft throughout the United Kingdom came into force on 12 April 1990.Within 10 days I had received the marine accident investigation branch's interim report, and announced that the six recommendations made in that report should take effect as soon as practicable, with the assistance of the Port of London Authority where required.The two recommendations on look-outs and lights on vessels of more than 40m in length were implemented on 18 September 1989 by amendments to the general direction for navigation in the port of London.The third recommendation related to the need for those in charge of passenger launches to keep continuous radio watch—implemented in the same general directions for navigation—and look frequently astern—covered in a PLA notice to mariners. This recommendation also proposed that if necessary insulation against noise should be provided on passenger launches. My surveyors are taking action to ensure that launches are modified so that recommended noise levels are not exceeded.The fourth recommendation proposed a review of traffic control arrangements, particularly under bridges. This has been considered, and a contractor has been appointed to develop a triggered light system, activated by the passage of ships along the river, indicating priority for larger vessels at bridges.The fifth recommendation was that the interim recommendations should be transmitted to port authorities generally. This has been done.The final recommendation suggested that the Department should examine the possibility of setting standards for the construction of ships' bridges, with a view to international agreement. This recommendation is being dealt with on two fronts. First, the question of bridge visibility has already been raised at the International Maritime Organisation with a view to incorporating the IMO guidelines as an amendment to the safety of life at sea convention 1974. Secondly, inspections of all relevant vessels on the Thames are taking place to determine existing visibility standards in order to determine necessary action. These inspections are well under way.Apart from this action, I should also add that all passenger craft on the Thames were inspected by my surveyors after the tragedy, and the frequency of random inspections has been increased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to make the chief inspector of marine accidents' report into the collision between the Marchioness and Bowbelle publicly available.

I have received the final report of the chief inspector of marine accidents into the collision between the Marchioness and Bowbelle and have been considering publication in the light of the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute the master of the Bowbelle.I have been advised by the director that publication of the report would give rise to a serious risk of prejudice to the current criminal proceedings. In these circumstances, the balance of the public interest lies clearly in favour of delaying publication of the full report and I am driven to the conclusion that the report cannot be published until the prosecution is concluded.However, in the interest of ensuring safety on the River Thames, and generally improving the safety of life at sea, I am anxious that the recommendations of the chief inspector should be made available so that action to avoid such an accident in future can be taken as soon as possible. I am therefore today publishing the chief inspector's recommendations in advance of the full report. The chief inspector is forwarding the recommendations to those persons or bodies who in his opinion are most fitted to implement them. I am placing copies in the Library.I can assure the House that the chief inspector's report will be published in full as soon as possible after the prosecution is completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the achievements of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

Overall responsibility for helping small businesses rests with the Department of Employment. The Government have continued to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures, and through specific programmes of support and assistance. The success of their policies is demonstrated by the latest statistics, which show a record increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT of 1,700 a week during 1989. Over the decade the overall increase has been 373,000.The policies of the Department of Transport are concerned to ensure that transport infrastructure is adequate and to lift the burden on businesses caused by unnecessary regulation so that all businesses can flourish.Much progress has been made on commitments made in the November 1988 White Paper, "Releasing Enterprise", including the change to the heavy goods vehicle plating and testing threshold that the Secretary of State announced at the time of the Budget statement. This change means more sensible rules for business to comply with and understand in a sector of the vehicle market which is expected to expand, and will bring up to 200,000 light goods vehicles out of the HGV plating and testing scheme and into the less costly MOT scheme. This will be of considerable benefit to small businesses using light goods vehicles.The Department is also at the forefront of the initiative to create executive agencies. The vehicle inspectorate executive agency was created on 1 August 1988, becoming the very first executive agency in Government. On 2 April 1990, three more executive arms of the DTp attained agency status—the vehicle certification agency, the driving standards agency and the driver and vehicle licensing agency. All the agencies share the common objective of improving customer service while providing good value for money. Individual agencies publicise financial and service quality targets in their annual business plans.Departmental procurement procedures also encourage the use of small firms. The Department procurement unit encourages small firms to supply the Department—mainly through the pamphlet, "Selling to the Department of Transport" but also by attending "meet the buyer" events. Approximately 1,000 copies of the pamphlet have been issued since the beginning of February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any submissions from British Rail for the authorisation of the electrification of the Birmingham cross-city line between Lichfield City and Lichfield Trent Valley.

I understand that an extension of the cross-city electrification scheme to Lichfield Trent Valley is being considered by British Rail. Such an extension would not require ministerial authorisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, Official Report, column 83, if he is now in a position to publish his assessment of the review of tanker traffic in the deep water route west of the Hebrides and the Minch.

A survey of tanker traffic using the Minch and the alternative deep water route to the west of the Outer Hebrides was carried out in September and October last year. I am arranging for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library.Laden tankers over 10,000 grt are recommended to use the deep water route when weather conditions permit. During the 21 days and nights of the survey, 21 tankers passing through the area off the north-west of Scotland could have used the route. Of these, four used the route, four claimed that they were prevented from doing so by bad weather and 13—an average of only two laden tankers every three days—used the Minch route in weather conditions which appeared to allow use of the deep water route.My Department has sought explanations from shipowners on the use of the Minch route. It is clear from the responses that routes were carefully considered taking account of weather conditions and forecasts at the time of route planning.My Department will continue to urge shipowners and masters to use the deep water route whenever weather conditions make it practicable. They will do this both directly and indirectly through national flag state administrations, harbour authorities and the International Maritime Organisation. But it will never be possible to eliminate tanker traffic from the more sheltered Minch route, as it is essential that ships' masters retain the freedom to use that route when they judge it to be safest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received to renationalise the former constituent companies of the National Bus Company.

I have received no such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the rents obtained from tenants in houses purchased by the Government which are blighted by projected road schemes maximise the revenue to the Treasury.

It is the Department's general policy to contract out the management of residential property acquired in advance of trunk road proposals. It is the responsibility of managing agents to find suitable tenants at appropriate rents. My hon. Friend the Minister for Roads and Traffic will write to my right hon. Friend about the effect of these arrangements in his constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive details of the economic appraisal and cost benefit analysis relating to the possible construction of a temporary roundabout at the A27/B2132 Arisford junction.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: Very shortly. We shall let my hon. Friend know the outcome of our consideration of the appraisal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive detailed designs for the proposed equestrian underpass on the A27 at Fontwell; and what prospects he envisages for construction work on this project in the current year.

[holding answer 23 July 1990]: We expect to receive detailed designs early this autumn. Subject to this, and there being no difficulties in obtaining the necessary land, we would hope to be able to process a scheme for a start of works next spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on how many occasions a local education authority has refused to comply with the principal findings of a report by the Commissioner for Local Administration.

This is a matter for the Commissioner for Local Administration in England who is entirely independent of central and local government. I understand that to date local authorities have refused to comply in a total of 165 cases. Although the commission's records do not permit a breakdown of this total, they have identified three cases in the last two years where local education authorities have failed to comply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated effect on central Government receipts and expenditure of the proposed opening of two city technology colleges in the London borough of Wandsworth; and what is the effect on the central Government capital and other allocations for Wandsworth of the proposed reorganisation of secondary schools in Wandsworth.

I am currently considering a proposal from ADT plc for the establishment of a city technology college in Wandsworth, which has been the subject of consultation with the local authority and others with an interest. Should I decide in favour of the proposal, I would be prepared to fund up to 80 per cent. of the capital costs and to meet all normal running costs thereafter.I am aware that the London borough of Wandsworth intends to publish a consultation document on its secondary reorganisation proposals, which include the establishment of a voluntary aided school with CTC characteristics. If such a school were to be established, it would be treated as any other voluntary aided school in relation to bids for central Government contributions towards capital expenditure; and, correspondingly, capital bids for county schools would be treated in the normal way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what were the proportions of pupils receiving free school meals in every year since 1979–80;(2) what were the proportions of pupils receiving school meals in every year since 1979–80.

The proportion of pupils receiving school meals and free school meals in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools since 1979 is given in the table. There was no school meals census in 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the gross and net costs of restoring the right to free school meals to those children who lost that right through the Social Security Act 1986.

It is not possible to estimate the cost of reintroducing the wide variety of discretionary schemes which existed prior to the implementation of the Social Security Act 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the numbers and proportions of pupils in special schools in classes over 10.

Information on the numbers and proportions of pupils in special schools in classes over 10 is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the achievements of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

The Government have continued to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures, and through specific programmes of support and assistance. The success of their policies is demonstrated by the latest statistics which show a record increase in the number of small businesses registered for VAT, of 1,700 a week during 1989. Over the decade the overall increase has been 373,000.It was estimated that during 1989–90 the Department purchased goods to the value of £11·5 million—£6·1 million the previous year—of which some £4·2 million benefited small firms—£2.4 million the previous year.Approximately 40 per cent. of our services—minor works, cleaning, transportation, and so on—continues to be provided by small firms.Performance indicators and a computerised procurement monitoring system are currently being developed. Meantime this Department continues to operate a policy of including small firms on tender lists whenever an appropriate opportunity arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in each England and Wales local authority area received (a) mandatory awards and (b) discretionary awards in the latest year for which figures are available.

The data required are listed in the table.