To ask the Attorney-General what arrangements he intends to make to ensure the survival of the Belfast duty solicitor scheme.

The Belfast duty solicitor scheme is a voluntary scheme established and administered by the Council of the Law Society for Northern Ireland. The continued running of the scheme is, therefore, a matter for that body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage businesses to follow the lead of the Houses of Parliament in introducing energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy.

My Energy Efficiency Office uses its 'Best Practice' programme and the network of Regional Energy Efficiency Officers to promote the saving of energy costs through the use of energy efficiency lighting in industry and commerce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will make a statement on the assessment he has made of the effect of the EC's draft directive for new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels—document No. 9791/90—on (a) the average cost to British householders of replacing a central heating boiler, (b) the average cost of installing a central heating system, (c) the average cost of a central heating boiler, (d) the profitability of the British boiler-making industry, (e) the average cost of a new house or flat, (f) employment within the British boiler-making industry, (g) the number of house owners who in future will not be able to replace central heating boilers and (h) the average annual saving per boiler in fuel costs;(2) if it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to oppose implementation of the draft directive on new hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

The Government wish to encourage cost-effective improvements in the energy efficiency of central heating systems in the United Kingdom. The draft directive as proposed by the Commission would not secure this aim. We have offered detailed suggestions for amendments, as have other member states and the European Parliament, and we await a response from the Commission.Precise assessment of the effects of implementing the current draft is not possible, because of uncertainty about its meaning; in general, the average costs of boilers and systems (a, b, c) are likely to rise, and the average saving (h) is unlikely to be sufficient to make the extra investment cost-effective. Some 60 per cent. of households would have to make alterations costing from £200 to £1,000 before being able to replace their current boiler, a total cost to the nation of some £2,000 million to £3,000 million, resulting in annual fuel savings of only some £10 million to £20 million. The consequential impacts on the average cost of new dwellings (e) and on profitability and employment in the boiler-making industry (d and f) are not clear, but there would have to be major redeployments of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the role of the working group involving outside advisers to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham East, (Mr. Moynihan) on renewable sources of energy.

The Government announced their intention to conduct a review of their renewable energy programmes in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" published in September 1990. A further statement will be made shortly on the procedures to be followed for that review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prisoners are considered for transfer to an open prison if they have not previously been on home leave.

The successful completion of a period of home leave is not a general requirement for allocation to open conditions, but most open establishments include such a requirement in their allocation criteria because of its usefulness as an indication of inmates' suitability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the current prison population spent time in local authority care as children; and what proportion this is of the total prison population.

This information was collected in the national prison survey and will be made available once the results have been analysed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under section 100H(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and 50H(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, respectively, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, since 1 April 1986.

Records available centrally show no prosecutions in England and Wales from 1986 to 1989 under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. No information is centrally available for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in tabular form details of the numbers of claims for between (a) £750 and £850, (b) £850 and £950 and (c) £950 and £1,050 and the number in excess of these amounts by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and how many of the claims were made by police officers.

Information is not available in the form requested, but the percentage of awards within different bands for the year ended 31 March 1990, is shown in paragraph 8.1 of the board's last annual report—Cm 1365—a copy of which is in the Library. The relevant figures are:

	Number	Percentage
Under £400	462	1·6
£400– £499	473	1·7
£500– £599	3,179	11·4
£600– £799	5,085	18·2
£800– £999	3,458	12·4
£1,000–£1,991	7,868	28·2
£2,000–£4,999	5,205	18·6
£5,000–£9,999	1,394	5·0
£10,000 and over	802	2·9
	27,926	100·0

The board does not keep totals of the number of applications from police officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of cases settled under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in 1990; and what information he has about the time taken to determine cases from first registration in the years ending 31 March 1990 and 31 March 1991.

In the calendar year 1990, a total of 50,006 cases were resolved. The percentage resolved within certain periods of registration for the year ended 31 March 1990, is shown in paragraph 6.1 of the board's 26th annual report—Cm 1365—a copy of which is in the Library. The relevant figures are:

	Percentage
Up to 3 months	0·5
3 to 6 months	1·5
6 to 9 months	3·8
9 to 12 months	13·9
Over 12 months	80·3

Equivalent figures for the year ended 31 March 1991 are not yet available, but a recent survey by the board indicated that about 60 per cent. of applications are being resolved within 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the process of consultation for appointing the assistant parliamentary boundary commissioners; and what progress has been made to date.

My right hon. Friend has been asked by the Boundary Commission for England to appoint a panel of about 60 assistant commissioners in connection with the fourth general review of constituencies in England, which began in February. The commission put forward a list of 110 distinguished lawyers compiled by writing to heads of chambers and the Lord Chancellor's Department inviting suggestions.The Home Office is now in the process of consulting the Lord Chancellor's Department over biographical information about the nominees. Final decisions about which of the nominees should be invited to serve will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider using the redundant Army barracks and air and sea stations as prisons for low category prisoners as a short-term measure to relieve overcrowding in prisons such as Winchester.

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: The use of military accommodation to hold prisoners would be justifiable only if the prison population was so high that it could not be contained within the operational capacity of the prison service. Winchester prison, as with many local prisons serving the courts, has a population which exceeds its certified normal accommodation but is less than its operational capacity. Over the next two years, 10 new local prisons and remand centres will be opening, and these will make a major impact on overcrowding in local prisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the European Commission with the aim of ensuring that the Community's policy towards negotiations with Namibia is not affected by national bias arising from the current dispute concerning illegal fishing in Namibian waters by nationals of a Community member.

The United Kingdom has expressed concern over the handling of the suspension of fisheries negotiations between the Community and Namibia. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development raised the issue with Commission officials during the 6 and 7 May Council of Ministers in Brussels. The Commission has now given an assurance of its readiness to resume negotiations, which is shared by the Namibian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his review of the financial arrangements and the adequacy of financial regulations in dependent territories has now been completed; and if he will make a statement.

My officials have conducted a review; further work is still needed. My officials are discussing further action with the Comptroller and Auditor General.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the options available to farmers which are non-agricultural under the set-aside scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Farmers can make use of any non-agricultural option under the set-aside scheme within the limitations described on page 6 of the booklet SA1—Rev 2—a copy of which is attached. The booklet is also available in the Library of the House. In the first two years of the scheme the main non-agricultural uses related to horse-based activities, golf courses, game cover for commercial shoots, sports grounds and other recreational activities.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to relax movement restrictions imposed because of blue-ear pig disease; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's prompt action in response to suspicion of this disease in Great Britain appears to have been successful in containing its spread. In the light of accumulating knowledge about the development of the disease it is now possible to reduce the size of the restricted area, which was imposed on 13 June, around those farms in Humberside where the disease is suspected or has been confirmed. This action, which will take effect immediately, will release movements of pigs from over 100 large livestock units from all restrictions.Restrictions on farms where the disease has been confirmed or is suspected will remain, but some changes in the movement controls which are applied to affected farms and within restricted zones can now safely be made. These changes are being finalised in the light of comments made by the industry; the details will be announced shortly. These changes will be welcomed by the farmers concerned.Investigations of the original source of infection in Great Britain are continuing, and developments on farms where disease has been found or is suspected are being closely watched. The fact that these changes can now be made reflects the success of the Government's prompt actions when early reports of the disease were reported and is a tribute to the effectiveness of the state veterinary service in responding to new challenges.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 15 and 16 July.

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with the Parliamentary Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry).Discussion concentrated on the Commission's proposals for major adaptations to the common agricultural policy. I welcomed the prospect of reform and reminded the Council that the United Kingdom was wholly committed in its support for radical change in the CAP. However, I also emphasised that the main thrust of these proposals was disappointing in that they do not constitute a long-term policy for encouraging efficient farming in the Community, are certain to be very costly and involve substantial discrimination between different producers and member states. Furthermore, the environmental element of the CAP would still be an add-on extra rather than a central theme. The Council is expected to resume these discussions at its next meeting in September.In a discussion on the GATT round I emphasised the need for the Community to take the initiative immediately with a view to achieving an overall solution well before the end of this year.I also stressed the continued need to protect United Kingdom producers of soft fruit from low-priced processed imports from eastern Europe. The Commissioner agreed to extend the present safeguards until 25 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions the Government have reached in reviewing methods to achieve a balance between economic and environmental costs and benefits in transport planning.

The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment—SACTRA—is currently reviewing the Department's methods of environmental assessment for trunk roads, and in particular the scope and methods for putting monetary values on environmental effects. I expect to receive its report in the late summer. The Department gathers information on the full range of economic, environmental and other costs and benefits, to inform decision making, whether or not the information can be quantified or expressed in monetary values.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority and BAA concerning the proposals for cuts in the charges levied on airlines.

My right hon. and learned Friend has had no such consultations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the net cost to the general lighthouse fund in 1988–89 and 1989–90 in respect of the fund's obligations for (a) the Sumbrero lighthouse in Anguilla and (b) Pembroke light in the Falkland Islands.

The figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 for Sombrero are £31,008 and £48,507 respectively. No expenditure was incurred at Cape Pembroke, where the lighthouse is not operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with rail freight distributors on the regulations concerning undermodal vehicles maximum cargo as against road haulage competition.

Following the launch of his railfreight initiative on 28 May, my right hon. and learned Friend has written to rail freight distributors and others asking for their views on the opportunities for, and obstacles to, a more effective use of the rail network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to relocate the marine directorate of his Department away from central London.

It is this Government's policy to keep under review the cost and location of work carried out by Departments.Following a review of my Department's marine directorate headquarters, we have decided that most of the directorate's posts which are currently located in offices in central London should relocate to Southampton.The work to be relocated includes the central staff of the Surveyor-General's Organisation, the HQ administration of Her Majesty's Coastguard, and the marine pollution control unit. Approximately 260 jobs are affected. Some 20 posts dealing with ports matters will remain in central London.The marine directorate plans to move into new offices in Southampton in May 1993. They will be equipped with all the necessary up-to-date technology to ensure that communications with the rest of the Department, both in London and round the coast, are easy and quick at all times. The move is expected to yield savings of about £19 million over 20 years.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to encourage all Government Departments to introduce energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy; and whether he will assist them with such schemes.

As part of the Government's drive to improve energy efficiency on their estate the ministerial group on energy efficiency chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy encourages Departments to take all cost-effective energy efficiency measures available. Since the start of the present campaign many Departments have introduced energy-efficient lighting schemes.

To ask the Minister when he was first informed of the doubts of the Bank of England concerning BCCI.

I was informed of the fraud as soon as the Bank was satisfied that it had evidence on which it could act.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi.

I paid a courtesy call on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in my capacity as Foreign Secretary on 21 July 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken since September 1990 to reform the tropical forestry action plan.

The United Kingdom participated in the ad hoc expert group in Geneva in March to develop revised goals and objectives for the TFAP and revisions to its organisation and management following the independent review of TFAP published in May 1990. The group emphasised the need for the TFAP to be country-led, nationally owned process overseen by a consultative group which would monitor quality and impact.The FAO Council in June 1991 agreed that a small "contact group" of developing and developed countries, NGOs and international agencies should further develop the ad hoc group proposals and report to FAO's Council in November. The ODA will play an active part, if invited.In countries where the ODA has been involved in TFAP activity since September 1990, officials have followed the recommendations of the independent review in formulating projects and strengthening planning capacity in-country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what bilateral aid has been given to developing countries to address the social and economic reasons for forest loss since September 1990; and what steps he has taken to assess its effectiveness in promoting agroforestry and reforestation;(2) if he will list, with figures, the research projects wholly or partly funded by the Government, aimed at improving the productivity of forests in developing countries since September 1990.

The following ODA forestry research projects have been approved since September 1990. These fall into two categories: strategic research and bilateral country programme activities. All have increased forest productivity as a major objective.

Project	ODA contribution £
Strategic Research
Tree crop interactions in agroforestry prototypes in the Sahel	169,200
Management of miombo woodland as community woodlots	81,000
Comparative study of traditional and introduced tree crops	164,000
Rainforest regeneration in threatened forests of Northern Amazonia	46,000
Investigating soil characteristics and relationship to vegetation status on Mt. Cameroon	43,000
Collection of Calliandra calothyrus seeds and distribution	22,000
Reproductive biology of Contra alliodora	74,000
Evaluation of tree species' potential for fodder (in Central America and Africa)	292,000

Project	ODA contribution £
Study of Inga genetic resources in Central and South America	268,000
Mangrove distribution, vulnerability and management in Central America	34,000
Recovery of tropical forest ecosystems from major disturbances (Indonesia)	60,000
Impact of invasive tree species and control (Jamaica)	73,000
Agroforestry and Mycorrhiza research for semi-arid land of East Africa	60,000
Modelling approach to new logging practices (Malaysia)	45,000
Diseases of forest tress in South East Asia	26,000
Long-term production prospects of logged and unlogged forest in Uganda	98,000
Contribution of fruit-eating primates to natural forest regeneration in Uganda	142,000
Africa Acacia rhizobial technology and ecology (Zimbabwe)	204,000
Dipterocarps, Awarcariacae studies and their application	291,000
Study of seed growth of ecophysiology and Dipterocarp varieties	63,000
Molecular study of the genetic resources in the genus Lencaena	66,000
Comparative physiology, field performance and propagation of prosopsis plants	243,000
Improving yield and sustainability of food production by control of soil acidity	142,000
Reliability of genetic parameters estimated from forest tree progeny tests	161,000
Bilateral Research Programmes
Production of national database of land resources in Belize	143,000
Developmental potential of rosewood and other species in Para State, Brazil	634,000
Establishment of new biological research station in Caxiuana National Forest, Para State, Brazil	1,351,000
Biological study of ecology, natural regeneration and flora of flooded forest, Para State, Brazil	246,000
Pilot management project to demonstrate artificial regeneration techniques and management procedures in Cameroon	1,900,000
Forest ecology research and staff training in Ghana	333,000
Entomological research in Guyana's forest	190,000
Development of a small and medium scale wood industry in Honduras	1,956,000
Managing lowland dipterocarp forest as a sustainable and productive resource (Indonesia)	2,644,000

Project	ODA contribution £
Biological control of aphids attacking conifer plantations in Malawi	612,000
Development of a sustainable forestry research capacity in Nepal	4,921,000

The following projects have investigation of social/ economic reasons for forest loss as part of their overall objectives [Strategic Research (SR); Bilateral (B)].

	£
Belize forest planning and management (B)	3,356,000
Impact of rainforest logging on local people in Sumatra (SR)	32,000
Resistance of forests to Hurricane Gilbert (Jamaica) (SR)	200,000
Indigenous forest conservation project (Kenya)(B)	4,860,000
Integration of social forestry issues into objectives of Cross River State, (Nigeria)(B)	1,690,000
Adoption of hedgerow intercropping by Third World farmers (SR)	48,000

Under ODA's joint funding scheme, finance is also provided for many non-governmental organisation projects. Details of these could be provided only at disproportionate cost.ODA has long-established procedures for monitoring and evaluation of projects including feedback of evaluation lessons to all seven programme managers. ODA is currently evaluating five completed forestry projects, in Kenya, India, Lesotho, Nepal and Cote d'Ivoire. The results of this are expected in mid-1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific bilateral aid the Government have given to conservation projects in developing countries, particularly to anti-poaching projects and the management of wildlife reserves since September 1990.

We are currently financing 67 NGO environment and wildlife conservation projects through the ODA's joint funding scheme, at an aid programme cost of £1·2 million in 1991–92; and 21 bilateral wildlife conservation projects in Africa at an estimated total aid programme cost of £5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of the cost of completing the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil.

The estimated total cost of the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed scheme given in the 1991 supplement to "Roads in Wales: Progress and Plans for the 1990s" is £28 million at November 1989 prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's estimate of the expenditure on the A470 Pentrebach to Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Actual expenditure will depend on the speed with which engineering design and statutory procedures can be completed and the timing of the start of main works. A main works start is planned before April 1994, and it is not possible to give a more precise date at this stage. A realistic breakdown of expenditure between the financial years requested cannot be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the salaries and emoluments of the board members of Tai Cymru (Housing for Wales).

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on Thursday 11 July, at column 449.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the first study on the need for a replacement for the Pont Seiont on the A487 to the south of Caernarfon was initiated; on what date that study was completed; what were the initiation and completion dates of any subsequent surveys; on what date construction work on a new bridge was originally scheduled to start; on what dates the start date was revised, for what reason and to what new start date; what is the latest start date for this scheme; and if he will make a statement.

As part of a general exercise to assess the load-carrying of certain bridge structures on trunk roads in Wales a study of Pont Seiont was

Port	Country of origin	Destination	Type of waste	Tonnes
Holyhead	Ireland	Greater Manchester	Glycolmethacrylate Scrap	16·0
			Metal Hydroxide/Oxides	340·1
			PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)	13·7
		Hampshire CC	Miscellaneous Waste	22·6
			Miscellaneous Chemical Waste	15·1
			Organic Waste (mix)	84·8
			Pharmaceutical Waste	79·0
		Torfaen BC	Adhesive Waste	12·4
			Liners (cont: toxic waste)	35·2
			Miscellaneous Waste	14·6
			Miscellaneous Chemical Waste	131·5
			Organic Waste (mix)	19·7
			PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)	12·0
			Pharmaceutical Waste	19·2
			Total	815·9
Newport	Austria	Greater Manchester	Metal Hydroxide/Oxides	84·1
			Miscellaneous Waste	1,090·6
	Germany	Hampshire CC	Laboratory Waste	66·5
			Pesticides	70·0
		Torfaen BC	Miscellaneous Chemical Waste	6·9
			Pesticides	23·9
	Finland	Torfaen BC	PCB Fluid/Transformer	10·7
	Ireland	Greater Manchester	Metal Hydroxides/Oxides	1,515·7
		Hampshire CC	Organic Waste (mix)	31·3

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state for the last available year (a) the amount of toxic waste imported through Welsh ports in total, and by port and (b) the country of origin and destination of toxic waste imports by port, together with the nature of toxic waste in each case.

The Government believe that developed countries should be self-sufficient in waste disposal and are working towards that end in international discussions.The information for the year ending 31 March 1991 is as follows:

Port	Country of origin	Destination	Type of waste	Tonnes
	Switzerland	Greater Manchester	Aluminium Hydroxide/Oxide	7·4
			Battery Waste	7·0
			Distillation Residue	25·0
			Inorganic Waste	3·8
			Organic Waste (mix)	3·8
			Paint Waste	96·7
			Sodium Chloride	84·4
			Sodium Benzosulphonate	34·1
		Hampshire CC	Organic Waste (mix)	326·2
		Torfaen BC	Organic Waste (mix)	129·1
			Paint Waste	64·0
			PolychloroBiphenyl (PCB)	66·9
			PVC Waste	17·0
			Total	4,505·1
Swansea	Ireland	Torfaen BC	Miscellaneous Waste	10·1
			Total	10·1
			Grand Total	5,331·1

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health authorities in Wales that have appointed directors of dental public health; how many of these directors are designated or accredited consultants; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows: The district health authorities that have directors of dental public health in post are:

• Clwyd¹
• East Dyfed¹
• Gwent
• Gwynedd¹
• Pembrokeshire
• Powys
• South Glamorgan¹
• West Glamorgan
• ¹Of consultant designation.

The post in Mid Glamorgan is currently vacant. It is shortly to be advertised as a shared appointment with Powys with the intention of securing the services of an accredited consultant in dental public health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the number of full-time posts and full-time equivalent posts allocated by each family health authority in Wales for dental matters.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Training Agency and his Department intend to publish their next joint statement on the technical and vocational education initiative and the national curriculum.

My Department, the Training Agency and the Curriculum Council for Wales issued a joint statement on TVEI and the national curriculum in July 1989. At present I have no plans to publish a further statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of his budget is allocated to non-vocational adult education.

A great deal of non-vocational adult education is undertaken by local education authorities for which allowance is made in the annual local authority revenue settlement. The sums involved are not hypothecated. The Welsh Office budget for adult education is not split between vocational and non-vocational education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an inquiry into the state and development of non-vocational adult education in Wales.

I do not believe that an inquiry is necessary. The White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" sets out the Government's priorities for the provision of further education for adults. The consultation exercise that ensued has brought forward a wide range of views on the future of adult education and these are being considered in detail before we move forward towards legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the family health services authorities in Wales he has met since his appointment; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend met the chairmen of all the authorities in July 1990. Subsequently, I met the chairmen in June this year when we discussed the progress being made in the development of family health services in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list local education authorities in rank order by the proportion of the potential schools budget held back in 1991–92, showing in each case the proportion held back in 1990–91.

We are not yet in a position to provide all the information requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of Coventry local education authority's expenditure is held back from schools after deductions have been made for capital expenditure; and what is the relative figure for other local education authorities.

The figures for 1991–92 will be published soon: I will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the relevant qualifications of Mr. David Pascall in respect of his part-time chairmanship of the National Curriculum Council prior to his appointment in 1990; what proportion of the working week he is expected to devote to these duties; and to what salary and emoluments he is entitled in the year 1991–92.

Mr. Pascall was appointed to the NCC in August 1990 and knows its work well. He will assume the chairmanship of the council on a part-time basis in August 1991. He currently expects to spend 25 to 30 days a year on council business and will be paid an appropriate per diem fee, the amount of which has not yet been settled.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many former Inner London education authority sites have been disposed of by the London residuary body through negotiation; and how many have been sold at auction;(2) what is the total income so far raised by the London residuary body from the sale of former Inner London education authority sites; and what is the estimated value of those still to be disposed of;(3) how many former Inner London education authority sites have been sold by the London residuary body to

These are matters for the London residuary body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the consequences for adult education of the recent Government White Paper on education and training.

The Department has so far received around 1,000 representations about the implications for the further education of adults of the recent Government White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will next meet the vice-chancellor of the Open university to discuss the expansion of the university's range of activities.

I meet the vice-chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues relating to the university. I met the vice-chancellor in May, and again when I visited the university last week. No date has yet been fixed for a further meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of his budget is allocated to non-vocational adult education.

Allowance is made within annual local authority finance settlements for the further education of adults. It is for individual local education authorities and the institutions they maintain to determine the pattern of spending in each area within the resources available to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the population of the United Kingdom participated in non-vocational adult education.

The information requested is not available centrally, because the available enrolment data do not distinguish between vocational and non-vocational study. Enrolments at adult education centres in the United Kingdom numbered 1·6 million in 1988–89. In addition there were nearly 600 thousand enrolments on courses run by university extra-mural departments, the Workers Educational Association and other bodies. There were also over 600,000 enrolments on non-examinable courses without a specified qualification in further education colleges in England alone. All of these enrolment statistics will cover both vocational and non-vocational study.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, he has authorised me to say that his first degree was a bachelor of arts in English and History from the university of British Columbia.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Civil Service college; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, she has authorised me to say that her first degree was in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford university.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when the last annual report for the Occupational Health Service was published; and when the next one is due.

The last annual report of the Civil Service Occupational Health Service was published in July 1990 for the year ending 31 March 1990. The annual report for 1990–91 is due to be published on 26 July 1991. Copies of this will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses when available.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the quality of service performance indicators adopted by the Occupational Health Service since its establishment as an executive agency; and separately identify those quality of service performance indicators already operative prior to agency status.

The quality of service performance indicators being developed in the Occupational Health Service include:

1. Peer review and review by Division Heads of performance against objectives.

2. Standard protocols for the delivery of services.

3. Post-service questionnaires for advisory visits, comprehensive medical examinations and lifestyle screenings, and Occupational Health Service health and safety training. The overall rating will be on a six points scale with targets set for the proportion of responses in the top two points.

4. Targets for turn around time in case referrals and for the error rate in invoices to customers.

5. Cost per productive professional day.

There were no specific quality of performance indicators.

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will state the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Occupational Health Service; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

This is a personal matter for the chief executive. However, he has authorised me to say that his first degree was a bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery from the university of Aberdeen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of his Department's contractors are also listed as consultants under the enterprise initiative assisted consultancy scheme; and what proportion of the number of projects their work comprises.

The Department has five main contractors who are responsible for the administration of the enterprise initiative assisted consultancy scheme. In turn, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, as one of the main contractors, sub-contracts most of its operation to four regional contractors. Of the nine bodies concerned, five are listed as consultants under the scheme. Since the enterprise initiative was introduced in January 1988, they have been responsible collectively for 1·9 per cent. of the total projects completed to date across all six consultancy schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken since September 1990 to ensure that international trade agreements involving the United Kingdom have had respect for the international environment.

The European Community has signed no new multilateral trade agreements since September 1990. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is playing a leading role in an important and developing international debate about the relationship of environmental questions to the rules of international trade.Since September 1990 the Government have participated in a study on trade and environment issues in the OECD—this led to endorsement by the OECD ministerial council in June of a programme of further work, in which we are participating, and which may lead to guidelines on ways to protect the environment while preserving the open multilateral trading system; begun planning a consultancy study which will look urgently at the trade effects of measures which may be taken to control the emission of greenhouse gases; participated with our European partners in the GATT Uruguay round negotiations on agriculture which are addressing the need for assistance for environmental and conservation purposes—agreement in GATT on investment and intellectual property would also assist the technology flows needed to deal with environmental problems; participated fully in a GATT working party on the export of domestically prohibited goods, including those banned on environmental grounds; supported re-establishment of a GATT working party on the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report, column 20, if he will list the commencement date and duration of each publicity campaign.

[holding answer 10 July 1991]: Most of the activities listed are of a continuing nature in support of departmental programmes. The two major campaigns, the enterprise initiative support package for business and the single European market information campaign, began in 1988. The enterprise initiative's assisted consultancy scheme will continue until March 1994. The single market campaign was launched as a five-year programme to alert British business to the challenges and opportunities that the single market is bringing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government responded to the call in last year's European Commission Green Paper on standardisation for national Governments to put more resources into promoting and supporting standardisation at national level.

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: The Government continue to provide substantial funding to the British Standards Institution and, in the single market campaign, emphasise the importance of industry contributing to European standards work through BSI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of funding given by his Department to the British Standards Institution in each of the years from 1979 to 1990, and what is the amount planned to be given in 1991 and 1992.

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: Expenditure on the grant in aid to the BSI together with the consultancy drafting scheme, the priority standards fund, additional targeted funding and the assisted international travel scheme has been:

	£000
1982–83	3,408
1983–84	3,618
1984–85	4,051
1985–86	4,530
1986–87	5,316
1987–88	5,509
1988–89	5,889
1989–90	5,898
1990–91	6,223
1991–92	16,807
1 Estimates provision

No decisions on funding for 1992–93 have yet been taken. I regret that comparable earlier figures are not readily available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has now received about the treatment of small businesses by the banks; and if he will make a statement.

I have now completed my discussions with the chairmen of the major clearing banks and considered the information which they have provided on their interest rates and charges to small businesses.Over recent months the Government have received complaints from small businesses about the way in which banks were handling their business, in particular suggestions that the banks were not passing on to their customers the full cut in base rates seen since October 1990. A strong banking system is of considerable importance to the economy, but the way in which small businesses are financed, and the terms on which they deal with the banks, are equally important. Small firms have provided much of the dynamism and renewed entrepreneurial spirit which have done so much to improve the United Kingdom economy over the past decade. The success of small firms is essential to the success of the economy. Suggestions that they are getting a bad deal from the banks therefore required serious and urgent investigation.I, therefore, saw the president of the British Bankers Association on 5 June and the chairmen of National Westminster, Lloyds, Barclays and the Midland over the following week. I expressed the Government's concern about the complaints we had received and asked the chairmen to co-operate in the joint exercise by the Bank of England and Treasury officials to establish the facts.The banks have now supplied the information requested and this has been analysed and considered by the Bank of England and the Treasury. A summary is being placed in the House Library. The deputy governor and I subsequently met the major clearing banks again to discuss the position.I have also received a large number of letters from small businesses, as has the Prime Minister, the Bank of England, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Employment. Well over 1,000 letters of complaint have been received and analysed. The Department of Trade and Industry regional directors have held discussions with banks and businesses and the Department of Employment has had continuing discussions with banks and small businesses over recent months.The information we received suggests that the bulk of small firms' overdrafts and loans were base rate related. The great majority—some 95 per cent.—of small business borrowers saw at least 3 per cent. of the 3½ per cent. cut in base rates made between October of last year and the date on which the information was supplied. In about 70 per cent. of cases, the full 3½ per cent. was passed through to borrowers. From the point of view of monetary policy, there is no reason to doubt that the reductions in interest rates are feeding through and will have their effect.About 25 per cent. of borrowers, however, experienced an increase in their margins of about ½ per cent. and a small minority—some 5 per cent.—saw their margins widen by more than that. In general, this is either because they had to negotiate new facilities; because they were moved on to a new basis of setting rates as part of a central initiative; because they had gone over their authorised borrowing limits and faced the high "penal" rates—30 per cent. APR or more—common to all banks on the excess amounts; or because the banks judged that an increase was necessary on credit risk grounds. To the extent that this reflects the current stage in the business cycle, that should be reversed as the recovery takes hold.Any increase in costs to a business man is unwelcome. From the correspondence we have received, it is also clear that in a number of cases increases in margins have been notified to customers at short notice and sometimes retrospectively. Moreover, it is also clear that banks have been imposing higher charges and more frequently for services than before. Some banks have increased their revenue significantly from the provision of other services, particularly management, arrangements and renewal fees. The increases reported by individual banks range from 16 per cent. to 55 per cent. over the last six to 12 months, albeit from a low base. In some cases, new or significantly increased charges have been made without prior notice. Such practices are clearly inconsistent with the head office policies which the chairman described to me.I have sent the chairmen an analysis of the complaints we have received about their bank so they can follow them up. I have asked each of the chairmen to give me a report on how these complaints have been dealt with. I have also spoken to the chairmen generally about the main sources of complaint. I have put it to them that they should each consider drawing up a code of conduct for their small business customers and that at the least customers have a right to expect that the terms and conditions iof their accounts should be fair and reasonable, taking account of the customer's individual circumstances; they should have been notified to the customer in advance in writing in clear and simple terms; they should be given a full written statement of the standard tariffs of charges applicable to their account; they will be specifially warned in advance if charges which are not covered by the standard tariff are likely to be made, such as fees for management time; they should be given a clear explanation of the basis on which interest is to be charged, whether it is base rate related and what the margin over base rate will be; the terms and conditions of the account other than the interest rate, should not be altered without adequate prior notice in writing perhaps of one month, offering an opportunity to discuss with branch staff; finally, customers should be given a clear explanation of how complaints may be made about decisions taken at local branch.The chairmen have assured me that these points are generally reflected in their existing policy, but they will instruct their branch managers to ensure that they are followed in all cases. They will each consider what further code of best practice each of them should promulgate within their banks, and they have undertaken to report to me what action they have taken. I will take stock with them in six months' time of their progress in implementing these codes of good practice.Some of the complaints we have received are serious and reflect an unprecedented degree of public concern about the conduct and attitude of the banks. The bank chairmen are well seized of the Government's concern about this issue and have undertaken to make sure that their managers are fully aware of the need to handle small business customers with due care and sensitivity. The Government will continue to monitor the situation and I have made it clear to the chairmen that we would view with serious concern any evidence of high-handed or unprofessional behaviour.It is also, however, important that small businesses communicate fully with their banks, and both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Employment will continue to assist in fostering such a dialogue.Finally, although the information we received showed no evidence of collusion, I am passing it to the Director General of Fair Trading in case there is anything in it which he considers merits investigation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration his Department has given to the findings of the Office of Manpower Economics in respect of the relative pay levels of civil servants in comparison with private sector equivalents; and if he will make a statement.

The long-term pay agreements covering different civil service groups provide for pay negotiations to be informed at least once every four years by a survey of outside remuneration levels undertaken by the Office of Manpower Economics. The information in each levels survey is one of the factors which is taken into account during the subsequent negotiations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to accept requests for arbitration from the National Union of Civil and Public Servants in respect of its 1991 pay claim; and if he will make a statement.

The 1991 pay offer has been accepted by the NUCPS after a ballot of their membership produced a substantial vote in favour. In these circumstances, arbitration would clearly be inappropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which sections of the public service have had trusts or pension or charitable funds established as a result of the underpayment of pensions in 1987–88; what are the amounts of capital vested in these trusts, pensions or charitable funds; and what are the estimated costs of establishing such trusts and administering them.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Paymaster General to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 3 May 1988, at column 400, in which he gave details of the existing public service charities to which donations were being made as a result of the underestimation in the retail prices index. The Paymaster General also said that, as there was no national charity on a scale desirable for the national health service, the Government would consult staff and management interests on the possibility of establishing one.The NHS Pensioners' Trust came into operation on 1 April 1991, and it was given £1,311,000. It was the only trust, pension or charitable fund set up for the public services as a result of the retail prices index error. The estimated cost of establishing the trust is of the order of £35,000. The cost of administering the trust is a matter for the trustees.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of public expenditure in Scotland expressed as an amount per capita.

Data on identifiable general Government expenditure per capita in Scotland in 1989–90, the latest year for which data are available, is given in table E5b of appendix E of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1990 Autumn Statement", Cm. 1520.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to phase out the 1p piece.

No. However, as already announced, from September 1992 1p and 2p coins will be issued in copper-plated steel instead of traditional bronze. The new coins will have the same weight and diameter as the existing versions. The new and old coins will circulate together.

Entitlements for 1991–92 cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends
Class	Vote	Department	Description	Amount (£000s)
II	1	Foreign and Commonwealth Office	Overseas representation.	5,674
II	3	Foreign and Commonwealth Office	External broadcasting and monitoring.	1,181
III	2	Intervention Board-Executive Agency	Administration.	306
III	4	Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Other agricultural and food services and support for the fishing industry.	2,000
III	5	Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Departmental research, advisory services and administration.	793
IV	2	Department of Trade and Industry	Support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection and administration.	4,346
IV	9	Office of Telecommunications	Office of Telecommunications.	341
VI	1	Department of Employment	Training and enterprise programmes.	2,000
VII	2	Department of Transport	Administration and transport services.	735
VII	4	Department of Transport	Driver and vehicle licensing.	74
VIII	5	Department of the Environment	Central environmental services, etc.	903
VIII	6	Department of the Environment	Royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, ancient monuments and the national heritage.	1,048
VIII	7	Property Holdings1	Civil accommodation services and administration, etc.	1
VIII	12	Ordnance Survey	Ordnance Survey.	1,348
IX	2	Home Office	Prisons, England and Wales.	3,949
IX	3	Home Office	Administration, immigration and police support services, England and Wales.	2,000
X	11	HM Land Registry2	HM Land Registry.	1
X	12	Public Record Office	Public Record Office.	880
X	13	Crown Office	Administration.	447
XI	1	Department of Education and Science	Schools, research and miscellaneous services.	6,085
XI	2	Department of Education and Science	Higher and further education.	2,688
XI	4	Department of Education and Science	Administration.	2,000
XII	3	Office of Arts and Libraries	Libraries.	221
XIII	1	Department of Health	Hospital and community health services, family practitioner services (part) and other services, England.	31,480
XIV	4	Department of Social Security	Administration and miscellaneous services.	3,718

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the entitlements for 1991–92 resulting from the carry forward of capital and running costs underspends allowed under the end-year flexibility schemes.

A list of entitlements totalling £162 million for capital expenditure and £26 million for running costs is shown in the table. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, individual cash limits and running costs limits will be increased when entitlement is taken up. The total increase in cash limits resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility will be charged to the reserve and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was collected as ultimus haeres from Scotland and as bona vacantia from England and Wales for each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 16 July 1991]: The amounts collected as ultimus haeres from Scotland were £400,000 in 1988 and £300,000 in 1989. The amounts collected as bona vacantia from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, excluding the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, were £5,100,000 in 1988 and £5,100,000 in 1989. These figures are net of ex-gratia payments to kin, debts paid on estates, and administration and other costs. The accounts for 1990 will be laid before the House in the autumn.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that all EC authorities regulating banks with branches in the United Kingdom provide a satisfactory degree of supervision; and what conclusions he has reached.

The harmonisation of supervisory standards within the EC is an area of considerable activity at Community level, in preparation for implementation of the second banking directive in 1993. The essential common standards have already been adopted in the solvency ratio directive and the own funds directive, and directives to harmonise further other aspects of the supervisory system are under negotiation at present. We shall be considering whether the BCCI case has any further lessons for the framework of regulation both at home and abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the period of enterprise allowance in (a) January 1991 and (b) at present; how much has been spent each month this year for publicising the enterprise allowance scheme for starting up new businesses; and if he will make a statement.

In January 1991, the enterprise allowance scheme provided up to 52 weeks on an allowance for all those accepted on to the scheme. Since April 1991, entrants may stay on the scheme for between 26 weeks and 66 weeks, the actual period being determined by the local training and enterprise council according to local priorities. Where no training and enterprise council is yet in operation, the period of provision remains up to 52 weeks.National expenditure on publicity is shown in the table. This relates to the provision of the leaflets and support materials and does not include any local publicity which may have been undertaken by training and enterprise councils. Demand for the scheme remains strong with around 1,000 new entrants a week at present.

Enterprise allowance scheme: expenditure on publicity in 1991
	£
January	17,947
February	1,230
March	27,007
April	nil
May	2,053
June	1,524
July	2,290

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many persons in the United Kingdom are currently estimated to have AIDS or are HIV positive; and how many of these people have been notified and are known by name.

The AIDS case reports for the United Kingdom to the end of May 1991 total 4,666—4,412 males and 254 females—of which 2,695—2,568 males and 127 females—are known to have died. Adjusting for an estimated under-reporting rate of 20 per cent. would give a current estimate of 2,500 AIDS patients in the United Kingdom at the end of May 1991. These were all individuals tested in named testing programmes who would have been informed of their results.The HIV antibody positive reports received at the PHLS communicable disease surveillance centre numbered 15,337 for the United Kingdom at the end of March 1991. However, this represents an underestimate of the total number of infected persons because it is based only on those who have presented for testing. These people also would have been informed of their results.Names are not collected centrally.In addition we have available the results of the first phase of the anonymised HIV surveys.These indicate that among women attending, certain ante-natal clinics in inner London the rate of HIV prevalence is one in 500. These figures show a fivefold range from about one in 200 to more than one in 1,000. In the small number of clinics surveyed in outer London there was a wider range from about one in 300 to one in 2,500, but half these clinics had no positive results. In other parts of the country only one of 16,000 tests performed was positive.Among heterosexual women attending certain sexually transmitted diseases—STD—clinics in inner London prevalence is one in 500. It is, however, one in 100 for heterosexual men. Among homosexual and bisexual men attending the same clinics the current prevalence rate is one in five.These preliminary results provide valuable information, but because they are based on studies of specific groups of people in selected areas they do not enable us to estimate the number of people in the general population that are HIV positive.More information about prevalence will become available as further results are published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the question of manufacturers' negligence in relation to tranquillisers.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people who have been permanently disabled as a result of taking tranquillisers.

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion the population of Wales represents as a percentage of the population of England on the most recent available information.

Resident populations for England and Wales relating to mid-1990 have now been estimated, and will be published shortly in "OPCS Monitor PP1 91/1". The figures are:—

	Million
England	47·837
Wales	2·881

The estimated resident population of Wales is therefore 6 per cent. of that of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consult the Joint Committee for Hospital Chaplaincy on a revision of the guidelines for the appointment of chaplains within the national health service, to ensure that appropriate representation for all relevant faith communities is taken into consideration by regional and district health authorities.

The decision whether to appoint a chaplain is a matter for local decision. There is no bar on access to patients by representatives of non-Christian faiths.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the number of infant and maternal deaths in England and Wales since 1979.

The information is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Carers National Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

Under the procedures agreed by the Services Committee, I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 2 to 6 December 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage local health authorities to introduce energy-efficient lighting to cut costs and save energy; and whether he will assist them with such schemes.

The national health service is committed to the objective of achieving a 15 per cent. saving in energy consumption over the five years from 1 April 1991. This programme, to which energy-efficient lighting will make a contribution, will release over £30 million for improved patient care within the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those hospitals which comprise the European Private Patients Group.

About 30 national health service hospitals are involved in the European Private Patient Group which is carrying out a feasibility study on the sale of NHS private patient facilities to other European countries. The results of the study, and those hospitals involved, will be announced by the group in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients or ex-patients of the Garlands hospital, Carlisle, have fallen or jumped from the footbridge that crosses the M6 motorway from the hospital to Scotby village in the last 10 years; and how many were fatally injured.

The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Ian Carr, the chairman of East Cumbria health authority, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the anticipated cost of running the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; what are the anticipated revenues from sale of licences for each category of activity; and if he would make a statement.

In the first full year, 1992–93, the running costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are estimated at £1·7 million. Fees have been set at a level which is intended overall to recoup from treatment and research centres about 50 per cent. of the costs of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The other 50 per cent. is contributed from public funds. The decision to increase the contribution from public funds from one third, as envisaged during the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, to one half was made following an analysis of the costs once the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was set up. The proportions reflect the approximate costs attributable to the licensing process, to be recouped from treatment and research centres, and to the wider safeguards and requirements of the Act as laid down by Parliament, to be paid for from public funds.The initial fee which must accompany an application for a licence to carry out treatment or research has been set as follows:

	£
Treatment Licence (including storage)	250
Research Licence (including storage)	100

Treatment centres will be charged an additional fee calculated on the basis of the number of treatment cycles performed by the centre in the year preceding the issue of a licence. The rate is £7 per donor insemination treatment cycle and £30 per in vitro fertilisation treatment cycle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the retention of the existing community health councils when new health authorities are being established.

When two or more existing district health authorities are being merged, there will in future be no automatic expectation that the matching community health councils—CHCs—should also merge. It will be for regional health authorities to ensure after consultation, that CHCs are organised in a way that allows them to carry out their duties economically and effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of women who have had more than one abortion in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the figures (i) for each of the last five years, (ii) under each ground and (iii) by number of abortions; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 25 June 1991]: The tables provide the data requested for Great Britain. There are no available data for Northern Ireland.