To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the number of court orders for house repossession in the area covering the Crewe and Nantwich constituency for the years 1979–80, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

The Crewe and Nantwich constituency is covered by Crewe county court. The figures for the number of orders made on mortgage possession actions for the year 1979–80 are not available. The table shows the number of actions entered and orders made in Crewe county court for the years 1990–91 and the first three quarters of 1991–92. These figures do not indicate how many houses have been repossessed through the courts as not all the orders made will have resulted in the execution of warrants of possession. At this stage the 1991–92 figures are provisional and therefore liable to revision in the future.

Mortgage possession actions at Crewe county court
	Actions entered	Orders made
April 1990 to March 1991	290	175
January 1991 to December 1991	325	206

To ask the Attorney-General how many mortgage repossession orders have been granted by the courts covering the city of Nottingham in each year since 1978.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 6 February 1992 at column 248.

To ask the Attorney-General what action the Lord Chancellor has taken in respect of papers relating to the case of Derek Bentley; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding making the papers available to the public.

The Metropolitan police file on the Bentley case held by the Public Record Office is closed for 75 years under a Lord Chancellor's instrument, made under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958. Two excerpts from the Home Office file are likewise closed for 75 years; the file as a whole will not be 30 years old until 1996. The court file is awaiting transfer to the Public Record Office and will be open to inspection on transfer. Questions of access to records which are subject to extended closure under the Public Records Act, or which are not yet 30 years old, are the responsibility of the originating department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington can expect a response from the Minister for Roads and Traffic to his letter of 29 September 1991, requesting a reply to the deputation he received from Shrewley parish council.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average waiting time for a driving test in Portsmouth.

I am asking the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency to write to my hon. Friend direct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to ensure that motorists meet the Department's eyesight requirements.

All drivers are required to pass the statutory number plate eyesight test at the start of their driving test. They are required to meet this standard at all times when driving. Drivers aged 70 or over are required to renew their driving licences at regular intervals, and at each renewal to certify that they meet the eyesight standard. The police have powers to stop and test drivers whom they believe have defective eyesight. There are about 300 prosecutions for eyesight offences each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated total cost of (i) the A46/A47 link road and (ii) the Leicester eastern district distributor road.

Both these schemes are the responsibility of the local highway authority, Leicestershire county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received a copy of the kenwood proposals for the Leicester eastern bypass; and if he will instruct the Department's consultants to discuss the kenwood proposals with interested parties.

Proposals for an eastern bypass of Leicester were received from a Mr. Henwood in 1987. We have no plans to discuss them with other parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he first received representations regarding the Leicester eastern bypass; what are the expected dates for (a) the start and (b) completion of the Leicester eastern bypass; and what is the total estimated cost of the Leicester eastern bypass.

The first correspondence about Leicester eastern bypass following the inclusion of the scheme in the national roads programme was received in summer 1989. Subject to the identification of a viable scheme, the availability of funds and the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, work could start around the turn of the century and would take about two years to complete. The estimated cost of the scheme is £45 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions (a) officials and (b) Ministers from his Department visited Leicester to acquaint themselves with the environmental problems associated with roads in the city.

It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate costs, to determine how many officials have visited Leicester to examine traffic-related environmental problems although officials do visit the city on a regular basis. I chaired the East Midlands regional annual consultative committee in Leicester on 17 December last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission an independent survey of the traffic flows of eastern Leicester, relating to both the eastern distributor road and the Leicester eastern bypass.

The Department is already assessing traffic flows in connection with its Leicester eastern bypass scheme. This assessment will take account of the effect of other road proposals in the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Leicester western bypass was first proposed; in which years consultation and design took place; and what was the estimated cost of the bypass.

The Leicester western bypass was added to the national roads programme in 1976. Public consultation took place in 1978 and 1979. Design of the scheme has been a continuous process up to the invitation of construction tenders last month. The scheme is currently estimated to cost £87 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present traffic flow on the distributor road network in Leicester.

The distributor road network in Leicester is the responsibility of the local highway authority, Leicestershire county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what data information systems his Department has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what are the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has only three data systems with external links or commitments to supply information to which data protection provisions also apply. They are:

the register of drivers and vehicles maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, from which information is currently supplied to the police for law enforcement in accordance with existing registrations under the Data Protection Act 1984;

the traffic commissioners record of licensed goods operators, to which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency and the Customs and Excise drugs intelligence unit have access for law enforcement and road safety purposes in accordance with existing registrations under the Data Protection Act 1984;

the record of licensed public service vehicle operators currently under development which will operate under identical data protection registrations as that for goods vehicle operators.

In addition the traffic commissioners have access to the vehicle inspectorate's roadworthiness and enforcement database for road safety and law enforcement purposes.The Department periodically reviews both the scope of and the means by which protected data is transferred to other agencies. The purpose for any external data request is considered carefully and the Data Protection Registrar would be consulted before any change in registration purposes implemented.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) vehicles in total were registered with the DVLC in each year since 1980; how many (i) motor cars and (ii) heavy goods vehicles are currently registered for addresses in the east midlands region; and what is his estimate for the total number of (1) motor cars and (2) heavy goods vehicles in Great Britain.

The information requested is as follows:

Thousands
Year	Heavy Goods Vehicles	Total Vehicles
1980	475	19,200
1981	451	19,347
1982	436	19,762
1983	436	20,209
1984	437	20,765
1985	432	21,157
1986	435	21,699
1987	444	22,152
1988	462	23,202
1989	478	24,196
1990	460	24,673

East Midlands Region: 1990
Thousands
Motor Cars	Heavy Goods Vehicles
1,403	37

It is forecast that the number of vehicles of body type car in Great Britain in 2000 will be in the range of 24 to 26 million.My Department does not forecast the number of heavy goods vehicles, but it forecasts that HGV traffic in 2000 will be 15 to 27 per cent. higher than in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 30 January, Official Report, column 632, what steps he has taken to obtain the agreement of the European Community to compulsory three point belts for rear centre seating on all saloon motor vehicles.

Negotiations are still continuing in the European Community on dates for the fitment of three point belts for rear outer seats in new cars. Requiring three point belts in rear centre seats would be technically complex, would take time to develop and, would be unlikely to secure agreement. The quickest and most effective way forward is for manufacturers voluntarily to introduce three point belts for rear centre seats wherever technically possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of transport supplementary credit approvals (a) applied for and (b) granted to Leicestershire county council in each of the last 10 years.

Supplementary credit approvals were first introduced in the 1990–91 transport supplementary grant settlement. The figures are:

	Bid £ million	Granted £ million
1990–91	0	0·081
1991–92	0	0·944
1992–93	1·163	1·312

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the contracts let by his Department to Travers Morgan since 1979.

This information is available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the considerations taken into account when proposing new roads.

The Government's objectives, as set out in the 1989 White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" are:

to assist economic growth by reducing transport costs;

to improve the environment by removing through traffic from unsuitable roads in towns and villages;

to enhance road safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what appeal procedure is available to a taxi driver who is considered not to be a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence; and if he will make a statement.

Any person who is aggrieved at the decision of a licensing authority to refuse, suspend or revoke a hackney carriage (taxi) driver licence for any reason has a right of appeal as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to ending the requirements that each new London taxi is accessible to wheelchair users and that by 2000 all London taxis will be accessible.

None.The requirement of wheelchair access to London taxis was introduced at the instigation of the Department of Transport after extensive research. The availability of such taxis is already making a major contribution to the independent mobility of large numbers of disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his intention that the A6 should become a strategic alternative to the M1 motorway.

The A6 is already a strategic route within the national network of trunk roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce speed limits of 20 mph in areas immediately adjacent to schools.

The Road Traffic Act 1991 makes provision for variable speed limits. My Department will be mounting trials involving the setting of 20 mph speed limits outside schools at the times when children are arriving or leaving. These trials will provide a basis for guidance to local authorities on the establishment of such limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the projects receiving transport support grant in Darlington since 1979, together with the amounts concerned.

Since 1979 three schemes have received transport supplementary grant in Darlington district. They are:

	£ million
A6072
Heighington Bypass	1·8
A67
Teesside Link and Airport Access	6·3
A68
Darlington Cross Town Route Stage 1	5·7

The Heighington bypass was completed in 1983 and the Teesside link is now under construction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress on the allocation of resources for measures to promote bus use in London.

I am pleased to announce the allocation of £500,000 of supplementary credit approvals in 1992–93 for bus priority measures in the boroughs of Haringey, Newham, Camden and Ealing. Table 1 sets out the detailed allocations. Further resources are being held for possible allocation to other schemes in south and west London and Tower Hamlets when details have been considered in respect of firm proposals.

Table 1
Local authority supplementary credit approvals for bus priority measures in London 1992–93
London boroughs	£'000
Haringey	100
Newham	200
Camden	100
Ealing	100

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the percentage of their mainline railway networks which have been electrified for each country in the EC.

UIC figures for the percentage of the mainline railway network electrified for each country are as follows:

	Percent.
Belgium (SNCB)	65
Denmark (DSB)	10
France (SNCF)	36
Germany (DR/DB)	38
Great Britain (BR)	27
Greece (CH)	0
Holland (NS)	69
Italy (FS)	59
Luxembourg (CFL)	72
Portugal (CP)	15
Republic of Ireland (CIE)	2
Spain (RENFE)	51

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the prototype launching gear involved in the accident on the Norsea; when this launching gear was fitted; whether similar launching gear is fitted on any other vessel; and when the marine accident investigations branch inquiry will be completed.

These matters will be addressed during the investigation being carried out by the marine accident investigation branch. It is far too early to say when the comprehensive investigation into this accident will be completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway workers have been arrested in connection with the recent Severn tunnel railway accident; if he will place in the Library a copy of the evidence submitted to the British Rail inquiry; and what guidelines he has issued to the British transport police on co-operation with internal British Rail inquiries.

The British Transport police (BTP) have informed me that they arrested three British Rail staff in connection with their inquiries into the Severn tunnel train accident. No charges have been made and the staff have been released on bail pending enquiries.Publication of evidence to an internal British Rail inquiry is a matter for BR.We are not aware of any lack of co-operation between the BTP and BR in their respective investigations into this incident. BTP are keeping HM railway inspectorate fully informed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the procedures which govern the testing of prototype life-saving equipment on (a) operational ferries and (b) other vessels.

The procedures for testing the life-saving equipment on all merchant ships are prescribed in the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986, as amended, and described in detail in the Department's publication, "Survey of Life-Saving Appliances; volume 2". Prototype, modified and production appliances are subject to the appropriate strength and operational tests to ensure that they are safe and will be effective in service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has met representatives of Tayside and Grampian regional councils to discuss the financing of the electrification of the main east coast line between Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen; if he plans to do so in the future; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers have not met representatives from Tayside and Grampian regional councils to discuss the electrification of the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line. The councils should approach British Rail, as it is for BR to bring forward proposals if it considers there is a case for electrification and that it merits sufficient priority within its investment programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total mileage of the United Kingdom's mainline railway network; how many of these miles have been electrified to date; and how many miles are currently programmed to be electrified.

InterCity mainline services currently operate over 3,328 route miles of which 1,178 route miles are electrified. InterCity has not put forward any further plans for mainline electrification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what income has been raised through road fund licences on vintage and private fire engines since exemption from such tax was removed.

The information requested on the amount of duty collected from previously exempt fire engines is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.There are however approximately 1,300 such vehicles identified prior to the change. If all of these relicenced for the full year in the private and light goods (PLG) taxation class, the revenue raised would amount to £130,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proposals he has to introduce regulatory control of cargo straps used by road haulage vehicles;(2) how many road accidents each year are attributable to failures of road haulage cargo straps.

[holding answer Friday 7 February 1992]: There are no national statistics which identify the role of insecure loads in accidents. A recent study, however, estimated that nationally fewer than 30 fatal accidents each year involve insecure loads. It is uncertain how many of these involve cargo strap failure. The most important factor in reducing insecure load accidents is the configuration and type of restraint systems. A revised code of practice dealing with this is to be issued for consultation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has of the likely number of daily vehicle movements in Greater London for the current year, 1995, 1997 and 2000; and what are the comparable figures for 1990, 1987 and 1980.

[holding answer Monday 10 February 1992]: My Department does not have either forecasts or past estimates available in the form requested. Surveys indicate an overall traffic growth rate for Greater London of about 1 per cent. per year through the 1980s. Traffic growth was lower in inner London than in the outer areas. Traffic forecasts for London alone are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to allow a parent or student to consent to, or be aware of, those uses and disclosures of personal information not obvious at the time the parent or student provides the information; and if he will make a statement.

Guidance to schools on the implications of the Data Protection Act, issued last November, includes information on the data protection principles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what data information systems his Department has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what is the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

The Department's information systems are concerned wholly with the administration of the Department's business. It has no systems where information is made generally available which is not otherwise publicly available. Where appropriate such systems are registered under the Data Protection Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those full inspections which have taken place in relation to grant-maintained schools.

To date there have been no full inspections of grant-maintained schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he intends to use for the publication of inspection reports on grant-maintained schools.

In all cases where an inspection is planned by Her Majesty's inspectorate to lead to a published report, my right hon. and learned Friend has published the reports. The same principle will be applied to any reports on grant-maintained schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the expenditure and achievements of his Department in North Yorkshire during 1991; and what was the comparable position between June 1978 and May 1980.

Most Government support for expenditure on education in North Yorkshire is paid to North Yorkshire county council as unhypothecated revenue support grant. In 1991–92, the Department is making available specific grant to North Yorkshire local education authority of some £3,168,000 through its programme of grants for education support and training, to support expenditure on implementing the national curriculum, local management of schools and a number of other national priorities; and of some £83,000 to support the education of children of travellers, refugees and other displaced persons. There were no similar specific grants between 1978 and 1980. The Department also pays grant to North Yorkshire local education authority to cover the cost of mandatory awards to students undertaking higher education. The Department additionally pays grant to the University Funding Council and the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, which support higher education in North Yorkshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what data information systems his Department has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what are the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

The Department utilises a wide range of information technology systems to provide support in the conduct of its business. A number of these use information from external sources, both within the United Kingdom and in Europe. This information is often commercially available, and increasingly it is available electronically. Furthermore, the Department uses IT systems to provide modern communication facilities such as electronic mail.Although much of the Departmental information is not of a personal nature and therefore not subject to the Data Protection Act, in those instances where personal information forms any part of an IT system its use is registered as required under the Data Protection Act. Registration information is available from the Data Protection Registrar. The Department's central personnel system is computerised, and data are exchanged between this system and the HM Treasury pay system at Chessington.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings he has had with representatives from organisations about the contents of the proposed European directives on data protection and in relation to data protection and communications; how many meetings were with organisations representing the interests of the data users or the telecommunications industry; and if he will make a statement.

The responsibility for these directives falls mainly to the Home Office, although the Department of Trade and Industry lead on the directive on data protection in telecommunications and the decision on information security. There have been no meetings with DTI Ministers specifically on this issue, but regular representations have been received at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect his Department estimates a general agreement on tariffs and trade settlement will have upon clothing and textile employment in the respective regions of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 1 July 1991 to a question from the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), at column 20. Professor Silberston did not attempt a regional breakdown of the effect on employment of ending the multi-fibre arrangement, although he did give detailed consideration to those factors, such as regional levels of employment opportunities, which appeared to be relevant. A successful outcome to the GATT Uruguay round would include strengthened rules and disciplines and increased multilateral market access: this, taken together with the 10-year transitional period for phasing out textile restraints, should mitigate the impact on employment in the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints he has received from members of the public in Scotland concerning froth on beer.

[holding answer 10 February 1992]: None of the recent complaints I have received has come from members of the public in Scotland. However, surveys by trading standards departments in Scotland have shown many instances in which licensees served less than a full measure of liquid beer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress with his Department's review of the operation of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985.

The issues arising from the review of the operation of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 are being carefully considered. If any changes are considered to be appropriate, the Government will consult with interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the expenditure and achievements of his Department in North Yorkshire during 1991; and what was the comparable position between June 1979 and May 1980.

My Department does not keep information in a suitable form to carry out the required analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the oral answer of 4 February by the Minister for Defence Procurement, Official Report, column 119, how much extra funding Her Majesty's Government will make available for nuclear safeguards inspection under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty provisions.

Negotiations on safeguards agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the former republics of the Soviet Union have not yet begun, and provision for safeguards has not been made in the agency's budget. IAEA activities in Iraq are funded by the special commission. The needs of the safeguards system will naturally occupy a central part of the discussions on the agency's budget.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what data information systems his office has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what are the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

The Office of Arts and Libraries has no major data information system of its own; it has access to the system of the Cabinet Office/Office of the Minister for the Civil Service, with which it is closely associated. It also has a number of stand-alone personal computers to help meet the functions of the Department. My office has not been consulted with a view to taking part in any other data information systems.There is no current or planned link to the police national computer. An electronic mail link is being planned by the Cabinet Office to operate between each of its major networks and to other Government Departments.The 1984 Data Protection Act applies, and registrations have been made where appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of mortgage tax relief in 1991.

Tax relief is calculated for the fiscal year. Provisional estimates of the cost of mortgage interest tax relief for 1990–91 and 1991–92 are £7·7 billion and £6·1 billion respectively.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning representations to the European Commission on the Irish VAT rate for bloodstock.

The European Commission, on its own initiative, is currently examining the present practices in Ireland in relation to VAT and bloodstock.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1992–93, and in a full year, of introducing an upper limit on all income tax allowances and reliefs of (a) £9,000, (b) £10,000, (c) £11,000, (d) £12,000, (e) £13,000, (f) £14,000, (g) £15,000 and (h) £16,000 giving the number of people affected in each case, distinguishing between (i) basic-rate taxpayers and (ii) higher-rate taxpayers, and giving the number who brought into higher rate tax in each case, in the United Kingdom.

It is estimated that at 1991–92 levels of income the introduction of the upper limits specified would yield the following:

Upper limit for total allowances and reliefs	Yield in full year
£	£ million
9,000	930
10,000	590
11,000	440
12,000	360
13,000	310
14,000	270
15,000	240
16,000	210

The number of people who would be affected are as follows:

Upper limit for total allowances and reliefs £	Basic rate taxpayers and non taxpayers (000's)	Higher rate taxpayers (000's)
9,000	1,090	555
10,000	250	385
11,000	55	215
12,000	30	135
13,000	20	100
14,000	15	75
15,000	10	65
16,000	10	55

Fewer than 5,000 basic rate taxpayers would become higher rate taxpayers.The effect on receipts in the first year would depend on the administrative arrangements for applying a limit.It is not possible to provide detailed estimates for 1992–93.The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such a limit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the average tax allowances and reliefs for those with gross incomes (a) under £10,000, (b) between £10,000 and £20,000, (c) between £20,000 and £30,000, (d) between £30,000 and £40,000, (e) between £40,000 and £50,000, (f) between £50,000 and £60,000, (g) between £60,000 and £70,000, (h) between £70,000 and £80,000 and (i) above £80,000.

Latest estimates for taxpayers in 1991–92 are as follows:

Gross income £ per year	Amount of tax reliefs and allowances set against income £
0-10,000	4,200
10,000-20,000	5,900
20,000-30,000	7,000
30,000-40,000	7,800
40,000-50,000	8,400
50,000-60,000	8,900
60,000-70,000	9,500
70,000-80,000	9,900
Over 80,000	13,300
Average	5,500

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people with gross incomes of over £100,000 pay an income tax bill of less than (a) 35 per cent., (b) 30 per cent., (c) 25 per cent., (d) 20 per cent., (e) 15 per cent., (f) 10 per cent. and (g) 5 per cent. of their gross incomes;(2) how many higher-rate taxpayers pay an income tax bill of less than

Available information for 1991–92 is as follows:

Estimated number of taxpayers (thousands)
Income tax liability as a percentage of gross income1	Gross income over £80,000	Higher rate taxpayers
Less than 35 per cent.	110	1,590
Less than 30 per cent.	20	1,420
Less than 25 per cent.	—	1,000
Less than 20 Per cent.	—	300
Less than 15 Per cent.	—	—
Less than 10 Per cent.	—	—
Less than 5 Per cent.	—	—
1 Total income for income tax purposes.

I regret that a reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £100,000 is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has of breathing air quality levels falling below European Community safety standards; in what respect, what areas and for what duration; and if he will make a statement.

Information on the concentrations of various air pollutants is collected by monitoring networks operated on behalf of my Department. The European Community has set air quality standards in Directives covering smoke and sulphur dioxide, lead, and nitrogen dioxide. Since 1988–89, there have been only the following exceedences of the Directives' limit values:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many years Leigh Barton, near Churstow, has been closed to the public; and when it is planned to be reopened.

Opening Leigh Barton to the general public has not yet proved possible due to the extensive repair work which was necessary following its acquisition. However, interested groups have been allowed supervised visits since 1986. English Heritage is currently looking at the possibility of a beneficial use which would contribute to completion of the repair work and be compatible with some future public access.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from whom the hon. Member for Dover is to receive a reply to letters sent to his Department and to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution during the current session regarding work done by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in connection with Orimulsion.

I have replied to three letters in the current session in connection with Orimulsion. These were sent to my hon. Friend on 18 November 1991, 16 December 1991 and 3 February 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those applications for which Her Majesty's Government considers chlorofluorocarbons are still needed and where substitutes are not yet available; when it is expected that each such CFC-producing application can be phased out; and if he will make a statement.

CFCs are still needed for some refrigeration, air conditioning and solvent applications, and for certain foams and medical aerosol products. The Government have proposed a 1996 phase-out for supply of new CFCs, except for any essential uses for which the Montreal protocol parties agree that alternatives are not available at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek an emergency meeting of the Montreal protocol so that an immediate ban on all ozone-depleting chemicals can be introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask for an emergency meeting of the Montreal protocol to discuss the recent data on the Arctic and northern hemisphere ozone hole; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on ozone-depleting substances.

The Montreal protocol parties are already due to meet in November this year and will consider whether the controls on ozone-depleting substances should be tightened. Official level negotiations begin on 6 April. I proposed to the EC Environment Council last December that the protocol's phase-out dates be brought forward to 1995 for halons and 1996 for other ozone-depleting substances, an acceleration ranging from four to nine years. As far as I am aware, the United Kingdom is so far the only country to have made firm proposals to strengthen the protocol. An immediate CFC phase-out is not practicable—for many applications, such as food preservation, insulating foam and medical aerosols, replacement technologies are not yet adequately developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost involved in issuing the 145,000 summonses served by Liverpool city council in the cases of alleged community charge non-payers; and what redress is open to recipients who have paid their community charge.

My Department does not collect information on the costs incurred by local authorities in taking enforcement action against non-payers of the community charge. Following the issue of a summons, the magistrates court may grant the local authority a liability order against an individual only if it is satisfied that his community charge is payable and remains unpaid.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the number of jobs in the area covered by Leeds development corporation at its inception, and on the latest available figures.

The number of jobs in the area covered by the Leeds development corporation is updated annually with effect from 1 April by the development corporation. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities said in his reply of 18 October 1991 at column 283, a total of 31,871 people were employed in the Leeds development corporation's area at the time of inception. The latest available figure is 37,733 as at March 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Leeds development corporation expects to publish planning proposals for the East street area of Leeds 9; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals for the north side of East street are contained in the Marsh lane/Saxton lane and the Low Fold planning frameworks which were published by Leeds development corporation in February 1990, following a period of public consultation. Proposals for the south side of East street are shown in the draft development framework for Clarence dock, which was published for public consultation on 27 January 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indemnify Manchester city council against any costs incurred as a result of successful prosecutions in relation to failure to fulfil its statutory duty to provide adaptations for disabled people.

A local authority is open to legal challenge if it fails to fulfil its statutory duty to provide house adaptations for people with disabilities. There is no express power to compensate an authority for the financial consequences of a successful prosecution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the letter of 4 February from the chairman of the Manchester city council housing committee about funding for adaptations for disabled occupants of council-owned accommodation.

The Secretary of State has received a letter on this subject from the chair of the housing committee of Manchester city council, and I am considering what response should be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been made available under the estate action programme; how many schemes have been or are being supported; and if he will make a statement.

The estate action programme has now passed an important milestone—over £1 billion has been allocated to or earmarked for about 1,000 schemes since the programme began in 1986.On 11 February 1991, the programme was relaunched with tougher criteria. We are now looking for a strategic approach which promotes comprehensive regeneration, an effective partnership between local authorities, tenants and the private sector, and housing investment which complements other urban policies.We are backing this with substantially increased resources—in 1992–93, the estate action budget will rise to £364 million. I have been encouraged by the extent to which the approach we are advocating is reflected in the schemes put forward by authorities for inclusion in next year's programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to publish CSL Group Ltd.'s report on guidance to the Local Government Commission on assessing costs and benefits of change in the structure of local government.

I have placed copies of the report in the Library. I have today sent copies of it to the local authority associations and to the Audit Commission, with a request for comments by 13 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table indicating for each year of its operation, the total allocation from the Department of the Environment for the urban programme expressed both as net expenditure at current prices and as a percentage of total urban block expenditure; and if he will indicate, for each of the next three years, his best estimate of total urban programme allocation, expressed both as net expenditure and as a percentage total of urban block expenditure.

[holding answer 4 February 1992]: My Department's urban group of programmes has evolved during the 1980s from the original urban and derelict land programmes to include urban development corporations, city grant, city action teams and most recently city challenge. These various policy instruments have been developed to tackle the complex range of economic, environmental and social problems in inner city areas.The urban programme figures include my Department's outturn/provision only. Some variations arise from different arrangements for recording other Government Departments' contributions over the period.The figures are as follows:

Year	Urban programme provision outturn £ million 1991–92 prices	Urban programme as percentage of urban block
1994–95	plan 238	30
1993–94	plan 232	29
1992–93	plan 245	30
1991–92	plan 242	27
1990–91	242	25
1989–90	259	29

Year	Urban programme provision outturn £ million 1991–92 prices	Urban programme as percentage of urban block
1988–89	277	41
1987–88	326	51
1986–87	331	55
1985–86	366	58
1984–85	291	55
1983–84	261	50
1982–83	268	57
1981–82	168	58
1980–81	220	79
1979–80	193	80
1978–79	128	70
1977–78	12	40
1976–77	12	55
1975–76	16	100
1974–75	24	100
1973–74	7	100

Figures before 1973–74 are not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he took part in party-political activities in addition to official duties on his visit to Hong Kong in September 1991.

[holding answer 7 February 1992]: My wife and I visited Hong Kong at our own expense in September 1991. We stayed with the governor. I took the opportunity to vist the PSA headquarters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on United Kingdom participation in the conference in Japan in March 1992 on the wild bird trade.

[holding answer 10 February 1992]: A number of proposals concerning the wild bird trade have been submitted for consideration at the conference of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to be held in Kyota, Japan, next month. We are considering these carefully, in consultation with our scientific advisers and other interested organisations. I will make a further statement in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the figures for the (a) annual income and cost and (b) capital debt outstanding for toll bridges in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Cleddau bridge is the only toll bridge in Wales for which we have published accounts.The figures are:

For 1990–91	£ million
1. Annual income (from tolls)	1·24
2. Annual cost:
Operating Expenses	0·39

For 1990–91	£ million
Debt and Other Charges	0·49
Total Expenditure	0·88
Outstanding debt at 31 March 1991	5·78

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will approve the application for byelaws to regulate fishing for sea fish in coastal areas, including the Severn and Dee estuaries submitted to him by the Welsh region of the National Rivers Authority in June 1991, in time to provide protection for migratory fish during the 1992 fishing season; and if he will make a statement.

A decision on whether to approve the byelaws proposed by the National Rivers Authority will be taken shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the enrolment in each of the most recent five years at Moneyreagh primary school; what plans there are to replace the temporary accommodation at this school with permanent accommodation; what provision is being made at this school for the increasing population at Moneyreagh; what proposals he has for nursery education at Moneyreagh; and if he will make a statement about education opportunities at Moneyreagh.

The enrolments at Moneyreagh primary school in the last five years were as follows:

Year	Number
1988	134
1989	136
1990	133
1991	129
1992	136

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual salary of the part-time chairman of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd.

£13,385.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what data information systems his Department has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what are the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

All relevant IT systems in the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments are registered under the Data Protection Act and are therefore subject to this legislation. Each Department has registered for various purposes, and disclosure is addressed within each register entry.For security reasons, it would be inappropriate to reveal which systems are linked to the police national computer or to other systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the new freight cargo centre at Belfast international airport.

£8,175,500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are liable to pay national insurance contributions who earn between (a) the lower earnings limit and (b) the 1991 equivalent of the 1980 level of the lower earnings limit, revalued in line with earnings.

If the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions had been revalued in line with the increase in earnings since 1980, its present level would be £64·00. It is estimated that 15,000 people in Northern Ireland have weekly earnings between this figure and the current lower earnings limit of £52·00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in 1991–92 are liable to pay national insurance contributions who have earnings between the lower earnings limit and £64·80 per week in Northern Ireland.

It is estimated that, on average, some 15,000 people in Northern Ireland with weekly earnings between £52·00, the current lower earnings limit, and £64·80 will be liable to pay national insurance contributions in 1991–92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods are used for the destruction of chemical weapons taken into custody by the special commission of the International Atomic Energy Authority.

Chemical weapons are not taken into custody by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The United Nations special commission in Iraq is, however, charged under Security Council resolution 687 to ensure the destruction of Iraqi chemical weapons. Good progress is being made in planning for the destruction of Iraqi stocks declared or discovered to date. The special commission's destruction advisory panel has put forward proposals for the destruction of 122 mm rockets by explosive detonation and the use of fuel thereby ignited to create a destructive fireball. The Iraqis have been asked to construct an incinerator for mustard agent destruction to designs approved by the special commission, and trials of nerve agent destruction by hydrolysis were observed at the end of January 1992 by the chemical weapons inspection team in Iraq. Careful attention is being paid to safety and environmental protection in all destruction methods considered by the special commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the approximate cost of the United Kingdom's military commitment in Zimbabwe for training and other purposes each year since 1981–82 (a) in cash terms and (b) at 1981–82 prices; and if he will list the percentage increase or decrease on the previous year for each year.

It is not our practice to disclose the cost of assistance to individual countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the approximate number of United Kingdom service men operating in Zimbabwe for training and other purposes each year since 1981–82.

The number of United Kingdom service men operating in Zimbabwe (excluding the defence adviser and his staff) since 1982 are as follows:

	Numbers
1982	74
1983	104
1984	58
1985	60
1986	63
1987	50
1988	43
1989	43
1990	61
1991	58
1992	56

All figures are at 31 March except for 1982 (31 September) and 1992 (31 January). Figures for 1981 are unavailable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the presence of United Kingdom service men in Zimbabwe for training and other purposes.

The Government's military assistance programme in Zimbabwe aims to contribute to the maintenance of stability in the region. Following the country's independence in 1980, a British military training team has been helping to train the Zimbabwean forces. Another team has been involved in training elements of the Mozambican forces at a base in Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service men while stationed in Zimbabwe have been killed, seriously injured or wounded in the course of their military duties since 1981–82.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary for Defence what are the reasons for the delay in the consideration of possible disciplinary action following the sinking of the fishing vessel Antares; what action he has taken to speed up the consideration; when he now expects the consideration to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

The question whether there should be disciplinary proceedings is entirely the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet. I understand that his decision will be made shortly. As these matters are still under consideration, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under whose operational command 100 (Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA will come; and what will be its place within eastern district.

On 1 April 1992, 100 (Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA will begin to re-role as a field howitzer 70 regiment supporting one of the British divisions of the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps under the operational command of 3 UK Division. Although administrative command will continue to be exercised through the Regimental Headquarters in London district for the time being, it is planned to move the RHQ into eastern district in the medium term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated net capital cost of the proposed changes in 100 (Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA.

The announced changes to 100 (Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA are part of the overall restructuring of the TA in response to major changes in its role—notably to support the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps. Detailed costings will not be available until clearer plans for locations have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall), Official Report, 4 February, column 152, what information he has as to whether any of the military equipment used by Iraq in the Gulf war and examined by the United Kingdom and its allies was (a) manufactured in, or (b) purchased from the United Kingdom.

Investigations of Iraqi military equipment recovered by the United Kingdom and the United States are continuing. Some electrical items or components of British manufacture have been found.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ranges will be used by TA Royal Artillery batteries equipped with FH70 for (a) live and (b) dry training; and what assessment was made of the relative ease of access to such ranges by units at (i) Brighton and (ii) Bulwell.

Field howitzer 70 live firings in the United Kingdom can be conducted in training areas in Wiltshire (Salisbury plain), Wales (Sennybridge) and Northumberland (Otterburn). Dry training, at battery level, is available in East Anglia (Stanford) or in the north-west (Warcop); both areas will be used regularly by units and formations which 100 Field Regiment, RA will support in time of war. Proximity to these areas is an advantage, and access is assessed as satisfactory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money his Department has so far spent on the Trident programme; and how much has been contractually committed.

Total expenditure for the Trident programme to the end of November 1991 was £5,074 million, and the total contractually committed £6,649 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the expenditure and achievements of his Department in North Yorkshire during 1991; and what was the comparable position between June 1978 and May 1980.

The information is not held in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any decisions have been made regarding the titles of regiments and corps of the regular Army.

The following titles have been approved:

The Royal Dragoon Guards (amalgamation of 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards)

The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) (amalgamation of the Queen's Own Hussars and The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars)

The King's Royal Hussars (amalgamation of the Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales' Own) and 14th/20th King's Hussars)

The Light Dragoons (amalgamation of 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) and 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars)

The Queen's Royal Lancers (amalgamation of 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers and 17th/21st Lancers)

The Royal Logistic Corps (The Corps will form in April 1993 by the amalgamation of the Royal Corps of Transport; the Royal Army Ordnance Corps; the Royal Pioneer Corps; the Army Catering Corps; and the Postal and Courier Service, Corps of Royal Engineers; as announced in "Britain's Army for the 90s" (Cm 1595) published in July 1991).

The titles of other new regiments will be announced when decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in restructuring Army districts.

Wales and Western district is operational, and the new eastern district will be formed in April this year. I can now confirm that the last phase of restructuring will also take effect from April this year, when it is intended that the existing south-east and south-west districts will be amalgamated to form southern district, with its headquarters in Aldershot.The new structure will therefore comprise five Districts —Scotland, eastern, Wales and western, Southern and London.Implications for civilian staff employed within the new southern District will be the subject of consultation with the trade unions.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11 February.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student places have been confirmed for (a) local authority financed brigades and (b) industrial and overseas courses at the Fire Service college for the year beginning April 1992; how many student weeks each of these two categories represents; and if he will make a statement on the financial position of the college.

Three thousand, three hundred and forty eight places covering 13,019 student weeks have so far been confirmed for local authority fire brigades for the year from 1 April 1992. One hundred and sixty nine places covering 263 student weeks have been confirmed for the industrial and overseas sectors, others being held in reserve until the full demand from the local authority sector, the college's primary customer, is known and met. This position is consistent with the college's business plan, by which it aims to meet its expenditure wholly from income, provide high quality training and deliver good value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in police cells committed acts of self-injury or attempted suicide in 1991.

The information requested is not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Data Protection Registrar has studied the privacy implications that arise from the combination of publicly available council tax information with (a) the sale of the electoral register, (b) public extracts of the community charge register, (c) anonymised census information and (d) county court judgments; and if he will make a statement.

The enforcement of the Data Protection Act 1984 is a matter for the Data Protection Registrar, the data protection tribunal and, ultimately the courts. I understand, however, that the registrar is currently studying certain data-matching issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data information systems his Department has (a) agreed and (b) been consulted about with a view to taking part in; what is the criteria for inclusion in such systems; whether they will be linked to (i) the police national computer and (ii) other computer systems; what data protection provisions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.

Information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Home Office has 151 systems processing personal data registered under the Data Protection Act 1984. All Home Office systems processing such data are registered under the Act and are used as described in their registration. That procedure will apply also to any new systems which may be brought into use in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to introduce an electoral registration form which has a statement indicating that a voter's personal data can be used and disclosed without the knowledge and consent of the voter.

No. The only information taken from the electoral registration form which is published is that which is requried for the register of electors. The purpose of the electoral register is to provide a comprehensive and publicly available list of the names and addresses of those who are eligible to vote. Since the register is a public document, making the information contained in it available cannot be held to constitute a breach of confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he has had with representatives from organisations about the contents of the proposed European directive on data protection; how many meetings were with organisations representing the interests of data users; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers have had two, and officials a number of, meetings with organisations which asked to see the Home Office. All represented data users.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards agreement on the proposed European directive on data protection.

Discussions in the Council's working group continue. The European Parliament is considering the draft directive. The European Commission is expected to produce a revised draft in the light of the views of the European Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each prosecution brought under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1984 since 1987, detailing the nature of the offence, the section of the Act used, the year, and whether the prosecution was successful; and if he will make a statement.

Prosecutions brought under the Act by the Data Protection Registrar are listed in his fifth, sixth and seventh annual reports to Parliament. Prosecutions under the Act initiated by the Director of Public Prosecutions are not separately listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are in force for the sale of the chemical isobutylnitrate; and if he will add it to the list of solvents known to be damaging to children.