To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he has any plans to visit Twyford down, Hampshire;(2) what visits the Minister for Roads and Traffic has paid to Twyford down, Hampshire since 9 April; and whether he will make a statement;(3) whether he has any plans to meet representatives of the Twyford down, Association to discuss the M3 Bar End-Compton.

I visited the Winchester area on 5 May to see the route of the Bar End Compton section of the M3. My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the area or to meet representatives of the Twyford Down Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the meetings which have taken place between officials of the United Kingdom Government and the European Commission to discuss the M3 Bar End-Compton during May 1992; and whether he will make a statement on the outcome.

Discussions between officials of the United Kingdom Government and the European Commission were held on 7 May for the purpose of clarifying the issues raised in the Commission's article 169 letter of 17 October 1991 and the United Kingdom Government's reply of 17 December 1991. As the Commission is still considering this response I cannot comment further at the present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communications have been received by Her Majesty's Government from the European Commission, since 9 April, regarding the M3 Bar End-Compton; and whether he will place copies in the Library.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has made to the International Maritime Organisation to encourage the phasing out of the use of toxic paints on vessels; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom gave full support to the action taken by the International Maritime Organisation, in IMO resolution MEPC 46(30) dated 16 November 1990, to restrict the use of toxic antifouling paints and encourage the development of environmentally safe substitutes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce whether the proposed channel tunnel rail link will be optimised for passengers and freight or passengers only; and whether it will be two or four track.

I refer to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) yesterday at column 199.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 18 May, Official Report, columns 35–36, if he will list the scales of each plan, map and diagram made available at the public exhibitions relating to the proposed M1-M62 motorways link; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library.

Plans, maps and diagrams were made available at the following scales: 1:100,000, 1:50,000, 1:17,500, 1:10,000 and 1:2,500.The single existing copy of the exhibition material and supporting plans is too bulky to be placed in the Library. The hon. Member may inspect these documents at our offices in Leeds.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the current level of legal aid.

Information on the level of legal aid provided in the financial year 1991–92 is to be published in the legal aid annual report which will be laid before Parliament on 22 June. A copy will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many emergency protection orders were taken out during the first six months of the operation of the Children Act 1989.

The information available indicates that 800 emergency protection orders were made by courts in England and Wales in the period 14 October 1991 to 31 March 1992, following the implementation of the Children Act 1989.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many place of safety orders were taken out during the first six months immediately prior to the implementation of the Children Act 1989.

The information is not available in the form requested. Between 1 January and 30 June 1991, which is the most recent information available, some 1,980 places of safety orders were made in England and Wales.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many child assessment orders were taken out during the first six months of the operation of the Children Act 1989.

The information available indicates that 22 child assessment orders were made by courts in England and Wales in the period 14 October 1991 to 31 March 1992, following the implementation of the Children Act 1989 on 14 October 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has to cover law college one-year post-graduate courses under the mandatory award notice for local educational authority financial grant support.

The Education Act 1962 restricts local education authorities to making mandatory awards in respect of attendance only on certain designated full-time courses up to first degree level and on designated initial teacher training courses. The Act permits authorities to make discretionary awards for other courses, subject to certain exclusions. Where postgraduate law courses are eligible for discretionary awards, the decision whether or not to make such an award is a matter for the authority. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of full-time undergraduate students fail to complete their courses, by institution, for each of the United Kingdom's universities and polytechnics.

Details of non-completion of higher education courses can be found in:

(a) University Management Statistics and Performance Indicators in the UK, published by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Universities Funding Council, and

(b) DFE Statistical Bulletin "Leaving rates among First Year Students in English Polytechnics and Colleges", to be published in June.

Publication

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will introduce provisions to ensure formal checks on the suitability of drivers and escorts involved in transporting children to and from school.

Local authorities already have the power to carry out police checks on drivers and escorts where they consider them necessary. The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Home Office, issued guidance on the circumstances in which police checks should be undertaken in its circular 12/88. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments were received by the United Kingdom Government and United Kingdom Government agencies on official bilateral debt, from the countries defined by the World Bank as severely indebted low income countries in 1990 and 1991; and what payments are estimated to be made by those countries in 1992.

Figures for official bilateral debt repayments to the ODA, Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) and ECGD are given in the tables.It is important to consider these figures in context. Significant outflows of aid to the severely indebted low income countries (SILICs) continue to overshadow debt repayments made to the ODA. The net transfer of finance from CDC to the SILICs is also positive over the period in question.The figure given below for payments to ECGD in 1992 may well, of course, be higher than the amount actually paid. In particular, no attempt has been made to estimate the impact of future Paris Club agreements on Trinidad terms. Agreement to begin implementing the Prime Minister's Trinidad terms initiative to relieve the burden of debt on the poorest countries was achieved in December. Five countries have already benefited from the terms, and we expect more to do so, including some of those defined as SILICs, over the coming months. As these new agreements take effect, we can expect a significant reduction in repayments due to ECGD.

(a) Loan repayments from SILICs to the ODA (£)
Received 1990–91	Received 1991–92	Expected 1992–93
3,067,664	3,067,664	785,530

Figures for payments received by and due to the ODA are recorded on a financial year basis.

(b) Loan repayments from SILICs to the CDC (£)
Received 1990	Received 1991	Expected 1992
33,902,000	28,071,000	33,138,235

Figures show the CDC's total receipts from the SILICs, whether from the private or public sector.

(b)Repayments from SILICs to the ECGD (£)
Received 1990	Received 1991	Due 1992
251,000.000	275,000,000	509,000,000

Figures shown for 1990 and 1991 are in respect of officially guaranteed debt rescheduled through the Paris club. The figure for 1992 shows payments due on the same rescheduled debt, not including arrears which were outstanding as of 31 December 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will be completing his review of the joint funding scheme, including the block grant element; and if he will make a statement on the completion of his review.

We have recently completed our review of ODA co-operation with non-governmental organisations including the joint funding scheme. We have subsequently reviewed the block grant element in the scheme. These reviews have justified our continuing confidence in the contribution made by British voluntary organisations to developing countries. As a result, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has increased our support for the joint funding scheme from £23 million in 1991–92 to £28 million in 1992–93.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what survey has been taken, or appreciation made, of changes in travel-to-work patterns for Government employees currently located in Marsham street, Westminster, that would occur consequent on their transfer to specific sites in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone.

A sample survey to compare staff travelling time to alternative locations in London was carried out last year. A full survey of the present travelling arrangements of all staff currently in London is now being launched.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to allow local authorities to spend capital receipts raised from council house sales.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 13 May at column 608.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council concerning the recommendations of (a) the British geological survey and (b) the sea mammal research unit in relation to the simulated earthquake explosion proposed for Cardigan hay; and if he will place a copy of their relevant reports and recommendations in the Library.

My Department has communicated with the Welsh Office, the British geological survey and the sea mammal research unit on proposed seismic testing on the sea bed in Cardigan bay. I understand that the Cardigan bay research has now been postponed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had concerning the proposed simulated earthquake experimental explosion in Cardigan bay and its potential impact on the sonar neurology of dolphins, porpoises and seals.

My Department has received a representation from Greenpeace concerning proposed seismic testing on the sea bed in Cardigan bay. I understand that the Cardigan bay research has now been postponed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the use of economic instruments to encourage recycling; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) on 19 May, Official Report, col. 73.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what technical and ecological assistance the United Kingdom has offered to Russia to assist in the clean-up of radioactive pollution in the Baltic sea.

No request for such assistance has been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the total value of the local government revenue support grant paid by his Department is attributable to allocations made for expenditure on services for which other Departments of State have primary responsibility.

The amount of revenue support grant paid to each receiving authority makes up the difference between the standard spending assessment for the area and the income the authority would receive from the community charge for standard spending plus redistributed non-domestic rates.Total standard spending assessments for 1992–93, service by service, are as follows:

	£ million	Percentage
Education	18,352·7	48·3
Personal social services	4,734·6	12·5
Police	2,671·4	7·0
Fire and civil defence	1,105·2	2·9
Highways maintenance	1,806·0	4·8
All other services	6,834·9	18·0
Capital financing	2,487·9	6·5
	37,992.7	100·0

Services provided by my Department are covered by the all other services and capital financing blocks but cannot be identified separately within them.Revenue support grant is not hypothecated to expenditure on particular services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are made by his Department for regular monitoring of the quality and cleanliness of the water in the River Thames; and what evidence he has of a deterioration of water quality and an increase in sludge deposits on the river bed at Greenwich over recent months.

The National Rivers Authority is responsible for monitoring water quality; the results are available on public registers maintained in the NRA's regional offices. I understand that regular monitoring of the River Thames shows no evidence of changes in water quality other than those expected during a normal seasonal cycle, or of problems arising from sludge deposits at Greenwich.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions, between January 1990 and April 1992 discharges into Southampton Water from ReChem (Fawley) have exceeded limits set by the National Rivers Authority; and if he will provide details.

The results of sampling carried out by the National Rivers Authority, together with details of any consequent action taken, are available on public registers maintained in the NRA's regional offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the inspector's report on the application by British Coal Opencast to develop the site at Bleak house.

The inspector's report has been fully considered, and a decision will be issued as soon as possible. The report will be published at the same time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review mineral planning guidance notes relating to opencast coal mining operations by incorporating in them a presumption in favour of the protection of the environment; and if he will make a statement.

The current guidelines are contained in Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 (MPG 3) published in 1988. As part of a monitoring exercise on the effectiveness of the guidelines, my Department has recently completed a wide ranging consultation exercise on their practical operation. I shall consider whether there is any need for revision of MPG 3 in the light of that.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the total cost of land purchases and land reclamation on sites in London docklands which have been sold on to private developers.

Information in the form requested is only available at disproportionate cost. However, up to 31 March 1992, the London Docklands Development Corporation spent £161 million on land acquisition and £118 million on reclamation. Its policy is to sell such land to the private sector for development.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of public money spent by the London Docklands development corporation to date.

[Holding answer 21 May 1992]: To the end of 1991–92, the London Docklands development corporation had received £1,348 million in grant aid. The corporation has also been able to utilise receipts of some £300 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total value of business rates forgone in the London Docklands enterprise zone;(2) what is the total of business rates forgone in the Canary Wharf development.

[Holding answer 21 May 1992]: Up to 31 March 1990, rate revenue forgone in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone amounted to £37,593,000. Information is not held centrally on rate revenue forgone for individual developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the price charged to the developers for the land on which Canary Wharf is being built.

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: The London Docklands Development Corporation sold the Canary Wharf site to Olympia and York for £20·2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the financial benefits derived by Olympia and York by virtue of their presence in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone from investment allowance, business rate exemption or other advantages.

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table indicating for each year since 1981, at current prices, the amount of money provided in tax allowances in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total amount of capital allowances claimed by companies in the London Docklands enterprise zone.(2) what is the total of capital allowances

The total cost of capital allowances for all enterprise zones in Britain, estimated at 31 March 1990, was £660 million in 1989–90 prices. No information on the cost of capital allowances is available for individual enterprise zones or developments within them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the British Paper and Board Industry Federation concerning methods of discouraging the disposal of recyclable paper in landfill sites; and what response he has made.

My colleagues have received letters from the chairman of the federation's waste paper committee which set out their concerns. I will place in the Library a copy of the reply from my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the services provided and (b) the statutory responsibilities of each type of local authority in England and Wales.

It is for individual local authorities to decide how to meet their statutory requirements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to issue a descriptive list of functions conferred on local authorities by public general Acts to the Local Government Commission for its information once it has been set up. (There are also many local Acts conferring powers on local government which it would not be practicable to list.) A copy of the list will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many interim development order permissions have been registered in the Rossendale and Darwen constituency in the last 12 months.

None. In the six months allowed under the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 for persons to apply to register interim development order planning permissions with their local mineral planning authority Lancashire county council received 23 applications; five of these were within Rossendale and one within Blackburn. Further information is available from Lancashire county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to bring marine fish farming within the direct control of elected planning authorities, as recommended by the Select Committee on the Environment in its report on coastal zone planning.

The Government are considering the recommendations of the recent Environment Select Committee Report on Coastal Zone Protection and Planning, including its recommendations on marine fishfarming. It will issue a full response in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in persuading European Community partners to introduce special safeguards on the transport of live wild birds; and if he will make a statement.

The then Secretary of State wrote to Commissioner Carlo Ripa di Meana on 18 February urging him to press the European Commission to expedite the proposed further measures for regulating the wild bird trade which are provided for in the EC Directive on the Welfare of Live Animals During Transport. We have not yet received a response from the Commissioner, but will keep up the pressure for early progress.In the meantime, we are taking a number of other measures to improve transport conditions for live birds. We are pursuing with the International Air Transport Association the possibility of limiting the size of live bird shipments, and are introducing a live animals checklist for all commercial shipments of live birds entering the United Kingdom. We remain very concerned about this issue and under the auspices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), we will continue to play a leading part in the adoption off international measures to provide for the suspension trade in species suffering unacceptably high mortality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that former local authority tenants whose homes have been sold to housing associations will be able to participate in the rent-to-mortgage scheme.

When housing subject on secure tenancies is transferred to private landlords, tenants have their right to buy preserved. In addition we propose to consult on the extension to them of the proposed statutory rents to mortgages scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of empty council properties in Manchester on 1 May, divided into (a) management voids, (b) capital voids and (c) city challenge voids.

The latest available information held centrally on empty council dwellings relates to 1 April 1991 and was provided by Manchester city council in its April 1991 housing investment programme return (HIP1), a copy of which is in the Library. This shows the number of vacant dwellings owned by the council broken down by cause of vacancy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses he has received to his Department's consultation paper on marine consultation areas; and if he will indicate the number of responses which showed support for the concept.

So far the Department and the Welsh Office have received some 146 responses to the consultation paper. It has not yet been possible to complete a detailed analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department intends to issue any publications related to the Earth summit before the conference begins in Rio de Janeiro.

Britain has a proud history of contributing technology and expertise to assist developing countries. We have actively promoted the importance of technology co-operation to support sustainable development, both in the debates associated with preparations for the Earth summit in Rio and elsewhere. Continuing this process, my Department commissioned jointly with the Department of Trade and Industry a booklet based on case studies to illustrate the active part Britain already plays in technology co-operation and to provide insights into the range of mechanisms and processes that contribute to its success.I am pleased to announce that this booklet, entitled "Technology Co-operation: Britain's Experience", is published today, in time to be circulated widely amongst delegates at the Earth Summit in June. It will also be made available around the world through British embassies and high commissions.It illustrates the admirable activities of many British companies. It rightly emphasises the vital role that skill and know-how have in the transfer of technology and the crucial importance of normal commercial mechanisms. Other countries have much to learn from the positive approach of British business.I have arranged for copies of the booklet to be made available to the Libraries of each House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to offer Property Services Agency projects for sale; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to announce that the Government are now ready to offer PSA Projects for sale, by competitive tender.The sale will be advertised widely here and in Europe. Next week copies of the sale memorandum will be available on request to those interested in buying PSA Projects from my advisers, Coopers and Lybrand. While I would prefer to sell projects as a single entity, it is open to prospective purchasers to indicate their interest in part purchases. Preliminary bids need to be submitted by 26 June. Shortlisted bidders will then be provided with more detailed information and be expected to make final offers approximately 4 weeks later.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his latest estimated dates for winding-up each urban development corporation; what arrangements have been made for the disposal of assets and transfer of powers once each urban development corporation has ceased to exist; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 20 May 1992]: The wind-up dates of the urban development corporations will be considered in the context of the annual corporate planning round which is currently under way. Arrangements for the disposal of assets and the transfer of powers are under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about atmospheric pollution in the east Thames corridor.

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations expressing concern about the possible cumulative environmental effects of various proposals to build power stations and incinerators in the east Thames corridor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what role his Department now has in promoting energy conservation and efficiency in Wales.

My Department (Welsh Office) will continue to promote energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. This is outlined in the "Energy Plan for Wales for the 1990s" (copy attached), which I launched in December last year.The energy used in Wales, when transport is included, currently costs some 2 billion per year. It is thus one of the biggest elements in the economy and we have to use all forms of energy more efficiently—this is not only to save money; to improve competitiveness and to conserve finite resources but also to help the environment by helping to reduce the "greenhouse effect". It is estimated that savings in excess of 20 per cent. per year are not only possible but realistically achievable using well known techniques and this in turn will help to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by over 2 million tonnes per annum.Promotion of the more efficient use of energy is achieved by the Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) advising local industry, commerce and local authorities and through involvement with the local energy mangagement groups. The EEO will also disseminate literature, visit and advise companies, suggest sources of expert advice and will assist in organising seminars.Following the general election, the policy lead in Government for energy efficiency now resides with the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Energy Efficiency Office is now part of the environment protection group.I have every confidence that action arising from this reorganisation will play an important part in promoting the more effective use of energy and thereby reducing costs and at the same time helping the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the working of the Rechar scheme in Wales; and if he will make it his policy to help local authorities who are currently without the necessary credit approvals to enable them to benefit from Rechar, to overcome this obstacle.

Commissioner Milian approved the South Wales Rechar programme on 26 February 1992 and administrative arrangements for the implementation of the programme in Wales are currently being put into place. The Government have announced new arrangements for ensuring that the additionality of European regional development fund (ERDF) grants is fully transparent. I shall be providing full additional expenditure cover to the relevant spending authorities for the ERDF grant element of Rechar schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue guidance to (a) county council education departments and (b) head teachers of grant-maintained schools with relation to (a) the maximum safe emissions from diesel-engined school buses, (b) the minimum maintenance standards of starter motors for diesel-engined school buses and (c) maximum periods for allowing diesel-engined school buses to stand with engines idling on school premises.

No. These are matters for education authorities and the governors of schools, grant maintained or otherwise, to consider in the light of their policies for health and safety and vehicle maintenance.The Secretary of State for Transport has powers to regulate emissions from motor vehicles and I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year up to and including 1991–92; and if he will give an estimate for 1992–93.

Figures for expenditure by the Department's information division, including staff and press cutting service but excluding the cost of purchasing media advertising and promotional material, cannot readily be disaggregated for the years 1979–80 to 1987–88.Figures for the succeeding years are:

	£
1988–89	469,000
1989–90	487,000
1990–91	481,000
1991–92	481,000

Expenditure for 1992–93 is likely to be about £540,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum paid out in fees by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year up to and including 1991–92; and what is his estimate for 1992–93.

I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what government assistance is available towards the establishment and running of mobile shops in remote areas of rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

There are no schemes of Government assistance specifically directed towards the establishment and running of mobile shops in rural Wales.However, such projects may be eligible under general schemes of assistance to business operated by the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public opinion surveys carried out by his Department since 1 November 1991.

The information given as follows relates to surveys which contain at least one opinion seeking question and includes surveys notified to the Department by non-departmental public bodies in Wales:

• 1993 Visitor Survey of the National Parks of England and Wales (1992 Pilot) (CCW)
• Expanding the Role of Women in North/Rural Wales Workforce—Survey of Women (WDA)
• Business and Community Perceptions of the DBRW within its area (DBRW)
• A470 Corridor Public Transport Study
• Modified Consultation Procedure for A5 Halfway Bridge Improvement
• A487 Penygroes/Llanllyfni Bypass and Y Groeslon Diversion

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which housing associations in Wales have built houses on land previously comprising school playing fields; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the amount of money raised by the sale of school playing fields or parts of school playing fields in each of the counties of Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on changes in his Department's instructions to local authorities on the method of funding disabled facility grants.

For 1992–93 £26·3 million has been provided for mandatory disabled facilities and other discretionary grants, on top of the normal housing programme for local authorities. This is to enable authorities to play their full part in providing packages of support best suited to meet the individual needs of disabled people in close liaison with social services departments, and others.INMOS Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he plans to take to secure the continuation of the fabrication in Newport, Gwent, of the transputer and other products of INMOS Ltd.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Gentleman on 11 May last.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the total work force in his Department are registered as disabled; what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people within his Department; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is fully committed to an equal opportunities policy which states that no job applicant or employee should receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of disablement. I have placed a copy of my Department's "Guide to Equal Opportunities" in the Library of the House.At 1 April 1992, 1·;7 per cent. of the staff in my Department have chosen to register as disabled. My Department also employs several unregistered disabled people.The initiatives my Department has taken include the appointment of a departmental disabled persons officer; close liaison with the Department of Employment, disablement advisory services and disablement resettlement officers particularly on recruitment of disabled staff; the establishment of a work experience scheme for clients of the Cardiff employment rehabilitation centre; and the provision of special aids and equipment to disabled officers to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.A further programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity in the Welsh Office for disabled people is to be issued to staff shortly. This will contain details of current practice and areas for future development with measurable objectives and target dates for their achievement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times the task force on the effects of the closures of RAF Brawdy and RNAD Trecwn has met.

The full west Wales task force has met seven times. In addition a number of meetings of various task force sub-groups have been convened to consider specific issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's role in heritage issues in the light of the creation of the Department of National Heritage.

The Department will liaise closely with the Department of National Heritage on all heritage issues for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the 1993–94 financial settlement for local authorities in Wales.

I have decided to delay the announcement of the Government's proposals for total standard spending and aggregate external finance until the autumn, because of the particular circumstances of the 1993–94 settlement.In arriving at proposals I need to take into account the implications for the level of council tax. These will rest in part on the valuation of properties. This will not be completed in time for a July announcement.I am also concerned that the most up-to-date and accurate information is available to determine the financing of local authorities' new responsibilities for community care.In the circumstances, I concluded that local government in Wales would be better served by an autumn settlement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy relating to European Community legislation with regard to duty on (a) British sherry, (b) Cyprus sherry and (c) Spanish sherry.

The Government's objective in the European Community negotiations is to achieve an agreement which allows existing United Kingdom duty arrangements for these products to continue. The Presidency proposals discussed at the 19 May ECOFIN would allow for this.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will describe the British representation at the European Monetary Institute.

According to its statute the European Monetary Institute (EMI) will be directed and managed by the Council of the EMI. The Council will consist of the President of the EMI and the governor of each member state's national central bank. The United Kingdom member of the Council will therefore be the Governor of the Bank of England.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department first raised the matter of VAT and domestic service charges paid by freeholders on their property with the European Commission for an option; and when he expects a substantive reply.

The Office of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Community (UKREP) first wrote to the Commission on 23 April 1991. An interim reply was received from the Commission on 27 June 1991 and UKREP wrote again on 23 September. Customs are asking UKREP to remind the Commission that a substantive reply is still outstanding.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will review the role of the Crown Estate Commissioners relating to the management of coastal resources, as recommended by the Environment Committee in its report on coastal zone planning.

The Government are considering the recommendations of the Environment Committee's report, and a response to the Committee's report will be issued in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available to hon. Members the customary notes on the Finance Bill's clauses.

Yes. Notes on clauses are being placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of (a) the closure of BCCI and (b) the Bingham inquiry.

It is estimated that the total cost incurred by Lord Justice Bingham and his inquiry team will amount to £500,000. This cost will be shared by the Treasury and the Bank of England. The cost to public funds of closing BCCI is included in the administrative and legal costs of the Government Departments concerned and of the Bank of England. To provide an accurate estimate of these costs would involve disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals for debt collection for the world's least developed countries will be put forward by the United Kingdom delegation to the United Nations conference on environment and development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June.

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: The United Kingdom Government have consistently taken the lead in advocating debt cancellation for the poorest and most heavily indebted countries. At the UNCED conference the United Kingdom Government will urge all creditor countries to participate in the implementation of Trinidad terms, under which 50 per cent. of these countries' eligible debt can be cancelled, and will call for further improvemetns to the terms along the lines originally proposed by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in Trinidad in September 1990.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the latest meetings of the European Community's Economic and Finance Council.

The Economic and Finance Council of the European Community met in Brussels on 16 March during the Recess and again in Brussels on 19 May. Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors also met informally on 8–10 May in Oporto. The United Kingdom was represented by the then Minister of State (on 16 March), the Governor of the Bank of England and me (on 8–10 May) and the Paymaster General and me (on 19 May).On 16 March the Council discussed aid to the former Soviet Union stressing the primary role of the Bretton Woods institutions but also the need for an early disbursement of the Community's loans. Possible procedures for extending external lending by the EIB were also discussed but without agreement.President Delors made a statement on the Commission's proposals for the future financing of the Community which were briefly debated. The Council also adopted a recommendation on the Discharge of the 1990 Budget following statements on the Court of Auditors Report from Mr. Angioi, President of the Court, and Commissioner Schmidhuber. The United Kingdom's call for prior appraisal, better evaluation, and improvements in the economy and cost effectiveness of Community spending was well supported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of theatre sessions per week for each general surgeon in the Royal Victoria hospital.

This information is not available in the form requested. However, the average number of theatre sessions per week for each general surgeon in the Royal Victoria hospital during the financial year 1990–91 was 2·6.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tenants of Northern Ireland Housing Executive residential accommodation have been evicted in each of the last five years for non-payment of rent; and if he will give the figures by district office and region in Northern Ireland.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by its chief executive that the number of tenants evicted in each of the last five years for non-payment of rent was as follows:

Region and District	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92
Belfast
2	—	—	2	—	2
4	—	—	—	—	1
6	—	—	1	—	—
7	—	—	2	—	1
South-East
Bangor	—	—	1	—	—
Castlereagh 2	—	1	—	—	—
Lisburn 1	—	—	1	1	—
South
Banbridge	—	—	—	—	1
Brownlow	—	—	—	—	1
Lurgan	—	—	1	—	2
North East
Ballymena	1	1	1	1	1
Newtownabbey	1	—	—	1	—
Carrickfergus	—	—	—	—	2
Coleraine1	—	1	—	—	1
West
Cookstown	—	—	—	—	1
Totals	1	3	9	4	13
1 Coleraine district Was part of the Former North West region until 1 April 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount of rent arrears due to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive outstanding by region within Northern Ireland at present and in each of the last two years.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by its chief executive that the total amount of rent and rates arrears owed to the Housing Executive at 31 March 1992 (the latest date for which figures are available) and at the end of the two previous years was as follows:

Region	31 March 1990 £ 000	31 March 1991 £ 000	31 March 1992 £ 000
Belfast	4,745	4,823	4,628
South East	2,961	3,103	2,907
South	1,623	1,801	1,645
1North East	2,916	3,101	3,173
1North West	2,900	3,015	—
1West	831	847	3,186
TOTAL	15,976	16,690	15,539
1 Note: With effect from 1 April 1991 the Coleraine district was transferred to the North East region while the remainder of the North West region was merged with the West region.

To ask the Secretary of Slate for Northern Ireland if he will give in tabular form the number of patients receiving day surgery and those treated as in-patients since 1985.

The numbers treated as in-patients and day cases since 1985 are listed in the table. The figures relate to discharges and deaths from all specialities in all hospitals (including psychiatric) in Northern Ireland.

	Total in-patient admissions	Total day cases	Total in-patient admissions and day cases
1985	274,061	16,048	290,109
1986	268,880	21,113	289,993
1987	266,622	29,907	294,329
1988–89	266,530	43,729	310,259
1989–90	270,821	45,141	315,962
1990–91	272,744	49,724	322,468

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in how many cases in Belfast South his Department has taken action against refusal to obey decisions of the Planning Commission since 1985; and how many were successful in the courts;(2) in how many cases in Northern Ireland his Department has taken action against refusal to obey decisions by the planning commissioners since 1985; and how many were successful in the courts.

This information could be provided in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. However, since 1985, the Department of the Environment for NI has taken enforcement action in 530 cases, 20 of them in the Belfast South constituency. In 74 cases, eight of them in Belfast South, court action was necessary and in 48, two of which were in Belfast South, fines were imposed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number of women who graduated in medicine from Queen's university since 1982 and the number who have been able to advance in their chosen specialities of general practice, surgery, obstetrics, medicine, psychiatry, ENT and radiology.

A total of 555 women have graduated in medicine from Queen's university since 1982. The number who have been able to advance in their chosen specialities is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time taken to grant planning permission for conversion of property and commercial development.

For the year ended 31 March 1992 the median number of calendar days taken to decide planning applications for the conversion of a property to another use was 67. The corresponding figure for applications involving commercial development was 70.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for planning permission take over two years from formal application to decision.

Of the 18,341 planning applications determined in the year ended 31 March 1992, 62 or 0.3 per cent. took over two years to decide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals are being considered to provide a shop-mobility scheme in Northern Ireland.

There are no plans at present for a shop-mobility scheme in Northern Ireland but I have asked the Belfast chamber of trade and the Belfast city council to consider how such a scheme might be introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the average weekly number of theatre sessions for general surgery in each of the four area boards since 1985.

The average weekly numbers of theatre sessions in the general surgery speciality in each of the health and social services boards for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are listed in the table. Information prior to 1989–90 is not available centrally.

Board	1989–90	1990–91
Eastern	76.4	76.3
Northern	155.2	55.2
Southern	36.2	38.9
Western	26.8	25.3
1 Estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement giving details on squatting in each Northern Ireland Housing Executive region, by district office.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am advised by its chief executive that at 31 March 1992 the total number of squatters by region and district was as follows:

Squatters at 31 March 1992
Region and district	Number
Belfast
1	69
3	88
4	63
6	8
7	16
Region total	244
South East
Lisburn 3	57
Downpatrick	1
Region total	58
South
Banbridge	3
Armagh	2
Portadown	3
Region total	8
North East	1
Newtownabbey 1	1
Region total	1
West
Londonderry 1	173
Londonderry 2	14
Londonderry 3	40
Limavady	8
Strabane	9
Region total	244
OVERALL TOTAL	555

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when provision for home loss payments under the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 will be brought up to date for Northern Ireland; and if he will make it his policy to apply the legislation retrospectively to 16 November 1990 to ensure that Northern Ireland home owners are treated on an equal basis with those in England, Scotland and Wales.

It is proposed to make such provision in June 1992 and it is my intention to introduce an administrative scheme applying the new criteria retrospectively to 16 November 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been prosecuted for the use of clenbuterol, known as angel dust, in livestock; how many such prosecutions are pending; what further controls of the abuse of clenbuterol he proposes; and if he will make a statement.

Six persons have been prosecuted under the Medicines Act 1968 for the illegal administration of clenbuterol. No prosecutions are pending.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many electors there were in Northern Ireland in 1983; what is the total electorate now; and what plans there are to review both the number of constituencies and constituency boundaries.

The number of electors on the register of electors published in February 1983 who were eligible to vote at parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland was 1,061,185. The corresponding figure for 1992 was 1,141,466.The review of the number of boundaries of constituencies in Northern Ireland is a matter for the independent Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland but I understand that the commision is unlikely to announce its next periodical review until the current review of the number, names and boundaries of district councils and the wards into which they are divided is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of the combined salaries of the director and assistant directors of the new Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

The cost is £144,968 per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been received for each type of housing grant in each month of the current year.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the chairman has advised me that the information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, he has also informed me that the total numbers of applications received in January and February were 1,516 and 2,108 respectively. Since when the scheme has been temporarily shut down, with the exception of a limited range of grants for the disabled, applications for which have been accepted from 14 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the improvements made by his Department in provision for the disabled since May 1979.

Since 1979 the Department has made a large number of improvements in benefit provision for disabled people. These have been aimed to provide a comprehensive and coherent system of disability benefits which not only gives priority for extra help to those disabled early in life, who have lost the opportunity to earn and save, but also promotes independence and integration.In that time spending on benefits for long-term sick and disabled people has increased by more than 155 per cent. in real terms to £12.25 billion. On top of this increased expenditure two new disability benefits disability living allowance and disability working allowance were introduced in April 1992.The other main improvements have been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local authorities give a full disregard to war pensions in the calculation of housing and poll tax benefits; and how many authorities take part of the pension into account as income in those calculations.

In the financial year 1990–91, 374 of the 479 local authorities reported that they exercised their discretionary power to disregard more than the statutory £10 of a war pension. Of these:

289 authorities disregard both war widows' and war disablement pensions in full, of which five authorities responsible for both benefits operated a scheme for housing benefit only and two operated a scheme for community charge benefit only;

Five authorities fully disregarded war widows' pensions, of which three also disregarded war disablement pensions in part;

28 authorities fully disregarded war disablement pensions, of which six also disregarded war widows' pensions in part.

The remaining 52 authorities took some part of a war widow's or war disablement pension into account as income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest position regarding discussions to simplify the war pensions scheme.

My noble Friend Lord Henley, the Minister with special responsibility for war pensions, is writing to members of the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions advising that we shall be introducing next April a number of changes which will help to simplify the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will lose from the change in the qualifying hours threshold for income support or family credit from 24 to 16 hours; and what savings will be made after transitional protection has run out in each case.

No one who was working, or whose partner was working, between 16 and 24 hours a week and receiving Income Support at the point of change lost their entitlement to that benefit as a result of the change in the hours threshold in income support and family credit. Many of those affected will be families with children who will be better off on family credit than they would have been on income support. Many others will remain on income support under special provisions giving them indefinite protection.As families affected will either be better off or no worse off, there is expected to be a benefit cost, rather than a saving, as a result of the changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the reason for the delay in laying the regulations on disclosure requirements for occupational and personal pension schemes; and when he expects them to be laid.

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations have been delayed to allow time for consideration of the Social Security Select Committee's report on the "Operation of Pension Funds" in relation to those issues upon which the regulations impinge. We expect the regulations to be laid shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the case of Nicola Clark, setting out the grounds on which her claim for benefits is to be opposed at the hearing to be held on 16 June.

The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend shortly and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants received (a) grants and (b) loans to enable clothing and bedding to be afforded during 1991–92.

Provisional figures show that 81,450 loans and 36,210 grants were awarded for those items.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each of the benefits for which his Department is responsible giving in each case (a) the total number estimated to be eligible for that benefit, (b) the total number receiving that benefit, (c) the cost in a full year of that benefit and (d) an estimate of the cost in a full year if everyone entitled to that benefit received it.

Information on the numbers eligible for each benefit is not available. Such information as is available is in the tables.

Table 1: Estimated average numbers receiving benefit at any one time (thousands)
	Year 1991–92
BENEFIT
Retirement Pension	9,920
Widows' Benefit	350
Unemployment Benefit	650
Sickness Benefit	120
Statutory Sick Pay	345
Invalidity Benefit	1,325
Industrial Disablement Benefit	330
Industrial Death Benefit	25
Maternity Allowance	20
Statutory Maternity Pay	85
Non-contributory RP	35
War Pension	260
Attendance Allowance	970
Invalid Care Allowance	155
Severe Disablement Allowance	300
Mobility Allowance	660
Income Support	4,820
Child Benefit (Children)	12,185
One Parent Benefit	835
Family Credit	350
Rent Allowance	1,115
Rent Rebate	3,085
Community Charge Benefit	6,570

Table 2: Expenditure in cash terms (£ million)
Benefit	Year 1991–92
Retirement Pension	25,538
Christmas Bonus-Contributory	114
Widows' Benefit	983
Unemployment Benefit	1,506
Sickness Benefit	268
Statutory Sick Pay	724
Invalidity Benefit	5,255
Industrial Disablement Benefit	600
Industrial Death Benefit	65
Other II Benefits	4
Maternity Allowance	39
Statutory Maternity Pay	344
Guardian's Allowance/CSA	2
Non-contributory RP	37
Christmas Bonus-Non-contributory	8
War Pension	805
Attendance Allowance	1,706
Invalid Care Allowance	262
Severe Disablement Allowance	583
Mobility Allowance	1,061
Income Support	11,891
Child Benefit	5,206
One Parent Benefit	247
Family Credit	617
Independent Living Fund	54
Motability	3
Rent Allowance	1,976
Rent Rebate	583
Community Charge Benefit	1,228

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each year since its introduction, what was the number of users of the Independent Living Fund, broken down into the geographical areas covered by individual benefit offices.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Revenge ended its commission; where the submarine is now; and at which dockyard its fuel will be removed.

HMS Revenge completed her last commission on 13 April 1992 at the Clyde submarine base, Faslane. She will leave shortly for Rosyth, where she will be defuelled and de-equipped in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the report from the National Radiological Protection Board on the health of the British nuclear test veterans will be published.

The update report into mortality and cancer incidence among test participants will be published as soon as practically possible during 1992 consistent with maintenance of the highest standards of scientific rigour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current use of, or plan for, the Whitehall block of buildings, formerly known as the War Office.

The old War Office building has been undergoing a major refurbishment which is now nearing completion. It will be re-occupied later in the year by headquarters staff of the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discovery and exploitation of liquid crystal displays by the former Royal Signals Research Establishment at Malvern; and what developments have been made with this technology by the Defence Research Agency.

I have asked the chief executive of the Defence Research Agency to reply to the hon. Member.