To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a decision on the application by Narayan Shankar for political asylum, August 1989, ref. S670769.

I expect the decision to be taken soon and I will inform the hon. Member at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what instructions are issued to private companies authorised to clamp vehicles regarding any decision to fit a wheel clamp;(2) what information he has on the degree of liaison between the Metropolitan police and private companies authorised to clamp vehicles in respect of prioritising illegally parked vehicles.

Under section 104 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the decision to fit a wheel clamp to a vehicle may only be authorised by a police officer. Private companies are employed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to carry out the physical task of applying wheel clamps and their operatives act on the instructions of a police officer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of those private companies authorised by the Metropolitan police to clamp vehicles on public roads.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information requested is as follows:

Parking Protection Limited

Highway Maintenance Service Limited

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will next meet the general council of UKIAS.

I hope to meet members of the executive committee of UKIAS soon to discuss the organisation's future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's letter of 5 June to the hon. Member for York about recorded crimes in North Yorkshire.

I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the average number of remand prisoners held in police cells in Cumbria over the last convenient period for each police station; how many police hours were spent looking after them; and at what cost to public funds.

From 27 October 1991 to 25 January 1992, a daily average of 20 prisoners who normally would be held in prison were held in the following police stations in Cumbria:

• Barrow-in-Furness
• Carlisle
• Kendal
• Penrith
• Whitehaven
• Workington

Information is not available centrally on the numbers held in individual police stations over this period. The available information does not separately identify the number of prisoners held on remand.During the same period, a total of 17,598 police hours were taken up with tasks relating to the custody and transport of prisoners who would normally be held in prison. The cost to the Prison Service of the police cells operation in Cumbria was £309,433.48.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to prevent suicides at Feltham remand centre; and if he will make a statement.

There is already an active suicide prevention management group at Feltham. In addition, the governor recognises the widespread concern about recent deaths at the establishment and has chaired a special group to identify what more could be done.The group is taking forward a range of initiatives, including a review of induction procedures and of measures to curb the incidence of bullying. Staff have been given refresher training in suicide prevention and a training pack has been produced for future use. Case conferences are held each week to manage prisoners identified as being at risk. A prison visitor scheme has been set up to support those who do not receive regular visits. Links have been made with the local branch of the Samaritans. The establishment is also continuing to develop its policy of encouraging regular contact between prisoners and their families, particularly where there is concern about the prisoner's welfare. In addition, a new unit is to open on 22 June with specially trained staff whose role will be to work to modify the behaviour of known bullies. Video cameras are also being installed in trouble spots to help staff to identify bullies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the law to bring the provisions concerning manslaughter into line with the protection given to the pre born against abortion after 24 weeks and the Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992.

Although no suitable legislative vehicle is, at present, in prospect, we shall seek to amend the presumption in that Act to bring it into line with the 24-week limit now in the Abortion Act 1967 and with the Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992 when a suitable opportunity arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give further consideration to the points made in the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection report on the London hospital medical college in October 1991; and if he will publish a full detailed response to each point.

The allegations in the BUAV's report were thoroughly investigated by the Home Office scientific procedures inspectorate and considered in detail by Home Office officials. A reply was sent to the general secretary of the BUAV on 17 March, and he has been invited to put any further specific questions to the Home Office in writing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent meetings about the hunger strike by the Turkish/Kurdish/Aleri refugees in London; what evidence he has of the after-effects of torture of former Turkish refugees living in London; what information he has about the treatment of their wives and children; what representations he has received about this matter; and what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities.

On 1 June we were informed that 54 of the original 62 hunger strikers had abandoned their protest. On 5 June we were informed that the remaining eight had taken the same step. Representations have been made in individual cases about the circumstances of Turkish refugees and asylum applicants with exceptional leave living in London and about their families remaining in Turkey. Applications for family reunion are considered in the light of the immigration rules and other published guidelines. My right hon. and learned Friend has had no contacts with the Turkish authorities on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reduce the time before an asylum seeker given exceptional leave to remain may apply to bring in his family and immediate dependants from four years to three years.

No. The period of four years reflects the view that family reunion for someone with exceptional leave should not normally be allowed until it is apparent that his stay in the United Kingdom is likely to be permanent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of asylum seekers for each month from January 1990 until the present date.

The information available is given in the table.

Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants
1Number of principal applicants
	2 31990	41991	1992
January		4,455	2,165
February	3,360	3,445	1,420
March		3,885	1,595
April		5,275	1,440
May	3,665	3,805	1,370
June		3,000	5—
July		3,725	5—
August	6,980	3,340	5—
September		3,525	5—
October		4,375	5—
November	8,005	3,790	5—
December		2,210	5—
	22,000	44,840	5—
1Provisional figures, rounded to the nearest 5.
21990 figures may understate because of delays in recording. Reliable monthly estimates are not yet available.
3In addition, about 55 applications by nationals of Afghanistan to the British High Commission in New Delhi were processed locally.
4In addition, about 15 applications by nationals of Afghanistan to the British High Commission in New Delhi and 40 applications by nationals of Liberia to the British High Commission in Lagos were processed locally.
5Not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure greater uniformity in practice about what constitutes urgent and compassionate grounds for family reunion in the cases of asylum seekers seeking exceptional leave to remain.

Compelling and compassionate grounds are considered in the light of the circumstances in each individual case. I am satisfied that decisions in such cases are properly taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy to lessen vandalism in Wales.

[holding answer 15 June 1992]: Vandalism in Wales is being most effectively addressed when organisations such as the Police, local authorities and other local agencies combine their efforts to develop practical preventive policies. It is such approaches which our policies seek to support.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he plans to introduce legislation on the squatting of residential property before the end of the current year;(2) how many responses he has received to his consultation paper on squatting; whether he will list the name of each respondent; and whether he will state the number of respondents who were in favour or opposed to each of the four options consulted on.

[holding answer 16 June 1992]: The Government are committed to strengthening the law against squatting and last year a consultation paper was published setting out various proposals. The responses to this exercise raised a number of issues which require and are receiving careful consideration. It is not possible at this stage to say when legislative proposals will be brought forward. The Government wish to ensure that any new measure should be fair, easy to administer and be effective.In all, we received 216 responses to the consultation paper. Analysis of the results shows that 133 responses—62 per cent.—were in favour of strengthening the law, 58–27 per cent.—were opposed, and 25–11 per cent.—came to no clear conclusion. However, those respondents opposed to strengthening the law can generally be taken to have supported option A—leaving the criminal law unchanged; six respondents favoured option B—a limited extension of the law to certain types of squatting; 17 favoured option C—extending the criminal law to all squatting in residential premises; and 56 supported option D—a general extension of the criminal law to cover squatting in any premises.Eighty four of the responses were from private individuals or companies, and we also received responses from the following public bodies, local authorities and organisation:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of extra police posts that have been sought by each of the police authorities in Wales.

The four Welsh police authorities have made applications for increases in establishment for 1993–94, as follows:

	Posts
Dyfed-Powys	75
Gwent	37
North Wales	58
South Wales	44

Authorised Establishments
Force	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93
Avon and Somerset	3,050	3,070	3,081	3,085	3,087
Bedfordshire	1,030	1,046	1,085	1,117	1,178
Cambridgeshire	1,180	1,198	1,209	1,231	1,241
Cheshire	1,860	1,868	1,889	1,900	1,920
Cleveland	1,474	1,489	1,502	1,502	1,502
Cumbria	1,144	1,156	1,175	1,183	1,187
Derbyshire	1,793	1,793	1,812	1,825	1,850
Devon and Cornwall	2,827	2,846	2,865	2,880	2,928
Dorset	1,235	1,257	1,272	1,287	1,302
Durham	1,357	1,375	1,378	1,389	1,389
Dyfed Powys	935	935	944	944	969
Essex	2,762	2,804	2,875	2,892	2,950
Gloucestershire	1,164	1,164	1,164	1,183	1,184
Greater Manchester	6,943	6,988	7,021	7,057	7,077
Gwent	995	1,007	1,009	1,009	1,010
Hampshire	3,128	3,148	3,175	3,202	3,269
Hertfordshire	1,631	1,651	1,669	1,680	1,684
Humberside	1,972	1,992	2,007	2,025	2,034
Kent	2,941	2,968	3,020	3,054	13,096
Lancashire	3,158	3,173	3,203	3,225	3,229
Leicestershire	1,733	1,760	1,814	1,827	1,853
Lincolnshire	1,183	1,183	1,198	1,206	1,206
Merseyside	4,679	4,701	4,701	4,706	4,706
Norfolk	1,338	1,362	1,409	1,421	1,446
Northamptonshire	1,106	1,121	1,142	1,167	1,190
Northumbria	3,483	3,514	3,560	3,586	3,613
North Wales	1,326	1,330	1,352	1,352	1,369
North Yorkshire	1,368	1,383	1,408	1,414	1,418
Nottinghamshire	2,294	2,318	2,344	2,344	2,344
South Wales	3,109	3,137	3,168	3,168	3,168
South Yorkshire	2,951	2,978	2,998	3,016	3,031
Staffordshire	2,166	2,188	2,203	2,211	2,215
South Wales	3,109	3,137	3,168	3,168	3,168
South Yorkshire	2,951	2,978	2,998	3,016	3,031
Staffordshire	2,166	2,188	2,203	2,211	2,215
Suffolk	1,186	1,186	1,205	1,216	1,233
Surrey	1,639	1,649	1,659	1,670	1,673
Sussex	2,923	2,940	2,964	2,982	3,014
Thames Valley	3,576	3,620	3,685	3,725	3,812
Warwickshire	981	992	1,008	1,016	1,020
West Mercia	1,963	1,991	2,024	2,024	2,053
West Midlands	6,754	6,830	6,895	6,958	6,977
West Yorkshire	5,227	5,259	5,281	5,295	5,295
Wiltshire	1,074	1,085	1,099	1,114	1,181
City of London	798	798	798	798	798
Metropolitan	28,115	28,415	28,412	28,322	28,322
1 The establishment of Kent will increase to 3,136 from 1 January 1993 when reimbursed posts for the Channel Tunnel are introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the established number of full-time officers in each of the police authorities in each of the past five years; and what measures he proposes to enable police authorities to place more policemen on the beat.

The authorised establishments for each police force in England and Wales for the period 1988–89 to 1992–93 are set out in the table.The Home Secretary attaches importance to increasing the numbers of officers on the beat, but recognises that this is one of many needs. Measures recommended to forces to improve operational deployment include civilianisation, which has enabled the release of 5,700 officers; streamlining of organisational structures; shedding unnecessary middle management; improvement of technical support; and the introduction of flexible shifts.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to continue the developmental and strategic work done by the national children's play and recreation unit beyond the end of the unit's present guaranteed funding period on 31 March 1993.

I am giving very careful consideration to what should happen when the national children's play and recreation unit's present funding comes to an end in March 1993 and I shall be announcing my conclusions at the earliest possible opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to establish a scheme to give financial protection for consumers in the event of the financial failure of an airline.

My predecessor announced in a written answer on 11 March that he proposed to introduce a scheme providing financial protection for passengers who book tickets on United Kingdom airlines, on the basis of a compensation fund to be financed by a small levy on United Kingdom airlines.The Civil Aviation Authority has been asked to develop the details of a scheme, for which primary legislation will be needed, and it is currently working on proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with the International Air Transport Association agency programme joint council to discuss the concept of financial protection for airline passengers.

I myself have had no such meetings, but the Civil Aviation Authority's report on financial protection for scheduled passengers—CAP 595—published in August did take account of IATA's response to the consultation document issued by the authority and IATA's comments were recorded in the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking following his responses to the recommendations on aircraft noise prepared by the noise review working party 1990.

The Government's responses to the recommendations on aircraft noise of the noise review working party were published in August 1991 as part of the consultation paper "Control of Aircraft Noise." We are considering the responses to this paper and our decisions will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of British Rail the implication for contingency planning of the emergency which occurred between Hither Green and Grove Park stations on the evening of Tuesday 9 June; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that British Rail is holding an internal inquiry into the 9 June incident when an electrical sub station at Grove Park flooded and caused the track supply power to be cut off. British Rail is looking at how best to deal with similar electrical engineering difficulties in the future and also at what improvements can be made in keeping passengers better informed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation under the citizens charter will be made to the passengers trapped for four hours on a train between Hither Green and Grove Park stations on 9 June.

Under the passengers charter, with effect from January 1993, monthly and longer season ticket holders will be able to claim discounts when they renew their tickets if, during the preceding 12 months, performance has been more than a small margin below the standards set in the charter. The delays caused by the flooding of the electrical sub station at Grove Park on 9 June will be included in the performance statistics used for this purpose.Other ticket holders who were delayed can make claims immediately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members of the London Transport Board with their functions and their remuneration.

The information requested is as follows:

Member/Responsibilities	Current annual salary £
Executive Members
Mr. Wilfrid Newton CBE	106,500
Chairman and Chief Executive of LT Board
Chairman of:
London Underground Ltd
Corporate Strategy Group
Executive Committee
Design Policy Committee
Mr. Anthony Sheppeck	76,150
Board Member for Finance
Member of:
Audit Committee
Corporate Strategy Group
Executive Committee
London Transport Property
Non-Executive Director:
London Underground Ltd
Non-Executive Members
Sir Neil Shields MC	28,000
Deputy Chairman of LT
Chairman of:
LT Property Board
Member of:
Remuneration Committee
Design Policy Committee
Sir Alan Bailey	8,790
Board Member with special interest in passengers with disabilities

Member/Responsibilities	Current annual salary £
Mr. Keith Brown	8,790
Chairman of:
Audit Committee
Member of:
Bus Privatisation Committee
Mr. J. Keith Davies	8,790
Member of:
Safety Audit Committee
Dr. Stephen Glaister	9,960
Member of:
Corporate Strategy Group
Fares Revenue Committee
Bus Privatisation Committee
Tendered Bus Division
Non-Executive Director:
Victoria Coach Station
Mrs. Helen Robinson	8,790
Member of:
Design Policy Committee
Remuneration Committee
Mr. Oscar Roith	29,290
Board Member with special interest in safety
Chairman of:
Safety Audit Committee
Mr. Roy Thomas	8,790
Member of:
Audit Committee
Remuneration Committee
Bus Privatisation Committee
Mr. David Thompson	8,790
Chairman of London Buses Ltd
Member of:
Audit Committee
London Transport Property

Total emoluments, including salaries, fees, pensions and other benefits received by members of the board are published each year in London Transport's annual report and accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to take forward the recommendations of the Civil Aviation Authority that consideration be given to safeguarding slots at Heathrow for regional airlines within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The authority has made no such recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he had with professional railwaymen or their associates, or those of civil engineers, prior to drawing up his specification for the proposed London to Kent fast rail link; and what estimate he has made of the capital saving available from his specification compared to a three or four-line scheme, respectively.

The paper "Channel Tunnel Rail Link: Design Standards Brief", circulated on 21 May 1992, was prepared after consultation with British Rail, which also took independent engineering advice. British Rail estimates that the additional cost of four tracks, compared to the proposal for a two-track line with a freight capability outlined in that paper, would be of the order of £2 billion. A three-track scheme is unlikely to have much practical advantage over two tracks with passing loops, and no cost estimates have been made of that option.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, as part of his plans for privatisation and deregulation of the buses in London he will prohibit London Buses Ltd. or any of its subsidiary companies from disposing of property that could be a major asset to any future competitor.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the levels of pollution which are currently forecast to result from the increase in road traffic.

The Government are to introduce into United Kingdom law two new EC directives prescribing stricter limits on emissions of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter from motor vehicles. Both directives will help to put the United Kingdom and its EC partners on a course for substantial longer-term progress in improving the quality of air in our towns and cities. The United Kingdom is also working with other member states with a view to limiting emissions of carbon dioxide from motor vehicles.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what budget exists for independent legal representation for the immigration appeal tribunal; and how many independent solicitors have been retained by the IAT in each of the last three years.

There is no separate budget for legal representation for the immigration appeal tribunal, IAT; any such fees are paid out of the general budget for the Lord Chancellor's Department. The IAT has been represented by the Treasury Solicitor when representation has been necessary in the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show in league order the income tax thresholds in each member state of the European Community with the lowest at the end.

Estimates based on the latest available information are given in the table. Unless otherwise stated the figures relate to 1992.The threshold is the amount of gross income below which no tax is payable.Thresholds given relate to a single person, and to income from employment only. Standard deductions available to all employees have been taken into account.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state in pounds sterling how much would be deducted in income tax from (a) a single person and (b) a married couple if their overall income was equivalent to (i) £100 per week, and (ii) £200 per week in each member state of the European Community.

Estimates based on the latest available information are given in the table. Unless otherwise stated, the figures relate to 1992.All amounts given in the table relate to weekly income and tax due and to income from employment only. For married couples it has been assumed that only one spouse is in employment and that the couple have no children.Social security contributions are not included in the table, but have been taken into account in calculating tax due where there is tax relief for such contributions. In some countries, social security contributions will be much

Income Tax, NICs and indirect Tax payments at multiples of average earnings, 1978–79—percentages of gross earnings
	Multiples of Average Earnings
	0.5 Per cent.	1 Per cent.	1.5 Per cent.	2 Per cent.	5 Per cent.	10 Per cent.
(a) Single person
Income Tax	17.0	25.0	27.7	29.5	50.5	66.6
NICs	6.5	6.5	5.6	4.2	1.7	0.8
Total income tax and NICs	23.6	31.5	33.3	33.7	52.2	67.5
VAT	—	2.7	2.8	—	—	—
Other indirect	—	8.2	7.5	—	—	—
Total excluding Domestic Rates	—	42.5	43.7	—	—	—
Domestic Rates	—	3.1	2.8	—	—	—
Total	—	45.6	46.5	—	—	—
(b) Married couple, both partners working
Income Tax	0.0	13.3	19.9	23.1	33.5	50.9
NICs	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	3.4	1.7
Total income tax and NICs	6.5	19.8	26.4	29.6	36.8	52.6
VAT	—	3.1	3.1	—	—	—
Other indirect	—	10.4	8.7	—	—	—
Total excluding Domestic Rates	—	33.2	38.2	—	—	—
Domestic Rates	—	3.4	2.5	—	—	—
Total	—	36.6	40.7	—	—	—
(c) Married couple, one partner working
Income Tax	9.5	21.3	25.2	27.2	48.8	65.7
NICs	6.5	6.5	5.6	4.2	1.7	0.8
Total income tax and NICs	16.0	27.8	30.8	31.4	50.5	66.5
VAT	—	2.6	2.8	—	—	—
Other indirect	—	9.3	8.3	—	—	—
Total excluding Domestic Rates	—	39.7	41.9	—	—	—
Domestic Rates	—	3.0	2.5	—	—	—
Total	—	42.6	44.4	—	—	—
(d) Married couple with two children, one partner working
Income Tax	-4.1	14.4	20.6	23.7	47.1	64.8
NICs	6.5	6.5	5.6	4.2	1.7	0.8
Total income tax and NICs	2.5	20.9	26.2	27.9	48.8	65.6

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the direct and indirect tax burden in 1978–79 and in 1992–93 as a proportion of gross earnings for (a) a single person, (b) a married couple both working, (c) a married couple with one partner working, (d) a married couple with two children, one partner working and (e) a married couple with two children, both working at 50 per cent., 100 per cent., 150 per cent., 200 per cent., 500 per cent. and 1,000 per cent. of earnings.

[holding answer 16 June 1992]: The requested figures for 1978–79 and latest estimates for 1992–93 are given in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in taxation per individual arising from each relevant component of the 1992 Budget, both at current prices and net of indexation, for those at one half and three-quarters of average earnings, average earnings, and one-and-a-half, two, five and 10 times average earnings; and if he will provide comparable figures for each budget since 1979.

[holding answer 16 June 1992]: Individuals will be affected directly or indirectly by most Budget measures. Changes in individual tax burdens will depend not simply on the level of income of the individual in question but also on their specific circumstances. It is therefore not possible to provide an assessment of the impact of the measures contained in the 1992 Budget, or in previous Budgets, in the form requested.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the percentage increases in vehicle excise duty on (a) motorcycles under 250 cc, (b) motorcycles over 250 cc and (c) cars in each of the past five years, and the average income from fuel duty by (i) motorcycles and (ii) private cars expressed as a percentage of the vehicle excise duty payable; and if he will make a statement.

The real percentage increases in vehicle excise duty applied in each of the last five budgets are shown in the table. It is estimated that the average amount of duty paid on fuel consumed by a motorcycle in 1992–93, is about 225 per cent. of the applicable rate of vehicle excise duty. The corresponding estimate for cars and light goods vehicles is 340 per cent. Estimates for private cars are not separately available.

Annual percentage increase in VED rate for:
	Motorcycles under 250 cc	Motorcycles over 250cc	Cars
1988–89	0	0	0
1989–90	0	0	0
1990–91	0	0	0
1991–92	50	25	0
1992–93	0	0	10

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Britain's retail price inflation rate; and what is the EC average.

The inflation rate in the United Kingdom, as measured by the retail prices index compared with a year earlier, stood at 4.3 per cent. in May this year. The corresponding figure for the EC in April, the latest month for which information is available, was provisionally 4.8 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he expects labour costs to adjust, within the framework of the exchange rate mechanism.

Membership of the exchange rate mechanism will contribute to achieving the Government's objective of defeating inflation on a lasting basis. Within this framework the growth of United Kingdom unit labour costs is forecast to continue to fall as nominal earnings growth slows and productivity picks up.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will supply figures for the number of purchases of premium bonds for each calendar year since 1979.

The number of purchases of premium bonds, for each calendar year from 1979 to date, has been as follows:

Year	(000s)
1979	4,463.1
1980	4,103.1
1981	3,674.1
1982	3,298.3
1983	3,499.5
1984	3,328.6
1985	2,530.0
1986	1,949.8
1987	1,962.0
1988	2,036.7
1989	1,418.0
1990	639.5
1991	727.4
1992	1391.7
1 January to May: provisional.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what priority unemployment levels take within the economic strategies of the Government.

The object of the Government's economic strategy is to secure permanently low inflation and a healthy supply side. This is the only way to ensure sustained increases in employment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the regulations which govern the publication of reports by the Securities and Investments Board and the self-regulatory bodies; and if he will make a statement on policy regarding publication.

The publication by the SIB and the self regulating organisations of reports is a matter for the bodies concerned. My officials are discussing with the SIB the scope of its ability to publish reports within the powers transferred to it under the Financial Services Act.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the executive agencies that have sought Treasury approval for the introduction of an agency-specific pay system, separate to the national civil service structure.

The following executive agencies have had approval to introduce a specific pay system for some or all of their staff:

• Agricultural Development Advisory Service
• Her Majesty's Stationery Office
• Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
• Royal Mint

A number of other agencies are considering changes to their pay and grading systems.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those executive agencies that operate for which the Treasury has approved a group bonus scheme.

The following executive agencies operate a group bonus scheme:

• Central Office of Information
• Companies House
• Directorate—General of Defence Accounts
• Driving Standards Agency
• Forensic Science Service
• Laboratory of the Government Chemist
• Meteorological Office
• Radiocommunications Agency
• Royal Mint
• Vehicle Certification Agency
• Vehicle Inspectorate

Cost of mortgage interest relief (£million)
	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90	1990–911	1991–921 2
Northern	60	80	70	95	100	140	180	200	210	250	310	350	310
Yorkshire	110	155	150	160	210	260	340	350	360	370	460	510	450
North West	135	200	180	215	260	330	440	490	510	530	690	770	640
East Midlands	85	115	110	130	180	230	300	320	330	340	430	480	410
West Midlands	145	160	190	170	230	280	370	350	360	430	550	620	510
East Anglia	45	50	60	75	90	130	170	170	180	220	270	300	250
Greater London	235	280	290	260	400	500	670	620	650	780	980	1,100	710
Other South East	375	555	600	650	740	950	1,270	1,220	1,260	1,350	1,750	1,940	1,510
South West	110	140	170	140	230	300	400	380	400	520	660	730	570
England	1,300	1,735	1,820	1,900	2,440	3,120	4,140	4,100	4,260	4,790	6,100	6,800	5,360
Wales	45	65	80	80	110	150	200	210	220	180	240	270	230
Scotland	85	125	120	140	190	260	350	300	310	370	470	530	420
Northern Ireland	20	35	30	30	40	50	60	60	60	60	90	100	90
United Kingdom	1,450	1,960	2,050	2,150	2,780	3,580	4,750	4,670	4,850	5,400	6,900	7,700	6,100
1 Provisional.
2 Higher rate relief was abolished in 1991–92.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the total public expenditure on (a) total social services (b) education (c) housing (d) social security and (e) care services expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year since 1975.

General government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product, by function 1978–79 to 1991–921
	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92
	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Outturn	Estimated Outturn
Defence	4.4	4.5	4.8	4.9	5.1	5.1	5.3	5.0	4.7	4.4	4.0	4.0	3.9	3.9
Overseas services, including overseas aid	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.5

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Investment Management Regulatory Organisation report into the Maxwell affair as soon as he receives it and on any consequential changes that may be required to the Financial Services Act 1986.

I shall study IMRO's review and the SIB's assessment of it carefully and consider whether any changes in the Financial Services Act regime are needed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of providing mortgage interest tax relief for each year since 1979 inclusive for (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) the English regions and (f) the United Kingdom.

The information requested is given in the table. Estimates of the regional distribution of mortgage interest for the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 have been derived from the results of the survey of personal incomes. However, following the introduction of MIRAS in April 1983, regional information cannot be extracted from Inland Revenue records. Broad estimates for the years 1983–84 to 1991–92 have accordingly been based on analyses of the family expenditure surveys for the years concerned.

Information on general Government expenditure by function in the period 1978–79 to 1991–92 in cash terms is given in table 2.2 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1991 Autumn Statement", Cm. 1920. This information is shown as a percentage of gross domestic product in the table. Corresponding data for earlier years are not available on a consistent basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants, and in which Departments, he believes could be relocated to provincial centres as part of the policy of devolving and decentralising Government Departments.

The Government's relocation policy is not centrally directed. Relocation decisions are a matter for individual departmental Ministers. Departments are continuing to review the location of their work in the light of their own particular circumstances and operational requirements in accordance with clear guidelines, a copy of which was placed in the House of Commons Library in December 1991.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government intends to continue its previous policy of devolving Government Departments to provincial centres.

Yes. There are often substantial advantages to be gained from relocating offices away from London and the south-east. The Government's relocation policy is therefore to pursue the relocation of Government work where that provides best value for money.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce value added tax on the sale of second-hand goods in charity shops; whether the seventh European Commission directive on value added tax applies to goods which are being resold for charitable purposes; and what estimates have been made of (a) the gain to the Exchequer and (b) the loss to charitable income of levying value added tax on goods sold in charity shops after 1996.