To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the public sector borrowing requirement.

The PSBR in 1991–92 was £14.0 billion. The Financial Statement and Budget Report forecast for 1992–93 is for borrowing of £28.1 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Excheqher what payments have been made to the Consolidated Fund in each year since 1962 in respect of the net surplus of the Crown estate.

Payments made by the Crown Estate Commissioners to the Consolidated Fund from 1962 are as follows:

	£000s
1961–62	2,190
1962–63	2,380
1963–64	2,470
1964–65	3,200
1965–66	3,525
1966–67	3,600
1967–68	3,725
1968–69	4,050
1969–70	3,800
1970–71	3,850
1971–72	4,550
1972–73	4,700
1973–74	5,200
1974–75	5,450
1975–76	5,300
1976–77	5,000
1977–78	6,500
1978–79	8,250
1979–80	10,000
1980–81	11,400
1981–82	14,000
1982–83	16,000
1983–84	19,000
1984–85	23,000
1985–86	26,500
1986–87	30,000
1987–88	35,000
1988–89	41,000
1989–90	55,000
1990–91	61,000
11991–92	70,000
1 Estimate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the method of scrutiny and verification of the surplus paid into the Consolidated Fund by the Crown Estate Commissioners.

Under section 2 of the Crown Estate Act 1961, the Crown Estate Commissioners are required to prepare, for each financial year, statements of account in a form directed by the Treasury. These are submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General for examination and certification. A coy of the certified accounts is laid before Parliament.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is currently (a) the underlying rate of inflation, (b) the rate of inflation if the costs of mortgages are excluded, (c) the rate of inflation if the costs of gas, water and electricity charges are excluded and (d) the rate of inflation if both the costs of mortgages and the costs of gas, water and electricity charges are excluded.

[holding answer 30 June 1992]: There is no official measure of the underlying rate of inflation in the United Kingdom. In May this year, the annual inflation rates, as measured by the retail prices index, for the other series were:

	Per cent.
All-items excluding mortgage interest payments	5.3
All-items excluding water, gas and electricity charges	4.3
All-items excluding mortgage interest payments, water, gas and electricity	5.3

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost so far of the market-testing initiative in his Department since November 1991.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: The full cost of the market-testing initiative in my Department since November 1991 is estimated at £150,000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made for ensuring payment of vehicle excise duty by travelling people; what prosecutions for non-payment by such persons have taken place in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency with the assistance of the police is responsible for enforcing the payment of vehicle excise duty—VED. In 1991–92, 420,000 motorists were penalised for VED evasion. No separate figures are available for prosecutions taken against travelling people, but there is no evidence to suggest that they contribute disproportionately to the loss of revenue through VED evasion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants were employed on 1 October 1981, 1985, 1989 and 1990, respectively.

There were 679,924 civil servants at 1 October 1981; 595,764 at 1 October 1985; 565,075 at 1 October 1989 and 556,250 at 1 October 1990.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer on 18 June, Official Report, columns 629–30, if he will make a statement about his five-yearly reviews of land exemption from inheritance tax; and what action follows such a review.

The five-yearly reviews of cases of land exempted from inheritance tax which are undertaken by the Inland Revenue are in addition to the regular monitoring of such cases by the heritage advisory agencies. The Inland Revenue makes separate inquiry of the landowners to determine whether the undertakings are being observed. Any issues arising are resolved in discussion between the agencies and landowners. If a landowner breaks an undertaking given in respect of conditionally exempt land inheritance tax is chargeable on the current value of the property.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any time limit on agreements on exemption from inheritance tax for granting public access to land; and if he will make a statement.

Once granted, conditional exemption from inheritance tax will continue provided the owner complies with the terms of the undertakings to maintain and preserve the land and provide reasonable public access to it. A sale of the land will trigger an inheritance tax charge on the current value of the land. If the land changes hands on death or by gift, the exemption can continue, provided the new owner enters into appropriate undertakings. If the new owner does not, there will again be an inheritance tax charge on the current value of land.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whose responsibility it is to inform the public about the right of access to land exempted from inheritance tax.

The owner of land that has been conditionally exempted from inheritance tax is required to publicise the agreed public access arrangements. In addition, the appropriate heritage advisory agency is able to supply information about public access to heritage land including conditionally exempt land, although land will not be identified as conditionally exempt.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in England; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually;(2) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in Wales; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually;(3) if he will make a statement about the monitoring of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax by the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland; how often each area of land affected by each agreement is visited; and how many man hours are devoted to this annually.

The heritage advisory agencies routinely monitor compliance by landowners with the undertakings which they give in return for conditional exemption from inheritance tax. The level and type of monitoring will depend on the facts of each particular case. Details of the number of man hours devoted to the monitoring of such cases are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in England with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax;(2) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in Wales with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax;(3) if he will make a statement about the definition of what constitutes reasonable public access by the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland with regard to exemptions from inheritance tax.

The heritage advisory agencies advise the Inland Revenue as to what constitutes reasonable public access: each case is considered individually on the basis of its own facts.The heritage advisory agencies take into account all relevant factors, including, for example, existing rights of way. Additional access may involve formalising existing informal access to open land or extending or joining public paths to make a through route. New access may be needed to areas of particular landscape interest if none exists already. For some scientific land it might be necessary to limit public access in order to preserve its character.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how the heritage advisory agencies in England make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement;(2) how the heritage advisory agencies in Wales make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement;(3) how the heritage advisory agencies in Scotland make available to the public the land management plans prepared by landowners on land exempted from inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement.

The heritage advisory agencies do not make the land management plans available to the public since they contain information which is covered by the normal rules ensuring taxpayers' confidentiality.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the cases currently proceeding against the United Kingdom for alleged non-implementation of EC legislation, stating for each at what stage the proceedings are currently; and if he will make a statement.

The following cases against the United Kingdom have been referred to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission for alleged non-implementation of EC legislation, and are currently proceeding: Cases C56/90, C337/89, C40/92 and C279/89. Details of these cases, and the stage the proceedings have reached, are set out in the annex.

Annex
ECJ case number	Details of case	Stage of proceedings
C279/89	Imposition of conditions by United Kingdom as to operation and crewing of fishing vessels.	Oral hearing took place on 17 March 1992 in ECJ. Advocate General's Opinion delivered 12 May 1992. Judgment of ECJ awaited.
C337/89	Alleged failure by United Kingdom to implement Council Directive 80/778/EEC relating to quality of drinking water and levels of concentrations of nitrates and lead in water in certain areas of the United Kingdom.	Oral hearing has taken place. Advocate General's Opinion delivered on 21 January 1992. Judgment of ECJ awaited.
C56/90	Alleged breach by United Kingdom of Council Directive 76/160 concerning the quality of bathing water in relation to the bathing area in Blackpool and adjacent to Formby and Southport.	Oral hearing in ECJ set for 27 October 1992.
C40/92	Alleged breach by United Kingdom of requirements of Community law with regard to production and marketing of processed milk.	United Kingdom has lodged defence to Commission's application. Commission has until 6 July 1992 to file a reply if it wishes. Application by Commission for interim measures dismissed by President of Court on 22 May 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the institutions which have already dispersed their allocation of the current year's access funds as at 26 June.

The information is not kept centrally It is for individual institutions to decide how best to distribute their access funds allocations over the academic year. The Department's guidance advises institutions to consider holding back some of their access funds until late in the academic year. We will be monitoring in the autumn the proportion held back to assist students in this summer term and long vacation.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will consider abolishing the use of the dock in criminal courts when the defendant is on bail or not in custody.

The use of the dock is one of the issues under consideration by the Royal Commission on criminal justice. My Department will consider the matter in the light of any recommendations the royal commission may take.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average number of motorway service areas per 100 miles on British motorways.

Motorways in Wales and Scotland are the responsibilities of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland. In England there are on average 2.6 motorway service areas per 100 miles of motorway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents, including fatal ones, there have been in Grove Green road, Leyton and Leytonstone in each of the last three years; and what plans he has to reduce their incidence.

On Grove Green road from its junction with High road, Leyton to its junction with Church lane, excluding end junctions, there were 10 accidents in 1989. 21 in 1990 and 15 in 1991 giving a total of 46; of these one was fatal, eight serious and 37 slight. We are already looking at the Ruckhold road and Grove Green section of the A106 in Waltham Forest to identify the need for accident prevention measures. The implementation of red route measures should also help to reduce incidents. When completed the planned link road between Hackney Wick and the M11 motorway should relieve Grove Green road of most of its through traffic, and help to improve road safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 June, Official Report, columns 29–30, now navigation rights for vessels will be maintained along the section of the Itchen navigation placed in a tunnel.

An undertaking has been given to excavate a new channel for craft to use if positive steps are taken to restore the Itchen navigation as a navigable waterway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of those properties that would have to be acquired if his plans to improve the M25 motorway between junctions 12 and 15 are implemented;(2) if he will publish a full list of addresses of properties that have been sent the official leaflet setting out his plans to improve the M25 between junctions 12 and 15;(3) if, following his announcement on 25 June of improvements to the M25 between junctions 12 and 15, he will now publish the proposals for linking a new fifth terminal at Heathrow airport to the M25 motorway.

Twenty-four residential and eight commercial properties would need to be demolished under the current preferred proposal for link roads between junctions 12 and 15 of the M25. The gardens of a further seven properties would also be affected. The occupiers of these properties have been notified of the proposals. Detailed plans of the proposals showing the affected properties will be available at exhibitions to be held locally.Some 2,300 explanatory brochures have been distributed by hand to properties within 300 m of the scheme.Proposals for access to a new terminal at Heathrow airport would be for the British Airports Authority to bring forward in the first instance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state for each of the areas subject to bus deregulation, what were the estimated bus passenger miles in (a) 1984 and (b) 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Estimates of bus passenger miles in each of the areas subject to bus deregulation are not available. However, estimates of local bus passenger journeys are as follows. Overall, the number of local bus passenger journeys outside London fell by an average of 3½ per cent. year between 1984 and 1990–91, in line with long-term trends.

	1978	1984	1990–91
English metropolitan areas	—	2,047	1,528
English shire counties	—	1,604	1,396
Scotland	—	669	583
Wales	—	168	147
GB outside London	5,325	4,488	3,654

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what levels of investment he anticipates for the electrification of the west coast main line; and when work on this is likely to commence.

British Rail is currently considering the extent and timing of work to update the infrastructure of the line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department.

The following key targets for 1992–93 have been set for the six executive agencies in my Department. Additional targets are contained in the agencies' business plans; copies of which will be placed in the Library, except for that of the DVO1T—the Drivers, Vehicles and Operators Information Technology Agency —which is commercial in confidence and will not be published.The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's key targets are to make an overall efficiency improvement of 2.5 per cent. as measured by the agency's aggregate efficiency index; deliver 90 per cent. of vocational—non-medical—cases to the customer within 11 working days of receipt; deliver 90 per cent. of provisional driving licence cases within 12 working days of receipt; deliver 90 per cent. of ordinary driving licence—non-medical—eases within 13 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents to the customer within 13 working days of receipt; deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles to the customer within 15 days of receipt; answer 80 per cent. of telephone calls within 30 seconds and callers to be told they are in a queue after 10 seconds; and successfully complete a minimum of 430,000 VED enforcement cases.The Driving Standards Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, unit costs of £22.48 for car tests; £52.44 for bus, coach and lorry tests, and £31.72 for motor cycle tests; cover full costs with income from customers; achieve a national average waiting time of six weeks for car tests and four weeks for motor cycle, bus, coach and lorry tests; and answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within 60 seconds.DVOIT's key targets are to fulfil service level agreements with its customers; cover full costs with income from customers; reduce prices for existing services to current customers by RPI minus 3 per cent.; increase revenue per employee by 10 per cent. a year; achieve an annual rate of return of 6 per cent. on total assets employed.The Transport Research Laboratory's key targets are 90 per cent. of projects to be completed to customer satisfaction; net revenue per person per year to be a minimum of £40,000; production costs as a percentage of total costs to be greater than 55 per cent.; to recover full economic costs from revenue, while meeting the net control total in supply estimates.The Vehicle Certification Agency's key targets are to achieve, or better, a unit cost of £94.31; cover full costs with income from customers; technically clear and issue approval certificates within 27 days on average for 90 per cent. of system and component work, and within 63 days on average for 90 per cent. of whole vehicle work.The Vehicle Inspectorate's trading fund key targets are to make a gross efficiency improvement of 2.5 per cent. as measured by the agency's aggregate cost efficiency index; to break even, taking one year with another; and achieve an annual rate of return of 6 per cent. on total assets employed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution the Government are making towards the £1,028,000 compensation payment made by the Port of London authority to the 102 dockers dismissed in 1989.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department authorised the settlement between the Port of London authority and the 102 dockers dismissed in 1989.

This matter is within the responsibilities of the authority and no Government consent was needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what, to date, are the total legal costs to the Exchequer excluding compensation payments, arising from the dismissal, and subsequent tribunal and appeal hearings, relating to dock workers dismissed by the Port of London authority in 1989; and how much of the total cost is a charge on the Government.

The only charge to the Exchequer was the cost of these cases to the industrial tribunal and employment appeal tribunal system: I understand this is estimated at around £376,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take following the instruction by the Crown Estate Commissioners to White Horse Ferries Ltd. immediately to stop operating the ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend.

The arrangements for the continued operation of the ferry are matters for the bodies concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department first learnt of the instruction by the Crown Estate Commissioners to White Horse Ferries Ltd. immediately to stop operating the ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend.

This is not a matter for my Department and we had no foreknowledge of the Crown Estate Commissioners' intentions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent communications his Department has had with the European Commission over the extension of the 1 January 1993 deadline for all cars sold after that date to be fitted with catalytic converters.

[holding answer 5 June 1992]: The EC Directive, 91/441, does not allow extensions for new cars entering into service from 31 December 1992 to meet standards other than those specified. Neither does this Government want one, since this directive is at the core of our strategy for improving local air quality. We have routinely notified the European Commission of the changes that we are making to our national regulations that will apply this directive on the effective dates. In so doing, we have made separate inquiries of the Commission as to its detailed interpretation of the term "entry into service" so that the United Kingdom's application of the directive will be fully harmonised with those of other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms of reference for the consultants carrying out the environmental appraisal of the widening of the M40 between the M25 and junction 4.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: The initial stages of the commission require the consultants to assess the need for widening and to report on the feasibility of the possible options for meeting that need, taking into account the engineering, operational and environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated total cost of the widening of the M40 between the M25 and junction 4; what is the estimated cost of (a) compensation for loss of property value under the Land Compensation Acts, (b) the provision of noise insulation under the noise insulation regulations and (c) measures to protect the environment against intrusion of the widened road.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: Consideration bf the possible options for widening this length of motorway is not yet complete. The requested estimates are therefore not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom will respond to the United Nations Secretary-General's appeal for assistance to Afghanistan.

The Government will make an immediate pledge of £7.55 million. This sum will be allocated as follows:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, £4 million, to support its programme of assistance to the refugees who are now returning in large numbers.

International Committee of the Red Cross, £1 million, of which £0.5 million has already been provided earlier this year.

United Nations Office of the Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, £0.5 million, for mine clearance.

Afghanaid, a British non-governmental organisation, 1.6 million, for reconstruction and development work, £0.9 million of which has already been provided.

Other NGOs, £0.45 million.Britain has provided nearly £80 million humanitarian aid since 1980 to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan peoples. We shall continue to monitor needs closely and play our part in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consideration his Department is giving to the role of the Sefton Park palm house, in Liverpool, as a tourist attraction.

The development and promotion of individual tourist attractions is a matter for the English tourist board, in conjunction with the regional tourist boards, and the British Tourist Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of savings in his Department as a result of the market-testing programme.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the total cost so far of the market-testing initiative in his Department since November 1991.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: As this is a newly formed Department, no costs have yet been incurred on the market-testing initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will give a date when he will announce the areas of work in his Department to be market tested; and whether all relevant information will be made publicly available.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) on 22 June 1992, Official Report, column 102.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people in Wales have been on weekly bridging allowances awaiting YTS placements in the last three years.

The number of young people in Wales in receipt of bridging allowances is provided on a monthly basis from January 1989 to December 1991 in the table.

Numbers in receipt of bridging allowances (Wales)
	Number
1989
January	767
February	832
March	774
April	671
May	569
June	583
July	621
August	630
September	514
October	526
November	476
December	460
1990
January	563
February	763
March	704
April	585
May	526
June	577
July	599
August	585
September	591
October	575
November	582
December	550

	Number
1991
January	656
February	919
March	977
April	890
May	804
June	703
July	724
August	747
September	613
October	562
November	564
December	492

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown of the spending so far on his rural initiative.

Full expenditure details for work undertaken in 1991–92 under the rural initiative are not yet available. Allocations for 1991–92 under the rural initiative comprised: an increase of £6 million to £32 million in Housing for Wales' support for housing in rural areas; an increase in provision from £1 million to £3 million in reserve to assist local authorities with rural housing, supplemented by an additional in-year allocation of £4.5 million.These allocations, together with core and other allocations to local authorities will mean that total investment in rural housing is expected to be over £85 million.In addition to the £20 million Welsh Development Agency expenditure in support of mainstream activities in rural areas, a further £5 million was allocated to the agency for specific measures in rural areas and related core activities.Funding totalled £1.2 million under the projects of regional or national importance—PRNI—scheme, for leisure and sports centre development at Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells; and £5 million was allocated to support projects put forward by local authorities likely to be of most benefit to rural communities.Allocations for 1992–93 under the initiative are £35 million for Housing for Wales for rural housing; £4 million for local authorities from the rural housing reserve; £6 million for local authorities from other central reserves which will benefit rural areas. This, together with the £4 million for local authority rural housing and £2 million of the Housing for Wales provision, makes up the £12 million on top of core allocations announced by the Secretary of State in December 1991.aThese allocations, together with core allocations to local authorities are expected to bring total investment in rural housing to over £112 million.There has been an increase of £3 million in funding of the Countryside Council for Wales, to £17 million. Some £0.5 million of this has been provided to develop a new pilot scheme, "Tir Cymen", for management of rural landscapes and habitats.Some £400,000 has been directed by the Wales tourist board to new rural tourism marketing and project programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that district and borough councils in Wales received sufficient cash from central Government to enable them to meet their responsibilities for refuse disposal; and if he will make a statement;(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that Welsh district and borough councils received sufficient cash from central

	Appeals at employing authority level		Appeals at all-Wales level		Appeals at national level
Health authority	Number outstanding	Percentage of total appeals submitted	Number outstanding	Percentage of total appeals submitted	Number outstanding	Percentage of total appeals submitted
Clwyd	0		99	62	12	100
East Dyfed	42	7	79	72	11	92
Gwent	5	—	294	71	26	96
Gwynedd	0	—	134	42	47	100
Mid Glamorgan	510	38	208	83	13	81
Pembrokeshire	0		56	100	0	—
Powys	0		151	70	1	20
South Glamorgan	0		252	86	20	100
West Glamorgan	0		86	64	29	100
Wales	557	9	1,359	70	159	95

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will up-date by the appropriate percentage the level of those means-tested house repair grants based on 1991 benefit rates; and make equivalent adjustment to renovation and disabled facilities grants.

The uprating of allowances and premiums for house renovation grants is being considered along with other adjustments to the test of resources following the recent review of the grant system. We expect to make a further announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in securing the Brymbo steelworks site; and if he will make a statement.

This site is still in the ownership of United Engineering Steels Ltd. Its future is under active consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he envisages of A-level and GCSE courses in Wrexham following the termination of their provision at the North East Wales institute.

The local government finance settlement for 1992–93, approved by the House on 12 February, enables local authorities in Wales to maintain and develop services for Which they are responsible to an acceptable standard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurse clinical grading appeals are outstanding in each health authority in Wales; and what percentage this is of the total number of appeals submitted in each county in Wales.

The information requested on outstanding appeals is as shown in the table:

The provision of A-level and GCSE courses in schools and further education colleges is the responsibility of the local education authority. As from 1 April 1993 a new independent further education sector will be established, comprising further education colleges, tertiary colleges and sixth form colleges. The Further Education Funding Council for Wales will be responsible for securing the provision of adequate facilities for post-16 education in the new sector, including the provision of A-level and GCSE courses. Clwyd LEA will retain responsibility for the provision of A-level and GCSE courses in its schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money is being made available to the forensic psychiatric service in Wales to fund the capital costs of developing medium secure accommodation and to support its essential manning costs in the initial period until its development has been secured.

In 1991–92, the Welsh Office fully funded the capital and revenue costs of developing the Caswell clinic at Glanrhyd hospital, Bridgend. Revenue support will continue to be available in 1992–93 to help the clinic move to a contractual relationship with purchasing health authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for the role of community councils following the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

I am publishing today a consultation paper on the future role of community and town councils under the unitary authority structure which I will be putting in place. My earlier statements to the House have made clear the importance I attach to the work of these councils and the advantages I see in enhancing their representational role as the voice of their communities. My consultation paper invites views on how this may be achieved.The consultation paper will be circulated widely. I am inviting responses by 30 September 1992, and I propose to take account of the comments received in preparing the White Paper which I shall be publishing later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has received to the consultative document "Health and Social Care Research, Wales".

We have received 33 responses from a range of research institutions and other interested bodies. The majority were broadly in favour of the approach recommended in the document, which was to maintain the current arrangements for supporting health and social care research and development in Wales, within the context of a more clearly defined strategy and closer co-ordination at all levels. While some respondents called for a separate Welsh research and development function, most favoured continued participation in the joint England and Wales programme although all wished Welsh interests to be clearly and properly represented. We intend therefore to proceed in line with the recommendations made in the consultative document, including the drawing up of a formal agrement between the Welsh Office and the Department of Health regarding activity under the joint programme. The NHS Wales research and development strategy which is being developed during this year will be a core element of the overall strategy for health and social care research in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations have taken place with the fish producers organisations in Northern Ireland in relation to the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill.

The Northern Ireland fishing industry has been included in the consultation on the implementation of a package of measures which includes effort control, and its views will be considered carefully. The purpose of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill is to provide the necessary enabling powers for the effort control element of the package.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken to process an application form for disability living allowance.

Social security operational matters are the responsibility of the chief executive of the Social Security Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman and copies of his reply will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively and overall in his Department are registered disabled people.

At 1 January 1992 there were 1,262 staff in the Northern Ireland civil service—4.3 per cent. of the service—who reported themselves as having a disability. Of these, 431–1.5 per cent. of the service—were, or had been, registered as disabled. In addition, 45 registered disabled poeple are working in the Northern Ireland civil service under the sheltered placement scheme.The number and percentage of staff with disabilities in each grade 1 to 7 were:

Grade	Number who reported a disability (SRD)	Percentage SRD	Number registered as disabled (RD)	Percentage RD
1	—	—	—	—
2	—	—	—	—
3	1	2.4	1	2.4
4	—	—	—	—
5	5	2.6	—	—
6	13	3.7	3	0.9
7	22	2.6	3	0.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the expenditure per head in Northern Ireland of (a) hospital and community health services, (b) general practitioner services, excluding the cost of prescriptions, (c) dental services, gross and net of charges and (d) general practitioner-prescribed prescriptions, in 1991–92.

The information requested will not be available until 31 August 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment When he intends to make an announcement on the results of the city challenge; how many local authorities will receive such funding; and what is the planned total amount over the next five years.

The results of the second round of the city challenge competition will be announced on 16 July 1992. The planned total amount for the 20 authorities in the second round over the next five years is £750 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences for the storage of radioactive waste have been issued since 1979 for the Blaenau Gwent constituency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and its successor Acts.

There are currently no authorisations under section 7(1) of the Act in force for the accumulation of radioactive waste at premises in Blaenau Gwent. A study of available records has not revealed that any authorisations have been issued since 1979 in respect of premises in this district.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect (a) the EC marketing and use directive and (b) the treaties and protocols signed at the United Nations conference on environment and development will have on the use of all organotin products.

(a) The eighth amendment to the EC marketing and use directive prohibits the use of organotin-based antifouling products on boats less than 25 m and on aquaculture equipment. It exends to other member states controls which have operated in the United Kingdom since 1987. The directive also prohibits the use of organotins for treatment of industrial waters and this provision was implemented in the United Kingdom in February 1992. This use has not been identified in the United Kingdom, but has caused environmental problems in other member states.(b) UNCED "Agenda 21", although not a binding convention, sets out a broad programme for improvement of the oceans including a reference to reducing pollution caused by organotin compounds used in antifouling paints. This is in line with a resolution adopted in 1990 by the International Maritime Organisation which aims to reduce the impact of the use of such paints on large vessels and to encourage the development of environmentally safe substitutes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide, in relation to rent arrears for each metropolitan borough and district council in England and Wales for 1987–88 and each succeeding year for which the information is available, (a) the number of tenants in rent arrears and this figure as a percentage of all local authority tenants, (b) the average and total amounts due and (c) the total amount as a percentage of local authorities' revenue from rents.

I have today placed in the Library a table showing the total amount of rent arrears due to each local authority in England, at the end of financial years 1987–88 to 1990–91 inclusive, and the percentage this represents of total rent due. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy publication "Housing Rents Statistics at April" contains information about the number of tenants in arrears with rents, rates and other charges in England and Wales; copies are available in the Library. For information on total rent arrears in Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from how many active sites in England and Wales the estimate of methane emissions from landfills in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived; how many other landfills in England and Wales are estimated to emit methane; and what is their total annual contribution.

The landfill gas methane emissions estimate in the "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" No. 14 is derived from data on 453 sites in England and Wales.There are many additional landfill sites in which methane may be generated to some extent, but biological conditions in these sites are much less favourable for methane generation and it is thought unlikely that they constitute a significant additional source.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at the sites where gas control and capture measures are in place, what are the realistic figures from field studies of (a) the efficiency of capture and (b) the escape of methane through leaky pipeworks, valves and burners.

Field studies suggest that methane capture efficiencies of between 50 and 90 per cent. are achieved by landfill gas control and capture measures. The escape of methane from leaky pipe work, valves and burners is likely to be negligible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what eligibility criteria are applied to select local authorities for urban programme status;(2) if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision not to confer urban programme status on Pendle.

In 1986, urban programme resources were concentrated on 57 local authority areas which had the greatest needs in terms of scale and intensity of deprivation as measured mainly by unemployment and 1981 census data. At that time, Pendle did not show either the scale or intensity of deprivation to justify urban programme status. The criteria for assessing urban needs will be reviewed towards the end of the year in the light of data derived from the 1991 census.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the future of Liverpool's Sefton Park palm house; what grants are available for its renewal; and what consideration his Department and the Merseyside development corporation have given to its role in developing environmental awareness.

In the last 12 months the Department has received very few representations on Sefton Park palm house.Liverpool city council is exploring all avenues for the eligibility of grants for the restoration of Sefton Park palm house, including possible grants from English Heritage or the urban programme.The original application by Liverpool city council envisaged a restored palm house as an integral part of a wider concept for a Victorian heritage trail in south Liverpool. We will give careful consideration to proposals that meet these wider aims and objectives of environmental awareness and are consistent with the relevant grant regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in processing the application made to his Department by Liverpool city council in connection with Liverpool palm house; and if he will make a statement.

The application has been deferred, pending the outcome of a study being undertaken by English Heritage. When this is known Liverpool city council will re-assess its proposals before resubmitting them to my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Barnsley qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income suport, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated tinder the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,492 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Leyton qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disablilty working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 238 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in North Warwickshire qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Burnley are estimated to qualify for grant aid under the home efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved in Burnley under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

In order to he eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt or one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 245 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Coventry, North-East qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under this scheme since 1991.

In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 1,066 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in Lewisham, Deptford, qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. 'Within the network installer area which contains the hon. Member's constituency, 106 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households in the Manchester, Wythenshawe constituency qualify for grant aid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how many houses have been improved under the scheme since its inception in 1991.

[holding answer 1 July 1992]: In order to be eligible for grant under the home energy efficiency scheme, an applicant or his or her spouse must be in receipt of one of five passportable benefits: housing benefit, income support, family credit, community charge benefit and disability working allowance. In addition, his or her property must meet certain criteria concerning existing levels of insulation and receipt of a grant for similar work under previous schemes. Data on numbers of households eligible in any particular area at a particular time are not available.Figures for the number of homes treated under the scheme are not collected on a constituency basis. Within the network installer area which contains the right hon. Member's constituency, 986 homes have benefited from HEES grant since 1 January 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the methods of business rate evaluation of small businesses which operate for only part of the year.

No. Rents for property, which are the basis for rateable value assessments, take into account local seasonal use, which is therefore already reflected in annual rates bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the regulations for the procedure for an appeal against the valuation of a property for the purpose of the council tax.

I expect to issue draft regulations for consultation later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make the banded valuations for the purposes of the council tax the basis for assessment of water charges, where (a) new properties are being built and (b) properties were incorrectly valued in the last available valuation under the rating system.

It is for individual water companies to decide on their preferred future system of charging for their services, subject to the overriding requirement, contained in their licence of appointment, that their charges do not show undue preference to, or unduly discriminate against, any class of customers or potential customers. The Director General of Water Services has recently issued guidance to the companies on the suitability of the available alternatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce grants for energy conservation in the domestic sector, including grants for cavity wall insulation.

[holding answer 2 June 1992]: The Department provides grants to householders on low incomes for energy efficiency measures through the home energy efficiency scheme. Finance to encourage energy efficiency measures in housing is also made available through house renovation grants and minor works assistance, local authorities' council housing repair and improvement programmes, the green house demonstration programme and estates action.The Energy Savings Trust announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 13 May,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to revise his Department's circular 3/84 on financial guidelines for management agreements.

[holding answer 29 June 1992]: We will make such revisions as are necessary following the forthcoming review of the financial guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of the Medicines Act (Exemptions from Licences) (Importation) Order 1984—SI, 1984, No. 673—in relation to named patient arrangements for the supply of unlicensed factor 8 preparations and other unlicensed pharmaceutical products.

I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Health on 1 July 1992.Responsibility for the operation of the Medicines Act (Exemptions from Licences) (Importation) Order 1984 is a matter for the Medicines Control Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultant immunologists there are in each Scottish health board area.

The information collected centrally records only the main specialty of a doctor and shows that there were no consultant immunologists employed in the NHS in Scotland at 30 September 1991, the latest date for which information is available. No information is available centrally on the number of doctors who work in immunology and for whom this specialty constitutes an area of special interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for 1988, 1989 and 1990 (a) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service staff employed on the terms and conditions of the national health service administrative and clerical staffs Whitley council in Scotland, (b) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service general and senior managers and (c) the number of health staff employed at the Scottish Home and Health Department.

The information requested is as follows:

(a) National Health Service administrative and clerical staff (whole-time equivalent) at 30 September employed under Whitley Council terms and conditions (1,2)
	Number
1988	14,713.2
1989	15,111.9
1990	15,577.8

(b) NHS general and senior managers (whole time equivalent) at 30 September
	1988	1989	1990
General managers	62.0	62.0	65.0
Senior managers(3)	28.0	49.0	281.0

(c) Staff employed in the Scottish Home and Health Department on health matters at 1 April
	Number
1988	355
1989	356
1990	379

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the salaries and other benefits for each executive and non-executive director of the South Ayrshire district general hospital and the Foresterhill hospital.

The chairman of the South Ayrshire NHS trust is paid £17,145 per annum and the chairman of the Aberdeen Royal Hospitals trust £19,285 per annum. Non-executive directors are paid £5,000 per annum. The chairman and non-executive directors of both trusts also qualify for travelling and other allowances identical to those for members of health boards. Salaries and other benefits for executive directors are the responsibility of the trusts themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of official (a) hospitality and functions, (b) visits outwith Scotland and (c) gifts, etc. attributable to the Scottish Office in each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 11 June 1992]: The information requested is as follows:

(a) Hospitality and Functions
Year	Amount spent on hospitality(£)
1980–81	19,427
1981–82	20,762
1982–83	31,588
1983–84	26,287
1984–85	27,301
1985–86	35,815
1986–87	38,315
1987–88	41,983
1988–89	42,987
1989–90	60,173
1990–91	65,123
1991–92	62,800

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the timetable for the establishment of the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency; and whether both the administration and the policy side of the division will be incorporated within it;(2) if he will place in the Library the framework document for the establishment of the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency;(3) if he will make a statement on his reasons for setting up the Scottish Office superannuation division as a "next steps" agency; what measures he will take to protect the standards of service provided by the superannuation division; and what will be the performance criteria for the agency.

[holding answer 30 June 1992]: The Government's declared policy under its "next steps" programme is that units within government carrying out executive functions should be established as agencies operating within frameworks which enable them to improve their performance. Key aims of the programme are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agencies and the standard of services which they provide.The Secretary of State announced on 6 March,

To ask the Prime Minister if he will use the opportunity of the British presidency of the EC to co-ordinate a community response to the claims of Tibet to self-determination.

No state recognises Tibet as independent. Successive British Governments have, however, consistently regarded Tibet as autonomous, while recognising the special position of the Chinese there. We have urged the Chinese authorities to allow that autonomy. During our presidency we shall continue to take up with the Chinese authorities human rights abuses both in Tibet and in China.

To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in establishing the United Kingdom national consultation committee on sustainable development as agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development did not agree to set up a United Kingdom national consultation committee on sustainable development. UNCED did agree to recommend that the United Nations General Assembly set up, within the UN system, a Commission for Sustainable Development. The United Kingdom welcomed this, and we have undertaken to report regularly to the commission on our own progress towards sustainable development. In preparing those reports, we shall want to consult fully with interested people and organisations.

To ask the Prime Minister what current consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to evidence of atrocities at the Sylt camp on Alderney and elsewhere in the Channel islands during the second world war.

The War Crimes Act 1991 gives United Kingdom courts jurisdiction over acts of murder, manslaughter or culpable homicide committed as violations of the laws and customs of war in territory which was part of Germany or under German occupation during the second world war by people who are now British citizens or resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel islands, but who did not have British nationality at the material time.There is no reason to believe that anyone responsible for atrocities/war crimes committed in the Channel islands is in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 July.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 July.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall he having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 18 June from the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, Official Report, column 664, when he expects to receive a response from the Group of Seven colleagues to his eight-point plan relating to global forecasting; and if he will make a statement.

I wrote to G7 leaders proposing that they should commit themselves to action to follow up the agreements reached at the Earth summit. One of my specific proposals was that we should each commit ourselves to preparing and publishing national plans for action on biological diversity.I hope we shall discuss these matters at the forthcoming summit in Munich.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formula to parents; and if she will consider including within the code formulae which are manufactured for older babies.

The United Kingdom delegation was at the forefront of ensuring that the principles of the World Health Organisation international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes—the WHO code—were incorporated into the EC directive—91/321/ EEC—on infant formulae and follow-on formulae agreed in May 1991. National legislation to implement the directive is in preparation and will require a review of the voluntary UK code, including the products that are covered. The Government are committed to ensuring that the existing restrictions on marketing and advertising are, at least. maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Finnish baby milk manufacturer Young Nutrition about the application of the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formulae to parents.

Discussions between representatives from Young Nutrition and officials about the operation of the code of practice for the marketing of infant formulae in the United Kingdom took place before the company launched its products in the UK. As a result, Young Nutrition joined the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association of the Food and Drink Federation and has representation on the code monitoring committee that oversees compliance with the code in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received from the United Kingdom Regional Haemophilia Centre directors' committee about the licensing of pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of people with haemophilia; if she will make it her policy that all people with haemophilia A should be treated with licensed monoclonal high purity products; and if she will make central funds available for this purpose;(2) if she will make it her policy not to allow unlicensed factor 8 products for the treatment of haemophilia to be imported or used within the United Kingdom.

We have received no such representations from the United Kingdom Regional Haemophilia Centre Directors' Committee. It is normal practice in the United Kingdom for clinicians to use licensed medicinal products. It is also possible for clinicians, under sections 9 and 13 of the Medicines Act, to prescribe an unlicensed product on a "named patient" basis.It is for clinicians to decide the most appropriate product indicated for the treatment of each individual patient.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total numbers, the total cost and the average cost of a chargeable course of orthodontic treatment in the financial years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 in each health region and England as a whole.

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Over 95 per cent. of orthodontic treatment is given to patients under 18 years of age and even some adult orthodontic treatment is likely to be on patients who are also charge-exempt. The amount of chargeable orthodontic treatment is, therefore, very small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for 1988 and 1989 (a) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service staff employed on the terms and conditions of the national health service administrative and clerical staffs Whitley council in England, (b) the number of whole-time equivalent national health service general and senior managers and (c) the number of staff employed at her Department.

At 30 September 1988 and 1989 the numbers of whole-time equivalent administrative and clerical staff employed in the national health service in England were 114,720 and 116,840 respectively. Corresponding figures for general and senior managers are 1,240 and 4,610. It is not possible to present accurate staffing figures for the Department of Health before 1 January 1989 following its separation from the Department of Social Security in October 1988. Figures for permanent staff in post in 1989 were 8,794 at 1 January and 8,712 at 1 October—part-time staff being counted as half units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing for each region, and nationally the numbers on the waiting lists as at April and October 1990, 1991 and 1992.

The Department's statistical bulletins are published every six months. These include the total number of people waiting for hospital treatment by region and nationally. The most recent information for the six months to 30 September 1991 was published on 4 June. For provisional figures for the year to March 1992, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 12 May at columns 489–92. These show that between 31 March 1990 and 31 March 1992 the total number of patients waiting fell by over 43,000 or 4.5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatment is now available under the national health service for obsessive compulsion disorder sufferers; and if she will make a statement.

National health service treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder sufferers is a matter for the clinical judgment of the responsible health professional. Current approaches include the use of behaviour therapy and anti-depressant medication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions she proposes to make to establish the amount of social security transfer to local authorities for community care that will be made available from April 1993 onwards following the disbanding of the Algebra group.

The social security transfer will be calculated in accordance with the formula, and the factors affecting it, which were the subject of the completed discussions in the so-called "Algebra group". The transfer will be announced in the context of this year's local authority expenditure settlement. It will be transparent, separately identifiable and local authorities and others with an interest will be able to see how the calculations were done.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of financial considerations on the ability of local authorities to implement the Children Act 1989 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

Personal social services—PSS—standard spending for 1992–93 has been set at £4,850 million, an increase of 7.7 per cent—3.1 per cent. in real terms—over 1991–92 standard spending, and 6 per cent. higher than 1991–92 budgets. Over the two years 1990–91 to 1992–93, PSS standard spending will have increased by nearly one third—19 per cent. in real terms. The settlement provides a realistic increase in resources for PSS taking account of falling inflation, and allows for the first full year costs of implementing the Children Act, phase 2 of community care, new and increased specific grants, inflation and demography. PSS expenditure has increased by 67 per cent. in real terms since 1978–79.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra funds she will grant to health authorities in order that community health services. including district nurses, collaborate with local authorities in implementing care in the community.

District health authorities are working with social services departments to develop strategies for the provision of community health services. Health authorities are already funded for their responsibilities, including preparation for implementing "Caring for People" in April 1993. Resources for 1993–94 will be determined in the public expenditure survey in the usual way. Regional health authorities, when allocating these resources to districts and GP fund holders, will take account of special needs resulting from agreed plans for collaboration between national health service and local authority staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the plans of the National Health Service Estates executive agency.

I am pleased to report that National Health Service Estates has had a successful first year as an executive agency of this Department. I have agreed the agency's 1992–93 three-year corporate plan, and annual business plan.Objectives/key tasks for the agency for 1992–93 are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to receive the annual report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1991–92.

The Health Service Commissioner has, as in previous years, made a report on the performance of his functions in England, Scotland and Wales. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales and I presented the report to the House on 1 July. It was published today—HC82—and copies have been placed in the Library. Copies are also available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in her Department's review about the provision of needles for pen injection systems for diabetics through general practitioner prescription; and if she will make a statement.

Discussions are continuing with suppliers about the price and technical specification of pen injection systems and their needles. When these discussions have reached a satisfactory conclusion, we aim to make pens and needles prescribable at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her best estimate of the time it will take to resolve outstanding clinical grading by nurses (a) in England, (b) in Wales and (c) in Scotland, (i) at the current rate of progress and (ii) given the current proposals for speeding up the process.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 30 June at columns 462–63.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement regarding the uses to which foetal parts from aborted pre-born babies are put when they are not incinerated.

A code of practice on the use of foetal tissue is contained in the Polkinghorne report on the review of the guidance on the research use of foetal and foetal material, a copy of which is in the Library. Health authorities and places approved under section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967 have been asked to ensure that the code of practice is fully adhered to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths she estimates could be avoided each year if smoke alarms were installed in all homes.

I have been asked to reply.Precise estimates are difficult to make. If all homes were fitted with correctly sited and properly maintained smoke detectors, between 100 and 150 lives might be saved each year in fires in the United Kingdom.