To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new initiatives he intends to introduce to increase the number of toilets on motorways.

We announced on 6 August a substantial deregulation in the provision of motorway service areas—MSAs. This followed on from the commitment we gave in the citizens charter for more MSAs more quickly. In future MSAs may be more frequent—every 15 miles instead of around 30 miles; and the private sector, not the Department of Transport, will take the initiative in finding and acquiring sites and obtaining planning permission for the development of MSAs. We believe that the surest solution is to free the market to provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the publication of British Rail's final response to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the provincial business sector.

I have placed a copy of British Rail's response in the Library of the House. BR accepted all 41 recommendations that were addressed to it. Many have already been fully implemented, and BR has set out the action that it is taking, or intends to take, to implement the remainder. One recommendation, concerning the role of local authorities in supporting rail services, and the scope for creation of new passenger transport authorities, is a matter for the Government. Under the Government's proposals for the privatisation of British Rail, passenger transport authorities will continue their responsibilities for local services in their areas, and other local authorities will continue to have powers to contribute to enhanced rail services.Our White Paper on the privatisation of BR sets out in detail our proposals for the future structure and financing of rail services; these proposals will lead to a fundamental reform of the railway, under which the private sector will progressively take over the operation of passenger services. We believe that the involvement of the private sector will bring a greater focus on the passenger and, therefore, lead to a more attractive and efficient network of passenger services. It would not be sensible to contemplate major changes in the role of local authorities until experience has been gained of the operation of the new franchising regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends publishing the paper on upgrading the railway network to continental freight loading gauge, referred to in the Government's response to the Transport Select Committee's report on preparations for the opening of the channel tunnel, second report, Session 1991–92.

A paper setting out the practical and other problems associated with upgrading to a large continental loading gauge was published yesterday. I have placed copies in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken within Government to consider issues relating to health and safety and training within British ports following the winding-up of the British Ports Federation; and if he will make a statement.

Steps are being taken within the industry to enable the health and safety and training activities currently being undertaken by the British Ports Federation to continue after the winding up of the federation later this year. These are currently still under discussion, but it is hoped that a positive outcome can be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children (a) under the age of five years and (b) between the age of five years and 16 years were involved in road traffic accidents within each United Kingdom region in each year since 1985.

The table shows the number of reported road accident casualties aged under 16 by age group in each United Kingdom region in each year from 1985 to 1991.

Child1 casualties—by region and age group: United Kingdom 1985–1991
Region	Year	0–4	5–15	Total
England
North	1985	413	2,295	2,708
	1986	447	2,208	2,655
	1987	437	2,090	2,527
	1988	416	2,100	2,516
	1989	474	2,206	2,680
	1990	511	2,214	2,725
	1991	465	2,126	2,591
North West	1985	1,039	5,677	6,716
	1986	1,058	5,358	6,416
	1987	1,024	5,394	6,418
	1988	1,181	5,423	6,604
	1989	1,253	5,586	6,839
	1990	1,292	5,810	7,102
	1991	1,225	5,329	6,554
Yorkshire and Humberside	1985	696	3,723	4,419
	1986	649	3,591	4,240
	1987	622	3,534	4,156
	1988	702	3,496	4,198
	1989	785	3,771	4,556
	1990	759	3,858	4,617
	1991	677	3,553	4,230
East Midlands	1985	443	2,918	3,361
	1986	444	2,728	3,172
	1987	444	2,582	3,026
	1988	515	2,729	3,244
	1989	539	2,871	3,410
	1990	503	2,931	3,434
	1991	485	2,720	3,205

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of his Department's research into the incidence and causes of tyre failures among heavy goods vehicles on motorways.

A survey of tyre tread debris left by 157 tyres on the M4 motorway was carried out between June and October 1991. The debris consisted of 72–46 per cent.—new—first used—tyres and 84–54 per cent. retreads. Only one piece of debris was of unknown type.Tyre failure by heavy goods vehicles on motorways is almost invariably the result of tyres overheating. This can be a consequence of overloading, under-inflation—or both—running under-inflated following a penetration or running for long periods at higher speeds than those for which the tyres were designed at their maximum load.I have arranged for a copy of the Transport Research Laboratory's working paper—Ref.: WP/VS/222—to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he estimates the value of regeneration benefits of transport infrastructure improvements.

Regeneration benefits, unlike the other benefits of a transport scheme, are predominantly benefits to the locality often achieved at the cost of less activity elsewhere. They are, therefore, counted "below the line" in a scheme appraisal, not as part of the gains to the national economy. This is standard Government practice in the appraisal of industrial and regional assistance.Attempts at valuation generally focus on forecast increases in the value of commercial and industrial land in the immediate area. In any valuation, care must be taken to avoid double counting of benefits included in the transport appraisal and to allow for the fact that some activity may well be diverted from elsewhere in the local area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is currently undertaken or sponsored by his Department into improved transport for women and children.

My Department has a long-standing programme of research into the transport needs of people with mobility problems, including women, children, elderly people and those with disabilities.Current projects include work on the design and operation of fully accessible low floor buses, the development of design standards for bus and coach stations—jointly funded with the passenger transport executives—and the use of unstaffed railway stations by people with mobility problems—jointly funded with British Rail. My Department is also conducting research into the incidence of assaults on bus passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of transport schemes which have attracted EC funding since 1979.

These schemes include projects by the Department of Transport, nationalised industries, local authorities and the private sector, and details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will carry out a study of the Dutch Government's bicycles first master plan and publish an assessment of what lessons apply to strategic transport planning in the United Kingdom.

I have seen the Dutch bicycle master plan, which forms part of a range of traffic and transport policies.The bicycle master plan contains a considerable number of proposals aimed at increasing cycle usage. These are not all new. Indeed, some reflect current United Kingdom policy and practice, such as measures to increase safety, and to improve the range and quality of facilities for cyclists.I have no plans to publish an assessment of the bicycle master plan, but its contents will clearly influence our ideas on how cycling should develop in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list details of all his Department's expenditure in 1992–93 designed to improve safety for cyclists.

Although no separate figures are available, much of my Department's expenditure on road safety will improve safety for cyclists, for example that on publicity aimed at preventing drinking and driving, and on new technology to help catch and prosecute bad drivers. Every trunk road bypass that the Department funds and every local road bypass that they support through transport supplementary grant improves road safety for all vulnerable road users, including cyclists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instigate a public information campaign on the dangers of and penalties for riding a bicycle across a pedestrian crossing and through red traffic lights.

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The Highway Code includes good advice for cyclists on road behaviour and the need to obey the law. This advice will be expanded in the revised edition of the code and I shall draw particular attention to this when it is published early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to require highway authorities to inform residents or traders of impending street works.

The flow of information will be improved by the relevant provisions of the New Roads. and Street Works Act 1991, which will come into force on 1 January 1993. They will require street authorities—normally the local highway authorities—to co-ordinate undertakers' street works and works for their own road purposes, and will impose a duty of co-operation on the undertakers. We shall shortly be publishing a code of practice giving practical guidance on the carrying out of these duties. The code will draw the attention of the promoting undertaker of works to the importance of giving advance information and warning to affected frontagers not only about disruption to their services but if their access is to be affected for any length of time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what figures on volume and weight of traffic using the A12 at Wrentham he is using since the 1984 figures; how the figures have changed up to August 1992; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: Current traffic information is compiled from roadside interviews, traffic counts and journey time surveys carried out in October 1990. A permanent automatic count of traffic is also taken on the A12 south of Wrentham.Traffic figures available in 1984 on the A12 south of Wrentham were in excess of 6,000 vehicles per day. A comparable figure for August 1992 is in excess of 10,000 vehicles per day. These are the highest daily flows of the year. The present A12 is capable of carrying these levels of traffic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the likely time scale for a public consultation exercise on the proposed bypass of Wrentham on the A12.

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The present programmed date for public consultation about the options for improving the A12 from south of Wrentham to Kessingland, including a bypass of Wrentham, is early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what actions Her Majesty's Government have taken to reduce the incidence of housing associations leaving homes unjustifiably empty for long periods.

There has been a steady decrease over the past five years in the incidence of empty property owned by housing associations. The supervision of the management of associations is the statutory responsibility of the Housing Corporation and I will ask the corporation to write to the hon. Member with further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to ensure secure tenancies for all housing association tenants.

The majority of the tenants of housing associations are secure tenants. For those taking up a tenancy since 1989, the status is normally that of assured tenants. These assured tenants of housing associations have rights conferred by statute and additional contractual rights by virtue of the Housing Corporation's "Tenants' Guarantee", which give them security of tenure broadly similar to that enjoyed by secure tenants. There are no plans to change this framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the ways in which tenants are represented on housing association boards of management.

The supervision of the management of registered housing associations is the statutory responsibility of the Housing Corporation, which has an active strategy for increasing the participation of tenants in the management of their associations. I will ask the Housing Corporation to write to the hon. Member with further information.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes to take to assist borrowers with negative equity who wish to move house.

The Government propose to remove two potential legal and tax obstacles to borrowers with negative equity who wish to move.First, the Building Societies Commission, with the consent of the Treasury, is to raise the limit which building societies can lend unsecured from £10,000 to £25,000 per person. This will enable societies, in appropriate cases, to advance top-up necessary loans to borrowers with substantial negative equity. The necessary secondary legislation will be laid before the House at the earliest opportunity.Secondly, changes are proposed to allow the security of one property to be exchanged for another against the original mortgage loan, without the loss of mortgage interest relief. The Inland Revenue hopes to give effect to the proposed changes within the next few weeks.

	Preliminary Draft Budget1		Draft Budget
	mecu	£ million2	mecu	£ million
Commitment appropriations
1. Agricultural Guarantee	34,062	26,820	34,042	26,805
2. Structural Operations	22,046	17,359	20,119	15,842
3. Internal policies, including R & D	4,440	3,496	3,375	2,657
4. External Policies, including aid	4,150	3,267	3,818	3,006
5. Administration	3,577	2,816	3,349	2,637
6. Monetary Reserve	1,000	787	1,000	787
Total: Commitment appropriations	69,274	54,456	65,704	51,735
of which:
compulsory	36,505	28,744	36,459	28,708
non-compulsory	32,769	25,802	29,245	23,028
Total: Payment appropriations	66,309	52,212	62,926	49,548
of which:
compulsory	36,458	28,707	36,406	28,666
non-compulsory	29,851	23,505	26,520	20,882
1 including letter of amendment No. 1 to the PDB for 1993.
2 Throughout this reply the rate of £1 = 1.2700 ecu has been used for conversions relating to 1993 expenditure (the rate notified in the Official Journal as prevailing on the last working day of last month (30 September)). The rate of £1= 1.396 ecu has been used for 1992 expenditure (the rate set for United Kingdom contributions from VAT and the Fourth Resource in 1992).

The Budget Council also adopted the supplementary and amending budget No. 3 for 1992. An explanatory memorandum was submitted to the House on 14 September. This supplementary budget gives budgetary effect to the decision to revise the financial perspective on which an explanatory memorandum was submitted on 9 July. It covers increased payment appropriations for the structural funds in the new German Länder and four programmes under the third research framework

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of European Ministers at the Budget Council in July.

The Budget Council met in Brussels on 23 July. As President of the Budget Council I chaired the meeting, and the Economic Secretary represented the United Kingdom. The Council established a first reading draft budget for 1993 totalling 65.7 billion ecu—£51.7 billion—in commitment appropriations and 62.9 billion ecu—£49.5 billion—in payment appropriations. The latter represents 1.07 per cent. of Community GNP, compared with the own resources ceiling of 1.2 per cent.The draft budget established by the Council constrained the increase in non-compulsory expenditure to 3.79 per cent. for commitments and to 7.2 per cent.—the "maximum rate"—for payments. This involved reductions of 3,570 million ecu—£2,811 million—in commitments and 3,383 million ecu—£2,664 million—in payments of the proposals put forward by the Commission in its preliminary draft budget. The provision for agriculture takes full account of CAP reform; and is 2.6 billion ecu—£2.05 billion—below the agriculture guideline. Financial provision was not made for the cohesion fund agreed at Maastricht, which the Lisbon European Council agreed should be set up early in 1993, pending a decision on the amount which is expected to be taken at the European Council in Edinburgh.An explanatory memorandum on the Council's draft budget was submitted to the House on 9 October.The summary table compares the outcome of the Budget Council to the proposals in the Commission's preliminary draft budget by reference to the main areas of spending:programme. The supplementary budget also makes provision to return to a member state a significant proportion of the expected surplus in the agriculture budget. In the proposed supplementary budget the agricultural budget is reduced by 2,875 million ecu—£2,059 million—with 2,175 million ecu—£1,558 million—of that money being returned to member states through a reduction in contributions; the remainder is utilised for other Community policies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which EC countries currently fulfil the requirements for convergence set out in the Maastricht treaty protocols; in what ways the others fail; and how far the United Kingdom is away from each of the criteria.

Article 109j of the Maastricht treaty gives to the Council the responsibility for determining whether a member state has met the necessary conditions for the adoption of a single currency. The Council is required to make this judgment, taking into account reports from the Commission and the European Monetary Institute on the

	Latest inflation1	Budget balance2	General government debt3	Long term bond yield4	ERM narrow band5
Belgium	2.1	-6.2	129.7	8.9	Yes
Denmark	2.1	-2.0	71.7	9.0	Yes
France	2.7	-1.7	48.4	9.1	Yes
Germany6	3.5	-3.1	44.9	8.3	Yes
Greece	15.3	-16.5	103.3	n/a	No
Ireland	2.8	-2.3	99.8	8.9	Yes
Italy	5.2	-10.2	101.7	11.9	No
Luxembourg	3.1	2.5	6.3	7.9	Yes
Netherlands	3.5	-3.9	79.7	8.4	Yes
Portugal	9.2	-6.4	68.6	11.5	No
Spain	5.7	-4.4	45.6	11.7	No
United Kingdom	3.6	-2.0	39.9	9.0	No
1 August 1992; percentage change of consumer prices over previous 12 months.
2 1991 General government financial balance (as a percentage of GDP).
3 1991 Gross debt of general government (as a percentage of GDP).
4 June 1992; yield on fixed interest government securities.
5 Membership of the narrow band of the ERM for at least two years, without devaluing on own initiative.
6 Inflation and government debt figures are for western Germany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Queen Victoria school will be established as an executive agency.

The Queen Victoria school began to operate as an executive agency with effect from 1 April 1992. The framework document has been printed and copies will be placed in the Library of both Houses. The targets which have been set for the school in its first year of operation as an agency are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future management of statistical and related services within his Department.

A review of Defence Statistics has been completed, and I am pleased to announce its establishment as a defence support agency from I July 1992, with the title the Defence Analytical Service Agency—DASA.The DASA provides a variety of professional statistical and other analytical services which are essential to the conduct of the Ministry of Defence's business operations. As well as producing many of my Department's statistics, including those to Parliament, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and the Top Salaries Review Body, it offers advice and assistance to a wide range of customers in my Department on areas such as manpower planning, financial management, logistic projects and personnel surveys.The DASA is part of the Government statistical service. The chief executive is the head of profession for staff in the statistical grades in the Ministry of Defence, and chief statistical adviser to my Department. The first chief executive is Mr. Paul Altobell. The key targets that have been set for the agency in its first year of operation are as follows. I have arranged for copies of the framework document to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Duke of York's royal military school will be established as an executive agency.

The Duke of York's royal military school began to operate as an executive agency with effect from 1 April 1992. The framework document has been printed and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The targets which have been set for the school in its first year of operation are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current programme being carried out by his Department's establishment at the Isle of Rona, Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive of the Defence Research Agency to reply direct to the hon. Member.

In today's written answer the Minister of State for Defence Procurement informed you that I would be replying directly to the following question:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current programme being carried out by his Department's establishment at the Isle of Rona, Scotland, and if he will make a statement.

The Defence Research Agency uses the facilities on Rona to measure the noise generated by ships and submarines as they move through the water. This is a continuous programme since vessels are measured as they are brought into service and checked periodically throughout their lives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the establishment of each of the defence research establishments in 1990 and 1991; and what is the current establishment of each and that projected for 1993 and 1994.

This is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the extent and nature of all contracts between the Ministry of Defence and SERCO.

My Department has let some 183 contracts with SERCO since 1982 with a total value of more than £350 million. SERCO provides my Department with a wide range of technical services, including running communications facilities, technical training and the operation of the ballistic missile early warning system at Fylingdales.

To ask the Secretary of State for of Defence what is the nature of the work being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence establishment at Dundrennan involving research into an electro-magnetic gun; for whom the work is being carried out; and under what contractual arrangements.

This is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the nature, purpose, duration and extent of all military exercises undertaken in south-west Scotland during 1992 up to the current date; and what percentage this represents of all those carried out in the United Kingdom for the same period.

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the meeting of the Defence Ministers of the nations collaborating in the European fighter aircraft programme on 4 August.

My right hon. and learned Friend met his Spanish, Italian and German counterparts in Madrid on 4 August. Studies were set in hand to consider ways of reducing costs in the EFA programme and to review the operational requirement in the light of the recent changes in the international security situation. Both studies are due to be completed by the end of October, and the Ministers plan to meet again in December to discuss the results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the total cost to all four participating countries in pounds sterling of the development programe of the European fighter aircraft programme; how much of that figure has already been spent; and if he will give a breakdown by participating country.

The total cost to the four partner nations of developing EFA is estimated at about £8.5 billion, of which the United Kingdom share is about £2.7 billion. Virtually all of this is now contractually committed. Bills paid to date by the United Kingdom amount to a little over £1 billion.We do not maintain records of the progress of expenditure by our partners. Work was allocated at the start of development in the ratio: United Kingdom 33 per cent., Germany 33 per cent., Italy 21 per cent., Spain 13 per cent. Each nation meets the cost of common work performed by its industry and the whole cost of any national-specific requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to meet his counterparts from Germany, Italy and Spain to discuss the future of the European fighter aircraft.

My right. hon. and learned Friend plans to meet his German, Italian and Spanish counterparts in December to discuss the results of the studies they commissioned on 4 August. It is possible that they may have some preliminary discussions when they meet on other bilateral or multilateral occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the engineering facilities in the United Kingdom, giving the name of the company and the geographical location where over 50 people are working on the development of the European fighter aircraft.

The three main British companies involved in the development of EFA are British Aerospace—principally, the Warton facility—Rolls—Royce—Bristol—and GEC—principally, the Rochester, Edinburgh and Stanmore facilities. There are approaching 300 companies in the United Kingdom acting as sub-contractors or suppliers. It would not be possible without disproportionate cost to identify the facilities of those companies with over 50 people engaged on work connected with EFA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British jobs are currently dependent on the European fighter aircraft development programme.

Approximately 9,400 people in the United Kingdom are directly employed on work connected with the development of EFA. When EFA enters the production phase, we estimate that this number will rise to around 28,000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if authority for staff grading changes within the Agricultural Training Board has removed the need for his Department's approval.

When approving staff grading changes the chief executive of the Agricultural Training Board is required to abide by the normal rules on maintenance on national civil service grading standards and the need for economy. Where the creation of a new post is involved the procedures described in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 19 October, Official Report, column 95, also have to be followed.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 19 October; and if he will make a statement.

I chaired this meeting of the Council. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, represented the United Kingdom.The Council agreed, subject to the opinion of the European Parliament, to a regulation revising the regime for the common organisation of the market in fishery products. A satisfactory balance was achieved between constraining Community expenditure on market suport and the need to protect fishermen from excessive price fluctuations.The Council further agreed a regulation to prohibit EC vessels anywhere from undertaking fisheries involving encirclements with purse seine nets on marine mammals when aiming to catch tuna and other species of fish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries in which there is no British embassy or high commission.

There is no British embassy, high commission or other resident representation staffed from the United Kingdom in the following countries, although members of the diplomatic service are accredited to and visit the majority of them:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take the necessary action to close the embassy in London of the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

No. There are good reasons for maintaining contact with the authorities in Belgrade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Vietnamese migrants.

A further 118 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were repatriated from Hong Kong under the orderly repatriation programme on two flights, 60 on 4 August and 58 on 10 October. All had undergone the UN High Commissioner for Refugees approved screening and appeal procedures and found not to be refugees.The UNHCR's voluntary repatriation programme is proving most successful. More than 28,000 have already been repatriated under this system from the region without a single substantiated report of persecution. We hope that all non-refugees now in Hong Kong will decide to follow them. The clearing of the Hong Kong camps will enable genuine refugees to be properly looked after and resettled as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the criteria for refusing the burial or cremation of United Kingdom nationals whose bodies are returned following death abroad; and if he will give the number of such refusals in each year from 1986.

I have been asked to reply.Whether or not a body repatriated from abroad is accepted for burial or cremation is ultimately a matter for the burial or cremation authority, which will need to be satisfied that the prescribed documentation has been supplied. Such refusals do not have to be reported, so their numbers are unknown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are available to relatives of United Kingdom nationals who die in Spain to secure an examination by British doctors.

I have been asked to reply.In the case of United Kingdom nationals whose bodies are returned to this country following death in Spain, it is at the discretion of the relatives whether to arrange an examination by British doctors. When a body is repatriated to England and Wales, the coroner has a duty to investigate cases where the death was violent, unnatural, or sudden and unknown cause. To assist him in his inquiries the coroner has powers to arrange a post-mortem examination. These duties and powers do not apply in other parts of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost of crime to the community in the last year for which figures are available.

Refusals1 of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, and removals1 or voluntary departures1 of asylum applicants, excluding dependents, 1990 to 1992
	Refusals				Removals2 and voluntary departures2
	Total refused	Refused asylum and exceptional leave after determination	Refused on safe third country grounds	Refused under paragraph 101 of Immigration Rules3	Port asylum applicants: removals	Port asylum applicants: voluntary departures4	In country asylum applicants removed under enforcement powers, or departing voluntarily following enforcement action5
1990	710	710	6	6	6	6	6
1991	3,240	2,185	270	785	6	6	6
1992	11,865	1,975	415	9,475	395	145	305
January-September
1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5.
2 Removals and voluntary departures do not necessarily relate to decisions in the same time period.
3 For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to two invitations to interview to establish identity.
4 Includes any voluntary departure up to and including notification of the decision on the asylum application but excludes any subsequent departure.
5 May understate. Figures exclude voluntary departures other than in enforcement cases.
6 Not available.

There is no reliable annual assessment of the total cost of crime to England and Wales. Estimated expenditure in 1990–91 by criminal justice agencies in England and Wales including the police, the Forensic Science Service agency, the Crown prosecution service, criminal legal aid, the Crown court, magistrates' courts, and the prison and probation service was £7.5 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on proposals to make parents more accountable for the behaviour of their children.

Powers for courts to involve parents when their children offend were strengthened by changes introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991 on 1 October. We shall monitor the new arrangements carefully.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which department of the Metropolitan police now undertakes the work done between 1974 and 1989 by the national illegal immigration intelligence unit of the Metropolitan police.

There is no unit within the Metropolitan police which gathers information on illegal immigration. That function rests with the Home Office immigration department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of asylum refusals (a) leave the United Kingdom voluntarily, (b) are deported and (c) remain.

Readily available information is given in the table. Fuller information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum claims have been rejected under paragraph 101 of the Immigration Rules each month since the introduction of that paragraph, expressed as a number of rejections and as a percentage of total claims received in that month.

A provision that an application for variation of leave may be refused on the ground of failure to provide within a reasonable period of time evidence to establish the claim under the Immigration Rules has been in force since 1 March 1980—currently paragraph 101 of HC 251. Figures for asylum applications refused under this provision were not separately identifiable prior to December 1991. Information from that date is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many amendments were proposed to the 1991–92 Asylum Bill (a) by the Government and (b) by the Opposition: and what percentage was agreed to by the Committee.

Including new clauses, a total of 154 amendments to the Asylum Bill were tabled between its introduction and Third Reading. One hundred and fifteen were selected. Of these, six were Government amendments. No amendments were made during the Committee stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest monthly figure for the number of asylum applicants; and what was the comparable number for the same month in 1991.

The information is given in the table.

Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants September 1991 to September 1992
	Applications
1991
September	3,525
October	4,375
November	3,790

Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and decisions,1 2 3 by nationality, 1 April 1991–30 September 1992.
Nationality	Applications				Decisions
		Granted asylum	Granted exceptional leave	Total refused	Refused asylum and exceptional leave after determination	Refused on safe third country grounds	Refused under para 101 of Immigration Rules4	Total Decisions
EUROPE AND AMERICAS
Bulgaria	390	*	5	45	30	—	15	55
Colombia	265	15	25	30	20	5	5	65
Romania	620	5	15	110	80	5	25	135
Turkey	2,685	305	730	520	135	75	310	1,555
USSR	375	15	30	25	10	5	5	65
Others	3,315	15	15	180	45	75	65	205
Total	7,650	350	820	910	320	165	425	2,080
AFRICA
Angola	4,550	10	10	2,605	365	25	2,215	2,625
Congo	315	*	—	180	30	5	150	185
Ethiopia	1,640	55	1,375	155	15	25	115	1,585
Ghana	2,930	10	30	965	245	30	685	1,005
Nigeria	655	*	*	160	55	10	95	165
Somalia	2,445	45	1,910	295	15	60	220	2,250
Sudan	1,455	75	40	120	5	5	110	240
Togo/Ivory Coast	1,930	—	—	965	25	5	935	965
Uganda	815	15	245	280	140	10	130	545
Zaire	6,260	10	10	3,470	665	120	2,690	3,495
Others	3,805	10	70	1,880	125	25	1,725	1,960
Total	26,805	310	3,695	11,080	1,685	320	9,075	15,085
MIDDLE EAST
Iran	645	95	150	45	20	5	20	290
Iraq	1,160	125	265	40	10	10	20	430
Lebanon	520	15	170	55	30	15	10	245
Others	650	25	70	90	40	20	30	185
Total	2,970	260	650	230	100	50	80	1,145
ASIA
China	665	25	55	30	15	—	20	115
India	2,600	*	515	1,160	780	75	300	1,675
Pakistan	3,565	5	400	980	505	10	265	1,390

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish detailed information on asylum applicants to the United Kingdom in the past 18 months, which indicate the number of applications, their countries of origin, the number granted refugee status, exceptional leave to remain, refusals, and the nationalities of those refused.

The information is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been returned to safe third countries under the provisions of the Dublin convention; and if he will publish a table of the nationalities of those removed from the United Kingdom, their countries of origin and the countries to which they were removed.

The Dublin convention will not come into force until it has been ratified by all EC member states.Information on the total number of asylum applicants at ports removed on safe third country grounds in the period March to August 1992 is given in the table. The countries to which they were removed were other EC countries, Sweden, Austria, USA, Switzerland, Turkey, Guinea, Australia and Kenya. All decisions on third country removals are taken in the light of the circumstances of the individual case.

Asylum applicants at ports removed on safe third country grounds, 1 March 1992 to 31 August 1992, by nationality
	Number
Albania	1
Algeria	1
Angola	3
China	1
Colombia	3
Czechoslovakia	3
Ethiopia	4
Ghana	12
India	5
Iran	1
Iraq	2
Ivory Coast	3
Lebanon	4
Liberia	2
Nigeria	3
Pakistan	3
Romania	6
Sierra Leone	2
Somalia	13
South Africa	1
Sri Lanka	5
Sudan	1
Togo	1
Turkey	27
Uganda	2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum are outstanding; and if he will publish the same figure for each month for the past 36 months.

The readily available information is given in the table. The figures are maxima which overstate because of earlier under-recording of decisions.

Number of asylum applications, excluding dependants, outstanding1
Date	Total
As at:
31 December 1988	8,650
31 December 1989	12,240
31 December 1990	29,870
31 March 1991	40,120
30 June 1991	51,410
30 September 1991	61,260
31 December 1991	69,330
31 January 1992	69,420
29 February 1992	68,920
31 March 1992	67,950
30 April 1992	67,690
31 May 1992	69,480
30 June 1992	66,950
31 July 1992	65,910
31 August 1992	64,670
30 September 1992	64,330
1 Estimated figures, rounded to the nearest 10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide the latest statistics to update his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 6 July, Official Report columns 41–42 on asylum application;(2) if he will make a statement on the trends in grants of asylum, exceptional leave to remain and applications for asylum.

The information is given in the table.Applications for asylum increased substantially between 1988 and 1991. The monthly rate halved in late

Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by location of application, and decisions1 1988 to 1992
Number of principal applicants
	Applications received						Decisions1
Year	Total applications	Applied at port2	Applied in country3	Total decisions	Granted asylum	Granted exceptional leave	Total refused	Refused asylum and exceptional leave after determination	Refused on safe third country-grounds	Refused under para. 101 of Immigration Rules4	Applications outstanding at end of quarter5
1988	3,998	858	3,140	2,702	628	1,578	496	496	N/a	N/a	8,650
19896	11,640	6,200	5,440	6,955	2,210	3,860	890	890	N/a	N/a	12,240
19906 7	22,000	9,005	13,000	4,015	900	2,400	710	710	N/a	N/a	29,870
19916 7	44,840	9,030	35,815	5,965	505	2,230	3,240	2,185	270	785	69,330
19916 7
Quarter 1	11,790	3,490	8,300	1,435	155	910	375	350	20	N/a	40,120
Quarter 2	12,075	2,040	10,035	720	110	235	380	330	50	N/a	51,410
Quarter 3	10,600	1,970	8,630	845	105	265	480	415	60	N/a	61,260
Quarter 4	10,375	1,525	8,850	2,960	140	810	2,010	1,095	135	785	69,330
1992
Quarter 1	5,185	1,335	3,845	6,330	165	1,500	4,665	565	150	3,945	67,950
Quarter 2	4,425	1,160	3,265	5,225	135	1,755	3,335	495	150	2,695	66,950
Quarter 3	6,560	2,255	4,305	8,975	300	4,810	3,865	915	115	2,835	64,330
1 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period.
2 Figures include certain in-country applications made in illegal entrant cases.
3 In country figures include a small number of applications recorded as having been made overseas and referred to the Home Office for a decision. These cases may be under recorded.
4 For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period.
5 Figures are maxima which overstate because of earlier under recording of decisions. Figures are approximate and rounded to the nearest 10.
6 In addition, certain applications by nationals of Afghanistan and Liberia to the British High Commissioners in New Delhi and Lagos, respectively, were processed locally.
7 Figures rounded to the nearest 5. 1990 application figures and 1991 decision figures may understate because of delays in recording. N/a—Not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long the average asylum application takes to determine;(2) what is the latest figure for the average length of time taken to determine applications for asylum

The available information is of the estimated average length of time between the receipt of an asylum application and the decision, for cases which have been decided. For decisions in the period January to September 1992 as a whole, excluding those under paragraph 101 of the Immigration Rules for failure to provide evidence in support of the asylum claim, this average decision time was twenty and a half months. This figure reflects the recent increase in staffing which has enabled work to commence on the resolution of older and more complex cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the projected total number of asylum seekers expected for the whole of 1992 on the basis of current trends.

It is not possible to provide a precise forecast in view of the uncertainties involved. In the first six months of 1992, asylum applications totalled 9,600. In the period January to September as a whole, 16,200 applications have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to secure the £33.55 million out of the £35 million ordered by the courts to be confiscated from those convicted of drug trafficking offences which has still not been paid.

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: Responsibility for the enforcement of confiscation orders made after convictions in the Crown court for drug trafficking offences rests with magistrates courts. I am pleased to say that it is now known that, of the £35 million ordered to be confiscated under the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986—DTOA—up to May 1992, £15 million had either been realised or was subject to receivership. The realisation of confiscation orders is often necessarily a lengthy and complex process, involving for example the realisation of tangible property. Moreover, orders cannot be enforced when they are subject of appeal. We will shortly be bringing forward legislative proposals intended to improve the confiscation procedures of the DTOA, and additional guidance to the courts is also planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set out in tabular form the annual salary scales for the Royal Parks constabulary ranks of constable to chief officer with effect from 1 September; if he will show for each rank and scale point any other allowances payable; and what is the current actual establishment of the constabulary and its total annual cost.

[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The revised salary scales for members of the Royal Parks Constabulary, effective from 1 September 1992 are as follows. These rates are conditional upon the passing of the statutory instrument amending Home Office pay rates, to which RPC pay rates are related, being laid and approved.

RPC (England) Actual rates of pay
	£
Constable	10,412
	11,135
	13,110
	13,418
	13,860
	14,340
	14,793
	15,252
	15,701
	16,623
	17,377
Sergeant	16,623
	17,376
	17,989
	18,583
	19,068
Inspector	19,068
	19,664
	20,432
	21,039
	21,648
Chief Inspector	21,648
	22,255
	22,859
	23,470
	24,082
Superintendent	29,571
	30,325
	31,074
	32,108
Chief Superintendent	32,877
	33,348
	34,094
	34,909