To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure an equal representation of women on the Bench.

The Lord Chancellor's policy is to appoint to judicial office those best qualified, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, political affiliation or religion. Without prejudice to this overriding principle, the Lord Chancellor has stressed publicly, and will continue to do so, that he would like to see more female legal practitioners who are suitably qualified appointed to the judiciary. The composition of the judiciary at any one time must inevitably reflect the composition of the legal profession within the relevant categories of age and seniority, but, as the proportion of women at these levels in the profession increases, so this is likely to be reflected on the Bench. Two women have been appointed to the High Court Bench this year and women are being appointed in greater numbers at other levels of the judiciary. The Lord Chancellor has ensured appropriate flexibility, for example related to women who have taken career breaks. He has asked that women candidates be included, wherever possible, in the list of those under consideration for appointment. He has co-operated with the Bar in research into sex equality at the Bar and in the judiciary, and will be studying the resultant findings and recommendations. Women represent 45 per cent. of the lay magistracy and the Lord Chancellor's aim is to achieve equality of sittings between male and female magistrates.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to implement the recommendation of Law Commission report No. 174 on privity of contract law and estates; and if he will make a statement.

The Lord Chancellor is actively considering the recommendations of the Law Commission on this subject and hopes to be able to make an announcement about this report in the near future.

To ask the Attorney-General when he last met his Irish counterpart; and what matters were discussed concerning extradition.

The last meeting on this subject took place in Dublin on 21 and 22 July this year. It is not the practice to comment on the detail of our discussions.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the division of his work between his role as Law Officer and his other governmental responsibilities.

As Attorney-General I am the principal legal adviser to the Government. I also act, wholly independently of the Government, to enforce the law on behalf of the general community in the public interest.

To ask the Attorney-General what is his current advice to local authorities on the enforcement of the legislation governing Sunday trading.

I informed the House on 11 May in answering questions from the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones), at columns 367–68, that local authorities can still issue summonses or seek injunctions. It is for them to consider what action to take in a particular case.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the current number of staff in the Serious Fraud Office; and what productivity targets have been set.

The Serious Fraud Office presently employs 132 permanent staff as well as additional temporary staff to meet the varying demands of its caseload. Ninety-one police officers are on attachment.The main performance target is that the period between the acceptance of a case and its transfer or committal to the Crown court should not exceed 12 months.

To ask the Attorney-General how many vacancies there are in the Crown prosecution service for solicitors.

The Crown prosecution service currently has 159 vacancies for lawyers out of a total requirement of 2,256

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the application of paragraph 25 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" to the civil case involving the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and when Law Officers were informed of the case.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already informed the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) in a letter of 30 November which has been placed in the Library, of his approach to my predecessor.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the effect of his proposals to restructure the BBC outlined in the Green Paper on the programme output of the corporation.

Our discussion document set out options, but we cannot reach decisions about the BBC's future structure until we are clearer about the services it is to provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received regarding the implementation of the Taylor report; and if he will make a statement.

My predecessor announced the outcome of the Government's review of its all-seater policy in July. Since then, I have received several letters from hon. Members and from members of the public, and on 26 November my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met bodies representing football supporters to hear their views. I have no plans to relax the all-seater requirement further.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to introduce mandatory rate relief for non-profit-making sports clubs.

No. The present arrangement providing for local authority discretion means that each case can be considered on its merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the discoveries made in Wootton Creek as a result of funding by his Department.

The Wootton survey project is still in its early stages, but it is already demonstrating the existence of important prehistoric and later remains in the inter-tidal zone, relating to the use of the coast by maritime trading communities of the Norman, Saxon and medieval periods.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of the effect of a national lottery on the revenue raised by the Treasury on the football pools industry.

Matters pertaining to Government revenues are properly a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Estimates of the effects of the national lottery on the level of pools' turnover are subject to a series of hypotheses. I am aware of the understandable concerns on Merseyside and am looking forward to a meeting next week with the Pools Promoters Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions have taken place between himself and the Sports Council on the funds available for sport from a national lottery.

I have not discussed this subject specifically with the Sports Council, although officials have discussed with the council funds likely to be available for sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his estimate of the revenue that will he raised for the Exchequer through the introduction of a national lottery.

That will depend upon the size of the national lottery's turnover, and on taxation. The prime purpose of the national lottery is to raise additional funds for the arts, sport, the heritage and charities.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what value he attaches to the arm's-length principle of arts funding; and if he will make a statement.

The "arms-length" principle, under which Governments distance themselves from decisions on the funding of individual arts organisations, has been a central part of arts funding since the creation of the Arts Council. I expect to see it continued.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many books were borrowed from public libraries in the latest year for which figures are available.

The total number of books borrowed from public libraries in 1990–91—the last year for which figures are available—was 563 million, of which 475 million of these were lent from public libraries in England, for which I am responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many overseas visitors came to the United Kingdom in 1991.

There were an estimated 16·7 million visits to the United Kingdom by overseas residents in 1991. Inward tourism was badly affected by the Gulf war and the recession in the USA. The number of visitors so far this year is well up on 1991, though not quite back to the record levels achieved in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his policy towards rugby league football.

The Government's role is to support and encourage the development of and participation in all sports including rugby league football, with most funding channelled through the Sports Council. In 1991–92, the council provided £160,000 to the British Amateur Rugby League Association—BARLA—and £12,000 to the English Schools Rugby League for the development of the game. In addition, over the past year, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts has provided over £750,000 in grant aid to rugby league clubs for various projects.The Sports Council is also involved in promoting discussions between BARLA and the Rugby Football League about the creation of a unified governing body for rugby league.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement concerning support for regional orchestras.

Detailed funding decisions are, of course, the responsibility of the Arts Council and regional arts boards. Support for regional orchestras ranges widely, from the more than £6 million the Arts Council gives the major orchestras to smaller-scale grants to local amateur orchestras.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received on his Green Paper on broadcasting.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Thurnham).

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will visit libraries and theatres in Greater Manchester to discuss resources.

I am always delighted to visit local authorities in connection with my ministerial responsibilities. I have already visited Manchester to see one of its theatres and Chetham's library but would welcome further invitations to libraries and theatres in Greater Manchester. My Department has no direct responsibility for the resources provided for these services, although it must ensure that a comprehensive and efficient library service is provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met his ministerial colleagues representing other member states of the European Community to discuss matters relating to the protection and development of minority and indigenous languages and cultures; and if he will make a statement.

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have met European Community Culture Ministers specifically to discuss the position of lesser-used languages and minority cultures. I last met my EC ministerial colleagues in Brussels when I chaired the Culture Council on 12 November. Lesser-used languages were not on the agenda of that meeting, although mention of minority cultures was made during discussion of a Community-wide campaign to raise public awareness of books and reading which the Danish presidency intends to launch next year. Lesser-used languages and minority cultures were also mentioned, during wider discussions, when I attended a meeting of Culture Ministers under the aegis of the Council of Europe in Paris on 15 and 16 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to strengthen the ability of national institutions to retain the fine arts heritage in the United Kingdom.

My hon. Friend is familiar with the Government's existing policies to encourage the retention of the nation's important works of art. These include the Waverley system of export controls, important tax concessions, and grants to national museums and galleries and to the National Heritage Memorial Fund. These policies continue to assist national museums and galleries to acquire major works by important artists.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the percentage of finance in local tourist boards provided by (a) the English tourist board, (b) local government and (c) the private sector.

Funding for the regional tourist boards for the 1991–92 financial year was:

	Per cent.
(a) English Tourist Board	30·5
(b) Local Authorities	8·5
(c) Private Sector	61·0

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the cost of repairs at Windsor castle.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the question from the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations the Government received from the Fire Prevention Association concerning the protection of the national heritage from fire; and what subsequent action was taken in respect of Windsor castle.

[holding answer 3 December 1992]: In October 1991 the Fire Protection Association published a report, "Heritage under Fire", on fire safety in historic buildings. The report was published on behalf of the United Kingdom working party on fire safety in historic buildings, on which the Government and English Heritage were represented. No specific subsequent action was taken in respect of Windsor castle, as a comprehensive programme of fire prevention measures had already been set in hand at the castle.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what contributions he estimates will be forthcoming for the restoration of Windsor castle from (a) the private sector, (b) insurance companies and (c) sources other than public funds.

[holding answer 27 November 1992]: It is not possible to make any such estimates at the present time.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action the Historic Royal Palaces Agency takes to train and retain craftsmen with skills necessary for the restoration of royal palaces.

The Historic Royal Palaces Agency does not employ its own craftsmen. The agency's experience is that craftsmen of the highest quality continue to be available in private firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list those royal palaces that have sprinkler systems installed as a fire precaution.

[holding answer 3 December 1992]: Sprinkler systems have not been installed as a fire precaution at any of the royal palaces.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will arrange for full fire safety inspections at all royal residences in receipt of public funds.

[holding answer 27 November 1992]:: Fire safety inspections are made regularly at each of the occupied royal palaces.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the total cost to public funds arising from the upkeep of each of the royal residences in each of the last three financial years.

[holding answer 27 November 1992]:: The resources provided for the maintenance of each of the royal residences over the last three years is as follows:

£ million
	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92
Windsor Castle	7·1	9·8	9·3
Buckingham Palace	3·0	1·5	5·2
St. James's Palace	0·8	1·3	2·5
Kensington Palace	1·1	0·3	0·7

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total expenditure in England on section 4 grants for tourism-related projects in the last full year for which figures are available.

The expenditure on section 4 grants in England in the 1991–92 financial year was £600,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the restrictive covenants covering all BBC archives when he is considering the terms under which the BBC's charter will be renewed; and if he will consider whether amending legislation is necessary to ensure that the provisions of European Community restraint of trade legislation are observed by any interests seeking to impose restraints on the use of BBC archives.

The BBC's contractual agreements are a matter for the corporation. The use of the BBC's programme archives and other assets, including the relevance of any EC legislation, is an issue for the debate about the corporation's future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which programme activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation he intends 'to contribute in the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans at present to contribute in the coming year to any programme activities of UNESCO through its regular budget. However, the United Kingdom retains its membership of certain inter-governmental bodies which come under UNESCO auspices. We expect to contribute to the World Heritage Fund, the inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission, and the universal copyright convention in the forthcoming year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Colombian Government about the use of children in coal mines in the Boyaca region.

None. We understand that the Colombian authorities, who are well aware of the concern felt in this country, wish to close illegal mines using child labour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken, since April 1992, to discuss the extension of democracy in Hong Kong before 1997 with the Chinese Government in advance of the Governor's published statement.

We have repeatedly told the Chinese side of our wish to see a faster pace of democratisation in Hong Kong by increasing the number of seats in the Legislative Council beyond that envisaged in the Basic Law. But the Chinese position has been that the Basic Law cannot be changed. We and the Governor therefore developed a parallel approach, consistent with the Basic Law. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs briefed the Chinese Foreign Minister on this approach in New York on 25 September, two weeks before the Governor's speech. The Governor sent a message in parallel to senior Chinese officials in Peking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of appeals in the last 12 months against refusal of visitors' visas to people visiting in order to visit relatives or friends in Birmingham.

The information requested is not centrally recorded and could not be provided except at disproportionate expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his foreign policy objectives with regard to Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.

Our policy is to encourage the Governments of India and Pakistan to agree a means of settling their dispute over Kashmir as provided for in the 1972 Simla agreement; to emphasise the importance of a genuine political process in Kashmir in which the aspirations of the population in Kashmir can be accommodated, an improvement on human rights there; and to call for a clear cessation of any support from outside for violence within Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make further representations regarding the Kashmiri people to the Indian Government.

We take every opportunity to discuss the situation in Kashmir with the Indian Government. They are fully aware of our concerns about human rights abuses by security forces there and the need for a genuine political process within Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the freedom of the press in Kashmir.

We are not aware of any restrictions on access to Kashmir by Indian or foreign journalists, or on their reporting on the situation there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to use opportunities within the United Nations to progress a positive and peaceful solution to the problems of Kashmir.

We do not expect that, given the known positions of India and Pakistan, such opportunities are likely to arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much notice must be provided by states parties before access must be granted (a)to declared facilities and (b) undeclared facilities under the challenge inspection provisions of article IX of the chemical weapons convention.

Under the challenge inspection provisions of article IX of the chemical weapons convention, access must be permitted no later than 120 hours for undeclared facilities, and 100 hours for declared facilities, after notice of inspection has been provided by states parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what allowances have been made for the retention of disabling agents for riot control purposes under the terms of the chemical weapons convention.

Under the terms of the convention, states parties will be entitled to use toxic chemicals for law enforcement, including domestic riot control purposes, provided that such chemicals are limited to those not listed in the schedules to the convention and which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure. States parties will undertake not to use riot control agents as a method of warfare.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and personnel resources will be made available to ensure commercial compliance with the terms of the chemical weapons convention in the United Kingdom; and if custodial sentences may be applied to any individuals in the commercial chemical industry found to be in serious breach of the terms of the chemical weapons convention in the United Kingdom.

Her Majesty's Government will give detailed consideration to issues relating to the implementation of the convention after its signature. The convention will not enter into force before 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the transparency of the operation of the chemical weapons convention preparatory commission; and if he will make a statement.

The rules of procedure of the preparatory commission have yet to be drawn up. Her Majesty's Government are therefore not yet in a position to make a firm decision on its policy towards the transparency of the operation of the commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will publish the draft rules of procedure for the preparatory commission before states-signatories to the chemical weapons convention formally adopt them following the signing of the convention; and if he will make a statement.

The rules of procedure for the preparatory commission have yet to be drawn up. Any decision on whether such rules should be made public before being formally adopted will be for all states involved in drawing them up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources will be made available to the Scientific Advisory Board of Independent Experts to review the scientific and technological developments that could affect the operation of the chemical weapons convention.

It will be for the conference of states parties of the chemical weapons convention to decide what resources will he made available to the scientific advisory board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations will take place between the chemical weapons convention preparatory commission and representatives of the scientific community and chemical industry regarding the establishment of the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons.

It will be for the preparatory commission of the chemical weapons convention to decide what consultations it may have with representatives of the scientific community and the chemical industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 November, Official Report, column 47, if the United Kingdom will be an original signatory of the chemical weapons convention.

The United Kingdom fully intends to be an original signatory of the chemical weapons convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date Her Majesty's Government last made representations to the United Nations special commission of inspection on Iraq;(2) on what dates Her Majesty's Government have received requests for information and assistance from the United Nations special commission of inspection on Iraq; and on what dates the Government responded to those requests.

The Government have worked closely with the United Nations special commission on Iraq—UNSCOM—since it was set up in April 1991. The United Kingdom mission to the United Nations is in almost daily contact with UNSCOM.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's present policy towards the co-ordinating committee on multilateral strategic export controls (COCOM), indicating if any changes are in prospect.

As indicated in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 5 June at column 673, the present policy of all countries participating in the co-ordinating committee on multilateral export controls is to provide those proscribed destinations that have embarked on political reform with progressively wider access to COCOM-controlled goods and technology, as they establish effective export controls. To this end, an informal co-operation forum on export controls has been established: its first meeting was held in Paris on 23 and 24 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to ensure that coffins used to repatriate, for cremation, the remains of British nationals from Spain, comply with EEC directive 84/360.

I have been asked to reply. There are no requirements in EEC directive 84/360 as to the type or composition of coffins for cremation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made by London Transport in implementing the recommendations of the Fennel report into the King's Cross underground fire.

London Transport has fully implemented 106 out of 127 recommendations addressed to it and has partially completed a further 12. One recommendation was not accepted by LT, but its objective has been achieved through other means. Work on implementing the remainder is progressing well. A copy of London Transport's detailed report on progress up to the end of August has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what modes of transport (a) plutonium, (b) enriched uranium and (c) natural uranium are transported (i) within, (ii) into and (iii) from the United Kingdom; and if he will name in each case the ports used.

By land, sea and air. The consignors choose the mode, and port when needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide details of the nature and quantity of irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive waste transported by sea to and from, or by, the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

This information is not held by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the air freighting of fresh plutonium-bearing nuclear fuel pins from Germany to Dounreay in Scotland.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, (1) pursuant to his answer of 24 November, Official Report, column 561, if he will set out the names of the persons with details of their expertise, who will represent Her Majesty's Government at the International Atomic Energy Agency-International Maritime Organisation-United Nations Environment Programme working group on the transport of irradiated nuclear fuel;(2) pursuant to his answer of 24 November,

The Department will be represented by: Mr. K. James, a chartered engineer with 28 years' experience in the transport of hazardous material by sea, chairman of the IMO's sub-committee on the carriage of dangerous goods—CDG; Mr. C. K. Wilson, a physicist specialising in criticality safety and radiological protection with 10 years' experience regulating the transport of radioactive materials; Mr. C. N. Young, a chartered engineer with 14 years' experience in the regulation of radioactive material transport, chairman of the IMO's CDG working group on class 7 dangerous goods—radioactive materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department routinely collects and stores centrally on the import and export of nuclear materials by different transport modes to and from the United Kingdom.

The Department routinely collects that information which is required by the International Atomic Energy Agency publication "Safety Series No. 6: Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material", a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation his Department has made of any of the safety standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency for the international transport of (a) plutonium, (b) enriched uranium, (c) natural uranium and (d) radioactive waste.

The Department is involved in the evaluation of the safety standards for the transport of all radioactive materials on an ongoing basis and is a major contributor to the International Atomic Energy Agency's programme of review and revision of its international regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the advisory committee on the safe transport of radioactive materials; and what matters were discussed and decided.

This committee was disbanded on 31 January 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy in regard to evaluation of independent reports published on the transport of nuclear materials.

To consider them on their merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from railway equipment manufacturers about investment decisions for work during the next six years.

The Railway Industry Association has submitted a copy of its evidence to the Transport Select Committee on the Government's White Paper on BR privatisation. The Steer Davies Gleave report "Rail Privatisation: Attractive Investment or Wishful Thinking" has also been submitted on behalf of the Railway Industry Association, Eurotunnel and Transport 2000. Representations have been received from several individual railway manufacturers and I am meeting the Railway Industry Association on 8 December to discuss prospects for the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to contract out or divide up the General Register and Record Office of Shipping.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 25 November, at column 659

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he has taken of (a) parental and school governors' wishes, (b) the particular road conditions of rural areas and (c) road safety in his policy on carrying three children on a double school bus seat; and if he will make a statement.

The regulations governing the carrying capacity of public service vehicles permit three seated children under 14, sharing a double seat to count as two passengers. This is a concession and they do not have to be seated in this manner. These regulations apply throughout the country and it would not be practicable to have regional variations to take account of particular road conditions. Buses and coaches are the safest form of road passenger transport in this country. even where children are seated three to a double seat.We are continuing to review these regulations and will take account of the wishes of parents and others. For the present, I have no plans to amend them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the expected annual saving to the Exchequer arising from the repeal of the vehicle excise duty exemption under the disabled passengers scheme.

I understand the saving will be in the region of £440,000, in the first year, based on the approximate annual number of new applications.Current beneficiaries under this scheme will not lose their entitlement to exemption from vehicle excise duty as a result of the repeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the staffing resources available to the traffic commissioners responsible for north Staffordshire.

There are 46·5 permanent staff based at the West Midland traffic area office who provide support for the West Midland traffic commissioner whose geographical area includes north Staffordshire. The staff includes one grade 7 clerk, who is also the clerk of the South Wales traffic area office, two higher executive officers, five executive officers and 38·5 administrative and support staff.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he now intends to publish the White Paper on science and technology.

I intend to publish the White Paper in the early part of next year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has for opportunities for further consultation after the publication of the White Paper on science and technology.

The White Paper will itself need to address any questions of further consultation. But I would welcome any views which my hon. Friend, who I know is the Chairman of the Select Committee on Science and Technology, may have.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy that requirements imposed under the citizens charter will continue to be applied to services sold to the private sector.

The citizens charter applies to all public services, and, in the private sector, to the main utilities where the regulatory bodies play a key role in protecting customers' interests in accordance with citizens' charter principles and in helping to develop competition. We will continue to appoint regulatory bodies following privatisation where it is in the public interest to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants are currently employed by his Department (a) in London and (b) elsewhere.

Excluding its executive agencies, the Office of Public Service and Science employs 1,430 civil servants, 711 in London and 719 elsewhere, including those who work on a part-time basis.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the division of responsibilities between each Government Department in investigating the risks posed by exposure to radiation.

The Department of Health is responsible in general terms for the protection of public health against radiological hazards. The Department's specific responsibilities relate to obtaining expert advice; initiating relevant research; and ensuring an effective health response in the event of a radiological emergency.The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's responsibilities are to protect the population from exposure to unacceptable levels of radioactivity through food chain pathways; and to minimise the impact of radioactive waste on the food, farming and fishing industries and the marine environment.The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for civil nuclear safety in relation to the generation of electricity.The Department of Employment is responsible for the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985, which concern the protection of workers and the public from radiation doses received as a result of any work involving ionising radiations. On this the Department is advised by the Health and Safety Commission and the regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.The Department of the Environment is responsible for establishing a radioactive waste management policy and for monitoring the environment for radioactivity. Within the Department, the regulators—Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution—have the statutory responsibility in England and Wales for authorising uses and disposals of radioactive substances.The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defence nuclear and radiological safety.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Government Departments concerned with the main areas of animal welfare, indicating their respective responsibilities.

A number of Government Departments have responsibility for the welfare and conservation of animals and related matters.The Department of the Environment is responsible for policy on stray dogs; the protection of birds; wildlife and endangered species.The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for the welfare of livestock kept on agricultural land; the welfare of livestock at market and the welfare of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats and poultry in slaughterhouses and knackers yards. The Ministry is also involved in the campaign against illegal poisoning of wildlife and in the International Whaling Commission, and has responsibility for the impact of fishing practices on cetaceans.The Home Office is responsible for ensuring the adequacy of the law on cruelty to animals in general and in some specific areas, and for the law on the use of living animals in scientific procedures.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works to raise the profile of animal welfare issues abroad, both bilaterally and with international organisations concerned.

To ask the Prime Minister how many representations his office has received on the Maastricht treaty from 1 January to 1 December giving a disaggregated breakdown between those originating in the United Kingdom and those from abroad.

I have received a substantial number of representations on the Maastricht treaty covering a wide range of issues.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will require Ministers to take out legal expenses insurance policies.

I have no plans to do so

To ask the Prime Minister if it remains his Government's policy to seek the transfer of freight traffic from road to rail; and if he will report on the extent to which freight has been transferred to rail since April 1992.

The Government believe that freight should be transported by rail whenever that makes commercial sense to customers and rail operators alike. The best way to facilitate this is to end British Rail's monopoly of rail services, as proposed in the White Paper "New Opportunities for the Railways", Cm 2012. Detailed information about rail freight carryings since April 1992 is a matter for British Rail.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will order an immediate inquiry into the reasons for and effect of the fall in the volume of rail freight traffic.

Rail freight has been in decline for many years. The Government's proposals for the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations, and the opening up of the rail network to new entrants, are aimed at improving rail's prospects for the future.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom Government's position in respect of the preparatory committee for renegotiation of the international tropical timber agreement to be convened in Quito, Ecuador, in January 1993.

The United Kingdom had hoped that a second preparatory committee in Quito, Ecuador would be unnecessary; however, the tropical timber-producing countries require more time to develop their positions before discussing them with the consuming countries. The Quito meeting will provide a valuable opportunity for the producing and consuming countries to identify the issues they wish to renegotiate. The United Kingdom intends to participate in the second preparatory meeting and will work with its European neighbour for a speedy renegotiation of the 1983 agreement.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government took during 1990 and prior to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, to halt the export to Iraq of furnaces constructed by Consarc Engineering of Bellshill, near Glasgow.

[holding answer 2 December 1992]:: It is not normal practice to discuss the affairs of individual companies.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what requests Her Majesty's Government received from the United States Administration to stop the export to Iraq of two furnaces constructed by Consarc Engineering at Bellshill, near Glasgow, during 1990;(2) what communications Her Majesty's Government received from the United States Administration during 1990 and prior to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, concerning involvement by British companies in equipping a missile factory called Badr General Establishment.

[holding answer 2 December 1992]:: Communications between Governments are confidential.

To ask the Prime Minister what items or headings of expenditure have been transferred from the royal family's expenditure funded from the civil list to the Government since 1972; on what dates; what is the current cost to the Exchequer of each such item or heading; and what was their cost at the time of their transfer.

[holding answer 2 December 1992]: So far as I am aware, no items or headings of direct expenditure have been transferred from the civil list to the Government since 1972. However, following advice taken in 1987, consistent with government fees and charges policy, the royal household took on board the feasibility of charging full costs for certain administrative services. These included, for example, charging for the accommodation and support services provided to staff based in the royal household but who are employed by Government Departments. Similar charges are made on behalf of the civil list to the household's royal collection department and to the Prince of Wales's office. The cost to Government Departments in the years 1987–90, which should be seen in the context of the "1990 Royal Trustees Report"—HC 629—are as follows:

	£
1987	83,372
1988	138,310
1989	132,809
1990	162,810

The separate identification of full costs for administrative services is in line with the Government's policy of identifying costs across the public sector.

To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for drafting the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations; and what consultations are being undertaken on the terms of the regulations.

[holding answer 3 December 1992]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations were made by the Department of Trade and Industry in July 1988. The DTI has recently consulted public on draft amendment regulations proposing to postpone, from March 1993 to 1 March 1994, the date by which furniture included in the letting of accommodation must meet the fire resistance requirements of the 1988 regulations. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to allow businesses providing furnished accommodation more time to prepare for the fire resistance requirements and to complete the upgrading or replacement of their existing stock of furniture. It will remain a requirement that any additional replacement or additional furniture which they supply from 1 March 1993 must meet the fire resistance requirements.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants from his departments have been relocated from London to other parts of the United Kingdom (a) in the last five years and (b) in the last 10 years; and to where they were relocated.

A total of 3,114 posts from the Chancellor's departments have been relocated from London in the last five years under the current delegated approach. The table lists the moves by department and destination.

Department and Location	Number of posts
Inland Revenue
Nottingham	700
Washington	20
Cardiff	300
Wrexham	20
Sunderland	199
Bootle	204
Livingstone	20
Salford	269
Glasgow	34
East Kilbride	220
Middlesbrough	199
Edinburgh	60
Customs and Excise
Manchester	262
Liverpool	360
Southend	198
CSO
Newport, Wales	41
Treasury
Basingstoke	8

During the previous five years, 278 posts from the Chancellor's departments were relocated from London. They were all moved by the Inland Revenue on their own initiative and the locations and number of posts involved were as follows:

Location	Number of posts
Bristol	38
Solihull	67
Leeds	67
Birkenhead	24
Manchester	65
Glasgow	17

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with industry on the current state of the economy.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have frequent contact with representatives of industry, and pay close attention to their views on the economy. I have taken careful note of their concerns and proposals, and the broad welcome given to the autumn statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been granted in tax relief to United Kingdom banks against possible default on third world debts in each of the last 10 years.

Provisions for doubtful sovereign debt by banks operating in the United Kingdom are estimated to have reduced corporation tax receipts in the last six years by the following amounts:

To ask the Chancellor of the exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying the policy of seeking to reduce United Kingdom public expenditure as a proportion of national income.

It is important, as the economy recovers, to reduce public expenditure as a share of national income so as to ensure that the benefits of recovery are not pre-empted by the state. A constantly increasing proportion would impose an intolerable burden on the wealth-creating sector and choke off growth. We need to reduce over time the ratio of public spending to gross domestic product so as to achieve our aim of returning the budget to balance as the economy recovers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what weight is given to service-specific costs such as health care and medical inflation, education inflation and social service provision inflation in calculating public spending by Departments: and if he will make a statement.

The Government do not plan public expenditure in volume terms. However, service-specific costs are one of the many factors taken into account when determining the allocation of the public expenditure total between programmes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of share ownership by occupational status for the most recent date available.

The 1992 Treasury-ProShare share ownership survey showed that 22 per cent. of the adult population in Great Britain owned shares. Of these shareholders, 45 per cent. were in full-time employment; 10 per cent. were in part-time employment; 2 per cent. were students; 5 per cent. were retired; and 37 per cent. were inactive or unemployed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he and his Ministers and officials have had during the past 12 months with (a) Greenpeace and (b) other anti-nuclear groups to discuss the future of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

Following a request from Greenpeace for a meeting to discuss the economics of nuclear fuel reprocessing, Treasury officials met representatives from Greenpeace in September 1992. There have been no meetings with other anti-nuclear groups in the last 12 months.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in 1993–94 of removing tax relief at the higher rate from (a) personal pensions, (b) all forms of occupational pensions and (c) all pensions to which higher rate tax exemption applies.

[holding answer 4 December 1992]: The latest estimates of the direct revenue yields for 1993–94, assuming statutory indexation of 3·25 per cent. on 1992–93 levels of allowances and thresholds, are as follows:

	£ million
Withdrawal of higher rate relief:—
on contributions to personal pensions1	180
on contributions to occupational pensions	300
on all pensions	480
1 Including relief for retirement annuity premia and free standing additionnal voluntary contributions.

No account has been taken of possible behavioural changes resulting from restricting availability of relief at the higher rate in these ways.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the appointment of a team of independent forecasters to assist the Treasury; and if he will name the individuals he has approached to date.

[holding answer 1 December 1992]:: Pursuant to my reply of 3 December 1992, Official Report, column 306, I have now invited the following to become members of the panel:

• Andrew Britton, Esq., National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
• Professor Tim Congdon, Lombard Street Research
• Professor David Currie, London Business School
• Gavyn Davies, Esq., Goldman Sachs International Ltd
• Professor Wynne Godley, Cambridge University
• Professor Patrick Minford, Liverpool University
• Andrew Sentance, Esq., Confederation of British Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to introduce new legislation on common land in England and Wales.

Our policy on common land in England and Wales was set out in the statement made by the then Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 26 July 1990, at columns 391–92, but I cannot say when Commons legislation will be promoted to implement that policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much investment he is making in programmes for energy efficiency, energy conservation and combined heat and power programmes in the current year.

The Energy Efficiency Office encourages energy efficiency through a range of initiatives, for which the budget for 1992–93 is £63 million. The promotion of combined heat and power is an integral part of the best practice programme which is one of these initiatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants from his Department have been relocated from London to other parts of the United Kingdom (a) in the last five years and (b) in the last 10 years; and to where they were relocated.

Over the past five years my Department has relocated 174 posts from London to Bedford, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester. Although records are not available for earlier years, it would appear that no posts were relocated during the five years prior to 1988.Overall some 45 per cent. of my Department's staff now work outside London. The need to retain posts in London is kept under review and we shall continue to look for opportunities to move posts to other parts of the country in accordance with Government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet the Churches National Housing Coalition to discuss its petition on the growth and persistence of homelessness.

I addressed a meeting organised by the Churches National Housing Coalition as part of its lobby of Parliament on 1 December 1992, and I listened with interest to the concerns expressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the income to be raised from the council tax in respect of (a) hospices and (b) other residential care homes, nationally and broken down by county authority area; and what representations he has received upon the council tax liability of (i) hospices and (ii) other residential care homes.

There are about 16,000 residential care homes in England, and some 3,500 nursing homes, including hospices. My Department does not hold information on the bands to which each home will be allocated. Nor do we know the levels of discounts, reductions for disabilities and transitional relief to which each will be entitled. Furthermore, as local authorities will not be setting their council taxes until the spring, it is impossible to estimate the amount of tax which will be payable.My Department has received a number of representations about the council tax from individual care and nursing homes, and from associations representing such homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will postpone the implementation of the local government superannuation scheme until after the results of the Goode inquiry have been made public; and if he will make a statement.

The recommendations of the Pension Law Review Committee will be considered carefully when they are published. If changes to the regulations governing the local government superannuation scheme become necessary, statutory consultations with the interested parties will take place. Meantime, amendments to the scheme will continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council reallocation grants were paid to people in (a) London and (b) England, wishing to move to Wales, in each year since 1989; and what was the cost to his Department in each of these years.

Section 129 of the Housing Act 1988 empowers local authorities to give grants to their tenants to help them obtain other accommodation by buying or leasing a home or by extending an existing property.Reports on the operation of cash incentive schemes in 1989–90 and 1990–91, based on returns from local authorities, have already been placed in the Library and include the information requested.In 1991–92, a total of 22 grants were paid to tenants in London who wished to move to Wales and 12 to tenants in the rest of England who also wished to move to Wales. Information on the actual cost of the 34 grants in question is not readily available, but the average grant paid nationally in 1991–92 was £16,496.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what work has been undertaken by his Department to assess the economic implications of a delay in commissioning the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

None. Consultation has already begun on the necessary draft authorisation for the Sellafield site to cover THORP operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what meetings he and his Ministers and officials have had during the last 12 months with (a) Greenpeace and (b) other anti-nuclear groups to discuss the commissioning of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State met members of Greenpeace on 21 September and discussed a number of issues including the commissioning of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much derelict land grant expenditure there has been in the metropolitan borough of Wirral council district in each year since 1984 ( a) at current prices and (b) at 1984 prices.

[holding answer 4 December 1992]: The information requested is as follows:

Metropolitan Borough of Wirral: Derelict Land Grant Expenditure
	Expenditure	1992 Prices	1984 Prices
	£	£	£
1984–85	191,533	290,307	191,533
1985–86	213,122	319,329	202,091
1986–87	303,962	441,240	279,244