To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he requested legal advice on amendment No. 27 to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill from the Government's Law Officers.

The Law Officers were formally consulted on 9 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the advice his Department has received on amendment No. 27 to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 15 February, at column 27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the fulfilment of the guarantee given by Alfredo Cristiani of El Salvador to the United Nations Secretary-General in November 1992 concerning the transfer or retirement of officers from his army who had been named as human rights violators.

In a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council on 7 January, the UN Secretary-General accepted as satisfactory the measures adopted and implemented by the Government of El Salvador with respect to 87 of the 102 army officers covered by the recommendations of the ad hoc commission set up under the El Salvador peace accords. However, the Secretary General said that the measures adopted in respect of the other 15 officers did not comply with those recommendations. The Security Council on 9 February expressed concern at this situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received about the situation in Bosnia since 8 February; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State has received no visitors specifically to discuss Bosnia since 8 February. It is a frequent topic in his discussions with overseas visitors and others. He has received numerous letters from members of the public and hon. Members on behalf of their constituents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct Her Majesty's ambassador in Tunis to convey to the Palestine Liberation Organisation the concern of Her Majesty's Government at the continuing contacts between Yasser Arafat and Saddam Hussein.

The PLO is well aware of our views on Saddam Hussein.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) Official Report, column 358, what is his Department's (a) current outturn estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (b) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

The current estimated expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for publicity in 1992–93 and the budgeted expenditure for publicity in 1993–94 are:

	FCO Diplomatic wing £	FCO ODA wing £
1992–93	951,500	680,000
1993–94	566,001	680,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what equipment those attending communications courses in Northamptonshire in the last six months have been trained; when the models of equipment concerned are to be withdrawn; and what is the per capita cost for those attending such courses, including travelling, subsistence and accommodation.

No FCO personnel have attended communications courses in Northamptonshire in the last six months. FCO staff have been trained at Hanslope Park in Buckinghamshire on numerous types of equipment over the last six months. Certain radio and teleprinter equipment is now being withdrawn as more cost-effective PC-based communication systems are installed worldwide. The average cost, including all overheads, per student per day is about £90.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what class of air ticket staff travel when travelling to and from posts abroad; and what assessment he has made of the relative costs to his Department of their travelling on (a) economy or excursion fares and (b) business class fares.

The types of ticket to which diplomatic service officers and their families are entitled accord with guidance set by HM Treasury. Almost all officers on duty, transfer and mid-tour leave travel economy class on journeys of up to two and a half hours, and business class for longer journeys. Very senior officers may travel in a higher class in certain circumstances, by virtue of their grade or for operational reasons: such cases amount to about 1.5 per cent. of total journeys. All other leave journeys and children's holiday visit passages, including journeys over two and a half hours, are by the cheapest means: economy or Apex fares.We have not made an assessement of the relative cost of downgrading the class of travel, for example from business to economy class. Air fare pricing is constantly changing: our travel services contractor logs 1.6 million changes a day. We judge that the entitlements set by HM Treasury represent a reasonable balance of economy, operational needs, and comfort for the traveller.The FCO constantly strives for greater value for money. We have agreements with a number of airlines which provide for substantial discounts, negotiated in partnership with our travel services contractors, with whom we also have a special arrangement to reduce cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 February, Official Report, column 840, concerning Mr. Mahal Khalil—Ref: IMM/B4131—if he will make it his policy that any appeal made by Mr. Khalil against refusal to grant entry clearance will be accepted; if he will arrange for an appeal to be given priority in view of the delay caused by administrative error; and if he will make a statement.

Should Mr. Khalil submit an appeal against the decision to refuse entry clearance, the entry clearance officer—ECO—at the high commission in Islamabad will accept the appeal. The ECO will give priority to the preparation of his explanatory statement. Mr. Khalil may wish to ask in his appeal that it be given priority, and the independent appellate authority would no doubt give full consideration to such a request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the consultation procedures with local authorities on the implications for them of intended legislation.

Under recent legislation, where consultation is necessary, the Secretary of State is required to consult

"such representatives of local government as appear to him to be appropriate".

For these purposes we consult the local authority associations. Consultation documents cover the resource implications of proposals for local authorities. Even where there is no statutory requirement, it is the Government's policy and practice to consult the associations so that local government's views can be taken into account as early in the formulation of policy and legislation as possible. In addition, there are regular informal meetings between Ministers and the chairmen of the associations at which the direction of policy and the possibility of future legislation are discussed.These consultation arrangements are kept under review and are regularly discussed with the associations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations are currently being funded under the urban programme in Lambeth.

The organisations currently being funded under Lambeth's urban programme are listed as follows

1. London Borough of Lambeth

2. Camberwell District Health Authority

3. West Lambeth District Health Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the number of private sector housing starts in each year from 1988; and if he will make a statement.

Estimates of housebuilding starts in England by sector each year from 1988 to 1991 are shown in table 6.1(a) of "Housing and Constuction Statistics 1981–1991". A copy of this publication is in the Library.Figures for 1992 have been released in an information bulletin. On provisional estimates, there were 99,500 private enterprise and 27,400 housing association starts in England during 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact of establishing super-quarries in Scotland on the requirement for production of aggregates in England and Wales.

In considering the potential contribution which coastal super-quarries in north-west Europe might make to aggregates supplies, the consultants employed by my Department made a broad assessment of the planning and environmental issues involved. The Government have made it clear that individual applications will need very careful assessment and full regard will be had to their possible environmental impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the pilot rent deposit scheme in west London funded by his Department; and if he will publish a report on the scheme.

The pilot project for a rent deposit fund operated by the Notting Hill Housing Trust—NHHT—and funded by my Department as part of the rough sleepers initiative in central London is due to end on 30 June 1993. My officials are at present discussing with NHHT how best to evaluate the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will publish the affordability assumption used to determine grant rates to housing associations.

Outturn rents are determined by housing associations. The Government do not publish the factors and assumptions implicit in the grant rate model or any general definition of affordability, since they do not wish to imply a view as to what constitutes an affordable rent in any particular case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all developments at waste incineration sites are subject to full environmental impact assessments;(2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that environmental impact assessments must be undertaken prior to developing new stacks on existing waste incineration sites;(3) if he will make it his policy to secure that environmental impact assessments are undertaken prior to any modification of existing waste incineration plants.

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: The Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, which implement directive 85/337/EEC in respect of projects requiring applications for planning permission, set out the circumstances in which an environmental assessment—EA —is required. For projects of the types described in scheduled 1 to the regulations, which include new waste disposal installations for the incineration of hazardous waste, an EA is mandatory. For projects of the types described in schedule 2 to the regulations, which include new installations for the incineration of non-hazardous waste and modifications of existing hazardous and non-hazardous waste incineration installations, an EA is required if the particular development proposed would be likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities with responsibility to issue hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers' licences which have not adopted the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.

I have been asked to reply.The following local authorities had not adopted the 1976 Act by 18 February 1993:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what, for the latest available year, was the cost to his Department of expenditure in support of the royal family in respect of (a) expenditure on palaces in occupation of Her Majesty and residences occupied by members of the royal family and (b) the gentlemen-at-arms and yeoman of the guard.

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: I have been asked to reply.Expenditure in 1991–92 was £26,880,700 on the royal palaces and residences and £47,000 on the gentlemen-at-arms and yeoman of the guard.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance he proposes to make available to London boroughs and the Common Council during 1993–94 in respect of the extra costs due to his decisions on housing revenue account subsidy in respect of debt from the former Greater London council; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his answer, 17 February 1993, c. 283–84]: To assist authorities further, my right hon. and learned Friend intends to change the statutory rules on minimum revenue provision so as to reduce the required minimum repayment of principal deemed debt in 1993–94 from an amount of 4 per cent. of the deemed debt to an amount of 0.5 per cent. of the deemed debt.I am arranging for London boroughs and the Common Council to be notified today of my right hon. and learned Friend's intentions, so that authorities can take account of them when setting their budgets for 1993–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he is carrying out into the operation of safe buses for women; what assessment he has made of their contribution; in which areas they are operating; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is concerned with the safety of women as public transport users, as pedestrians and as motorists. No specific research has been undertaken into safe buses for women; our priority is, rather, to promote the safety of all passengers on public transport, including women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken to ensure that ships entering British coastal waters are seaworthy.

All ships entering British coastal waters must carry valid safety certificates issued on behalf of the flag stage stating that the ship meets international requirements.United Kingdom ships are subject to surveys and random inspections by surveyors from the Department of Transport who also inspect foreign ships arriving at British ports under port state control procedures.Over 30 per cent., of foreign ships arriving at British ports are inspected under these procedures and it is

British Rail investment expenditure 1979 to 1991–92
£ million cash
	New routes	New electrification	Rolling stock	Other capital investment		Infrastructure	Total
				Rail	Non-rail	revenue investment
1979	1	5	93	48	14	106	266
1980	0	5	122	54	14	115	309
1981	0	4	106	47	13	107	277
1982	0	2	98	41	6	111	258
1983	0	4	70	54	5	146	279
1984–85	0	13	79	95	13	201	402
1985–86	3	36	80	131	12	150	412
1986–87	8	43	79	147	19	102	398
1987–88	9	43	100	148	9	172	481
1988–89	9	20	206	152	25	148	560
1989–90	42	38	208	223	27	174	712
1990–91	63	29	262	267	30	182	833
1991–92	97	25	325	320	34	205	1,005

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has to invite tenders to extend licence issuing outlets; and how many such additional outlets are to be authorised.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency invited competitive tenders for the issue of vehicle excise licences by advertisement in the national press on 30 October last. The tender process is now under way but it will be some time yet before the final outcome is known. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that under his proposals for the railways all those categories of persons currently enjoying privileged and concessionary travel facilities, in addition to British Rail staff will continue to enjoy those benefits; and if he will make a statement.

British Rail introduced railcards as a commercial decision, not as a result of any legal obligation. There is every reason to believe that the private sector will introduce new initiatives in order to attract more passengers.However, the provision of the disabled persons railcard is a voluntary initiative on British Rail's part; it is not profitable. The Government wish to guarantee that common discount facilities for disabled people will continue in the future, and a requirement to this effect will be incorporated into every franchise agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the capital expenditure of British Rail annually from 1979 on (a) asset replacement, (b) new capital schemes and (c) other capital expenditure.

This information is not available in the form requested. However, a breakdown of investment between 1979 and 1991–92 is provided in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons have been employed in public transport in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland in each year since 1981 by (i) bus services, (ii) train services, (iii) maritime ferry services and (iv) other public transport services.

[holding answer 17 February 1993]: Information is not available in the form requested. Figures that are available appear in the annual publications "Scottish Transport Statistics" and "Bus and Coach Statistics).The tables gives the number of staff employed by bus and coach operators based in Scotland, by Scotrail, and by Strathclyde passenger transport executive—underground.

Staff employed in public transport
Bus and coach1 2		Scotrail3		Strathclyde passenger transport executive—under-ground
1981	22,200	1981	17,887	1981–82	308
1982	21,300	1982	16,999	1982–83	316
1983	21,700	1983	16,493	1983–84	311
1984	21,300	1984–85	15,798	1984–85	308
1985–86	20,300	1985–86	15,272	1985–86	317
1986–87	20,400	1986–87	14,610	1986–87	316
1987–88	20,100	1987–88	13,650	1987–88	321
1988–89	19,600	1988–89	12,908	1988–89	322
1989–90	19,800	1989–90	11,108	1989–90	327
1990–91	19,200	1990–91	10,926	1990–91	315
1991–92	19,200	1991–92	9,500	1991–92	310
1Figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 are annual averages; for all other years they relate to the year end.
2Figures are approximate, as only a sample of the smaller bus and coach operators is surveyed.
3 From 1984–85 onwards, figures relate to 31 March.

Figures are not available for maritime ferry services and air transport.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he will publish the cost of (a) implementing computer-assisted transcription in the crown courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal since March 1988, including training costs and (b) introducing tape recording as a means of taking official records in the crown courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the same period.

The cost of implementing (a) computer aided transcription—CAT—and (b) of introducing tape recordings in the Supreme Court, under the court reporting contracts in place since June 1988, was met by contractors under the terms of their contracts and the information is not available to my Department.Between 1 April 1988 and 31 December 1992 my Department paid £753,450·79 in training grants to contractors. This sum related almost entirely to the training of CAT operators to assist the contractors in meeting the terms of their contracts, but it is not possible to isolate the exact amount.The cost of the new tape recording equipment presently being installed in the crown court and comined court centres, together with the cost of tapes over the first year, is £833,000. This sum also includes the cost of some additional county court equipment.

To ask the Parliamentary Sceretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is his Department's policy in respect of supporting computer-assisted transcriptions as a method of keeping offical shorthand records of proceedings in court;(2) what policy changes have taken place within his Department in relation to the use of verbatim reporters using computer-assisted transcription for recording proceedings in law courts from 1 March 1992 until 14January;(3) what was the basis for his decision to reduce the number of law courts designated as computer-assisted transcription courts between 1988 and 1992; and if he will make a statement.

My Department's policy is that CAT should be retained as a court reporting method, but that it should be directed to those courtrooms where its potential attributes, in terms of the speed of delivery of accurate transcript and information technology might be best utilised.There have been no changes in policy between 1 March 1992 and 14 January 1993. The present court reporting contracts expire on 31 March 1993. In establishing the requirement for CAT in the new contracts, the Department has taken into account the experience gained over the past four years. CAT will be required at courts hearing the most lengthy and complex cases and from which the greatest demand for transcripts arise. In addition, contractors are not barred from using CAT in other courtrooms if they wish.The new contracts provide for CAT in 179 courtrooms at 35 court centres. The Royal Courts of Justice and the Central Criminal Court will continue to have CAT in every courtroom which currently has CAT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the Acts of Parliament affecting public scrutiny of the civil service and prohibiting disclosure of information which he is reviewing.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher) on 2 November 1992, Official Report, column 55.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to increase the release of information to Parliament hitherto regarded as confidential for reasons of national security.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in the House on 6 May 1992, this Government are committed to greater openness and to removing unnecessary secrecy. In pursuit of this policy objective, the Government continue to review records which have a bearing on national security with the purpose of identifying material which can safely be released. There will, however, remain matters relating to security and intelligence on which it is difficult to comment without revealing, by what is said or not said, information that can have a bearing on the effectiveness of the security and intelligence services and the safety of their staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women were on rule 43 in prisons in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland on 12 February.

The table shows the number of males and females—both adults and young persons—removed from association under rule 43 of the prison rules and rule 46 of the young offender institution rules on 12 February, in prison service establishments in England and Wales.

	Rule 43/46 Own protection	Rule 43/46 Good order and discipline	Total
Males	1,570	241	1,811
Females	22	7	29
Total	1,592	248	1,840

The table does not include inmates in designated vulnerable prisoner units where ruled 43 and 46 restrictions do not apply.Responsibility for prisons elsewhere in the United Kingdom rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and percentage of persons found guilty of further offences whilst on bail in each police force in England and Wales in 1981 and 1991.

Although information is not collected centrally on the number of persons found guilty of further offences while on bail, research findings based on samples of a limited size offer an indication of the percentage of persons convicted of an offence while on court bail. For 1981, the Home Office survey "Estimates of offending by those on bail"—statistical bulletin 22/81—offers a national figure of 9 per cent. Between 1986 and 1988, surveys in four police force areas indicated that the percentage of persons given bail by the courts who were convicted of an offence committed while they were on bail ranged between 8 and 12 per cent. A survey by Northumbria police in 1989 gave a higher figure of 17 per cent., but this included offences "taken into consideration" by the courts or dealt with by formal caution—Morgan P., 1992, "Offending while on bail: a survey of recent studies." Home Office, RPU 65.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and percentage of persons found guilty of further offences subsequent to (a) a term of imprisonment and (b) a non-custodial sentence in each police force area in England and Wales in 1981 and 1991.

This information is not available. Regular reconviction studies are made, but these are based on relatively small samples and estimates of reconviction rates by police force area are not made. The most recent estimates of national reconviction rates were published in "Prison Statistics 1990".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish, in any form that does not jeopardise national security, the approximate total number of files accessible by the name of the individual and held by the security service.

It is not possible to disclose such details without jeopardising the service's operational capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the circumstances leading to the escape of a prisoner from Wolds prison on 9 February while he was being escorted for treatment at Hull royal infirmary.

The prisoner was taken to Hull royal infirmary on the evening of 9 February. He apparently had difficulty in walking and a wheelchair was used to taken him into the hospital. His handcuffs were removed for the examination and treatment. This is usual practice, particularly where, as here, X-rays are taken. On completion, the Wolds staff went to reapply the handcuffs prior to escorting him back to their vehicle. But before they could do so the prisoner ran through the doors, out of the hospital and along the road. The staff gave chase but lost him. Police were contacted immediately and he was rearrested the following night. An internal inquiry was mounted to review procedures. The Home Office controller was kept informed of events from the start.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many escapes there have been from prison escort in each of the last 12 months; and how many of these escapes were from (a) cellular vehicles and (b) hired taxis.

There have been 124 escapes from escort incidents involving 146 prisoners.

Monthly breakdown	Incidents	Prisoners
February 1992	8	8
March	13	15
April	9	9
May	5	6
June	10	12
July	10	12

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government expect to abolish prison department custodial remands for 15 and 16-year-olds.

We aim to end the remand of 15 and 16-year-old boys to prison custody as soon as enough places in local authority secure accommodation are available. The necessary plans are being forwarded through the Department of Health with the aim of completing them by the end of 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles held in custody on remand or after conviction have in each of the last five years (a) committed suicide or (b) been recorded as having attempted self-mutilation.

The available information is set out in the table. Both sentenced and unsentenced juveniles are included. Figures for the incidence of deliberate self-harm prior to 1991 are not available.

Acts of deliberate self-harm by prisoners aged under 17 in HM prison service establishments 1988–921
	Acts of deliberate self-harm
Year	Not causing death	Causing death
1988	N/A	—
1989	N/A	—
1990	N/A	2
1991	59	1
1992	100	1
1 17-year-old prisoners were not regarded as juveniles until the Criminal Justice Act 1991 came into effect on 1 October 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policies he has for reducing the disruption to education, training and work to those juveniles who are in custody.

I do not accept that there will be disruption to the education, training and work of juveniles in custody.I am confident that, where changes take place as a result of the competitive tendering exercise, prison governors and the contractors will arrange a smooth transition from the current to the new education provider so as to ensure an effective continuation in the delivery of education services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders received custodial sentences in 1979, in 1981 and in 1992.

Information on persons aged 14 and under 17 sentenced to immediate custody is published annually in the Command Paper "Criminal statistics, England and Wales". Table 7.15 of the 1989 publication gives the requested data back to 1979. Copies of this publication are available in the Library. 1992 data will not be available until the autumn of 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles (a) under 15 years of age and (b) between 15 and 17 years of age committed offences (i) after a police caution, (ii) while on bail, (iii) while on remand in local authority accommodation and (iv) while undergoing non-custodial community penalties, in each of the last three years.

This information is not available. The number of people who commit offences cannot be measured. Research studies of those convicted for offences are made and published from time to time by the Home Office. The most relevant estimates—Home Office statistical bulletin 20/92—are that 11 per cent. of those aged under 14 and 16 per cent. of those aged 14 to 16 who had been cautioned in 1985 were convicted of standard list offences within two years of their caution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision is going to be taken over the application of Mrs. Rushina Begum—ref. R258995/5 (S) and PO 25725/92—to join her husband in the United Kingdom following the submission of further evidence; and if he will make a statement.

A telex authorising the issue of an entry clearance to Mrs. Rushina Begum to join her husband in the United Kingdom was sent on 16 February to the high commission in Dhaka.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police retired on sickness grounds while disciplinary action involving them was under consideration in the most recent year for which the information is available.

In 1991, 19 police officers retired after disciplinary charges had been brought against them, but before those charges had been heard. It is not known how many of those retirements were on medical grounds; nor is it known how many officers retired while disciplinary action was under consideration but before charges had been brought.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to repeal section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

There are no plans to amend the Official Secrets Act 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for a reduction in the number of hon. Members from 651 to 450.

The Government have no plans to make a reduction in the number of hon. Members of this House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the number of reported offences of rape and indecent assault on women in England and Wales for the year 1979 and for the most recent year for which he has information; and what are the figures for Nottinghamshire.

The available information relates to recorded offences and is given in the table.These figures may reflect increased reporting by victims and/or changes in police recording practices.

Notifiable offences of rape and indecent assault on a female recorded by the police
England and Wales	Number of offences
	1979	1991
Nottinghamshire
Rape	28	111
Indecent assault on female	553	642
England and Wales
Rape	1,170	4,045
Indecent assault on female	11,834	15,792

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 January from the hon. Member for South Hams regarding the application by Miss Carolyn Nunez for her British citizenship to be reinstated.

I have written to my hon. Friend today about the outcome of this application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1), pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 630, what are the current and proposed numbers of uniformed constables in the Plumstead division of the Metropolitan police;(2), pursuant to his answer of 10 February,

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: The information is as follows:

	1991	1992	1993
Chief superintendent	1	1	1
Superintendent	1	1	1
Chief inspector	2	2	2
Inspector	10	9	9
Sergeant	40	37	37
Constable	209	204	194

Although the total number of uniformed constables is due to reduce during the current year, an equivalent increase in civilian staff will release police officers at present in support posts. As a result, the number of constables available for operational duties will be unchanged.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 286, what representations he has now received about the number of police officers in the Plumstead and Greenwich divisions of the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: The following have now written to my right hon. and learned Friend:

• the chairman and Secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group:
• Mrs. Grace Sole of Charlton;
• Mr. Roy Martin of Eltham, the Chairman of the Courtlands Residents Association;
• the Chairman of the Eltham Police/Community Working Group;
• the Secretary of the Woolwich Central Baptist Church;
• and the Warden of Trinity College.

My right hon. and learned Friend has also received letters from my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) enclosing correspondence from the chairman and secretary of the Greenwich Police/Community Consultative Group; and the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) enclosing correspondence from the chairman of the Greenwich Police—Greenwich Sector Working Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for the repeal of section 23(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, as subsequently amended, or of section 25(1) of the same Act; and what assessment he has made of the proposed consequences of repeal.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has the matter of sex discrimination in the provision of school places under consideration.

To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list those articles, protocols and declarations relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union as adopted at Maastricht from which no rights and obligations arise which need to be given effect in domestic law.

The articles and protocols relating to titles II, III and IV of the treaty of European union amend the Community treaties.Any amendment to the Bill which, by preventing incorporation of a treaty provision into our domestic law, makes it impossible for the United Kingdom to implement its Community obligations would cause us to regard ourselves as unable to ratify the treaty; and would mean that, if we did ratify, we should be in breach of our treaty obligations as soon as the treaty came into effect.As a general principle, it is important to preserve consistency between our domestic law and Community law as it is applicable to the United Kingdom. This is best achieved by following the United Kingdom's consistent legislative practice of incorporating in domestic law not only all amendments to the Community treaties but any protocols annexed to those treaties.The Government therefore continue to oppose deletion of the social protocol from the proposed revised list of Community treaties in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. But since the social protocol expressly states that acts adopted under the agreement of the other 11 member states shall not be applicable to the United Kingdom, its deletion would not render the United Kingdom incapable of fulfilling its obligations under the treaty of union and would not, therefore, prevent ratification.Some amendments may add domestic procedures when implementing the treaty obligations. Some protocols may relate only to a particular member state. In such cases, the Government would have to examine carefully whether, if the Bill were amended, our law would still be consistent with our international obligations. But provided this condition were met, amendments in these categories would not be fatal to ratification.Application of these principles will, I think, make it clear into which category particular amendments fall. If it is not clear how to apply these principles to a particular amendment I am willing to examine the matter carefully and give the House further advice on that amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cases referred to the Crown prosecution service in (a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) July to June 1992 resulted in (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction, in each offence category.

I have been asked to reply.Records are not maintained by the Crown prosecution service of outcomes in relation to offence categories. Percentage calculations of the number of cases prosecuted and the number resulting in a conviction cannot be given on a fully consistent basis for the periods requested. A revised system of data collection was introduced in April 1991 which makes comparison of figures before and after that date inappropriate. The figures in the tables relate to the number of defendants whose cases were handled in the 31 areas of the Crown prosecution service, but do not include specialist casework undertaken at the head-quarters of the service.In table one, in respect of magistrates courts, column 1 shows the number of defendant cases received; column 2 shows the number which proceeded to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in conviction.

To ask the Prime Minister in how many cases improvements made at public expense in the past five years to the private homes of Ministers, for reasons of personal security, have not been used wholly or mainly for those purposes.

I am aware of no such case. Since November 1990, responsibility for the provision of security measures for public figures at threat from terrorist attack has rested with the Home Office. Before November 1990, the provision of security measures was the responsibility of the accounting officer advised by the police and the relevant departmental security officer.

To ask the Prime Minister how many houses or buildings attached to homes belonging to Ministers or their families which have been converted or improved at public expense for reasons of personal security have been the subject of professional fee payments out of public money in the last five years.

Where security measures are provided at public expense to a person at threat from terrorist attack, professional fees will be paid if this offers the best value for money. It is not possible to identify every case where such fees have been paid.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out those matters in regard to exports to Iraq on which Ministers are prepared to give substantive answers while the Scott inquiry is sitting.

Lord Justice Scott has terms of reference which allow him to look into all the issues which he regards as relevant to his inquiry. Ministers will continue to answer substantive questions where to do so would not prejudice the issues being investigated by the inquiry.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to transfer responsibility for law and order concerns within Wales to the Secretary of State for Wales.

The Government always keep departmental distribution of functions under review.

To ask the Prime Minister what activities were undertaken in northern Cyprus and the east Mediterranean directly or indirectly by Polly Peck for the United Kingdom Government between 1985 and 1990.

I am not aware of any such activities having been undertaken. A full trawl of all Government Departments and agencies could not be carried out without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the work obtained and the fees paid to N M Rothschild in the course of the Government's privatisation programme since 1983.

The table shows the Government appointments made to N M Rothschild in privatisations since 1983. The fees paid are a matter of commercial confidentiality. Appointments for adviser to the Government are made following full competition. The Government's consistent practice has been to select the firm offering the best value for money.

N M Rothschild privatisation appointments
Privatisation	Year	Appointment
BT	1984	Underwriter
Britoil	1985	Underwriter
British Gas	1986	Adviser to Government Underwriter
Royal Ordnance	1987	Adviser to Government
British Airways	1987	Underwriter
Rolls-Royce	1987	Underwriter
BAA	1987	Underwriter
British Petroleum	1987	Adviser to Government Underwriter
British Steel	1988	Underwriter
Water	1989	Underwriter
Regional Electricity Companies	1990	Underwriter
BT	1991	Member of French syndicate

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 472, how much of the evidence of the key witness was given in response to questions which referred to the disclosed documents.

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: As I indicated in my answer of 4 February, I suggest matters relevant to the Matrix Churchill trial should await the outcome of Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.

To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to monitor the commitment of the Prime Minister of India to respect human rights in Kashmir.

[holding answer 17 February 1993]: During my visit, I encouraged the Indian Prime Minister to allow international human rights organisations and others to visit Kashmir. We shall continue to monitor the situation through our high commission in Delhi, through our contacts with human rights organisations and through media reports. We shall continue to raise human rights issues with the Indian Government.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions of European legislation govern the introduction of a 5 per cent. VAT rate of goods and services now (a) exempt, (b) zero rated and (c) subject to the standard rate.

Article 1(1) of Council directive 92/77/EEC adopted on 19 October 1992, replacing article 12(3) of the sixth VAT directive 77/388/EEC, provides for reduced rates of VAT, of not less than 5 per cent., which may be applied to goods and services in a list annexed to the directive, regardless of their current VAT rating.In addition, article 1(4)(b) of 92/77/EEC, replacing article 28(2) of 77/388/EC provides for the application of a reduced rate, of not less than 5 per cent., to goods and services which at 1 January 1991 were subject to a zero rate in accordance with Community law.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be obtained by applying VAT at a level of (a) 5 per cent. and (b) 17.5 per cent., to each of (a) food, (b) children's clothes and shoes, (c) public transport, (d) energy, (e) newspapers and (f) books.

Table D1 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement" shows the estimated cost of the main VAT zero rates. These estimates suggest the following yields:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the level of sales of local newspapers of the imposition of a standard rate of VAT on newspapers.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated an own price elasticity of –0.657 for all leisure goods, which include newspapers. This elasticity suggests that a 17i per cent. increase in price would reduce demand, in volume terms, by around 10 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many farmers and other eligible producers have registered for the VAT flat-rate scheme for farmers.

The flat rate scheme for farmers started on 1 January. Up to 17 February, 85 certificates had been issued to persons opting to join the scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the administrative savings and the tax expenditure if trade union subscriptions were paid net of tax with block credit of tax directly to trade unions;(2) if he will estimate how many trades union members

It is estimated that 63,000 people are receiving relief through their PAYE code numbers for that part of a subscription to a trade union which is attributable to the provision of superannuation, life insurance or funeral benefits. The information required to estimate the number of union members eligible for the relief and the potential tax cost of moving to a relief by deduction system is not available. The cost of setting up and operating a scheme of relief by deduction cannot be estimated with sufficient certainty to establish whether net administrative savings would result.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose legislation under which the auditors of all banks regulated under the Banking Act 1987 would be appointed by the regulatory body.

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the departure of sterling from the exchange rate mechanism on the value of the green pound; and if he will make a statement.

Since sterling left the exchange rate mechanism, the green pound has devalued by 1786 per cent. against the green ecu.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's tax income currently goes on (a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government receipts shown in table 3.10 of the 1992 "Autumn Statement", Cm. 2096; to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown [n tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Government's current revenue expenditure goes on (a) servicing debt, (b) unemployment benefit and its administration and (c) other transfer payments.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the breakdown of general Government expenditure shown in tables 2.5 and 2.6 of the "Statistical Supplement to the 1992 Autumn Statement", Cm. 2219; and to the figures for unemployment benefit administration in figure 27 of the "Social Security Departmental Report", Cm. 2213.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) of 10 February, Official Report, column 632, if he will give a regional breakdown of the levels of personal sector debt per £100 of disposable income for each year since 1979.

Regional figures for the level of personal sector debt outstanding are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, for the latest available year, was the cost to his Department of expenditure in support of the royal family in respect of the central chancery of the orders of knighthood.

[holding answer 19 February 1993]: Assuming that the right hon. Member wishes to update information contained in the 1990 report of the royal trustees—HC 629, October 1990—the comparable outturn for staff costs for 1991–92 was £201,000. In addition, the Treasury paid £364,000 mostly for the costs of the insignia themselves.

To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will bring forward proposals to arrange for Prayers to be moved from the Floor of the House to the Crypt and for questions to begin at half-past two o'clock.

No.

To ask the Lord President of the Council when he will be in a position to announce an annual parliamentary calendar.

I have already made progress towards giving the House greater notice of recess dates, having announced Easter recess dates on 26 November and the Whit recess dates on 4 February. How far it will prove possible to build further on this is of course linked with the discussions on the Jopling report to which I referred in an earlier reply today.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hours have now been spent on the Committee stage of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

Before today's proceedings, the House has spent 75 hours and 14 minutes on 11 days in Committee on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is his policy on the continued existence of Annie's Bar.

The Committee is at present undertaking an inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. The functions of the various Refreshment Department facilities, including Annie's Bar, are being considered during that inquiry together with the possible provision of new services. The Committee hopes to report later this year.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what financial provision will be made for basic refreshment facilities for visitors.

The Committee is including consideration of the possible provision of refreshment facilities for line of route visitors in its current inquiry into refreshment services for the House of Commons. It is, therefore, too early to establish what financial provision might need to be made.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what plans he has to review the policy regarding smoking in eating areas in the House.

The policy regarding smoking in the various Refreshment Department outlets is kept under consideration in the light of customer demand.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) how many (a) hair dryers and (b) showers are planned to be installed in the Palace of Westminster and outbuildings occupied by House of Commons staff;(2) at whose request, and on whose authority, a hair dryer was installed in the ladies' wash room in 3 Dean's Yard; what was the cost of installing it; and under what budget the cost will fall.

These are matters for the Director of Works.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what arrangements are being made to help hon. Members confined to wheelchairs to work in the Chamber and offices in the House.

This matter is currently under consideration by the Accommodation and Works Committee in the context of a comprehensive survey on access for the disabled commissioned by its predecessor Committee.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans he has to facilitate the giving of blood by all those who work in the Palace of Westminster.

The north London centre of the blood transfusion service operates a two-day clinic in the Treasury once every six months when Members, their staff and staff of the House may give blood. The next planned visit is between 29 and 30 March. Arrangements for it may be made through the nursing sister.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what consideration is being given to proposals to increase the amount of car parking available to hon. Members.

The Administration Committee is currently examining existing and future car parking requirements of this House and their regulation by the Serjeant at Arms. This inquiry will be able to consider the issue raised by the hon. Member.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the reasons for the introduction, and the budgeted and actual cost, of the new payroll and personnel system for House of Commons staff; and what savings he expects to be made in each of the next two years.

The new payroll and personnel system is being introduced to replace two separate systems, one of which was introduced in 1984, and the other in 1988. The new system will provide additional personnel information and improved payroll analyses to facilitate the introduction of financial management systems within the House. It will also provide the facility for payroll and personnel records functions for the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.Outline provision for hardware and software costs was made in the estimates for £130,000, excluding training costs and VAT, for the new system. The actual cost is expected to be slightly less than this figure. No direct staff savings are expected, but the new system will allow for an increase in the workload of some 15 per cent. as a result of the transfer to the House of the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding his decision on the possible reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission of the Airtours plc bid for Owners Abroad plc.

I shall take a decision on whether to refer this proposed acquisition to the MMC in due course, following advice from the Director General of Fair Trading. When taking that decision, I shall take into account all relevant factors.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy regarding the concentration of ownership within the package travel industry; and if he will make a statement.

The main, but not exclusive, consideration when assessing mergers in the travel industry, as in any other industry, is the likely impact of the merger on competition in the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (I) if he will refer the Airtours bid for Owners Abroad to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement;(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of a successful bid by Airtours for Owners Abroad on consumer choice, value for money and employment within the United Kingdom travel industry; and if he will make a statement;(3) what percentage of the market share Airtours would hold in the event of its bid for Owners Abroad being successful.

I shall take a decision on whether to refer this proposed acquisition to the MMC in due course. When taking that decision, I shall take into account all relevant factors.Details of current market share figures for the relevant markets in this case have been provided by a number of sources. Section 133(1) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 requires that information with respect to any particular business and obtained in this way should not be disclosed without the consent of the parties.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy on the export of land mines.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 22 January setting out the Government's views on this matter. I have nothing further to add.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been granted for the export of land mines for each year since 1988.

Separate statistics are not maintained for land mines and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Land mines fall within heading ML4a of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992, which prohibits the export without a licence of a wide range of bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles and similar weapons.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had regarding the United States Government's embargo on the export of land mines.

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1992, Official Report, column 593, on ECGD, what response he has received to the offer of voluntary redundancy; how many staff have chosen (a) early retirement, (b) redundancy, (c) transfer to other divisions of his Department and (d) to other departments in south Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The ECGD has issued a questionnaire to all its staff asking them to indicate their preferred options for location and continuity of employment. The objective is to establish the framework for an orderly run down in staff numbers over the next 12 months. The definitive position is unlikely to emerge for some months, but the early indications are that the desired run down will be achieved by wholly voluntary means.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1992 to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson), Official Report, columns 496–97, (a) what is his Department's (i) current estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (ii) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94, exclusive of energy and (b) what is his Department's energy-related expenditure, as to (1) current estimate for publicity expenditure for 1992–93 and (2) budgeted publicity expenditure for 1993–94.

Estimated expenditure on publicity in 1992–93¹ is:

	£million
Energy-related	1.2
Other	7.0
Central publicity budget.1

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what short-term insurance or reinsurance is offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department to United Kingdom exporters to non-OECD countries to cover political risk; and if he will make a statement.

Since December 1991, the privatised successor of the insurance services group of the ECGD has assumed responsibility for the provision to United Kingdom exporters of short term export credit insurance previously provided by the ECGD.The new company currently sources over 90 per cent. of its reinsurance needs, for both commercial and political risk worldwide, from the private market. The ECGD participates in the company's reinsurance treaties so as to supplement the cover available from the market, thereby ensuring that the company's full needs are met. This transitional support will be available up to December 1994 in order to give time for the new company to arrange to source its full reinsurance requirements from the private market.Quite separately, the ECGD provides the new company with 100 per cent. reinsurance of the risks, largely political, arising on certain high risk markets for which no capacity is being made available by the private market. This facility is not time limited and, subject to satisfactory financial performance, it will continue for as long as the Government consider it essential to meet the reasonable needs of United Kingdom exporters.These arrangements are intended to ensure that United Kingdom exporters do not suffer any reduction in export credit insurance facilities as a result of the privatisation.