Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 29 April 1993

Lord Chancellor's Department

Legal Aid

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what inquiries he undertook to determine the ability of those who will have to pay higher contributions to their legal fees as a result of the changes to legal aid regulations announced in the last autumn statement to afford these contributions; and what plans he has to monitor the new regulations to ensure that applicants are in fact able to pay the new contributions.

Contributions to legal aid are one third of disposable income above the free limit after a generous range of allowances has been made against gross income. When an offer of legal aid with a contribution is made, it is for the individual concerned to assess his priorities and to decide whether or not to accept it. The operation of the new financial eligibility regulations will be closely monitored.

Transport

Railway Rolling Stock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current progress of the design and funding of the new class 323 electric multiple units designated for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority; and when he expects them to enter service.

I understand that 45 class 323 vehicles are on order for services sponsored by Greater Manchester passenger transport authority. These will be funded by British Rail and the cost recovered over time through S20 payments. In addition, the PTE has ordered, through British Rail, a further six vehicles for services to Manchester airport. The PTE is to fund 45 per cent. of the cost of these and British Rail the remainder. The PTE's contribution to the airport link project has been funded through capital allocations.The manufacturers of these vehicles are making good progress in overcoming the technical problems that they have incurred. British Rail hopes to have the first vehicles in revenue-earning service, initially in the west midlands, at the end of September. Further vehicles will then enter service on a regular basis over the course of the following year.

A650, Keighley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a further announcement about the A650 Hard Ings road, Keighley, improvement scheme.

The preferred route was announced for this scheme in March 1992. Design and related works are now being progressed with a view to publishing draft orders under the 1980 Highways Act during 1994.

M6 (Lane Closures)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions on which lane closures have taken place at junction 8 (Ray Hall) of the M6 motorway and associated link roads since the M5-M6 link was completed; what was the reason for the closures and the subsequent work carried out; what were the dates and length of time of the closures; what is the total estimated cost to public funds of the works carried out at this junction; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to list all the lane closures which have taken place on these sections of the midland links motorways since they opened to traffic in 1970. In addition to programmed major refurbishment works, there have been closures required for emergency works and for routine maintenance. Major refurbishment works in the period are as follows:

(i)) 1980 M6 Ray Hall—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for six months.

(ii) 1981 M5 Eastern Arm—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for three months.

(iii) 1982 M5 Western Arm—viaduct resurfacing and deckjoint repairs for three months.

(iv) 1991 M6 Ray Hall—viaduct deck repairs, waterproofing, drainage, carriageway strengthening and resurfacing, street lighting renewal for six months.

(v) 1993 M5 Eastern Arm—viaduct deck repairs, Waterproofing, drainage, carriageway strengthening and resurfacing, street lighting renewal for six months (contract commenced on 19 April)

By using temporary narrow lanes at times of peak traffic demand, the programmed closures have not materially restricted capacity below that otherwise available. At all other times, sufficient capacity has been maintained to accommodate the prevailing traffic flow with minimum delay.The total estimated cost to public funds of all the works carried out at this junction cannot be separated from the costs of maintaining the midland links motorway network as a whole.The midland links motorway network is subject to ongoing major and routine maintenance work and every effort will continue to be made to minimise disruption to traffic.

Education

Voluntary Aided Status

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many recent applications for voluntary aided status have been received; and which were (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Since January 1990 the Secretary of State has decided 15 applications for new voluntary aided schools; of these five were approved and 10 were rejected. Four of these approvals were for new primary schools, including a Roman Catholic, Church of England/ Methodist, interchurch and a Jewish school. The fifth approval was for a Jewish secondary school. The 10 unsuccessful applications included three RC, three C of E, one Church of England/Methodist, two Jewish schools and one Muslim. The last decision is currently being reconsidered.

Higher Education Colleges

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps can be taken by students to appeal to an independent body against decisions of colleges of higher education in England.

Arrangements for consideration of student appeals, including appeals to an independent body, are a matter for each college to determine individually.

Environment

Domestic Appliances

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to promote the reduction of energy consumption of domestic appliances; and if he will make a statement.

My Department encourages consumers to purchase energy-efficient appliances through information and advice campaigns such as "Helping the Earth Begins at Home". In collaboration with the regional electricity companies, the Energy Efficiency Office within my Department operates a voluntary labelling scheme for household refrigerators and freezers to show their relative energy efficiency on a scale from 1—least efficient—to 10—most efficient.The Government strongly support the development by the European Commission of measures to improve the energy efficiency of traded goods including domestic appliances. A framework directive for the mandatory energy labelling of domestic appliances was adopted in September 1992 and delegated to the Commission the responsibility to prepare and adopt detailed application directives for specific appliances. The first such directive, for refrigerators and freezers, is expected to be adopted by the Commission in the next two months.We will support the proposed development and adoption by the Commission of a directive setting minimum energy efficiency standards in Europe for household refrigerators and freezers; and are in favour of the extension of such requirements to other domestic appliances provided that it is clear that market forces or voluntary measures will not produce the desired result and that other member states agree that this is the best way forward.

"Agenda 21"

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the implementation of "Agenda 21" and the biodiversity and climate changes conventions at local and national levels.

We are committed to ratifying the climate change convention by the end of this year and to establishing the basis for ratification of the convention on biological diversity in the same timescale.An extensive consultation exercise is currently taking place on the United Kingdom's national programme for limiting emissions of carbon dioxide. Two thirds of the programme is already in place. The complete programme will be incorporated in the national plan under the climate change convention to be published by the end of the year. Wide consultation across all sectors is also under way on our national action plan on biodiversity which will be published later this year. This will bring together the Government's policies and programmes for wildlife and will cover the conservation and sustainable use of our natural heritage.We intend to present a report on the United Kingdom's national sustainability strategy to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the main institutional mechanism for following up Agenda 21, before the end of 1993. We are conducting a national debate so that everyone with a concern for the environment has the opportunity to express views on how we can balance the need for economic development with protection of the environment. The local authority associations with our support are developing a "Local Agenda 21" initiative for local government. We are also hosting "Partnerships for Change '93", an international NGO conference to be held in Manchester in September. This will enable all parts of the international NGO community to exchange experience on the implementation of Agenda 21.

Fiddler's Ferry Power Station

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of whether the Fiddler's Ferry power station conforms to the Govenment's national plan's control on emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The requirement of the national plan is that National Power and PowerGen, who are the operators of Fiddler's Ferry power station, should each keep within a specified company quota for SO2 and NOx emissions from existing large combustion plant. This has been met in 1991 and 1992. Authorisations issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution aim to ensure that the sum of allocations for SO2 and NOx for a particular company do not exceed its overall quota. However, there is flexibility within the plan for the distribution of a company's allocations to change provided that they do not in total exceed the quota or conflict with any other conditions of the authoritisation, such as those designed to ensure that best available techniques not entailing excessive cost are used to minimise harmful emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the sulphur dioxide emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station for 1991; what are the 1993 estimated figures; and what assessment he has made of the reason for the difference between those two figures.

Reported emissions of SO2 for 1991 were 171,018 tonnes. It is estimated that total emissions will be broadly the same in 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated level of sulphur dioxide emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station for 1993; what were the figures for 1987; and what effect the EC policy of securing a 50 per cent. reduction in emissions has had on reducing the level of emissions from that station.

Estimated 1993 SO2 emissions from Fiddler's Ferry power station are 172,000 tonnes; 1987 figures are not held centrally. Current EC policy on reductions of SO2 emissions is primarily embodied in the large combustion plants directive of 1988. One of its requirements is that by the year 2003 total SO2 emissions from all power stations in the United Kingdom should be reduced by 60 per cent. from 1980 levels. The annual company quota for PowerGen, which operates the Fiddler's Ferry power station, reflects that requirement.

Sulphur Dioxide Emissions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration the Government have given to supporting the European Commission request that the deadline for the 50 per cent. reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions should be the year 2000.

I am not aware of such a request, but the Government are already committed through the national plan to a 52 per cent. reduction, from 1980 levels, in SO2 emissions from existing large combustion plant by the year 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to reduce emissions and conform to the 50 per cent. reductions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen laid down by the European Commission.

The United Kingdom is committed to meeting current EC legislation on reductions of SO2 and NOx.

Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new housing units were constructed by (a) the local authority and (b) housing associations in the Cannock Chase district council area and the Lichfield district council area in each year since 1979.

Estimates of housebuilding completions by sector for each local authority area in England are shown in the publications "Local Housing Statistics" and "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas 1980–1989" for some earlier years.Figures for 1979 are in table 5 of the May 1980 edition, issue No. 53, of "Local Housing Statistics". Figures for 1980 to 1984 are in "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Areas", tables 1.1 to 1.5. Figures for 1985 to 1991 are in tables 1(a) to 1(g) of the October 1992 edition, issue number 103, of "Local Housing Statistics". Figures for the first nine months of 1992 have been published in table 1 of issue No. 104 of "Local Housing Statistics".Copies of these publications are in the Library.

South West Water

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he is making in the examination of South West Water prices announced by the Prime Minister on 11 March, Official Report, column 1105.

Responsibility for water charges rests with the Director General of Water Services. The Department is, however, now examining certain aspects of water authorities' overall programmes to see if there is any room for manoeuvre.

Open Spaces Society

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the grant from his Department for the Open Spaces Society for 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on Wednesday, 24 March, Official Report, column 628.

Disused Mine Shafts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make available resources to make safe disused mine shafts; and if he will make a statement.

Resources to make safe disused mine shafts are available in England through derelict land grant and in Wales through the Welsh Development Agency's land reclamation programme. Normally these are provided where the treatment of the mineshaft forms part of the scheme for the reclamation of derelict land. However, resources are also available for the treatment of isolated mine shafts which threaten public safety or which endanger existing development.

Waste Management

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest position on the waste management licensing timetable.

I am convinced that we must achieve our environmental objectives for waste management in a way which places the least possible burden on industry. In doing so, we have to take account of European Community measures dealing with waste management, as I explained in my announcement on 17 March.Unfortunately further consideration of this important aspect and its impact on the relationship between waste management licensing under part 11 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other controls has produced a number of technical problems that have not yet been finally resolved. It is very important to get the position right and for all regulating authorities and handlers of controlled waste to know what they have to do to comply with obligations deriving from Community measures.Regrettably, therefore, we cannot now meet our target for waste management licensing of 1 June. As soon as I am in a position to give a revised date, I shall do so. I should stress that we fully intend to bring in the Environmental Protection Act waste management licensing system and the EC revised waste framework directive. Moreover, this delay in no way affects the present requirement under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for facilities handling waste to have licences.

Local Authorities (Complaints)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities are not prevented by terms in insurance policies from providing explanations or issuing apologies in response to complaints from members of the public.

the terms included in these policies are a matter for negotiation between local authorities and their insures.

Council Tax, Newbury

To ask the secretary of State for the Environment what are the current council tax levels in Newbury for each band; and what these levels would be if there was no budgeted recourse to the council's resources.

Assuming that the council had made no use of its resources and had chosen to set the budget requirement at the level of budgeted net revenue expenditure, the council taxes for each band would have been as follows in each case:

	£
Current council tax levels
Band A	352·30
Band B	410·90

	£
BandC	469·60
Band D	528·30
Band E	645·70
Band F	763·10
Band G	880·50
Band H	1,056·60
Tax levels assuming no use of council's own resources
Band A	423·08
Band B	493·59
Band C	564·11
Band D	634·62
Band E	775·65
Band F	916·67
Band G	1,057·70
Band H	1,269·24

Northern Ireland

Employment, Belfast

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new firms have been established in the enterprise zone area of Belfast since the zone was first operational.

The number of firms in the Belfast enterprise zone increased From 165 at designation on 21 October 1981 to 478 at expiry in October 1991, a net increase of 313 firms.

Schools (Expenditure)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the expenditure per pupil in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The information is as follows:

Year	Primary £	Secondary £
1989–90	1,026·60	1,845·72
1990–91	1,130·84	1,976·45
1991–92	1,226·91	2,091·93

Students

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the flow of third-level education students out of and into Northern Ireland each year since 1981.

The information is available from 1985–86 to 1991–92 and is as follows:

Year	Northern Ireland domiciled students entering third level institutions outside Northern Ireland	Non-Northern Ireland domiciled students entering third level institutions in Northern Ireland
1985–86	2,190	625
1986–87	2,486	699
1987–88	2,690	866
1988–89	2,879	968
1989–90	3,286	990
1990–91	3,582	1,161
1991–92	4,004	1,209

Note:

Figures relate to full-time undergraduate new entrants only.

Unemployment

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Reducing unemployment in Northern Ireland depends on the achievement of higher levels of economic growth and on Northern Ireland industry becoming internationally competitive. The Government's strategy to achieve this includes identifying and removing obstacles to growth; encouraging inward investment; promoting cross-border trade; building up management and work force skills; developing an enterprise culture; and supporting innovation and research and development.Those who have been unemployed for long periods may need additional helpo to enable them to compete for the jobs that are available. The Training and Employment Agency provides practical help through the job training programme, Enterprise Ulster, the Action for Community Employment scheme and the job clubs service. In addition guidance and counselling is available from each of the Training and Employment Agency's area offices and from the Social Security Agency through the Restart programme.

Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his oral answer of 21 January, Official Report, columns 488–89, when he now expects to announce the non-fossil fuel obligation quota for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Subject to approval by the European Commission, I expect to announce details of a non-fossil fuel obligation for Northern Ireland in the early summer.

Training And Employment Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been set for the Training and Employment Agency for Northern Ireland for the period 1993 to 1996.

The following targets have been set:

1. To increase the number of companies developing their management and workforce skills from 225 at April 1993 to 300 by March 1994 and 400 by March 1996.

2. To assess companies on the Company Development Programme against the national standard "Investor in People" with the aim of having 70 achieving recognition by March 1996.

3. To offer every company referred to the Agency by the Industrial Development Board relevant information, advice and customised training.

4. To increase the proportion of Youth Training Programme leavers who achieve a full qualification at National Vocational Qualifications level 2 or above from 13% at April 1993 to 45% by March 1996. This is in line with the National Education and Training Targets.

5. To increase the proportion of Job Training Programme leavers who achieve a full qualification at National Vocational Qualifications level 2 or above from 12% al April 1993 to 30% by March 1996.

6. In 1993/94 the Agency will seek to place 30,000 people into jobs.

7. To maintain the high levels of customer satisfaction and where possible increase them.

8. To reduce administration costs by more than 2% in 1993/94.

9. To meet, for the Agency, the national "Investors in People" standard by September 1995.

Electoral Areas

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish a table to show for (a) each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland, (b) each council area in Northern Ireland, (c) each district electoral area in each council area and (d) each ward, the number of electors currently qualified to vote at the local elections;

(2) if he will publish a table to show the area of each (a) parliamentary constituency, (b) council area, (c) district electoral area and (d) ward, in Northern Ireland.

[holding answer, 21 April 1993]: The information is set out in the tables. The electorates represent the number of local government electors included on the electoral register for 1993–94 on 19 March 1993, the enumeration date for the purpose of the current review of parliamentary constituency boundaries. The areas are approximate and include areas of inland water.

Table 1: Parliamentary constituencies
Constituency	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Belfast East	53,217	2,896
Belfast North	55,161	3,414
Belfast South	52,317	2,460
Belfast West	55,415	2,935
East Antrim	64,651	43,077
East Londonderry	78,265	148,468
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	72,285	266,000
Foyle	77,167	60,385
Lagan Valley	74,853	45,498
Mid Ulster	70,486	255,641
Newry and Armagh	69,546	108,259
North Antrim	71,209	154,262
North Down	70,371	10,456
South Antrim	69,939	71,630
South Down	78,588	149,241
Strangford	70,827	43,206
Upper Bann	69,088	47,933
Total	1,153,385	1,415,761

Table 2 Districts, district electoral areas and wards
District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF ANTRIM	30,961	57,794
Antrim North West
Cranfield	1,598	5,518
Drumanaway	1,507	2,359
Randalstown	1,549	2,307
Shilvodan	1,505	5,230
Toome	1,568	6,499
	7,727	21,913
Antrim South East
Aldergrove	1,649	15,669
Ballycraigy	1,598	57
Clady	1,621	8,028
Crumlin	1,903	1,471
Farranshane	1,565	420
Parkgate	1,500	6,514
Templepatrick	1,749	2,028
	11,585	34,187
Antrim Town
Balloo	1,501	514
Fountain Hill	1,752	87
Greystone	1,535	55
Massereene	1,730	523
Springfarm	1,882	417
Steeple	1,554	43
Stiles	1,695	55
	11,649	1,694

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF ARDS	49,716	38,052
Ards East
Donaghadee North	2,372	1,692
Donaghadee South	2,198	189
Gregstown	2,407	272
Loughries	2,279	2,050
Millisle	2,112	1,518
Movilla	2,325	144
	13,693	5,865
Ards Peninsula
Ballywalter	2,119	3,319
Carrowdore	1,989	5,052
Kircubbin	2,039	3,962
Portaferry	2,185	3,074
Portavogie	2,256	2,313
	10,588	17,720
Ards West
Ballygowan	2,203	1,565
Comber East	2,126	454
Comber North	1,933	362
Comber West	2,314	655
Killinchy	2,012	4,158
Lisbane	2,020	3,817
	12,608	11,011
Newtownards
Ballyrainey	2,066	1,017
Bradshaw's Brae	2,297	1,034
Central	2,149	255
Glen	2,100	460
Scrabo	1,827	423
Whitespots	2,388	267
	12,827	3,456

District/district electoral area and Wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF ARMAGH	36,705	67,130
Armagh City
Abbey Park	1,425	348
Callan Bridge	1,682	136
Demesne	1,629	336
Downs	1,526	155
Observatory	1,801	413
The Mall	1,662	119
	9,725	1,507
Crossmore
Carrigatuke	1,543	6,272
Derrynoose	1,551	6,996
Keady	1,670	103
Killylea	1,565	6,399
Milford	1,533	4,427
	7,862	24,197
Cusher
Hamiltonsbawn	1,853	5,479
Killeen	1,707	1,515
Laurelvale	1,663	1,238
Markethill	1,726	3,181
Poyntz Pass	1,661	5,946
Tandragee	1,818	1,496
	10,428	23,855
The Orchard
Ballymartrim	1,648	6,137

District/district electoral area and Wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
Charlemont	1,656	3,447
Hockley	1,785	4,200
Loughgall	1,742	3,279
Rich Hill	1,859	508
	8,690	17,571

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF BALLYMENA	42,637	63,197
Ballymena East
Ballykeel	1,668	109
Castle Demesne	1,731	115
Dunclug	1,744	69
Fair Green	1,731	66
Moat	1,581	45
Summerfield	1,844	159
	10,299	563
Ballymena North
Broughshane	1,864	1,291
Craigywarren	1,748	5,957
Cullybackey	1,930	484
Dunminning	1,732	5,266
Glenravel	1,832	8,984
Slemish	1,624	13,594
	10,730	35,576
Ballymena South
Ahoghill	1,981	1,122
Glenwhirry	1,815	11,576
Grange	1,833	6,035
Kells	1,954	2,180
Portglenone	1,843	3,946
	9,426	24,859
Ballymena West
Academy	1,668	223
Ardeevin	1,893	347
Ballee	1,752	148
Ballyloughan	1,737	95
Galgorm	1,714	1,003
Harryville	1,710	287
Park	1,708	96
	12,182	2,199

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF BALLYMONEY	17,864	41,856
Ballymoney Town
Carnany	1,189	86
Fairhill	1,180	224
Glebe	1,244	96
Newhill	1,101	64
Route	1,156	265
	5,870	735
Bann Valley
Clogh Mills	1,130	2,427
Dunloy	1,120	2,235
Killoquin Lower	1,107	4,014
Killoquin Upper	1,050	2,429
Seacon	1,279	1,899
The Vow	1,048	3,490
	6,734	16,494

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Bushvale
Ballyhoe and Corkey	1,023	8,155
Benvardin	1,056	3,594
Dervock	1,086	3,886
Knockaholet	1,069	4,986
Stranocum	1,026	4,006
	5,260	24,627

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF BANBRIDGE	27,052	45,248
Banbridge Town
Ballydown	1,692	795
Banbridge West	1,723	132
Edenderry	1,578	94
Fort	1,536	123
Seapatrick	1,503	389
The Cut	1,599	74
	9,631	1,607
Dromore
Ballyward	1,561	8,654
Dromore North	1,597	348
Dromore South	1,583	1,206
Gransha	1,521	5,149
Quilly	1,564	4,853
	7,988	20,210
Knockiveagh
Bannside	1,514	7,119
Gilford	1,516	1,546
Katesbridge	1,545	7,187
Lawrencetown	1,542	2,765
Loughbrickland	1,575	4,195
Rathfriland	1,741	619
	9,433	23,431

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF BELFAST	208,599	11,488
Balmoral
Blackstaff	3,729	194
Finaghy	3,915	261
Malone	4,340	220
Musgrave	4,042	180
Upper Malone	3,785	434
Windsor	3,996	94
	23,807	1,383
Castle
Bellevue	3,706	287
Castleview	3,899	146
Cavehill	3,987	339
Chichester Park	3,993	97
Duncairn	3,628	922
Fort William	3,768	103
	22,981	1,894
Court
Crumlin	4,035	86
Glencairn	3,547	396
Highfield	3,868	264
Shankill	3,678	91
Woodvale	3,824	60
	18,952	897

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Laganbank
Ballynafeigh	3,994	65
Botanic	3,953	132
Rosetta	4,131	169
Shaftesbury	4,038	222
Stranmillis	4,002	245
	20,118	833
Lower Falls
Beechmount	4,156	83
Clonard	4,119	66
Falls	4,012	116
Upper Springfield	3,985	257
Whiterock	3,874	77
	20,146	599
Oldpark
Ardoyne	4,305	59
Ballysillan	4,354	112
Cliftonville	4,246	119
Legoniel	4,129	884
New Lodge	4,496	72
Water Works	4,594	127
	26,124	1,373
Pottinger
Ballymacarrett	3,729	75
Bloomfield	4,201	77
Orangefield	4,196	141
Ravenhill	4,152	190
The Mount	4,127	74
Woodstock	4,046	56
	24,451	613
Upper Falls
Andersonstown	4,444	102
Falls Park	4,506	237
Glencolin	4,271	950
Glen Road	4,466	159
Ladybrook	4,469	136
	22,156	1,584
Victoria
Ballyhackmore	4,555	114
Belmont	4,467	179
Cherryvalley	4,332	199
Island	3,779	376
Knock	4,126	119
Stormont	4,604	706
Sydenham	4,001	619
	29,864	2,312

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF CARRICKFERGUS	25,123	8,194
Carrick East
Bluefield	1,525	113
Boneybefore	1,430	59
Love Lane	1,290	81
Milebush	1,498	40
Victoria	1,588	92
	7,331	385
Carrick Middle
Blackhead	1,571	239
Eden	1,751	2,154

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
Gortalee	1,248	33
Greenisland	1,384	460
Knockagh	1,384	323
Whitehead	1,528	652
Woodburn	1,613	3,622
	10,479	7,483
Carrick West
Burleigh Hill	1,836	115
Clipperstown	1,468	49
Killycrot	1,430	111
Northland	1,257	18
Sunnylands	1,322	33
	7,313	326

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF CASTLEREAGH	47,994	8,501
Castlereagh Central
Cregagh	1,802	31
Downshire	1,889	43
Lisnasharragh	1,887	96
Lower Braniel	2,011	87
Upper Braniel	1,948	283
Wynchurch	1,816	48
	11,353	588
Castlereagh East
Ballyhanwood	2,468	1,056
Carroweagh	2,136	756
Dundonald	2,057	216
Enler	2,253	51
Gilnahirk	2,021	81
Graham's Bridge	2,302	89
Tullycarnet	2,131	50
	15,368	2,299
Castlereagh South
Cairnshill	2,146	96
Carryduff East	2,311	407
Carryduff West	1,903	422
Knockbracken	1,842	105
Moneyreagh	2,455	3,625
	10,657	4,655
Castlereagh West
Beechill	2,145	392
Galwally	1,901	102
Hillfoot	2,250	152
Minnowburn	2,108	144
Newtownbreda	2,212	169
	10,616	959

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF COLERAINE	37,322	48,557
Bann
Agivey	1,567	6,716
Castlerock	1,798	2,913
Garvagh	1,781	5,337
Kilrea	1,597	2,647
Macosquin	1,634	7,310
Ringsend	1,533	10,724
	9,910	35,647

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Coleraine East
Ballysally	1,655	92
Cross Glebe	1,639	127
Dundooan	1,644	4,749
Dunluce	1,602	4,777
University	1,554	237
	8,094	9,982
Coleraine West
Central	1,641	105
Churchland	1,756	125
Knocklynn	1,658	296
Mount Sandel	1,555	192
The Cuts	1,943	465
Waterside	1,841	238
	10,394	1,421
The Skerries
Atlantic	1,855	457
Hopefield	1,843	212
Portstewart	1,767	86
Royal Portrush	1,788	420
Strand	1,671	332
	8,924	1,507

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF COOKSTOWN	21,863	62,169
Ballinderry
Ardboe	1,475	6,181
Coagh	1,298	2,887
Killycolpy	1,440	9,437
Moneymore	1,330	2,198
Stewartstown	1,257	4,270
The Loop	1,488	6,099
	8,288	31,072
Cookstown Central
Gortalowry	1,427	185
Killymoon	1,434	187
Newbuildings	1,402	81
Oldtown	1,361	217
Tullagh	1,525	110
	7,149	780
Drum Manor
Dunnamore	1,323	9,822
Lissan	1,279	7,302
Oaklands	1,240	5,284
Pomeroy	1,320	3,895
Sandholes	1,264	4,014
	6,426	30,317

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF CRAIGAVON	54,810	37,820
Central
Bleary	2,250	1,747
Drumgask	2,153	287
Drumgor	2,139	305
Edenderry	2,350	174
Kernan	2,239	1,697
Killycomain	2,059	91

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
Taghnevan	2,078	111
	15,268	4,412
Loughside
Aghagallon	2,282	9,918
Court	2,256	129
Derrytrasna	2,359	7,168
Drumnamoe	2,143	41
Woodville	2,334	139
	11,374	17,395
Lurgan
Church	1,937	56
Donaghcloney	1,799	3,348
Knochnashane	2,152	199
Magheralin	2,177	1,789
Mourneview	1,919	71
Parklake	1,962	280
Waringstown	2,179	1,169
	14,125	6,912
Portadown
Annagh	1,895	945
Ballybay	1,879	658
Ballyoran	1,910	976
Brownstown	2,400	743
Corcrain	1,989	110
Tavanagh	1,897	52
The Birches	2,073	5,617
	14,043	9,101

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF DERRY	64,197	38,738
Cityside
Beechwood	2,018	41
Brandywell	1,967	66
Creggan Central	2,003	97
Creggan South	1,851	75
Westland	1,870	32
	9,709	311
Northland
Crevagh	2,482	2,611
Foyle Springs	2,316	104
Pennyburn	2,400	215
Rosemount	2,155	41
Springtown	2,257	109
Strand	2,296	122
The Diamond	1,966	83
	15,872	3,285
Rural
Banagher	1,911	12,114
Claudy	1,949	8,267
Eglinton	2,167	2,910
Enagh	2,262	3,114
Holly Mount	1,995	5,271
New Buildings	2,241	520
	12,525	32,196
Shantallow
Ballymashalog	2,501	278
Carn Hill	2,144	93
Culmore	2,307	972
Shantallow East	2,060	41

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Shantallow West	2,173	584
	11,185	1,968
Waterside
Altnagelvin	2,341	318
Caw	2,000	125
Clondermot	1,985	119
Ebrington	2,041	156
Kilfennan	2,197	81
Lisnagelvin	2,308	80
Victoria	2,034	99
	14,906	978

District/district electoral area wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTICT OF DOWN	41,229	64,917
Ballynahinch
Ballymaglave	1,836	522
Ballynahinch East	1,798	207
Drumaness	1,974	3,531
Dunmore	1,774	4,574
Seaforde	1,676	7,330
	9,058	16,164
Downpatrick
Ardglass	1,820	3,503
Audleys Acre	1,700	183
Ballymote	1,703	365
Cathedral	1,832	557
Killough	1,762	5,871
Quoile	1,907	1,251
Strangford	1,725	6,072
	12,449	17,802
Newcastle
Castlewellan	1,798	2,312
Donard	1,785	1,012
Dundrum	1,639	2,416
Murlough	1,694	1,214
Shimna	1,783	134
Tollymore	1,611	6,906
	10,310	13,994
Rowallane
Crossgar	1,897	3,195
Derryboy	1,809	5,775
Killyleagh	1,846	538
Kilmore	2,018	6,059
Saintfield	1,842	1,390
	9,412	16,957

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF DUNGANNON	32,668	78,323
Blackwater
Aughnacloy	1,463	7,018
Benburb	1,527	4,069
Caledon	1,520	8,069
Killyman	1,520	3,527
Moy	1,527	2,648
	7,557	25,331
Clogher Valley
Augher	1,402	7,200
Ballygawley	1,516	5,721

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Castlecaulfield	1,601	3,912
Clogher	1,410	10,442
Fivemiletown	1,419	7,798
	7,348	35,073
Dungannon Town
Ballysaggart	1,617	259
Coolhill	1,446	229
Drumglass	1,340	469
Killymeal	1,441	609
Moygashel	1,355	609
Mullaghmore	1,366	409
	8,565	2,584
Torrent
Altmore	1,506	6,044
Coalisland North	1,599	1,112
Coalisland South	1,514	412
Coalisland West and Newmills	1,509	917
Donaghmore	1,494	2,750
Washing Bay	1,576	4,100
	9,198	15,335

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF FERMANAGH	39,617	187,678
Enniskillen
Castlecoole	1,989	684
Devenish	1,779	429
Erne	1,813	647
Lisbellaw	1,682	5,215
Portora	1,840	414
Rossorry	1,731	575
Tempo	1,627	9,075
	12,461	17,039
Erne East
Brookeborough	1,670	12,397
Donagh	1,620	10,924
Lisnaskea	1,866	556
Maguires Bridge	1,687	8,872
Newtownbutler	1,767	9,090
Rosslea	1,654	9,544
	10,264	51,383
Erne North
Ballinamallard	1,566	4,467
Belleek and Boa	1,632	17,306
Irvinestown	1,619	1,727
Kesh, Ederney and Lack	2,132	11,281
Lisnarrick	1,352	7,192
	8,301	41,973
Erne West
Belcoo and Garrison	1,661	20,283
Boho, Cleenish and Letterbreen	1,808	13,986
Derrygonnelly	1764	16,058
Derrylin	1,600	10,567
Florence Court and Kinawley	1,758	16,389
	8,591	77,283

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF LARNE	22,603	33,647
Coast Road
Ballyloran	1,442	29
Carncastle	1,550	908
Carnlough	1,478	5,828
Craigy Hill	1,451	28
Glenarm	1,343	10,719
	7,264	17,512
Larn Lough
Antiville	1,429	61
Ballycarry	1,523	3,031
Glynn	1,376	3,284
Island Magee	1,539	2,658
Kilwaughter	1,623	6,587
	7,490	15,621
Larne Town
Blackcave	1,512	91
Central	1,664	100
Gardenmore	1,640	121
Harbour	1,504	157
Town Parks	1,529	45
	7,849	514

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF LIMAVADY	19,699	58,633
Bellarena
Aghanloo	1,196	7,613
Ballykelly	1,219	2,048
Glack	1,239	5,612
Gresteel	1,431	1,948
Magilligan	1,234	7,886
	6,319	25,107
Benbradagh
Dungiven	1,351	238
Feeny	1,205	9,449
Forest	1,374	3,607
The Highlands	1,143	6,015
Upper Glenshane	1,218	13,816
	6,291	33,125
Limavady Town
Coolessan	1,289	83
Enagh	1,725	74
Greystone	1,472	30
Rathbrady	1,408	80
Roeside	1,195	134
	7,089	401

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF LISBURN	70,665	44,669
Downshire
Ballymacbrennan	2,367	6,994
Dromara	2,548	4,525
Drumbo	2,405	2,515
Hillsborough	2,549	2,991
Maze	2,533	1,581
	12,402	18,606
Dunmurry Cross

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Collin Glen	2,551	935
Derryaghy	2,315	512
Dunmurry	2,306	145
Kilwee	2,278	98
Poleglass	2,499	78
Seymour Hill	2,106	92
Twinbrook	2,216	58
	16,271	1,918
Killultagh
Ballinderry	2,376	5,774
Glenavy	2,554	7,854
Knockmore	2,203	434
Maghaberry	2,288	3,921
Moira	2,499	1,739
	11,920	19,722
Lisburn Town North
Ballymacash	2,375	190
Ballymacoss	2,610	1,408
Harmony Hill	2,360	93
Lambeg	2,162	416
Lisnagarvy	2,326	71
Magheralave	2,232	175
Wallace Park	2,279	172
	16,344	2,525
Lisburn Town South
Blaris	2,421	880
Hilden	2,357	107
Hillhall	2,274	681
Lagan Valley	2,435	106
Old Warren	2,092	74
Tonagh	2,149	50
	13,728	1,898

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (Hectares)
DISTRICT OF MAGHERAFELT	25,871	57,240
Magherafelt Town
Ballymaguigan	1,538	4,087
Glebe	1,496	200
Lecumpher	1,461	6,609
Town Parks East	1,694	116
Town Parks West	1,649	163
	7,838	11,175
Moyola
Bellaghy	1,615	2,817
Castledawson	1,679	1,469
Gulladuff	1,631	3,652
Knockloghrim	1,676	4,124
Upperlands	1,478	3,735
Valley	1,634	3,664
	9,713	19,461
Sperin
Draperstown	1,628	5,266
Lower Glenshane	1,700	8,208
Maghera	1,719	196
Swatragh	1,787	6,888
Tobermore	1,486	6,046
	8,320	26,604

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF MOYLE	10,708	49,210
Ballycastle
Bonamargy and Rathlin	791	1,438
Dalriada	834	83
Glentaisie	668	62
Kinbane	663	3,848
Knocklayd	719	165
	3,675	5,596
Giant's Causeway
Ballylough	648	1,252
Bushmills	661	851
Carnmoon	637	3,088
Dunseverick	633	3,742
Moss-Side and Moyarget	611	3,988
	3,190	12,921
The Glens
Armoy	653	2,796
Glenaan	891	1,594
Glenariff	852	5,302
Glendun	774	8,919
Glenshesk	673	12,082
	3,843	30,693

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
DISTRICT OF NEWRY AND MOURNE	57,369	90,316
Crotlieve
Burren and Kilbroney	1,822	4,652
Clonallan	2,217	264
Derryleckagh	2,063	1,491
Mayobridge	1,837	5,478
Rostrevor	1,992	3,234
Seaview	2,145	129
Spelga	1,769	7,903
	13,845	23,151
Newry Town
Ballybot	1,845	136
Daisy Hill	1,920	151
Drumalane	1,967	202
Drumgullion	2,038	151
St Mary's	1,918	162
St Patrick's	2,168	199
Windsor Hill	1,992	157
	13,848	1,158
Slieve Gullion
Creggan	1,700	6,001
Crossmaglen	1,772	1,834
Fathom	1,858	2,646
Forkhill	2,090	4,387
Silver Bridge	1,893	5,672
	9,313	20,540
The Fews
Bessbrook	1,737	624
Camlough	1,766	3,842
Derrymore	1,843	739
Donaghmore	1,748	6,595
Newtownhamilton	1,691	7,732
Tullyhappy	1,749	6,494
	10,534	26,026
The Mournes
Annalong	1,935	3,853

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Areas (hectares)
Binnian	1,749	6,561
Kilkeel Central	2,306	625
Kilkeel South	2,135	450
Lisnacree	1,704	7,952
	9,829	19,441

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF NEWTOWNABBEY	56,105	15,071
Antrim Line
Ballyhenry	2,387	89
Burnthill	2,339	48
Collinbridge	2,153	448
Glebe	2,317	88
Glengormley	2,338	51
Hightown	2,092	57
Mallusk	2,372	2,364
	15,998	3,145
Ballyclare
Ballyclare North	2,363	179
Ballyclare South	2,269	178
Ballynure	1,850	4,540
Ballyrobert	2,701	2,545
Doagh	2,100	2,706
	11,283	10,148
Macedon
Abbey	2,335	188
Cloughfern	2,277	330
Coole	2,251	49
Dunanney	1,849	66
Valley	2,455	191
Whitehouse	2,126	72
	13,293	896
University
Ballyduff	2,303	52
Carnmoney	2,280	86
Hawthorne	1,953	74
Jordanstown	2,400	188
Monkstown	2,243	145
Mossley	2,268	143
Rostulla	2,084	194
	15,531	882

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF NORTH DOWN	55,042	8,158
Abbey
Bangor Castle	2,183	167
Bloomfield	2,323	145
Conlig	2,284	901
Harbour	2,146	72
Rathgael	2,056	51
Whitehill	2,149	44
	13,141	1,380
Ballyholme and Groomsport
Ballycrochan	2,706	157
Ballyholme	2,009	79
Ballymaconnell	2,209	225
Ballymagee	2,204	75
Broadway	2,341	113
Churchill	2,336	81
Groomsport	2,231	731

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
	16,036	1,461
Bangor West
Bryansburn	2,351	68
Clandeboye	2,255	667
Crawfordsburn	2,043	640
Dufferin	2,045	84
Princetown	2,216	156
Silverstream	2,101	54
Spring Hill	2,300	101
	15,311	1,770
Holywood
Craigavad	2,082	1,928
Cultra	2,056	649
Holywood Demesne	2,232	180
Holywood Priory	2,023	451
Loughview	2,161	339
	10,554	3,547

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF OMAGH	31,414	112,990
Mid-Tyrone
Beragh	1,477	6,095
Drumnakilly	1,584	7,339
Gortin	1,357	9,043
Killyclogher	1,434	218
Owenkillew	1,391	17,498
Sixmilecross	1,393	7,857
Termon	1,485	8,445
	10,121	56,495
Omagh Town
Camowen	1,521	176
Coolnagard	1,683	223
Dergmoney	1,594	140
Drumragh	1,582	405
Gortrush	1,634	239
Lisanelly	1,533	1182
Strule	1,396	173
	10,943	1,538
West Tyrone
Clanabogan	1,543	8,781
Dromore	1,458	4,027
Drumquin	1,436	13,318
Fairy Water	1,409	9,413
Fintona	1,523	3,871
Newtownsville	1,492	7,153
Trillick	1,498	8,394
	10,350	54,957

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
DISTRICT OF STRABANE	25,552	86,165
Derg
Castlederg	1,566	544
Clare	1,726	8,965
Finn	1,552	3,812
Glenderg	1,665	17,094
Newtownstewart	1,580	4,755
Sion Mills	1,516	695
	9,605	35,865
Glenelly
Antigarvan	1,573	4,681

District/district electoral area and wards	Local electors	Area (hectares)
Dunnamanagah	1,483	9,435
Plumbridge	1,447	20,502
Slievekirk	1,494	6,607
Victoria Bridge	1,530	8,154
	7,527	49,379
Mourne
Ballycolman	1,568	57
East	1,687	86
North	1,673	479
South	1,798	168
West	1,694	131
	8,420	921
	1,153,385	1,415,761

Transport

Safe Seas

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has made to the European Commission on its proposal for setting up a committee on safe seas contained in the communication from commissioners on a common policy on safe seas; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom has warmly welcomed the Commission's communication "A Common Policy for Safe Seas", which closely mirrors the Government's views on the need for action to improve the level of maritime safety in Community waters. Along with other member states, we approve in principle the Commission's proposal for a Committee on Safe Seas, and are currently considering what its terms of reference should be.

A614

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to make the A614 in Nottinghamshire dual carriageway.

We do not have any proposals in the trunk road programme to upgrade the A614 in Nottinghamshire to dual carriageway standard.

Railway Rolling Stock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached following his Department's consultative exercise on the provision of rolling stock following the privatisation of British Rail.

I intend to ask British Rail to establish rolling stock companies and to transfer its existing passenger rolling stock to these by 1 April 1994. Our provisional view is that there should be three rolling stock companies. Each should have a mixed portfolio of different types and ages of stock which they would lease to franchisees and BR's operating divisions pending franchising. Wherever reasonably practicable franchisees should have more than one potential source of supply for rolling stock in any particular market segment. More detailed work is in hand to determine how the fleet should be divided between the companies; what role the companies should take in the maintenance of their stock; and, whether, for example, individual BR maintenance depots should be associated with each rolling stock.The companies will initially be publicly owned and will invest as necessary to renew their fleets. Our intention is to transfer the companies to the private sector as soon as practicable.During the course of the consultative exercise a number of ideas have been put forward for the early involvement of private sector expertise and capital. I expect to reach conclusions shortly on the role which the private sector might take in working with the public sector in developing an operating lease market. I will then be inviting those interested to bring forward specific proposals.

Trade And Industry

British Coal Pension Scheme

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when British Coal last made normal contributions to mineworkers' pension funds; and if members are continuing to make contributions;(2) what sum British Coal now owes to the industry's pension funds to cover the cost of making pension payments to the staff made redundant and retiring early between April 1983 and April 1992.

These are matters for British Coal and the trustees of the pension schemes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest valuation of the assets of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

This is a matter for British Coal and the trustees of the staff superannuation scheme.

Riot Control Units

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences his Department has granted for armoured anti-riot units since 1979.

This would require examination of all export licences for military goods to all destinations since 1979 which could be done only at disproportionate expense.

Plutonium

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representation his Department's export control office had at the non-proliferation seminar on plutonium held at Rhodes House, Oxford, on 21 April.

Two officials from my Department's Export Control Organisation attended the seminar.

Nuclear Safety

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made to the Greenpeace report, "Vessel Head Penetration Cracking in Nuclear Reactors", published in March 1993, a copy of which has been sent to him.

I have not received a copy of this report.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what visits to the Trawsfynydd nuclear plant have been made by International Atomic Energy safety inspectors on OSART safety assessment missions since the plant opened; and if he will make a statement on the current safety status of the plant.

There have been no International Atomic Energy Agency operational safety and review team—OSART—missions to Trawsfynydd. Both reactors remain shut down while the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate completes its assessment of Nuclear Electric's safety case for restart.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the chief nuclear inspector at Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate is taking to consider measures to prevent vessel head penetration cracking in Sizewell B.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) on 15 April 1993, Official Report, column 705.

Assisted Area Status

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his proposals in respect of the assisted areas map were submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.

After the review of the assisted areas map has been completed the Government's proposals will be put to the Commission for article 92 state aids clearance.

Dan-Air

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had regarding the competition implications of the takeover of Dan-Air by British Airways.

All representations received are treated in confidence. All relevant considerations were taken into account in the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and in his decision not to refer the proposed acquisition to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Sodium Hexacyanoferrate

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of sodium hexacyanoferrate is (a) manufactured in the United Kingdom, (b) imported into the United Kingdom and (c) exported from the United Kingdom; and what are the locations where sodium hexacyanoferrate is produced in the United Kingdom.

Sodium hexacyanoferrate is not separately identified in the United Kingdom statistical classifications; therefore, the information is not available.

Offshore Oil And Gas Industry

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many obligations remain outstanding for drilling (a) firm and (b) contingent wells under the 11th and 12th United Kingdom offshore licensing rounds.

There are 309 outstanding obligation wells from the 11th and 12th rounds of offshore licensing. Of these, 193 are firm obligations, and 116 conditional.

Shipbuilding Intervention Fund

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg), of 21 April, Official Report, column 119, about the change of rules governing the shipbuilding intervention fund, which took effect from 1 April, if the grant to be paid at the maximum permitted level refers to vessels under construction on 1 April as well as those to be constructed after 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

The concession applies only to those vessels for which offers of grant were made on or after 1 April.

Explosion, Liverpool

To ask the President of the Board of 'Trade if he will make a statement on the recent explosion which occurred in Liverpool 8.

[holding answer 20 April 1993]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the gas explosion at 148 High Park street on 30 December 1992. This was dealt with by the police authorities and the Health and Safety Executive which, I understand, have decided to take no further action.

Economic Task Force

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will create an economic task force for the industrial areas of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

[holding answer 27 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

Health

Myelograms

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many myelograms were conducted in the national health service in each year since 1989–90 and in the first six months of 1992–93.

This information is not available centrally. The latest estimate of episodes involving myelogram procedures,. held by the Department, for the year 1989–90 is 18,230. This figure includes radiculograms as well as myelograms.

Older Patients

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to monitor the NHS purchasing arrangements to identify whether there is discrimination against older patients.

We have set in place mechanisms for monitoring purchasers' performance and ensuring that they are accountable to Ministers and to the public they serve. Health authorities as purchasers are expected to develop contracting arrangements which accurately reflect the needs of all of their resident population.

Contact Lenses

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received questioning the safety of contact lenses; and if she will make a statement.

The College of Ophthalmologists wrote to the Chief Medical Officer to bring to his attention the increase in contact lens-induced microbial keratitis. The Department has met the representatives of the four eye care professional bodies: College of Ophthalmologists, British College of Optometrists, Association of Optometrists, and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.The working group chaired by the Department has drafted guidance for the eye care professions including a leaflet for patients. The Department has consulted the industry on the content of these drafts and a further meeting of the working party, together with representatives of the industry, will be held on 27 May with the aim of finalising the documents.The Department will fund the publication of the guidance.

Nurses

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been issued to health authorities and trusts on providing newly qualified nurses with information about national vacancies;(2) what guidance has been issued to health authorities and trusts on the provision of careers counselling services for nursing students;(3) what plans she has to establish schemes to enable newly qualified nurses who are unemployed to consolidate their education.

Health authorities and trusts are aware that the Employment Service has details of national vacancies and that the English National Board runs a Resource and Careers Service Department.Regional health authorities have chosen to manage the position of newly qualified nurses themselves by adopting a variety of approaches such as expansion of flexible working patterns, job sharing, short-term contracts and clearing house schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current state of discussions within the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council regarding outstanding clinical grading appeals.

The management side of the council awaits a response from the staff side to an offer on 31 March about a number of procedural changes aimed at significantly speeding up the appeals process. The management side made the proposals in support of the initiative requiring regional health authorities to draw up plans to clear outstanding appeals by 31 October 1993.

Nhs Trusts

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the chairs and non-executive directors of NHS trusts had previous professional experience within the NHS before their appointment.

This information is not available centrally.

Overseas Manufacturers (Inspection)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the annual cost of providing teams to inspect plants overseas which manufacture products for use in the NHS;(2) how many people are employed by her Department to inspect plants overseas which manufacture medical products for use in the national health service.

The equivalent of 6·7 full-time inspectors from the Department of Health and the Medicines Control Agency together were employed in the inspection of medical device and licensed medicinal product manufacturers overseas in 1992–93. The estimated cost—staff, travel and subsistence expenses—of providing these services was £595,000.

Dentistry

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many approvals were successfully processed by the Dental Estimates Board; and what was the value of that work approved for each month since April 1991;(2) how many requests for prior approval were received by the Dental Estimates Board; and what was the value of that work which dentists wished to carry out, for each month since April 1991.

The information in the table shows the number of applications for prior approval submitted by general dental practitioners in England and Wales to the Dental Practice Board for the period April 1991 to March 1993. We have no reason to believe that the DPB failed to process any applications made during this period. The value of the dental work for which these applications were made is not routinely collated by the DPB.

General dental services (England and Wales) Number of applications for prior approval¹April 1991 to March 1993
	Number
1991
April²	7,000
May²	7,000
June²	6,000
July	6,583
August	5,308
September	4,437
October	5,746
November	4,717
December	3,331
1992
January	5,037
February	4,551
March	4,528
April	4,408
May	3,907
June	4,323
July³	6,378
August	10,624
September	17,765
October	24,609
November	24,069
December	23,591
1993
January	26,113
February	27,959
March	34,073
¹ The small number of prior approval applications arising from investigation, Prior Approval Penalty and Targeting are excluded.

² The figures for April to June 1991 are estimates.

³ The prior approval by value limit was reduced from £600 to £200 with effect from 8 July 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid out to the general dental practitioners working within the national health service for each month since April 1991.

The information is shown in the table.

Payments to general dental practitioners—England
	1991–92 £ million	1992–92 £ million
April	90·582	116·408
May	91·807	116·576
June	94·140	111·830
July	100·276	114·106
August	104·808	113·243
September	92·334	101·281
October	99·553	98·397
November	108·703	101·686
December	111·130	102·551
January	100·896	105·225
February	115·203	99·171
March	114·359	94·849
Total	1,223·791	1,275·323

Source: Monthly expenditure returns submitted to the Department by family health services authorities and the Dental Practice Board.

Notes: Figures are the total of gross payments made to general dental practitioners in each month for all fees, allowances and directly reimbursed practice expenses, but exclude other General Dental Service costs such as payments to salaried dentists, emergency dental service fees, and employer's superannuation costs.

Respiratory Illness

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence is available to her Department on the rate of hospital admissions of people suffering from respiratory illness in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the north-west region.

In 1989–90 the rate of hospital admissions of people suffering from respiratory illness in (a) England was 125 per 10,000 population and (b) in the north-west region was 153 per 10,000 population. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Proposed Hospital Mergers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines or instructions she has given to the Guy's and St. Thomas's hospital trust on the subject of the proposal for merger of Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals.

We have asked the trust to carry out a thorough appraisal of the site options and to bring forward clear recommendations on future service configuration and siting by the autumn.

West Midlands Regional Health Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the special circumstances under paragraph 9(3) of schedule 5 to the National Health Service Act 1977 which led her to make a compensation payment to the former chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority on the termination of his appointment.

The decision to offer a compensation payment took account of the fact that Sir James Ackers resigned from the position of chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority 18 months before his term of office was due to expire; and that in his 10 years of service considerable progress was made, particularly in carrying out many major hospital developments; waiting lists have fallen dramatically and a record number of patients are now being treated.

Special Health Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the revenue budget of each special health authority for 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the projected distribution of funds for those authorities for 1994–95.

The revenue allocations for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are given in the table. Figures for 1994–95 cannot be projected at this early stage.

Special Health Authorities	1992–93 £ million	1993–94 £ million
Central Blood Laboratory Authority/ National Blood Authority (CBLA/ NBA)	3·718	6·152
NHS Supplies Authority	13·892	8·110
UK Transplant Special Services Authority (UKTSSA)	1·986	2·397
Bethlem Royal and Maudsley (BR&M)	33·896	35·825
Eastman Dental Hospital (EDH)	8·178	8·489
Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's (and Acton) (HQC)	76·608	80·172
Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH)	21·321	22·185
Hospitals for Sick Children (Gt. Ormond St. and Queen Elizabeth's) (HSC)	55·483	57·612
National Heart and Lung Hospitals (Brompton and London Chest) (NH&LH)	48·87	49·387
National Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Queen Square, Maida Vale, Finchley and Chalfont) (NHNN)	30·116	31·113
Royal Marsden Hospital (Fulham and Sutton) (RMH)	35·685	37·234

Notes:

The figures for UKTSSA do not include money allocated for reimbursement of donor hospitals as the money does not contribute to the running costs of the organisation. The UKTSSA in effect manages the funds used to reimburse donor hospitals for maintaining cadavers prior to transplantation, for the Department.

The figures for 1992–93 are subject to validation by audit. The figures for 1993–94 are initial allocations, which will be added to by in-year adjustment, as appropriate.

The CBLA became the NBA with effect from 1 April 1993.

Junior Doctors (Working Hours)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress towards reducing the hours worked by junior doctors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in achieving a reduction in junior doctors' hours.

I will make an announcement shortly.

Listeria

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in the United Kingdom were caused by listeria in the last year for which figures are available; what comparable figures he has for other EC member states; and if she will make a statement.

In 1991, there were 10 certified deaths from listeriosis in the United Kingdom. There are no comparable figures available for other EC member states.

Medical Practitioners

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications of the European medical directive for the ability of British registered medical practitioners to practise elsewhere in the European Community; and if she will make a statement.

Last year the European Commission expressed concern that the system in place in the United Kingdom for the mutual recognition of specialist qualifications might not comply with the 1975 European medical directives. A working group was established to review United Kingdom arrangements for specialist medical training in the light of these directives. The group has produced comprehensive recommendations and its report will be issued shortly for a period of consultation.

Nhs Trusts

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 March, Official Report, column 497, if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department's instructions on the valuation of assets for transfer to NHS trusts.

This information is contained in the "Capital Charges and Trust Equivalent Manual", a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

St Bartholomew's Hospital

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will consult the Lord Mayor of London and the City of London corporation about the future of the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital;(2) If she will withdraw her proposal to close the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital following the bomb explosion in the City of London; and if she will make a statement.

North East Thames regional health authority has issued a consultation document on proposals for the closure of the accident and emergency department at St Bartholomew's hospital. The consultation process will proceed in the normal way and the North East Thames RHA would welcome comments on the proposals it contains.

Sight Tests

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations govern access to free NHS sight tests for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The same rules of entitlement to free national health service sight tests, as set out in section 38 of the NHS Act 1977, apply to people who are deaf or hard of hearing as to all other people.

Employment

Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 3 March, Official Report, column 209, if she will give a breakdown of the cost per trainee of employment training.

[holding answer 22 April 1993]: The breakdown is provided in the following table;

Breakdown of employment training unit costs			£
Unit Cost elements	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92
Fees	2,576	2,399	2,929
Allowances	2,601	2,662	2,807
Head Office Costs	227	323	278
Total	5,404	5,384	6,014

Note: No comparable breakdown is available for the 1988–89 total.

Service	Year
	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991
Royal Navy/Royal Marines	18	18	21	16	20	14
Army	90	71	73	99	120	112
Royal Air Force	8	2	3	3	3	1

Notes:

1. More than one offence may have been committed in some cases and the sentence of dismissal may have been given because of the more serious offence; or perhaps as a result of numerous convictions at a trial, i.e., a totaling effect.

2. Figures for 1992 are not expected to be available until mid-June. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of state for defence will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the RAF and (c) the Army were discharged from the services, having gone absent without leave, in each year since 1986.

Service	Year
	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
Royal Navy/Royal Marines	28	64	77	90	71	74	76	14
Army	1,962	1,997	2,190	2,477	2,999	2,808	2,650	597
Royal Air Force	236	219	154	190	155	131	103	29

1. The figures show the number of reported cases of absence without leave, which are not necessarily the same as the number of individuals who have gone absent without leave as some individuals may have gone absent more than once.2. Figures for the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and Army show cases of personnel reported as absent for a period of seven days or more and for whom warrants for arrest have been issued.3. Figures for the Royal Air Force show cases of personnel reported as absent for one day or more and may include instances where warrants for arrest have not yet been issued.4. Figures for 1993 cover the period 1 January 1993 to 1 April 1993.

Yugoslavia

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ascertain the current location and deployment of military equipment and armaments exported under licence from the United Kingdom to the former republic of Yugoslavia since 1979.

It is already United Kingdom policy to do so.

Nuclear Proliferation

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representation his Department had at the seminar on nuclear proliferation held at Rhodes House, Oxford on 21 April.

Defence

Absence Without Leave

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the RAF and (c) the Army were discharged from the services, having gone absent without leave, in each year since 1986.

Personnel are not usually discharged from the services for going absent without leave. Records of any such discharges are not maintained centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of personnel dismissed following court martial or summary proceedings for offences involving absence without leave, however, are as follows:

Information in respect of reported cases of absence without leave is as follows:

My Department was represented at official level at the seminar "The plutonium legacy: nuclear proliferation out of control?" held in Oxford on 21 April 1993.

Aer Lingus Crash

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of the Irish Government concerning further information on the cause of the crash of the Aer Lingus Viscount in the Irish sea on 24 March 1968; and if he will make a statement.

None.

Chemical And Biological Defence Establishment

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key performance targets have been set for 1993–94 for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

The chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down is responsible for research to ensure that the United Kingdom armed forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. He has been set the following challenging key performance targets for 1993–94:

Improved delivery of the programme
1. In 1993–94 to achieve, within agreed timescales, 88 per cent. of the programme milestones agreed with customers.
2. In 1993–94 to complete 82 per cent. of the agreed programme assignments required by customers within the specified cost and to keep within CBDE's overall budget.
3. To sustain the CB research programme and the capability of CBDE to respond effectively to operational emergencies by maintaining scientific and technical staff to at least 70 per cent. of the total planned manpower.
More efficient use of resources
4. To increase the overall efficiency of CBDE by at least 2·5 per cent. of the net budget less capital works over the financial year 1993–94 with emphasis on improving output efficiency.
5. To continue the agreed Market Testing programme identified by the Feasibility/Scoping Study, including the preparation of the specification in 1993–94, to produce an in-house bid and to complete the process by 31 March 1995.
6. In 1993–94 to increase the percentage of CBDE cash expenditure (less captial works) attributed to direct costs by 5 per cent. to 60 per cent. using the database established in 1992–93.
Development of management systems
7. To extend the improved resource allocation and cost attribution system to provide project costs on a full cost basis by March 1994.

Prime Minister

Gibraltar

Q9.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the status of Gibraltar in the EC.

I have no plans to do so.

Local Authority Powers, Scotland

To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many representations he has received proposing that some existing local authority powers be transferred away from Scottish local authorities to the Scottish Office;(2) how many representations he has received to establish joint boards or non-elected bodies in Scotland to take over functions from directly elected Scottish local authorities.

I have received a number of representations on local government issues. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has received some comments, in response to his consultation exercise on local government reform in Scotland, which advocate either the transfer of particular local authority functions to central Government, or the establishment of joint boards, or both.

Former Yugoslavia

To ask the Prime Minister how much food has been contributed by the United Kingdom to relieve humanitarian suffering in the former Yugoslavia; what proportion of food held in intervention under EC rules in the United Kingdom has been supplied; what action he is taking to persuade EC Heads of Government to ensure proper supplies of food to the former Yugoslavia are made; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom has provided £92·5 million for humanitarian relief in the former Yugoslavia. Of this some £48 million is our share of EC expenditure, the bulk of which has been spent on food aid. This is provided in cash to UN agencies and NGOs, which then purchase supplies that meet their operational requirements. Some EC intervention stocks have been used in the past, but none from the UK.The UK has also contributed some £44·5 million in direct bilateral action, focusing on the supply of transport, equipment and expertise to central Bosnia where needs are greatest. We were the first country to respond to the United Nations inter-agency appeal of 25 March, donating a further £15 million, of which £8·5 million was in immediate cash contributions. We maintain a regular dialogue with other EC member states and have urged them to follow suit.

Former Soviet Union

To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards securing international action to decommission nuclear power stations in the former Soviet Union where it is judged that their continued operation poses a hazard to the lives of the peoples of both eastern and western europe; and if he will make a statement.

At the Munich summit last July, the G7 countries gave their support to a multilateral programme of action designed to improve the safety of Soviet-designed reactors in the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe. The programme, subsequently endorsed by the G24 countries, included measures to bring about urgent operational and near-term technical improvements to the highest risk plants. The Government are playing a full part in supporting and implementing the programme both bilaterally and through the European Community's technical assistance programmes. We have contributed £8·25 million to the nuclear safety account recently set up at the European bank for reconstruction and development to finance urgent safety not covered by bilateral assistance programmes.The longer-term future of the plants concerned is a matter for the Governments of the states concerned. However, the G7 programme also provided a basis for consideration of the future of these plants, within the framework of market-oriented energy strategies, by setting in train energy studies covering replacement sources of energy and their cost implications. The World bank, with the International Energy Agency, is in the process of completing these studies, in discussion with the countries concerned. The forthcoming Tokyo summit will review progress on the action programme as a whole, including how best to take forward the conclusions of these studies.

Water Charges

To ask the Prime Minister, further to his statement in the House on 11 March, Official Report, column 1105, to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor), what is the timetable for the review of water charges in the south-west; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for water charges rests with the Director General of Water Services. My right honourable and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is now examining certain aspects of overall programmes to see if there is any room for manoeuvre. This requires analysis and it would be premature to say more at this stage.

Water Privatisation

To ask the Prime Minister what implications the decision to abandon the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland has for the future of the water and sewerage services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

None. The position in Northern Ireland is quite separate from that in Scotland. A decision for Scotland will be taken in the light of circumstances that apply to Scotland.I refer the honourable Member to the reply I gave to the honourable Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 27 April at column 848.

House Of Commons

Television

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will make provision for separate viewing facilities for right hon. and hon. Members to view Channel 4 and satellite television news.

I shall arrange for this matter to be considered by the Administration Committee.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Malawi

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made under their good governance programme for the reform of Malawi's Bill of Rights, and the establishment of an independent judiciary and a fair judicial review process in Malawi.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 27 April at column 370 regarding the representations we have repeatedly made on human rights grounds. These included proposals to introduce habeas corpus legislation as well as urging a review of the powers of Malawi's traditional courts.

Somalia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the recent conference held in Addis Ababa to discuss the future of Somalia; and if he will make available a full account of the proceedings of the conference.

The conference held in Addis Ababa on 15 to 27 March resulted in an agreement among the main Somali factions on the formation of a transitional Government. The factions also affirmed earlier agreements on a ceasefire and disarmament. We have not seen a full record of the proceedings, but I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the text of the 27 March agreement signed by 15 faction representatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the systematic abuse of women in Somalia.

We have no information on any systematic abuse of women in Somalia. We received reports of the stoning to death of five women in Hargeisa, northern Somalia in January. My right hon. and noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, during a visit to Hargeisa on 7 February 1993, raised the issue with the authorities there, and was assured that action was being taken to arrest those responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits have been made to Somalia in the last 12 months by representatives of the British Government; and if he will list the parts of Somalia visited.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 14 December 1992 at column 22. Since then, an FCO official visited Mogadishu, 16–17 January; an FCO official and an ODA official visited Mogadishu and Baidoa, 29–30 Janaury; my right hon. and noble friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey visited Baidoa, Mogadishu and Hargeisa, 6–7 February; the British ambassador to Addis Ababa visited Hargeisa, 6–7 February; an FCO official and a member of the British high commission, Nairobi visited Mogadishu, Belet Huen and Baidoa, 2–4 March; and a member of the British high commission, Nairobi visited Mogadishu, 17–18 April.

China

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) the total number and (b) the refusals for applications for entry clearance as students, in each of the last five years, from nationals of the People's Republic of China.

The total number of private student applications and the number of private student refusals, in each of the last five years, for nationals of the People's Republic of China is as follows:

	Applications	Refused	Appeals Received
1988	454	152	8
1989	1,357	466	136
1990	2,607	1,479	525
1991	2,894	2,346	760
1992	1,308	1,015	264

South Africa

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid has been given to each organisation directed to helping human rights groups in South Africa in each of the past three years.

[holding answer 22 April 1993]: The ambodia information is as follows.

Organisation	Amount £
1990
National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders	8,069
Black Sash Advice Office	3,000
Butterworth Legal Resources Centre	2,000
Lawyers for Human Rights	3,128
1991
Advice Centres Association	10,800
Twilight Children	4,367
Social Development Centre	3,062
Kimberley Advice Office	1,089
National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders	2,570
Rwetelayakwanga Advice Office	1,233
National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders	11,685
Moletsane Advice Office	2,718
1992
Family Institute (child abuse and marital problems)	2,254
Phahameng Advice Office	3,900
Herschel Advice Office	1,440
National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders	38,000

In addition, Britain has supplied experts to support Mr. Justice Goldstone's investigations into incidents of violence and we are providing £50,000 for a human rights colloquium to be held in South Africa in September to look at the role of the judiciary in upholding human rights and ensuring government under law. Our entire aid programme in South Africa of over £10 million in 1992–93 is aimed at assisting the country's non-white citizens to play their rightful role in the economy and future government of the country.

Gini coefficients for the distribution of income at each stage of the tax-benefit system, 1977–1990 Households with and households without children
Gini coefficients (per cent.)	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990¹
Equivalised original income
Households with children	29	n/a	29	31	33	36	36	37	39	41	42	41	41	42
Households without children	50	n/a	51	51	52	53	54	54	54	55	55	55	53	55
All households	43	n/a	44	44	46	47	48	49	49	50	51	51	50	52
Equivalised gross income
Households with children	24	n/a	24	25	26	28	27	27	29	30	31	33	32	34
Households without children	32	n/a	32	33	34	33	34	33	34	35	37	38	37	40
All households	29	n/a	30	31	31	31	32	31	32	34	36	37	36	38
Equivalised disposal income
Households with children	23	n/a	22	24	25	26	25	24	26	28	29	31	31	32
Households without children	29	n/a	29	30	30	29	30	29	30	32	34	36	35	38
All households	27	n/a	27	28	28	28	28	28	29	31	33	35	34	36
Equivalised post-tax income
Households with children	26	n/a	25	27	28	30	28	27	29	32	33	35	35	37
Households without children	30	n/a	30	32	32	31	33	32	33	36	38	40	38	42
All households	29	n/a	29	30	31	31	31	30	32	35	36	38	37	40
¹ Includes Company car benefit.

Council Tax

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each district council in Gloucestershire the number of appeals to the valuation

Cambodia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the number of mine-clearing units operating under the UN mandate in Cambodia; and how many mines have been lifted as a result of those operations.

[pursuant to his reply 22 April 1993]: We have received further information from our mission in Phnom Penh.UNTAC has now redeployed its resources. As of 17 April, there were three international training teams and 20 supervisory teams operating in Cambodia. A total of 2,184 Khmer deminers, 51 Khmer supervisors, and 21 Khmer instructors had been trained. A further 32 deminars, 24 supervisors and 27 instructors were still undergoing training. Twenty-six platoons of trained Khmer deminers were operating under UN Supervisory teams in Cambodia, while another six were operating under NGO auspices.We continue to strees to UNTAC the importance of its mine clearance training activities to which we have contributed personnel.

National Finance

Incomes

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give Gini coefficients for the distribution of income at each stage of the tax benefit system 1977 to 1990, in the equivalised form adopted in Economic Trends No. 471, page 187 for (a) households with children only, (b) other households and (c) all households.

The figures are given in the table.officer by property owners against council tax banding; and how long he expects it to take for these appeals to be determined.

As at 22 April, 6,125 proposals had been received by the listing officer responsible for district council areas in Gloucestershire. The division of this figure into individual district council areas is not yet available. As the number of appeals which will be made in Gloucestershire cannot yet be predicted it is not possible to determine the length of time it will take to deal with them.

Charities

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount in real terms that charities will gain from the changes announced in the Budget regarding payroll giving and gift aid in the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

The revenue cost of these measures will depend on take-up. But the cost of the Gift Aid change is estimated at £20 million in 1993–94, £30 million in 1994–95 and £30 million in 1995–96. The cost of the payroll giving change is estimated at £1 million each year.

Married Couples Allowances

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the additional revenue, at 1993 prices, resulting from leaving the married couples allowances unchanged in the financial years 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what estimate he has made of the additional revenue which will be generated in the financial years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

The estimated direct revenue yield for each year compared with tax regimes in which the married couple's allowances had been increased in line with the statutory rules for indexation since 1990–91 are as follows:

Yield in a full year at 1993–94 prices
£ million
1991–92	450
1992–93	600
1993–94	750

Equivalent estimates for 1994–95 and 1995–96 would depend on income levels, changes in the retail prices index, and other aspects of the tax regime for the future years.

European Bank For Reconstruction And Development

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the ways in which United Kingdom contributions to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have been spent to date.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 19 April,

Official Report, c. 249–50.

Vat (Fuel)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue from value added tax paid by charities on domestic fuel and power in real terms at 1993 prices, in the years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

In 1993 prices, we estimate that applying VAT to charities' non-business use of fuel and power will raise around £10 million in 1994–95 and around £25 million in 1995–96.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received favouring his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use.

[holding answer 26 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations. Among other things these support the need to use the tax system to help fulfil our Rio commitment, support the need to raise revenue to tackle the deficit and support the policy of doing this through indirect taxation rather than income tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 180, what is his estimate of the annual revenue for value added tax on pensioners' payments of standing charges for gas and electricity when the rate is (a) 8 per cent. and (b) 17·5 per cent.

[holding answer 27 April 1993]: Table 4.1 of the FSBR provides estimates of the total revenue effect of applying VAT to domestic fuel and power. Applying VAT to pensioners' payments of standing charges is estimated to raise around 3 per cent. of this total, or around £30 million in 1994–95 and £70 million in 1995–96. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor made clear in his Budget speech, extra help will be given through benefits to those pensioners and others on low incomes who are dependent on income-related benefits.

Home Department

Fire Services

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by each fire service actual expenditure for 1992–93 against standard spending assessments 1992–93 and planned spending for 1993–94 against standard spending assessments 1993–94.

Neither outturn expenditure for 1992–93 nor local authority service budgets for 1993–94 are yet available centrally. English authorities' latest budget estimates for fire and civil defence in 1992–93, and the fire and civil defence components of their standard spending assessments for that year, are given in the table.

£ million
	1992–93 Fire and civil defence budget estimate	1992–93 Fire and civil defence SSA
Avon	20·698	19·494
Bedfordshire	10·939	10·907
Berkshire	14·766	16·458
Buckinghamshire	11·389	12·171
Cambridgeshire	11·688	11·471
Cheshire	19·720	19·077
Cleveland	17·993	18·669
Cornwall	9·512	7·250
Cumbria	10·947	8·377
Derbyshire	16·587	16·758
Devon	20·634	19·089
Dorset	12·342	11·753
Durham	12·968	12·491
West Sussex	15·492	14·330
Essex	32·019	31·108
Gloucestershire	9·857	9·069
Hampshire	25·990	30·448

	1992–93 Fire and civil defence budget estimate	1992–93 Fire and civil defence SSA
Hereford and Worcester	12·254	11·831
Hertfordshire	18·805	20·378
Humberside	22·644	20·217
Isle of Wight	3·078	2·280
Kent	33·841	30·328
Lancashire	30·844	30·361
Leicestershire	14·308	16·548
Lincolnshire	9·969	9·309
Norfolk	13·906	12·399
Northamptonshire	10·560	10·905
Northumberland	8·592	5·706
North Yorkshire	13·975	11·706
Nottinghamshire	19·435	20·482
Oxfordshire	10·639	10·848
Shropshire	7·717	7·626
Somerset	8·625	7·316
Staffordshire	18·548	18·640
Suffolk	11·936	10·691
Surrey	23·374	21·756
Warwickshire	11·186	8·618
West Sussex	13·977	14·430
Wiltshire	9·500	9·610
London	237·550	238·252
Greater Manchester	66·386	67·242
Merseyside	45·292	44·904
South Yorkshire	30·966	27·310
Tyne and Wear	32·012	32·915
West Midlands	63·239	66·216
West Yorkshire	51·035	47·388
Isles of Scilly	0·101	0·067

Nuclear Materials

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to the police to apprehend and arrest individuals attempting unlawfully to sell nuclear materials in the United Kingdom.

The police have the power to arrest without warrant in relation to an offence of dealing with nuclear material in contravention of subsection (2) of section 2 of the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983. In certain circumstances, they may also be able to arrest for offences under the Theft Act 1968.

Crime, Greater Manchester

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests there were in the Greater Manchester area during the past year for (a) burglaries and (b) crimes of violence.

The information is not collected centrally.

Police National Network

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 April, Official Report, column 109, what contract award procedures applied in the case of the short-listing for the police national network.

The procurement of the police national network follows the negotiated procedures set out in article 11(2) (c) of the EC services directive, which comes into force on 1 July.

Wheel Clamping

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he has received about wheel clamping in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Greater Manchester area.

Since 1 April 1992, the Home Office has received 258 written complaints about wheel clamping on private land, both directly from members of the public arid from hon. Members on behalf of constituents. Of this total, 15 can be identified as originating from the Greater Manchester area.In the same period, the Home Office has received 20 written complaints about wheel clamping on the public highway, which currently takes place only in London. We are not aware of any complaints from the Greater Manchester area on this issue.The Home Office issued a consultation document on wheel clamping on private land on 23 February. Comments should reach the Home Office by 30 May.

Primates

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in establishing a register of primates kept in member states in order to minimise the importation of primates for research from outside the Community.

I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 16 March at col. 176.

Hmp Blakenhurst

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries into the antecedents of Mr. T. Don Hutto were made before awarding the contract to manage Her Majesty's prison Blakenhurst to UKDS; in what way the present departmental inquiry into Mr. Hutto differs; and if the results of the inquiries will be made public.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr. Tony Blair, dated April 1993:

In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Mr. Hutto.

As is standard practice before awarding any prison managment contracts, a range of enquiries was made about the Corrections Corporation of America and to a limited extent about individuals within it; (those who are to be running a prision are subject to separate, more detailed checks). The purpose of the present inquiry is to look into specific allegations which have been made against Mr. Hutto and the conclusions of the exercise will be announced.

Police Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the national and regional police bodies in England and Wales giving (a) the purpose of the body, (b) the date established, (c) the headquarters' location, (d) the name and rank of chief officer, (e) the body to whom the chief officer reports or is accountable, (f) the number of police officers employed, (g) the number of civilian staff employed and (h) the cost of the body in the latest year for which figures are available.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

Hmp Manchester

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the procedures for firms to re-bid on cost, after all the original bids have been received, for the contract to manage Her Majesty's prison Manchester.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr. Tony Blair, dated April 1993:

In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office the Home Secretary has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the procedures for firms to re-bid on costs.

There are at present no such procedures in place; in the event that a re-tender is required, tenderers will be advised accordingly, and the procedures detailed.

Any unsolicited re-tenders received after the return date will be considered as late tenders, and may not be included in the evaluation.

Bogus Marriages

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his most recent estimate of the number of bogus marriages solemnised in the United Kingdom during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

The number of bogus marriages identified in the course of enforcing the immigration law is not collected centrally. More generally, the incidence of bogus marriages is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Crime Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now place in the Library full information arising from the 1992 British crime survey.

Analysis of the 1992 British crime survey is still in progress. Full results will be presented in a series of reports. The first two will be published in the summer and will cover: crime levels, the reporting of crime and the risks of crime; and contacts with and attitudes to the police. Copies will be placed in the Library in the usual way.

Young Offenders Centre, Feltham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations which have placed a bid to run the educational service at Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr. Alan Keen, dated 29 April 1993:

In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about those bidding to provide future education services at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham.

I would refer you to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sherwood, Mr. Tipping, on 14 January, col 798, a copy of which is enclosed. The London Borough of Hounslow and Hounslow Borough College have agreed to continue to provide education services at HM Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham until 31 August 1993. Following the recent judgment of Mr. Justice Ogden in the case of Kenny and Woodroffe v South Manchester College, the Prison Service expects to reach a decision shortly on how to proceed with tendering for those prison establishments, for which contracts for the future provision of education services have not yet been placed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the report into Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham, carried out by Anthony Scrivener QC and his team on behalf of the Howard League; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr Alan Keen, dated 29 April 1993:

In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Howard League report on Feltham Remand Centre and Young Offender Institution.

The report covers a wide range of matters and makes many recommendations. The Howard League have identified several areas of concern and steps have already been taken to improve conditions at Feltham and to reduce the risk of suicide by the young offenders held there.

The Governor of Feltham is studying the Howard League's report in detail, along with other members of the Prison Service Working Group on Feltham. Its terms of reference are to support and facilitate the enhancement of the regime at Feltham Remand Centre; to consider the plan for its long-term future; and to make recommendations.

There will be a full response to the Howard League recommendations when the Feltham Working Group publishes its report later this year.

Duchy Of Lancaster

Public Bodies

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made with the invitation contained in the guide issued jointly by the Office of Public Service and Science and Her Majesty's Treasury to consider making the interests of members of non-departmental public bodies a matter of public record; and if he will list all declarations already made.

Such action is at the discretion of Departments, and information on declarations made is not collected centrally.

National Heritage

Indemnity Undertakings

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six months ending 31 March; and what was the value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and which remain outstanding as at 31 March.

The information requested is as follows:In the six months to 31 March 1993 the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant departments for items on loan to national and non-national institutions:

	Number
Department of National Heritage	501
Scottish Office Education Department	45
Welsh Office Education Department	26
Department of Education for Northern Ireland	9

The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and outstanding at 31 March 1993 are:

	£
Department of National Heritage	1,187,879,848
Scottish Office Education Department	133,108,056
Welsh Office Education Department	32,937,662
Department of Education for Northern Ireland	2,994,719

Windsor Castle

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made in deciding the reconstruction strategy for Windsor castle.

A thorough examination has now been carried out of the area damaged by the fire on 20 November, which extends to nine principal rooms and 103 additional rooms. A large expanse of roof has been destroyed. However, almost all the walls, the structure of the windows, and much of the floors of the principal rooms are still sound. And damage to the interiors varies greatly from room to room. Some have been almost totally destroyed; others have suffered only limited damage to the interior decoration of the walls and ceilings. Virtually all the furniture and paintings were in store at the time of the fire and can be returned to the rooms, some of which were specifically designed to house them.The reconstruction strategy must clearly take account of the extent of the damage in the various state apartments. In those rooms where significant internal decoration remains, it would not be right to complete the work of the fire by destroying what remains: restoration to the condition before the fire is clearly appropriate. But, where little or nothing of the former interior has survived, there is much more scope for considering modern redesign, for putting a late 20th century stamp in this area of the castle of which we and future generations can be proud.

It has therefore been agreed by Her Majesty that some rooms—the grand reception room, for example, and the crimson and green drawing rooms—will be restored to their former glory. Modern techniques may be used where they will not impinge on the visual impact of the rooms; and, where practicable, damaged elements will be repaired and significant fragments that have been saved will be reused. Throughout, we will be seeking to combine faithful restoration with value for money.

In other rooms, such as the private chapel where the fire began and the state dining room, there will be the opportunity to start anew and give expression to the best of modern design.

In arriving at this broad approach, the Government and the royal household have had the benefit of consultations with the chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission, the president of the RIBA, and the chairman of English Heritage in their personal capacities. I am indebted to them for their assistance.

Her Majesty is very conscious of the potential cost to the taxpayer of that work. She has decided to open, to the public, parts of Buckingham palace, housing important items of the royal collection in August and September, starting this summer. The income from charges for entry, together with the proceeds from charges to be raised for entry to the precincts of Windsor castle from next year, will be devoted to the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas.

Some decisions regarding design have yet to be taken and detailed specifications are still to be drawn up. And any recommendations in the report on fire prevention strategy which will be presented to me by Sir Alan Bailey next month will need to be considered. However, early estimates suggest that the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas will cost £30 to £40 million over a five-year period. Some 70 per cent. of that cost is expected to be met by proceeds from visitor charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor. The remainder will be found from within the present level of funding provided by grant-in-aid from the Department of National Heritage to the royal household. The contribution from the Exchequer, therefore, is expected to average £2 to £2½ million annually at current prices over the five years.

The royal household will now proceed to prepare a detailed programme of work. Full consultation with relevant bodies will be carried out on the proposals once they have been worked up.

What is proposed represents an approach to the reconstruction of Windsor castle that blends restoration with redesign. The burden on the taxpayer is significantly reduced, due to Her Majesty's proposals to allow greater public access to Buckingham palace and to devote the proceeds from admission charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor to the reconstruction work.

I am in no doubt that this will be widely welcomed, both in this House and beyond. I believe the way now to be clear for that work to proceed with support throughout the nation.

Angling

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment his Department had made of the total number of anglers in Great Britain.

[holding answer 27 April 1993]: The 1990 general household survey found that 6 per cent. of those surveyed in Great Britain, aged 16 or over, participated in angling in the 12 months before interview. This suggests that there are about 2,670,000 anglers.

Wales

Labour Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest estimates of the number of (a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) males and (ii) females in

Thousands
Division description	September 1984	September 1987	September 1989	September 1991
Male full—time
Manufacturing	36·4	39·7	42·8	37·7
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	18·1	19·7	21·0	17·1
Other manufacturing¹	18·3	20·0	21·8	20·6
Construction	8·1	7·0	6·7	6·7
Distribution²	5·8	6·3	6·1	6·6
Transport/communication	5·1	4·8	5·6	4·4
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	3·5	2·9	3·4	3·8
Other services³	16·1	19·0	15·4	15·7
Male part—time
Manufacturing	0·3	0·3	0·4	0·4
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	0·1	0·1	0·2	0·2
Other manufacturing¹	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·2
Construction	0·2	0·3	0·1	0·1
Distribution²	0·5	0·7	1·2	1·2
Transport/communication	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·4
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	0·1	0·2	0·2	0·2
Other services³	2·6	4·6	2·4	2·6
Female full—time
Manufacturing	17·0	19·5	20·0	16·8
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	7·8	8·0	8·3	6·3
Other manufacturing¹	9·2	11·6	11·7	10·5
Construction	0·5	0·5	0·5	0·4
Distribution²	4·1	4·0	4·4	4·1
Transport/communication	0·5	0·7	0·8	0·9
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	2·8	2·7	3·1	4·3
Other services³	16·4	18·0	17·5	19·3
Female part—time
Manufacturing	1·9	2·7	3·0	2·6
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	0·6	0·8	0·8	0·7
Other manufacturing¹	1·3	1·9	2·1	1·8
Construction	0·6	0·5	0·5	0·5
Distribution²	5·4	5·7	7·8	8·2
Transport/communication	0·3	0·6	0·6	0·6
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	1·0	1·0	1·3	1·9
Other services³	18·7	20·5	25·9	27·8

Division Description	1984–91	1987–91	1989–91
Percentage change in Male full—time
Manufacturing	3·4	—5·1	—12·0
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	—5·6	—13·2	—18·6
Other manufacturing¹	12·3	2·8	—5·6
Construction	—16·5	—3·4	0·9
Distribution²	12·8	3·9	7·1
Transport/communication	—13·7	—9·7	—22·6
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	8·9	32·1	12·4
Other services³	—2·6	—17·8	1·7
Percentage change in Male part—time
Manufacturing	31·8	24·1	—8·6
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	140·0	140·0	—4·5
Other manufacturing¹	—5·4	—12·7	—11·9

employment in (1) manufacturing, (2) metal goods, engineering and vehicles, (3) other manufacturing, (4) construction, (5) distribution, (6) transport and communications, (7) banking and financial and (8) other services, in 1991, 1989, 1987 and 1983 within the areas covered by the valleys initiative; and what percentage changes in each category level occurred in 1991 as compared with 1989, 1987 and 1983.

The information requested on employees in employment within the areas covered by the valleys initiative is given in the following tables:

Division Description	1984–91	1987–91	1989–91
Construction	—29·3	61·3	39·1
Distribution²	161·8	65·4	2·0
Transport/communication	18·3	37·9	18·3
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	97·5	9·8	51·6
Other services³	2·5	—43·3	7·5
Change in Female full—time
Manufacturing	—1·6	14·2	—16·2
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	—19·9	—21·2	—24·3
Other manufacturing¹	13·9	—9·3	—10·4
Construction	—17·1	—19·1	—17·1
Distribution²	—0·2	1·3	—7·3
Transport/communication	71·4	24·0	7·0
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	53·2	58·3	38·7
Other services³	17·6	7·4	10·1

Division Description	1984–91	1987–91	1989–91
Change in Female part—time
Manufacturing	34·7	—5·7	—13·9
Metal goods/vehicle industries, etc.	33·4	—10·6	—11·2
Other manufacturing¹	35·3	—3·4	—14·9
Construction	—21·9	—7·5	—0·9
Distribution²	52·3	44·1	5·3
Transport/communication	73–3	0·5	—8·3
Banking, finance, insurance, leasing, etc.	82·2	95·6	47·0
Other services³	48·8	35·8	7·2

Source: Employment Department.

¹ Divisions 2 and 4, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

² Classes 61–65, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

³ Classes 66–67 and division 9, Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

Home Improvements

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral statement on 1 April, Official Report, column 513, how many homes have been improved through enveloping and repairs in each of the last five years, and at what public cost within the area covered by the valleys initiative; and how many homes, and what public expenditure he estimates will be spent during each of the next five years.

The numbers and cost of homes improved through enveloping and block/group repairs over the last five years are set out in the following table:

Year	Numbers	Cost £ million
1988–89	2,656	14·343
1989–90	2,749	12·716
1990–91	1,622	14·117
1991–92	367	3·943
1992–93	478	4·788
Totals	7,872	49·907

For 1993–94 I have made almost £3·3 million available specifically for area renewal schemes in the valleys area. Activity beyond 1993–94 will depend on the priority which local authorities give to area based renewal within the resources available to them.The figures shown are exclusive of mandatory home renovation grant activity for individual homes.

Pharmacies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of pharmacies in Wales; and how many dispense fewer than 2,000 prescriptions per year.

In each month on average, for the 12 months ending 28 February 1993, there were 708 pharmacies in Wales, of which 124 dispensed fewer than 2,000 prescriptions.

Urban Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 October 1992, Official Report, columns 283–84, what progress he had made in allocating the £2·5 million under the urban programme; what allocations have been announced and on what the money has been spent; and what proposals he has for the expenditure of the residual amount.

Local authorities were informed in January of the successful projects receiving assistance from the urban programme in 1992–93 under the special allocation of £2·5 million to help promote the development of the areas affected by the colliery review. A further £700,000 has also been made available in 1993–94 to continue the developments started in 1992–93.Details of the individual local authorities benefiting and amounts approved from the special allocation are as follows:

Local Authority	Approval 1992–93 £	Approval 1993–94 £
Clwyd CC	100,000	—
Delyn BC	80,000	—
Rhuddlan BC	425,000	160,000
Dyfed CC	20,000	—
Llanelli BC	331,300	150,000
Dinefwr BC	565,000	150,000
Cynon Valley BC	260,000	100,000
Merthyr Tydfil BC	363,000	140,000
Rhymney Valley DC	161,000	—
West Glamorgan CC	126,000	—
Lliw Valley	64,000	—
Total	2,495,300	700,000

Details of the individual projects approved are as follows:

Authority and Project	Approved £
	1992–93	1993–94
Projects approved for areas around Betws colliery
Dyfed
Garnant Initiative Programme Provision of 15 small workshops and retail facilities skills training for business in the tourism, craft and leisure industry also provided	20,000	—
Llanelli
Cross Hands Business Park—12	166,300	150,000
Workshops—Complementing existing provision
Cross Hands Business Park—7	165,000	—
Workshops—Complementing existing provision
Dinefwr
Capel Hendre Business Park provision of major serviced Industrial site	250,000	50,000
Cwmaman River Corrider Improvements
Development of Site for recreational purposes	235,000	100,000
Block B Capel Hendre Business Park Servicing of three-acre site	80,000	—
Lliw Valley
Nursery Units at Pontardawe— provision of 10 units	64,000	—
West Glamorgan
Training and Activity Centre Cwmllynfell	82,000	—

Authority and Project	Approved £
	1992–93	1993–94
Purchase and conversion of garage—24 training places
Amman Valley Enterprise	24,000	—
Improvement of facilities for Community Businesses and IT Training
Cwmllynfell Miners' Welfare Hall	20,000	—
Redevelopment of Hall
Total	1,106,300	300,000

Authority and Project	Approved £
	1992–93	1993–94
Projects approved for areas around point of Ayr colliery
Clwyd CC
Managed Workshops Space, Morfa Provision of 5 units totalling 118m²	100,000	—
Delyn BC
Afonwen Woolen Mill—Grosvenor Charter—Conversion of 900m² of floor space for commercial use	80,000	—
Ruddlan BC
Ffrith Beach Development Prestatyn Tourism development—15 acres of derelict land improved	90,000	—
Extension to Tai Tywyn Business Centre	30,000	—
Land acquisition for industrial development
Extension to Pare Industrial Estate Land acquisition for industrial development	130,000	—
Coach Interchange, West Rhyl Provision of alternative and improved facility for coaches	65,000	160,000
Gateway Project, Rhyl Railway Station Provision of 10 units—Refurbishment of an old station building into Business Centre	110,000	—
Total	605,000	160,000

	50 per cent.	95 per cent.
Urban	7 mins	14 mins	South Glamorgan
Rural	8 mins	18 mins	Clwyd, Gwent, Mid and West Glamorgan
Sparsely populated	8 mins	21 mins	East Dyfed, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Powys

The information given in the tables relates to the relevant standards for each service:

	Year ended 31 March
	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent, target
Clwyd	62	n/a	63	59	60
East Dyfed	54	55	56	54	55
Gwent	61	73	53	50	52
Gwynedd	54	54	55	54	55
Mid Glamorgan	48	45	50	47	53

Authority and Project	Approved £
	1992–93	1993–94
Projects approved for areas around Taff Merthyr colliery
Cynon Valley
Cwm Cynon Enterprise Centre Provision of 20 units and offices	100,000	100,000
River/Sewer Diversion, Mountain Ash Cwm Cynon Development Programme	130,000	—
Technology Centre, Aberaman Part of Cwm Cynon Development Programme —Training Centre in high technology skills. Grant to help meet additional costs	30,000	—
Merthyr Tydfil
Goat Mill Road, Dowlais Reclamation of 3.8ha of land, clear derelict buildings	250,000	—
Repairs and Renewal to Treharris Boys Club	53,000	—
Increase Community uses of Club. Cyfarthfa Park	60,000	140,000
Phase III of Tourism development Programme for Merthyr
Rhymney Valley
Caerphilly Business Park	61,000	—
Provision of medium sized units Infrastructure Works at Duffryn Industrial Estate part of Local authority's Economic Strategy	100,000	—
Total	784,000	240,000

Ambulance Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many ambulances have been operated by each health authority in Wales in each year since 1979.

The information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of emergency calls to the ambulance service in each country in Wales in each year since 1987 was answered within (a) eight minutes and (b) 14 minutes.

Until 31 March 1991 standard ambulance response times in Wales were 50 per cent. in eight minutes and 95 per cent. in 20 minutes. Revised classifications of ambulance service—tied to density of population served—came into effect on 1 April 1991:

	Year ended 31 March
	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent. target
Pembrokeshire	33	44	40	37	36
Powys	46	44	44	44	44
South Glamorgan	66	66	58	56	42
West Glamorgan	55	n/a	62	64	61
Percentage of ambulances arriving within 95 per cent. target
Clwyd	99	n/a	100	96	97
East Dyfed	91	92	92	92	94
Gwent	98	99	98	100	93

	Year ended 31 March
	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992
Percentage of ambulances arriving within 50 per cent, target
Gwynedd	95	95	93	94	94
Mid Glamorgan	98	95	98	82	96
Pembrokeshire	68	86	86	92	84
Powys	86	83	83	82	83
South Glamorgan	99	99	98	95	84
West Glamorgan	94	n/a	97	97	96

Note: n/a=not available.

Welsh Development Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 October 1992, Official Report, columns 283–84, what progress he has made in allocating to the Welsh Development Agency (a) £16 million for land reclamation and urban property development, (b) £5 million for business support services and (c) £10 million for urban renewal joint venture schemes; how much expenditure under each of these heads has been announced and for what purposes; and what proposals he has for the expenditure of the residue.

Provision for the Welsh Development Agency's 18-month programme in the coal review areas announced last October has been made within the overall budget totals set for the agency, the 1993–94 figures for which I announced on 10 December. The programme embraces a wide range of projects. I understand that the agency has made good progress in implementation of the programme and expects to achieve the target outturn by the end of the current financial year.

Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he had made of the effect on the populations of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities into the South Glamorgan health authority in respect of access to the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend.

The function of health authorities is to purchase health care from providers on behalf of their resident populations. These providers need not necessarily be within the boundaries of the health authority, and often are outside those boundaries.As a provider of health care, Bridgend and district NHS trust is well placed to offer services to a number of health authority purchasers, as well as fund-holding general practitioners. Purchasing decisions will be informecl by GP, community health council and patient preference rather than administrative boundaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the distances between (a) Wick, (b) Saint Bride's Major, (c) Ewenny and (d) Coychurch and (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry using the shortest route by A and/or B roads.

The approximate distances are as follows:

Miles
	Bridgend	Barry
Wick to	6·0	13·6
St. Bride's Major to	3·4	16·2
Ewenny to	2·1	17·0
Coychurch Lower to	2·4	17·9

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect on children living and attending primary schools in Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities to the Vale of Glamorgan unitary authority in respect of access to comprehensive schools in the proposed Bridgend unitary authority.

Responsibility for the admission of pupils to local education authority maintained schools rests with local authorities, and that responsibility will be unchanged under any proposals for the reorganisation of local government. Admission authorities are required not to discriminate against pupils living outside their areas in implementing their admissions policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the distances, by A and/or B roads, from the place, closest by road, in (a) the community of Wick, (b) the community of Saint Bride's Major, (c) the community of Ewenny and (d) the community of Coychurch Lower to (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry.

The approximate distances are as follows:

Miles
	Bridgend	Barry
The community of Wick to	5·1	13·3
The community of St. Bride's Major to	2·3	15·3
The community of Ewenny to	1·0	15·4
The community of Coychurch Lower to	1·3	16·2

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what specific criteria he used to determine that the communities of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick should be transferred from the borough of Ogwr to the Vale of Glamorgan under his plans for unitary authorities.

In considering the boundaries of the proposed unitary authorities I took account of the principles set out in the consultation paper, "The Structure of Local Government in Wales" which I published in June 1991 and, in particular:

i. local authority boundaries should, as far as possible, reflect and strengthen existing community loyalties; and

ii. local public services should be of high quality, and delivered efficiently, economically and effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect on the communities of Coychurch Lower, Ewenny, Saint Bride's Major and Wick of a transfer of those communities into the Vale of Glamorgan in respect of access to the library facilities in the town of Bridgend.

The education, leisure and culture sub-group of the structures group of the WCCLG considered the provision of library services under a structure of unitary authorities.A copy of their report has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the length of time it takes for a resident of the communities of (a) Coychurch Lower, (b) Ewenny, (c) Saint Bride's Major and (d) Wick to travel by public transport to (i) Bridgend and (ii) Barry.

These are matters which were put to me when I visited the area last Friday.

Farmers (Ec Aid)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he is making to improve the service to farmers requiring maps in order to make applications for European Community financial assistance before the 14 May deadline; and if he will make a statement.

Farmers may obtain advice and maps from the Ordnance Survey and their agents. In addition, to ease congestion at these outlets, I have made special arrangements for farmers to have access to maps held by my Department to help them complete their applications. I have asked local authorities and other bodies to provide access to maps they hold. Special arrangements have also been made with the Ordnance Survey so that the Welsh Office and ADAS can sell maps to farmers.In the past week I have also informed livestock producers that if accurate details of forage areas cannot be established accurately by 15 May they should submit this year an estimate in hectares on a field-by-field basis. Provided that estimate proves to be either accurate or an under-statement of the area, they will not be penalised subsequently. I have therefore recommended that they estimate conservatively should they need to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he has made to meet farmers and farming organisations to discuss the revised guidelines for European Community assistance, and to set up explanatory seminars with (a) a ministerial presence and (b) official presence only.

My Department has gone to considerable lengths to inform the farming industry of the changes to the various premium schemes, including the introduction of the integrated administration and control system (IACS), arising from the reforms of the common agricultural policy. Between January and March senior officials ran 10 seminars throughout Wales to explain the new rules and grant application procedures. They have also, upon invitation, addressed meetings of both local and national organisations with an interest in the industry.Special additional arrangements have been made to advise farmers about the completion of their IACS returns. I have established free-phone helplines in the divisional offices of my Agricultural Department which have received over 10,000 calls. I also commissioned ADAS to undertake an awareness campaign and provide on the spot training at markets and places where farmers gather throughout Wales. By Friday 23 April, in conjunction with my officials they had held some 150 such events, attended by approximately 6,500 farmers. These will continue right up to the deadline of 15 May and concentrate more on form filling in working groups and clinics. I have participated in several of these clinics in various parts of Wales. I shall also be meeting representatives of farming unions next week.

Social Security

Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified pension age of 60 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension;(2) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified state pension age of 65 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate 2035 being 19·4 per cent. and of the equivalent rate of single pension;(3) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming a unified pension age of 63 years, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension;(4) what estimates he has made, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", assuming that current state pension ages are maintained, of the rate of increase in pension above price inflation which would be consistent with the combined national insurance contribution rate in 2035 being 19·4 per cent., and of the equivalent rate of single pension.

The information is in the table.

Pension Age	Rate of Basic Pension in 2035 consistent with a combined Class 1 NI contribution rate of 19·4 per cent. (1993–94 benefit rates)	Required rale of annual increase in pension above price inflation
	£	Percentage
Current pension ages	61·10	0·2
Unified age of 60	52·90	—0·1
Unified age of 63	61·10	0·2
Unified age of 65	68·15	0·5

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish estimates, on the basis of assumptions used in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", on the effect on national insurance contribution rates in 2015, 2025, 2035 and 2045 of equalising state pension age at (a) 60 years, (b) 63 years and (c) 65 years, giving figures separately for (i) earnings-uprating of pensions and national insurance thresholds and (ii) price-uprating.

Available information is given in the tables. Figures for 2015 and 2045 are not available.

(i) Earnings-uprating Effect measured in percentage points
	2025	2035
Age 60	+ 3·0	+ 2·5
Age 63	negligible	negligible
Age 65	—2·0	—1·5

(ii) Price-uprating Effect measured in percentage points
	2025	2035
Age 60	+ 2·0	+ 1·5
Age 63	—0·25	negligible
Age 65	—1·5	—1·0

Invalidity Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what ways the procedures have been changed for people who were receiving invalidity benefit and are found to be no longer eligible.

No changes have been made to the entitlement conditions or to the procedures which follow an adjudication officer's decision that someone is no longer entitled to invalidity benefit.

Voluntary Work

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effect of voluntary work undertaken in excess of 24 hours a week by an unemployed person who can demonstrate that he or she is looking for work on the person's benefit entitlement.

There is no legislation limiting the amount of voluntary work an unemployed person may undertake. An unemployed person who is engaged in unpaid voluntary work may continue to receive benefits provided he continues to satisfy the conditions of entitlement. These are that a person must be available for work, and must actively seek work each week.Current legislation allows volunteers 24 hours' notice in which to make the necessary arrangements to give up or rearrange voluntary responsibilities before taking up an offer of employment. In recognition of the value the Government place on voluntary work the Secretary of State announced on 28 April a proposal to extend this period of notice to 48 hours.

Fuel Bills

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further proposals he has to lessen the effect on people on low incomes of the imposition of value added tax on gas and electricity bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to ensure that those who are chronically ill receive additional payments to cover the cost of value added tax on fuel.

In his Budget statement the Chancellor said that there would be extra help for poorer pensioners and those on low incomes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing the details of this extra help in the autumn.

Claimants Abroad

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire; and if he will make a statement.

The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Harry Green way, dated 28 April 1993:

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State asking what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire.

A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. Of those five people four are feared to have died in the fire and the benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit and Retirement Pension.

The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit. I would also like to say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by the Agency's Overseas Branch Directorate by payable order through a bank account or by automated credit transfer.

I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving social security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom;(2) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving.

The administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 28 April 1993:

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving and (ii) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving Social Security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom.

A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. The benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefit and Retirement Pension.

I am unable, until my investigations are complete, to say how long each individual had been outside the United Kingdom as none of the absences from this country had been reported to the Department's Overseas Benefits Directorate (OBD), who are responsible for considering benefit entitlement for most people who leave the United Kingdom. I can, however, say that of the five people mentioned, one ceased to receive benefit in February 1993 and another ceased to receive benefit in March 1993. I can also say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by OBD by payable order through a bank account, or by automated credit transfer.

The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit.

I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

Visually Impaired Claimants

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken, or will be taking, to improve access to the benefits system for people who are visually impaired by providing more official information in large print, Braille, or on tape; and if he will make a statement.

The provision of benefit information is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Alfred Morris, dated 28 April 1993:

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding the provision of benefit information in large print, Braille, or on tape.

The Benefits Agency has a contract with RNIB to provide information for visually impaired people in Braille. Last year 28 different leaflets were translated, and 450 eye hospitals were mailed with the Braille version of FB19 Social Security benefits—A guide for blind and partially sighted people. This year we are working to extend the distribution of material further and translate yet more leaflets.

The Agency also produces the publication FB19 in both large print and as an audio tape. In the year 1992–93, 80,000 booklets and 40,000 tapes of this publication were mailed to visually impaired people. A similar level of activity is planned for this current year.

A number of services are available from the Benefit Enquiry Line for visually impaired customers. These include a forms completion service in Braille and large print.

I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

Sickness And Invalidity Benefit

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals are currently claiming invalidity benefit in (a) the county of Cleveland and (b) in the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh.

The administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 28 April 1993:

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many individuals are currently claiming Invalidity Benefit in (a) the County of Cleveland and (b) in the Boroughs of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh.

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportinate cost. However, the latest statistics available from the Agency's North Tees District and South Tees District Offices, which include the areas concerned in the question, show a total of 27,777 customers in receipt of Invalidity Benefit. As Agency District boundaries do not correspond with county or borough boundaries this figure includes some customers living in areas other than those listed in the question.

Listed below are the figures available for each Office within the North Tees District and South Tees District.

Number of recipients currently in receipt of Invalidity Benefit
	Number
North Tees District
Stockton-on-Tees District Office	7,545
Hartlepool Branch Office	5,368
South Tees District
Middlesbrough District Office (including Tees South Branch Office)	7,108
Easton Branch Office	3,355
Redcar Branch Office	4,401

I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

Correspondence

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 15 March to the Minister of State regarding retirement age for receiving invalidity benefit.

My noble Friend Lord Henley wrote to the hon. Member on 26 April. He apologised for the delay.

Benefits

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the data used in the construction of figure 7 in the 1993 Social Security departmental report on percentages of different types of benefits paid in the broad groups of beneficiaries in 1992–93; and what were the equivalent figures for each year since 1976.

The information requested is in the table.

Different types of benefit paid to broad groups of beneficiaries in cash terms
£ million
	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93
Elderly:
Contributory	5,662	6,697	7,639	8,903	10,615	12,216	13,640	14,705	15,361	16,678	17,876	18,842	19,337	20,795	22,798	25,688	26,955
Non-contributory	36	36	42	41	43	45	46	47	45	48	45	46	45	44	45	47	48
Income-related	716	809	1,063	1,186	1,481	2,070	2,436	2,909	3,381	3,709	3,969	4,165	4,275	4,842	5,741	5,688	7,481
Short-term sick:
Contributory	559	652	696	655	654	680	554	765	787	821	936	1,033	1,090	1,153	1,157	973	1,025
Non-contributory	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Income-related	16	17	29	25	28	29	28	29	28	28	28	35	45	74	66	107	134
Long-term sick:
Contributory	732	909	1,070	1,253	1,446	1,701	1,952	2,257	2,540	2,772	3,128	3,435	3,826	4,325	4,444	5,362	6,116
Non-contributory	353	424	523	628	791	970	1,149	1,353	1,554	1,788	2,090	2,386	2,590	2,912	3,938	4,902	5,944
Income-related	166	177	176	218	262	289	408	523	619	726	948	845	1,050	1,320	1,842	2,291	2,799
Family:
Contributory	58	76	105	125	149	158	152	141	161	164	168	244	277	316	348	376	398
Non-contributory	559	889	1,814	2,846	3,021	3,464	3,767	4,112	4,414	4,619	4,675	4,761	4,694	4,736	4,820	5,438	6,044
Income-related	470	569	654	669	809	1,097	1,479	1,751	1,936	2,265	2,617	3,129	3,712	4,130	4,741	5,538	6,483
Unemployed:
Contributory	559	629	632	653	1,280	1,702	1,500	1,497	1,578	1,589	1,734	1,468	1,107	733	870	1,604	1,838
Non-contributory	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Income-related	545	761	742	817	1,250	2,320	3,511	4,204	4,741	5,374	5,574	5,179	4,128	3,576	4,203	5,943	7,452
Widows and others:
Contributory	481	512	555	617	698	757	795	844	859	877	906	899	910	912	891	1,013	1,032
Non-contributory	88	96	105	116	131	148	156	162	169	180	183	186	189	199	281	291	291
Income-related	18	15	26	27	21	45	45	34	59	59	39	46	55	34	51	76	94

Note: Expenditure in this table includes grants to local authorities, rent rebate subsidy payments and local authority expenditure not met by specific Government grants.

Overseas Development

Commonwealth Development Corporation

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which year the additional resources for the Commonwealth Development Corporation announced in November 1992 will be made available; whether the money will be drawn on the existing Overseas Development Administration's budget; and whether it will be classified as official development assistance.

In November 1992 we announced that certain changes in the financing arrangements for CDC would result in up to £50 million of additional resources being made available to the overseas aid effort as a whole. Part of this arises from the decision to waive interest due on outstanding aid loans from 1 April 1994, which would otherwise accrue to the Consolidated Fund. This will increase the amount of self-generated funds retained within CDC.We also agreed that CDC should seek to borrow from funds available for some Caribbean basin initiative countries, known as "936" funds, provided the borrowing terms meet the Government's normal criteria.Decisions about the level of new loans from the aid budget for the CDC are made annually. CDC loans to borrowers overseas are not sufficiently concessional to qualify as offical development assistance. Equity investments in developing countries under existing definitions do count as official development assistance.

Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of British aid was spent on primary health care, nutrition, basic education, family planning, safe water and sanitation in 1990, 1991 and 1992; and how much in cash terms would need to have been spent in those years in order to increase the amount spent on those basic needs to 20 per cent. of official development assistance.

The information for 1990 and 1991 is in the table. Figures for 1992 are not yet available. More detailed information on spending within individual sectors is not readily available. Individual projects may be targeted at more than one sector and area. Equally, projects not covered in the sectors listed may have an impact on basic needs.

Sector	1990 £000	1991 £000
Education	103,098	114,141
Health and Population (including Nutrition and family planning)	39,066	45,319
Water and Sanitation	22,099	24,966
Total	164,263	184,426
As percentage of bilateral aid allocable by sector¹	29	30
¹ Bilateral aid which is not allocable by sector includes programme aid, debt relief, humanitarian assistance, and loans to the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of its official development assistance the United Kingdom spent in Sub-Saharan Africa in 1990; and what was the increase each year in percentage terms, giving the figures for (a) bilateral aid, (b) multilateral aid and (c) in total.

The information requested for 1990 and 1991 is set out in the tables. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

	(i) Total Net oda	(ii) Allocable Bilateral oda to Sub-Sahara Africa	(i) as a percent of (i)	(iii) Multilateral Aid to ¹ Africa	(iii) as a per cent. of (i)	(ii) plus (iii) as a per cent. of (i)
	£ million	£ million	Per cent.	£ million	Per cent.	Per cent.
1990	1,503	301	20·0	366	24·4	44·4
1991	1,814	428	23·6	n/a	—	—
n/a = Not yet available.
¹ The figures given are estimated by ODA Statistics Department using data provided by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD on the spending patterns of multilateral agencies, and United Kingdom contributions to multilateral organisations. They refer to all Africa; it is not possible to dis-aggregate Sub-Saharan Africa.

Allocable net bilateral oda to Sub-Saharan Africa increased by over 42 per cent. between 1990 and 1991. As a percentage of total net oda the figure for allocable bilateral oda to Sub-Saharan Africa for 1991 represented an incrase of some 18 per cent. over that for 1990.

Somalia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British assistance is being given to the formation of police forces in Somalia.

We have informed the UN, EC and other bilateral donors that we are ready to help in the re-establishment of an indigenous police force in Somalia. The UN is currently developing a plan. As soon as it is available we shall consider what form our assistance might take. Meanwhile, we have appointed a consultant to undertake an assessment of emergency rehabilitation needs in the north-west, including the requirements for the development of police forces in the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made to involve women's groups in the reconstruction of Somalia.

My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey met representatives of women's groups when she visited Somalia last September and again in February. She encouraged them to play a full role in Somalia's rehabilitation and reconstruction. Since, then, women's groups have played an active role in the political reconciliation process. The Addis reconciliation conference of 12 to 27 March 1993 agreed that women should be represented on the proposed interim national council. The UN's relief and rehabilitation plan for 1993 gives priority to activities designed to involve and assist women.

Sudan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific assistance has been given by (a) the Government and (b) the EC to Sudan since January 1992.

Since January 1992, we have committed over £13 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance to Sudan. In the same period, we have provided almost £0·8 million in residual payments following the termination of the bilateral development aid programme in January 1991. In addition, since April 1991, almost £0·7 million has been disbursed through the joint funding scheme to support the work of British NGOs in Sudan.Since January 1992, the EC has committed over £61 million—United Kingdom share about £10 million—in food and other emergency assistance to Sudan. Figures are not available for EC disbursement on development projects, but no new development projects have been approved since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the adequacy of medical supplies to Sudan; and what obstacles there are to the adequacy of supplies to that country.

Our bilateral development assistance programme to Sudan was terminated in 1991. We are not therefore now involved in considering the regular provision of medical supplies to the Government of Sudan and we have made no assessment of the national availability of such supplies.Since January 1992, we have committed about £563,000 in humanitarian assistance funds and, in 1992–93, almost £52,000 from the joint funding scheme, in support of health care activities run by British NGOs in Sudan.

Least-Developed Countries

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have signed the Paris declaration and the United Nations programme of action for the least-developed countries; and what is the Government's policy towards recommendations on the amounts donors should spend on aid to the least-developed countries.

The Government joined the international consensus in adopting the Paris declaration and the United Nations programme of action for the least developed countries. There are a number of different aid targets set out in the programme of action. We reaffirmed our commitment to the target of 0·15 per cent. of GNP for aid to the least developed, but we did not subscribe to any timetable for reaching it.

Forestry Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake a review of the United Kingdom's assistance to forestry aid projects in developing countries.

We routinely monitor and review all our projects. We have recently completed an evaluation of six forestry projects, the lessons from which are being applied to our current programmes.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Potato Marketing Board

4.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from potato growers in Lancashire about the effects of the abolition of the Potato Marketing Board.

We have received representations through three hon. Members expressing support for the continuation of the PMB and one directly from a potato grower who favours abolition.

Agricultural Wages Board

6.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board.

The board is due to be reviewed this year as part of the periodic review of all non-departmental public bodies.

Surplus Food

16.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he has considered to the distribution of surplus EC food; and if he will make a statement.

I am reviewing all aspects of the scheme and will make an announcement soon.

Hill Farms

19.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of hill farms generated a net farm income below the annual average for industrial earnings in 1991–92.

Net farm income is not a measure of farmers' cash earnings and is not comparable with the average earnings of industrial workers.

Set-Aside

20.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a progress report on non-rotational set-aside.

We are pressing the European Commission for Proposals.In the meantime, we are consulting on our proposals for national management rules for non-rotational set-aside.

Farmland (Public Access)

21.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from farmers in the northern region about public access to farmed land.

None.

Common Agricultural Policy

22.

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make representations to the EC in order to reduce United Kingdom net contribution to the common agricultural policy.

As a result of the reform of the common agriculture policy agreed last year, UK receipts under the CAP are likely to increase from 7 per cent. to around 9 per cent. of total expenditure.

Integrated Administration And Control System

23.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on an extension of the 15 May deadline for the return of details appertaining to the integrated administration and control system.

We have received a number of representations suggesting an extension of the 15 May deadline.

25.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the integrated administration control scheme.

The integrated administration and control system is an important and necessary measure to make sure that taxpayers' money is properly accounted for in every part of the Community.

27.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had on the complexity of IACS questionnaires.

We have received a number of representations about IACS documents.

Fishing Organisations

24.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent consultations he has held with fishing organisations; and if he will make a statement.

The industry and the Fisheries Departments began a major review of fisheries conservation three days ago. On 8 May I expect to attend the annual general meeting of the NFFO.

French Agriculture Minister

26.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the French Minister for Agriculture to discuss implementation of CAP reforms; and if he will make a statement.

28.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met his French opposite number to discuss the export of British farm produce; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall).

Set-Aside Land

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to seek a review of the criteria for rotational set-aside in the EC.

We are continuing to discuss various detailed aspects of the rotational set-aside arrangements with our Community partners. We have no plans to seek a fundamental review of the arable area payments scheme at this stage.

Clenbuterol

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to which countries in the European Community have incorporated into their domestic legislation a ban on the use of clenbuterol as a growth promoting substance.

I am not aware of any member state which has introduced a specific ban on the use of Clenbuterol as a growth-promoting substance. It is, however, contrary to EC legislation for a veterinary medicinal product to be used for a purpose other than that for which it is licensed, unless under the direction and authority of a veterinary practitioner. No member state has licensed the use of Clenbuterol other than for therapeutic purposes.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the health risk to citizens of the United Kingdom from beef produced in countries which have ineffective controls over the misuse of clenbuterol.

All member states are required to submit to the Commission annually details of their national plans for the examination for residues, including clenbuterol, in live animals and fresh meat. Similar arrangements apply in respect of third countries importing meat into the Community.Ongoing surveillance in the UK for clenbuterol in imported meat is carried out under a scheme, co-ordinated by the working party on veterinary residues in animal products, which is directed at retail and wholesale premises and extends to both imported and domestic supplies. Because of the evidence of abuse of clenbuterol outside Great Britain, surveillance is being increased this year. A new sampling programme for imported meat will also commence shortly under which samples of imported bovine tissues will be collected and analysed for clenbuterol residues.The consumption of meat containing excessive residues of clenbuterol can result in increased pulse rate and palpitations. There is no evidence of any such cases of illness arising in the United Kingdom.

Departmental Staff

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions on which his Department authorised the establishment of an additional personal secretary post responsible to the marketing development manager—principal grade—since January 1986.

No personal secretary posts have been appointed to report to principal grade officers.

Cashmere

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for placing cashmere production on an equitable base with other supported livestock enterprises in the United Kingdom.

I have no plans to introduce support measures for cashmere production.

Vegetables

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those vegetables of which he is aware which contain alkaloids; if he will indicate in each case the number of cases of harm to humans which have been recorded in the United Kingdom as a result of the consumption of those vegetables; if he will indicate in each case whether sales of products made from those vegetables have been banned; and if he will make a statement.

Potatoes, aubergines, green and red peppers and green tomatoes contain glyco alkaloids. Figures are not collected centrally in the form requested. Local authorities have powers under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ensure that foodstuffs containing unacceptable levels of alkaloids do not enter the food supply.

Comfrey Products

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from the Action Group for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy about the decision to ban the sale of comfrey products; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.

I have received representations from both groups about the recent decision to seek the withdrawal from sale of certain comfrey products containing the highest level of toxic alkaloids. In reply, I have reiterated that this action was taken on the basis of clear and unequivocal recommendations from the independent expert scientific committees that advise Ministers on food safety issues.

Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to suspend payment of the farm woodland premium scheme in England; and if he will make a statement.

None.

Fishery Protection Vessels

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent successes have been achieved by the fishery protection vessels operated on behalf of his Department.

From 1 January to 15 April this year the Royal Navy fisheries protection vessels have carried out 465 inspections at sea; serious infringements of fisheries rules have been identified on 27 vessels.

Agricultural Training Board

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions have been taken about the future status, funding and operation of the Agricultural Training Board following the consultation exercise that took place last month.

[pursuant to his reply, Official Report, 1 April, col. 329]: The Government can now confirm their intention to replace the Agricultural Training Board with a non-statutory independent organisation. The target date for completing the change is 1 April next year.The new arrangements will free the successor body to the board from the constraints that statutory control imposes and allow it to expand commercially, so that it can offer training services on a fully commercial basis to a wider range of land-based and rural businesses. The new body will work closely with the other agencies and organisations operating in rural areas, particularly the Rural Development Commission and training and enterprise councils in England and Wales and the local enterprise companies in Scotland. The successor body will continue to service the agricultural and horticultural industries, but this change will also allow it to develop and provide services to organisations operating in areas such as the countryside and environmental management.As I have already announced, the Government will continue to make a substantial contribution to the new organisation's finances, through a contract with the ATB successor body for the provision of specific services, initially covering the period to March 1996. Government objectives will be reviewed before the end of this first contract period and any changes will be reflected in any succeeding contract. Subsequent changes to funding levels will also have regard to the commercial revenue generated by the successor body.I have asked Mr. Andy Stewart, the ATB's current chairman, to lead the development of the successor body. He will be supported by a group of senior industry representatives from Scotland, England and Wales who have agreed to act as directors of the successor bodyy and to work closely with the existing board members during the changeover period.I have every confidence in the ATB successor body's ability to make the most of the opportunities that this new freedom presents to respond to the needs of the industries that it will serve.

Veterinary Surgeons

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinary surgeons were employed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory on 1 January 1991, 1 January 1992 and 1 January 1993, respectively.

Responsibility for this matter is delegated to the Central Veterinary Laboratory and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Gavin Strang, dated 29 April 1993.

As you know the Minister has asked that I write to you direct with the answer to your question. The information requested is as follows:

	Veterinary surgeons employed
1 January 1991	44
1 January 1992	46
1 January 1993	38
These figures include veterinary surgeons employed at the Laboratory's Lasswade laboratory near Edinburgh.

Bovine Somatotropin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates the Veterinary Products Committee considered the paper "Bovine Somatotropin and Animal Health: The effect of recombinant BST on somatic cell counts", by E. J. Brunner, E. P. Millstone, I. R. White, R. J. Barrel and O. N. N. Al-Muderis.

The Veterinary Products Committee considered a pre-publication copy of this paper at its meeting on 23 July 1992.

Scotland

Bail Appeals

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many appeals against refusal of bail were granted in each of the past five years on legal aid; and what proportion of the total these appeals constituted;(2) how many appeals against refusal of bail in each of the past five years in

(a) district court and (b) sheriff court were forwarded to the High Court; and how many were granted;

(3) what was the total cost to his Department in dealing with appeals against refusal of bail for each of the past five years.

The information requested is not available. Records do not distinguish between appeals against grant or refusal of bail, nor between appeals from the district and sheriff courts. Bail appeals are not recorded as a separate category of grants of legal aid.The total number of appeals against grant or refusal of bail considered by the High Court over the past five years is as follows:

Year	Number
1988	2,679
1989	2,820
1990	3,031
1991	3,301
1992	4,149

The estimated average court costs of hearing a bail appeal, including judicial, staff and accommodation costs, are £10·80 at 1992 prices.

Ferry Piers

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of adapting the piers at Kennacraig, Port Ellen and Port Askaig to accommodate the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, Isle of Arran; and which agencies are responsible for funding the project.

The total cost of adapting the piers at Kennacraig, Port Ellen and Port Askaig including dredging and other associated works to accommodate MV Isle of Arran is estimated to be in the region of £700,000. The project is being funded by Caledonian MacBrayne, the Scottish Office and the European regional development fund.

National Epilepsy Centre

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has concerning the future of the National Epilepsy Centre.

Decisions on the future of residents of the national epilespy centre are matters for Quarrier's Homes, which runs the centre in conjunction with those local authorities and health boards which have responsibility for the residents. Proposals for the future should be set out in the relevant local authority and health board community care plans.

Junior Doctors

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many actual hours are currently worked by junior doctors in each hospital.

Information on actual hours worked by junior doctors is not held centrally. Junior doctors contract for a standard working week of 40 hours and such further agreed additional duty hours to be spent on-call or on shift work as are required to meet the needs of the service. As at 30 September 1992—the latest available figures—the average number of contracted hours for junior doctors was 79 per week. Provisional half-yearly returns from health authorities indicate that as at 31 March 1993 only 130 junior doctors, 3·9 per cent., were contracted for more than 83 hours of duty per week.

Huntington's Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial contribution will be required from sufferers from Huntington's disease or other long-term illness living in private sector homes.

None.Sufferers from long-term illnesses, living in private sector nursing homes, who require medical or other treatment are not required to contribute towards the cost of that treatment provided it is available under the NHS and is prescribed or recommended by their general practitioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision there is within the national health service for long-term care for sufferers of Huntington's disease.

The level of provision for sufferers of Huntington's disease will vary for each patient. In all cases the aim will be to secure the most effective package of care to meet the needs of the patients and carers alike. This can range from community health service care and support for those able to live at home to long-term hospital care.

Care In The Community

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether appropriate residential care will be available, for all who require it, under the care in the community legislation.

Since April 1992, all social work authorities have been required to produce community care plans for their areas based on a local assessment of need. These plans have been examined by the Scottish Office community care implementation unit which then discusses the plans with the local authority and the health board jointly. All plans include information about the availability of residential care.

Acute Beds

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the impact of deprivation on the demand for acute beds in each health board area.

There is no conclusive information available on the impact of deprivation on the demand for acute beds in Scotland.

Ambulances

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on speeding up response of emergency ambulances.

In 1991–92, 49 per cent. of emergency calls were responded to within eight minutes and 95 per cent. within 20 minutes. In 1992–93 the percentage of calls responded to within eight minutes increased to 51 per cent. and the performance within 20 minutes was maintained. This was achieved despite a 6·9 per cent. increase in the number of calls received.

Residential Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether elderly home owners who enter residential care are expected to sell their property to pay part of their care costs.

All client groups who require public support are expected to contribute towards the cost of residential care they receive. The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 require that the value of a permanent resident's former dwelling should be taken into account in assessing ability to pay unless it is occupied by the resident's spouse, or a relative who is aged 60 or over, or who is incapacitated. Local authorities do, however, have discretion to disregard property from the financial assessment in other circumstances where they consider it reasonable to do so.

Women Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the number of women medical graduates who take specialist training to become consultants.

On 2 April the NHS in Scotland management executive announced the introduction in 1993–94 of a national scheme for part-time training and working at registrar and senior registrar level which will be available to men and women doctors and dentists. We have allocated additional funding of £350,000 to meet the cost of 25 part-time registrar and 10 part-time senior registrar posts. The scheme will be run by the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

Nhs Employees

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken concerning NHS employees' continuity of employment with local authority-run community care services.

Consideration is presently being given to responses received as a result of a consultation exercise on draft care staff transfer enabling regulations.

Crossroad Schemes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crossroad schemes funded by his Department have reported that they expect to run out of funds by 31 December.

My Department does not fund local crossroads schemes directly and I have had no reports of any that expect to run out of funds by 31 December. Local schemes, of which there are about 50 in Scotland, are eligible for grants from local authorities and health boards. It is for these authorities to decide whether to fund crossroads schemes or make other provision for care attendant schemes.

Unemployment

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

The key to increased employment is a prosperous and productive economy. The Government are firmly committed to removing the barriers to economic growth and to the stimulation of economic development, through various measures including the activities of Scottish Enterprise and its network of local enterprise companies, among which is the Glasgow Development Agency.In relation to long-term unemployed individuals, we have introduced the most comprehensive range of measures there has ever been in this country to help people back to work. The Employment Service already provides a wide range of services which contribute to two thirds of people who become unemployed leaving unemployment within six months. From the summer it will also provide community action, a new programme of voluntary work for people unemployed for more than a year. The, new training for work programme operated by local enterprise companies, which began on 1 April, has the principal purpose of helping unemployed people to get jobs and is targeted on those unemployed for six months or more. This programme will be delivered in Glasgow by the Glasgow Development Agency, along with further measures announced on 16 March by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer which will give long-term unemployed people a new way to gain qualifications and provide more opportunities for those seeking to starr, their own business.The rate of increase in long-term unemployment in Glasgow between January 1992 and January 1993 was less than a third of that for Great Britain as a whole. The measures which I have described will further improve performance in responding to the needs of the unemployed.

Young Chronically Sick

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to build a hospital unit for the young chronic sick.

None. It is for health boards as purchasers of health care to determine how best to provide for the health needs of all residents in their area.

Accident Waiting Times

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of waiting time at accident and emergency departments within each health board area for the latest available period.

This information is not held centrally.

Forestry Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 30 March, Official Report, column 150, when he expects the inter-departmental committee of civil servants to report on the future organisation, management and ownership of the Forest ry Commission.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 20 April 1993, column 89.

Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reasons underlie his decision to suspend payment of the farm woodland premium scheme in Scotland until October; and if he will make a statement.

The farm woodland premium scheme has been highly successful in Scotland in its first full year of operation. Although there have been more planting proposals submitted than originally expected, my Department is continuing to process new applications and the resulting payments in the normal way.

Central European Time

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to hold consultations with people resident in the north of Scotland about the possibility of Britain moving into the central European time zone.

The Government have no proposals at present for changing the existing arrangements for summertime. No changes will be made without fully taking into account the views of the public and sectoral opinion throughout Scotland.

Breast Screening

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a progress report on the Scottish breast screening programme; and if he will make a statement.

I have today approved the publication of a report covering the background, introduction arid structure of the Scottish breast screening programme together with the 1991–92 results and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The report shows that:

The Scottish Breast Screening Programme is based on 3 key issues: quality, patient acceptability and continual monitoring and evaluation of the programme;

The primary target of the Programme is to reduce mortality in the screened population in Scotland by 30 per cent. overall;

Each year in Scotland approximately 2,600 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and a total of 1,300 women of all ages die from the disease;

Mammographic screening is but one strategy in the fight to defeat breast cancer and, by the year 2000, the Screening Programme is expected to result in about 1,650 extra years of life gained annually in Scotland; on average, each of the women in whom death from breast cancer is prevented will have an additional 15 years of life;

In 1991–92, 126,867 Scottish women were invited for screening;

The United Kingdom target for uptake of invitation is 70 per cent. and Scotland is above this with an average uptake of 72 per cent. of all women invited for screening;

0·9 per cent. of all women screened went on to have a biopsy, and 72 per cent. of these women were diagnosed with cancer; this level of diagnosis is well above the 50 per cent. target set by the United Kingdom standards;

In 1991–92, 578 cancers were detected, equalling 6·3 per 1,000 women screened; this again is well above the United Kingdom detection standard of 5 per 1,000 women screened.

The Scottish breast screening programme is an example of the increased emphasis on improving health structures set out as a goal in the patients charter. It also accords with the patients charter in seeking to provide a high-quality service and standards and value for money.

Junior hospital doctors: contracted average weekly hours of work; as at 30 September 1992¹
	Average hours contracted
Type of contract	Number of doctors	Basic	Additional duty	Total	Maximum hours contracted total
Whole time:
Full shift	142	40	21	61	108
Partial shift	138	40	30	70	78
Rota (on call)	2,631	40	40	80	116
All whole time contracts	2,911	40	39	²79	116
Part time:
Rota (on call)	28	20	26	46	n/a
Others	91	37	—	37	n/a

Notes:

Doctors contracted for full or partial shift patterns of working are not contracted for on call work.

¹ Data are provisional.

Excludes staff with honorary contracts and staff in dental specialities.

Excludes data for the Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Grades included in the table are: senior registrar; registrar; senior house officer; and house officer.

² Includes both shift and on call additional duty hours.

Provisional information collected for the half-year to 31 March 1993 shows that only 130 junior doctors—3·9 per cent.—were contracted for more than 83 hours of duty per week.

Junior Doctors

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the average and maximum weekly number of hours on duty and on call of junior hospital doctors in Scotland.

[holding answer 27 April 1993]: Information on actual hours worked by junior doctors is not held centrally. As at 30 September 1992, the latest available figures, the average number of contracted hours for junior doctors and the maximum hours contracted by any doctor were as shown in the table:

Violence

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the levels of resources provided towards the reduction of murder and violence in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 26 April 1993]: My right hon. Friend has a number of bids for additional resources under consideration.

Volume 223: debated on Thursday 29 April 1993

Written Answers To Questions

Lord Chancellor's Department

Legal Aid

Transport

Railway Rolling Stock

A650, Keighley

M6 (Lane Closures)

Education

Voluntary Aided Status

Higher Education Colleges

Environment

Domestic Appliances

"Agenda 21"

Fiddler's Ferry Power Station

Sulphur Dioxide Emissions

Housing

South West Water

Open Spaces Society

Disused Mine Shafts

Waste Management

Local Authorities (Complaints)

Council Tax, Newbury

Northern Ireland

Employment, Belfast

Schools (Expenditure)

Students

Unemployment

Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation

Training And Employment Agency

Electoral Areas

Transport

Safe Seas

A614

Railway Rolling Stock

Trade And Industry

British Coal Pension Scheme

Riot Control Units

Plutonium

Nuclear Safety

Assisted Area Status

Dan-Air

Sodium Hexacyanoferrate

Offshore Oil And Gas Industry

Shipbuilding Intervention Fund

Explosion, Liverpool

Economic Task Force

Health

Myelograms

Older Patients

Contact Lenses

Nurses

Nhs Trusts

Overseas Manufacturers (Inspection)

Dentistry

Respiratory Illness

Proposed Hospital Mergers

West Midlands Regional Health Authority

Special Health Authority

Junior Doctors (Working Hours)

Listeria

Medical Practitioners

Nhs Trusts

St Bartholomew's Hospital

Sight Tests

Employment

Defence

Yugoslavia

Nuclear Proliferation

Defence

Absence Without Leave

Aer Lingus Crash

Chemical And Biological Defence Establishment

Prime Minister

Gibraltar

Local Authority Powers, Scotland

Former Yugoslavia

Former Soviet Union

Water Charges