To answer the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 June, Official Report, column 177 if she will make a statement outlining the existing advocacy role of hospital doctors.

The hospital doctor's role is to provide effective health care for each of the patients entrusted to his or her care taking account of available resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information is available to her Department about the numbers and circumstances of children who are indirectly affected by HIV and AIDS because their parents or carers are infected with the virus; and what assessment her Department has made of the extent of support likely to be required for the children if they cannot be cared for by their parent or parents;(2) what guidance she has issued as to the information on which social services departments should base their plans for the support or provision of care for children who are indirectly affected by HIV or AIDS because of the illness of their parents or carers.

So far as numbers of children indirectly affected by HIV are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 July 1993, at column 378.The Children Act 1989 and the guidance and regulations associated with it set out local authorities' duties towards children in need. For services for children both infected and affected by HIV or AIDS this is supplemented by "Children and HIV" which gives detailed guidance to local authorities to assist them in planning and providing services. The guidance encourages HIV awareness amongst service providers, and describes good practice.The Children Act and associated guidance and regulations provide a policy framework through which local authorities, in collaboration with other agencies, can develop comprehensive plans for all children in need in their locality.Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of emergency admissions to hospitals in each health authority in England in 1990–91.

The information from the hospital episodes statistics is not yet available. The collection of the management information on non-elective admissions in the general and acute specialties given in my reply to the hon. Member on 28 June at col. 352, did not begin until April 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the procedure where general practitioner fund holders extend their role by undertaking services such as physiotherapy currently provided by community hospitals so that these services are not put in jeopardy for the majority of service users leading to a knock on adverse effect on the other services provided at the local hospital; and if he will make a statement.

General practitioner fundholders, like district health authorities, are responsible for obtaining high quality health care for their patients in the most effective way. The challenge for provider units is to develop services which meet the needs of purchasers and patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what supplementary inquiries and research and other work was carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to supplement the census return in Lambeth and to obtain additional information about numbers and details of persons whose details ought to appear as part of the census.

Census enumerators had the task of locating, contacting, and delivering census forms to all households and communal establishments in their areas. Census statistics have been derived principally from the completed forms. Where enumerators located households they believed to be present on census night, but were not able to contact people in them, the numbers and details of the people and households concerned have been estimated and included in the census statistics. Households identified by enumerators as absent on census night were asked to fill in a census form voluntarily on their return. For those who did not complete a form, numbers and details have been estimated and included in the census statistics.A census validation survey was carried out shortly after the census to check on its quality and coverage. This survey compared information given on census forms with that obtained by experienced interviewers who re-visited a sample of addresses. The sample was not large enough, however, to provide information directly about individual authorities. A report on the survey's findings on coverage will be published later this year.In preparing the Registrar General's mid-1991 population estimates, allowances were made for under-enumeration in the census, using results from the census validation survey and all other relevant sources. For individual local authorities these adjustments are inevitably less precise than at the national level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to issue clear advice to people requiring dental treatment of their entitlement to free treatment under the NHS; if she will instruct family health services authorities to provide up-to-date information about the dental services available locally; and if she will make a statement.

Under their terms of service, dentists are required to display prominently at their practices a notice supplied by the family health services authority—FHSA—indicating entitlement to exemption from and remission of national health service dental charges. Leaflets are available from family doctors and dentists and Benefits Agency offices explaining NHS dental treatment and how people may be entitled to free treatment or help with the cost. Copies of these leaflets will be placed in the Library.FHSAs are responsible for maintaining up-to-date lists of the dentists providing NHS treatment in their localities. The list contains information about the days and hours the dentist is available at the practice, as well as the services offered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by whom the review, proposed in The "The Health of the Nation" White Paper, of the possible legal control of the use of additives and emission of toxic substances from cigarettes was instituted; who is conducting the review; and which organisations and individuals have been invited to submit their views.

The review will be established in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards achieving the targets for reducing smoking prevalence to 20 per cent. of adults by 2000, and by 33 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-olds by 1994.

The results of the biennial survey of adult smoking in 1990 gave levels of 31 per cent. for men and 29 per cent. for women and these were taken as the base for "The Health of the Nation" target. The results of the 1992 survey are not yet available.The base figure for children's smoking—8 per cent.—is that reported in the 1988 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys biennial survey of smoking among secondary schoolchildren. The 1990 survey showed a level of 10 per cent. but the general trend will not be known until the results of the 1992 survey are available late this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the expected reduction in the consumption of cigarettes as a result of the increase in excise duty announced in the Chancellor's last Budget; and what would be the expected aggregated reduction in consumption were the same increase in real terms to be repeated at each successive Budget up to and including 2000.

The consumption of cigarettes would be expected to reduce by between 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. as a result of the March 1993 Budget increase in tobacco taxation, assuming no change in other factors. The aggregated reduction in consumption if the same increase were repeated in each Budget up to and including the year 2000 would be expected to be in the range 9 per cent. to 18 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will issue guidelines to require that draft health care commissioning plans on which consultation with community health councils are held include (a) the present state of the service, (b) the proposed changes and (c) the effect of the proposed changes on the existing service and to require that all plans should be in plain English and in other languages where appropriate; and if she will make a statement.

Current guidance, EL(93)10, a copy of which is available in the Library, already requires health authorities to undertake formal consultation when local health services are under review and it is recommended that they should ensure that black, Asian and other minority groups are enabled to play a full part in that process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for collecting gender-specific information about use of mental health services for her review of information requirements in mental health services.

Data collected on the use of services include information by gender when appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has a proposed timetable for the extension of the limited list to include contraceptives.

The Advisory Committee on National Health Service Drugs has started to look at contraceptives and will be approaching manufacturers for information about individual products. We expect that they will complete this review by the end of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost to the health service of (1) cosmetic treatment and surgery and (2) operations to remove tattoos; and how much is received from patients towards the cost of such treatments and surgery.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has any plans to revise the guidelines given to local authority social services departments concerning the escalation of unmet need resulting from the implementation of community care.

No such guidlines have been issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve consultation between her Department and the pharmaceutical industry.

We established earlier this year a pharmaceutical industry strategy working group consisting of representatives of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and senior officials from the Department of Health, the Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry with the terms of reference:

"To consider jointly the future development of the pharmaceutical industry in the UK, its contribution to the UK economy and its role in the provision of health care; and in particular to consider issues of common interest such as the provision of affordable health care and the encouragement of a strong pharmaceutical industry."

In addition, officials consult regularly with the ABM and individual companies on specific issues of mutual interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated percentage of female patients who have access to a female general practitioner; and what percentage of general practitioner partnerships have a female general practitioner.

At 1 April 1992—the latest date for which the figures are available—approximately 68 per cent. of female patients in England were registered with general practitioners in partnerships which included a female general practitioner; 53 per cent. of general practitioner partnerships had at least one female partner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) of 26 April, Official Report, column 278, if Her Majesty's Government will now make it their policy to provide additional funding for the Child Migrants Trust; and if she will make a statement.

Funds for the year 1993–94 are fully allocated and include a grant for the Child Migrants Trust. Decisions about funding for future years will be taken when the Department knows what resources are available and what the competing demands for funds are.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the units that provide training for paediatric nurses.

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she intends to secure the continued value and effectiveness of the Health Education Authority; and if she will make a statement.

The White Paper "The Health of the Nation"—Cm 1986—makes clear the important part to be played by the Health Education Authority (HEA) in achieving the targets for improvements in people's health set in that health strategy. It also emphasises that, complementing the HEA's national role, health authorities throughout England have a key responsibility for health promotion among their local populations. Last December, we approved the HEA's strategy for 1993 to 1998 to carry forward its role in "The Health of the Nation", which includes closer co-ordination with health authorities and other local agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to protect from closure small pharmacies in rural and suburban areas which deal with many fewer than 2,000 prescriptions per month.

Discussions are continuing with the pharmacists' representatives about how best to restructure fees to encourage better services for patients and improve value for money. In these discussions we have made it clear that we remain committed to ensuring that patients in rural and suburban areas continue to enjoy reasonable access to a local pharmacy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many homicides involved (a) shotguns and (b) other firearms in each year since 1979; and how many involved people under 16 years.

[holding answer 7 July 1993]: The information relating to registered deaths is shown in table 1.For further information, the Coroners (Amendment) Rules 1977 now allow for death registration in cases where an inquest is adjourned because a person has been charged with an offence in connection with the death; these cases are known as accelerated registrations. The correct external cause of injury, for example, "Assault by firearms and explosives" cannot, however, except in those cases relating to transport accidents, be determined until any criminal proceedings are concluded. Consequently, all non-transport accelerated registrations are assigned to the external cause of injury code E988.8—injury by other specified means, undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted—until results of proceedings are known and the death can be reassigned to the correct external cause code—E code.Homicides are one of the categories most affected by this legislation. Accordingly, for each of the years 1979–92 there are a number of deaths that are the result of the use of a firearm but which as a consequence of the rules do not appear in table 1. Table 2 shows the number of deaths assigned—at the outcome of criminal proceedings—to a broad group of causes which includes "Assault by firearms and explosives". It is not, however, possible to specifically

Table 1
Numbers of registered deaths from homicides involving firearms (ICD E965) in England and Wales, 1979 to 1992
Year	Shotgun		Handguns		Hunting rifle		Military firearm		Other firearm		Total excluding shotguns		Total including shotguns
	(E965·1)		(E965·0)		(E965·2)		(E965·3)		(E965·4)
	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s	All ages	under 16s
1979	19	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	3	18	3	37	5
1980	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	12	0	13	0	19	0
1981	3	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	5	0	10	0	13	0
1982	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	2	16	2	26	2
1983	21	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	1	13	1	34	3
1984	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	4	31	4	43	4
1985	8	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0	15	0	23	2
1986	17	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	28	7	29	7	46	7
1987	9	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	30	2	32	2	41	2
1988	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	0	16	0	28	0
1989	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0	10	0	18	0
1990	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	2	17	2	27	2
1991	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0	15	0	27	0
1992	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	5	24	5	34	5

Table 2. Causes to which accelerated registrations in injury by other specified means, undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted (ICD E988.8) were eventually assigned, 1980–90 England and Wales
Year	Other accidental deaths E880 to E928	Suicide and self-inflicted injury E950 to E959	Assault by firearms and explosives E965	Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted E980 to E989
1980	1	—	1	2
1981	1	—	10	—
1982	3	—	12	—
1983	3	—	9	—
1984	1	—	14	—
1985	—	—	12	—
1986	1	—	9	—
1987	2	1	19	—
1988	3	—	14	—
1989	—	—	8	1
1990	1	—	9	—
Figures for 1979, 1991 and 1992 are not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients had waited for treatment for over a year in the North Western region (a) in March 1991 and (b) in the latest month for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 4 May 1993, c. 41]: I regret that there was an error in my previous reply. The last sentence should read

"in England over the same period, the number waiting over a year fell by 55 per cent. to 72,446—the lowest figure ever recorded".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who funded the dance which took place in celebration of the opening of the Limehouse link road on 17 May in the Canary Wharf tower; and what was the full cost of this event.

The London Docklands development corporation provided a reception in the Canary Wharf tower for staff involved in the Limehouse link project who were not able to attend the opening ceremony. The total cost of the reception was approximately £3,500.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the full cost, including security arrangements, of the opening ceremony for the Limehouse link road on 17 May.

A total of £64,000. The main costs were for the hire of a marquee, catering, toilets, stands, the parade, plaques and presentation plates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he is providing to the task force on deregulation in the construction industry; and what assessment he has made of the effect of removing building regulations on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, improving energy conservation and ensuring health and safety in buildings.

Officials in my Department have met members of the task force on deregulation in the construction industry, and have provided them with details of the Building Regulations 1991 and the proposals to amend parts L and F. All proposed changes to the Building Regulations are fully assessed before implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessments urban development corporations are required to make of the competence of the companies to which they give grants.

Urban development corporations are required to assess the ability of companies to carry through the project concerned; their financial viability; and their track record in undertaking similar projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are issued to board members of urban development corporations governing conflict of interest.

Board members are issued with a code of conduct on appointment, which includes guidance on how to deal with conflicts of interest and what interests should be declared and recorded in the corporation's register of interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what rules or guidelines are applied to the tendering process of urban development corporations.

Urban development corporations are required to follow best public sector practice, which is that contracts should be placed on a competitive basis and the lowest tender accepted, subject only to certain clearly defined exceptions where this would not secure best value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the operation of the Merseyside development corporation.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) to his previous question on Thursday 13 May 1993 at column 529.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much each urban development corporation has spent, since its inception, on consultations.

[holding answer 5 July 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 November 1992 at column 48. Updated expenditure on consultants' reports to 31 March 1993, where available, is in the table:

UDC	£ million
Birmingham Heartlands	0·1
Black Country	12·9
Bristol	0·7
Central Manchester	2—
Leeds	2—
London Docklands	2—
Merseyside	3·2
Plymouth	Nil
Sheffield	0·6
Teesside	4·9
Trafford Park	2—
Tyne and Wear	4·0
1 To 31 March 1992.
2 Not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) of 15 June, Official Report, column 538, how many of the submissions he received on the discussion document "Climate Change" were from (a) Scotland, (b) organisations and (c) members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Out of the 254 responses now received to our discussion document, 31 were from Scotland. Twenty-four of these were from organisations and seven from members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what income has accrued to the Merseyside development corporation from the Albert Dock Company.

In the period covering 1987–88 to 1992–93 a total income of £2,022,659 has accrued to the development corporation from the Albert Dock Company in respect of rents, service charges and sales of flats.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning permission was sought by the Merseyside development corporation to alter the facade, roofline and approach to the Atlantic pavilion at the Albert dock.

MDC did not seek planning permission itself to carry out recent alterations to the facade, roofline and approach to Atlantic pavilion at the Albert dock, since urban development corporations are themselves the planning authorities within their designated areas. Agents acting on behalf of the developers, Linenhall Properties Ltd., sought and received planning permission from MDC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contracts the Merseyside development corporation entered into with the Arrowcroft Company.

The development corporation entered into only one contract—building agreement—with the Arrowcroft Company in September 1983.This contract was for the phased conversion and refurbishment of the majority of Albert dock, giving rise to a total of 11 leases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will oppose the provisions of the EC directive on vapour recovery, stage 1, which call for the ending of dipsticks as the principal method of measuring quantities of petrol in storage and road tankers; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed EC directive will introduce a system of petrol vapour recovery which is not compatible with the use of dipsticks because they cause emissions of vapour. It is therefore appropriate for the dipstick to be phased out as a means of measurement on road tankers. However, the Government have secured an agreement which allows existing road tankers to continue using dipsticks, and allows a satisfactory period to agree an alternative standard measuring system for new tankers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrrangements will be made for maintenance of redundancy and pension arrangements of the PSA Building Management Scotland when the sale of the organisation is completed; and if the Department will be responsible for any redundancy costs incurred by Serco in relation to staff previously employed by the Property Services Agency.

Staff severance entitlements transfer on sale under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and are protected thereafter by employment law. A replacement pension scheme which is broadly comparable in value to the principal civil service pension scheme, will be established. The group stands behind its subsidiaries. The Department will meet the costs of redundancies, should they occur, in the five years after sale on an agreed basis up to a specified limit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what long-term commitment has been made by Serco, in respect of long-term commitment to maintain a separate Property Services Agency building management organisation based in Scotland.

Serco's objective in acquiring BM Scotland is to expand its business based in Scotland as a separate Scottish company.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whaat estimate Serco has given of the number of jobs that may be lost in PSA Building Management Scotland as a result of the proposed sale of the organisation.

Serco does not expect significant jobs loss as a result of the proposed sale. Future jobs for BM staff will of course depend on the ability of the business to compete successfully for contracts as they are re-tendered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the purchasers of the PSA Building Management business will be required to continue to provide a design capacity.

The PSA Building Management businesses each have a range of contracts which require a design input. The purchaser will take over the obligation to service those contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of employees of the PSA Building Management Scotland who would need to opt to transfer to the purchasing company to enable the contract to be completed.

I hope that a very large proportion of staff will transfer with the business on sale, but the sale does not need a particular number to choose to transfer for the sale to proceed to completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the purchase price offered for PSA Building Management Scotland by the management buy-out.

No. Such information is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received suggesting (a) that there should be a council tax band or bands below band A and (b) that there should be a council tax band or bands above band H; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received some representations, but we are not persuaded that there is a case for changing the present arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites established under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 he has visited in an official capacity; and if he will make a statement.

Since his appointment on 27 May my right hon. Friend has visited no gipsy caravan sites established by local authorities under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 in his official capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to make an announcement on the Darwin initiative; and what the role will he of the United Kingdom systematics institutions in the initiative.

On 5 July my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, announced the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Darwin Initiative and published a copy of its report; copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. We are now inviting applications from British institutions and organisations, including our systematics institutions, for funding to carry out projects under the Darwin initiative. There is £1 million available this year for projects which meet the objectives of the initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the forecast European regional development fund receipts for 1993–94 and the allocation for 1993–94 for the local authority other services block schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Total forecast receipts from the European regional development fund paid through the agency of my Department in 1993–94 are £221 million. The allocation of ERDF funds to other services block projects will depend on how much has been spent by authorities and claimed from the European Community through my Department by the end of the year. It is not possible to forecast the final figure at this stage. From April 1993, the Government are providing public expenditure cover, automatically and in full, for forecast ERDF receipts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of the Planning, Industrial and Economic Development Advisers—PIEDA—report into the new renovation grant system; and if he will place copies in the Library.

The report "Monitoring the New Renovation Grant System" by PIEDA was published on Monday 5 July. Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of the Warwick university report "Monitoring the Fitness Standard"; and if he will place copies in the Library.

The report will be published next month. Copies will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now give details of the severance sharing agreements with purchasers of the PSA Building Managment businesses.

Each of the sales of the five PSA Building Management businesses include arrangements under which the Secretary of State will contribute towards the costs of redundancies up to an agreed value during the five years from completion of the sale.The amounts concerned for BM South and West, BM South East, BM Scotland and Noreast Building Management are as follows:

	£ million
BM South and West	25·0
BM South East	30·0
BM Scotland	15·0
Noreast BM	29·5

The amount which the Secretary of State will contribute towards the cost of redundancies in the five years after sale in BM Manchester depends upon the result of the staff choice exercise which is currently under way, and will fall in the range of £26·0 to £37·2 million.The amounts are subject to a pro rata adjustment to reflect changes in the aggregate redundancy entitlements of staff up to completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what considerations led to the timing of his direction of 7 July to Copeland borough council not to grant planning permission to the Sellafield mixed oxide plant at the meeting of the council's planning committee on that day; when his Department first knew about the application; and if he will make a statement;(2) under what statutory powers, and for what reasons, his officials directed Copeland borough council not to grant planning permission for the Sellafield mixed oxide plant;(3) when he expects to be able to reach a decision on the application by British Nuclear Fuels plc for planning permission to construct a mixed oxide plant at Sellafield.

On 23 June my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a request from British Nuclear Fuels plc for a direction that environment assessment of its proposal for a MOX plant at Sellafield was not needed. Although BNFL subsequently withdrew that application the Secretary of State decided that he ought to reach his own view. To provide time to consider the arguments Copeland council was directed, under the provisions of article 14(1) of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988, not to grant permission on 7 July when they considered the application.We will conclude our consideration of this matter as soon as possible. I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Local Government Commission's consideration of local government reorganisation in Cumbria; and when he expects to receive its recommendations.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my hon. Friend the member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) on 4 February at column 244. The review of Cumbria is scheduled to start on 20 September 1993 and end on 4 December 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names and background details of the lead commissioners for the Local Government Commission's consideration of local government reorganisation in Cumbria; and if he will make a statement on the published timetable for the commission's work.

The Local Government Commission announced on 2 June that the lead commissioners for its review of Cumbria and Lancashire will be Mrs. Ann Levick and David Ansbro. The commission's press release gave brief biographical details for each commissioner and I have placed a copy in the House Library.We are keeping the commission's work programme under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered Birmingham city council's response to the notice served on the authority on 24 April under section 19(A) of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has given careful consideration to the response which Birmingham city council has made to the notice served on the authority on 24 April 1993, and has today given the authority a direction under section 19B of the 1980 Act. The effect of the direction is that the council is required to retender in stages 12 housing repair contracts currently carried out by its own direct labour organisation. If the council wishes to carry out this work after 1 October 1994 then it needs to satisfy my right hon. Friend at each stage that it has fulfilled the competition requirements as laid down in the legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to allow new development in rural mid-Kent as a result of the channel tunnel rail link.

Existing strategic planning policy for Kent seeks to restrict the development of fresh land in the countryside and to give protection to areas of outstanding natural beauty. I fully endorse that policy. Much of the rural area between Maidstone and the Medway towns forms part of the Kent downs area of outstanding natural beauty; elsewhere other conservation policies apply. The current third review of the Kent structure plan specifically recognises the importance of maintaining the separation of the built-up areas of Maidstone and the Medway towns by proposing the designation of a strategic gap, within which large scale development will be restricted. The draft regional planning guidance for the south east, published on 24 March, anticipates growth associated with the rail link being focused in Ashford, and east Kent, and especially in the east Thames corridor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority, following its consideration of the report of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 12 July 1993]: We have received from the Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority a copy of its resolution commenting on the report of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services and on the authority's finances. We are carefully considering the authority's comments, but we remain satisfied that its 1993–94 standard spending assessment, calculated in accordance with the Local Government Finance Report (England) 1993–94 approved by the House on 3 February 1993, is fair and reasonable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to bring forward from 1 August each year the deadline for spending returns from local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 12 July 1993]: We have no plans to change the 1 August deadline for the return of data relating to revenue and capital outturn expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms and conditions of employment, including basis of remuneration and hours of work of the chairman-designate of Railtrack, the Rail Franchising Director-designate and the Rail Regulator-designate.

My right hon. Friend has appointed Mr. Robert Horton as a part-time member of the British Railways board and as chairman-designate of Railtrack, under the general terms and conditions applying to BR board part-time members. His time commitment is, on average three days a week and his salary is £120,000 per annum.Mr. Swift and Mr. Salmon are part-time special advisers to my right hon. Friend. Their terms are those of civil service appointments and their remuneration, in accordance with the conventions, is a matter of confidence between them and the Department. My right hon. Friend has announced his intention, subject to the Railways Bill passing through Parliament to Royal Assent, to appoint them to the posts respectively of rail regulator and director of passenger rail franchising. In that event the level of their salaries will be in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he had with the City of London corporation on the closure of roads on security grounds; and what discussions were held with London regional Transport regarding the impact of road closures on public transport.

The City authorities consulted the Department informally about the experimental scheme before they announced it. We understand they also gave advanced warning of the road closures to London Buses Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work is being undertaken by either his Department or Union Railways with a view to the construction of a tunnel between Stratford and St. Pancras or King's Cross, as part of the channel tunnel rail link.

Union Railways is undertaking substantial development work for both of the alternative routes shown in its March 1993 report, including possible options for both routes, in association with its study of the St. Pancras and King's Cross terminus options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the statute or statutes under which there is a right of navigation of the River Avon in Bristol for any vessel which has paid harbour duties.

In general, there is a public right of navigation on tidal rivers. Section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, relating to free access for the public to harbour, dock and pier on payment of rates, is applied to shipping using the Port of Bristol by the relevant special Acts and subsequent orders relating to the port.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding track mileage on which British Rail has introduced temporary speed restrictions due to lack of funds for maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

Detailed information of this nature is not held by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to establish the scope for a joint venture with the private sector to renew the infrastructure of the west coast main line.

The Government today appointed Hambros Bank Ltd. to advise on the scope for such a joint venture. The study marks a new departure in our efforts to involve private finance in railway projects. Up to now the Government have invited the private sector to come forward with proposals which have then been considered on their merits. With this study the Department is taking the initiative. Hambros has been given a remit to develop an outline proposal or proposals which will be attractive to the private sector and fall within the Government's published guidelines for joint ventures. These mean that control of the venture will rest with the private sector who will also be expected to take on genuine risk in return for an appropriate share of revenues. Consortia will be invited to bid for the role of joint venture partner on these terms.The Government are determined to pave the way for private sector funding on railway projects. Equipment on the west coast main line is reaching the end of its economic life. We are hopeful that private sector funding will enable us to bring forward modernisation of one of the premier railway routes in the country.

To ask the Secretary of Stale for Transport what were the average hours worked per week by British Railways Board track and signal maintenance staff during the latest period for which figures are available.

During the week ending 3 July 1993 track maintenance staff, excluding those who were absent through sickness or other reason for all or part of the week, worked an average of 52·1 hours. Signalling and telecommunications maintenance staff, during the week ended 24 April 1993, excluding those who were absent through sickness or other reason for all or part of the week, worked an average of 47·4 hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects local coastal search and rescue committees to convene their first meetings.

In the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is considering any plans to adopt standards for shipping in the United Kingdom; and what account he is taking of whether such standards are compatible with the framework set by the International. Maritime Organisation.

[holding answer 12 July 1993]: Safety standards for shipping are under continuous review, particularly at the International Maritime Organisation. The standards applying to United Kingdom ships are based upon those developed internationally unless there is just cause to do otherwise, such as the initiative being taken with our European neighbours to establish adequate survivability standards for roll-on-roll-off passenger ferries built before 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the full evaluation report for each of the projects on which the Overseas Development Administration's ATP synthesis evaluation study, EV490 of November 1991, was based.

The ATP synthesis study was based primarily on three evaluation studies conducted as a series during 1990 and summarised in appendices B, C and D of that report. Copies of those studies have now been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Evaluation material on three projects in Botswana, Bangladesh and Burma were included in the "Power Synthesis Report" which is already in the Libraries of the House. A further study of scattered diesels, in Indonesia was undertaken jointly with the World bank which, in line with its usual practice, has not agreed to its release. The fifth report—"locom Telephone Cable Project in India"—contains comercially-sensitive material and has not been released.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list United Kingdom bilateral development assistance to Indonesia for the last five years including projects and their nature, value, location and the names of United Kingdom companies involved.

Commitments of United Kingdom bilateral assistance to Indonesia for the period from 1 April 1988 to date have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of British companies that have secured contracts for International Finance Corporation-funded projects over the last five years.

International Finance Corporation—IFC—loans go directly to private sector companies in developing countries. It is these companies that are responsible for awarding contracts to suppliers of goods and services. The IFC is not party to these contracts so is not able therefore to give details of contract awards for any individual country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will supply the details of dividends the United Kingdom has received from International Finance Corporation investments since the end of the financial year 1991.

Member Governments of the International Finance Corporation do not receive dividends from the corporation's investments. Earnings are wholly retained and recycled for new activity.

To ask the Attorney-General when Mr. Charilaos Costa left the United Kingdom; what request has been made for his extradition; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charilaos Costa left the United Kingdom in March 1991 and went to the Republic of Cyprus. No application has been made for his extradition because Mr. Costa is a Greek Cypriot and the Republic of Cyprus will not extradite its own nationals.Mr. Costa left the jurisdiction before he could be charged. However, three warrants exist for his arrest if he were to return.

To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to lay before Parliament and to publish the annual report of the Crown Prosecution Service for the year 1992–93.

The annual report for the Crown prosecution service for 1992–93 was laid before Parliament at 11 am today and then published. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what authority will carry out the checks proposed under article 3 of the recommendation of the Ministers responsible for immigration at their meeting in Copenhagen on 1 and 2 June on checks and expulsions of third-country nationals residing or working without authorisation; what computer facilities will be provided to the authority; what are the cost implications of such checks and such computer facilities; and if he will place a copy of the guidelines to be issued to the authority in the Library;(2) what authority

The recommendation concerning checks on and expulsion of third-country nationals residing or working without authorisation, which was approved by EC Immigration Ministers at their meeting in Copenhagen on 1 June 1993, seeks to ensure that effective procedures are in place to prevent people from entering or remaining unlawfully in member states, or from working there without authority; and to remove those found to have done so unless there are compelling reasons for letting them remain. It was prepared in the ad hoc group on immigration and its sub group on expulsion, and builds on a recommendation of expulsion practices which was endorsed by EC Immigration Ministers at their meeting in London on 30 November 1992.The recommendation identifies the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to make checks, but does not have binding legal effect. It specifically states:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concering (a) the entry into the United Kingdom of overseas citizens concerned with disrupting access to abortion clinics and (b) the particular policing implications of maintaining undisturbed access to such clinics.

Representations on both matters have been received from some 30 Members of Parliament and a smaller number of private organisations and individuals. My right hon. and learned Friend may direct exclusion if a person's presence would not be conducive to the public good. Enforcement of the Public Order Act 1986 as it relates to behaviour which may cause harassment or fear of violence is the responsibility of chief officers of police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held with police forces about the steps taken to ensure that women are not prevented from seeking legal abortions, and that clinic staff are not intimidated.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mrs. Jackson) on 9 July 1993 at column 296.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been relating to the illegal sale of duty-paid tobacco products illegally imported from other states in the European Community and connected offences; what was the outcome of such prosecutions; and what was the level of penalty imposed.

Court proceedings data for 1993 will not be available centrally until the autumn of 1995. However Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have advised that there were 275 tobacco offences detected under section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 within the period January to May 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, in real terms and as a proportion of gross domestic product, the expenditure on police forces in England and Wales for each year since 1979.

The information is in the following table:

	Total expenditure on the police
Year	Real terms £ million at 1991–92 prices	Proportion of GDP Per cent.
1978–79	3,099	0·66
1979–80	3,426	0·71
1980–81	3,455	0·74
1981–82	3,810	0·82
1982–83	3,932	0·83
1983–84	4,070	0·83
1984–85	4,452	0·89
1985–86	4,172	0·80
1986–87	4,346	0·80
1987–88	4,542	0·79
1988–89	4,690	0·79
1989–90	4,986	0·82
1990–91	5,129	0·87
1991–92	5,408	0·93
1992–93	5,664	10·98
1 Estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Jamaican citizens were initially refused leave to enter the United Kingdom as not being genuine visitors in 1987 and in each subsequent calendar year to date;(2) how many Jamaican citizens were initially refused leave to enter the United Kingdom as not being genuine visitors between January and June, inclusive, in 1993 and in the same period of 1991 and 1992.

The available information is in the table.

Jamaican citizens refused leave to enter, and removed from, the United Kingdom
	Main reason for refusal
	Not a genuine visitor1	Other reasons2
1987	212	57
1988	324	100
1989	692	111
1990	492	88
1991	338	54
1992	344	65
1991 January to June	175	29
1992 January to June	174	24
1993 January to March3	96	18
1 Persons refused under paragraph 22 of the immigration rules.
2 Some may have sought entry as a visitor but been refused mainly for a reason other than not being a genuine visitor.
3 Data for April to June 1993 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) of 10 November 1992, Official Report, columns 746–47, in how many cases ex-gratia payments have been made by the Government to people who claim to have suffered losses as a result of a prosecution which subsequently failed or was withdrawn.

None, in the particular categories specified by the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of installation of horizontal bars in prisons on the likelihood of prisoners attempting suicide by hanging.

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the downgrading from category A to C and the subsequent home leave granted to Mark Jarvis, recently sentenced for manslaughter and originally in Winson Green prison.

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens convicted of murder and imprisoned have been released on appeal or review as their convictions have been judged unsafe and unsound in each calendar year from 1985.

[holding answer 8 July 1993]: The information readily available centrally is in the table.

Appeals against conviction only or conviction and sentence for murder or life imprisonment, heard by the Court of, Appeal (Criminal Division).
England and Wales	Number of persons
Year	Appeals	Conviction quashed1	Retrial ordered
Murder2
1990	32	2	—
1991	32	10	1
Life imprisonment
1985	16	3	—
1986	15	1	2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his plans to reform Sunday trading law in England and Wales.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 July 1993 c. 207]: I have placed in the Library a copy of a draft Bill together with a covering text explaining the models for reform. I hope this will provide hon. Members with an opportunity to consider carefully the options for reform well in advance of being required to choose between them. We aim to introduce the Bill early next Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place on breaches of the Sunday trading laws over the last 12-month period for which figures are available.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1993, c. 253]: The number of prosecutions brought in 1991 was in fact 388, not 522 as I previously stated, of which 86 were brought to successful conclusions. I apologise for any difficulty which this mistake may have caused.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to make a further statement on new charters.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 28 June 1993 at column 654. I have nothing further to add to this statement at this time, but will of course keep him and the House informed of any new charters.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 16 June, Official Report, columns 605–6, if he will place in the Library the reports by PA Management Consultants on (a) United States biotechnology, (b) the feasibility study—"Factory of the Future", (c) the update of the report on manufacturing into the 1990s, (d) emerging generic technologies, (e) the future of Warren Spring Laboratory and (f) the Warren Spring investigation.

It is not my intention to publish all of the reports in question. The reports which I have arranged to be placed in the Library are (a) United States biotechnology and (c) the update on the report on manufacturing into the 1990's which is due for publication in July. Work has only recently begun on (b) the feasibility study—Factory of the Future. The form of the report to be published on (d) emerging generic technologies, has yet to be decided although a related study "Research Foresight and the Exploitation of the Science Base" published in March 1993 is available from HMSO. With regard to the studies on the Warren Spring Laboratory a copy of the report by PA consultancy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department provides to British engineering companies to sell their products abroad.

My Department, jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, provides a wide range of high quality advice and support to exporters which is available to all sectors of United Kingdom industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the European Council meeting on 2 July; and what progress was made at that meeting with the proposal to accord to Merseyside objective 1 status.

I refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch) on 6 July at columns 105–6.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with his Japanese counterpart on preparations being undertaken in Japan for the receipt of (a) low-level, (b) intermediate level and (c) high-level radioactive waste to be returned after reprocessing at Sellafield.

In the first instance, these are matters for British Nuclear Fuels plc and its customers in line with the contracts between them. These arrangements are supported by the existing intergovernmental letters between the United Kingdom and Japan. Since 1976, BNFL's contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. The Government intend that these options will be exercised and wastes returned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department was represented at the meeting hosted by the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent, on 15 June at 1 Parliament street, on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

No.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the International Atomic Energy Agency in regard to the establishment of an international or regional plutonium store at Sellafield.

An informal exchange of views about the possibility of greater international involvement in the storage of plutonium took place in Vienna in December 1992 under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Those present agreed that the meeting had been useful in identifying the issues involved in this area and that further discussions should be held.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amounts of plutonium are expected to be reprocessed from the final loading of spent fuel extracted from the prototype fast reactor at AEA Technology's Dounreay nuclear establishment when the reactor is shut down in 1994; what information is received from the operator by Her Mjesty's Government in regard to safeguards obligations to (a) EURATOM and (b) the International Atomic Energy Agency covering civil nuclear materials at Dounreay; and if he will make a statement on plutonium storage at Dounreay.

The plutonium content of the final fuel loading when the prototype fast reactor is shut down depends on the operational programme. Plutonium arisings from the fast reactor fuel reprocessing plant at Dounreay are transferred to BNFL, Sellafield for long term storage. EURATOM will have a continuing obligation to safegard the plutonium and routine reports of all inventory changes will continue to be sent to the IAEA.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has received from AEA Technology in regard to the planning timetable for the decommissioning of the Dounreay shaft; and if he has received any request for financial assistance in conducting this decommissioning exercise.

Disposals of radioactive waste to the Dounreay shaft were authorised by the Scottish Office. There is no requirement or timetable for its decommissioning. Studies are however being carried out by the AEA to determine whether any further work should be carried out on this facility. These studies are funded by the Department under the decommissioning and radioactive waste management support programme.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of (i) the proportion of the firm contract and tariff market over 2,500 therms which is currently supplied by independent shippers, (ii) the total cost savings made by industry as a result of switching to shippers of gas other than British Gas in each of the last three years for which figures are available and (iii) the average reduction in gas bills achieved by these concerns which have switched to a shipper other than British Gas.

By the end of 1992 OFGAS estimates that independent shippers had captured around 20 per cent. of the traditional contract market—above 25,000 therms.The Department does not collect price information from independent shippers. However, the latest annual report of the Gas Consumers Council suggests that gas costs to all but the largest consumers have been falling, particularly since the opening to competition of the 2,500–25,000 therm bracket last autumn. The latest estimate in July 1993 suggests a reduction of 10 per cent. in price to approximately 13 per cent. of the market in this bracket.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to bring about a reduction of catering ware duty of 35 per cent. on goods exported to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

In the current GATT Uruguay round market access negotiations, the Government continue to press, through the European Commission which negotiates on behalf of the European Community, for a substantial reduction in the United States 35 per cent. duty on catering ware. Good progress was made in talks in Tokyo on 6 July, at which the EC, United States, Japan and Canada produced an agreed report containing elements of a deal on market access including the objective of reaching 50 per cent. reductions in tariff rates of 15 per cent. and above, subject to agreed exceptions and effective market opening by other participants.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will continue to press for the reduction of United States tariff peaks on textiles and clothing in the GATT Uruguay round; and if he will make a statement on progress made by Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations.

In the current GATT Uruguay round market access negotiations, the Government continue to press, through the European Commission which negotiates on behalf of the European Community, for substantial reductions in peak United States textile and clothing tariffs. Good progress was made in talks in Tokyo on 6 July, at which the EC, United States, Japan and Canada produced an agreed report containing elements of a deal on market access including the objective of reaching 50 per cent. reductions in tariff rates of 15 per cent. and above, subject to agreed exceptions and effective market opening by other participants.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Post Office's plans for its present site at King Edward street, EC1; and what are the current terms of their occupancy.

I am told by the Post Office that the King Edward building site currently houses inland sorting; deliveries for EC 1–4 postal districts; international sorting; a counter and callers' office. The Post Office has plans to move inland sorting to the Mount Pleasant sorting office and is also considering proposals for a similar move of delivery work.The building is owned by the Post Office on a freehold basis.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list (a) all measures taken by his Department in the last 12 months to prevent nuclear proliferation, (b) the number of personnel in his Department working to prevent nuclear proliferation and (c) his Department's total expenditure on control of nuclear proliferation in the last year.

The Department of Trade and Industry works with other Departments to implement Government policy on nuclear non-proliferation. Over the past 12 months, my officials participated in the European political co-operation working group on nuclear non-proliferation, the nuclear suppliers group and the Zangger committee.

Grants to British Coal1 and payments under the Redundant Mineworkers Payments Scheme2
(£ million)
Financial year	Deficit and Deficiency Grant	Social and Restructuring Grant	RMPS(b)	Total
1987–88	200	477	295	972
1988–89	0	297	168	465
1989–90	6,153	1,090	126	7,369
1990–91	0	141	93	234
1991–92	0	457	61	518
1992–933	0	614	43	657
1 Grants to British Coal are at outturn prices, on an accruals basis, taken from British Coal's annual report and accounts.
2 Redundant mineworkers payments scheme. Figures exclude administration costs.
3 1992–93 figures provisional.

In addition to grant aid, the coal industry benefited by about £1 billion a year over the last three years from the financial advantage resulting from the premium over market prices which the electricity generators were paid for their coal supplies from British Coal.